I have landed in the most enjoyable team at work. Its Jane. We get along really well. We think the other is hilarious, and laugh our way through most of the days teasing and making wise cracks at each other. Oh, and we work. But that's completely irrelevant. My point is it is a happy day at work with Jane in the next desk. Now Jane isn't a new friend, we worked in the same area before I went on Mat Leave and in the same division for several years a while ago, so we knew each other. We just never actually got to spend as much time together as we do now, laughing our days away....and working, of course.
It got me thinking yesterday about how blessed I've been in my career to find a little gem or two of long lasting friendship from almost every position I have been in. It all started with Rita (which reminds me, it's time to catch up!), then on to Kylie and Jody, Nicky, Amanda and 2Dads Hippy McFlowergirl, Carl, and now Jane. These colleagues I have kept as friends in my private life, outside of work hours.
I was email this 2 Dads Hippy McFlowergirl the other day as I was on the phone to Nicky and laughing at Jane (yes, all at the same time), oh and working, talking about how fun my new team was and how relieved I was to find myself in such a lucky place yet again. And you know what she said? "That does not surprise me, because it is you that brings the fun to a team!" Now Jane, do not let this discredit you at all for being the fun loving girl that you are....and yes I know how conceited this seems, but I certainly do bring a lot of fun to a team. I am fun to have around.
I tell stories that are amusing, at my own expense and often my husbands. I reminisce about past struggles and success. I want to know all about my team mates and I am supportive to them in their time of need. Just as I let support me when I need it too. I tell secrets about myself (I confessed my weight to Jane the other day) and let them in on the inner goings on of Lauren. I share excitement, nerves and frustrations, and I learn tips and tricks of the trade from others ahead of me. I work in all that too.
Anyway, my point isn't necessarily that I am awesome to work with, albeit true. What I am trying to get it is that I have discovered a proven method for making close friends with those identified as worthy (see above list of awesome work buddies who have made it). It has not only worked in my professional life, but in my private life too. And yes, I understand some of you are of the opinion that we only go to work to work and not make friends. But I use all situations as opportunities, and work is not just for work but to find awesome friends too.
If I just went to work to achieve a purpose for my employer and then came home again, well I don't know what to say. I can't even fathom such a ridiculous notion. If I am around people I need to connect with them. I need to be liked and just as importantly, I need to like the people around me. I hate being near tossers in any situation - on a plane, in the supermarket, at the park, in my car. I simply can't tolerate them and I can only hold my tongue for so long. So when I find myself in a team with awesome people, I am simply being grateful of the fact that are absolute wanks.
Because I have been there before. I have been bullied in the workplace. I have had my computer pulled apart on a daily basis by my colleague before I started each day for months. I have had my work deleted. I have had forms forged in my name, and I have been sworn at and abused. (And they weren't swearing like "Oh my god that was f*cking amazing!" whilst telling an awesome story of lotto winnings). I have worked with real assholes.
And I have worked with drab and boring people too. I can't expand on them....it would be drab and boring.
So listen up all you loners out there - here is my proven method of friend-making: Share yourself. It is that simple. Find people you like and share. Share yourself as freely as you are able. I have found the more I am open about myself, the more people share in return. And then all of a sudden you are building trust and knowledge of one another. Bringing your own vulnerabilities to the surface can bring great rewards. I have found this is always the case.
Oh, and I have been hurt before. And I have met many people who can't/don't want to open up to me and share themselves....and we have remained acquaintances. But that is their loss. Because more often than not, I have found great connections with new people who can not only bring love, support and care into my life, but I can do the same for them.
I am a good friend. I am not reliable. I am disorganised. I forget dates and important moments. But I am a good friend. And my friends are good friends too.
So Jane, welcome to the fold....you're my new Carl. :)
Oh, here I am at work a few years ago....working hard, of course.
Ciao for now,
LG - Life's Great!
