Back to work

Wow, my travel fare has gone up by 5% and on top of it, the services they offer have been getting worse. It took me over 2 hours to get into work after a bus broke down due to 'faulty electrics' and the train driver apologising about the slow running train, because 'no real reason, just a lot of trains on the tracks'. Heh. Fortunately, I've bought my annual travelcard at last year's price on the 31st.

Been doing my Personal Development Plan today and got slightly stuck on 'How do I see my current role at Unruly developing in the future?' and 'What are my longer term (5 years from now and beyond...) career goals?'

It was rather hard think about considering I've had a complete role change and am now working on building out the Creative Solutions and Content Integration offering... Will probably need to think more about this. That said, I've looked at it today and that's really focused my thoughts on what I want to achieve.

Today's 6 positive things before bedtime.

• Saving £424 annually on travel thanks to Season Ticket Loan - more savings towards my coveted Paraty!
• Personal Development Plans 
• Lovely colleagues who help pick up lunch for me as I was busy
• Headhunter calls (I totally entertain them as it gives me a bit of an ego boost, 'like your client will pay me HOW MUCH, really?' Is it sad that I'm pretty chuffed to be wanted like that and find this is a lot more flattering than most women find with being considered sexy/attractive? Yes, I polled my girlfriends) - unfortunately recruiters always call about ad sales roles I'm not interested in, but I blame my LinkedIn profile for that. 
• The opportunity to pave my own way at work and help shape a completely new offering 
• Hilarious links my deskmate Davey sent - how do these people exist?

I've been focusing a lot of work lately, mainly because I feel almost as if time is running out. I've been told that with building careers and all, if you're not there by 35, you're not going to get very far. It's quite simple, really, I want variety and I want to be the best at what I do and be recognised at that. I'm just not quite sure what 'that' is yet and if it even exists yet. 

What a girl wants, huh?

New Year's Day

Did not do much today though I did log into work to check on how the campaigns for the account I've passed on are doing. I meant to do a brief cursory check but ended up spot-checking placements and approving screengrabs.

I really need to let go and trust that this new account manager knows what he's been doing, and that he's been trained properly for it. Perhaps part of the reason why I'm still so precious about the account is because I didn't have anything to do with his training as I was away in Japan the time he was trainning. But hey, can't do everything, right? I have to let go or else I'll never expand.

Went shopping at Harrods today to shop ahead of the 10% discount weekend and was sorely disappointed by the selection. Perhaps all the goodies were gone by then. I did get a Stella McCartney gym bag (last one, had to buy then) and some goose down pillows that were on 50%. On hindsight I could have waited until this weekend to get the additional 10% off. Rewards cards were re-set today so no extra perks until I go back to Gold which will take some months.

Today's 6 positive things before bedtime:

• Drinking Milo that my cousin brought for me from Malaysia (yumm!)
• Reading Warren Buffet's biography
• Having awesome friends like Niran @ Y&Y who hooks me up with Virgin Gym promos ;)
• Really warm fleece jumper and house slippers that I got for Christmas
• Chanel for making amazingly comfy ballet flats that has lasted over a year - cost per wear is less than £1 by now!
• My orchids are flowering! 

2013's resolution

"...Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast...."

- Lewis Caroll

Over the last few years, I've been finding myself increasingly caught up in a downward spiral of negativity and cynicism based on a number of events that had occurred  and frankly, it's getting me nowhere, or making me any more happier.

This year, I'm going to use some creative license on that and resolve to think of a positive thing before bedtime. Everyday. For 365 days. I am going to evaluate every situation for both positive and negatives, and then focus on the positive whilst mitigating the negatives. I am going to be grateful.

There's no future without a past, so at present, here are the 6 positive things from 2012:

• Surrounded by amazing people - all my family and friends are healthy and well (yay!)
• Lived in New York for 3 months and met some amazing people (dream come true - if I ever complain about Unruly, remind me of the amazing opportunity they gave me, sending me to Sweden and New York for months to live, and I'd gladly shut up)
• Met some amazing people, especially Tsam in New York, who was introduced to me by Momowich's owner Sydney (I love random intros and connections)
• Took up anti-gravity and bikram yoga - haven't felt so healthy for a long time
• Got to travel - New York, Boston (#ROFLcon!), Chicago, Madrid, Prague, Tokyo & Mt Fuji -all in 2012!
• Finally felt in the position to treat myself to some luxuries I've been wanting and saving for, paid for in cash.

There I was previously down on myself, knocking myself down for not achieving anything in 2012, but that was mainly because I was frustrated with what I viewed was my lack of development and learning opportunities at work.

It's all about perspective.

In retrospect, I realise that I've been short-sighted. In the grand scheme of things, the experience that I've gained from responsibilities entrusted on to me to help set up the operations in Sweden in 2011, and then to be sent again to New York and Chicago in 2012, was absolutely invaluable. I'm also fortunate to work with a select bunch of colleagues, clients and publishers who I also consider friends, who constantly inspire me. If that's the only thing I gained out of my employment at Unruly, well, it's well worth it and I will always be grateful to them for it.