Monday, April 30, 2012

Being There

As a business owner, it is important to be there when a client needs you.  Having the ability to communicate with clients no matter where you are can be a key to keeping clients happy.  Sometimes a quick answer is all that is needed, and other times it means more work.

Understanding the demands and requirements of your job is key.  Some jobs are 9–5 weekdays, while more and more jobs are becoming flexible or variable hours.  Most IT positions do involve some off hour work.

With technology changes, more and more consulting work can be done remotely.  This change means that quick changes can be done without having to travel to site, and therefore getting a problem solved quicker.

In some cases, a client doesn't even know you aren't in your normal location when you are assisting them.  Understanding your responsibility of being there for your clients is what is important.

Being there for clients is important, no matter where you really are.

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Challenges continue

This past week I decided to go to a couple of shows which I normally enjoy going to and seeing all the new ideas of things that I can do.  This time it was a different experience and one that I wasn't too happy about.  This year, it was seeing all the things that I currently cannot do while wearing the splint.

Both shows made me realize how much I really do with my hands and how much this splint is impacting my daily life.  The challenges continue and are sometimes harder than other times.  Trying to open a childproof bottle that doesn't want to be opened with one hand.  Yes, those are some of the things that I have had to deal with over the last little while.  Little things that don't seem like much to most people, but when you can't use one of your thumbs, you find out how hard it can be. 

Other challenges are trying to pick up pieces of paper with my left hand, putting on a necklace, and even tying my own shoelaces.  These are things that we do on a normal basis and don't think much about but try doing these things without your prime thumb.

Each challenge that I encounter shows me a different way to handle the simple things.  Sometimes it's a quick solution and another time it takes a little longer to figure out how to accomplish something.  The challenges are going to continue over the next few weeks and I know that, but the one thing I can say it these challenges are going temporary.

Think of what you face each day and think of people that have permanent disabilities and think of how they face their challenges.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Facing challenges

Everyone faces challenges during their life, and right now I am facing a challenge of trying to deal with a broken thumb on my dominate (left) hand.  Yes, it is tough currently, but I do know that things will get better after this.  I am finding that so many things that I do with my left hand are a little harder with my right hand.

See I am wearing a brace on my left thumb which prevents me from bending my thumb, but it also means that I can't feel when I am holding anything with that finger either.  Some of the challenges have been easy to overcome like holding a glass of water, but other things like picking up pieces of paper aren't so easy.

This brace is going to be part of my life for between 12 and 18 weeks, so I know I will learn how to deal with all the challenges, but it does get frustrating.  One thing I have learned through this is how much I do use my left hand and how little I use my right hand.  I know that after all of this, I am going to be able to use my right hand for more things without thinking.  The other thing that I have learned through this is sometimes you need to ask for help when you can't do something yourself.  Don't be afraid to ask for that help.

Facing challenges is something that we all do quite often, so when you get an additional challenge to face you just deal with it and move on. 

Monday, April 9, 2012

Lessons learned

This last little while things have been extremely busy for me and part of it was, I was learning how to manage a major project that I was project manager but also the person doing the work.  I must admit that some days were better than others.  I have learned a lot through this process, and now it's time to sit back and document what I learned and things I can improve on next time I do this.

I did learn the importance of having a list of all the tasks that lay ahead of you, as well as a deadline.  I almost missed the deadline, but am happy to say that I was able to complete the project on time.  Now over the next couple of weeks it will be fine-tuning the work done, but at least the major project is done and implemented.

What I have learned through all of this is that sometimes you need to sit back and look at things a number of different ways, otherwise you will get lost and miss a lot of steps.  Having someone that you can talk things over with really does help, and you can learn from each other as you go along.  Yes, I was the person doing the work for the most part, but I did have my partner around to bounce ideas off of as well as learn from.

Now it's time to look at all the other things that I have to complete and work on getting things reorganized so that I can accomplish everything else that needs my attention.  I have learned a lot and still have things to learn, but one major project is now complete so now onto the next.