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Small Talk

Had another quiet day at work today, but made a conscious effort to be "proactive" by socialising on the job!!!

First, I approached a colleague and just chatted to her about the weekend, what I did and enquire after her etc. It showed a bit of interest - in her indirectly as a colleague.

I also bumped into the CEO in the washroom so instigated a conversation about soccer as he was an ex-pro who played professional briefly.

He is passionate about the sport and I made a prediction to him about the future whereabouts of a player who is doing well currently. He seemed to concur and said he would remember what I said.

So, I made a connection with the main man. I am beginning to gain his rapport I think and build a solid, informal relationship which I am very pleased about.

I am going to do the same thing with a couple of other people tomorrow.

Steady Progress

As mentioned its quiet at work at the moment so I am working steadily away at things which are not priority. It is good as it is enabling me to get a head of the game.

Its not exactly exiting mind; in fact yesterday I was quite bored. However, I was still physically and mentally rushing the piece of work I was doing and saying to myself "I must get this done". Why?

In the end I simply said to myself slow donw and just take it as it comes, which I did.

It was great. I slowly and effectively worked my way through it all and got something completed.

I know I won't always be able to work like this. There will be times when I am under pressure and have to get my skates on. But it was a better way of working and prevented me from getting stressed.

Daily Routine

A bit of a quiet day yesterday. Its all a bit in abeyance while the company awaits new owners and there are no immediate, pressing priorities.

The CEO of was back from holiday and, as I had also been away, I hadn't seen him for three weeks. He seemed quite pleased to see me which seemed an encouraging sign - or that is how it felt.

Also, the person who was distant and somewhat irreverent to me a week or so back, was very chatty. It is reinforcing my belief that I am not in anyway to blame for people's (perceived) indifference - or that my AS is not coming into play.

The one thing that I am really heartened by is that colleagues, in general, seem to like me and I am interacting well with them.

Not sure if it a result of past lessons, but the importance - and value - of really getting on with people and "being on board" is coming home to me.

I feel part of it all and it is really giving me a great deal of self-confidence.

Listening in Meetings

I attended a meeting yesterday with my colleague with an outside contact.

The latter had requested the meeting as he was interested in putting together a bespoke - very specific - training programme for the industry he works in.

It was a "creative" industry and one where there is a lot of flair but, in his opinion, a relatively limited amount of business understanding and acumen. As it was a creative industry (which is my background) I was personally particularly interested.

The person involved had recently undertaken some marketing training humself and had found it not only very useful but, also, fascinating. It was clear that he was highly motivated, enthused and convinced of the benefits of the project and I got the impression that it could very well be a great opportunity from our/my perspective!

First Days Back

Its been a quiet first couple of days back, not least of all, because so many people are away during the holiday season.

Its also a bit of a surreal atmosphere at work. We are in the process of being taken over and are awaiting the arrival of the new owners next month who will clearly make changes.

I don't know what this will mean, but I am trying to mentally prepare myself for potential eventualities. I have become better at dealing with change and accomodating it in line with my Asperger, but I always need to be on my guard.

One other thing. A fellow worker was abrupt and rude yesterday when I tried to greet her. I was quite upset about it briefly. I asked a fellow colleague her view and she just said that the person concerned is like that to people she doesn't take to - herself included.

I decided that I wasn't going to let it bother me, or think that I was in anyway to blame, which I have done at times in the past.

Return to Work

I've had two weeks off work which has flown!

I can't say that I am looking forward to going back again but, there again, no one does I suppose.

I am going to take things slowly tomorrow when I go back into the office. I know from past experience that I need time to ease myself back in and it usually takes a day to adjust.

I tried to think whilst I was away about what I am going to do. I am increasingly coming round to the view that I want to be back in entertainment. Its what I enjoy. I know though that I can't take any chances employment wise in this current market.

In the meantime I am going to enjoy the rest of the weekend and hope that there are no gremlins [news] awaiting me at work when I return. I have, mind, made a not though to ne mentally prepared just in case!

Holiday Break

Yesterday was my last day at work until I take a two week holiday break.

I feel as though I need it. I haven't been away for a while and going abroad and being somewhere totally different will, I think, do me a great deal of good.

As mentioned in previous blogs there is politics going on at work at the moment. Much, I am sure, is due to the merger we are currently going through and which should be completed next shortly after I get back. Things should become much clearer then.

I am also going to have a think about what I do career wise whilst I am away. I am not entirely happy at the moment with the way things are panning out. I enjoy what I do but am not sure that it really grabs me or is what I want to do for the rest of my life.

I suspect that the company may also be wanting me to take a bit of a lead. I don't mind doing that, but they are not giving me much of a steer either and I am finding it hard to second guess.

Changed Surroundings

I am two into my new office move and its going OK. I think that I have got used to change somewhat now over the years!

The office are nicer and in a really smart part of London. However, the staff area is very crowded and so I need to be careful about echolalia and people watching etc.

My journey is slightly easier which is good, and I have worked out a reasonable route to work from the station which helps avoid the crowds - which are heavier than where we were previously.

So, all-in-all so far so good. I am off as from next week for a couple of weeks holiday which I am really looking forward to, so I am also in wind-down mode.

Conflicting Viewpoints

I had a meeting with my ultimate boss on Wednesday who is the HR Director. It was touch base affair and I wanted to know whether I would specifically be able to continue doing some overtime work which was paying some very handy additional money.

I know that the area in question has been under review and she confirmed this. She also said that she was unhappy with the money that was being paid (the hourly rate) to the people undertaking it and that she thought there were better ways of me utilising my time.

When I pressed her about where I should be going and my career direction, she said that it was up to me to give them a bit of steer. Fair enough I thought in a way, but not overly helpful!

Further Insight

Had quite a dislillusioning day today at work.

Nothing really untoward: I got a piece of work done in the morning that I was very happy with and didin't experience any difficulties overall.

However, in the afternoon I had an informal meeting with my ultimate boss. She informed me that I wouldn't be able to do extra work in the evenings which was earning me a nice amount of money in overtime and which, to be frank, I did really need on a personal basis.

She also seemed to imply that the takeover we are currently going through is likely to mean changes. I understood and expected this of course. However, it has thrown into doubt where I am ultimately going and what I want to do and I don't feel I need this at the moment.

She rather threw the ball back into my court and asked what "I wanted to do"? I can't really answer that at the moment; not until the wider picture becomes clearer of course.

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