Well, I’m back – I was just in a near-death experience. My mom could’ve lost the best assistant she’s ever had! She asked me to mail a letter. I had to walk about 8 metres across the street in front of the office, full of cars wanting to smash my hips into their bumpers. I had to experience this emotional strain just to mail a package. There was an unforgettable and severe feeling of panic I felt crossing that road all by myself, while my boss and colleague watched and laughed at me as I crossed the empty road in pure terror. Actually, it wasn’t that bad.
I’d say I’m adjusting to life in the office pretty well. I’m getting used to the hello’s in the morning, and I now know how to use the postage system. I know where all the mailboxes for other employees are, and I even keep my own snacks in the fridge!
Making Phone Calls
My boss seems to think I should start making phone calls to clients now! “But, mom, I can’t even talk to you on the phone!” I made my first two phone calls today. One was to my grandma, but it was still terrifying. My generation does not talk on the phone. Anxiety is becoming more and more common in adolescents, and many of us have anxiety over talking on the phone. Maybe if I call more clients I will become more comfortable with it. So be kind and patient, if I catch you on the phone.
Talking in Public – Yikes!
Ever since I was younger, I wanted to grow up and have a full time job working 9-5, wearing dressy clothes, and have a grown-up looking office. Working for my mom, I get a little taste of what I want my “office life” to be like. I’ve been tagging along with my mom to business lunches and meetings, and I realised just how shy I am. My mom doesn’t seem afraid of talking in front of groups of people or introducing herself. I can only muster a small shy smile and a giggle here and there. It really catches me off guard when someone reaches their hand out to shake mine. Sometimes I mess up and put out the same hand they have reaching out, or I start stuttering my words or my hands start to shake. Then I look like a complete fool. Every adult we run into seem to be interested in talking with me, and sometimes it gets overwhelming. I often look at my mom, giving her the look of “talk for me and get the attention off of me right NOW or I’m eating your lunch as well as mine!” I must give my mother a lot of credit for what she does. She isn’t afraid to talk on the phone, she’s polite and knows how to talk in front of groups of people. I hope one day I can do what she does without feeling overwhelmingly nervous or shy.
Five things I have learned about “the office life”:
- The office is nothing like the movies. There’s no gossip or talking about what you did on the weekend. Everyone does their job, and uses their lunch break to eat lunch.
- Having a decorated work environment does make you happy to go to work.
- Do not wear high heels to work if your office is downstairs and your hourly snacks are upstairs.
- Wear clothes and jewellery that are comfy enough to wear all day.
- Bring your own snacks. My boss only packs unsalted almonds and quinoa protein bars.
There is a list of things I want to get for my office too. I definitely want lots of organisers for my desk and a mini fridge to keep my snacks. I want to invest in a small basketball net for my free time and maybe a Bluetooth surround sound system. A minor renovation will be necessary to make my office bigger. The East wall of my office will need to be removed to maximize the size of the hot tub I want to put in. Just kidding…maybe just a family picture?
Next week, my Mom has a long list of things for me to work on. But what I’m really looking forward to is the staff party…
