One Ream of Paper

Last weekend I had the privilege of being the MC at a Women’s Breakfast at our church. In preparation, I found a few games that I wanted to play with the attendees as icebreakers, something to encourage conversation and getting to know one another.

Bingo!

Of course, I then needed to get the bingo cards printed. I contacted a local printing shop, spoke through my order with a sales consultant, then emailed a written confirmation of the order. I drove there, only to find she has messed up my order, and was proceeding to charge me for the pages she printed in error.

My order of 90 pages versus ONE REAM of paper.

If you are often in my company, you have heard me say this. There are 2 Lynnes. Christ Church Lynne, which is the Lynne who has learned how to forgive and be graceful, who doesn’t lose her temper as often, who will smile and serve the person who she knows has no good intentions towards her.

THEN. There’s Phoenix Lynne. Who has taken a radical backseat because she belongs to a wonderful church community and is led by exemplary leaders who literally and figuratively practice what they preach.

But Phoenix Lynne. She grew up in a rough neighbourhood, next to a shebeen. She will find you in a dark corner, take you down, take you out and no-one will ever find your body.

She – Phoenix Lynne - was simmering on the surface at that printing shop!

Now, let me clarify that this is a reputable printing place. Roland has used them for printing posters when he launched his CD (#PathsofLight – find it on all major streaming platforms or purchase the CD and support a good cause).

https://www.tut.ac.za/news-and-press/article?NID=587

They did a brilliant job. I designed the posters and the consultant he dealt with gave him advice on the paper, the size, and the layout. How can 2 people have such different experiences at the same establishment? Part of me wants to blame management but part of me argues that if you are in a job and you don’t care about anything except the ping in your bank account on pay day, then you are the wrong person for that job……or any job!

Have you ever been there? Perhaps stuck in a job you no longer cared about? Perhaps you are not led by passionate people? Perhaps you were not properly trained for the role, or you just took any job you could find because you needed to earn an income. I threw this out to my friends as I usually do and found some interesting perspectives, that prevent them from suffering from what I know have now termed ‘The One Ream of Paper Syndrome’.

Here are a few concepts that have crossed my path in the last month after having conversations with friends who have found new jobs, are looking for new jobs, and those who love their current jobs. If you’re in that space, just plodding along for the sake of a monthly salary, then maybe some of these will speak to you. Apply them, discard them, share them. Don’t worry. Phoenix Lynne is busy at work with Cyber Month. She won’t be coming after you. Yet.

Passion Leads to Planning

I have heard people say, “I am passionate about what I do”. That’s great. But passion is a feeling. Feelings can change. If passion was a constant, there would be fewer divorces! This concept of planning has been repeated to me so often recently. People reiterating that they need to plan. Plan before leaving a job. Plan before leaving a bad marriage. Plan for the school term. Plan for the month ahead or the season ahead. Plan your day so that none of it is wasted. I know this is a trait my friends and family find painful about me. I make menu’s, I have calendars up on the fridge, blackboard paper all over the kitchen walls and I have a budget! I buy Christmas presents in July. I would rather have plans change than have a day wasted because I didn’t plan anything. Planning gives you an escape route. Don’t get me wrong. There are days when you wake up and think, “Today is a good day to do nothing.” It’s all well and good to be spontaneous. But there’s a freedom that comes with planning, which may sound counter intuitive. Until you try it.

Ask Stupid Questions

I have been known to ask some really dumb-dumb questions in my current role. That’s because despite my long job title, which contains the word ‘specialist’ (and no I cannot dispense medical advice), I started off years ago with no experience in the information and cyber security space. Someone threw my name in the mix. Another someone liked my attitude, and the rest is history.

When I started, server was a fancy word for a waiter! Boy, did I have to learn fast.

I am a lawyer. In fact, I was presiding over a court in Johannesburg Magistrates Court when I decided to accept a job offer at my current employer. I learned on the job by asking my colleagues questions about any and everything that I didn’t understand. They all know me. Even now.

“Explain this to me…..” is how I start off and before they know it, they have delivered a mini masterclass!!

I repeat what has been explained to me to ensure that in my haste to assimilate the information, I haven’t just confused everything in my head. Like wondering what this server was going to serve up.

The only reason someone would not ask a question is pride. You don’t want anyone thinking that you know less than they do. Who cares what other people think? Equip yourself to do your job as an expert.

Of course, know who to ask. Ask the right, stupid question to the right person. By this I mean avoid asking your dermatologist about an ingrown toenail………. that’s not his specialty! Ask the right person and your potential for growth is doubled.

Don’t fake it ‘til you make it!

Does this phrase grate on my nerves! I heard it mentioned at a conference recently by someone who was in a very strategic leadership role. It took all I had not to stand up and shout, “You are making the rest of us look bad!” It falls into the same category of someone who is busy being busy.

I’m amazed that the same people who spin the ‘be authentic’ quote are the ones who also blurt out how you should fake it til you make it. These two concepts are in total contradiction to each other. Surely, there will come a point where the knowledge you claimed to have, to be able to occupy the spot or be in the situation you are in, is going to be needed to solve a problem, resolve a situation, or troubleshoot a crisis. What then?

Now, there is a difference between confidence, which leads to action, which then leads to greater confidence. Confidence allows you to step up to opportunities you would normally shy away from. Faking it means you’re throwing your hat in the ring for an opportunity and hoping for the best, despite not having the basic knowledge needed for that job, venture, or collaboration. That if you can babble your way into it, then you will figure it out as you go along.

If this is you, use it as a catapult to further your studies, or just invest your time in upskilling yourself in whichever way you find most appealing.

If this is a concept you embrace, let’s examine these possibilities. Would you want a faker fixing your car? Would you want a faker treating a medical condition you have? Would you want a faker dating your son or daughter? Doesn’t really sound thrilling when you’re on the receiving end.

Here’s a few more, in no particular order:

- Find a mentor or an accountability partner.

- If you’re becoming jaded within an organisation,

it’s time to move on.

- Mentor another colleague.

- If your company is not rewarding you, reward

yourself.

- Get involved with a cause your organisation

supports.

- Take vacation leave. Even if you spend that time

reading a book or gardening, take a break from your work environment.

- Take advantage of office perks eg. gym, ICAS,

health clinics etc

- Sign up for conferences, either online or in

person.

Having worked across different sectors since graduation (and before), I was surprised to discover that the issues stay the same. Same politics, different faces. What doesn’t change is the values and ethics that become entrenched as you navigate the working world. The lessons you learn from the oldies who are a part of the furniture and the contagious enthusiasm of the newbies. Maybe you’re in a spot like this sales consultant. Disillusioned. Fed-up. You're not embracing the ownership culture/mindset.

Don’t stay there. I can tell you that her employer lost money on that day. The cost of 90 pages, (which I paid for) against the cost of an entire ream of paper, (which I didn’t pay for).

She then gave me the ream of paper to take home, instead of recycling or re-using them as scrap paper. If you’re not happy in a job, plan on how you will exit. Give yourself a timeline. Ask questions, get clarity. There will be a stage where your knowledge has grown to the extent that someone seeks you out to ask you questions.

If you’re lacking the skills for something you have your eye on, then learn what you need, to confidently pursue it.

These days, my friends and I are discussing how many years until retirement. Is it the right age to move jobs? Am I too old to start at a new organisation? We complain about changes, new technologies and new rules that just wreak havoc in our work-life balance.

Still, we have successfully managed to escape the One Ream of Paper Syndrome. I certainly hope Phoenix Lynne will not have to come and find you to knock this syndrome out of you. Here’s to a productive, drama-free rest of the week.

Photo Credit: Liza van der Walt