Surviving The Day Job Six Easy Lessons

Surviving The Day Job: Six Easy Lessons

Before I became a full-time writer, I had a job counting envelopes. Not colored envelopes or large manila envelopes, mind you, but white #10 envelopes. I had to count them in series of a hundred. Even now I can see them flashing in my eyes as I flipped through them, blinding myself as though I were looking out at a blanket of snow polished by the sun with dilated pupils. At the end of the day I’d leave the office with spots in my eyes.

Why I had to count envelopes for six hours a day, I don’t know (I blocked out most of the experience, I do remember however that the temp agency who gave me the assignment thought it was a perfect introduction to the work world for a recent college graduate — which was cruel as well as delusional); however, I did learn how to cope while I was there and the other day jobs I’ve had. This is how:

1) I threw away the statement: “I’ll be happy when…” Sure I would have been happier if my coworker had stopped adding her pile to mine or I had left that place (screaming in terror) after only an hour of torture. But I needed the money so I fought to be happy about it. I made sure to put the money I earned to good use. Not only was I saving a large chunk for a rainy day and my eventual freedom, but I also traveled to places, bought books I needed (How to Work with People You Can’t Stand was especially helpful) and attended writing workshops. Working with a purpose makes life easier. When you just work to survive, life can be very painful.

2) I didn’t label myself. I once worked in the complaint department of a hospital (a place to which I affectionately refer to as Hell on Earth). When people asked me what I did, I didn’t say I was a lowly clerk working towards a Master’s in Masochism. I said I was a temp. Even when I had a permanent job, I said I was a temp because I knew any situation I was in was only temporary. I was a free agent, nobody owned me. We are all free agents. Bosses can fire us, but we too can walk out the door. I never let myself feel like a prisoner.

3) I stayed away from the gossip mill. It’s fun really. I love stories and gossips tell the best (of course I was also aware that they were talking about me, but oh well) unfortunately, they are a waste of energy. Gossiping about the crappy boss, social climbers, backstabbers and butt kissers is good time poorly spent. Yes, offices have a great cast of characters to talk about, but spending your lunch break complaining all day is not good for the spirit. Take a walk, listen to music, you’re at your present job only temporarily and complaining about being there won’t make you feel any better about yourself or your situation. Remember you’re a temp - your future looks bright. Most of the gossips and complainers will still be there years later, older and more miserable. I know. I’ve gone back. It’s rather sad really.

4) Do your best. I hated counting envelopes. At times I would well up with tears at the thought of facing another day (I did that with most of my day jobs to be truthful); however I was one of the fastest counters there. I made it into a game and set challenges for myself. When you do a good job you are doing yourself a service and things will be pleasant. Work to please yourself. I’ve worked in customer service and I know people can be bleeding obnoxious; however, if you don’t like people, please don’t work in this department. (Yes, I’m speaking to everyone at fast food restaurants, retailers and health care providers. Learn how to smile!)

5) Come up with an escape plan. I don’t believe in endless suffering. If you have an abusive boss or your job is giving your headaches and ulcers, Leave It. I don’t care what kind of money you’re making. Ask for a demotion or start looking in the Want Ads. No job is worth your health. I walked off one job that was completely demoralizing.

6) Live your secret life NOW. At any job I was on I pretended I was an author who was there doing research for my next book. It helped to make the atmosphere more interesting. The woman who ate my lunch (damn those blasted office fridges) and pretended not to know it became a character I poisoned; a boss that liked to make fun of my name became a hobo with a severe speech impediment. I imagined how I would write my autobiography, I would practice my answers for when I was interviewed on TV. My imaginary life made my reality much more exciting. Try it; you’ll be surprised where your imagination can take you.

Sometimes we have to do things we don’t like, but they don’t have to be an agony. I had many jobs that I couldn’t stand, but I knew they were only temporary. Remember: This too shall pass, and your future looks bright.

BONUS : Sylvia Browne: Short Bio And Audio Books

Sylvian Browne's Bio

Sylvia Browne is a self-proclaimed medium and psychic from Kansas City, Missouri. She was born in 1936, started her career as a psychic in 1973, and founded the Nirvana Foundation for Psychic Research. Browne has now authored several books on spirituality (published in paperback and audio), and has been regularly featured on The Montel Williams Show.

She has also made her appearances on TV shows such as Larry King Live, Montel, Unsolved Mysteries, and Entertainment Tonight; and has been featured in Cosmopolitan and People magazine. She is the president of the Sylvia Browne Corporation, and founder of her church called the Society of Novus Spiritus, based in Campbell, California.

Well-Known Predictions:

Sylvia Browne has predicted certain events in her career as a psychic, some considerably accurate and some questionable. One was the Clinton-Lewinsky affair in which she predicted that Clinton was falsely accused, which turned out to prove incorrect. Other well-known predictions include the 2000 U.S. presidential election and victory to Bill Bradley, the death of Bin Laden, the "hiding in caves" of Osama bin Laden and Saddam Hussein, a verdict of "not guilty" in the Robert Blake case, September 11 attacks, and the emergence of extraterrestrial life on Earth by the year 2010. According to police officials and family members, in all 35 police cases she has worked on, she didn’t play any significant role.

Criticism and Controversies:

Browne has been criticized in her career as a psychic by skeptics such as James Randi, who asserts that there is no distinction between Browne’s reading and those made by mentalists using cold reading and hot reading methods. There have also been a number of controversies surrounding this famous psychic. In 1992, Sylvia Browne was convicted of investment fraud and was asked to perform 200 hours of community service.

In addition, there were reported contradictions in her stories on the subject of "Visits from the Afterlife" and "In Life on the Other Side". More famous controversies were the Sago Mine controversy and the Montel Williams controversies, in which several skeptics raged battles against Browne, questioning the credibility of her predictions and her career as a psychic.

Sylvia Browne Audio Books:

Sylvia Browne’s audio books are available for purchase in downloadable formats such as MP3, on CD/DVD sets, and on tapes. Each set of Sylvia Browne audio books lasts several hours, and is priced from $9 to $24. These audio books include –

1.Adventures Of A Psychic
2.Angels and Spirit Guides: How to Call Upon Your Angels and Spirit Guide for Help
3.Angels, Guides & Ghosts
4.Blessings from the Other Side
5.If You Could See What I See: The Tenets of Novus Spiritus
6.Insight: Case Files from the Psychic World
7.Life on the Other Side
8.Past Lives, Future Healing
9.Phenomenon
10.Prophecy: What the Future Holds for You
11.Secrets And Mysteries Of The World
12.Book of Angels
13.Sylvia Browne's Tools for Life
14.Visits from the Afterlife: Truth about Ghosts, Spirits, Hauntings and Reunions of Loved Ones