I'm having one of those days and need to vent.... I'm completely frustrated at the current moment. Let me preface this by saying that I am extremely grateful that I have a job right now when so many of you are experiencing lay-offs due to downsizing in the horrific economy. However, I must say that I am scared of what lies ahead with my job because I am afraid I will not be good at what they want me to do.
My boss told me today that the big boss wants me to get out and visit our donors more. Yes, I am the stewardship director, but previously I have just had to oversee the thank you notes from our office and from the students with the occasional donor meeting. Now they are wanting me to meet with donors on a more frequent basis. This scares me because I am not good at just ringing someone up and asking to meet with them. I'm extremely afraid of rejection or getting someone who is rude on the other end of the line. I need thicker skin. I'm also afraid of meeting with someone one-on-one. What if I say the wrong thing or do the wrong thing? Number two, this costs money...gas money, money for lunches with the donors, etc. Yes, the University will reimburse, but the system is such that it takes sometimes 2 weeks to get reimbursed. It's a pain, and I don't have a whole lot of disposable income, especially right now with a trillion things coming up that I'll need money for.
Do any of you have to do something similar in your jobs? If so, can you give me pointers? I desperately need them. I love the event planning aspect of my job, and I want to love this new part, but I'm scared. It takes me a while to get to know someone before I am completely comfortable just calling them up and setting up a meeting. Any advice you may have would be appreciated.
I am also frustrated because of what my calendar looks like starting in May. I feel like I have something to do every weekend. What does that mean? MAJOR MONEY as I mentioned early as well as very little time for myself or WEG. It's coming up on fishing season for him, so he's gone a good bit on weekends anyway, but I do like the occasional weekend to ourselves or at least where we are in the same town and can see each other in the evenings! Starting in May this is what my summer looks like:
May- 2nd weekend- work event; 3rd weekend- work event; 4th weekend free; 5th weekend- bachelorette party
June- 1st weekend- work; 2nd weekend- wedding; and probably a shower for another wedding one of the last weekends.
In July it gets even busier!!
July- 1st weekend- 4th of July (usually with family); 2nd weekend- birthday party for my friend's son out of town; 3rd weekend- bachelorette party; 4th weekend- free
and in August I have a wedding on the 15th.
Now, that is just what is planned RIGHT.NOW. Things always come up, as you know- especially in the summer. To say I am overwhelmed when I look at my calendar would be a major understatement. At times I feel like I might just cry. One of those work weekends I have to miss a bridal shower for my friend whose Maid of Honor I am. That sucks royally, but there's nothing I can do. This is how I feel my entire summer is going to go.
So, between the scary new deal with work and everything I have coming up, I feel like my head may explode. I'm only one person, but I feel like I should multiply myself so everything gets done. I know there are people out there who would love to just have a job- I get that, I'm not complaining, just saying I'm scared of what's coming and scared of my ability to do a good job.
And, I love all of my friends that are included in some of the plans I have this summer- please don't get the wrong idea, guys! It's all just very overwhelming at the moment!
Venting over- I know your comments will make me feel better!.
yikes, hope everything works out for you!! Good luck, keep your head up :)
ReplyDeletetake a deep breath...you are just feeling overwhelmed! everything will fall into place! sometimes you just have to tell people you can't do everything!
ReplyDeleteThis might sound silly - but, maybe you could get a credit card that you use just for work purposes? There are some with good rewards if you spend X-amount of money.
ReplyDeleteSince credit card bills aren't due until about a month from when you get things - you'll have plenty of time to get the reimbursement check (which you can use to pay off the CC in full each month). That way, you'll be able to "impress" the clients, maybe accrue something cool (like LL Bean points, airline miles or whatever) AND build your credit score.
As for the work time interfering on your you time. Just think that it's temporary and will be worth it in the end to have the extra money. Maybe you and your bride to be friend could do something special together just the 2 of you?
Also, I hope you guys are doing alright over there. I know things have been tough for you two lately. Know we're all thinking about you.
-E
Prep-E has a good idea. Get an American Express and you can earn points, etc. The donors are just people like you and me. I would imagine that they would love a visit from you since I am sure you will be telling them how wonderful they are and how much y'all appreciate them!! xoxo
ReplyDeleteChin up! I've been feeling the same way -- overwhelmed, but super happy to have a job. Prep-E Girl's idea is great, or tell your boss you'll need an expense card if you're going to be doing this -- but with your own you'll get the points all to yourself!
ReplyDeleteDon't stress about meeting with the donors -- you'll do awesome. People want to feel like what they are doing/giving means something. So just take pictures or a re-cap of what they helped with and talk about the event or whatever their money helped with. We all know hand delivered thanks mean a little bit more!
At my work, some of the positions require a lot of traveling. They are only reimbursed on the 5th and the 20th. Most of my co-workers who travel have a credit card just for traveling purposes. They have the reimbursement check made payable to their credit card company and send it straight to them to pay off. They get pretty good rewards too.
ReplyDeleteJust take a deep breath and have a glass of wine (or a beer) after work tonight!
I travel for work a lot and it takes forever to get reimbursed from my university. Its the worse!
ReplyDeleteIf I get started on work stuff it's not going to make you feel any better at all... :( I'm so sorry that things are going that way. I guess we're all having to wear more hats than we're used to right now. Hang in there and remember that they wouldn't ask you to meet with the donors if they didn't have the utmost confidence in you. It's a compliment! :)
ReplyDeleteCall me if you want to vent together!
The other girls have great ideas for you about getting a work business card. As for the summer weekends, I know how overwhelming it can be to already look at a full schedule. Do you and WEG have time to do Tuesday night date nights in the summer? That way you guarantee time together while you both are so busy. Even if it's just happy hour at Sonic and a walk with Abe, it will mentally be better to have a set time with him. When you have a work event, is it the whole weekend or just part of the weekend? Can you hire a cleaning lady once a month in the summer so that on your one day off you can spend it playing outside rather than cleaning/organizing? Good luck with this girlie!! (And get a few bottles of white wine to help you through!!)
ReplyDeleteI know it seems really really overwhelming, but I'm sure you can do it!!
ReplyDeleteI know you're overwhelmed right now but I'm sure that you'll feel better in a couple days! While you may be nervous about calling people up to meet with them, I think that it might be a good thing for you in the long run. And I'm sure that you'll be great at it!!
ReplyDeleteVenting made me feel much better yesterday! I hope it did the same for you!
ReplyDeleteI wish I could give you some advice but I am facing similar problems at my new job. Though I am (like you) very happy to have a job right now, I know that the gentleman I work for demands a more aggressive person. I am having trouble being proactive enough for him and it is really hard for me to break through that. I can only say - try your best, try to project confidence as much as you can - no matter how insecure you may be feeling, and just be your lovely self! Good luck!!!
ReplyDeleteEmily, I have been feeling so overwhelmed as well!! I feel like I have so much traveling coming up and so many wedding things and it's hard to keep it all straight and have time for things. It has helped me to try to just take it one day at a time and only do what I can. Maybe that will help you too? I feel guilty that I can't do it all, but I simply can't. I hope you feel better and take care of yourself!
ReplyDeleteI know how you feel! Meeting with our investors is part of my job. In my office, we have a company credit card we use for lunches and gifts for our investors and then I get reimbursed for miles. Of course, I can always pay myself and then get reimbursed, but if the card is available, I always take it.
ReplyDeleteDon't worry about meeting with donors - if your boss didn't have confidence in you that you could do the job well, you would not've been asked!
Just say no! "I'm sorry, but I won't make it to the birthday party" or whatever else. Don't make excuses, just state that you can't make it. As for calling on clients, I always think "The worse they can say is no." If they are not polite say "I'm sorry you're having a bad day, I'll see you another time." You'll do great, be positive!
ReplyDelete