I’ve been at my new job six months, as of this week. Hardly able to call it new, anymore. Much like with any new relationship, there’s a “honeymoon” phase to jobs — where everything is fantastic, all challenges are opportunities, and experiences are enveloped by that happy, glowing, “new relationship” feeling.
Well, the honeymoon’s over, and I’m firmly entrenched in the reality of the situation. And you know what? It *is* fantastic, and the challenges *are* opportunities. I know it sounds very Pollyanna of me, but it happens to be true.
Of course, for the last couple of weeks anyone who knows me well (and even some who don’t), knows that I haven’t felt as optimistic. The things that make me good at what I do can also be my greatest weaknesses. I’m a type-A personality, classic overachiever, perfectionist. I want results, and I want them now. And a few weeks ago I got so bogged down in the details that I couldn’t see the forest for the trees.
There are a LOT of trees that need attending to in my forest, but I wouldn’t have it any other way (I mean, really, who wants to oversee a perfectly groomed forest? Boooooring.). But on the whole, my forest is *significantly* better maintained and healthier than it was just six months ago. Just today, the help desk ticket queue hit “0”, for the first time since my arrival. Projects are getting planned, and done. Our ERP implementation is on track, and under control. And all anecdotal evidence points to a happier customer base (we’ll know for sure when we do our satisfaction survey next month).
While I was writing this post I saw an ad for The Rachel Maddow Show, in which host Rachel said, “it’s a really great privilege to have a job like this…and I love it.” Plus one, Rachel — I know *exactly* how you feel.
Some guy named Rae... 