onsdag 20 maj 2009

To quit a job politely

A few days ago I sat outside on the porch staring at the phone in my hand. I was preparing a speech to my employer about quitting. Since I was given the offer of working at least 75% at the tourist centre (starting in a few weeks) I knew I would have to confront the clash between my sporadic shifts at the grocery store with my coming steady job at the tourist centre. However, I dislike the fact that I might strike the employers at the grocery store as an insincere and calculating person, even though they know I don´t work there very often and also that I need to save an immense amount of money to be able to pursue my future goals. So I brainstormed over how they might respond to my situation in order to make cunning counterattacks and give them qualified reasons to justify my decision.
Maybe it sounds ridiculous, but this is important for me because I`ve grown more attached to my coeworkers and their efforts to improve the system and to please the customers. Anyway the contract binds me for three months, and then whether I wanna extend it or not is solely up to me. Finally I make the call and Pernilla answers as usual.. After I´ve explained the situation she says with an earnest voice:

- Daniel I understand, anyone would have done the same.


When the short conversation was over I though to myself, next time I face this mild dilemma I won´t waste time on describing personal affairs. Business is business and clearly speaks for itself.


PS: Things worth mentioning today!

1: Today a customer (I had nooo idea we had it) bought a "big foot anywhere comfortable mat" hahah??.. my first thought was, who would buy such a perfect example of crap like that?? The mat had the shape of a giant foot with short spikes on top, it was turquoise and made of some synthetic plastic material.

2: I heard on a radio program that some people have a religious belief which regards orgasm to be as close as you can get to feel the presence of god, or experience enlightenment.. the second stupidest thing I´ve heard in a long time. I guess it depends on how you define the loose term enlightenment though haha..

fredag 8 maj 2009

"Labeling the affect"

I found a rather interesting piece of article about how to control or ease distractive brain activity. I´ll paste some of it.

A flurry of articles this week about the neuroscience research showing that labeling your feelings can quiet your brain and increase impulse control.

During the day make mental notes such as "I am eating," or "I am pleased," or "I am thinking about the deposition." If you practice daily, your skill in mental note taking will grow and you will be able to engage in it, no matter what is happening. By labeling the affect, by taking mental notes, a self-leader can become calm in the middle of a storm.


Haha! I´m gonna try this with the tiniest and most insignificant feelings I have. "I´m staring lifelessly into the big white wall" And that will still help :) I´m more the kind of guy who repeat false claims in my head until my brain is tricked, and then I feel bettre. I´ll have fun with this a few days to come and see how it works out^^