Message #2087

[juspeachy]

Just learning to say no was hard to do.  I used to work in a job that had me so busy, I literally was in tears every afternoon on my way home.  I worked in an office where I supported eight very busy Project Managers.  Between travel, timekeeping, correspondence, meetings, and presentations, I was hopping from morning till evening.  



I had to start asking people when they needed something done and honestly telling them that I had other priorities ahead of theirs.  Some of them were more understanding than others.  Some of them were more "high maintenance" than others.  Some of them were just spoiled brats and it seemed nothing ever made them happy.  



Eventually, I took a temporary promotion to another part of the base to escape that office.  I knew that I would have to eventually return to that job, but hoped something else would open up before then.  It didn't.



The day after my return to that office, I turned in a request to laterally transfer to anywhere else.  My supervisor told me that he couldn't approve my request because he didn't see the logic in transferring to another job at the same pay.  Before I could stop myself, I told him that just working for a different bunch of people would be reward enough.  Without another word, he approved my request.  I don't think he ever really forgave me for leaving.



It turned out to be the best thing for me, though.  Within another year I had been promoted to my current job where I am most happy.  



I guess I only have positive results from learning to draw the line.  Some of those same people I used to work with send their current admin support person to see me for guidance.  (I'm not doing the work, just teaching them how to do it the right way.)



JusPeachy in GA