So here is my update number 2 ... such as it is!
Today I interviewed for and have been offered a new role - Telecare Project Coordinator. It is a one year contract but it is the stepping stone I need to focus my career and use my skills more effectively - so:
Not one of the goals per se - but I already know one year has been stretched to two!
Contract for second year in preparation and we aren't halfway through the first!
- Make a solid start in my new role - gain full understanding of the detail of the project and put in progress the key actions;
Seven weeks in post and today I presented a status report on the project to a 2 hour Board meeting. I haven't got the full 100% understanding but I have certainly established my presence and a reputation for being knowledgeable and achieving a united team.
Well this project is like Topsy and just keeps right on growing ... everytime I follow a lead I uncover the stuff that someone else brushed under the rug.
However I now have the skeleton of our long term strategy; have established my credibility in a new field; and have set in motion all the key strands that had been sidelined.
- Gain a Project Management qualification - I have the skill and experience but the qualification would be a valuable addition and I need the challenge of learning again
No I haven't got the qualification YET ... my excuse? too busy? what I have achieved is that I won't be paying for it as intended ... I actually have two offers of funding on the table as I type ... very nice position to be in.
Will start looking for courses for this during next three months and look to start Autumn or Spring. I have made a strategic connection with our IT Manager who is looking at his and his teams development plan and we can provide development opportunities to each other and broaden the scope for us all.
- In 2009 I had developing my coaching skills as a goal ... largely as a result of this I have been very humbled by the support and encouragement that I have received over the past few months and the solid friendships which have arisen from this. This is an area I aim to continue working at in 2010
Around half of my time at the moment in the office is coaching and influencing change ...
This continues and in fact will become more formal over the next three months since we now need to train 500 staff (20 at a time for half a day) and out Trainer will not be able to sustain this load on her own so I will share it.
In the immediate day or so my sole goal is to occupy next door's Labrador while they are having their first Baby ... on the face of it I am glad not to be back at that stage in my life ...
You are probably more intrigued by this one than the rest ... was I glad to see the back of that dog? you bet! I didn't succeed completely at occupying her ... but I did achieve the status of 'I'm in charge' this at 11pm when she was trying to get into my bed ... "dog - on that mat, lie down and don't try breaking into my room again!" shut door rather forcefully. She slept like a baby after that!
Thankfully the dog has safely settled back home and our home has returned to the tranquil and calm that we are used to .... ahhhh bliss!
Cathy
