49 posts from 2008

Second Journey, The: The Road Back to Yourself

Joan Anderson

I have taken time off from work due to stress and as I spent time reviewing films such as What the Bleep and listening to Podcasts such as Marcus Buckingham's series on Finding your Strengths (Itunes and Oprah website) I became disappointed in that I did not receive the answers I had anticipated. I wanted to know what would be the next step in this journey of mine, if I left my job, which had become extremely unfulfilling

I read the Second Journey by Joan Anderson and received the following insight. Unclutter my life by letting go of everything that I am not totally engaged in. That is a great measuring stick for both activities and possessions.  I also realized that it is okay not to have the answers, it is only important that I am asking the questions and passionately committed to learning the answers and open to input; the answers will come. 

I know I do not want to stay with the Department of Corrections in the job that I occupy now; it does more than not satisfy me, it injures me and I feel like a victim rather than a leader.   I need to do some work on moving out of victim consciousness of passivity and paranoia, in addition to moving out of the job. Next I need to ask myself what do I want to do in the next 6 months? That actually is more difficult than for the rest of my life, mainly because the next 6 months involves action, and now.  Since I attempting to minimize stress, what will add the least stress for the most productivity? 

For now, I am leaning to going back to work for up to one more year, build up some money, get rid of some stuff, while I continue to look into other options.  This is only if I can do work in some other position than a parole officer working a caseload that involves arrests and field work.  I will be requesting reasonable accommodation to accomplish this, which will probably be a decrease in income and perhaps a less professional of a job, but it is necessary.

If I do accept another position within the Department of Corrections, and should they offer one, I know that I will not stay if I am miserable regardless of what sacrifices I must make to leave.  It is therefore essential that I stay balanced each day. I cannot come home from work each day exhausted with no joy or energy left for interacting with the community or friends and family.  That pattern had only led me to a place where even my dreams were about work, how alienating a world is that?  . 

I am not posting this because I am recommending buying the book, although I am going to, as I have never read anything by this author. But take the moment to listen to the short video.  I think it is a great thought for the day.  I will let you know if I really do get all of the gifts they promise by purchasing the book, I am a suspicious sort of person.    

My thought for today was that much of my stress has come from trying to limit my truth.  I saw things I knew were not right.  Because of my job and trying to be effective, and "get along" I didn't challenge lies in and poor polices and processes in the work place. I had many rationalizations why I felt it was appropriate to be a silent witness, and hence part of the problem. What I know now is that by doing this I moved into "victim thinking" and slowly my personal power, not being used, took its toll on my body creating anxiety and pain.  As soon as I started telling the truth - such as, "That is nuts wearing guns all day to the office (I am a parole officer)  then suddenly I began to heal again."  Saying,  "It is more likely that that an offender is going to end up using a gun on the parole officers when they are distracted, than it is that the gun is going to save a life."    Then I began speaking from a position of strength.  I realized that by taking a job with many of activities that had nothing to do with what I trurely valued, that I in essence began to perfrom at two jobs. One that I believed in, and one that I was paid to do.  The end result was that I became exhausted as there was not enough time to do two jobs in one day.

Think of it as a factory.  I am paid to make widgets, 100 per day. Except that I begin to notice that workers are getting their arms loped off in the machinery and no one is doing anything.  So during the day I become very involved in researching, talking with the press, with the manager, the workers, Labor and Industries, driven by the desire to save the arms of the employees. Sounds worthy and good, right? However, I still have to make the 100 widgets. So what do I do? I work through my lunches, I work twice as fast, I work on the weekends, I hardly even breath trying to get caught up on my widget quota. End result - my life gets out of balance, my health deteriorates, and I become ineffective at both "jobs" , or just burn out.  So I have my ideas about what should be done here.  What do you think?

This is a three minute video with beautiful music, pictures, and very motivational quotes from many names you will recognise.  Not to be missed!   Link to the Video Clip Find Joy

A friend of mine asked about tags so I found this video for you,you know who you are.  This explains the benefis of switching from bookmarks or favorites to a social bookmarking site. It is a quick and very clear YouTube video.  I continue to enjoy these cheap and resource poor videos.  They get their point across with little more than a camcorder. Notice the tags I use in this post as well.

Virtual University offers great online classes at a price you will not believe, usually 3 for a total of $15 per quarter. This quarter they are offering a free class in stress management. Check it out.  I really like this online class education resource. Classes are very diverse from serial murderers to paintshop.

Following the tip by H Flemming, you might be tempted to want to put togehter a speech longer than 60 seconds.  A three minute speech designed to capture the interest of the listener so that they will "invite you back"  has been nicknamed an elevator speech. It has 6 components each should take 30 seconds.  

Introduction - 30 seconds to grab their attention

3 main points - intriguging questions, arguments, persausive ideas

Conclusion - your wrap up, a summary

Close - Specific call to action - ask for the next appointment time.

Use this video to flesh out your passion, to determine the uniqueness of you, to focus on your personal brand.  Feel free to share your message below.This is a link to his website and blog. Link to Hajj Flemmings Website

One would think that just one big contradiction like this would be enough to lose the nomination, but apparently not.

Below is a cute joke and also a great example of what can happen when we make assumptions and do not slow to check them out.  

His request approved, the Fox News photographer quickly used a cell phone to call the local airport to charter a flight. He was told a twin-engine plane would be waiting for him at the airport.

 Arriving at the airfield, he spotted a plane warming up outside a hanger.   He jumped in with his bag, slammed the door shut, and shouted, ‘Let’s go’.

 The pilot taxied out, swung the plane into the wind and took off.

 Once in the air, the photographer instructed the pilot, 'Fly over the valley and make low passes so I can take pictures of the fires on the hillsides.'

 'Why?' asked the pilot?

 'Because I'm a photographer for Fox Cable News,' he
responded. 'And I need to get some close up shots.'

 The pilot was strangely silent for a moment, finally he stammered, So, what you're telling me, is . .. you're NOT my flight instructor!!?