Comments on: How to hit a wall at work, with grace http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2009/12/22/how-to-hit-a-wall-at-work-with-grace/ Advice at the intersection of work and life Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:05:13 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc By: Christian R. http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2009/12/22/how-to-hit-a-wall-at-work-with-grace/comment-page-2/#comment-217280 Christian R. Wed, 06 Jan 2010 13:57:55 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/?p=4538#comment-217280 Point 3) should read "Be positive yet realistic", because lots of people run around with a stupid smile on their face while the house is on fire. That forced, insincere attitude is one of the things that make the US workplace such a schizoid environment. Point 3) should read "Be positive yet realistic", because lots of people run around with a stupid smile on their face while the house is on fire. That forced, insincere attitude is one of the things that make the US workplace such a schizoid environment.

]]> By: Thanh Lu http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2009/12/22/how-to-hit-a-wall-at-work-with-grace/comment-page-1/#comment-217179 Thanh Lu Sun, 03 Jan 2010 07:08:34 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/?p=4538#comment-217179 I like the direct honest truth. I would like to add that perhaps you've outgrown your position/involvement and your talents/strengths are better served somewhere else. For many people in similar situations, maybe it's an indication that we all have to re-evaluate what skills/talents are valuable or not, and where they might be best served. I like the direct honest truth. I would like to add that perhaps you've outgrown your position/involvement and your talents/strengths are better served somewhere else. For many people in similar situations, maybe it's an indication that we all have to re-evaluate what skills/talents are valuable or not, and where they might be best served.

]]> By: New Year http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2009/12/22/how-to-hit-a-wall-at-work-with-grace/comment-page-2/#comment-217154 New Year Sat, 02 Jan 2010 03:51:09 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/?p=4538#comment-217154 [...] say but it also feels better once said, if that makes sense. A lot of what Penelope Trunk says in this post really resonates with me at this moment.  I do not want to write extensively about it (at least [...] [...] say but it also feels better once said, if that makes sense. A lot of what Penelope Trunk says in this post really resonates with me at this moment.  I do not want to write extensively about it (at least [...]

]]> By: Diana Evans http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2009/12/22/how-to-hit-a-wall-at-work-with-grace/comment-page-2/#comment-217153 Diana Evans Sat, 02 Jan 2010 03:19:33 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/?p=4538#comment-217153 "Also, it seems that many brilliant ideas come in the wake of darkness… draw from it… When things are going great, it seems we don't feel the need to search as diligently for answers."<< Posted earlier by Sosympyl. Totally Agree - use the dark times before they become bright times and the otherwise inaccessible thoughts/opportunities/learning moments are gone. In a second everything can change- then the window to produce radically different (and unquestionably awesome) types of work has passed. "Also, it seems that many brilliant ideas come in the wake of darkness… draw from it… When things are going great, it seems we don't feel the need to search as diligently for answers."<< Posted earlier by Sosympyl.

Totally Agree – use the dark times before they become bright times and the otherwise inaccessible thoughts/opportunities/learning moments are gone. In a second everything can change- then the window to produce radically different (and unquestionably awesome) types of work has passed.

]]> By: Diana Evans http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2009/12/22/how-to-hit-a-wall-at-work-with-grace/comment-page-2/#comment-217152 Diana Evans Sat, 02 Jan 2010 03:10:05 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/?p=4538#comment-217152 I know what you mean about the grilled cheese burn/brain malfunction….. A couple years ago I was in a mother- in- law-coming- to- visit-unannounced panic while cooking an egg and bean taco for lunch at 2 in the afternoon. I had a tortilla in one hand, and the metal lid from a can of beans in the other hand. I apparently forgot which hand the tortilla was in, and went to take an pre-taco bite while cooking (I have very little patience around food). With full force- I bit into the metal lid. (Compliments of my inferior peripheral vision) It then sliced the crap out of my mouth opening. Ouch. The pain and the shock of what happened was not as bad as the obligation I in turn had (felt) to explain the cuts to everyone that saw me for the 2 weeks. After I told them I always immediately regretted it, and then continued to explain how it could have happened to them also……Apparently they didn't agree that it could have happened to them…. Somehow it something only I could have done. But really, relax- you are just in a gear-shifting mode. It may not look or sound good, but they better just wait until you are cruising by at an even higher level. PS- tone of voice is such a life-self esteem-circumstance dependant variable for us Aspies. It will get better. ~3 more peanut butter and jelly halves to go- then I’m calling it a night, diana I know what you mean about the grilled cheese burn/brain malfunction….. A couple years ago I was in a mother- in- law-coming- to- visit-unannounced panic while cooking an egg and bean taco for lunch at 2 in the afternoon. I had a tortilla in one hand, and the metal lid from a can of beans in the other hand. I apparently forgot which hand the tortilla was in, and went to take an pre-taco bite while cooking (I have very little patience around food). With full force- I bit into the metal lid. (Compliments of my inferior peripheral vision) It then sliced the crap out of my mouth opening. Ouch.
The pain and the shock of what happened was not as bad as the obligation I in turn had (felt) to explain the cuts to everyone that saw me for the 2 weeks. After I told them I always immediately regretted it, and then continued to explain how it could have happened to them also……Apparently they didn't agree that it could have happened to them…. Somehow it something only I could have done.
But really, relax- you are just in a gear-shifting mode. It may not look or sound good, but they better just wait until you are cruising by at an even higher level. PS- tone of voice is such a life-self esteem-circumstance dependant variable for us Aspies. It will get better.

~3 more peanut butter and jelly halves to go- then I’m calling it a night,
diana

]]> By: Tony Z http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2009/12/22/how-to-hit-a-wall-at-work-with-grace/comment-page-2/#comment-217133 Tony Z Fri, 01 Jan 2010 15:49:59 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/?p=4538#comment-217133 Thanks for your reply post. Perhaps I assumed it would be implicitly understood that Penelope and I don't bring up "what's wrong" simply for the sake of hearing ourselves whine. Indeed, there are folks who do just that, but I'm not one of them, and I strongly doubt Penelope is either. We are solution-seekers. That said, I continually meet people who procrastinate and cloak themselves in denial to avoid tackling problems. In my experience that's often why teamwork falls apart: too many issues and not enough willingness to recognize and resolve them. No one person can expect to identify, voice, dissect and/or settle every trouble spot, but sadly, some folks are virtual ostriches on all counts and consistently avoid coming out of the sand. I won't speak on behalf of Penelope, but it is those co-workers who choose to be blind that frustrate me most because they are clearly not part of the solution, and therefore remain part of the problem. I wish you all the best in 2010! :) Thanks for your reply post.

Perhaps I assumed it would be implicitly understood that Penelope and I don't bring up "what's wrong" simply for the sake of hearing ourselves whine. Indeed, there are folks who do just that, but I'm not one of them, and I strongly doubt Penelope is either. We are solution-seekers. That said, I continually meet people who procrastinate and cloak themselves in denial to avoid tackling problems. In my experience that's often why teamwork falls apart: too many issues and not enough willingness to recognize and resolve them.

No one person can expect to identify, voice, dissect and/or settle every trouble spot, but sadly, some folks are virtual ostriches on all counts and consistently avoid coming out of the sand. I won't speak on behalf of Penelope, but it is those co-workers who choose to be blind that frustrate me most because they are clearly not part of the solution, and therefore remain part of the problem.

I wish you all the best in 2010! :)

]]> By: Kay Teris http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2009/12/22/how-to-hit-a-wall-at-work-with-grace/comment-page-1/#comment-217132 Kay Teris Fri, 01 Jan 2010 15:43:57 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/?p=4538#comment-217132 Penelope, I think the wall at work is much bigger than you imagine, and no amount of better listening strategies will get you over it. Face up to it --- you were "let go" some months ago, and it is fully documented in your blog. When your company ran out of money and was temporarily rescued by investors, you lost all operating responsibility. Like many company founders who lose control of their own companies, you continue to sit at your desk but get no work. You continue going to meetings, but no one wants to hear your opinions. No wonder you feel lost at work! Honestly, you need to start thinking about your next job, not clinging to the last one. Penelope, I think the wall at work is much bigger than you imagine, and no amount of better listening strategies will get you over it.

Face up to it — you were "let go" some months ago, and it is fully documented in your blog. When your company ran out of money and was temporarily rescued by investors, you lost all operating responsibility. Like many company founders who lose control of their own companies, you continue to sit at your desk but get no work. You continue going to meetings, but no one wants to hear your opinions. No wonder you feel lost at work!

Honestly, you need to start thinking about your next job, not clinging to the last one.

]]> By: Nicole D. http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2009/12/22/how-to-hit-a-wall-at-work-with-grace/comment-page-2/#comment-217020 Nicole D. Tue, 29 Dec 2009 18:50:46 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/?p=4538#comment-217020 Penelope, I, by nature am a "negative Nelly" and as a result I feel your pain. It's easy for us to point out what's wrong or how things are broken, I do it each and every day and it's a difficult cycle to break. Challenge yourself, for each crack or weakness you find, try to think of a way to fix it or a step towards a solution. It's time consuming and a pain in the ass, however, the more you do it the easier it gets. Other than that bit of advice, the only thing I can offer is a mental hug. -Nicole D. Penelope,

I, by nature am a "negative Nelly" and as a result I feel your pain. It's easy for us to point out what's wrong or how things are broken, I do it each and every day and it's a difficult cycle to break. Challenge yourself, for each crack or weakness you find, try to think of a way to fix it or a step towards a solution. It's time consuming and a pain in the ass, however, the more you do it the easier it gets.

Other than that bit of advice, the only thing I can offer is a mental hug.

-Nicole D.

]]> By: Marshall Wayne http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2009/12/22/how-to-hit-a-wall-at-work-with-grace/comment-page-1/#comment-216994 Marshall Wayne Tue, 29 Dec 2009 10:35:58 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/?p=4538#comment-216994 I agree Jon. Sometimes we just have to keep on living your life one moment at a time when things don't seem to be going all that well. I agree Jon. Sometimes we just have to keep on living your life one moment at a time when things don't seem to be going all that well.

]]> By: Marshall Wayne http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/2009/12/22/how-to-hit-a-wall-at-work-with-grace/comment-page-1/#comment-216993 Marshall Wayne Tue, 29 Dec 2009 10:34:40 +0000 http://blog.penelopetrunk.com/?p=4538#comment-216993 I can identify with being better at starting businesses than running them. I love the thrill of the initial conception, the grand ideas, and the risk taking. When everything is up and running it seems to become more mundane. I can identify with being better at starting businesses than running them. I love the thrill of the initial conception, the grand ideas, and the risk taking.

When everything is up and running it seems to become more mundane.

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