Challenge myself

Just had my annual review—did really well in several areas, average in a few. It’s fairly simple things like organization I need to work on.

This was my first annual review with my new boss. He identified something a lot of past bosses and teachers have—that I’m not performing to my full potential.

I’ve worked here for 12 years now, and sometimes I suffer from “I’ve seen it all” syndrome, meaning it’s not always terribly exciting here. I need to challenge myself to do better. We talked about some new projects that sound really challenging, so I’m excited about that. Now I’ve just got to follow through.

We’re going to be with my family this year for Thanksgiving. It’s the first time in many years we’re together for a holiday.

I’m challenging myself to be more talkative. My wife has pointed out to me that I tend to get quiet in these family gatherings. Why make a long trip to see family and not talk to them?

I’m thinking a little drink may help loosen me up for conversation, but I don’t want to depend on alcohol. I’m the big brother here, I shouldn’t be afraid to do a little talking.

The election is almost here and I’m very busy at work. This is like April for tax preparers and December for shopping malls. So far, I’m getting most of my work done, but I am feeling a pinch. I might not be around as much until after the vote’s in.

Cheers,

Taylor

I was wasting too much time on frivolous things. I wasn’t concentrating on what’s important.

Wednesday, I challenged myself to do nothing but work while at work. Today (Thursday) I put off 43T-time till after all my work was done. It made a big difference.

Last night my new boss had a talk with me about some things. He could have chewed me out for dogging it on a small assignment recently, but he turned it into a pep talk about how far I can go if I show people in my office my commitment to finishing projects.

So I’m challenging myself to get organized, quit wasting time and do something with my career.

The promotion I didn’t get at work recently—turns out nobody got it. The money for the new position didn’t come through. This may seem like a bad thing, but it gives me a chance to turn things around and get the job when it eventually does get funded.

And, I’ll actually be doing more work in this area than the woman who was going to get the job, had it been funded. So I’ll have a chance to show what I can do there.

which may be why I spend so much time here on 43T. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that.)

But I need to challenge myself, to set high goals, to finish what I start.

If I keep going like this I’ll never get a promotion, never get much of a raise, never get out of here.

Last night we watched the DVD of “The Ice Harvest,” a dark comedy starring John Cusak and Billy Bob Thornton. In the DVD extras, the writers were talking about Cusak’s character being someone who takes the path of least resistance. And it occurs to me that’s something I often do, too.

I want to change!