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(Cathie) Black Magic
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The bitch is in.
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I think you are an idiot.
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It's finally Friday. I'm free again.
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I have categorized this post with “Climbing the ladder” although as the title suggests, I’m not entirely sure I climbed anything just yet.
I know some of you *coughs* Nataly *coughs* have noticed my absence here on Work It, Mom! in recent weeks. Others of you *coughs* Kate *coughs* were warned to expect precisely nothing from me asked to forgive me for excusing myself from a special project we were working on. I purposely did not share the details of where I have been until things shook out in full at the office but now, after several weeks of announcements, changes in roles and responsibilities and other varied communications it is safe to share with you some career news.
…drumroll, please….
Earlier this week a Stole My Stapler reader named Caitlin commented on my Jesus post. That comment sparked an email exchange between us on which resulted in her closing one of her replies with what I have borrowed for the title of this post.
“I like to sound like I’m wise beyond my years, but really I’m just a cranky bitch.”
So fitting for this post. So very, very fitting.
Awhile ago I posted on the subject of professional certifications here on Who Stole My Stapler. I don’t have one and have never felt the need to get one in the past. While I am quite happy with my career (both where I’ve been and where I am) I have been starting to wonder if getting a certification in my area might be a good idea for where I want to be in the future.
I received some great feedback on my original post on the subject and based on those comments I dabbled around on the internet looking for more information about becoming a Certified Business Analyst Professional (CBAP). I have also done more generic research on the benefits of being certified. While it all made perfectly good sense to me none of the information I read pushed me over the edge to go after my certification.
That changed last week when my CEO pushed me over the edge.
A few years ago I was on a large company project where key resources worked in multiple locations throughout the United States. I joined the project when it was in an official state of chaos or in project lingo “status: red”. The entire team was stressed out and the Project Manager and Program Manager were overwhelmed with the size, scope and complexity of the project. They were unsure of how to get things back on track.
I did not enter the scene with any answers for them in fact, I peppered them with a whole lot of questions as I tried to wrap my brain around the size, scope and complexity of the project. Within my first week on the project I was dizzy with the number of directions the Program Manager, Project Manager and now I were being pulled. I realized in that first week that if I didn’t start taking notes I would never be able to get it all straight.
Not that long ago (*coughs* a month ago *coughs*) a new Work It, Mom friend (wave hello, Kate!) pointed me towards an interesting article by Steve Pavlina.
I have been an off and on reader of Steve’s for just about a year now. I like much of what he has to say but unfortunately, Steve is VERBOSE. Really, really verbose. And me? I have the attention span of a gnat. You could write PURE! GENIUS! CONTENT! and while I would appreciate its first paragraph or so, I’d most likely find myself skimming through the bulk of the content.
I, my friends, am a fan of the bulleted list.
That said, this article that Kate pointed me towards, well, I confess that I read it in full.
*mostly*
The article is on the subject of self-employment. So many people feel like that is a path that they simply could not go down. Perhaps the discipline required would be too great or maybe it is the risk of not being financially rewarded for your work. Whatever the reason, a great many people feel like they could absolutely positively never pursue being self-employed.
Well guess what?
I am constantly finding great information during my daily travels on the world wide web. It’s a big internet and it is well stocked with brilliant content. Today Who Stole My Stapler proudly introduces:
I am finally back to work after a long slow recovery from surgery. I was out of the office for six weeks and during that leave I had some time to browse the internets. One of my world wide hangouts is Work It, Mom of course.
Recently I asked a question in a Work It, Mom forum trying to uncover how women view their career and what they feel holds them back from achieving career success. The results were not entirely shocking to me. It was noted by one mother that she feels raising her children is her top priority at this point. A list of mothers noted something that I have heard from women before.
I see a trend.
I talk to people online, in person and by phone daily. Some of my conversations are incredibly intimate and highly confidential. Some are a bit more relaxed. Some of these conversations are planned and some are impromptu but the one thing I am seeing in a lot of conversations these days is…
During my time at home recovering I am watching an unimaginable amount of television. Most of it is total rubbish but yesterday I saw something that captured and kept my attention for an entire hour. Probably because what I saw was exciting and motivating!
I ran across this list today and absolutely had to share.
The Manager’s Cheat Sheet: 101 Common-Sense Rules for Leaders
Some of the items truly are for manager’s only. That said, I think that whether or not you are in a management position this list is a worthwhile read. Some of these rules are actually great rules to apply to your personal life and many of them make sense if you simply want to be taken seriously in your profession (whether or not you aspire to be promoted to a management position).
Inspired by the official list, here are a few thoughts that came to mind when I read through the 101:
- Want to be taken seriously by jerky in-laws? Try standing tall to give an air of confidence. (#1 on the list).
- Want to be invited out to social events? Be cautious about having a reputation for continuously canceling plans at the last minute. (#28 on the list).
- Accept responsibility for mistakes. A little accountability goes a long way. (#34 on the list).
- Caretake that which is important to you. Do not spend time fretting over trivial things that are out of your control. (#45 on the list).
- Manage your money like you have very little of it. Take care of financial commitments that are important to your present and your future. (#57 & 58 on the list).
- Don’t buy crap. You get what you pay for and if it is important to you, buy quality whenever you can. (#64 on the list).
- Treat everyone you meet like a prized customer. One day, they just might be. (#67 on the list).
Now, go read the actual list then come back here and tell me…
What can you apply to your personal or professional life?