I Think I Got The First Lesson Down

In order to get this post you will have to read a previous post entitled "It's Been A Long Time Comin'...you will need to read it not because I am progressing all that greatly with my "Get My House In Order" project...I seemed to have lost steam with that one last week. But tomorrow, My Dear Scarlett is another day (that is for my friend DB...not quite the title I was expecting, but I got it in...)

So for the lesson learned...

I have never professed to be the smartest person in the world, in fact I attempt to downplay myself for a multitude of reasons but mainly because there are so many people who walk around attempting to convince others that they are smart and well...it isn't a very becoming. What I will say about myself is that from time to time, I have a great idea or two; a creative thought to share; and a bit of common and practical sense in the land of the over/under-thinking....

The daily grind continues to amuse me..or at least the people that I work with do. On more than one occasion at work this week people have repeated a thought/idea that I have shared in open group discussion as well as in one on one conversation with them as if they came up with that thought or idea on their own. In fact, in one instance, one of the individuals maintained a completely different position on how to approach a situation only to have had a private conversation with me---and poof.....my idea became their idea as if it was an original idea. I am not looking for recognition in this situation however, I am looking for a little respect.

As such, I have learned two things actually. First, I talk to much. I secretly, and passively for that matter, prescribe to this notion of being a "Quiet Warrior"...everyone doesn't need to know everything. Yet, I end up in situation after situation like the above because of my big mouth!! Second, I need to guard my knowledge, my thoughts, and my ideas a bit better....as if they have some value--because in reality, they do. I have invested a great deal of money in education, in books and in conferences that have increased my overall level of knowledge. I have invested my personal time in gaining experiences and building knowledge. So in theory, all that I have gained in knowledge and experience is my personal capital. Now the question is..how do I effectively learn how to leverage my personal capital for professional growth?

Organizational culture and behaviors are"ooohhh" so interesting and the methods that people use to gain and maintain influence in groups and on teams is quite entertaining--well maybe not. I can't change the behaviors of other people...I can only work to be the best person that I can be and learn to protect myself (and my ideas) as best I can. Not in a way that impedes progress but in a way that is beneficial to me.

Onward and upward I still aim to climb.....BTW....I still haven't put my bed back together!!

Continuing Along The Path...

It has been a few days since I posted but just wanted to let whoever is out there reading this that I am still plodding along quite nicely. I often wonder where all of this paper, that has accumulated in my apartment, comes from...it is a combination of junk mail. magazines and who knows what else. The funny part is that I made a conscious decision a few years ago not to bring paper home from meetings and other events. But yet, I throw pounds of it away on a regular basis. I am still throwing pounds of it away.

I am happy to say that I am on track to reaching my Getting My House in Order Goal....I know I can do this before the end of June. This week my mini-goal is to purge clothing and shoes and to donate them to Goodwill and/or to Dress For Success. The first items to go are the 2-3 dresses/suits that I have been toting around for years that I have been trying to lose weight to be able to wear. I don't know why I do this to myself....can you say waste of money, waste of space and well...not really motivating!! Hope to have this part of the process done by Saturday evening....then on to the kitchen!!

Strapping on my cape....Onward and Upward!!

Its Been A Long Time Comin'

I was born by the river in a little tent; oh, and just like the river I've been running ever since." No, not really but I began to hum this song as I progressed through the cleaning process in my bedroom. I am making progress with my goal of "Getting My House In Order" I turned my bedroom upside down over the course of the last couple of days....and I actually broke my bed down this evening. This is a major accomplishment and I feel GREAT about it!! Did I mention that I didn't put the bed back together---wonder how long it will stay in its current state? It may be Sofa City for a few days!!

But, I am excited that I have gotten a bolt of energy in regard to this decluttering goal of mine since my June 30th deadline is quickly approaching and well, up until Monday morning, it was just a goal I kept repeating and thinking about. I guess the secret to my success has been doing a little bit of work each day instead of trying to tackle the massive project in one day. Being at home every night this week, so far, has also been helpful. Ah, the sound of devoting much needed time and energy to something that is beneficial to me!! So I started cleaning and decluttering on Monday morning at around 6:45 a.m., when I should have been getting ready for work, and have been gaining more and more inspiration each and every day. Could it be that I could be decluttered before June 30th? I sure hope so.

I have even started a "I am going to try to sell it bag" for my Stoop Sale in June. If it isn't broken or ripped I am really going to try to sell it.

This week has also been an interesting week at work (really the last three years have been, but who is counting). I have decided that there is some lesson I am supposed to be learning at this job and that the job is not for naught. This learning(s), I assume, will help me in the next phase of my personal journey. I have definitely ruled out my daily job functions as the learning's...but am beginning to conclude the growth is going to come in the area of people, places and things. More specifically, learning how to effectively deal with those PEOPLE, places and things and to not let the nonsense that others attempt to lay at my feet bother me!!

I tend to believe that I am of the peaceful kind...most of the time I have a cheery disposition and when I don't, I keep to myself. As I have mentioned before, I always give 150% to the work that I do and am for the most part a pretty great employee. Yet, I always find myself in a jam of some sort. Not typically one that I have created for myself but usually one where I am being dragged into some petty battle of the wills, of he said/she said or an adult game of tattle tell over the simplest of things. I fully understand that there are some people in this world that don't and/or won't like me and I am okay with this. I probably don't care for them much either!! What I am not okay with is their inability to dislike me without involving me in their nonsense-- either directly or indirectly on a consistent basis.

I once heard a preacher say...the growth process is a series of lessons similar to the grades that we go through in school beginning with kindergarten. We can't progress on our journey until we master the subject matter at hand. We all have our challenges, our personality quirks, and some of those things that make others go HHHmmmm! But as we strive to grow, we have to master those things that make us stumble, either at our own hand or at the hands of others in an effort to move on to the next level. The best thing about this whole growth and learning process is that we are being refined and prepared for something greater! But, only if we learn the lesson and are able to move on. Not only are we required to learn the lesson and move along we are also led to understand that many of the people that are around us--whether friend or foe-- aren't always interested in becoming better people and moving on to the next level. Their goal is to block us and they are content with making that their destiny.

Do you think if I click my heels three times and say "I will learn the lesson, I will learn the lesson, I will learn the lesson" that I will in fact--Learn The Lesson!! I am so ready to move on to bigger and better things in many aspects of my life. Sometimes I feel like I am standing outside of the gate to Disney World (or some other magical/fun place) looking in at all of the wonder and fun that lies within...but not actually being able to partake in the festivities. Learn the lesson, learn the lesson, learn the lesson....and then move along!!

Always praying for focus, direction and stamina for the journey. (I no longer pray for patience because it means long suffering.)

It's been a long, long time comin'; but I know.. a change gon' come. Oh, yes it will!

Onward and upward!!