Philanthropy

I was just checking my Facebook newsfeed and saw the following link posted by one of my former colleagues at Laurier: http://www.wlu.ca/tagday

You can click the link for more info, but here's the gist of it: Tag Day aims to raise awareness among current students on how philanthropy impacts your Laurier experience. Impact isn't even a big enough word... Laurier wouldn't exist as it does without philanthropy. If alumni, parents, students, foundations, corporations, and friends of WLU weren't donating money to the school, the Laurier experience would be extremely different. You would likely still learn and get an education and a degree, but your experience wouldn't be enhanced beyond that. I'm sure that's okay with some of you, but for those of us who did the bulk of our learning outside the classroom, we should be darn grateful for the donors who improved our campus, activities, opportunities, and so on...

I have spent most of my time blogging about work since I started this blog, but there's more to Life After WLU than just work... there's perspective, for one thing. Graduating offers you a chance to look back at your experience, and (in my case) think: "Damn, that was a good time." Not just because of the parties and free-time and less responsibility (although that was great), but because of things like chilling in the concourse, going to a student service group meeting, engaging in a great discussion, applying to sit on a board, taking part in a campaign, etc. That was what made my university experience great.

Now, I have an advantage... I worked in the Development department when I was a student at WLU, and I've continued to work in fundraising since I graduated. I completely understand the need for and impact of philanthropy in educational institutions. I also recognize the importance of current students at those institutions understanding how philanthropy impacts them while they're there. Otherwise, students graduate, become alumni, and feel no obligation to give back.

It's important to give back. Think about what you've been given, and then when you have the resources to return the favour, do it. Even if it's a small amount, it makes a difference.

Yes, I'm preaching, but I really believe in this. Students will jump on an opportunity to criticize the way the university spends its money, and that's fine, but when you graduate - put your money where your mouth is.

20th post -- checking in

Hello readers! It's been a while since I last checked in, so I thought I'd pop by and bring you somewhat up to date.

The last time I posted I was talking about Project Burden. Thanks to the strategy I implemented (see post), what was once Project Burden is now partially complete, and barely a burden. Once I found the time to tackle it head-on, I realized that it wasn't worth stressing about. Isn't that always the way...

That being said, part of the reason I found the project to be a burden was because it didn't seem to fall under our office's responsibilities. It didn't seem to push our agenda at all, nor result in anything worthwhile for us. Therefore, I proposed that we give it to another department to manage. I didn't do it because it was a pain or burden, but because after I started working on it, I sort of wondered why it was in my portfolio.

My superiors agreed and accepted my proposal. I guess that's part of the working life, too... recognizing those sorts of things and having the confidence and conviction to propose an alternative. It's not easy, because especially early on you feel the need to say Yes to everything and do as much as you can to impress your superiors. However, sometimes it's just as impressive to know when to say No and when to come up with alternatives. Food for thought.

In other news, things at work have ramped up over the past month. I'm keeping very busy, engaged, and productive. I don't get stressed a whole lot, but the days go by pretty fast and it's hard to get work off my mind when I get home some nights. But, I'm just taking everything day by day, learning from every experience, and trying my best! Seems to be working okay so far!

Project: Burden

Agh... there's this project I have that is a bit of a pain in the ass. It's not really urgent, and it doesn't exactly fall under our office's umbrella, but for some reason it's become my responsibility. However, because there's no urgency, and because my boss doesn't care about it, I don't really care about it. Since I don't care about it, I rarely do any work on it. Since I rarely do any work on it, it's just this annoying burden I carry around and keep avoiding. Ugh.

So... my plan is this: I'm going to pick a day next week where I don't have much going on... maybe just an afternoon... and I'm going to tackle this project. That's what I'm going to do!

Great success!

The big day has come and gone and I still can't believe it's all over. My stress level last week was unparalleled, but all it was about was one day. One day. One day that was gone in the blink of an eye. Actually, that's not true. That one day was one of the longest days of my life. Truly. I was stressed for most of the day, too, making sure that everything was in order, that everything went smoothly, that everyone was having fun... I was on my A game, sure, but I was also barely breathing. It was intense.

Before I tell you how it goes, I'll tell you what I learned.

• There's no such thing as perfect. Do your best to have everything organized and ready to go, but don't expect perfection, because it'll just stress you out.
• It's not so much about creating something that has no mistakes. It's about dealing with those mistakes when they come up, and dealing with them with professionalism and poise. Take a deep breath, confront the mistake or issue head-on, and do your best.
• When a big project is complete, or a big event happens, you might not feel completely satisfied immediately after. Give yourself a few days to relax and de-stress, and then you might find that you're able to be more objective about it. It's hard in the moment, or right after the moment, to look at something. Give yourself some time and space first.
• When you are able to look at things objectively, be sure to take a moment to be proud of yourself. No matter how it went, you can say you did your best and that you learned from it. That's something!

So, now that I've had nearly a week to reflect on the event -- I'm thrilled with how it went! I've definitely received some constructive (and even critical) feedback, but I've also received a lot of big thank yous, congratulations, and other compliments. I feel really good about how things went, I can tell the attendees had a lot of fun, and I can see that my superiors here are impressed with how it went. That feels good!

I mentioned that I thought if when this event went well, that I'd feel sort of launched into the next, I don't know, level of my career at this particular institution. Do I? Yes. It just so happens that in the week before and after this event that I got 2 cool things:

1. A company credit card.
2. My own office.

Between having gotten those 2 things + having pulled off this big event, I feel like a whole new employee. I feel a bit older and wiser, a bit more experienced, and I want more in terms of taking more initiative, thinking of some new project ideas, etc. I feel like I'm ready to ramp things up a bit. I'll let you know how it goes.

IT'S GAME DAY!!!

Quick entry before I start getting ready...

So... since November, and maybe before, I've been organizing an event for work. I work in fundraising/alumni relations at a school, and this particular event is an enormous hockey tournament, the proceeds of which go towards a bursary that helps a deserving student attend the school. Over 100 people are coming to the tournament today - alumni, parents of current and past students, and other friends of the school. It's kinda a big deal.

The organization for this event has been ongoing since November, as I said, but this week was the big one. I was constantly sending out emails, making phone calls, receiving phone calls, reconfiguring the schedule, finalizing the schedule, sending out the rosters, organizing the dinner, etc., etc., etc. The work didn't stop and I was experiencing a level of stress that I've never before experienced. I mean, seriously. I collapsed on my couch after every work day, just trying to find a moment where I wasn't thinking about work, and more particularly, this event.

The day of the event has finally come. I woke up early, had a good breakfast (and lots of coffee), and now I'm about to get ready. I head over to the arena in 1.5 hours. The event goes from 8:30am this morning until about 9:00pm tonight. I will be on my "A" game that entire time. I have to be. BUT - when 9:00pm comes, I will have survived. 15 hours from now, I will collapse on my couch once again, but this time it won't be with stress - it will be with relief and, I hope, pride. No, I know I'll be proud.

I just recently hit the 6-month mark at work, and I couldn't help but think, "How am I doing so far?" I felt the need to assess how I'm doing in some way, to kind of move me forward into the next 6 months. I think today will very much be that feedback. When I make it through today, I'll have the reward to my effort that will launch me into the next phase.

Here goes... Wish me luck!!!

YES.

There's an event in London ON this Thursday that my boss is going to. Last week my colleagues asked if I was going as well, and I said I wasn't, plus I added that I no longer care to go any more southwest than Waterloo ON.

That same day my boss stopped by my desk and told me that next week (this week) is going to be pretty busy for him and he asked if I could go to London in his place. The colleagues who had asked me if I was going were within earshot as I replied, "Of course! I'll be there!"

They thought it was pretty funny that on the same day I had said I was absolutely not going to London that I subsequently agreed to go, and it was funny. However, who am I to turn down any request that my boss makes (within reason)? I'm at the beginning of my career, keen to gain experience and knowledge, and advance forward to the next level. If my boss wants me to go to London, I'm going! Plus, it means a day off work and a long train ride. Personally I like long train rides.

So, London here I come!

Holidaze

Coming back to work from a two-week holiday is like diving into the deep end without taking a big breath first. No matter how you prepare mentally, and even if you've been checking emails while you were away, it's still a shock to the system.

Thankfully my colleague, who was sent from heaven, made me some coffee this morning. That was a good start.

I've got to approach today with a strategy. I think my strategy will be to take the focus away from TODAY and think more about THIS WEEK. It'll take some pressure off this single workday to instead utilize the entire week to get up to date, up to speed, and back on track. I must also remind myself that no problem is unsolvable and no mistake is unforgiven. On top of that, my best approach is to take things one step at a time, set myself goals for each day, and remember that no matter how stressful the day, it always ends!

I shall reward myself with an evening filled with MTV Canada and sitting on the couch.

Let's go!!!