Progress

It's AMAZING how much getting things done actually alleviates stress.

Today ended with a visual inventory being taken of ALL deployed laptops in one of my buildings.
This, combined with the list of people who needed laptops in the first place, gives me an accurate way to fill in the gaps with the devices I have left to hand out.
Tuesday will solve the problem of the laptops in that building. By Wednesday morning all of the required laptops will be waiting for the users when they arrive.
In a couple of weeks it will have been one full cycle that I have been responsible for this building. I am trying to make positive change to this building while working within some of the framework of the person's method who came before me. This is VERY difficult to do when they declined to leave you ANY documentation as to their methods, etc. It's been a rough year learning how the building does things and what their expectations are. The culture in the building is starting to change; but not fast enough. Many of them claim to want input on the way I do things but then are unwilling to spend the time and energy needed to make that input happen. Despite this, another year will bring a significant level of positive change to this building from my department.

In my other problematic building I make progress EVERY day I set foot in the building. The other staff in THAT building appreciate the work I do and notice my efforts. It is nice to see notes made in the minutes of meetings I was not at where my efforts were publicly commended. Working with the staff in this building is (usually) great because they show genuine desire to work WITH me so that I can work WITH them to meet THEIR needs. I appreciate it when people recognize that I am here to help them and they use me as the resource I am meant to be in a respectful manner. I am looking forward to being able to implement the changes I am outlining for the next retraction/deployment cycle because I believe that any ONE of those changes will dramatically reduce problems in the cycle - let alone if ALL of them do.

Sadly, I can't fix the labor or equipment limitations on the process.... but I CAN (and will) leverage the labor and equipment resources available to me.

All of this goes back to something I said in an earlier post: treating the person you are working with / who is serving you with respect goes a LONG way to making their life (and, eventually, yours) better.

In short: today was a good day.

Rambling Post

I have too many things to specifically write about one today. Instead of a single topic I am going to write out a few short blurbs.

I am glad to have allies at work. My de-facto supervisor is a good guy who is supportive of my problems.
I have a few people that appreciate the work I do.
It is worthwhile to remember these people ALWAYS, ESPECIALLY when one of the others (who is not following the rules anyway) if publicly decrying one's efforts.

I am glad to have supportive friends. People who can sympathize with my situation.

I am glad to have a supportive girlfriend who tries to help (even when I already know the path and just need to vent to avoid an explosion of fury).

I am glad to have a means to entertain myself in the car for my 2.5 hours of daily commute. Podcasts are my friend.

I am glad that I am able to detect when my breaking point is being reached and walk away BEFORE it happens. Nothing is quite so harmful as losing one's temper.

I am glad that the hell of the beginning of school is nearly over. I need a break from this overly-rigorous pace.

I am glad that I am able to (sometimes) take a bad day and force myself to look at the good things instead. I think it helps (but I am not sure if it actually does or if I just think it does - I'll find out when the next annoyance appears).

If you're having a hard time with a day I recommend trying to look at the positives and focus on them for 10 minutes. It might help and, at the very least, it gives you a 10 minutes break from the stress.

Positive Reinforcement

I am taking this opportunity to remind people that a small expression of appreciation goes a LONG way to making someone feel their hard work is worthwhile.

Today was the day that I spend some time in the building I rarely get to. During the entire time I was there I got warm welcomes and people genuinely pleased for my assistance. These people are grateful when I show up to help them and even thank me when I finish.

If more of my users took those few seconds to voice appreciation for the work I, and my team, do I think we would have fewer days like the one that spawned yesterday's post.

This works for everyone you meet. If you order a sandwich for lunch: be polite to the person making it and the person who run the register for you. Thank them. Wish them a good afternoon/evening. I try to do this everywhere I go and I am surprised to see how many people are genuinely surprised that I am polite back to them. I know they appreciate it and I know I appreciate that I made their day a little better.