Connecting Librarian

Its Day 2 of the 30 blog posts in 30 days challenge and today is a personal reflection.

I am a very organised person at the best of times, anyone who knows me knows this. I am always moving, have things under control or at least in process most of the time, know where everything is and belongs (cos I’m tidy too).  My husband sums me up by saying I make coffee nervous.

From vagawi, uploaded to Flickr May 15, 2008

So how am I coping with working full time after 10 years working part-time? Bring it on!

Today for example. Wednesdays was usually my washing and non-grocery shopping day. I would do the major washing for the week and cook a roast. Even after being back at work full-time for 4 weeks, I am still managing this and the rest of the domestic duties, better than I had ever hoped.

How? Well first off, I have help – from my wonderful family, especially my nearly 11 year old daughter. She is very keen to learn more about how to do things on the home front and extremely happy to help, for which I am so very grateful.  I have also shifted a few things around and I’m organised. This is not a boast. It is a lesson in itself.

When I took this job, I really did wonder if I would be able to keep up with everything that I was able to manage when I worked part-time.  Turns out I can, with some help and some concerted organisation.

I really feel (so far at least), that I am proving out the adage, that if you want something done, give it to a busy person.

More reflections on Day 3 of the 30 blog posts in 30 days challenge tomorrow.

When I first read about the 30 blog posts in 30 days challenge, through several of my RSS feeds, I thought that it would be too much for me to get involved. I have gotten so busy with taking on the Acting Branch Manager role of our biggest public library that I couldn’t imagine being able to write something every day.

But then I realised it was a perfect way to make the most of this experience. So my plan is to blog every day in June, as per the challenge, with a definite focus on what I am discovering and learning as I step back into a role I have much experience in as a younger librarian.

by Joyce-Rhiannon at Flickr

So my first reflection is that with age comes wisdom. One of our managers pointed this out to me after I had accepted the role. I hadn’t thought about it before that. When I had my first Branch Manager role, I was in my early 20s and by the time I moved to Information Services, I will in my early 30s.

Now I am in my mid 40s and have very quickly discovered the wisdom of that saying. I have many years of library experience, both branch managing and other roles, but I also have many years of life experience to back up and complement that. And I am discovering that is invaluable as I find myself working more with individuals. It has given me more insight on how to deal with people, how to be hands or hands off and knowing when each is appropriate and with whom.

Anyway, that’s just a starting reflection, so watch this space over the next month as I learn a lot more about management, about people and particularly about myself.

I encourage you to check out the other bloggers who have also accepted the challenge – listed in the comments field on the 30 blog posts in 30 days challenge.

Your support in reading and commenting on these posts I am sure would be greatly appreciated.