The Talk

Every so often, we reach a point in our professional career where we want to have a “Sex & The City” moment and go ballistic. Come on now, you know you’ve been there too.

Lately, I’ve been feeling that I’m going to reach that point with my fearless leader at work. He’s one of those “you can do it” (while he mutters into the phone and types out an email). A great numbers man, his ultimate talents are truly lacking in the interpersonal department. Our staff finds it extremely difficult to relate with him and get our point or worries across to him.

So, how do we avoid jumping off the cliffs (or pushing him) and get back to a productive work environment? 

                                                  You have…the “TALK”.    

Yes, no one likes to have it, but it’s imperative that you find the courage (and the facts) to face your fears and figure out a solution. Deep breath, you can do this.
                                        

Here are a few tips to ensure that your point comes across in a professional manner and that you don’t seal your fate after the conversation!

1)   Write out you concerns/needs and why they trouble you

2)   Leave your emotions at the door (this is a business after all)

3)   Be assertive and straightforward

4)   Find the right time to approach your superior

5)   Keep positive and a team player. Avoid pointing fingers

6)   Let the door swing both ways and listen to feedback they may have

7)   Avoid aggressive words and use suggestive phrases

8)   Stick to the facts, not embellished feelings

9)   Have a resolve plan, where you suggest how to fix current issues

10) Leave the past in the past and smile towards the future!

These aren’t sure fire ways to make the talk go smoother but putting some of these to practice will help the transition of being frustrated at work to being heard on some level. Keep in mind that your boss mostly likely has a lot on their plate as well. Give them some slack and put in a little more elbow grease to make your day-to-day environment a healthy and productive one! Put your heart into it, and you won’t regret it.

Life Changes

Sometimes, it only takes a simple sentence to change your life forever.

“Will you marry me?”

“Your mother and I are getting a divorce.”

“I’m moving across the world and will miss you.”

“I can’t do this anymore.”

“I got the job”

Yes, the most shocking ones are usually the most depressing, but every so often, one sentence comes along that brings tears to your eyes and causes your skin to tingle with magic.

“Congratulations, you’re pregnant with a little girl!”

@ 12 Weeks Sticking Out Her Tongue...A Rebel Already, Lord Help Me

That one, that one brought me to my knees. Hearing the sonogram tech say those words made it real. Not only had the roundness in the midsection (yeah, I felt the urge to hit the gym daily but just didn’t) been feeling, eh, lazy, but it didn’t make the pregnancy REAL.

Well, ladies and gents, hearing, “yes, those three lines right there, definitely a baby girl,” gave me butterflies. It made me flash forward to looking into the eyes of a sweet baby, picking out a first dance outfit, getting her ready for her first date (and her daddy polishing his gun collection in the process), and watching her walk down the aisle. In a mere two minutes, I thought about all the milestones we would watch our baby girl take with us and prayed that I wouldn’t mess it up.

I prayed, folks, REAL hard that He gave me the strength to follow in the steps of my amazingly incredibly strong Mother, who always taught us to use our heart and brains to get anywhere we wanted to be. I prayed that I’d have her compassion and generous heart to give to my daughter.

My daughter…

Even writing this, it brings tears to my eyes to know that a tiny human lives (and now breathes) inside of me at this moment. My lil’ angel watches over me daily and knows how much this means to me. God’s given me another chance, and there’s nothing I wouldn’t do to make this round a perfect one.

So, my dearest baby girl, I’ll do my best to be a good mommy for you, to be your biggest supporter, always in  your corner and your best friend. I won’t always be the one you run to, but know I’ll ALWAYS be here when you need me.

Dear the next few months, please go easy on me. The world spins enough, how about we go easy on the nausea, huh?