Ulcer Avoidance :)

[Lorna]

Sometimes you just have to sit back & say "I'm not going to stress over this..." am I right?

For example, so many folks at work will act like a minimum wage job is the be-all end-all of their existence. To me, that is absolutely sad.

At first I thought I worked with a bunch of anal-retentive nitpickers. But now I feel genuinely sorry for these people. Selling Fossil & Guess watches in a crazy store in a bad mall is as much as they will ever achieve. This is all they have in their lives. This is as good as it will get for THEM.

Meanwhile I have plans, goals, and a life OUTSIDE of my job. And as far as I'm concerned, it's just a job. It should not and DOES not run my life. If a watch rings up at the wrong price or a display case ia accidentally left open, I'm not going to act like it's the end of the world, the way all my other colleagues do.

PLEASE NOTE: I am NOT implying that "slacking off" is the way to go either. When I go to work every day, I work HARD, and follow ALL of the proper procedures. (In fact I'm one of the top producing salespeople in my department) No matter how crappy of a job it may be, I always give 110%. I just want to clarify that immediately so there are NO misunderstandings.

But I digress. My point is that this job is not my whole life.

I plan to have found something better by the end of the year. This job is just not worth the elevated blood pressure. The key to avoiding ulcers is knowing when to say "I don't give a *bleep*! "

I should totally make that my new sig! Oh wait! I just did...

[Beauty]

Very cool Lorna. It works the same way at many jobs no matter what the wage. It's not so serious (job tasks) that you have to kill yourself to make things right, when there is no real "right way" and everyone makes mistakes.

btw, I totally "dig" the new.. "sig"? Sorry.. I didn't have to do it, but I did.. I did have to do it.

This post is sponsored by the phrase "Get over it. Everyone makes mistakes" and by the letter "S".

Beauty

[Lorna]

Thank you hon!! You're absolutely right. NO job is worth getting so stressed over or risking one's health.

On a silly note - so you dig the sig, huh? Pardon me while I comb my wig so I don't look like a pig... I would love to learn how to drive a big rig! (I couldn't resist joining in...)

[Beauty]

[Jessie]

I may be on the oppiste end of my job. I take it well series and it is pretty much most of my life. I spend more time there than I do any where else as I do not have much of a social life so I put a lot my self into my job. I do not know what that makes me but that is just me.

[Virginia]

Hi Girls,
I gotta say something here. It is the opposite end of the spectrum, if you will. First I was politically assisinated from a job I had had for 25 years. That was five years ago. Fortunately I has scrimped and saved and had enough in pension and savings to get by, so I now claim to have taken early retirement if anyone asks. I did, however, attempt to get re-employed several times after my demise from this 25 year stint. The problem as it was explained to me by an employment agency was that not only was I over qualified for the type of jobs I was looking for also that most companies seeking to fill positions in that range in almost every situation promoted from within. On a couple of positions that I was eminently qualified for the personnal "head-hunter" if you will told me that after reading my resume and discussing it with "the powers that be." I tended to intimidate them and that along with my extensive qualifications scared them off! Sounds weird I know but that is a point for the other end of the spectrum, you throw age into the mix and some one in my postion either lies on their resume or takes a minimum wage job where they don't care about your history, they just want a warm body to show up for work once in a while. that or you just remain unemploy(able). I am not complaining mind you, and I know I could have moved to a bigger city and probably been more successful, however, since my wife has been and probably always will be attached to her mother by the never severed umbillacal cord, I could not have moved anyway. Now with the divorce, I will not seek employment as you know her attorney will attempt to "access" my wages.
Keep the faith, girls!
Virginia

[Kerri]

I feel I can empathise with everybody here.
I served 21 years with the British Armed Forces until I was made redundant shortly after the collapse of the Soviet Union. I demobbed with the impression that civilian employers would be queueing up to offer me a job. That couldn't have been further from the truth.

There wasnt much demand for a 40 year old aircraft technician with extensive experience of loading missiles and bombs onto McDonald Douglas F4's amongst other things. I ended up on a minimum wage job, as a labourer in a fitting shop.

That was twelve years ago. I worked my way up to Operations Manager in the next ten years at great expense in terms of my health. Then 18 months ago I was politically crucified by a powerful colleague.

After a nervous breakdown and a long time undergoing counselling and consuming such wonderful preparations like Prozak, I am trying to piece my life back together.

I have been lucky. My company has allowed me to roll back two levels, I am now an administrator in an office where two years ago I was the boss. My crucifier is now my boss, it has taken me a long time to come to terms with that.

I used to burn the candle at both ends, I worked a 15 hour day and a seven day week. No more chum! Now I arrive for work 5 minutes before I am due in and leave on the button. And I dont take any work home with me.

I must put my health and my life first, its the only one I've got. Maybe in my next life I will have all the feminine charms I desire. Probably as a female flee knowing my luck.

Take care of yourselves.

luv

Kerri

[Paige]

Kerri,

You go girl!!!!

Hugs,
Paige

P.S. That goes for all you girls too!!!

[Lorna]

Rock on, Kerri!

Good news, everyone! I totally ACED the police officer written exam tonight. Phase 1 complete.

I still have a long road to travel - there are still a LOT more steps involved: http://www.nyc.gov/html/nypd/html/chfpe ... ining_tips

That obstacle course looks pretty intense, but I am officially in training and am feeling pretty confident! I'll have a few months to prepare. Plus I'm still young & still in okay shape... well, young enough anyway...

[Beauty]

Hi Lorna,

Congrats!!!!!

Beauty

[Elizabeth]

Hi Lorna,

Well it does not surprise me at all that you would do so well on the Police test. And taking matters into your own hands, not just waiting for something to happen to you, is very admiraable.

I know you don't want to settle for minimum wage, and that as far as you are concerned, its not about the money, it's about asking more of yourself. I am very proud of you to see you moving your life forward. Even if you are not accepted to the police academy, you have your sights set high, and you are taking action, not just waiting around hoping things will improve by themself.

Good job sister, well done!!!!

Love always,
Elizabeth

[Loretta Ann]

I agree with Elizabeth.....Lorna, you have your sights set high.

Good luck with that.

Love Darlene.

[Jadeanne]

Lorna,

Congrats on passing the written test.

We are all behind you - you can do it!

After you make the force, do you think you would have much trouble being a decoy? After all, that's a really daunting task for most policemen, having to dress up and act like a woman to attract and collar those purse snatchers .

OK, I've seen a few too many old cop shows.

Jadeanne

[Lorna]

Thanks girls!!

But again, I'm not on my way to the Academy just yet... still a ways to go...

[Beauty]

Hey there chick!

If we want to put you in the academy you're in!

We all love and support you Lorna!!! Academy or no academy. Whatever you decide to do, for the good of all or yourself, you know you have our 100% backing.

Beauty