This week, more than many others, I needed to organize my work priorities around more urgent (or less in my control) personal needs. Every night I visited my friend Mr. B for a couple of hours in the hospital. Usually, I was not home until 9:30 or 10:00 p.m. He wasn't deathly ill, but it can be isolating to spend long hours in that setting. So I tried to help break it up a little for him. That's what my family does or at least what I remember learning from them.
What's great about that is that you feel you did something good for someone.
I was really tired by Friday and feeling a need to withdraw a little to my own space. I can imagine if I had children that would be difficult. Fortunately Peter is back to independent form now.
The good
Good client meetings for both my training business and our public relations team. Possible progress on new projects. Excellent people with whom to work. In both cases, the projects could lead to building our reputation for capabilities that are both high standard and unique.
I managed to hit enough of my work priorities that I do not need to work all weekend. Just 2.5 hours on Saturday to finish invoicing. That's the new Jill, I'm happy to say.
The less good
I realized this week that I do not enjoy having to tell someone that he or she will not be hired. We've been seeking candidates for the public relations team. I've met a number of strong people who I liked and believe would fit well with our team. Yet we have not enough positions open to hire them all. I had to say "no" to several good candidates this week. The feeling of disappointing them, quite frankly, sucks...even when I know the decision is in the best interest of the business needs and it is my job as a manager to make hiring decisions as best I know how.
Lesson learned
That it worked OK to take my days one-at-a-time this week (I had to at first because of the hospital schedule). I knew what things needed to be done: VAT taxes absolutely due, invoices must be in mail, a few other deadlines for client work. Everything else (and there were other appointments, going to the Swiss-American Chamber of Commerce, the Professional Women's Group and even taking a pair of pants to be hemmed) I did as my schedule allowed. Interestingly, I accomplished almost all things by Saturday. Without working killer hours and even taking a more space for personal life. And today, Sunday, I have off.
By taking it day-by-day with only a rough big picture in mind, I felt less stress, occasionally just said "enough" for the day and was more fresh the whole week for it.
Now I'm going for a walk!
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