What is something you taught yourself to do without much help from anyone else?
When I first went back to work in 2013, I was worried that I didn't know nearly enough to do basic office work. I was right--and wrong--about that!
I began working at a company where the office manager, Travis, was a BIG fan of Microsoft's Excel program-so much so that he would write documents in that spreadsheet program instead of using Word. Consequently, I needed to learn or fail with Excel.
I found I watched a LOT of YouTube videos on "how to ________ in Excel". and I really did learn quite a bit. I sued the help feature too and learned as I went along. I have gotten faster and more competent as I have practiced what I have learned. Travis has been gone from the company now almost four years and I have had to adjust, remodel, or rewrite many of the documents or tools he had left for me. And I am doing pretty good with it all, if I do say so myself.
I have also implemented Microsoft Word as soften as I need to rewrite something that is actually a document--instead of using a spreadsheet to write on. But I have also learned to use Excel to create the forms and tools for checklists with some certainty.
There are surely easier ways to learn but being thrown in the deep end of the pool helped me to figure out how to swim in the office pool pretty fast.
Showing posts with label learning. Show all posts
Showing posts with label learning. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 30, 2018
Sunday, January 25, 2015
Life Long Learning
This week I had a chance to sing with a women's choir as part of our stake's Women's Conference at church. Sister Carole Stephens, the 1st counselor in the LDS General Relief Society presidency was our guest speaker. The choir sang an arrangement of "The Lord is my Light". The conference was terrific, and the song went well. But I learned something that touched me deeply, even befor ethe openingprayer was offered.
I sat with a dear friend who, professionally, is a licensed clinical social worker. In the short time we had before and after the choir warm up and final run through Saturday morning, she and I exchanged details on the kids, families, husbands, work. She finally asked me how I was doing. She didn't ask like it w as throw away question. She asked like it was what all the other answers I had just given hinged on. She was asking how I was doing, emotionally, spiritually, intellectually.
After explaining that I had gotten some medical help to get my hormone levels in check and that seemed to be going well, she asked some other deep questions. Things that are prevalent in this stage of my life--children becoming adults, becoming "empty-nesters" sooner than later, shifts in responsibility changes in my work and volunteer life, and the changes that happen to a couple after being married for 20+ years.
Because she is my friend, I never thought she was holding my life under a microscope and looking at it for merely professional curiosity. Because I trust her, I told her what was what. I didn't mince words and I didn't really hold back. This isn't what I thought my life would be at this stage of it. I didn't anticipate the emotional heart ache I would have as my kids got to the edge of adulthood and took their first steps into the abyss. I told her I had anxiety of being "just a couple" again after the years of beings a "family" at home. She looked at me with compassion and understanding.
She is just ahead of me int he grand scheme of things. Her eldest child is married and is living in another state while her daughter's husband is in school and she is working full time as a nurse. Her middle child is attending a university nearby but no longer living at home. And her youngest is nearing the end of high school and headed off to college and missionary service soon as well. She gets what I am talking about. She had been there, done that. And she had a mother's heart. She knows what I am feeling.
She gave me some great advice about how to protect my heart and let the kids grow up without going crazy without them. She gave me a wonderful analogy too. She said that she never understood why the scriptures tell us to "pray always" but we are taught that God knows our desires and our concerns and our thoughts. Why do we need to tell Him what is going on in our lives, when he already knows it all?
She theorized that since we know our Heavenly Father is a wonderful parent--perfect, even--and He has had similar experiences that we are having now, He still wants to communicate with us and invites us to pray always so we can initiate that communication. He will bless us, no matter what. But He waits for us to ask for His help. He isn't going to force Himself on us.
A good earthly parent wants to let their adult children to live their own lives, and to make their own decisions. But that good mortal parent also has had similar experiences and may even have great advice or instruction to give their child to help them avoid trouble or costly mistakes. However, a good parent gives their child space to decide for himself. But if invited in, will gladly offer whatever they can to help.
I understood that. I know my mom used to say that her job was to raise us to be good, hard working, honest, self-sufficient people. If she did her job, she'd eventually work herself out of that job. Yet, no matter what I have going on, when I pick up the phone or type a quick email to ask her something or run something past her, she responds with love and warmth and gratitude for being included. He advice is always stellar. And then I wonder why I didn't think to ask her sooner.
Life is all about the leaning. Some times that learning seems to be about the kids. Other times that learning is for me. This weekend, it was a lesson I needed to hear, and ponder and appreciate.
I sat with a dear friend who, professionally, is a licensed clinical social worker. In the short time we had before and after the choir warm up and final run through Saturday morning, she and I exchanged details on the kids, families, husbands, work. She finally asked me how I was doing. She didn't ask like it w as throw away question. She asked like it was what all the other answers I had just given hinged on. She was asking how I was doing, emotionally, spiritually, intellectually.
After explaining that I had gotten some medical help to get my hormone levels in check and that seemed to be going well, she asked some other deep questions. Things that are prevalent in this stage of my life--children becoming adults, becoming "empty-nesters" sooner than later, shifts in responsibility changes in my work and volunteer life, and the changes that happen to a couple after being married for 20+ years.
Because she is my friend, I never thought she was holding my life under a microscope and looking at it for merely professional curiosity. Because I trust her, I told her what was what. I didn't mince words and I didn't really hold back. This isn't what I thought my life would be at this stage of it. I didn't anticipate the emotional heart ache I would have as my kids got to the edge of adulthood and took their first steps into the abyss. I told her I had anxiety of being "just a couple" again after the years of beings a "family" at home. She looked at me with compassion and understanding.
She is just ahead of me int he grand scheme of things. Her eldest child is married and is living in another state while her daughter's husband is in school and she is working full time as a nurse. Her middle child is attending a university nearby but no longer living at home. And her youngest is nearing the end of high school and headed off to college and missionary service soon as well. She gets what I am talking about. She had been there, done that. And she had a mother's heart. She knows what I am feeling.
She gave me some great advice about how to protect my heart and let the kids grow up without going crazy without them. She gave me a wonderful analogy too. She said that she never understood why the scriptures tell us to "pray always" but we are taught that God knows our desires and our concerns and our thoughts. Why do we need to tell Him what is going on in our lives, when he already knows it all?
She theorized that since we know our Heavenly Father is a wonderful parent--perfect, even--and He has had similar experiences that we are having now, He still wants to communicate with us and invites us to pray always so we can initiate that communication. He will bless us, no matter what. But He waits for us to ask for His help. He isn't going to force Himself on us.
A good earthly parent wants to let their adult children to live their own lives, and to make their own decisions. But that good mortal parent also has had similar experiences and may even have great advice or instruction to give their child to help them avoid trouble or costly mistakes. However, a good parent gives their child space to decide for himself. But if invited in, will gladly offer whatever they can to help.
I understood that. I know my mom used to say that her job was to raise us to be good, hard working, honest, self-sufficient people. If she did her job, she'd eventually work herself out of that job. Yet, no matter what I have going on, when I pick up the phone or type a quick email to ask her something or run something past her, she responds with love and warmth and gratitude for being included. He advice is always stellar. And then I wonder why I didn't think to ask her sooner.
Life is all about the leaning. Some times that learning seems to be about the kids. Other times that learning is for me. This weekend, it was a lesson I needed to hear, and ponder and appreciate.
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
Other People's Money
Maybe it is because I grew up as a daughter of a business owner/operator, I understand this idea. Maybe because I know that the business owner is generally the last person to be paid during a pay period. Maybe it is just a piece of general understanding I gleaned along the way, but people at work for someone else are much quicker to spend money than those who are responsible for making it.
Does that make sense?
I have watched this phenomenon happen at work over the last several months. When we get low of certain items, those in charge of ordering do their best to make a correct order, trying to reach the minimum amount to qualify for free shipping, for example. But that minimum amount is still a lot of money. I can see what the orderer is trying to do. But I can definitely see what the bill-payer sees too.
I bring this up because yesterday I had a physician fax an order to us fro a pair of maternity compression pantyhose. We don't typically carry maternity ones. I verified with the doctor's nurse that the script was correct and that this particular patient needed these particular hose. then I called the patient and let her know that I received the prescription from her doctor. I explained that we do not bill insurance any more and that this was a cash purchase and a special order. The patient okayed that and I called the vendor to order these specialty pantyhose and made the order.
Now, I DID think about the minimum amount to reach free shipping--but that was almost $200 of wholesale purchases to reach that, and my one pair of special order maternity pantyhose was much, much less than that. However, since I had quoted the patient a price--based on the other similar items that I had special ordered before--that I discovered was enough to cover the items itself AND the shipping for it, I was less worried about making the call and placing the order.
But the process made me think. I guess I gained a lot of second-hand knowledge as I watch my parents run a successful business. Though I was never employed by them, I certainly heard the conversations and the worries and the hopes of business owners in their day to day operations. And that does affect how I do my job now. I think about the effects of our office's actions on the bottom line for my boss-the owner. I think about his efforts and those effects of covering a short/slim/thin month of income on his family. And I certainly see the ripple effects of one of our hospice companies not paying on time, or their full bill, or anything else they seem to be able to justify in their own minds to stick it to him.
So, I appreciate my parent's efforts in growing a successful business and being honest with us about financial responsibility. And I guess, I am glad that was a constant topic at our family dinner table because there have been decisively important issues I have learned from those discussions. And I think they make me a better employee. I hope my boss thinks that too.
Does that make sense?
I have watched this phenomenon happen at work over the last several months. When we get low of certain items, those in charge of ordering do their best to make a correct order, trying to reach the minimum amount to qualify for free shipping, for example. But that minimum amount is still a lot of money. I can see what the orderer is trying to do. But I can definitely see what the bill-payer sees too.
I bring this up because yesterday I had a physician fax an order to us fro a pair of maternity compression pantyhose. We don't typically carry maternity ones. I verified with the doctor's nurse that the script was correct and that this particular patient needed these particular hose. then I called the patient and let her know that I received the prescription from her doctor. I explained that we do not bill insurance any more and that this was a cash purchase and a special order. The patient okayed that and I called the vendor to order these specialty pantyhose and made the order.
Now, I DID think about the minimum amount to reach free shipping--but that was almost $200 of wholesale purchases to reach that, and my one pair of special order maternity pantyhose was much, much less than that. However, since I had quoted the patient a price--based on the other similar items that I had special ordered before--that I discovered was enough to cover the items itself AND the shipping for it, I was less worried about making the call and placing the order.
But the process made me think. I guess I gained a lot of second-hand knowledge as I watch my parents run a successful business. Though I was never employed by them, I certainly heard the conversations and the worries and the hopes of business owners in their day to day operations. And that does affect how I do my job now. I think about the effects of our office's actions on the bottom line for my boss-the owner. I think about his efforts and those effects of covering a short/slim/thin month of income on his family. And I certainly see the ripple effects of one of our hospice companies not paying on time, or their full bill, or anything else they seem to be able to justify in their own minds to stick it to him.
So, I appreciate my parent's efforts in growing a successful business and being honest with us about financial responsibility. And I guess, I am glad that was a constant topic at our family dinner table because there have been decisively important issues I have learned from those discussions. And I think they make me a better employee. I hope my boss thinks that too.
Friday, July 12, 2013
Processor OVERLOAD!
Wednesday this week I attended a training for some new software I'll need to understand and work with at my job. Three of us went to Sandy together to learn and figure this out.
This particular software is a Promotional Product system. Now, you are probably asking yourself--I thought that she was doing Durable Medical Equipment for hospice patients. Yes, that is true, but the owner of this business, Scott, also has two scrub stores--that stemmed from the hospice nurses wanting to buy their uniforms, and then an embroidery business--that stemmed from the nurses who bought the scrubs wanting their names and company logos on the scrubs they bought. From the embroidery stuff grew a promotional products business that has tried to keep pace with the demands of the customers--both of which is growing! So I am learning the promo business.
This may sound funny, but the promo stuff makes a lot of sense to me--I am not sure if it is because my parents have their own business and I have always been around Gilroy Car Care paperwork, calendars, key rings, etc. Or maybe because brand awareness is KING int he MLM world where Genius Golfer worked for much of our marriage--we are still using Tahitian Noni duffel bags or insulated cups. Or maybe because as a PTA leader we did a lot of stuff over the years that involved getting our school's name "out there".
Or maybe I am a little more confident in my skills--now that I have enough understanding of the DME software we use at work to be functional and almost competent. Old dogs CAN be taught new tricks!
Anyway, the system itself is fairly straightforward--and the programming of this software is unbelievable. They have thought of everything! And I'm excited to work with this enough to get it under my belt so I can be helpful for a customer that needs an order filled.
In the meanwhile, I'll still be embroidering scrubs for the dentists/medical clinics/hospice groups/etc. all over the county. And, taking orders to deliver or pick up equipment for hospice patients all up and down the Wasatch front. And figure out the latest demands of Medicare so I can legally get a patient the equipment a doctor is ordering for them without the proper "acceptable" wording to have them cover something the patient's doctor deems medically necessary but MC can deem not medically necessary because the doctor worded his chart notes too vaguely.
Sure, this old dog can be taught new tricks...the question is WHEN?
This particular software is a Promotional Product system. Now, you are probably asking yourself--I thought that she was doing Durable Medical Equipment for hospice patients. Yes, that is true, but the owner of this business, Scott, also has two scrub stores--that stemmed from the hospice nurses wanting to buy their uniforms, and then an embroidery business--that stemmed from the nurses who bought the scrubs wanting their names and company logos on the scrubs they bought. From the embroidery stuff grew a promotional products business that has tried to keep pace with the demands of the customers--both of which is growing! So I am learning the promo business.
This may sound funny, but the promo stuff makes a lot of sense to me--I am not sure if it is because my parents have their own business and I have always been around Gilroy Car Care paperwork, calendars, key rings, etc. Or maybe because brand awareness is KING int he MLM world where Genius Golfer worked for much of our marriage--we are still using Tahitian Noni duffel bags or insulated cups. Or maybe because as a PTA leader we did a lot of stuff over the years that involved getting our school's name "out there".
Or maybe I am a little more confident in my skills--now that I have enough understanding of the DME software we use at work to be functional and almost competent. Old dogs CAN be taught new tricks!
Anyway, the system itself is fairly straightforward--and the programming of this software is unbelievable. They have thought of everything! And I'm excited to work with this enough to get it under my belt so I can be helpful for a customer that needs an order filled.
In the meanwhile, I'll still be embroidering scrubs for the dentists/medical clinics/hospice groups/etc. all over the county. And, taking orders to deliver or pick up equipment for hospice patients all up and down the Wasatch front. And figure out the latest demands of Medicare so I can legally get a patient the equipment a doctor is ordering for them without the proper "acceptable" wording to have them cover something the patient's doctor deems medically necessary but MC can deem not medically necessary because the doctor worded his chart notes too vaguely.
Sure, this old dog can be taught new tricks...the question is WHEN?
Monday, May 27, 2013
Letting Things Go
I've been at my new job for a month now. And I am learning a lot there and at home. One of the biggest lessons I have learned it that I need to learn to let things go. Things like these:
My overgrown flower bed right outside my front window and the weeding that I have avoided and run out of energy to keep up on in the other flower bed. Summer is coming and I know I should have a garden spot ready, even just for tomatoes. But it isn't going to happen this year. (It barely happened last year and I wasn't working last summer.)
I have to be honest here, it irritates me that I can't keep doing everything I have always done AND still work this little job I have now. I'm a capable woman, with brains in my head, and a healthy (for the most part) body to work with here. And I have the same amount of hours in the day that other people have.
But still, my weeds are over taking my flower beds, and the flower beds need attention, generally. And I have chosen to let it go. Not that it doesn't bother me any more, but I have to be more selective in what I spend my energy on. And making sure my family is OK, my kids are well and happy, teaching Primary each week, getting to work each day and doing my job, and try to hold all that together is enough for now.
Maybe someday I will get a working time turner, like Hermoine had in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. In the meantime, I am trying to choose wisely. And learning to let it go if it isn't wise at the moment.
My overgrown flower bed right outside my front window and the weeding that I have avoided and run out of energy to keep up on in the other flower bed. Summer is coming and I know I should have a garden spot ready, even just for tomatoes. But it isn't going to happen this year. (It barely happened last year and I wasn't working last summer.)
I have to be honest here, it irritates me that I can't keep doing everything I have always done AND still work this little job I have now. I'm a capable woman, with brains in my head, and a healthy (for the most part) body to work with here. And I have the same amount of hours in the day that other people have.
But still, my weeds are over taking my flower beds, and the flower beds need attention, generally. And I have chosen to let it go. Not that it doesn't bother me any more, but I have to be more selective in what I spend my energy on. And making sure my family is OK, my kids are well and happy, teaching Primary each week, getting to work each day and doing my job, and try to hold all that together is enough for now.
Maybe someday I will get a working time turner, like Hermoine had in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. In the meantime, I am trying to choose wisely. And learning to let it go if it isn't wise at the moment.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Learning Curve
Yesterday, Genius Golfer upgraded our entire family to new phones. He and I ended up with "smart" phones. The kids just got new ones that are all included (read: unlimited texting and talk) in our new family plan.
Now, if you will recall, I drug my feet about getting cell phone, but I had lovely girlfriends who pulled me kicking and screaming into the 21st century by getting me a little phone for my 40th birthday. After having that for two years, I wonder how I got along without it.
Now, after paying 20 cents each minute or text I sent OR received, I am really looking forward to having a phone that works for me, rather than the other way around,. But this phone might be too smart for this user. There is a lot to learn. Of course, the kids get my phone without even seeing it before. Intuitively they just get this kind of technology. How is that?!
So I am learning, but the curve is steep. At least I have my new ring tone--the Pink Panther theme, by Henry Mancini--so I can recognize when my phone rings. One step down...many, many more to go.
Now, if you will recall, I drug my feet about getting cell phone, but I had lovely girlfriends who pulled me kicking and screaming into the 21st century by getting me a little phone for my 40th birthday. After having that for two years, I wonder how I got along without it.
Now, after paying 20 cents each minute or text I sent OR received, I am really looking forward to having a phone that works for me, rather than the other way around,. But this phone might be too smart for this user. There is a lot to learn. Of course, the kids get my phone without even seeing it before. Intuitively they just get this kind of technology. How is that?!
So I am learning, but the curve is steep. At least I have my new ring tone--the Pink Panther theme, by Henry Mancini--so I can recognize when my phone rings. One step down...many, many more to go.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Learning Curve
I apparently posted my Sunday Video post yesterday, but as I had previously saved it as a draft, it was posted as though it were still Tuesday. The week is long enough without have to repeat everything since Tuesday. I guess I don't know as much about this blogging process as I previously thought.
Today is a day off of school in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The kids who are off school today probably don't even know what that signifies. If they even know who that is. I will quiz mine later this morning.
In the meantime, the say off for everyone here, save only Genius Golfer, we are trying something new. WE were invited by our Provo cousins to their HS pool for some water polo this morning. Uncle V coached a county HS polo team and has been recruiting The Girl since she began swimming. This may be the try-out.
The Boy is coming to hang out with the cousins and play int he water. I think I will take me suit, and see how embarrassing I would make it to just swim near the kids. I haven't been in the pool (or a swim suit) since Labor Day. I might make the lifeguards nervous.
The Girl hasn't ever played polo, so this could be fun to watch. We are all trying new things I guess today. That should count for something.
Today is a day off of school in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. The kids who are off school today probably don't even know what that signifies. If they even know who that is. I will quiz mine later this morning.
In the meantime, the say off for everyone here, save only Genius Golfer, we are trying something new. WE were invited by our Provo cousins to their HS pool for some water polo this morning. Uncle V coached a county HS polo team and has been recruiting The Girl since she began swimming. This may be the try-out.
The Boy is coming to hang out with the cousins and play int he water. I think I will take me suit, and see how embarrassing I would make it to just swim near the kids. I haven't been in the pool (or a swim suit) since Labor Day. I might make the lifeguards nervous.
The Girl hasn't ever played polo, so this could be fun to watch. We are all trying new things I guess today. That should count for something.
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