Yes, another week has gone by.
The market place is an exciting place, frightening as well.
Most of us work out of need. And since this is something that is expected of us, we might as well make the best of it!
Winning is what all corporate games is about. But to make it sound nicer and more civilise, we prefer to say, 'Lets have a WIN-WIN situation in all work related confrontations!
When it comes to fierce competition for that coveted promotion or to land that big deal, it's each man for himself!
Although the steps up the proverbial ladder of success are made of cardboard and the two poles that you grasp to haul yourself up are greased with oil, doesn't seem to deter the corporate aggressor in you to make a go at reaching the summit.
It's a dog-eat-dog world; a rat race.
And may the best rat wins!
I had a look at my normal work week and at the end of the exercise came up with some interesting findings.
I occupy an 18 feet by 20 feet space at an office which measures in total 44 feet in width by 95 feet in length.
Considering that, I am quite comfortable and am better off than many who are confined in tiny cubicles of 4 feet by 8 feet.
It's a privilege that comes with the position! (broad smile)
In case you have different ideas, I do go there to work and not to enjoy the air-conditioning! (wink)
In a normal work week I would view an approximately 700-800 emails (on 3 different email addresses), 80 percent of them are on the business while the balance are personal and forwarded ones. I need only reply personally on 30 percent of those that are related to work. The rest are delegated. Another privilege accorded to my position!
Weekly, I take in a minimum of ten to twelve meetings/discussions; several phone calls, mostly pleasant ones.
(I make my usual rounds, acknowledging all the other staff and even stopping to ask about the janitor's (an Indonesian woman in her forties) health and how her family is doing back home. Not forgetting also the Indian boy who whistles while cleaning my car. He happily breaks into song (and does a jig) whenever he sees me. He knows lunch for that day will be a little more lavish because of the extra 'kopi money' he will receive for certain.)
I need my coffee to start the day and consume up to 18 cups (ten of 3-in-1 and the rest Kopi-O) and 8 large mugs of Chinese tea. My weekly ration.
Who says work is a bore? It needn't be.
Brunches and lunches are usually taken in different restaurants with a wide selection of Chinese, Indian, Muslim, Italian, German, Japanese, Vietnamese etc...
Distance is never a deterrent when it comes to food. Somedays I would do 50 kilometres just to have the best 'kway teow soup' in town... thanks to the recommendation of food expert Mr. Wong. With the assistance of the now popular GPS, I can tell the difference between Semenyih and Segambut! (Don't laugh. I bet you didn't know the difference between the two at one time as well!) heheheh
On a normal work week with no incidents of bad weather, floods or accidents on the highway, I put in an average of 20 hours on the road; with a minimum of 45 stops at the toll booths, 25 stops at the traffic lights and 2 stops at the SHELL or PETRONAS station for fuel.
Sounds familiar?
A lot of hours are spent on the road but I'm okay with the arrangement for the present. Drive time is a good time for thinking, planning, strategising, scheming, reflecting but mostly I use this 'quiet time' for dreaming ... big dreams.
My efforts at work may not be immediately visible but I know for sure that the 'seeds' I have sowed are slowly taking roots. Eventually they will grow. I believe I am engage in meaningful work and that adds value to my life.
I am grateful for the career that I have built and the lifestyle it supports.
On the other hand, much as I enjoy the daily adrenaline rush generated at work and tackling the various challenges of doing business, I look forward to ... going home in the evenings.
There is something welcoming about the lights at the porch which would be ON and already visible from a distance.
Our dog would be at the gate, barking with delight and she'll be wagging her tail like crazy ...
Alighting from the car, I'll kick off my 4 inch 'Charles & Keith' stilettos and slip into softly padded slippers placed neatly and discreetly at the same corner by the winding staircase.
There is a familiar smell as I enter the kitchen...and reach for a glass of freshly squeezed apple juice ... raid the cookie jar and help myself to a large piece of crispy rich Scottish short-bread... sink into my favorite chair and wait for the 'gong' to sound announcing that dinner is ready.
Yes, it's nice to be at work but it's nicer still to be home - sweet home - after a highly charged day at the marketplace.
