Sunday, September 29, 2013

Things I have learned this week at work


1. Some people are like dogs. They see everything as competition, are territorial, and piss accordingly. The best thing you can do is try not to get peed on.

2. Some people need to hear the same thing, spelled out, 12 or 14 times. Don't expect they will understand even after that.

3. Some days I feel the need to jump up and down and say, "I AM YOUR BOSS!!!!" But this would accomplish nothing, so instead, I am patient, and I document.

4. The people who work the hardest are the ones who take the least credit, and are thrilled if you get them coffee once in awhile.

5. Peanut butter cookies will bring you friends.

6. There aren't six degrees of separation in my metro area. There are, like, two, and that's stretching it. This is good when you want to get someone's attention, but not so good when you want to gossip.

7. Humor can get you through just about anything.

8. It's nice to have social time with the people you work with outside of the office. The introvert in me fights this, but it turns out well when I go.

9. Reinforcing what I like about working at a nonprofit: when we do well, instead of executives getting more cash, we expand our programs and more people get help. We got a grant recently that created a couple of new positions and a new program.

10. Cats still get it much more than people do.

22 comments:

Birdie said...

I am so very happy that I work alone. Rarely do I have to work with others and the introvert inside of me does a happy dance because of it. That is not to say that I don't like working with others because I do and oddly was voted favourite co-worker at staff parties. I just prefer to work alone. God, that makes no sense at all does it?

I want a tie like that for The Ungrateful Bastard. I seriously think he would like it and he doesn't like anything.

Elephant's Child said...

There is a proverb that nails it. As a dog returns to is vomit, a fool returns to his folly.
Some of them rather often.
And yes, cats have it right much more often.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Hey, good news about the grant and new program -- congrats! No red dot is safe from you!

Charles Gramlich said...

Wisdom distilled!

OldLady Of The Hills said...

I love ALL the things you've learned....Especially Peanut Butter Cookies Will Get You Friends....YUM!
That is wonderful about your grant...! CONGRATULATIONS.

Abby said...

It takes all kinds to make a world. Learning to navigate with them all is half the battle. Congratulations on the grant!

Lynn said...

Amen to no. 10!

Memphis said...

I seem to have a boss who never raises his voice or seems to get angry, and yet he's always mad that things are not done as fast as he thinks they should be done. And this despite the fact that we, the professionals, told him in the beginning how long it would take and it took exactly that long.

Cperz said...

Do you have peanut butter cookies???

I agree with all your points and especially like #7 and #10. True so true!

Riot Kitty said...

Birdie: I think he would like it too! A lot of the time I do get to work alone - rather, buried in tasks that I can't delegate - and that is the common theme among jobs I have had.
EC: Eeeeeeeeeeeew. But it makes sense. I think animals are much smarter than people on the whole.
Debra: Thank you! Next, I take on the green ones...
CG: You can always count on me for observations of the ridiculous, anyhow.
Naomi: Thank you!
Abby: So well said. And thanks :)
Lynn: It's so true, isn't it?
Steve: Well that sucks. Maybe he needs it tattooed on his forehead.
Cheryl: I do! I can send! :)

G. B. Miller said...

Did someone say "more money, more money, more money"? Especially with no strings attached?

Very cool beanie babies.

Almost all of what you said is true, except for the part about "more money, more money, more money".

Rock Chef said...

Some excellent observations. My area has similar degrees of separation...

A Beer for the Shower said...

Congrats on the grant! That's awesome! And it's true, if it wasn't for humor, I'd have snapped long, long ago.

CraveCute said...

Agree! Congrat's and yes, humor will save us all!

Ileana said...

Now you have me craving peanut butter cookies and wondering why you consider yourself an introvert. From the way you express yourself I don't see you that way, but what do I know about psychology and people? lol I spend more and more time with my dogs these days. :)

Riot Kitty said...

GB: Funny enough, one of my board members is advocating for that ;) Now I have the ABBA song in my head!
RC: And the same weather.
ABFTS: Thank you! And ditot.
CC: Agreed.
Ily: HAHA! I can mail some. I'm not an introvert with people I know...or on the blog. It's a funny cross between being expressive when I need to be and shy when I don't want to be. Dogs are probably better than people!

Lee said...

This week is flying by so quickly I believe I've learned nothing...that is until I read your post, RC! ;)

Dexter Klemperer said...

Very wise. And of course cats get it better than people do (maybe not in the way you meant). Just spent the last hour letting cats in and out the front door while one of them came in to eat and throw up on the carpet. She didn't mind though.

LL Cool Joe said...

Cats will get what? :D

I agree about the humour. :)

Holland said...

I like red dots too.... and working alone... and working with other artists (special breed of people)

Riot Kitty said...

Lee: HAHA! Thanks.
Dexter: Um. Eew.
Joey: You too?! "Get it." Have it figured out ;) I didn't even plan an innuendo!
H: Excellent.

Betty Manousos said...

very wise.
i couldn't agree with you more and i love all the things you've learned.
and yes, humour can make a serious difference, in the workplace, at home, in all areas of life..

great post, rk!

big hugs!:))