Warning: Hard work can be too much fun.

Another warning: My brain has possibly turned to jelly so read this post with a pinch of salt. Or something.

(That is to say, accept it but maintain a degree of scepticism about its truth.)

It may be the masochist in me but I loved yesterday. Impossible deadlines. Colleagues in meltdown. Me required to produce scintillating copy out of thin air.

I just have to mention that usually I buckle under this sort of pressure...

By Victor de Schwanberg

...but yesterday was SUCH GOOD FUN!

Question: Was it INHERENTLY so much good fun that I had no choice but to enjoy it a lot?

OR...

Was I actually on top of things (for a change) so that my brain managed to convert a potentially mind-blowing and stressful day into something enjoyable?

The jury's still out on that one.

My verdict?

The latter. 

Next question: What's the secret of being able to do that every day?

The answer? On a postcard, please, because I have absolutely no idea.

(Nice postcard. Shame I can't read the answer.)

On acknowledgement for hard work: Gratitude is the most exquisite form of courtesy

Jacques Maritain (French Catholic Philosopher) and me could be best buddies. If only he weren't dead.

We both think gratitude is important.

I'm truly grateful for the work I do. I know how fortunate I am to be at home all day writing interesting and diverse pieces for some great clients. 


At the same time, I DO work very hard. 


Going back to yesterday, on meeting deadlines...


I actually finished the work I had to complete at half past three. I THOUGHT. Well, I DID finish it and sent it off, explaining I was catching a train to London at 5 o'clock. Hooray, I thought. I'll have time for a shower and something to eat before I go. Then the phone went... "Caroline, I know you're heading off at 5 but could you just...?"  


I worked on the train. I worked in Pret A Manger (other eating places available) while stuffing a sandwich down my face. I worked in the open-air theatre while waiting for A Midsummer's Night Dream to start. I worked in the interval, and when we got home at 12.30 a.m. I worked until 2.30 a.m. And got it done.

The thing is, I don't mind working so frantically hard for someone who appreciates it and takes time to tell me. I had an e-mail last night. Here is part of it (NOT repeated for the purposes of making me look good but to illustrate why I love what I do)

"Just wanted to say thanks – you have been absolutely bloody ace in your stoic and unstinting support throughout the course of this challenging project – I’m personally under a lot of pressure to deliver not only this tender, but three other important interim campaigns in store... 

I am grateful that your appreciation of the situation and dedication to turnaround has been so incredible. Without it, in the timelines we have been working towards, I would simply be dead in the water.

Big respect. "

This is a lesson in how to motivate co-workers. Bosses everywhere take note. (Not MINE - I'm lucky enough to work with three exceptionally switched on people who DO acknowledge hard work.)

Mind you, I'm a bit knackered today...

Sweat is the cologne of accomplishment

I'd probably be sweating if I had a name like Heywood Hale Broun. Just the sheer effort of remembering it.

Anyway...

At the moment, I'm glad this blog isn't provided with smellovision because that would be acutely embarrassing. I really need a shower but I'm waiting for the water to heat up so I thought I'd write this first.

I've just been up to the yard as usual and then had a vigorous riding lesson on Poppy ( I was being vigorous more than she was!) AND the sun was shining so there's no disguising the fact that I've been working hard.

(My goodness! A word of advice. Don't Google Images 'Too Hot' unless you want to blush. Or something.)

I think it's Very Unfair that when I've been working so hard for the last few weeks...working at my computer, writing, writing, writing - sometimes for 11 or 12 hours a day and late into the night and at the weekend to meet deadlines (Almost like a real job, as Pete would say, before I kicked him.)...

Yes, Very Unfair that this sort of hard work doesn't make one sweat so people would KNOW.

Then I found this quote:

Where am I going wrong?