Pieces of the Puzzle

Well, I've made it through day three of the new job and the pieces of the puzzle are finally beginning to take shape. I've had a number of meetings, presentations, webinars, etc. about the different service lines of the business and its starting to make sense. Imagine that!

I still am at the base of the mountain ahead of me but I feel like I'm gaining knowledge and am making some progress. As long as I can keep moving forward, I will be successful. I made a personal observation of myself today as well....I need to focus less on the granular details at this point and focus on 'getting' the big picture. The details will come in due time but I need to get the greater conceptual and overview at this point. I hope I can easily adjust that focus as I wrap up the first week of the new job.

On a side note, I've heard a phase used by more than one employee and multiple times this week and its very motivating and goes to show the character of the employees at this company. In addition, this statement was also directed at me, on my second day of work without the other employees having much prior knowledge of me:

Austin, you are a high-performing individual, in a high-performing organization.

I thought to myself...that's an excellent way to look at it, and incredibly motivating. When I get to work each morning, I think to myself that exact statement. Austin, you are a high-performing individual in a high-performing company. You will do good things today.

What a way to start the day off.

Now, that's work. Thinking about my new grad class and this marketing plan in front of me. I spent some time last night just putting the format and structure together (table of contents, headings, etc) and it amounted to 10 pages! Looking at all the sections, I really don't know how I'll get this done in 7 weeks. But, I will put forth my best effort, that I know. Unfortunately, I am completely ill-motivated tonight so will just be catching up on e-mail and reading some blogs instead tonight.

My ponderings for today...

How long does one need to 'struggle' through life (or what they deem as struggle) before a reward can be obtained?

Love - does it exist? am I looking in the wrong place? am I just not ready?

Exercising actually makes you feel good...how ironic is that! (oh yeah, I am also picking up my routine of visiting the gym again - haven't been there in months but went tonight...feelin' pretty good!)

Overwhelmed!

Its day 2 of the new job and needless to say, I have a bad case of the learning curve. So much information that I am attempting to retain. This certainly won't be the easiest undertaking.

In addition to that, my first day at the new job was also the first day of my next graduate class: Marketing Management. Now, one would think, Marketing....I studied this in my undergrad, I've done some marketing in jobs...this should be easy. Plus, its basic marketing course.

Well....in the matter of 8 short weeks, I need to research and write a marketing plan. Note: Typically in the business world, a marketing plan takes at a minimum of 6 months to research, develop and write.

Needless to say, I'm OVERWHELMED!

Separate from that, I've been reading a daily blog from a good friend of mine that has a band and was on a recent tour out east (http://www.myspace.com/wolfymusic1) and at the end of each of his blog, he posted his ponderings. They are quite interesting and am going to attempt to adopt this thought process as well.

So...here is what I'm pondering tonight...

Is it possible to actually read so much information that your head can explode?
When you get down to it, what is really preventing me from hooking up an IV of coffee?
Who would change the coffee pack when it runs out?

Day 2: Vacation / Job Transition

So today was my second day of my mini-vacation between my old job and my job I start next week. I caught the Brewer's / Cardinals game today. It was quite long but the brew crew pulled it out in the end.

I met a friend for dinner and then went to a business meeting tonight. Otherwise, not much done today. Its been quiet, which isn't all that bad.

Tomorrow though, I must study for my final. Such excitement I have in my life!

Day 1 of the in between

So today was my first day off in between jobs. I realized this morning that I really enjoy not having a schedule to follow. It was a beautiful day outside and I made a point to get out a little bit. A quick run to Starbucks in the morning and thought to myself, wouldn't it be nice to be self-employed, own my own business, set my own hours, work from home and have peace in my life. Well of course that would be great. It seems quite a distance off but I'm making a point to setting is a goal and striving towards it through everything that I do.

One day, that goal will be achieved. I promise you (me) that!

Live Life

I was recently reminded that life is short. My aunt passed away last week and was reminded we all have a predetermined amount of time.

Simply put, Live Life to the fullest now. A common saying but appropriate:

"Dream as if you'll live forever, Live as if you'll die tomorrow."
~ James Dean

Life Redesign

Life has been utterly exhausting lately and therefore, you may have guessed, margin has not been found.

Tonight, I finally decided to take a night for myself and relax. Alright, it was really a choice since I'm feeling under the weather...its been about a month now and just can't shake this thing.

Anyways, so, tonight, I pickup the book...A Minute of Margin...again and read the next excerpt which is titled 'Redesigning Life'. How suitable for me today.

I read on and the author discusses how one day, him and his wife reach the point where life has just become too overwhelming and the decided to STOP and take a night for themselves and try to discover all the things that are consuming their lives. Interesting...might be a good idea.

So...I did this as well. Here is my list:

- Work
- Defining a Career Path
- Grad School with one class a week for 3.5 hours with close to 6-7 hours of homework outside of class
- Financial Peace class at my church
- Serving through tech ministry at church
- Attempting to be involved in the life of niece of almost 9 months already!
- social life - doesn't really exist.

Back to the book....so after the list was made, they threw it into the fire and wiped the slate clean. It was symbolizing the release of control that 'life' and all their activities had on them.

A friend of mine this week told me that I need to start doing things for myself. Very wise words and I hope that I can do that. Granted, I will need to relinquish some things in my life....OR...change the things in my life to be less burdensome but instead rewarding.

So, here is my new list:

- I am fortunate to have a job - make the most of it and learn something new every day
- I am young, your career path will change - live in the here and now for your career and pursue those things that you enjoy and are rewarding
- I Will have your MBA in less than 2 years - congrats on the accomplishment. Finish Strong!
- Homework teaches me something - curriculum or organization and work ethic - just do your homework.
- Financial Peace class at my church - As Dave Ramsey says, ...one day, you'll live like no one else.
- I am a means to instill change in people. Never let the stress of doing good work get in the way of Serving.
- I am an influential person. Influence cannot be measured in quantity but in quality. Make the most of the times with my niece.
- Through your activities, you will meet people. Live by example and people will be drawn to you.

Its amazing how inspirational I can be to myself when I just take the time to do it and find that 'margin' in my life for it.

Margin = Happiness?

'Happiness is a place between too little and too much.
- Finnish Proverb

Does Margin = Happiness? Maybe, or maybe not. I truly think it is a contributing factor.

I have a number of big decisions in front of me. With each decisions comes a gauge of margin. Will it increase or decrease? What are the short-term and long-term benefits?

Simplifying it....do what makes the heart happy.