Explanatory Notes for New Folks: 1. The Group Journal was created to give everyone a place to post things that perhaps they didn't want to start a new thread about, but just wanted to get off their chest. It can be used by anyone for any reason--celebrate your successes, vent your frustrations, ask questions, ask for support, whatever you need to do...that's what the journal is for!
2. Because the original Group Journal got very large and unwieldy to read, I decided that we'd cut off each Journal as it reached 70 posts and then create a new one. This Journal is called "Group Journal #16" because it is the 16th such post since the Journal was created.
3. When the Journal was created, we agreed that things posted here didn't necessarily require a response. Sometimes you just want to report but don't really expect a reply. Other times, you may want feedback. If you don't want feedback, be clear in your post that you're just venting (or whatever) and no responses are necessary.
4. To make each Journal different from the next, I began creating theme journals, just as if our "virtual" online journal here was an actual paper journal we were writing our thoughts in. So, while I post the Journal threads, I often write them as if I was the Journal character. It's silly and goofy but folks seem to enjoy the descriptions.
Hello, my name is SUNSHINE and I'm your Spring Journal. You did such a great job of filling up the Easter Journal that we need another to get us through the rest of spring! So here I am, at your service. Welcome!
My cover is a beautiful gold raw silk (my name IS Sunshine, after all!) with a profusion of colorful spring flowers bursting forth all over the cover. Inside, my pages are a paler gold with chocolate brown lines. The lower right corner of each page is graced with simple drawings of flowers, plants and trees that were made by the children of all the members here.
I'll be on this cute little unfinished wood table next to a big pitcher of sunflowers. As usual, we've provided both a silly rubber pen (a daisy) for the light-hearted and an elegant silver ballpoint for those who can't see themselves writing with a daisy.
Enjoy your Spring Journal!
Posts: 7336 | Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE | Registered: March 12, 2004
Jill and the others I know are searching around for passion/career paths/etc:
I just got my June issue of Whole Living Body + Soul magazine and there is a long article about Find Your Passion with an action plan to search out what your passion is. I think there are some interesting questions in there to ponder.
If you're interested and for some reason you can't track down a copy, let me know and I can photocopy and mail it to you.
Originally posted by Bee: The house building side is going fantastic. The house selling, very slow!
Hugs to both Bee and Tina. Selling/buying a house is very stressful. The not cooking and keeping the kitchen clean was very hard on me.
quote:
Originally posted by Kat N.: My week has been a roller coaster of emotions! DH has been going to our counselor and so have I...seperately at the moment.
Sending hugs Kat... I've been there. It is very good that you are both getting counsiling. Sending hugs and prays to you and your family.
Denise
Posts: 8722 | Location: Silicon Valley, CA | Registered: March 17, 2004
Originally posted by p7eggyc: [...]check out "What color is your parachute" by Bolle, [...]
Be sure you get the 2006 edition. He updates this book every year. It is the book that was used as our "textbook" in our Career class when I was going to night school. He also has a website:
Originally posted by p7eggyc: [...]check out "What color is your parachute" by Bolle, [...]
Be sure you get the 2006 edition. He updates this book every year. It is the book that was used as our "textbook" in our Career class when I was going to night school. He also has a website:
Jill, Regardless of what you decide about a career change, I strongly encourage you to take the advice to approach this salary thing IMMEDIATELY. You will feel better in the short run because you stood up for yourself, you will learn/practice the imperative skill of negotiating a difficult conversation and you will find out where the rubber meets the road in terms of where the company stands and where you stand with them. I know it's tough but it'll be well worth it.
quote:
Has anyone taken the jump-totally changed careers and what was your experience?
Yes, I have done this 2x. Really the first time wasn't so much a career change as an abandonment of my current career and 7 years of just getting a job to pay the bills because I had no clue what I should do when I left teaching. I wouldn't recommend that method.
5 years ago I went waaaaaaay out on a limb and went back to computer programming school. I had to quit my job and take out a huge student loan to do the program I wanted to do. I also have impeccible timing (NOT!). My program ended in 5/01. I was out of work for most of the following year (I picked up some part time contract work that saved my rear). BUT when I got a job, it was at nearly 2x my previous salary and now I'm beyond 2x my old salary. I have work that is challenging and much more suited to my abilities and aptitudes. I won't lie...It was a TOUGH call. My parents were scared to death for me and really didn't want me to do it. I would do it all again in a heartbeat. It was a good, good decision for me and I'm sure that I will be in a much better place financially for the rest of my life because I did this.
I did not have to quit my job. I chose to do that so that I could go to school fast and focus on what I was doing. I'm single and I could do that. My sister in law has gotten a BA and is now working on a MA in education with 2 kiddos, a job and my (sometimes PITA) brother in tow. She is a testament to what you can do when you set your mind to it.
Anyway, I encourage you to do some exploring about what you really want to do. Do some inventories, check out "What color is your parachute" by Bolle, talk to friends (I'm always amazed how they have great suggestions about career decisions for me), maybe even go out and do some informational interviews. I know Lynne has been exploring this issue for quite a while so she can probably give you some ideas too. Take your time, make a great choice and then go for it. Life is waaaayyy too short to spend that many hours of it miserable.
Peg
PS) I don't think it is any accident that when I found a career I was happy with, I dropped 30 lbs.
Go in with concrete figures that are hard to refute. Maybe they haven't offered, because you haven't spoken up.
If you are miserable in your position for other reasons then look for something else.
Dawn
ABSOLUTELY! Very few people in management just offer raises out of the blue, unless it's part of a scheduled increase. If they think you're ok with things the way they are, there's no incentive for them to bump you back up. Go in there with the numbers and stand up for yourself.
In the meantime, also consider whether this is the push you need to get out and pursue something you love. Sometimes, people need a little push to make that kind of leap. Have you ever noticed that for some people, for example, a layoff is scary, but to others it's a relief? It's all about what kind of "push" people need to make a change.
Good luck. Just know that everything will work out fine.
Originally posted by Tayhudson: Have you talked to them again? Have you said "The numbers are back up, when do I get my previous commission structure back?"
Go in with concrete figures that are hard to refute. Maybe they haven't offered, because you haven't spoken up.
If you are miserable in your position for other reasons then look for something else. Dawn
I completely agree with Dawn.
I hope the situation gets resolved one way or another Jill!
Out of our beliefs are born deeds; out of our deeds we form habits; out of our habits grows our character; and on our character we build our destiny.
Hugs to everyone who posted while I was out of town this weekend. So sorry to hear about the stressors you are all facing.
Personal Healthy Habits Challenge - 10/1 to 12/31/08: 1. Exercise: Get back to consistently working out 3-5 X week. 2. Food: Get back to consistently preparing healthy lunches for the week with increased veg servings. 3. Behavior: Reduce intake of sweets.
Posts: 7336 | Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE | Registered: March 12, 2004
Jill, My DH was in a situation where as a manager he was much lower paid than other managers will less of a degree and no license (DH has a CPA.) He wasn't lower paid than any of his direct reports, but when they were hiring and were about to hire a direct report at a starting salary that was within $3000 of his salary he told his manager "We need to talk". He got a pretty significant bump in his salary.
Have you talked to them again? Have you said "The numbers are back up, when do I get my previous commission structure back?"
Go in with concrete figures that are hard to refute. Maybe they haven't offered, because you haven't spoken up.
If you are miserable in your position for other reasons then look for something else.
If you are doing sales now, and would like to continue in that, sales are frequently easy to parlay from one field to another, as long as you have the proven sales record.
Have you thought about selling dental supplies or dental equipment or something related to dentistry? Since you have that background, and sales experience, it might work really well for you. Pharmaceutical Sales companies might even consider you.(I have friends that do this and say it is a cush job with great pay.)
Just some ideas...It is miserable to be miserable in your job. I am finally with a firm I love and it is so much better.
Dawn
"Success is not the result of spontaneous combustion. You have to set yourself on fire." anonymous
Posts: 4322 | Location: Indianapolis, IN | Registered: March 15, 2004
Jill, I know this will be scary, but you need to go to your supervisor or whoever TODAY and remind them that you took a cut to help the company and you want your commission level back (if not raised!) right now. Have all those sales numbers with you to back up your claims. If they don't make good, it might be time to look at another company.
Need opinions- I have been working with a company since October of 2003. I am the regional manager and was hired into that position. Since 2003 I have built territory for the company in 6 counties, and starting last year they added 5 more counties. We have a big competitor in one of the areas and one of her employees left to come work for us. She has been quite valuable in helping build this newer area and her salary is high but the company decided she was worth it. She ended up making more than me, and still is. Our billing numbers fell for several months and the company was not making money from our area because of what they were paying her. They asked if temporarily, until the territory started making more $$ if I would decrease my commission, and like I fool I said yes. So now, the person who works for me is making a whole lot more than me-it feels like a slap in the face. Our numbers have gone up quite a bit and there has been no mention of raising my commission rate. I also get no benefits so I have to pay for insurance, I have no retirement, etc.
I want to get out-I live every day feeling sad because I hate what I do. I have been spoiled working at home and wish I could continue working at home but I don't know how much longer I can do this. I feel trapped. My only experience is in dentistry(and waitressing). If I leave this job, I don't want to do anything dentally related.
I am also scared to death to go into a whole new field. Am I being selfish? I mean I do get to work from home and set my own hours(although with a staffing service people call at all hours of the day/night). I am very bitter about the whole paycut thing to.
Has anyone taken the jump-totally changed careers and what was your experience? Jill
Summer Challenge Goals: 1) Walk 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week 2) Plan weekly menus
Hugs to Kat, Laurie and Tina. Sounds like you're all facing some difficult times with true courage and resolve. I really admire you for it, and for reaching out to get the help you need. We're here for you!
My week has been a roller coaster of emotions! DH has been going to our counselor and so have I...seperately at the moment.
Counselor is not sure where he is headed and thinks he is depressed, but feels it isn't an imbalance at this time, but something more deeply seeded. She doesn't want to recommend meds at this time because she feels it will mask the feelings that he needs to bring up. I totally agree, but it scares the crap out of me.
It is obvious to her and I that whatever I do just causes anxiety, so I need to work on myself, keeping me healthy, sane and not getting my feelings hurt. I need to remember that his problems are NOT about me and it isn't my fault.
I have homework from now until my next appointment which isn't until after school is out. It is to come up with a plan for keeping myself happy, healthy and busy over the summer.
I love my job, but it is sad to me that I look forward to it more than life at home right now. In order to stay sane over the summer I need to figure out what I want to do...planning will be key.
So far I have... -redo our bedroom -exercise 6 out of 7 days -go hiking with friends -take a class -visit relatives -read -go to the lake once a month at least! -I am planting my OWN section of the garden which DH is not supposed to touch..so keeping that up will take some time. -organize closets/clean sweep
Thanks for your kindness. It helps to type things out, re-read, ponder my thoughts and express my feelings which I can then express to Dh.
Kat
Goal: Exercise at least 3 times per week.
Remember the positives.
Get the munchies under control!
Posts: 1068 | Location: Mount Vernon, WA | Registered: July 03, 2005
Originally posted by tina: Bee-- I'm trying to get caught up on the posts and was wondering how that was going for you...? Are you building a new house - I can't recall what you were doing?????
I hope that it is going well for you too. I know it will be difficult with a 12yr/4yr 1-dog and 2-cats...!! Luckily for me - my 12yr will be going to be spending June/July with her dad......so her mess will be all cleaned up.!!! one less to have to clean up after !!
Good luck!!
The house building side is going fantastic. The house selling, very slow! DD is doing her best keeping things nice and neat but it's definitely a challenge. I'm hoping the house will sell soon so we can relax a bit.
Out of our beliefs are born deeds; out of our deeds we form habits; out of our habits grows our character; and on our character we build our destiny.
Bee-- I'm trying to get caught up on the posts and was wondering how that was going for you...? Are you building a new house - I can't recall what you were doing?????
I hope that it is going well for you too. I know it will be difficult with a 12yr/4yr 1-dog and 2-cats...!! Luckily for me - my 12yr will be going to be spending June/July with her dad......so her mess will be all cleaned up.!!! one less to have to clean up after !!
The last 2 weeks have been rainy and awful!! My yard is so tall that it will be difficult to mow and that is what I HAVE to do today....I started my back yard yesterday (while it was sunny) and as I am running out of gas; the clouds start rolling in and OF COURSE - it started to pour!! so I couldn't do anymore and it was too late in the day for it to dry out. It is funny how "not being able to mow my lawn" is a bummer!! I was out of gas in both lawnmower and vehicle so I took the time to run and get that. So (crossing my fingers) it is sunny out and windy so I can get out there and hopefully finish it. I have almost an acre so I will be getting my exercise for sure
I have to sell my house (loooong story) so the realtor came yesterday and walked me through what should be done. It was as I suspected (or rather intended on doing anyway) Painting ! and de-cluttering. Luckily I have a friend who is letting me use a portion of her basement so that I don't have to rent a storage unit. Goal is to have it all done with in a month..........sooner if I can.
My life is so stressful right now between this house - my 12yr and my ex.............. it is so hard to live my life for everyone else. That is why I need to get this house sold so that I can get settled and get back to being me!!
Laurie- Big hugs to you - I too lost a baby and it was terrible when it came to my "due" date. You are entitled to your bad days - but bravo for you for going to the baby shower.
one less to have to clean up after !!
I was out of gas in both lawnmower and vehicle so I took the time to run and get that. So (crossing my fingers) it is sunny out and windy so I can get out there and hopefully finish it. I have almost an acre so I will be getting my exercise for sure 
