I believe that most people have some sort of daily routine that they follow. Be it personal hygiene, fitness, work day...everyone has a routine. I happen to be one of those people that perform best when I have a set routine. In fact, I sometimes feel lost and scatter-brained if I'm off track and not following my set schedule for the day. Being unemployed for the past six months has done nothing to help me stick to any existing routines that I had or to encourage the implementation of new ones. Not to say that I haven't held on to any of my old habits - for the most part, I still wake up and go to bed at the same time most days and I get ready and dressed in the same order every day. I've even put into practice a study schedule that has been pivotal in helping me to earn A's in my new medical classes. Even still, I feel a little off course and am yearning for more structure in my life. Instead of cursing this extended vacation and letting it waste away, this is actually the perfect time for me to start adding things that I’ve always wanted to do and never had the time to do into my daily routine. I guess this is where self-discipline is supposed to come in. It’s time that I put my foot down and focus on a routine that will make my life flourish.
As I look at my 2010 goal poster and reflect on things that I want to accomplish this year, I see that some are well underway and that some need a little work. One of my goals is to complete my Medical Assisting certification – so far so good, I’ve got A’s in all of my classes. Another is to better budget my money – this one is sort of easy seeing how I’m on a fixed, modest income until I find another job. I can check that one off. Where I’m lacking and where I can use some more routine is in working out, eating healthier, volunteering and nourishing and growing my natural hair.
I will be posting blog entries in the coming days to elaborate on those goals, the plan of action and how I’m able to employ a structured routine that will allow me to achieve those goals while adding normalcy and a set track for my days. Stay tuned…
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
PRIDE
I haven't made a post to my blog in a while and was reminded of that when chatting with a friend last night. I try to post positive, encouraging and uplifting things since, generally, I am that sort of person. However, I've been a little down lately and didn't want to be a Negative Nancy and dump on anyone. I realize though that hard times fall on everyone and that the purpose of the blog is to share my experiences, good and bad, as I make my way through this transition (or quarter life crisis as the DMN so eloquently put it an article I was interviewed for). So, I'm going to keep it real and post my thoughts and feelings they way they should be posted...raw!
In light of my current situation, I've been battling a lot of emotions. My most recent struggle is with pride. Pride is an interesting concept, isn't it. It's something that is good and encouraged in certain situations and is frowned upon in other situations. Pride is something that is instilled and deserved in some and delusionally self-imposed in others. Some say it's self-esteem, others say it's a sin. It's both a virtue a vice. Unfortunately, my particular brand of pride is definitely a vice.
This week makes 5 months that I've been unemployed. At first I was okay with it because I had a plan. I was okay with it because I had unemployment benefits to pay my bills, which had been drastically reduced since moving home with Mom. I was okay with it because I was returning to school to pursue a new career. Most importantly, I was okay with it because I knew it would be temporary. I got my first job at 14 years old and have always been employed since then. The longest I've gone without work and the longest I've actively searched for work, before now of course, is about 2 weeks. Maybe I was delusional or too confident in my abilities but I was so sure that I would have found something by now, even with the transition into a new field and having no experience.
Needless to say, that hasn't happened yet. I have applied for what seems like hundreds of jobs. At first my search was health care specific. I know that I won't be finished with my Medical Assisting and Phlebotomy certifications until later this year but thought it'd be pretty easy to get a job as a receptionist or front office clerk in a medical office. As it turns out, that's not so easy. Who knew that one needed 2 or more years experience to answer phones? After months with no luck, I decided to include Advertising and Marketing positions in my search since that is what I've done for the last 7 years. Unfortunately, with the economy the way it is, there are no jobs in that industry available either. Finally, I decided I should start applying for any and everything. I thought, who cares if it's not something that I love, it's only for a few months until I'm finished with this medical program.
Herein the lies problem...I've got a ridiculous amount of pride that is hindering me. It's bad enough that I was laid off, moved back home and can't find a job. But now the only available jobs out there are those that pay $7-$8 per hour, part-time, and include cold calling or side orders of fries and the inevitable taking of crap from the general public. I didn't mind taking crap from my clients at the ad agency because I was getting paid pretty well to do it. But having to take crap from some Joe Blow because I'm calling his house in the middle of King of the Hill or because his order wasn't super sized is not my idea of progress. As petty as it is, I am really bothered by this. I keep thinking, what if I'm at the register checking someone out and look up to see it's someone I went to high school with who never got to see me in my glory days (i.e. fab job, fab apartment, fab life). Or, what if the Decaf Grande Nonfat Extra Hot Light Foam Caffe Latte that I'm preparing is for an intern, now executive, that I once trained. The thought of it makes me want to find a hole to hide in.
Pride...to proud to get a hourly position to pay my car note. It's ridiculous right? Pride doesn't pay the bills and beggars can't be choosers. That said, I've swallowed the big pill that is my pride and am looking for a job wherevere I can be hired. That includes the Starbucks around the corner although I feel there's something a little sad about a 30-year old barista. It also includes the new grocery store being built in the area for which I'm attending a "cashier career fair". It's time to put the pride aside. I will continue to aggressively seek a job in health care but won't turn down any other opportunities that come my way just because I don't want to wear an ugly uniform.
I do find comfort in knowing that 6 or 7 months from now the economy will be on an upswing (hopefully) and that with my new certifications in Medical Assisitng and Phlebotomy I can once again join the professional workforce. My journey won't end there...I will go on to continue working towards my Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and apply to PA School, Pharmacy School, hell - maybe even Medical School. And that's something to be proud of!
In light of my current situation, I've been battling a lot of emotions. My most recent struggle is with pride. Pride is an interesting concept, isn't it. It's something that is good and encouraged in certain situations and is frowned upon in other situations. Pride is something that is instilled and deserved in some and delusionally self-imposed in others. Some say it's self-esteem, others say it's a sin. It's both a virtue a vice. Unfortunately, my particular brand of pride is definitely a vice.
This week makes 5 months that I've been unemployed. At first I was okay with it because I had a plan. I was okay with it because I had unemployment benefits to pay my bills, which had been drastically reduced since moving home with Mom. I was okay with it because I was returning to school to pursue a new career. Most importantly, I was okay with it because I knew it would be temporary. I got my first job at 14 years old and have always been employed since then. The longest I've gone without work and the longest I've actively searched for work, before now of course, is about 2 weeks. Maybe I was delusional or too confident in my abilities but I was so sure that I would have found something by now, even with the transition into a new field and having no experience.
Needless to say, that hasn't happened yet. I have applied for what seems like hundreds of jobs. At first my search was health care specific. I know that I won't be finished with my Medical Assisting and Phlebotomy certifications until later this year but thought it'd be pretty easy to get a job as a receptionist or front office clerk in a medical office. As it turns out, that's not so easy. Who knew that one needed 2 or more years experience to answer phones? After months with no luck, I decided to include Advertising and Marketing positions in my search since that is what I've done for the last 7 years. Unfortunately, with the economy the way it is, there are no jobs in that industry available either. Finally, I decided I should start applying for any and everything. I thought, who cares if it's not something that I love, it's only for a few months until I'm finished with this medical program.
Herein the lies problem...I've got a ridiculous amount of pride that is hindering me. It's bad enough that I was laid off, moved back home and can't find a job. But now the only available jobs out there are those that pay $7-$8 per hour, part-time, and include cold calling or side orders of fries and the inevitable taking of crap from the general public. I didn't mind taking crap from my clients at the ad agency because I was getting paid pretty well to do it. But having to take crap from some Joe Blow because I'm calling his house in the middle of King of the Hill or because his order wasn't super sized is not my idea of progress. As petty as it is, I am really bothered by this. I keep thinking, what if I'm at the register checking someone out and look up to see it's someone I went to high school with who never got to see me in my glory days (i.e. fab job, fab apartment, fab life). Or, what if the Decaf Grande Nonfat Extra Hot Light Foam Caffe Latte that I'm preparing is for an intern, now executive, that I once trained. The thought of it makes me want to find a hole to hide in.
Pride...to proud to get a hourly position to pay my car note. It's ridiculous right? Pride doesn't pay the bills and beggars can't be choosers. That said, I've swallowed the big pill that is my pride and am looking for a job wherevere I can be hired. That includes the Starbucks around the corner although I feel there's something a little sad about a 30-year old barista. It also includes the new grocery store being built in the area for which I'm attending a "cashier career fair". It's time to put the pride aside. I will continue to aggressively seek a job in health care but won't turn down any other opportunities that come my way just because I don't want to wear an ugly uniform.
I do find comfort in knowing that 6 or 7 months from now the economy will be on an upswing (hopefully) and that with my new certifications in Medical Assisitng and Phlebotomy I can once again join the professional workforce. My journey won't end there...I will go on to continue working towards my Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and apply to PA School, Pharmacy School, hell - maybe even Medical School. And that's something to be proud of!
Friday, January 1, 2010
2010 Is Here!!!
new
Pronunciation: \ˈnü
Function: adjective
1: having recently come into existence
2 a(1): having been seen, used, or known for a short time (2): unfamiliar b : being other than the former or old
3 : having been in a relationship or condition but a short time
4 a : beginning as the resumption or repetition of a previous act or thing b : made or become fresh c : relating to or being a new moon
5 : different from one of the same category that has existed previously
6 : of dissimilar origin and usually of superior quality
new. (2010). In Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary.
I don’t know about you but I am very much looking forward to this New Year! I’m ready to leave 2009 behind and embark on an unfamiliar journey in 2010. I’m glad that this year will be something other than the former or old. And I’m thrilled about a chance at a fresh start. For me, 2010 is about new beginnings. At almost 30, I’m beginning to know and accept myself like I hadn’t before. I’m beginning to better appreciate all of the love and blessings in my life. I’m beginning a new educational path and a new career. I have a lot of plans for this year. Shoot, I have a lot of plans for this decade! And it’s time to work these plans!
Goal Setting:
We did an exercise at my last job where we created goal posters by cutting out images and words from magazines that were reflective of the goals we had for the New Year. At first, I thought it was really cheesy and just a crafts project. But I learned that having my goals posted at my desk where I could see it every day really made a difference. So, I just made my 2010 goal poster and have it hanging on the wall beside my bed. My sister calls it a Prayer Map and that is just as fitting. It is to be a daily visual reminder of the things that I want to accomplish this year and motivation for me to make them a reality. It is not enough to just have a goals…putting them on paper gives them power. It’s a way to review and reflect on these goals and holds me accountable.
Guiding Principles:
What’s more important than having a goal is understanding the guiding principles from which your goals are formed. In looking at my goals, I see that they are all based on a couple of guiding principles:
• Faith – in God, in myself
• Health – physical, mental
• Education – academic, career
• Wealth – financial, spiritual
I am so glad that I was able to grasp the importance of the goal setting exercise and really utilize it in my life. I suggest that you do the same. What are your goals for 2010? What guiding principles drive you? Whatever they are, I pray that you have a blessed and abundant New Year!
Here's a great link to an article on personal goal setting: http://www.mindtools.com/page6.html
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)