- Cup of Earl Grey - Check
- Comfy blanket - Check
- Netbook charged - Check
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I posted a heartfelt kudos to all those in call centers and customer service a few days ago on facebook, but I would like to take some time to expand. At work I participated in an 'all hands on deck' side job which required me to answer phone calls from the general public. It completely changed my outlook on my work day. In my normal job function I absolutely love what I do, but with these new responsibilities I found myself waiting for the end of the day and practically skipping out of the office. It wasn't that it wasn't challenging, or interesting... but it was the unknown. When I gave my intro spiel I never knew if I would be answered with a kind older gentleman who was organized and patient... or if it was the stressed out Mom from NY who expected a package three days ago that never came.
I thrive on deadlines, I live for editing, and I seriously love organizing. All of these are definite, standards that make me good at what I do. The general public is just so.. unpredictable.. and getting yelled at for something I have/had no control over is not my idea of a great day. So to those of you who bravely answer the phone with a kind voice, and a sincere desire to help the person on the other end of the line, keep your chin up... You are the wheels that keep companies running. You, who remain courteous to the so-and-so on the other line who is yelling at you, are greatly appreciated and respected by at least one person. Me. Honestly and profoundly. I admire your determination and your ability to kick a$$ and take names. Literally.
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I am not really one for resolutions. I like doing things on my own schedule and for some reason 2012 hasn't quite gotten off to a BANG.. unless you count getting rear-ended on Friday the 13th as a "bang" (and it was a day I was about to face a full 8 hours on the phone)..
But I refuse to blame 2012... 2012 is the customer service representative of years. It wants to help. It wants to do a great job, but the people who interact with it are not appreciative, not polite, and not willing to see the bigger picture. In support of "2012: The Underdog" I am attempting the following:
1. Start a book club. I love books. I love talking about books. So why not share my love of books with others. In this endeavor I plan to accomplish 3 things. Encourage others to read. Read more myself. Not be disappointed if it is a total flop. Any takers?
2. Participate In/Create/Find a way to help kids who are being bullied for their sexual orientation. I'm at a bit of a loss here. I don't know what would be the most efficient or supportive way to help them. I can remember when I was in High School I didn't want to talk to some random stranger about my problems, and I imagine kids today are about the same. I never had to struggle with 'coming out' but I do remember being bullied for the way I dressed and the way I looked. It absolutely breaks my heart to read about kids who killed themselves because no one took the time to reach out and give them support. No one deserves that. I want it to be something honest, not required to be PC, and something that genuinely helps people. I may have to put this one in the "development" stage rather than the "action" stage, but I hope it gets there soon and can start making a difference soon.
3. Make small steps towards health. My entire adult life I have struggled with failed workout plans. I don't think that there is an easy way to lose weight. It has to be a commitment to health that I have not made. If I am totally honest I have used countless methods of motivation.. I used to put a picture of a morbidly obese person in my bathroom mirror so that I would see what I didn't want to be. I would starve myself for days because being skinny made me feel better than eating. I actually lost about 40 pounds in high school by only eating once a day, if that. So I have a new plan, rather than destroying myself at the gym or starving myself or using negative reinforcement... I have decided to take small steps. Replacing soda with green tea is the first one. I am not getting caffeine headaches, and I cut my calorie intake in half, and I'm happy with the change.
My next step is to walk my dogs once a week. Usually I would get a gym membership, hit the treadmill for an hour and then the weight machines for an hour. I love my dogs, and I think this is something I would enjoy and would help them. Eventually I will increase the frequency.. but I'm not stressed about it. I just know I want a change. Someone once told me "If you don't like something about yourself, then fix it."
That I believe will be my mantra for 2012.. "Stay Calm, and fix it" (and not in the doormat way, but in the self-reliant powerful way)
Cheers to a rocky start and a stellar ending!
Happy 2012 everyone!
