OK, contemporaries of mine, who recognizes the significance of this flower pot? It is intentionally shown upside-down, because that is part of the reference point.
This week I am the volunteer captain of the office Olympics team I am on. The event happens every fall and a special interest group organizes it. They assemble our teams so that folks from all different departments participate together. No one stepped up to the position of captain, no one offered a team name, slogan or song... so I did. My thing is not that I wanted to be in charge, but it was out of respect for the people who work hard to plan things. Our team is The DevOlympians and our song is "Working in a Coal Mine" by Devo, our slogan is "Working! Going!" If only I could have found the right flower pot at Home Depot. Instead I bought plain black plastic ones that I spray painted red.
I had a hard start in my new company, hired at a time where there was too much work, not enough training, and a job that was impossible to do. Now in a new/permanent job and department with a wonderful boss, I'm doing my best to be part of an organization that I would have been happy to walk away from. The effort is making a difference.
Lately I've been too busy to post about life and work, but that doesn't mean I don't still obsess. My new boss tells me not to worry because we can fix anything that goes wrong. My husband tells me to listen to her. But still I worry -- but I try to temper that with doing positive things. That included telling her that I'd be taking time away from my duties because I became the captain by default. She then asked me about other things I've volunteered for. There have been two other efforts. Those efforts were noted and she said she was including that as part of my performance evaluation. One of my goals was to motivate others and meet more people. Volunteering helps me meet those goals.
So, my post today is mostly to encourage people to get involved, and not be shy about what you do. I'm still keeping up with the stuff I normally do and am often too busy to post. But I've learned it doesn't hurt to toot your own horn -- and let your boss know what you're up to.
Great advice...I worked at the same job for 34 years before retiring last year...part of the reason I stayed was because I worked with a lot of people that liked their jobs...we did various service projects and fun activities, which "drew" everyone together. As long as a person needs to work for a living, they may as well like what they're doing and who they are working with!
ReplyDelete34 years, it must have been like working with family! I was with one company for 18 years and we got bought out a few times, finally I was eliminated. It was heart-wrenching!
DeleteOh, I thought of Bill and Ben the Flowerpot Men...
ReplyDeleteI don't know that everyone I work with got it either!
DeleteI get the pothead reference, but not the shape of the pot.
ReplyDeleteThe new wave group Devo wore those flower pots on their heads. I did have a dog that used to love to play with plastic flower pots. We called her our little pot-head.
DeleteCrack that whip! lol Who doesn't love 80s music? Thanks for this post. Last year I was too chicken to get involved with some school events like the dodgeball tournament. The teachers and staff all had teams with silly names and funny costumes, which is all so not my thing. This year I will be a good sport and participate.
ReplyDeleteI would love to do dodge-ball but my knee is not ready for any of the physical events. I did kick butt in the trivia competition today. I was hoping for an 80's music reference!
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