[Turtle_Rider]

Today marks my first week at my new job. I began to adjust with my workplace's environtment and the work pace. I am glad that it's better than I expected. It's been so long since I felt so content at work like these past three days.

[rechu]

I am wrapping up my 3rd week of steady freelancing for my new client. I’ve been doing about 20-22 hours a week. They seem happy with my work. There are some things I still need to fine tune, but they are willing to work with me on them and seem happy with my progress.

I was just asked if I want to increase my hours. On the one hand I like working part-time, but the extra money would be good, so I am considering it. I’ve been doing 3 projects a week. My idea is to offer to try 4 projects next week to see how it goes. That would be around 30 hours a week.

[bpforever1]

I got a part-time job paying 34 dollars an hour teaching online and in the classroom. I start training tomorrow online. I have to hold onto this job because my family thinks it is a waste of time. I will do my best!

[Have Hope]

I applied for a VP role in my field! Now I just pray I get an interview... so it's good news, but not quite yet.

[Discombobulated]

Well today was much better than last Sunday's disaster at work - good team effort and 6 months in with our new manager and I still think she's great.

[SlumberKitty]

Got to order two shirts from Land's End today for work, with the company logo on it, and the company paid for it, and it's free clothes, and I got to shop while on company time. Woo Hoo! I got two long sleeved blue button down shirts with white logos

[seesaw]

Not my client but someone in my client's department mentioned they wanted to chat with me so they called today. I was so worried it was something bad. Turns out she was curious if I was interested in working at the university in a full-time position! I was very flattered, and we had a nice conversation. I let her know that I am disabled and so working as a consultant allows me to go to appointments and be sick and not impact anyone but myself. I also explained that I do better financially as a consultant too, right now. But it was a very good conversation, and we got to know each other a bit, which is great, and so I feel like I made another ally in the university, and another person who may refer me if a researcher needs help on a grant or publishing their research.

It was also a huge ego boost. Not that I need my head to be any bigger, lol!

[bpforever1]

I finished training and will be advancing to the next step which is to meet my recruiter in person. I will be given a contract then. I am ok with this. The bad thing about this job is that it has no benefits. It has paid transportation though. I can’t complain too much because I have not worked for two years. I was lucky to find a job which can lead to a full-time schedule. I will try to do this job for a year or two then decide to return to school. I am getting old but have to remain stable and gain more stamina. I am doing fine now but know as the stress increases, I will have to deal with it. I am going to exercise by walking everywhere and eating healthy. I am looking forward to working again!

[bpforever1]

The company recruiter sent me an e-mail stating that I will be given an offer in person. This is music to my ears!! The problem is I have to move there. However, I am happy!!

[Have Hope]

Work has been going well lately.

[BreakForTheLight]

I had to move to another desk today and even though it's a bit lonely being away from the rest of my team, I feel much better sitting in a slightly more quiet corner than I did right in the middle of the open plan office with people and noise ALL around me.

[rechu]

Break for the Light - Yeah, open office plans suck. My last employer operated like that. I eventually was able to work from home, but had to train in the office for various months first. Due to space issues, I was initially in a small conference room, which was nice, but then they stuck me in a loud, annoying area close to the kitchen. It was so distracting. And, the times when I did have to come in to work at the office, they stuck me wherever there was an empty desk. I had no choice of my surroundings.

I’m glad you are in an area with some more peace and quiet now. I don’t know how companies think people can be productive in an open plan office.

[BreakForTheLight]

It's not like there isn't plenty of research showing how bad open plan offices are. Not only less productive but for employee health as well.

I think it's also not just the volume but the type of noise as well. At my last office, the noise level was higher which was distracting, sure. But a lot of it was crates being dragged along the floor, heavy boxes being dropped - ocassionally people shouting. It was annoying but nowhere near as stress-inducing as being surrounded by people talking. And not just the noise but also the people are draining for an introvert.

[Have Hope]

I received a very nice compliment and a big kudos for a job well done from my most negative and difficult client today. Then I received a high five and a "great job" from my boss's boss who reports to the CEO, and a "great job" on that call from the CEO's son who works with us. All around, a very positive day!!! Yay!

[rechu]

I'm glad you had a good day, Have Hope, I know how you've been struggling at work..

[seesaw]

Hahaha, the universe is so funny!

I reached out to a colleague on Facebook because I may need to pass off a client to her because they've kind of gotten to a stage where they need some help I can't provide, and I remembered that she provides that kind of service. So I reached out to her, and in the course of chatting, she mentioned that she might need some consulting back up from me on another client, which would be good work and great to have, so we might be referring both ways. So...again...still spending next to nothing marketing myself, and getting work, LOL. The universe is being nice to me lately. Maybe I paid enough dues with all the abuse I suffered.

Of course, I need to acknowledge that I'm doing the grunt work. I put myself out there, I network and connect with people. I make friends. If I hadn't spent time building my craft and being good at it, and networking and putting myself out there, none of this would happen. Who was it that said 90% of success is just showing up? I think that's so true.

People want to know how I succeed, and honestly, besides needing to be good at what you do, well there are 100s of people good at what you do. You gotta put yourself out there. And keep doing it. Shrug off the bad connections or misconnects, and keep putting yourself out there. Because one good connection leads to referrals, etc. In my field, for every 10 proposals, only 3 get funded. So if I go by those stats, for every 10 people I meet, 3 might turn into clients. But none will be clients if I don't put myself out there. And as great as online marketing is, most of mine come from in person meetings.

So...I dunno what that was...ranting advice, I guess. But also just celebrating that I've worked hard and it's paying off.

[rechu]

Congrats, seesaw!

I have some more good news to share. I got an e-mail from my freelance client. The two owners (she and her husband) want to call me on Wednesday to see how I feel about the work so far, etc. She signed off with, “We appreciate your work and having you on board!” It sure is nice to be appreciated.

[ARaven0137]

I needed a little good in my life. I had a good training flight last night. It was rainy, cloudy and windy, sort of matching my mood. We went into the clouds at 800' and it was bumpy until I broke out of the clouds at about 8000'. I took the ILS approach back into the bumpy clouds, breaking out at 1800', 200' above the altitude I would have to go around if I didn't see the runway. I took the practice missed approach to a hold and then picked up my clearance back home for more practice. I took the ILS to a smooth landing. Personally and professionally, it's been a rough quarter so I cherish anything good.

[ARaven0137]

One other good thing is that I won a competition in pistol shooting this past week. I'm on a team and we hold periodic competitions. I won three of the events, beating out 11 other competitors, mostly guys. In the final stages where things were getting intense, I did not miss a shot. I also won free lunch for a week.

[seesaw]

My biggest client is making sure to give me work through this time and make sure I'm taken care of - very much appreciate her right now. But most of my clients are continuing to work with me through this time. I'm actually seeing a bit of an uptick in activity because now they all have free time and want to complete outstanding projects, lol. That's all good, I'll take it while I can get it.

[Discombobulated]

This has been the weirdest time at work with a huge surge in demand due to the current health situation in the country. None of us have ever experienced anything like it and it's a bit stressful but we are working together as a team and that feels really wonderful.

[Have Hope]

I received contact today about a Director level role, despite all that's going on, and with a good local company, I do believe.

[Mountaindewed]

I called my job and asked what there plans were and explained that my mom is 68 years old and I don’t want to risk getting her sick. They told me then not to come in for 2 weeks and if I need to be out longer then to talk to talk to the store manager. So I’m glad about that. I’m ok right now with money. It’s not like you can go out anyways but I have some money saved up.

[ARaven0137]

I had the wild ride of a flight from H yesterday thought a storm. There was about a minute or two where I thought I was a goner. It took every ounce of skill, training and experience to get through that flight and land safely back home. I got a lot of kudos from the crew about how calm and collected I was while anything and everyone not strapped down was bouncing and flying through the cabin.

I am now working from home for most of the day and I really love it. I don't know if I will be able to go back. I can't get over how much more productive I am. First, I get to sleep late. That alone makes me more productive. Second I don't have to get dressed up. Can just take a quick shower and be done. Then, while waiting for a return e-mail or something I can load the dishwasher and have that all done. Not to mention the reduction in commute time. I think this could change everything because now we all have the ability to do this and we see the benefits.