10 Month Job Update: "I get to do this... and I forgot how much I love this sh*t."

I’ve asked for a $30,000 raise.

Ten months is such an odd time to share a work update but you only live once! Why wait a year when I’ve learned so much in a short period of time?

I still vividly remember my first day and yet time has flown by so quickly.

In the life cycle of a career pivot, I’m in between stages four & five: integration and flow. Integration is when you’re beginning to learn and practice new skills on the job, build autonomy and independence and integrate in the existing work culture which leads to stage five, being in flow. Flow is finding a rhythm in your work and successfully managing the natural ebbs and flows at your job.

I’m not gon’ hold you when I say, work is great and I don’t take it for granted in this volatile job market. And yet, I still asked for a $30,000 raise because I’m doing waaaay more than my job description (my boss’ words not mine) AND I deserve it damn it.

Sidebar: I’ve made it through my first round of layoffs. I’m happy at my job because… I’m not doing and juggling twelve roles at one time compared to when I was a business owner. I have a good boss. We’re sister signs (Taurus and Scorpio) and we thankfully balance each other out. But the biggest revelation, I’m back to enjoying photography.

I can’t believe it because if you’d ask me about a year ago, I didn’t want to shoot anymore. In reality, I needed to drop the burden and responsibilities of entrepreneurship.

I was tired, burned out and being at my job now reminds me that I love doing this… I forgot what it felt like to create and only focus on that. I thrive best when I can focus on one interest at a time. I can drop in and focus. I am more confident when I’m doing less, it allows me to master one interest at a time (which makes my generator heart satisfied).

If and when I decide to go back into entrepreneurship, I’ll be more diligent about building a team around me FIRST!

Nevertheless, aside from daily responsibilities, I recognized there are non-work related things happening that let's me know I’m integrating well at my job. In no particular order here are three of them.

Privy to more private office conversations. A great boss tends to shield you from the bullshit in the office when you first start. This happens for two reasons: one, your boss wants you to focus on the job, avoiding information overload and two, they don’t want to scare you away!

Naturally, you build a personal relationship with your coworkers and possibly, they share more private information with you.

I have an accidental ability to disarm people so much that they share what’s on their mind. In other words, people share the tea with me. 😂 The key here is not spilling it. The gossip stops with me. There is nothing worse than sharing something someone told you in confidence, only for it to get back to them. That erodes trust within your budding coworker relationships. Keep your mouth shut!

Building relationships with coworkers (and upper management). It’s so easy to stay in your bubble and just do the work but it’s important to get to know your coworkers. There are a handful of coworkers I really enjoy chatting with and we share a few interests. It’s a kiki and I love it.

Simultaneously I’m building relationships with upper management and managing up. This can be done through monthly touch bases, contributing to team meetings and completing work that supports the company’s overall goals.

Learning how to handle conflict. Chances are you’ll have one or two disagreements in the office within the first year on the job. My biggest aha is that just because I love my job, doesn’t mean there won’t be conflict. A good way to approach conflict is to avoid being accusatory and going straight to the source. Aside from getting counsel from your boss (if they’re not the one causing the drama) it’s best to speak directly with the person you’re having the issue with. Keep it short and remember it's us vs the issue, not me vs you.

In the past I’d complain to everyone except the person I had a problem with and that led to such unnecessary drama for me. Twenty-something Tamera would be proud of big age Tamera.

Even though my job title suggests I’m at the bottom of the totem pole, I know I’m still influencing change and making an impact. My title doesn’t stop me from showing up for myself and my team.

There are more things happening than clocking in and out each day. It’s important to stay present and track other ways work is going well besides getting a pat on the back.

How do you know if work is going well for you? Let me know in the comments!