Maybe Next Year. . .

Because I finished my leadership certification "thingy" for work before my laptop died, I have relished this nice break from using a computer in the evenings. I daresay, it has been a refreshing change of pace and I have been staying at work later to make sure things are ready to go for the next day. Then I go home and do nothing. Granted, it's 8:00 p.m., but you have to start somewhere!

A lot has been going on. It's nearing the end of third quarter, so I had several managerial evaluations to do. It's funny- even though they are time intensive, I love doing evaluations and am trying to get all my managers to regularly evaluate their staff. How frustrating is it to not know where you stand with your boss? I want each and every person to know how awesome (or how not-awesome) they are with firm steps to improve. A little OCD? Sure! But people always know where they stand and what they need to do to attain excellence.

Another managerial trick I picked up lately is to document, just once per week, why I got out of bed. In discerning job transitions, my ACHE mentor encouraged me to understand my motivations and fears. The best and easiest way to do this is to ask yourself, "why did I get out of bed?" Then, on the flip-side, ask yourself "what makes me want to jump back in bed and hide under the covers?" It's amazing to see what my journal has uncovered...you learn that, some days, you do your job for other people. Sometimes you get up to manage perceptions that you are a dedicated worker. Some days (hopefully this is the majority!), you get out of bed to help people, push them on their journey, or to attack some well-known problem in the hospital. I actually do leap out of bed some days, knowing that I am, in some way, shape or form, making a difference.

Other days? I'm not immune to wanting to hide under the covers. Lack of uniform accountability, cultural inertia, or frustration with too many things on my plate that are due too soon. It's one thing when you FEEL too busy and it's another when you actually ARE too busy. Have you ever had one of those days where you work like a fiend and your to-do list only gets longer? Yeah...me neither!

So while things are still busy and probably always will be, I am taking a closer look at my managerial prowess. I was interviewing a candidate for a managerial position open at the hospital and was actually taken aback by one of the stellar candidates (who is actually getting the job). She mentioned a couple of very good accountability-building ideas and I actually felt subpar. I saw another opportunity for how I can manage and mentor my folks a little better. That was a first for me...usually I am the one trying to unhinge candidates with difficult behavioral-based questions and it was weird to feel challenged by a candidate. It was nice. And when she starts in her position, I will be trying to learn more from her!

In other news, there is NO news on our roof. Our lawsuit is on hold and hopefully our homeowners' association will cooperate and just replace the roof without complaint. I'm not holding my breath on that, though.

And with that, fall seems to have arrived. The past few days have been breezy and chilly and we unearthed the thick duvet for our bed. A few leaves have fallen. College football has returned. Notre Dame football is still, well, Notre Dame football. I'm starting to feel like a Cubs fan when I repeatedly say, "Maybe next year."