Does any of us truly have the answer to any of life's predicaments?

I woke up this morning thinking that yesterday was a perfect day. And it wasn't that monumental things happened, it was a simple day actually.

So I asked myself, what makes a day perfect?

For me, I find that I'm happiest in the least amount of chaos. Oh sure, I can keep up and multi-task when necessary, juggling several to-do list items. But I love knowing that things on that list are complete and I have free time to do whatever I want to do. If the house is clean and the things put away, the day looms with freedom and the promise of anything great, whatever we choose.

Then I realized that this is also true with intangible things.

In the work space of my life, things aren't put away. It feels like they're all over the place. I, along with 43,999 (this is an accurate number) are being forced to make career decisions that we may or may not be ready for. I was in the latter category for about a month. A few days ago I finally accepted that ready-or-not, it was time to make choices that will affect my future. Have I reached *the* answer to the question with possible consequential results? Not necessarily. I mean does any of us truly have the answer to any of life's predicaments? Please, if you do, call me.

So, here it is. Verizon has decided that a considerable portion of their IT organization must leave the company and become employees for Info Sys, "one of the largest outsourcing contracts signed by Info Sys in recent times" -to quote one of many articles posted online.

And here I am. I've decided that I will accept the buy-out offer that Verizon has placed in front of me in package form.

I'm not ready. I like my job. I love who I work with and have worked with for years. These people are like family to me. I'm good at what I do. I'm not ready to leave. I don't want to begin another career. I am not r e a d y.

These are the thoughts that have kept me awake at night for over a month. A few nights ago, I woke up so refreshed that I questioned why, ( don't do that, accept the gift ) and found that it was because I let all of those thoughts go. I opened my clenched fists, palms up, and released them. I had full faith. I had full trust. I had peace and contentment that I haven't felt for quite some time. Not because I have another job lined up. Not because I'm sitting on a nest egg of carefully saved money. And not because I was the recent lottery winner. None of these things are true.

I think it's because I realized that the outcome I'm trying to avoid is going to happen sooner or later anyway, heavy on the sooner, so why not take their offer and take my skills to a company that I will be proud to work for. And let me  be clear, I was proud to work for Verizon. I just don't recognize the company like I used to. I am not in-the-know of their vision or future direction. Or in the very least, I'm not understanding what I do hear, and read about. I will never say a bad word about the company that gave me a career and helped me build a skill set that I can use wherever I choose to go. The company that fed and clothed me, provided a means for travel to other countries and paid my bills. 
I mean, what does one say, to the company they've spent close to twenty-five years with? 

I was in Paris, France in September past, walking the River Seine, over-hearing "Bonjour" and "merci" and drinking in the perfect day. I also heard, "Au revoir".

So, Verizon. Au revoir. Adieu. 

And good luck to you and all of us that decide the new journey will be even better, than the one before. 

See you soon friend,
Tiffany

PS Breakfast at Tiffany's is tacos! and more tacos! isn't *that* exciting?! Of course I will keep you posted on the comings and goings of my career life. For now, suffice to say that it's business as usual. I don't know when the actual last day will be, of my time with Verizon. And finally, GO CHIEFS! Mahomes and Co, you're my heroes! 

Third photo courtesy of my sister, Sara. That lucky girl gets to see this spectacular array of color every North Missouri Fall day. 

Change doesn't have to be our enemy......

"People are always telling you that change is a good thing. But all they're really saying is that something you didn't want to happen at all... has happened." --Kathleen Kelly, You've Got Mail









In  a way I wish my life was such that I could say the next line, and it would be true.




"My store is closing this week. I own a store, did I ever tell you that?"




Wouldn't it be fantastic to own a bookstore in the Upper West Side? Of course,  I say this without knowing what it would take to own and run a bookstore. I do know that I can spend hours, I can spend HOURS......in a bookstore. I feel like it's a place full of old friends and new friends, and comfort,  and knowledge just waiting to be obtained.







I've never really enjoyed change, even with the idea that it will most likely be for the better. It's the process really.  The first feeling, including the question: Wait, I like it this way, why do I have to change this?




The resolve: Oh, well, I guess I have no choice.


The implementation: I used to do it this way, but now I do it this way. I don't drive here, I go there.




The embracing: This isn't so bad. I can do this.




Not too long ago, I, along with thousands of other employees, learned that the company that I work for, Verizon, sold three large states, to another telcom. One of these states happens to be the one that I currently live in. Was this sale a huge surprise? Not really, there have been various rumors for quite some time that this might happen. Given that, along with previous similar sales, I think we all knew that sooner or later, it would happen. Because this sale has been announced publicly, I know that I am within legal limits to write my thoughts in the interwebs, should I so choose.




The world looks different when news of this magnitude is delivered swiftly, ending with, "now back to work for now, let's continue to do our best in support of our customers".




While I wholeheartedly agree that supporting our customers is absolute top priority above all else, I think I can speak for my team, who are also my friends and some of the greatest people on this planet, when I say, "Well can I (we) have just a moment to let this sink in?"




The dust hasn't settled and won't for quite a while, but in the very least, we've had a little time to get used to the idea. Asking ourselves the obvious questions, "what does this mean for us?", "will we be able to continue with Verizon, or will we have to go with the new telcom?", "will our team be split up?!"....oh just that idea alone, is a very sad thing.




So, given the fact that Dallas has been reminded that Winter is not over, (hello cold, snowy, icy days) I have had some time to reflect, in the quiet of my home, and what I propose to myself, and my friends, is this:




Change doesn't have to be our enemy. Shifting roles, and responsibilities, and leaders, may not be a piece of cake. Be confident in our ability to adapt to the evergreen ways of large companies that often go through things like this.. Stand firm in knowing that we are most capable in dealing with whatever hand we are dealt. Talk to a financial advisor. Revisit your 401K and save, save and save some more. Brush up your resume, in the very least this should be done once in a while anyway, regardless of any changes to your career. And finally,don't let resentment or bitterness set in. This last task is easier said than done, I know. We've given our lives. Very long days, after hours during the week, weekend work hours, sometimes forgetting what an eight hour workday is like, cancelled vacations, all for the demands of the business.




I'm going to carry on with the determination that however this may shake out, I will still give it my all. I am not going to fold. I don't know how to play poker, but I've always wanted to say that.




So, for now, I'm a Verizon employee, who works on a management team, that has been my favorite for a long time, during the course of my career. Whatever change may come, I will remain hopeful that we will survive together.


And that is what is going on with me.


What's new with you?


See you soon friend,
Tiffany


PS Recently my sister introduced the Goji berry to me, I'm not sure why I didn't know about this healthy item before now. I've been adding them in each day, even if it's just to eat a handful right out of the bag I bought them in. They are a fabulous addition to a protein shake if you are inclined to do that sort of thing. Give them a try! They are now a part of Breakfast at Tiffanys.





**disclaimer: I don't work in billing, or directly with the customer. I don't work on the wireless side. While I may not be able to help you with your bill, wireless, wireline, or FiOS, I am however, a proud Verizon employee who will always listen to what you have to say, and provide solution ideas to any issue you may encounter with your service.