Work, uni, life... I was losing the plot!

As I mentioned in my first blog, I’m on secondment so I’ve been in my role for longer than the intern requirement of 20 days. I thought I had the INS and the OUTS of the job all figured out…BUT oh how I was wrong!

Last week my ability to take constructive criticism was really tested.  In this job I’ve learnt pretty quickly you can’t take things personally. Your work will be scrutinised by a number of high level executives before it even makes it to the Minister’s office. There are so many things to consider and get right….appropriate use of language, tone, structure etc. Get any of this wrong and you're back to the drawing board.

Before my work is sent for general manager approval, my line manager must approve it. More often than not he’ll make a few changes, which is fairly standard, and from there the approval process begins up the executive chain. However, last week not one piece of work was making it over the line. Key messages weren’t concise and clear and I was missing the point completely.

I felt deflated and pretty crappy about the work I was producing. I instantly started questioning myself – am I a good writer? Am I good enough to do this job? Should I be in public relations!?!

When I took a step back and really looked at the situation, I realised what I was feeling was just a lot of pressure and expectation I was putting on myself. I was really feeling the pressure of finishing up all my uni assignments, and combined with the pressures of my job, I was starting to lose the plot!

Fast forward a week late, uni assignments done and dusted, my work is getting the thumbs up and I’m far less stressed.  I know I’m a good writer and I know I can do this job. Everyone has bad weeks, whether you’re an intern, on secondment or you’ve been in the same job for five years. For anyone feeling the pressures of juggling their internship, study, work and family commitments etc., just keep on being your awesome self – I promise you, you’re doing a great job!