J to the O to the B

I didn't know what I should write. But I can't be a hypocrite because I hate, HATE, it when y'all don't update your blogs. (You're my entertainment, dam-mit.)

I decided to write about something that I usually stay away from (so as to avoid any outcome similar to Dooce's.) But it is what I do for 9-10 hours of my day - WORK.

What am I?
A staffing manager.

What does that mean?
Marketing, recruitment, and sales of temporary, temporary-to-permanent, and direct hire staffing.

What does that really mean?!
This is the MOST interaction I've had with the greatest amount of people on a daily basis. In all my other jobs, I've always worked with people (unlike, say, a data entry position which I had and only lasted three weeks before I quit.) But it was usually the same people with a handful of new folks that I would meet from time to time. At my job now, between recruits and companies, I meet (or at least, talk with) a large group of people every single work day on top of the colleagues I work with daily.

I love to talk. But the energy it takes to be "on" all the time can thoroughly exhaust a person. And it's not like I can take a break because there are goals I have to obtain daily, weekly and quarterly. For the most part, I've adapted. The job, above all, has taught me to how to maximize the most out of my time (and there still isn't enough hours in a work day!) This job is about goals, money, and tons of interpersonal communication.

Obviously, I'm not shy. I definitely have "bashful tendencies" but I would still describe myself as an outgoing person. After all, I am Miss Comm. Major! But even I am often out of my comfort zone when I'm at work. I truly wonder how anyone shy could do this job when even I feel awkward at times. I came into it having no background in sales but I have been wanting to try sales for a long time. If anything, just for the experience because I think it's necessary in order to be a good business woman.

But, as I mentioned before, I am spent when I get home. I hardly talk to family or friends. I found that the best thing for me to do is sit on the couch with The Man and watch episodes of "24" while I knit. The Man, not being much of a talker himself and also dealing with a great amount of stress at work, has found comfort in our routine. We may sound 50 years old but WE ARE HAPPY.

Does it sound like I don't like my job? That's not the case. It's certainly challenging, though, because it's something brand new to me. And, without sounding like an ass, I'm used to being one of the best. Not necessarily #1 but definitely on fire. And here I am, this rookie, working with colleagues who hit their goals and bring in the dough. Of course, I knew this coming into the job. In fact, it's why I took it.

When I was in college, I realized that the best way to kick ass in my classes was to surround myself with people better than me. Not only were most of them naturally brilliant and had a great work/study ethic but they made me do my best so that we were equal. F*ck that, I wasn't going to be the stupid one in the group. So I adapted the same philosophy when I looked for a new career. I wanted to be part of a group that rocked because I would get better faster.

The problem is that when you have that competitive nature (like me,) even when you just want to be equal and not necessary the best (like me,) you tend to come down on yourself hard when you don't progress as fast as you would like (like me.) Right now, I wish I was doing better. So I've made it a vow to work longer hours, even if it's just an hour more a day and a couple of hours more once a week. Why? Because after talking to a few people who are ranked the best in the company internationally, all of them said being successful can't be done within 8:00 am - 5:00 pm.

"But what about the Work/Life Balance I was promised?" I cried in my head.

Well, I weighed my options. I could do OK and work the standard 8 to 5. Or I could just put in a little more time. Considering that many of my friends who are in Sales have to travel and work weekends, working one more hour a day isn't all that bad. Plus, I already don't want to talk when I get home so what's one more hour at work?

I have a goal to make a certain amount of money by the time I'm 30 years old. And as long as my relationships with my family, boyfriend and friends remain in tact, I'm willing to work myself a little harder to get there. Is it my forever job? I don't know. But I've also made a promise to myself to give it at least two years.

Plus, a gal can still dream of being the traffic reporter in Hawaii.