Monday, June 23, 2014
I've moved!
I know, I know, but I only just got here! Please find me on pamelamontanez.com! Read, comment, share, please!
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Chapter 8: Thoughts on Professionalism
*The opinions expressed in this blog are not affiliated in any way with my employer
I have been extremely fortunate to spend my first post-college job in an environment where I am encouraged to take on responsibility and learn with guided help. Yes, I already knew how to edit word documents, produce a PowerPoint, and set up a meeting in Outlook, but the true lessons for me were in professionalism and inspiration within the office. I have worked for almost two years at a company that has gone through several major transitions since I began my employment. It has been a wondrous roller coaster of human interaction, communication theory, and diligent leadership. Has it been rough? Yes. Has it been insightful? Yes. I have learned so much. This article is about 5 major things that I have observed from my standpoint as faithful, low-level employee and tips for bosses and staff going through transition. Please contribute your thoughts on this as well. If that does not apply to you, keep reading... I am hoping you might be able to contribute or take something away from this anyway.
1. Bosses, be amazing. I have an amazing boss who literally inspires me to write documentation on how to sign a PDF with a digital signature. This is the truth. My boss sat me down one morning and described how samurai swords are made by folding steel on itself time and time again to create this perfect weapon. He then revealed a document that needed the same kind of work. Who does that?! An amazing boss. I learned that though my position is somewhat basic, I still have an impact. We can be inspired to do our work whether it is your dream job or a beginning job.
2. Staff, be inspired. It is not juvenile to be inspired or to be passionate. It literally changes your outlook on the workplace. If your boss tries to inspire you, take it! Believe that what you are doing is important and for the "greater good" of the company. Read the company website, find what you once liked or do like about the company and own it! If your job is somewhere you go to waste most of your time, I feel truly sorry for you. Why not believe in what you are doing? I am an Administrative Assistant. As great as that is, I do not think people dream of taking meeting minutes. However, I see this as an opportunity to glean from those wiser and observe how professionals act and treat each other. I believe in the opportunity.
3. Never lie, never hide. Bosses, though we are low-level in comparison to VPs, CEOs, and CFOs, we aren't dumb... that is why you hired us. Be honest with us and keep us in the loop, no matter how tough the transition is. Staff, communicate! Be open about your progress along the way. This honestly saves you if something goes wrong because you can say that you've kept everyone in the loop along the way. This also allows for honest feedback if you are not quite where you should be.
4. Take chances. Treat people like they know their job. Simple, I know, but I cannot tell you how many times I have seen bosses and staff alike treat each other like they do not know what they are doing. Have faith in your fellow people! Give them a chance. Bosses, allow your staff to take on new responsibility even if it is outside of their known tool box. There is so much about people that we do not know; so much past experience that can be useful. Staff, take chances! If an opportunity arises, offer your services. Be willing to learn new things and make yourself valuable. I have observed that those willing and able to learn gain success and gain success faster than those who will not learn a new way of business.
5. Attitude is king. Save the chit-chat and work gossip for... never. Deal with conflict in a professional manner right where the issue starts - escalating as necessary. Professionalism commands respect and in the long run it creates a reputation for yourself that cannot be questioned. If you see something out of place, go to the person in charge of that task and ask about it. There is no need to skip two links in the chain and go to the main boss over trivial issues; people do not respect someone who deliberately makes them look bad. My biggest professional gain thus far has been to learn that no task should be too small and to take ownership of the things no one else wants to do. These tasks are often key to a company's daily success. An attitude of professional ownership goes a very long way.
Thank you for indulging in my work ethic philosophies for a moment. Comment below if you have additional tips or thoughts you use in the workplace.
I have been extremely fortunate to spend my first post-college job in an environment where I am encouraged to take on responsibility and learn with guided help. Yes, I already knew how to edit word documents, produce a PowerPoint, and set up a meeting in Outlook, but the true lessons for me were in professionalism and inspiration within the office. I have worked for almost two years at a company that has gone through several major transitions since I began my employment. It has been a wondrous roller coaster of human interaction, communication theory, and diligent leadership. Has it been rough? Yes. Has it been insightful? Yes. I have learned so much. This article is about 5 major things that I have observed from my standpoint as faithful, low-level employee and tips for bosses and staff going through transition. Please contribute your thoughts on this as well. If that does not apply to you, keep reading... I am hoping you might be able to contribute or take something away from this anyway.
1. Bosses, be amazing. I have an amazing boss who literally inspires me to write documentation on how to sign a PDF with a digital signature. This is the truth. My boss sat me down one morning and described how samurai swords are made by folding steel on itself time and time again to create this perfect weapon. He then revealed a document that needed the same kind of work. Who does that?! An amazing boss. I learned that though my position is somewhat basic, I still have an impact. We can be inspired to do our work whether it is your dream job or a beginning job.
2. Staff, be inspired. It is not juvenile to be inspired or to be passionate. It literally changes your outlook on the workplace. If your boss tries to inspire you, take it! Believe that what you are doing is important and for the "greater good" of the company. Read the company website, find what you once liked or do like about the company and own it! If your job is somewhere you go to waste most of your time, I feel truly sorry for you. Why not believe in what you are doing? I am an Administrative Assistant. As great as that is, I do not think people dream of taking meeting minutes. However, I see this as an opportunity to glean from those wiser and observe how professionals act and treat each other. I believe in the opportunity.
3. Never lie, never hide. Bosses, though we are low-level in comparison to VPs, CEOs, and CFOs, we aren't dumb... that is why you hired us. Be honest with us and keep us in the loop, no matter how tough the transition is. Staff, communicate! Be open about your progress along the way. This honestly saves you if something goes wrong because you can say that you've kept everyone in the loop along the way. This also allows for honest feedback if you are not quite where you should be.
4. Take chances. Treat people like they know their job. Simple, I know, but I cannot tell you how many times I have seen bosses and staff alike treat each other like they do not know what they are doing. Have faith in your fellow people! Give them a chance. Bosses, allow your staff to take on new responsibility even if it is outside of their known tool box. There is so much about people that we do not know; so much past experience that can be useful. Staff, take chances! If an opportunity arises, offer your services. Be willing to learn new things and make yourself valuable. I have observed that those willing and able to learn gain success and gain success faster than those who will not learn a new way of business.
5. Attitude is king. Save the chit-chat and work gossip for... never. Deal with conflict in a professional manner right where the issue starts - escalating as necessary. Professionalism commands respect and in the long run it creates a reputation for yourself that cannot be questioned. If you see something out of place, go to the person in charge of that task and ask about it. There is no need to skip two links in the chain and go to the main boss over trivial issues; people do not respect someone who deliberately makes them look bad. My biggest professional gain thus far has been to learn that no task should be too small and to take ownership of the things no one else wants to do. These tasks are often key to a company's daily success. An attitude of professional ownership goes a very long way.
Thank you for indulging in my work ethic philosophies for a moment. Comment below if you have additional tips or thoughts you use in the workplace.
Friday, May 2, 2014
Chapter 7: Best Me, Best You
We are built from a series of experiences and choices; our worldview is shaped based on circumstance, tribulation, happiness, and hope. My circumstances, tribulations, happiness, and hopefulness have been on an intense roller coaster ride in their 24 year old life. My worldview has continued to be shaped and re-shaped as I continue to feel everything I can feel. Over my next few posts, I am going to share with you some of my personal mantras in hopes that for nothing else, you think. Thinking is one of the most powerful movements that exists and I pray that you are not to busy to take a moment to do so.
Philosophy #1: Best Me, Best You
I am evil. I pre-determine my compatibility with people based on the first few words that come out of their mouth. I laugh really hard when people get hurt. I pretend to lend the benefit to strangers while waiting for them to make their first wrong move. I do not give second chances. I am lazy. I am gluttonous. I do not admit my wrongdoing, but justify it as right.
I am good. I am compassionate. I am thoughtful. I remember you. I am creative. I am hopeful. I love. I will give you my last dollar. I will bring you soup in the middle of the night if you are sick. I will watch your kids if you need a night out. I will give you free graphic design and photography services. I love the world and God's creation. I am fighting for a better me.
We are a complex mystery of good and evil. I encountered a situation with my family where one of my family members found himself in a place of self loathing, hopelessness, and spite. I did not want to believe that this hero of mine had "fallen" so far. In essence, my thoughts and actions toward this person went from highly valued to speechless. Some hurtful words were said to me in this state and I gave up. This family member was barely family. I was done. I think over the next 3 months I only uttered 5 words to this person. I was angry and I was hurt.
After a hopeless spiral into darkness and an awful fight with my husband, where I threw some angry and hurtful words at his sweet, compassionate heart, I stopped. I did not want to be this monster. How could Joe continue to love me when I was throwing daggers at his heart? I asked him, "Why do you love me?" His answer was (and always is), "Because you're funny and make me laugh harder than anyone. Because you are beautiful. Because you know me better than anyone else. Because you were made for me..." slow, romantic, pause, " Because I do." He loves me for my best moments. He continues to love me to see those moments again.
I asked Joe that question for months and months - little did he know he was helping me form my worldview. I chose in June 2013 to begin seeing the best moments in people. To see them for their good moments and who they want to be, not who they sometimes are. Thus, the best me, best you philosophy was born.
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Philosophy #1: Best Me, Best You
I am evil. I pre-determine my compatibility with people based on the first few words that come out of their mouth. I laugh really hard when people get hurt. I pretend to lend the benefit to strangers while waiting for them to make their first wrong move. I do not give second chances. I am lazy. I am gluttonous. I do not admit my wrongdoing, but justify it as right.
I am good. I am compassionate. I am thoughtful. I remember you. I am creative. I am hopeful. I love. I will give you my last dollar. I will bring you soup in the middle of the night if you are sick. I will watch your kids if you need a night out. I will give you free graphic design and photography services. I love the world and God's creation. I am fighting for a better me.
We are a complex mystery of good and evil. I encountered a situation with my family where one of my family members found himself in a place of self loathing, hopelessness, and spite. I did not want to believe that this hero of mine had "fallen" so far. In essence, my thoughts and actions toward this person went from highly valued to speechless. Some hurtful words were said to me in this state and I gave up. This family member was barely family. I was done. I think over the next 3 months I only uttered 5 words to this person. I was angry and I was hurt.
After a hopeless spiral into darkness and an awful fight with my husband, where I threw some angry and hurtful words at his sweet, compassionate heart, I stopped. I did not want to be this monster. How could Joe continue to love me when I was throwing daggers at his heart? I asked him, "Why do you love me?" His answer was (and always is), "Because you're funny and make me laugh harder than anyone. Because you are beautiful. Because you know me better than anyone else. Because you were made for me..." slow, romantic, pause, " Because I do." He loves me for my best moments. He continues to love me to see those moments again.
I asked Joe that question for months and months - little did he know he was helping me form my worldview. I chose in June 2013 to begin seeing the best moments in people. To see them for their good moments and who they want to be, not who they sometimes are. Thus, the best me, best you philosophy was born.
Be inspired to create your best you.
Monday, March 17, 2014
Chapter 6: My Little Project
My husband and I moved the first weekend in November. We were then gone most of November for weddings, new job orientation, and Thanksgiving. I found out that when you do not unpack right away... you almost never unpack. At least that was my case.
So, here we are in March and I still have done very little decorating! (Thankfully most of the boxes are now put away) I decided our dining room was far too bare, so I decided to make a little wall installment to encourage me to keep fresh flowers in the living room and too give us a country, warm, homey feeling.
Here is what I did!
What you need:
1 Hammer
2 Nails
1 Piece of driftwood from the Pacific Ocean (that's where we got ours)
2 Metal brackets (I found ours in the electrical department of the hard ware store)
A few baby food jars
Some fresh flowers
Some twine
I fastened the twin around the baby food jars then secured them around the piece of driftwood. I measured out the same general length of twine, but due to the width of the wood and my knot fastening abilities, they came out at different lengths. But I really liked that. We then held up the piece to the wall to decided where we wanted it. We then put the brackets on and hammered those into the wall. Just add water and flowers and tah-dah! A GREAT addition to any living room!
I hope you liked my little project. Now for that other wall...
So, here we are in March and I still have done very little decorating! (Thankfully most of the boxes are now put away) I decided our dining room was far too bare, so I decided to make a little wall installment to encourage me to keep fresh flowers in the living room and too give us a country, warm, homey feeling.
Here is what I did!
What you need:
1 Hammer
2 Nails
1 Piece of driftwood from the Pacific Ocean (that's where we got ours)
2 Metal brackets (I found ours in the electrical department of the hard ware store)
A few baby food jars
Some fresh flowers
Some twine
I fastened the twin around the baby food jars then secured them around the piece of driftwood. I measured out the same general length of twine, but due to the width of the wood and my knot fastening abilities, they came out at different lengths. But I really liked that. We then held up the piece to the wall to decided where we wanted it. We then put the brackets on and hammered those into the wall. Just add water and flowers and tah-dah! A GREAT addition to any living room!
I hope you liked my little project. Now for that other wall...
Saturday, February 8, 2014
Chapter 4: An Oregon Snow Day
It's mild they said. It doesn't snow they said.
I left work at 3pm on Thursday and ended up stranded on a hill on the side of the road. I walked a half mile in cold wind and 5 inch snow drifts with a light jacket and flats. My husband was stranded downtown ad the city transit system either shutdown or was so overloaded he couldn't get home. He ended up getting a train out of downtown and walked 2 miles to my car. The car did not start. He stayed an extra hour pushing other cars up the hill. He came home, we put on warm clothes and went back out to salvage the car. We jumped the car and she started up. We reversed/slid back down the hill and turned around. We bought chains for our tires, put them on, and made it home. It is now 10pm. My husband offers to take a few gentlemen back to the store to get their own chains. He gets back at 10:30pm. We are finally warm and ready for bed.
I worked from home on Friday and today, I made the best snow day treat there is.
Banana Bread.
...with chocolate chips.
The smell, the warmth, the taste... perfection.
I had never made it before, so I followed the food network's recipe exactly.
After eating a slice, I thanked God for his provision. We were safe and warm and eating delicious bread. I hope you make some soon and remember the same things. We are never alone and I thank God for his blessings.
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Chapter 2: My Dog Daisy
Admittedly, I am a crazy dog lady.
But only with my dog.
I'm obsessed.
My hubby and I just got Daisy right before Thanksgiving. She was a perfect little 8 week old pooch who cried a lot. When we first met the people who were selling her (a house in Vancouver that definitely had lots of drug paraphernalia around) and saw her... I was so scared I was buying a dog with bloat. Her tummy was HUGE! They told us she had just eaten and that was why it looked like that. Yikes!! For how much money we gave them, I PRAYED! it wasn't a scam. Lukily, she's perfect!! (She took two human size poops that night was back to normal by morning) We took her to the vet the next day and signed up for the puppy plan which spans her whole first year of life. It includes discounted vaccines and a free spay. Yay! (we're probably suckers)
When we first took her to the vet, she was a teeny 10 lbs. Now (one and a half months later) she's over 20! I can hardly wait until she's a horse! Ok... enough about me yammering on. I really do love this dog soooo much!
But only with my dog.
I'm obsessed.
My hubby and I just got Daisy right before Thanksgiving. She was a perfect little 8 week old pooch who cried a lot. When we first met the people who were selling her (a house in Vancouver that definitely had lots of drug paraphernalia around) and saw her... I was so scared I was buying a dog with bloat. Her tummy was HUGE! They told us she had just eaten and that was why it looked like that. Yikes!! For how much money we gave them, I PRAYED! it wasn't a scam. Lukily, she's perfect!! (She took two human size poops that night was back to normal by morning) We took her to the vet the next day and signed up for the puppy plan which spans her whole first year of life. It includes discounted vaccines and a free spay. Yay! (we're probably suckers)
When we first took her to the vet, she was a teeny 10 lbs. Now (one and a half months later) she's over 20! I can hardly wait until she's a horse! Ok... enough about me yammering on. I really do love this dog soooo much!
I love my little pooch! I'm so blessed to have a happy, healthy pup who loves me as much as I love her. She's getting smarter (can already sit, lay down, and shake!) and I LOVE having her in my life.
#bestdogever
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Chapter 1: A New Blog
Just like every blog in the world: post one is about the intention of this blog. Let me tell you... I have started quite a few blogs with such great intentions of making it the coolest, biggest, greatest thing on the blogosphere. Then I realized... I love branding, not blogging on the topics I so wonderfully crafted. None of these blogs have more than 5 posts on them... and most have disappeared by this point.
So.
I am changing the goal here. This blog won't be cool, won't be deep, won't be often... but WILL be about my little life. Hopefully you can see why I love my life so much!
So.
I am changing the goal here. This blog won't be cool, won't be deep, won't be often... but WILL be about my little life. Hopefully you can see why I love my life so much!
Talk soon!
Pamela
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