Corporate Life
In a business class in college, we read a book written in story format about corporate life. I remember one scene where a character was promoted and moved into an office. But the office was designed for a higher ranking manager so they built false walls in a foot in all directions to make it the appropriate size for the character's position in the company. Crazy! I recall arguing with the professor about how ridiculous the scenario was. In true college professor fashion, she laughed and remarked that in the "real world" these things really happen. And in equally true college student fashion, I thought, "right, like this tenored professor knows anything about the real life!"
For the record I still think the example from the book is a extreme...but maybe not out of the realm of possibility. How things change! A few years ago at work, I was told that a new layer of management was being added above me. (Ugh, okay) Then I was told that my new boss, Fred* would be starting the following week. (Fast but fine) Then I was told that they were going to put Fred in my beautiful corner office and I would need to move my stuff over one office to a windowless tomb. (WHAT the *&$@?!) This was foreshadowing as Fred would shamelessly steal every idea I ever brought to his attention too. But I digress...
Corporate life is like super fun sometimes, especially for the middle management rank and file. But oh what valuable life lessons we are taught! I have been that self-sacrificing-60-hour-a-week-employee. My identity was so wrapped up in my job that something like moving to a new office sent me into a paralyzing tale spin. (I went home at 2pm that day feeling completely crushed for crying out loud!) Yet another gift of parenthood is a broader identity. Yes I am still a hard-worker who wants to do well at her job. But I also want to get home at a decent hour to play with my son. Thank you Ian and Lillian for teaching me about balance! Cause you never know when this could happen to you...
*Fred's name has been changed to protect his innocent, office-stealing, idea-stealing identity.
3 comments:
Ahhh, Office Space, one of the greatest movies of all time. I still crack up every time my printer says "PC Load Letter."
LOVE that movie! I never really understood the humor until I left teaching and became a part of the windowless, cube sitting, TPR report filing community of workers. Now, holy cow - we laugh for hours about scenes from that movie and how true they seem. It is funny how parenthood changes your perspective and brings balance to your life. It gives me greater understanding and compassion for all those parents I tried to call at work to discuss issues about their child when I was a childless, 20 year old new teacher!
lori, i love how you write! you crack me up every time (well, except for the posts that aren't meant to be funny... but those are few and far between!) xoxoxo
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