Why do I actually like my job? (Don't tell my boss)

Three weeks in a row. Three entries in a row. You've got to be impressed with that. However, I realize that 3 weeks does not a trusting relationship make. Fair enough. But I will continue to jot down my brilliant musings as we journey forth together.


On with the topic.


Just over a year ago, I was completely unsure about how I wanted to actually make money for the day-to-day operations of me. As you may recall, I was teaching after school and summer drama classes to kids. It was a completely wonderful and rewarding experience except for the part where I could not stand it at all. Other than that, it was great.

But to be honest, the problem wasn't so much with the kids themselves. I mean, they weren't exactly a picnic. Not even close. The fact of the matter was that I just couldn't get motivated to do the work to make the classes interesting for the kids. And since I was bored with the whole process, then it was completely understandable that the kids were bored. I gotta tell you, kids are great bullshit detectors. They just weren't going to let me waltz in and out of there without putting in the effort. Apparently, they didn't seem to care that I was an artist who had better things do to.

So during the summer, an escape route, I mean opportunity popped up that I simply had to take advantage of. A small marketing firm that specializes in promoting Broadway shows decided to create a position that would run their street teams.

I remember the day that I found out about this job. My girlfriend and I were in the post office. A friend of hers, who had worked in the marketing office, asked her if she would be interested in the position. She respectfully declined and hung up. About 30 seconds later she said to me, "Do you think you'd be interested in something like that?"

It's incredibly rare to actually remember a life-changing moment. Sure we remember big moments but we don't always recognize them as life-changing. I could actually feel the shift in my brain when she asked me that question. For one thing, it was a management position. A position of leadership. I had always bitched about wanted to have an opportunity to be in a leadership position but I've never felt that I had the opportunity to do it. In that moment, there it was staring me in the face.

But the catch was that I had to convince myself that I could actually do it. That I was worthy. I had to fight my old paradigm. I remember thinking that it would be a great job but I didn't have experience. That I had never been a manager before. That there would most likely be more qualified candidates applying for the position.

Luckily for me, I got myself a good woman. We talked about my fears and concerns and she was able to present logical points to me as opposed to the insanity that was cluttering my brain. Maybe I didn't have "management" experience, but I was intelligent, hard-working, and the experience that I did have was incredibly valuable. So I went for it.

In case you couldn't tell, I got the job. It's been just over a year now. The job originally started out as a temporary job that was supposed to last about a month. But due to the success of the original street team, it has turned into a lucrative full-time position. (I'm just gonna pat myself on the back if you don't mind. Ah, that's good)

I am now able to be the type of boss that I've always wanted. I've created an environment that is 90% bullshit-free. (I mean let's be real. No job reaches 100%. You've got to have some bullshit just for balance) I get to bring in people who I click with. I get to work in Broadway theatres. I get to see shows for free. I get the freedom to move around without be trapped at a desk. At the same time, I'm not forced to stay outside. But the best part of all is that I have a job where I actually get to think and make decisions.

Now don't get me wrong. It's not all bitches and ho's. There are some really annoying aspects about my job. I won't go into details (at least not in this entry) but I will say that it turns out that my experience working with children has turned out to be a lot more valuable than I had originally anticipated.

But for the most part, I still see my job as a great opportunity. And now I know that there's no question about my leadership abilities. Gee, I wonder what else I can do.