All posts in category Work

My new routine

For almost seven years, I got up at 6.15am, caught a train an hour later then got on the Tube (with a change) then walked to my work and did it all again at 5.30pm, five days a week. I was out of the house twelve hours a day. For the last month, I’ve had no commute. I can do my job wherever I want at whatever time a want. It’s felt really strange not having a set routine after so long. It’s like my body is adjusting to not moving at fast speed all the time. I’ve actually felt more tired this month, I think everything is shutting down and trying to grab as much rest as possible after being at full pace for so long.

It’s helped that the weather over here has been completely miserable. With the rain hammering against the window, it’s far easier to open up the computer and write as I’m not longing to be outside. But I’ve also been ill this week and this has slowed down my work rate – yesterday, I watched films all afternoon. But I’m learning to focus on the good things like finishing my first draft and not the lack of activity yesterday. Sometimes you just have to take a break.

The more I sit and write, the more I’m convinced this is what I want to do forever. If God, the universe, the publishing industry, fate etc allow me to obviously. I need to take on some part time work soon so I don’t obliterate any savings but right now I’m enjoying my full-time writing. And I’m building my own routine. Luckily, I don’t tend to sleep particularly well – I lost the ability to lie in until 10am when I left uni so I’m getting to it early, dividing my time between writing, languishing on the internet, watching the rain drip down the window and reading like any good writer does

It’s amazing how quickly we can adjust to change. I don’t really miss working. I think as an only child I’m self-built to handle being alone working, and when you fill your days coming up with characters and stories, you’re never really alone anyway. I just hope that my new routine can last because the longer I spend my days like this, the more the thought of full-time working in an office for someone else again feels me with dread!

I think my next task is finding some writers nearby I can meet up with for coffee, I mean to work with, of course!

Have you ever had to set a new routine for yourself?

Victoria

xoxo

25 Comments

by Victoria-writes on May 3, 2012 • Permalink

Posted in Personal, Work, Writing

Tagged Personal, work, writing

Posted by Victoria-writes on May 3, 2012

http://victoria-writes.com/2012/05/03/my-new-routine/

Taking a leap

I began this year with a desire to make some changes and focus on my dream career – writing. When I went back to work after Christmas, I gave three months notice. Somehow I’ve arrived at my last week. I’ve been at my company for seven years and it feels very strange and somewhat scary to be saying goodbye to it after so long. Not only that, but I’m leaving the security of my full-time job in human resources to follow my dream – which may, or may not, come to anything.

I’m not usually a risk taker. In fact, I hate change and I’m really indecisive so it’s a little bit shocking to me that I’m prepared to take such a leap. But the positives out weigh the disadvantages. Not only will I now be able to focus on writing which I love, I’ll be leaving my three-hour a day commute behind which has driven me slightly crazy over the years. And while I don’t have any family commitments, this is a chance to go for it and ensure I don’t have any regrets about not trying in the future.

It will be a big adjustment and will probably feel like a holiday until it sinks in. But I will give it my best shot. And hopefully 2012 will see my dreams coming true.

Wish me luck

Victoria

xoxo

61 Comments

by Victoria-writes on March 27, 2012 • Permalink

Posted in Personal, Work, Writing

Tagged Personal, work, writing

Posted by Victoria-writes on March 27, 2012

http://victoria-writes.com/2012/03/27/taking-a-leap/

Balancing writing and work

Dreams are funny things. As a writer, you have to dream. You have to let your imagination out. It’s perfectly acceptable to lose yourself in a world of make believe and listen to voices in your head. You’re not crazy, you’re a writer. What’s tough for us writers is when you have to leave that dream world. Because, unfortunately, we also have to live in the real world.

I’ve had a few comments and emails from readers recently asking for my advice about pursuing writing whilst having to work and earn money. Although no expert, I want to help because I want you to write and be able to make your dreams come true. However, reality does bite and you need to balance pursuing your passions with being sensible. Yes, I know. Sensible is boring. It’s much more fun to daydream but life is tough and you’ve got to learn how to survive it.

I’ve worked for 7 years full time with a three hour commute. And I’ve saved. I have no debts. This means I can only now take some time out to focus on writing. And I’ll still have to get some part time work. So don’t make any rash decisions and regret them later. Until you actually make money from writing, you’ve got to keep your dreams in check and do something else on the side.

So here are my tips to consider when balancing writing and work. I really hope they help!

1. Set yourself goals – what do you want to achieve from writing and when do you want to achieve it by? What time do you need to set aside to make this happen?

2. Look at our outgoings and any debt you have. What do you realistically need to earn each month?

3. Other than writing, what else do you like? Try to use this to help you on the job front. However, I must be honest – you may have to just suck it up and do something you don’t enjoy because it gives you the freedom to write. Again, set yourself a deadline so you don’t get stuck forever. For example, if you like people and reading, why not work in a book shop?

4. Save as much money as you can. This will help you take the full time writing leap as soon as possible.

5. Keep track of your goals and dreams. Keep a journal or a blog! Tell people what you’re doing so you don’t lose track. How about setting a weekly word amount you want to write? Ask for support, you’ll be amazed by the response.

6. Above all else, don’t stop writing or dreaming!

Writing is hard work especially when you balance it with work. You need to be determined and disciplined. You need to set goals and deadlines. But you can do it! Just block in time write. I had to do it on the weekends. But I love to write so it wasn’t really a sacrifice. Just make sure you give yourself a break to relax and have fun.

There’s no short cut. You may have to do something you don’t enjoy for a while but if you keep on track with your waiting, it will all be worth it the end.

Good luck!

Victoria

xoxo

31 Comments

by Victoria-writes on January 31, 2012 • Permalink

Posted in Work, Writing

Tagged advice, dreams, inspiration, work, writing

Posted by Victoria-writes on January 31, 2012

http://victoria-writes.com/2012/01/31/balancing-writing-and-work/

Giving it my all

One of my Facebook friends uploaded that statement and I shared it on my wall / timeline, whichever you prefer to call it.

The words instantly spoke to me.

They are particularly apt for me right now. Not only do I have to make sure I don’t give up or give in when it comes to my publishing journey but I’m also taking a huge gamble and leap of faith to give writing my all. And that means saying goodbye to my current full time job in human resources.

I spent a lot of time over Christmas thinking about the direction I want my life to go in. And that soul searching along with debates with family and friends led to me to hand in my notice when I returned to work in the New Year. I love writing. It really is my passion and I want to give it my all. I don’t want to look back and wonder what might have been. And I can’t give it my all working full time with a three hour commute attached to it. It’s stressful and not conducive to quality work.

Of course, whilst I’m still pursuing the publishing route I will need to make money so I will be getting part-time / consultant work but my focus is going to be on writing. I’m going to give it a year and see what happens. I’m going to work hard and keep believing in myself. I will face those inevitable rejections and moments of self-doubt head on and turn one into a yes.

And hopefully, I’ll do it all with you guys behind me all the way.

Because if I don’t go for my dreams no one else will.

Victoria

xoxo

40 Comments

by Victoria-writes on January 18, 2012 • Permalink

Posted in Life, Personal, Work, Writing

Tagged life, Personal, work, writing

Posted by Victoria-writes on January 18, 2012

http://victoria-writes.com/2012/01/18/giving-it-my-all/

Crossroads

I feel like I’m standing at a crossroads – the left path is the one of stability, security, not rocking the boat, no change, no fear but perhaps lacking in that elusive lady – happiness; the right path is the unknown, the path of fear, of taking a leap of faith, of not knowing where you might end up but one with the promise of opportunities, of a brighter future somewhere on the horizon.

There’s no set career path to becoming a published author and whilst you beaver away in your bedroom writing no one in the world can see it. It’s not until you get a book on the shelves that it’s actually classed as your job. Meanwhile, you need money and so you work every day at something that isn’t your true passion and that sucks time away from writing.

I read this post yesterday and it summed up this very point. What do you do on the job front? I’m wrestling with this very question right now. I’m not as passionate about my current career path now because I know in my heart I want a completely different one. Practically though I know I can’t do much about it until I actually sign that book deal and even then most writers have to supplement their income unless they a big success very quickly.

Should I change my situation? How would I do that? Should I gamble more on my writing? Question after question rolls around in my brain and to be honest just makes me want to curl up in bed and pull the covers over me to shut it all out!

Phew sorry for the ranting but it helps to get things down on the page. I’m trying to be a writer after all So here I am at the crossroads and I’m looking for a sign to show me which road I should be taking.

Have you ever been faced with a crossroad? How did you make your choice about which road to take?

Vix
xx

53 Comments

by Victoria-writes on July 21, 2011 • Permalink

Posted in Life, Musings, Personal, Work, Writing

Tagged life, musings, Personal, work, writing

Posted by Victoria-writes on July 21, 2011

http://victoria-writes.com/2011/07/21/crossroads/

Hiding from the stress bubble

I am trying really hard not to get too stressed about work but it’s there perched on my shoulder threatening to cover my eyes with its darkness. I hate giving in to the feeling. It doesn’t help that I’m off to a work event for the next few days so I can’t escape and get some perspective. Instead I’ll grit my teeth, smile and gulp down a glass of wine

And imagine that this is me …

Any tips of breaking out of the stress bubble?

Vix
xx

46 Comments

by Victoria-writes on July 12, 2011 • Permalink

Posted in Musings, Personal, Work

Tagged musings, Personal, stress, work

Posted by Victoria-writes on July 12, 2011

http://victoria-writes.com/2011/07/12/hiding-from-the-stress-bubble/

Breathe

Stressful days are a nightmare. Sometimes I can literally feel my pulse speeding up and my hands becoming tense, balling up into fists. I either want to scream or burst into tears. I want to run far away from the thing causing me stress and hide in a little ball somewhere.

At times like these, I have to remind myself to breathe. Take some deep breaths and force myself to calm down before I say or do something I might regret. Today has been such a day and it’s not over yet but I know it will end and tomorrow is a different day. I’m forcing myself not to get topo irrational about it and writing this spot is helping ease some of the tension already. Some, not all

Why is life so stressful sometimes? Is it that we’re forced to juggle so many things and deal with so many different types of people – work and colleagues, home and family life, friends, relationship dramas or anxiety, money and bills. We have to be constantly “on” when sometimes we just want to get away from everything and everyone. People even take Blackberry’s on holiday, always checking for emails or texts or calls, updating on Facebook, competing with others to be seen as the best. And what’s it all for? Are we actually appreciated? Does busting our balls actually get us anywhere?

I’m usually a calm person, I don’t let too much get to me at work as I’m aware there’s more important things in life and generally I’m pretty blessed but sometimes like today it all gets on top of me and I start thinking about exit strategies. Caught up in stress isn’t the best time to make decisions but if you’re constantly feeling anxious then maybe it is time to make a change in your life somehow.

Even if it’s just buying a pair of stress balls

50 Comments

by Victoria-writes on June 9, 2011 • Permalink

Posted in Life, Musings, Personal, Work

Tagged life, musings, Personal, stress, work

Posted by Victoria-writes on June 9, 2011

http://victoria-writes.com/2011/06/09/breathe/

Cut throat

Cheryl Cole has been dropped from the judging panel of US X Factor after just two weeks. Her boss and mentor and supposed friend Simon Cowell reportedly didn’t even tell her in person and is blaming executives at Fox TV for the decision. Cheryl is currently keeping quiet but I imagine she feels angry, humiliated and let down by Simon who took her out to LA with the promise of American stardom and then cast aside when it went wrong. what I find laughable is the reason given is US audiences can’t understand her Geordie accent – um didn’t they realise she had an accent before they hired her? Didn’t they test audiences? So it is just a publicity stunt or did other judge Paula Abdul stick her claws in? We’ll never really know probably and although I’m not CC’s biggest fan it got me thinking about how work is cut throat now.

A couple of generations ago you took a job and you stayed for life. Even my mum has done the same profession since she was 15 (hair dressing). Nowadays, You compete for the best jobs, you’re constantly on the look out for new opportunities and you expect your employer to develop you and give you career progression or you’re out of the door. Promotions and pay increases are fought for. You have colleagues at work and rarely friends. And you need to watch who you trust. Cheryl learnt a valuable lesson over the X Factor, just because Simon seemed like a friend he was actually her boss and he had to make the right decision for the show, the company in that case. But sometimes the cut throat atmosphere of the work place is exhausting. Are we better off now that we have more job opportunities and aren’t just stuck at one company forever or are we missing out on loyalty, long term benefits and a better work / life balance?

I used to think I’d never be a stay at home mum, that I’d always work for a good career but lately I’ve wondered whether I will actually stick by that when I settle down. There’s something to be said for buliding a solid family life and avoiding the stresses of work life where the house always wins.

What do you guys think?

Vix

43 Comments

by Victoria-writes on May 27, 2011 • Permalink

Posted in Celebrity, Life, Work

Tagged celebrity, Cheryl Cole, life, work, X Factor

Posted by Victoria-writes on May 27, 2011

http://victoria-writes.com/2011/05/27/cut-throat/

Goodbye University, hello real world

I seem to have read a few posts recently about the end of college or university. http://whitepicketdreams.wordpress.com/2011/05/05/and-just-like-that-college-is-over/ This post was freshly pressed yesterday and it took me back to the end of my uni days in 2004.

When I left University I literally had no clue what to do next. My degree was sociology - an arts degree which meant you could use it for pretty much anything and with nod desire to go on to do a PHD, I left with no firm plans and a high student loan (which never seems to get paid off!) Looking back, I don’t think I was that scared. This was before all the finance crisis and diminishing jobs so I felt like I would get something great once I figured out what it was.

As I was leaving, I did what most graduates do and applied for lots of graduate jobs in big name companies and in the public sector - civil service etc with no real passion to do any of them but just a hope they’d lead me on to something. I didn’t get far with any of them probably due to this lack of enthusiasm and so ended up in a retail job just to give me some money.

One of my past posts shows you want I wanted to be when I was younger but I found actually out there in the real world, you’re really unprepared for the reality of chosing a career. There isn’t much help. Sure my Uni had a careers centre but no one to say to me – this is what you’d be good at. And how do you really know until you’re doing it? They don’t really prepare you for life after Uni, they wave you off clutching your degree probably laughing at how much they got out of you.

In the end I went back to one of my passions - reading and writing. Where does that happen - publishing! I had to started out doing unpaid work and ended up not at a book publisher but at a B2B one but it lead me into human resources, which I broadly enjoy and got me thinking about writing myself. And I think that’s the problem with careers - if you don’t have a dream job, one that you’re passionate about, a vocation I suppose, it’s so hard to choose your path.

I know now that my dream is to publish my own novel one day and until then I will continue to do the work that I do. I can’t believe it’s been 7 years since I left university - I don’t feel like a fully fledged adult yet and even though career wise I’m on the fence about whether it actually helped me, it was a good experience and hopefully one day I’ll get invited back as a famous author guest speaker

Did you go to University / college? Did it help choose your career?

Vix

39 Comments

by Victoria-writes on May 6, 2011 • Permalink

Posted in Musings, Personal, Work

Tagged careers, college, musings, Personal, University, work

Posted by Victoria-writes on May 6, 2011

http://victoria-writes.com/2011/05/06/goodbye-university-hello-real-world/

Hamster in a wheel

Do you ever feel like a hamster in a wheel? Constantly running on the same circle? Going through the same motions on an endless treadmill?

Sometimes I can’t see a difference between my days. They are filled with work and commuting with a snatch of an evening and a collapse into bed. I sometimes forget to think I’m on such a cycle of repeat. I spend the week wishing for the weekend and then the weekend flashes by at a blink and you’ll miss speed.

I used to wonder if it was just me but I look at people on a Monday morning - they have the same bleary eyes, they are yawning and pale, they are depressed that it’s all rolled around again. Most of them on the train are asleep like me.

I read os much now about how our lives are one constant blur of work and stress, our dependency on technology and always being ‘on’ means we don’t switch off, we don’t rest, we just keep going until we collapse with a cold or something. This always happens to me. Whenever I stop or go on holiday, I inevitably fall ill. It’s like my body is screaming for me to just stop. When I was in Paris last month, I caught a horrible cold, it was so annoying.

I get so frustrated about how tired I get. My journey to work everyday is long and leaves me shattered. I get home and just want to collapse in front of bad TV. I often think about words I want to write more of my book but just can’t manage to pull out my laptop or pen and put it down.

I think back to my school days and think I had it so easy back then, even at university too. There was so much less stress and worry and time filling. I used to have lie-ins. Now my body is so programmed to wake up at 6.15am, it does it on the weekend too. I’m lucky if I sleep much past 7am now. Whilst I quite like having a full day stretching head of me, I’m also annoyed that I can’t sleep more just for once.

I tell myself it won’t be like this forever. Either I’ll get my book deal or find a new job that requires less commuting or meet a rich man who lets me write and shop all day (:)) or something equalling unlikely but what if it is always like this? What if life just floats by whilst you stress yourself out and just get more and more exhausted?

Okay time to picture me here ….