Resistance is Futile

I've had a number of jobs and careers and probably the best thing about having such varied experiences is that I've learned a lot about myself and how to function in a work environment happily, without driving my co-workers nuts.  For example, I've learned that, while I really like change, most other people really don't, so I try not to push new things that affect others too hard.  I've also learned that a lot of problems work themselves out, and just by waiting things out a bit, I can save myself energy.

Another thing I've learned and trained myself to do is to try really hard to say "Yes" to new things.  Most people's instinct, when asked to do something new or additional, whether in our job or personal life, is to say no.  Because it's something new and we may not have enough information we utter a knee jerk "No.", and then  miss out on perhaps an opportunity to feel very good about ourselves, learn something interesting, raise other's opinions of us, or maybe even make some money.

Here's a few examples of what I mean about saying "Yes."  My former boss recently asked me if I would like to do some post-production closed captioning.  I'd done it in the past for her, and to be honest, it can be a lot of work.  But then I thought about and realized, first, I would be helping her out, thus maintaining a personal and business relationship that's important to me.  Secondly, it's a chance to make money right at a time when I have a son going to college.  Third, closed captioning is difficult and it's a nice bit of experience to have on your resume.  Finally, I'm pretty sure that my current job is safe, but I like to always have something on the back burner.  Hey, you never know.

Also, recently Judge Jack asked me to do realtime for a hearing impaired person.  I do realtime for myself, and for him when we're doing hearings.  When this woman, who was also mute, came in to file a petition the office staff was going to try to communicate with her with some type of machine.  The machine wouldn't work though, so the Judge came up with an elaborate way of recording her responses on the record using a series of yes/no questions and raising of hands.  In the split second after the judge asked me to do this, I hesitated.  My initial reaction was to say no.  But then I resisted the urge to say "No" and said sure, I would do it.  Everything worked out great.  The woman got the legal help she needed, the judge was happy, I felt good about myself, and most of all I proved that humans, specifically court reporters, succeed where machines fail.

So my advice today is that Resistance is Futile.  Learn to Say Yes!