Monday, July 23, 2007

Going down fast, baby!

Do you know these kind of days?

The kind where you wish you had stayed in bed that morning?

The kind where comes Monday morning you still have not recuperated from the week before and you've got to start another week with an even busier schedule?

The kind of day where you know a lot of crap is waiting for you at the office but you might as well face it now?

The kind of day when you can't fall asleep because you're too tired, and wake up too early because of a nightmare?

This day was today.

Last week was hectic, bringing work home and meeting tight schedules; juggling between all major accounts who all seem to have yesterday as a deadline. I certainly can't blame my social schedule, as it is seriously reduced to two friends, a 34-year old obsessive compulsive woman, Sandy Shortt, who is obsessed with finding lost things and missing people in 'A Place Called Here' by Cecelia Ahern; and a 90-year old woman, Grace Bradley, recalling her days as a housemaid in 'The House at Riverton' by Kate Morton.

Today was faced with so many problems that apathy dawned on me; I just walked out. I was not angry or frustrated or sad, I just felt nothing; pure helplessness. I was stressing about today because I had to prepare four important presentations and finalise a corporate hospitality event due next week. Of course everything went wrong; the hotel room booking was the wrong dates; the menus are not confirmed, customers cancelled, Ron wanted his presentation first; but could not sit 5 minutes with me to check it. And to top it up, an important magazine editor is trying to get products off me, for which my boss said no to, but the editor keeps coming with dozen of proposals and I feel awful for saying no, because it ain't such a bad thing and I don't want bad press, I feel a bit black-mailed. Of course I could have stayed late, but for the first time in two weeks I had a social dinner planned with my colleagues in the occasion of one's birthday. It was a pleasant distraction from today.

I am so tired. everyday. My nights have not been helping either, with nightmares of lost friendships, missing my nephews and my dear hubby betraying me (it's actually a funny story that caused that awful nightmare). I can't find the much needed peace of mind on evenings either, because I have been preparing for my driving license test as it is required by the UK Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) after driving one year on my international driving license. Last Tuesday was my theory test, which I passed, and Saturday afternoon, was spent with a driving instructor correcting all the bad habits that settle in with the confidence one gets from driving for the last 13 years, like multi-tasking, which is apparently not the right procedure. That was bloody well stressful and threw me back to when I was 16.

Oh well, just for those of you who know me well; we all know how that's going to end, don't we? I'm going to get overwhelmed, and I'm gonna get very angry at the lack of respect from my boss and colleagues and clients; and I'm going to blow and make a fool of myself and despise myself for the next 6 weeks or more. Which prompts some words of wisdom from dad; pressure is like a pile of tokens, when the pile gets too high, that's when it collapses and that the burst of anger erupts; so I need to tackle each token one by one until the pile remains manageable. So here is my plan of action:

1) Ask Martin to sort me out regarding the editor; it will take him one phone call.
2) Ask Julie to help me sort out the hotel booking and meal arrangement for next week; while I complete my presentations and proposals to the customers I'm seeing this week.
3) Stop stressing about the driving test, I bloody well know how to drive and am a very cautious driver, so keep cool and book the test.
4) Apply for holidays; just a couple of days here and there to catch my breath and take the driving test.
5) Sort out the next regional meeting with Julie. Same thing as last year, can't be that complicated to repeat.
6) Sort out the upcoming Rugby World Cup corporate hospitality; that one will be two emails and one phone call. Hotel is booked and all I need are names for transport - responsibility of the sales managers.
7) Tell Peter to deal with his own shit.
8) Get the designer to do the flyers customers need, cost is higher but at leat it's off my list and briefing them will be quick and easy.

Seems manageable now that I put it down like that. Off to bed with Mrs. Bradley. Goodnight.

9 comments:

Jeannie said...

I hate being overwhelmed although I think I am most of the time. I know I'm still stressed but honestly, it's been going on so long now that I just do what I do and hope it's done on time. A few things slip but oh well, it wouldn't hurt for someone else to clean the house and why on earth should I have to even ask them to? Take a breath now and then - and make a list like you just did. It doesn't seem quite as insurmountable when it's in black and white.

tweetey30 said...

Oh Helene. This is a rough time in your life. But you are always busy busy and more busy. I wish I were there to help you manage this but I am not but just remember what Jeannie said one thing at a time and hope for the best. I am thinking good thoughts of this week for you and you get everything done on your list and still have time for Alex. What do you mean he betrayed you?????? Answers please. No hurry but Answers please. Dont just say something like that and then leave us hanging. LOL... OH by the way I thought you were off line with all that flooding in Over there in England area. They showed it on the news and its just terrible. Hope you are alright and anyone else that you know is ok. Just take it easy and I will check back in a day or so. Hugs. N.

Anonymous said...

Which prompts some words of wisdom from dad; pressure is like a pile of tokens, when the pile gets too high, that's when it collapses and that the burst of anger erupts; so I need to tackle each token one by one until the pile remains manageable.

Good words of wisdom from Dad. I heard it along those lines from a friend. It was something like you have to let some of the pressure out or else it will explode.

Hope your action plan works.

IWC said...

Please allow me to explain. What Helene actually meant was that she "dreamt" that I betrayed her. Even my dear mother was worried after reading Helene's latest blog entry. I hope this clears everything up.

tweetey30 said...

Alex I left my comment at your place. But thanks for explaining away.

Rockstar Mom said...

Aye yi yi. I think you took the best first step possible when you lined everything out. Just take a few deep breathes, get a good nights rest and tackle this stuff with a fresh mind and a clear head. I send my positive vibes your way.....
~~~positive vibes~~~
~~~~positive vibes~~~~
~~~~~positive vibes~~~~~

Jenny! said...

Sounds like your headed up shit's creek without a paddle! Your plan is a good one and that will help you feel less overwhelmed! Your dad has good adivce...and mine would be to just breath...listen you your breating and try ot relax! You can make it through!

La Cremiere said...

Wow guys, it's so great to have you around rushing in with wireless strength to share with me.

I got most problems resolved or at least minimise them into unsolved problems that I can get away with. But the meeting today, just turned into another long list of problems to come; this is not over yet.

none said...

Your day sounds like the typical way corporations run hard workers into the ground.

I hope things get better.

Try not to take it too personally and leave work at work if you can.