Message #1489

[ocblnd]

Now is the time, before things pick up, to make this job what you want it to be.  One post asked what happened to the jobs you were not assigned from the previous list - if they did not get assigned someplace, what has happened, are they things that just got dropped, are they things that could be reactivated?  

The idea of doing a spring, summer or fall cleaning is never a bad idea.      

Asking around if anyone needs help on something is always a way to keep busy and provide you with an opportunity to maybe do something new - or get crosstrained to help someone going on vacation.

And my favorite - use this time to create a job manual, detailing the things you do, how things are done-step by step.  I'm a big believer in putting on paper actaully what is involved in the job so that anyone could walk into my desk and get the job done.  I've written manuals everywhere I have been (and always keep a copy for myself when I leave).

I also become a collector of information - is there a list of all the personnel with phone extensions? - is there a list of restaurants in the area that people like to use for business events? - is there a list of the hotels in the area for out of town guests? - is there a list of where things are in your file cabinets? in the bosses file cabinets?  This may sound like busy work and then someday you will have the answer at your fingertips while everyone else is scrambling.    

Maybe they won't let you take time for a class during the day - are they open to you doing some of your classwork in your downtime?

Find some good reading material to help with an attitude adjustment.  Even reading these boards can make your day! !

AND you never know....someday it might get busy and you will look back on these days.