Cassie Bustamante

living an ordinary life extraordinarily

Navigation
  • home
  • about me
  • home tour
  • project gallery
  • shop my home
  • Let’s Collaborate

10 Things I’ve Learned in a New Job

April 12, 2021 by Cassie 13 Comments

Pin
Share
Tweet
0 Shares

10 Things I’ve Learned in a New Job

Last week I finished up the book, Share Your Stuff, I’ll Go First by Laura Tremaine.  At the end of each chapter, she places a list of 10 things, most likely from her popular podcast, 10 Things to Tell You. I loved the concept of creating lists for all sorts of reasons.  Normally, I am not much of a list-maker, but hers were fun and, frankly, a great practice in writing. Last week I was in the shower – where I do all of my best thinking – and hopped out to grab my phone and open the notes section to start jotting down the list that was formulating in my brain: 10 Things I’ve learned at O.Henry. I wanted to share it here today because I think it’s a really useful and fun journal exercise to make a list of 10 whatever-you-feel-likes!

Photos from last Friday morning, when a friend and I visited the midtown Greensboro murals. This one is my favorite because it really captures how I was actually feeling that morning. It had been a stressful week and I was thrilled to get out of the house and do something fun with a friend.

  1. You can start a sentence with “but.” And many of the rules you learned in middle school English don’t apply. Incomplete sentences, check. If it helps to create the impact and emotion of what you’re writing, you can break all the rules. Watch me.
  2. But em dashes – who knew? Where have these elusive little hyphen-like creatures been all of my life? If I taught middle school English – which could happen – I would have an entire semester dedicated to the art of em-dashing through life.
  3. There are places of employment that don’t expect – or even want – you to be just another part of an oiled machine, practicing sameness and routine, day in and day out. Which, frankly, is my idea of hell. Rolling a rock up a hill for all of eternity or endlessly folding a denim wall that customers keep destroying are one and the same. Not today, Satan.
  4. People actually think I’m funny. And I get paid for it. For so long, I’ve made my way through life laughing at my own jokes. The good: I can entertain myself for hours on end. The bad: I’m often the weird lady chuckling in a corner by herself. At least these days I can stick in ear buds and pretend I am laughing with someone on the other end. Even in my own home, I’ll repeat something hilarious to my husband Chris only to be met with a look of “is there a punchline?” That leads me into a downward spiral of thoughts like: Am I lacking a sense of humor? Or is Chris? It’s gotta be him. How did I get in this lack-laugh-luster marriage? OMG we’re going to wind up divorced over irreconcilable differences of opinion on what’s funny. And I’ll have to get back out in the dating world. And no one will find me funny. I will die alone, in a corner, chuckling to myself. My headstone will read: What’s so funny?
  5. Believe in magic. When I interviewed for this job and was presented with the question, “Why do you want to work here?” I answered honestly. The universe led me to O.Henry through a neighbor showing up in my driveway. I simply followed the signs and felt like they were leading me here and I had to answer the call. After I hung up from that Zoom interview, I kicked myself for telling it like it was. Luckily for me, my editor has faith in the cosmic woo. What I said could have easily landed me on the “NEVER interview again” list but instead it put me on the “gift from the universe” list. She trusted it. Whether I am still a gift remains unknown.
  6. Graciously accept gifts from the community. Especially when it’s homemade spice cake.
  7. You have a gift. And when you’re willing to place your humble brown-paper package of an offering under the tree amongst the sparkling and hospital-corner wrapped presents from others, that’s when the real magic happens. The company as a whole shines brighter and bolder when we all offer up the best of what we have without fear of it not being good enough.
  8. Who needs filters? Say what you think. Be honest with others and, mostly, be honest with yourself. When surrounded by lots of creative voices, it’s easy to want to emulate. But keep practicing with your own voice and trust that inner knowing that’s whispering for you to write your truth as only you can.
  9. Always say “thank you.” Never ever have I worked in an environment where everyone says “thank you” for the littlest gestures or emails. I’ve received calls from co-workers just to express their gratitude over something I did because, hello, it’s my job. And you know what? You can bet I won’t be going anywhere any time soon. Unless I get fired. OMG. Knocking on wood. Where was I? Oh yeah, thank you. (And please don’t fire me.) Those two words will create employee loyalty and they speak volumes about the kind of people who run this ship.
  10. Everyone has a story. And their own way to tell it. I’m still writing mine.
That’s my list. As you can tell, I have the best job ever. And I work with the best people ever. And I am grateful that the universe brought all of us together to create some magic within our community. We’re all excited about the future of the magazine and all of its avenues and I know it’s going to go places. Perhaps to meet the wizard. Or maybe not. But one thing is for sure, we’ll be gathering up our tin men and lions and scarecrows along the way.  There will be singing and dancing and sparkly shoes and we’re going to enjoy the heck out of our journey.
Tell me, what kind of list will you be making? If it’s for groceries, can you add Tillamook mint chocolate chip – please and thanks. Don’t tell my health coach.

Related

Pin
Share
Tweet
0 Shares

Filed Under: Me

Subscribe for Email Updates!

« Feel Good Friday 72
Feel Good Friday 73 »

Comments

  1. Erika says

    April 12, 2021 at 6:47 am

    I would imagine you are definitely a gift! And never 3. 😂😂😂 I totally relate. Look, have you written about how you ended up there because I love a good woo woo story. And I’m so happy for you! It sounds like such a an amazing fit. I don’t know that podcast or book, excited to check it out. Loved your 10 things!

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 12, 2021 at 7:07 am

      I haven’t listened to the podcast yet either, but I need to check it out since I loved the book so much! I need to write the story of exactly how that job came to be. I think you’ll enjoy it since you are here for the woo! 😉 Yeah and 3- I worked as an abercrombie sales rep and manager for enough years to never ever want to touch a denim wall ever again.

      Reply
  2. [email protected] says

    April 12, 2021 at 9:53 am

    Love this so much! I also laugh at my own jokes. I learned that from my mom. And I’m still waiting for a sign from the universe for the future.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 12, 2021 at 10:08 am

      Haha! It’s a blessing! 🙂 And you will. I know it!

      Reply
  3. Jenny says

    April 12, 2021 at 11:24 am

    Keep following that yellow brick road-the one that’s curvy and not a straight line‼️ Well written, as usual. ❤️

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 13, 2021 at 7:20 am

      Thank you, Jenny! You know I will! 🙂 You do the same.

      Reply
  4. Micaela Cherevaty says

    April 12, 2021 at 11:05 pm

    Well now I need to know what your job it! It sounds amazing and I’m happy that you love it.

    Reply
  5. Micaela Cherevaty says

    April 12, 2021 at 11:06 pm

    (I imagine if I keep reading your blog I’ll found out, so I’ll do that!) 🙂

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 13, 2021 at 7:19 am

      Ha! I don’t want to make you search. Last November I started a job as digital content manager of a local magazine about arts and culture in our area. I do all of our social media plus write a newsletter and curate another newsletter.

      Reply
  6. [email protected] says

    April 15, 2021 at 9:44 am

    So good!! I’m NOT funny at all and have no sense of humor. My husband is more like you. Anyways, the dynamics between you and your hubby and us… I can totally relate to.

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 15, 2021 at 12:25 pm

      Haha! That is too funny! Your husband and I should hang out and laugh. 😉

      Reply
  7. Shelley Westerman says

    April 23, 2021 at 9:32 pm

    Oh Cassie, I am just so thrilled that you have found such an awesome place with people you love working with!! Also, I feel like No. 4 is totally me. All my good material is totally wasted on my husband 😄

    Reply
    • Cassie says

      April 25, 2021 at 8:04 am

      Thank you so much!!! And yes, what is it with our humorless spouses?!?!? 😉

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Hi, I’m Cassie!

I believe that you don't have to spend a lot of money to live a beautiful life and be your best self.  Here you will find budget friendly ideas to live happily, healthily, sustainably, and most importantly authentically.  We all get one chance at this life, and this ordinary girl plans to make hers extraordinary. How about you? Read more...
Instagram Facebook Twitter Pinterest Email Rss Bloglovin

Categories

Disclaimer

This blog does not share personal information with third parties nor do we store any information about your visit to this blog other than to analyze and optimize your content and reading experience through the use of cookies. You can turn off the use of cookies at anytime by changing your specific browser settings. We are not responsible for republished content from this blog on other blogs or websites without our permission. This blog uses affiliate links.

Connect

Hi! I'm Cassie.

Mother, wife, shop owner, blogger, writer, incurable diy-er, furniture painter, coffee and wine drinker, friend. Seeking happiness and passing it on. Read More…

Recent Posts

Privacy

© 2022 · Foodie Theme Customized by This Bold Girl · Built on the Genesis Framework