Yes, I may have possibly bit off more than I could chew, but I'm settling in. I was at school W-Th-F from 7:30 in the morning until 2:30 in the afternoon. All three days after I got home, I worked on promotions, ideas, and letters to other parents. I also wrote my "speech" for the Executive Board Meeting for tonight (that I've been tweaking ever since) and another for the BIG PTO meeting next Tuesday outlining all I'm going to do. I also have to re-write the official "manual" that we use (because it is a freaking nightmare and I can't make heads or tails out of it). And quite honestly, I'm exhausted. Writing books is one thing, but being in the real world again is kind of scary. (The Ultimate Recluse -- yes that's me)
However, there is a bright spot. I'm starting to feel like a "whole" person again.
Since we moved down to NC six years ago, I haven't worked outside the home. Yes, I consider myself a full-time writer, and that is my official "job" but I don't have to leave my house. Sure I go out for groceries and shopping, but that's pretty much where my "social activities" end. I don't really "talk" to anyone. Yeah, sure, a conversation here and there with my neighbor about the snakes in his chicken coop, or chatting about the weather with the postmistress, but nothing of any real value. (Which truthfully is why I blog. I need the social interaction and why I miss you all so much when I'm off on hiatus.)
In taking this position at the school, I've found that I'm returning to my pre-Monster state -- where I was a viable part of a community. Where my ideas were met with enthusiasm, where I could state a case for something I believe in and find camaraderie, where I'm not just Monster's mother, but a bona-fide person in my own right. It's been thrilling.
In taking on this position, I find my creativity challenged in ways I haven't used for a very long time. Sure I bitch about how much work this all is, but honestly, it's fun. See, the girl I took over for (Tina) has done nothing but do the job for the last three years. She hasn't put any forward motion into it, hasn't wanted to. I can understand that -- she has 3 kids under the age of 8 and to say she's frazzled is an understatement.
I, on the other hand, have many ideas on how the Gift Card Coordinator position should be run and have implemented at least three of them since last Wednesday. All have been met with unbridled enthusiasm. (Which, quite frankly, is a little unsettling. If even the littlest things I do can have such a response, then either their bar has been set quite low, or I am particularly brilliant. I think I'd rather go with the former.)
I've also been "blessed" by everyone one who now knows I'm the new coordinator. As in, "God Bless You for taking on the task." "We're blessed to have you do this." "What a blessing it is to have you here." And hey, not that I'm overly fond of all that religion, but I won't turn down a blessing. You never know when you'll need it right?
I just wanted to tell you, I'm not feeling as crazed as I was last week.Yeah, sure, the job is still a little overwhelming, but I'm making strides, and so far, not faltering (unless you count the reconciling sheets I have to do. Ugh, it's all math.) But so far, I feel pretty good. I have every confidence that once I know my way around the books, I'll be able to get this job down to four hours two days a week. And then I can finish my next masterpiece. lol
I'm starting to feel like my "old self" again. I'm starting to feel like ME. Yay me!
And just one more thing.
I finished that "school project story" too and published it. (For those of you who don't know, I offered a prize for the school auction last April "Be A Character in a Story" and one of the teachers won it.) I decided to write it and then donate part of the proceeds back to the school. It's not my typical Regency romance, more about how two teachers find their way in 1809, but there is a little romance so as not to disappoint my regular readers.This too, has been met with much enthusiasm and I'm actually going to do a real book signing for the paperback version on October 18 at the school's Fall Festival. So if you're anywhere near Winston-Salem around 4pm on October 18, stop by and say hello.
If any of you would like to read it for a review, I'll gladly send you a copy. (novella length word count 25K) I need all the reviews I can get. It's for charity and I'd like to see this do well.
So that's all the news that I have. Thanks for all your support last week. This is why I continue to blog. With all of you having my back, I am truly blessed. You can't find friends like this on Face Book or Twitter.
Tell me -- Have you ever taken on a job that you regretted, but then found it was the best thing you could have done for yourself?
Anne Gallagher (c) 2013
14 comments:
Good. You're sounding much more upbeat this week. It is nice to be recognised as a person in your own right rather than a label and it sounds as if you're a much-needed breath of fresh air.
Janice -- Well, I'm still crazy busy, but yes, I do have a grip. I even added 1000 new words to a story I'm working on, so that's good as well. I'm trying to keep up with my old life. Once I finish "training" I should be a lot better.
I think it's because you're brilliant!
You go girl. And I'd be happy to read your story and give it a review.
I've regretted all my jobs. LOL! But somehow they all worked out.
Glad to hear you're getting the best of both worlds.
I'm with Maria about regretting all my jobs! Haha!
I especially regretted taking that last job in which they let me go four months later, but you know what? It meant I could stay home and write, so maybe it wasn't such a bad thing after all! :) I could still be miserable at the job I had before that one.
Glad life is looking up for you again. That's always a good thing!
YAY on the book signing!!!!
And yeah, i also have extreme moments of hermitage. I've gotten better over the last year, or so, about actually going out and being social with people. What a novel idea! ;)
Bish -- Thanks Bish. But I'm not really brilliant. I just think I am. I'll send you an email.
Maria -- Yeah, I think I may have regretted all my jobs as well. Except for "mommy".
Stacy -- When God closes a door, she usually opens a window. Just think if you had stayed at that job, you wouldn't be sitting on publication right now. Yay you!
Sarah -- Hermitage. What a fun word. But yeah, somedays I used to feel like that. Sad part is, I kind of like it.
That's great news. What exactly does a Gift Card Coordinator do?
A job can definitely bring you some much needed recognition when you're a writer or even just some validation. I just upped my days to 4 days/week. Not totally excited about that though.
First of all, I am going for the you are brilliant part. And yes, I'm in a job now, I hope, hope, hope turns around like yours is. There are slight signs it my. Fingers crossed!
Each of us is more brilliant than we believe -- except for Narcissists, of course. LOL.
I am glad you are feeling more upbeat -- it is all too true that if you do not use it, you will lose and that applies to social interaction capacity. You are getting more brilliant each day. :-)
Glad you're settling in. Sounds like the new job is ultimately going to be a positive in your life. :)
Patti -- We sell gift cards through a program at school that offers rebates at the end of the year if you meet your required limit of $2000.00 I "coordinate" all that junk between parents and the company and keep track of all the books. It's a challenge to be sure, but I think once I get the hang of it, I'll be okay. And yeah, it's validating.
Liza -- Nope, not brilliant. Perhaps a little shiny maybe. I hope hope hope right along with you you get your wish.
Roland -- Like a diamond in the rough. Thanks for keeping up with me. I feel like a heel I haven't been by your place.
Linda -- I think it might, if the old coordinator doesn't drive me nuts first. And if I can keep my big mouth shut when the auction asks for volunteers. lol
I haven't much liked any of the jobs I've had outside of writing, in all honesty. I did enjoy working in a movie theater, but I think that was mostly because of the popcorn.
What I'm happy about is that you are feeling like yourself again! That's a huge deal, seriously. I felt like that when I started writing again after my five year break. It was an incredible feeling.
Hope things continue to go well for you. :)
Very cool to hear you're doing so well. It's been a long time since I've been paid for anything besides writing, but all the volunteer jobs I held over the years... some, more than others... were challenging, work-intensive, and fulfilling. It feels doggone good to be a "person" again, instead of just good ol' Mom, doesn't it?
Very neat that you'll be doing a book-signing next month... and that you finished writing that special book. (Not that they aren't ALL special, mind you!) I'd be happy to read it, but I'll check for it on Amazon. No sense sending it to me for free when my payment can help support a good cause.
I'm gonna be doing a book-signing in Murphy, NC later this month. A couple stores up there are selling my book, and the owners of one asked me to come up. It'll be a "little" different than selling at a hamfest, where I mostly know the people who are buying, so I'm a little nervous. I mean, what if nobody shows up? Oh well, nothing ventured, nothing gained, right? I'll think of it as an adventure. My hubby's been checking out other things we might do while we're in the area, so we can make a mini-vacation out of it. Something tells me we're gonna be doing some more gem-mining.
Online sales on my book have slowed down, so I'm toying with the idea of a Goodreads giveaway. Not sure yet, though. Did that work out well for you?
Take care, kiddo. And again... thank you so much for all your hard work on my behalf. I appreciate it more than I can say.
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