like a full circle

Work Tales – it’s sad…but it’s the fact, the reality. When you have a small work portfolio, holding an insignificant department, when the figures are in red, when the items are not as demanding as before, when the market growth continues to be challenging as ever, when the nature of the business is not consumer-impulse-oriented, when the store support is driven to the HouseHold, Furniture, Stationary, Toys, Luggage & Electricity Department, when you are not in your Boss Top 6 Key Priorities >> eventually you don’t get the top management support; no matter how good your proposal is. Iron Butterfly’s focus is the Top 6 Categories. The Top 6 are the main priorities. The Top 6 will get the best in everything. I don’t get the support and the help. Iron Butterfly is giving me the indication that my department is less important, let's maintain it as it is. Hello...the company is paying me to do better. If it is to maintain as it is, then why am I here for?

This situation has forced me to look at myself and grimace. This current situation continually plagues me. The truth hurts. I also realized that I may be lower on the food-chain pyramid than I already am. And hang my head (and tail) low. Whatever it is, I have tasted the reality of it, and I am both shocked and shaken. Realizing and accepting this fact alone lifted about 90% of my stress and anxiety! I had so many plans for my portfolio and now it seemed that those plans would take a much longer time to materialize. I do acknowledge all of it as a positive challenge. I can't let that energy die down now! It's going to take a lot more to wear me out! I have to continue to motivate my store people and to create the “brand” in my department. 2009 will be about embracing challenges and new adventures plus managing people.

I do realize how hard it is going to be for me. Nonetheless, this underdog will bounce back. Firm and sure :) I’m still as competitive as ever! I do have a few more ambitious goals. I'm incredibly grateful for all of the opportunities that have come knocking. I've still got lots to learn and much knowledge to gain from everyone who is willing to share their views.

Next year can’t come soon enough. You’s too far away for now 2010. Once all of the bicycles at Keppel are out, once the whole division have stabilized, once things can run on auto-pilot by itself, once I hit a few perfect targets here & there >> its time for me to sign off. This job is making me bonkers. I don’t want to feel broken no more. I have sacrifice enough; my youth, my social life, my sleep, my holidays; my wrinkle free brow! I want to be a positive individual who is always learning and growing towards becoming a better person :) I want a care-free life.