It’s been years since I had a real vacation. As a Communications professional, my life is full of deadlines; I’m used to that and, in fact, I thrive on it. But there comes a time when too much is too much, and that’s the situation I was in at my previous place of employment.

Working for a company that started from grass roots has its positives. In that environment, someone with real initiative can fill holes the company doesn’t even realize it has. That’s what I did. I got a shovel and started filling holes. Prior to my joining the company, they had no system of communications; instead, information was passed in an ever increasing number of confusing, frustrating and often conflicting emails. But, by the time I left, they had a pretty decent system of communications going.

The flip side of initiative, though, is that there are often a lot of holes to fill. I saw a need for better manuals, so I started writing those. Then, I saw an even bigger need for editorial services, fixing everyone’s grammar, so we would look smarter. Add that to writing speeches, answering questions and running the Intranet (among many other things), before I knew it, I was doing the work of an entire Communications team. It was crazy - doing the work of five people isn’t easy - but I loved it.

Still, I didn’t realize how tired I was until about a week after I walked out the door for the last time. I’d forgotten what it was like to relax. I needed it more than I think I’ve needed anything in my life. It was rejuvenating and renewing.

Monday, I start my new job, and I couldn’t be more excited. I’ll be doing one thing. One. I’ll be writing technical documentation. Sure, it’s not as creatively satisfying as communications work, but think of it…

I’ll be doing technical writing.

That’s it.

ONE thing.

:)

I can’t wait to see what it feels like to have a job I’ll have a handle on. I’m excited that I’ll be able to give it my all, that I won’t be spread so thin that I can’t really dig in. Once I learn the ropes, I hope I’ll not only give them what they hired me for to do but much more than they expect. It’ll be so much fun!

I hear the company is a joy to work for, too, and if the people I’ve met are any indication, I’m going to thoroughly enjoy working with the other employees. I couldn’t be happier!

Life, as they say, is good!

Stumble It!