Progress

So, I was reading my goals in this post, and thought I'd give myself a progress report. I think this may also have been brought on by the slightly nostalgic and often disheartening review of my high school yearbook this weekend and all of my high school report cards (yes, I still have them, don't ask me why.)

1. Get to work earlier and leave earlier. Not too bad here, I'm proud to say. I've not been great about getting in a lot earlier, but my late nights have radically decreased. They seemed to spike again just recently, but that was the post vacation deadline-induced workload and I think it is settling down again. I'd like to claim this as a new habit...but I'll wait until a little more time has gone by.
   
   GRADE: B+
   
   
2. Eat better. This was a really slow starter...I kept putting it off and I am a huge stress eater and work has been a bit stressful, so the vending machine was my best friend. That being said, the last two weeks have been diet central at home and Hubby and I are on track for a good Autumn season of weight loss (fingers crossed). At the very least, we are eating much healthier, including oatmeal breakfasts, light lunches, and light dinners. And sugar free jello and jello pudding are our favorite treats to get us through the long evenings without snacks.
   
   GRADE: C (but potential for improvement)
   
   
3. Swim every night. I did really well with this for about 2.5 weeks, but I haven't been in the pool now since the 1st week of August We had a short cold spell and I used it as an excuse to break the habit...maybe next year.
   
   GRADE: C-
   
   
4. Be more efficient with time. So-So here. I find what I have been doing is prioritizing, but sometimes procrastinating too. I've been better at work, and probably worse at home. All those Honey-Do projects are just hanging out there. The good news is, no home improvements means less money spent - and that is a goal too!
   
   GRADE: B-
   
   
5. Make time for friends. I've definitely done that - going for dinners/movies with friends, a spa weekend, our vacation, some BBQs and other gatherings. Although I don't feel as guilty as I used to if a week goes by without some interaction with friends. I've noticed that if I don't instigate it, it usually doesn't happen, so I guess everyone is busy. My friends are very important to me though, so I'll keep on top of this.
   
   GRADE: A
   
   
6. Enjoy minor victories. I think my mind has been ready to accept the smaller victories, but I don't think I've paid much attention to working toward any. At least not on the home front. School is back in session now though, work is crazy, but the Fall/Winter always brings a greater focus on those indoor projects and chores, so this could be coming.
   
   GRADE: I (incomplete)

Yup. This pretty much sums up my high school grades too. Kind of all over the place. Those areas I prioritized or had some selfish interest in went well...those others...not so well.

In the coming months, I'm going to stay focused on these (except exchange the swimming item for walking or some other form of exercise). One thing I've learned the hard way is too many goals just sets you up for disappointment. Keep it simple stupid.

Just F-ing Do It

Do you ever have one of those days where you feel you may be the only one with a brain? Conversely, do you ever have one of those days where you feel pretty brainless?

Today was of the former. It seemed everything I needed from everyone else resulted in a blank stare and total lack of ownership.

Normally I would type in the examples of it here and make some funny blog material out of my pain, but you know what? I'm just too frustrated to do that. I just want to call up these people and say, "Just F-ing Do It!!!!!" Come on people. You are driving me crazy!

My boss (who as I continually tell people - is the bomb) gave me excellent advice about how this was not my responsibility, and how I should have pushed most of this stuff back out to the truly responsible people. While I appreciate it and know she is right, do you know that feeling you get, like that would be swell if I just had another week to get this done, but since I don't, I have to solve it first, dissect it second, and get people to get it right the next time? (Please tell me I'm not the only one who has those feelings!).

On the flip side, I've scheduled Friday off. Because you know what...I wasn't kidding about that note about getting perspective from last Friday, and it is supposed to be a beautiful Spring day. There is nothing going on this Friday that cannot go on without me.

I'll be in my yard, on my hammock (rescued from winter storage), or perhaps getting busy with some garden cleanup should I be so inspired.

I anticipate my Friday Feelings this week will be relaxation, relief, and restoration.

Friday Feelings

Mixed Feelings Today -

TRIUMPHANT
SAD
GRATEFUL

I just completed one of the most grueling first quarter periods of my life. My company holds an annual shareholders' meeting and this year a great deal of the prep and execution fell to our marketing team. I was tapped to Project Manage the President's presentation, the Chairman's presentation, the Year in Review video (a first), an Annual Report (another first), and the officer's workshop on Going Global. When these assignments first began pouring in I was NOT feeling Triumphant...I was feeling OVERWHELMED!

But after taking a deep breath, talking to my fabulous boss, tapping in to the many talented people in our team, I was feeling better. Still, it was a lot to deliver on top of my usual workload, AND culminating all on the same deadline.

The end result - huge and (almost) universal positive feedback.

The tinges of sadness come from finally getting a chance to speak with a friend and colleague over drinks last night and learning of his ongoing battle with cancer. The cancer is incurable, but "controllable" with careful monitoring. I didn't press a great deal for details, since this was the first time he had shared this with me, so I can only imagine what is in his future...and how long a future that may be.

While I continue to feel triumphant about the success of these meetings, I could not have asked for a more vivid reminder of how short life is and not to waste time on unimportant matters. My friend has a wife and two daughters, he has a beautiful and wicked sense of humor, he has a brilliant mind, he has a kind and giving heart, and he is simply a good man to know. I hope I learn from him to find joy and to get rid of some of the bullshit in life.

I'm grateful to know this man and to have the opportunity to prioritize time with him. I'm grateful that he came through the original crisis after diagnosis and has a fighting chance to enjoy some more great moments in life. I'm grateful for so many things in my own life, not the least of which is the good health of my immediate family.

So triumph at work is pretty cool. But it is good to remember it's just a job.