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Share your quitting journey

The Good News and the Bad News

djmurray
Member
0 18 24

 The bad news first -- I got called into my boss's office late this afternoon and told that while she really loved having me on the team, and I had a great attitude, my inability to consistently mark up agreements so as to cover everything our policies and good business judgment would require is putting my job in jeopardy.  It's very frustrating for me because I really couldn't disagree with her.  I have been working very hard to do these things correctly, but for some reason I keep missing things I shouldn’t.  This week I marked up a document that it turns out I had done last week and I had no recollection of it.  I’m going to go in to the office on Sunday and pull every agreement I’ve done and every markup my boss has done on my work, and study them.  I will make a matrix of all the things that could possibly come up in these agreements.  She said my job depends on how I do on the next 3 or 4 agreements. 

Please understand that I have always done excellent work – I graduated from law school with honors, and practiced law successfully for the better part of 20 years.  I have always taken pride in my work and never taken it lightly.  I was promoted in this company after 2 years   I don’t know what the problem is, but I sure need to fix it or I will be out of a job.  OMG those words strike terror in my heart.  I am NOT ready to retire.  I need to work for 3 years and 8 months before I can reasonably retire.  I also can’t even imagine looking for a new job right now.  So I HAVE to make this work.

I am worried that there's something wrong with my brain; I've never had problems like this before.  I do have a neurologist, and I'm definitely going to talk to him about this.  

Now, my job is to NOT obsess about this.  It is what it is.  I have a plan to do something to address it this weekend.  There is nothing more I can do this weekend.  I have to be confident that I can turn this around and worrying about it isn’t going to prove a thing.  I may have to repeat this mantra a few times in the next couple of days, but I know what I’m saying is true.

It’s a strong measure of my trust in this community for me to share this because in addition to many other things, I find it very embarrassing. But  I’ve promised to be honest here, and that’s okay. 

The good news – I didn’t smoke.  I didn’t even want to smoke.   I did think about smoking and realized how happy I was that I didn’t have that false crutch any longer.  And this is one of the reasons I’ve shared so much about this experience, because in the past this would have been a HUGE trigger for me.   So in the midst of work angst, I am still experiencing quit joy.

Love to all and  thanks for letting me run on about this.  Sweet Dreams!

18 Comments
YoungAtHeart
Member

I am so sorry to read this.  I sent you a pm!

Nancy

Barbara145
Member

So sorry to hear your news.  You are an amazing woman and you will figure it out.  Smoking damages our brains.  They did an MRI of my brain shortly before I quit smoking.  There were lots of things wrong.  When I was 66 I got fired from a nursing job that I had been at for 10 years.  A few months before I had been selected as employee of the month (it was a big deal.)  38 years of nursing and never a blemish.  I did not think I could make it without that income.  That was almost 2 years ago and I am making it. (God's Grace.)  You will make it too no matter what happens.  Thinking of you.  Barbara

elvan
Member

DJ,

I am so sorry, I KNOW how meticulous you are and this has to be horrifying to you.  I am sure you can figure it out and it will work out.  I have to wonder...have you kept track of your migraines?  I wonder if these mistakes occur when one is coming on or right after you have had one.  I know you have a neurologist and I know you will figure this out.  

I am thrilled that smoking never occurred to you, now you understand why it never occurred to me after the fire.  You KNOW it won't work.  I had not seen a blog from you and thought maybe you were at Bingo.

Hang in there, lady, you are going to handle this.

Love you,

Ellen

annb
Member
Oh Donna my friend. Just saw this and had to send a post of support. You WILL figure this out! I'm so proud of you sticking with your quit. You will be in my prayers Lady. oxox
Barbara145
Member

Another thing about our smoking brains.  Mine is still healing after over a year and a half quit.  I think you have more healing coming.

JACKIE1-25-15
Member

Hey DJ, sorry about the issues that have taken place. This I know for sure, all trials will make us stronger. The main point is not to worry.   Sometimes the things that we think are the worst could be the best for us.  I hate to be cliqueish but when one door closes a bigger and better door opens for us. We just have to have faith that it is going to be okay.  I retired unexpectally about 1.5 years ago.  I have more now than when I was working. Trust in the Lord in all things and he will direct your path.  Let go and let God.  I am excited to know that you did not smoke.  That shows that you are stronger than what you can imagine.  Don't worry, worrying will not fix it. This too shall pass.  Just like smoking won't either.

JACKIE1-25-15
Member

You just may be working too hard and really need a break.  For every thing there is a reason, a time and a purpose. I say rest.

linda.mustafa
Member

Hi DJ , I'm so sorry to hear 'the bad news', however I'm confident that you will take control back !

Sometimes a step back and a good observation and thinking puts everything into perspective !

Barbara said that the brain is healing, too, and honestly I think she is right as I can feel it at times.

Hopefully, you will find the reason and the solution!

All the best x

Giulia
Member

Haven't read the above comments, so I'm speaking off the top of my unadulturated brain here.  And I do not live in your corporate mindset world.  Though as a professional secretary in law firms and other high powered banking institutions, I have partook of that mindset.  Fortunatley i don't live in it.  Those were passing, long-term termorary jobs.  So NOTHING was at stake for me. 

Here's my thinking for what it's worth - times have changed.  And I don't know how old your boss is, but I'm guessing she's younger than you.  And I'm guessing her mindset is based upon the current PC world which has different values.  This statement of yours indicates such to me:  my inability to consistently mark up agreements so as to cover everything our policies and good business judgment would require  

I know nothing of your business nor what you do.  But this statement of yours just smacks me in the head and says - everything their policies and "good business judgment requires"  is probably not one you adhere to personally.  And so this  change in company policy has not ... oh never mind.  I'm probably way off the mark. 

Anyway - I don't think there's a damn thring wrong with YOUR brain, rather i suspect there's someting wrong with THEIRS.    Now I'll shut up.

Jennifer-Quit
Member

The first few months of my quit,  I found it hard to concentrate.  I was not going to use that as an excuse to start smoking again.  I had to put in a little extra time and double check things.  I made mistakes and I really hate to do that.  Perhaps instead of the smoke-breaks that you used to take, you could use that time for a quick walk.  I don't know exactly what your job is, but would a check-list of things that need to be included help at all?  My concentration has improved and I am sure that your's will too.

Michwoman
Member

I know that scary feeling Donna - I had the same experience late last year. I felt very strongly that I was in the RIGHT however and I stuck to my guns.  I'm still there and doing very well 🙂

sparky26
Member

Rooting for you Donna ! 

MarilynH
Member

((((((A gigantic extra special cyber Hug just for you)))))----sending good thoughts up for you. ((((((♡♡♡♡♡♡)))))

prjimm01
Member

good luck my friend - I am praying for you.

ihateit
Member

Hope all works out for you DJ! You are a strong voice here, and that tells me that you are a pretty smart lady who is "with it". I hope you feel the love from all of us. <Hugs> -Kerrie

Mrs.Rum
Member

Your markups may not be consistent, but maybe the problem is.  Can she step through a couple with you to see if the issue is the same each time?  It may manifest differently in different aruguments but may be the same at the root.  I think it's worth looking at and will show that you're serious about figuring it out.

Hugs!!!  (PS My brother is a law professor, so I have a weak spot for lawers.  lol! )

Strudel
Member

Well - first of all I am thrilled about the good news! That is always such a great thing - realizing that we are facing a huge challenge and we don't need to smoke! Big congrats on that!

I'm with Jennifer - at least speaking personally - I know I was quite foggy brained for a long while after I quit. A long while..... The good news about that is that it does get better. However, you need a more immediate solution - no matter what the cause - and it sounds like you are doing that. Asking your neurologist is a great diea - although I don't think anything is wrong with your brain! Your plan to go back over files and study them sounds like a good plan to me..... Donna - you have impressed all of us with your attitude, your determination, and your beautiful personality - so, I know you can work through this - no matter what happens! 

Please - keep us posted! Sending good wishes and prayers your way! 

janet97
Member

Hope everything works out for you!!