Adventures in the Work place

Who says adventure is limited to far off islands and invigorating cities? The office jungle has enough adrenaline rush to push us to the edge if we let it. Adjusting to a new group of colleagues, new rules, new procedures are all equally adventurous as discovering a new country.

Wishing this is how all offices look like. {Source}
As soon as the thick new handbook lands flat on my desk on my first day, reading it brings me back to learning a new language in class.  Feeling like an idiot for not knowing as much stuff as I expected myself  to know after a ten year pause from a career in design, I had to read my post The Art of Letting Go to be more kind to myself. I need to let go of worry that would soon drive me to my death bed due to high blood pressure if I don't relax.

Lost in translation while in meetings with all the acronyms people throw at each other as they all spoke in codes, I had to scratch my head, wondering, what PDS, HYG, HMN, and all the jumbled letters of the alphabet meant.

Like a small cub, joining the animal kingdom, trying to blend in and getting to know everyone, I daresay, I'm blessed to have great colleagues and bosses that are approachable enough to be my mentors. However, there's no such thing as a perfect place so we are bound to meet someone who will test our tolerance and patience, especially  those who think they're in the higher food chain ready to devour anyone who gets in their way.

I've learned so much in my first week and the more days go by, I'm having longer sleep. I can see spending longer hours  in the office is inevitable as piled up responsibilities and weeks ensue. We all try to avoid working late, but we have to accept that this is a big part of Interior Design and Architectural lifestyle, especially here in the Middle East. We have a popular saying here when someone asks, "when's the deadline?" The answer is always "Yesterday."  A client gave me this answer once and I was crazy enough to jokingly reply, "Too bad for you, I don't have a time machine. "

Jf only, we can cheat and have a peek of the future. I wonder how that would be like? 
What's your most adventurous memory and experience in the work place?
How did it go? What did you learn from it?

Love and light,
Arni

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10 comments

  1. IreneJuly 4, 2013 at 3:53 AM

    Oh, new jobs are always tricky. I started in my current workplace in January and I was a bit of a mess at the beginning. I had never been in a big company and everything seemed really daunting. Besides, I was somehow scared to talk to people because I'm still afraid that I won't understand their replies or that I'll embarrass myself speaking bad Dutch. Now that I'm finally getting used to it, getting along with the colleagues and understanding my tasks is almost time to leave. I think I'll be sad to leave in a month but very grateful for such a good opportunity.

    I'm sure you'll do great, so relax and learn as much as you can. And then, enjoy :)

    xoxo Irene

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  2. UnknownJuly 4, 2013 at 5:41 AM

    hi Arni!!!

    I can imagine you right now... going back to work is like going back to school for the first time. you feel everythings new, a kind awkward, mix of excitement but I guess.. after a while, with good and right people around everything will just fall into place. you're so good and I'm sure you can make it!!!!! hope you still time to update though ;)

    take care dear and greetings from Italy.

    xoxo,Meg of Sweet Gala's

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  3. StephanieJuly 4, 2013 at 11:10 AM

    How interesting, reading about starting work. Ahh, as someone who will (hopefully) be experiencing this soon, it's nice to hear someone's own personal experience. Best of luck settling in!

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  4. emi July 4, 2013 at 2:02 PM

    that office would be amazing! :)
    great blog! XO
    the well-traveled wife

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  5. StephanieJuly 4, 2013 at 9:25 PM

    What an exciting new adventure...yet another one to already add to your unending list! I'm sure you'll master everything in no time. You're fabulous like that. :) xoxo

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  6. UnknownJuly 5, 2013 at 3:05 PM

    I work in architecture so I totally know what you mean about endless unrealistic deadlines and silly abbreviations. If I am honest, I blagged my way in to my current job (I later admitted this to my bosses who said they would have remained oblivious if I hadn't said anything)and I was totally clueless for at least 3 months. Now that I look back on it, those first few months (although terrifying) were really good. You are oblivious to the politics, getting to know everyone and learning new things. It's just a matter of time before it all becomes second nature!

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  7. cheryoncakeJuly 6, 2013 at 6:32 PM

    Don't yearn for the future. Learn from the past and relish every minute of the present. Before you know it, you'll be an old hand in your new office and it will be you dropping the acronyms as if you were born speaking their language. Good luck x

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  8. JaneJuly 8, 2013 at 9:43 AM

    best wishes in your new job. i bet you will get the hang of it in no time!

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  9. Girl with a New LifeJuly 9, 2013 at 5:31 AM

    Congrats on the new job! I look forward to hearing about your design work.

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  10. ClaireJuly 10, 2013 at 9:58 PM

    Congratulations on your new job! Seems you're doing great. Enjoy and belated happy birthday! I wish you many more happy birthdays!

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