I have this thing where I don't like uncertainty. I don't like the unknown (like most humans, I would imagine). I fight against it. Literally, I do everything in my power to know everything which, at the end of the day, just isn't a feasible task.
I've been working with my therapist to become more comfortable living in the gray areas and I like to think I've made a lot of progress. Still, there come times when the anxiety gnaws at me because I don't know what's going to happen to me. I don't trust myself and my ability to make decisions which is sort of silly since I've done a pretty good job so far.
I don't trust myself and I don't like change so the thought of my immediate world changing is stressful. More than stressful. It's can't-eat-lunch-I'm-going-to-be-sick stressful (still working with the therapist on that).
To counteract my fear, I try to hold on to the things I do know. I know this blog will continue to be. I know I love my animals and family and they love me. I know the sun will probably rise tomorrow. I know I will always love PSL.
I don't know where I'm going to be living this time next year. I don't know if I'll be at the same job. I don't know if I want those things to stay the same, but I also don't know if I want them to change. I'm a disaster, I know, but hey, I guess that's another thing I know.
Showing posts with label career. Show all posts
Showing posts with label career. Show all posts
How to Work When You're Sick
So this past weekend, one of two things happened. Either the rain blew in some unbelievably awful allergen or J gave me his disease but either way, I ended Sunday night with a sore throat and by Monday, I was a mess. Sneezing, coughing, stuffy (and also somehow runny?) nose, the whole shebang. I was in denial for most of Monday but by Tuesday morning, it was undeniable: I was sick.
I'm pretty sure it was allergies but that didn't give me a while lot of confidence that I was capable of reading, much less higher level thinking. I also had my interview, which was somewhat time sensitive, which I really wanted to ace. During my lunch break, I took to the Internet and searched through no less than fifty columns about how to work while sick. I polled co-workers. I asked strangers in the hall. Here's the best advice I found:
1. Ginger root tea. It sounds (and tastes) pretty awful but it makes you sound infinitely less congested. I added grated fresh ginger, honey, and lemon to boiling hot water and I drank it. I almost stopped but the thought of sounding like a walking sinus infection kept me pushing through to the bottom of the glass and you know what? I not only sounded less congested but I felt like it too!
2. Or any tea, really. The caffeine is a welcome boost and the hot water is so soothing on the throat. Plus, I read just about everywhere that breathing in steam opens up your sinuses.
3. Pack your meds. If you take medicine, pack it. Especially if it's the kind you take every 4 hours. You'll want it every 4 hours. Trust me.
4. Hydrate. This one may seem obvious since just about every website out there says it, but I went through 3 Camelbaks full of water a day when I was feeling terrible. Plus, everyone kept telling me to drink water so there must be truth to that statement.
5. Eat, even if you don't want to. When I'm sick, I tend to lose my appetite but low blood sugar isn't going to do my any favors. I usually stick to mild to bland flavors (like warm soup or a grilled cheese).
6. Concealer and blush are your best friends. When I told my sister I was going to have to go to an interview with high octane allergies, her response was, "Make sure you wear a lot of makeup." And it's truly amazing the difference good makeup application can make. Tinted moisturizer, concealer, and blush took my pale, sunken cheeks and the dark circles into my eye into the picture of health. Plus people stopped asking me if I was sick, so that was nice.
7. Use Vaseline generously. My work doesn't have the softest tissues (like, they don't spring for the ones with aloe. I don't usually either, so I don't blame them) which meant that after a day of blowing my nose consistently, I'd chafed it red. It wasn't a good look. Ever since I was little, my mom taught me that the best quick-fix for ultra dry skin was vaseline. Before bed, I put some under my nose and on my lips and woke up chafed-skin-free!
I hope you guys have immune systems of steel and never have to deal with things as annoying as allergies or cold, but if you do, I hope these tips help!
Good Vibes
I've always been a big believer in good vibes. That you get out of the universe what you put into it. Ever since I was in high school, I'd let cars into my lane when I wasn't in a hurry and I resisted the urge to honk when someone did something silly because it was my hope that I was earning one entry into a lane at the last minute or a not-honk when I deserved one. It seems kind of silly typing it out now but I like to think that there's a sort of balance to it all.
The reason I'm rambling on about my world view is because I could really use some good vibes from you guys this week. I'm currently finishing up a fellowship at a job I love and I just learned that they're hiring a full-time position for the same exact job. Because it's government-affiliated, they have to go through all of the proper procedures but my supervisor suggested that I apply and I figured, why the heck not? Now my interview is today and I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed it goes well!
In the mean time though, I'll be a nervous wreck since I get the joy of watching the applications roll in plus I'll be watching applicants stroll in and out of their interviews. I've never been in quite this situation before but if anyone has some insight, I would really appreciate it!
Happy Tuesday and wish me luck!
The reason I'm rambling on about my world view is because I could really use some good vibes from you guys this week. I'm currently finishing up a fellowship at a job I love and I just learned that they're hiring a full-time position for the same exact job. Because it's government-affiliated, they have to go through all of the proper procedures but my supervisor suggested that I apply and I figured, why the heck not? Now my interview is today and I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed it goes well!
In the mean time though, I'll be a nervous wreck since I get the joy of watching the applications roll in plus I'll be watching applicants stroll in and out of their interviews. I've never been in quite this situation before but if anyone has some insight, I would really appreciate it!
Happy Tuesday and wish me luck!
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| Etsy |
How to Shake Off the Mid-Day Slump
On Tuesday, I was at work sifting through cases and writing summaries and I noticed I was working slower and slower. Finally, I just couldn't focus at all. I drank coffee but it didn't help. I re-read the same sentence 10 times and I still didn't fully comprehend it. It was that kind of day. The problem with those kinds of days is that they can derail your productivity for the week. I didn't have 8 hours to lose to inefficient, groggily skimmed work methods. I needed to get my head back in the game.
Whether or not you're sorting through research, studying for a final, or even cleaning the bathroom, we all have those days. These are some ways I've found to shake off the funk and get back on track!
- Listen to upbeat songs. Maybe even dance around a little. Dance can trigger an endorphin release that can perk you up and brighten your day.
- Try on some moves for size. Office yoga might just be the thing you need to relax an work through some of the frustration of the day.
- Eat a sugary snack. I like to recommend fruit because it's a healthy option as far as sugary things go but some days, you might just need to mosey on over to the store and buy a slice of cheesecake. And that's okay, too.
- Take a walk outside. If you can get out for a bit, the fresh air can definitely liven you up. Coupled with the increased blood flow from your physical activity, it might result in a better mood once you're back on task!
- Read something engaging. Trying to read dense material when your brain is out to lunch isn't helpful for anyone. Instead, accept that these are going to be lost minutes anyway, and take 15-20 minutes for yourself. Read something that interests you or that makes you laugh. It can get your brain thinking and engaging again!
What do you do when you fall into the workday slump?
How To Increase Your Morning Productivity
1. Make a list before you leave work or go to bed of the things you want to accomplish the next morning. This will give you a type of roadmap to utilize before the coffee's kicked in!
2. Start drinking your caffeinated beverage of choice (if applicable) about 30 minutes before you actually need to be productive
3. Wake up at least an hour before you need to leave for work. Everyone's groggy and kind of disoriented in the morning. It's best to leave that for stumbling around your apartment, so you're bright-eyed and bushy-tailed when you get to the office or school.
4. Ease your way into the day. Break up a big problem into tiny, manageable chunks and start knocking them off your to do list. Otherwise, the big problem will start to seem overwhelming and may discourage you from starting!
5. On that note, sometimes it can help to make a rough schedule for your day. While this may not work for everyone, I find it best if I outline my day at the beginning, using my list from the night before as a starting off point. This way, I'm motivated by my self-imposed deadlines and I keep moving instead of getting bogged down in a single project all day. My list looks something like:
- 9 - 11 am: Research
- 11 am - 12 pm: Draft memo
- 12 pm - 1 pm: Lunch/Errands
- 1 - 1:30 pm: Administrative things/meeting with attorneys
- 1:30 - 3:30 pm: More research (sometimes continued from this morning
- 3:30 - 5 pm: Outline task list for new projects.
I hope everyone has a decent Monday!
10 Things to Have in Your Work Bag
During the week, I use my work bag as a combo purse/life saver. There's the typical stuff (phone, wallet, keys) but over the past few years, I've narrowed down the top 10 things that have been the most helpful.
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| Note: I have used and can personally vouch for all of the above products. They're bomb. |
Favorite pens/pencils
Pretty sure this goes without saying, but the amount of times people ask you for a pen is truly shocking. Paired with the fact that you'll want to write something down at the most inopportune times, there's no replacement for having trusty pens on hand.
Small notepad
I love using small notepads to jot down some work ideas and sticking it in my work bag in case I want to reference them at home. It's also great to pull out at meetings or at court (if applicable) and it's size won't discourage you from taking it everywhere.
Planner
I could devote a whole post to planners but for now, I just want to say that whatever works for you, stick with it. And stick it into your work bag. You'll want to keep track of deadlines, meetings, appointments, etc. and you'll want to be able to whip it out and reference it immediately.
Eye drops
This is especially a must for the contact wearers in the group. Especially during allergy season, my eyes/contacts are prone to drying out and there's nothing more embarrassing than looking like you're on drugs when really, you're just uncomfortable. If it applies, spare contacts are a good thing to have on hand as well.
Advil
Because headaches will always come at the worst times.
Headphones
If you're lucky, your work might let you listen to music in which case, these are a gift from the heavens for being able to research for long stretches of time. Even if your work isn't as music-friendly as others, these'll be nice for the walk from the parking garage.
Blotters/concealer
I have a bad habit of rubbing my eyes, or blinking too extremely or something, and the end result is that the dark circles under my eyes are on display for the world to see. I hate looking like I've just stayed away for 7 straight days at 5 pm so I always carry some blotters and concealers with me. Also key if you're going anywhere trendy post-work!
Hair ties and bobby pins
I concentrate best with my hair out of my face. I have no idea why. But I still like to wear my hair down on occasion so I carry spare bobby pins with me to pin it back when I need to get things done! You also never know when your hair will just starting annoying you, when you'll encounter an unexpected gust of wind, etc.
Hand cream
I don't know if it's just me, but my hands always start feeling dry after a long day at work, especially in the winter. No matter how much water I drink, I feel like I start drying out like a raisin, hands first! This is the hand cream I carry around and I promise, this is a hand cream that means business. The good news is that because it's so moisturizing, a little bit goes a long way!
Chapstick
See above discussing the "raisin effect"
These are the things that work best for me and what I would suggest using as a 'starter kit.' Along the way, you'll take away things you never use and add things I never thought of and your work bag will become your own. Keep in mind to invest in a good, sturdy bag. This thing'll become your best friend in no time.
Not a Student, Not Yet a Lawyer
Basically, in this weird in-between, I'm a law clerk. But like an advanced law clerk that is expected to produce solid work because I have a law degree. Mostly, I research. Then I write about what I've researched. I also review documents. Thousands and thousands of pages of documents.
So you want to be a lawyer? Say hello to Doc Review.
They always joke when you're in law school, that the first year of your associate life will be spent in a windowless room reviewing documents. I now understand it's funny because it's partially true. When you submit a request for production to the other side, who ostensibly does not want to give you helpful information, they inundate you with documents. I think someone once told me this is technically illegal, but it's all 'done in good faith.' (You can almost hear the pitiful, "I didn't know what you'd find helpful" traveling across the expanse to your ears).
This week was sort of a crash course in doc review for me. I had the task of reviewing 3000 pages to redact any confidential information. It wasn't too bad since I was the second person to go through these stacks. On Monday though, we're expected to get over a hundred thousand pages and that's when the real fun begins. I think if you amassed all of the documents I've produced in my lifetime, it would still not total a hundred thousand pages so I have no ideas what those homies have been doing the past few years.
REGARDLESS, this is the kind of work you can look forward to doing your first few months out and I repeat, it's not that bad. If you're nosy, like me, it's kind of interesting. You can get lost in the stories the pages tell and law suits always involve super scandalous things (though law school may have warped my definition of 'scandalous').
So yes, I will read every email Homie A has sent the past two years and I will wonder how his curtain buying excursion with his wife panned out. I hope you've lead an interesting few years, Homie A or it's going to be a very long week for me.
So you want to be a lawyer? Say hello to Doc Review.
They always joke when you're in law school, that the first year of your associate life will be spent in a windowless room reviewing documents. I now understand it's funny because it's partially true. When you submit a request for production to the other side, who ostensibly does not want to give you helpful information, they inundate you with documents. I think someone once told me this is technically illegal, but it's all 'done in good faith.' (You can almost hear the pitiful, "I didn't know what you'd find helpful" traveling across the expanse to your ears).
This week was sort of a crash course in doc review for me. I had the task of reviewing 3000 pages to redact any confidential information. It wasn't too bad since I was the second person to go through these stacks. On Monday though, we're expected to get over a hundred thousand pages and that's when the real fun begins. I think if you amassed all of the documents I've produced in my lifetime, it would still not total a hundred thousand pages so I have no ideas what those homies have been doing the past few years.
REGARDLESS, this is the kind of work you can look forward to doing your first few months out and I repeat, it's not that bad. If you're nosy, like me, it's kind of interesting. You can get lost in the stories the pages tell and law suits always involve super scandalous things (though law school may have warped my definition of 'scandalous').
So yes, I will read every email Homie A has sent the past two years and I will wonder how his curtain buying excursion with his wife panned out. I hope you've lead an interesting few years, Homie A or it's going to be a very long week for me.
