Anyone got some happy news to share

[StarWarsFan]

Hey guys sorry about this but feeling really low ATM. My boss at work who I have become good friends with has been signed off on the sick on the 28th of September for 3 weeks but after that was increased to another 2 weeks, but after that was increased to another 3 weeks so in theory he won't be back till late November. Its hard work acting manager trying to run the whole IT department on my own am getting stressed and some what lonely. Am trying to do his job as well as my own its hard just to get a few minutes to relax. Had to cancel my holiday was given the choice but decided best say at work as don't want to be coming back after a week off with an Ton of stuff todo. These last few weeks have been the busiest i've know it. Had the whole internet go down, a power cut, provide evident to HR for a disciplinary, getting people wanting new equipment ordered and set up asap. Outside of work things haven't been much better had a death in the family, my parents are looking at getting back together which I don't like as my dad and I don't really get on. Just getting to much ATM.

 

[theforceuk]

Sorry to read your having a tuff time, I haven't got any good news afraid, spend some time with your vintage Star Wars. I've had a pretty bad couple of weeks, there's always someone else worse off. Just try to stay positive.

 

[Snaketibe]

Hi,

I really am sorry to hear that you're having a rotten time of things at the moment. It sounds like you have more than your fair share of **** to cope with. That's horrible for you and it would be easy to feel overwhelmed by it all; to see no light at the end of the tunnel. I hope however that I can offer a glimmer of light by saying that firstly, please remember that this 'cornucopia of crap' will not last. Things are looking downright grim right now, and it's understandably easy to only see the bad things that are happening and to overlook the good, even if those good things are heavily outnumbered at present. It's vile for you while it lasts, but it will get better in time. Your boss will eventually either return to work or, if they are unfortunately unable to do so, will have to be replaced by your company, easing your burden. I would also recommend not suffering in silence at work. You are just one person, and you cannot reasonably be expected to do the work of two indefinitely. I don't know who you work for, but it sounds like a large company which can be both a blessing and a curse at times like these. I would urge you to politely discuss your concerns with HR / senior management, as otherwise they risk losing another employee through stress. You're not being a trouble-maker or unreasonable to point out of your increased workload is becoming unmanageable. They may be able to share some of your regular duties with other staff to help ease things, so I would strongly recommend talking to them. The other work issues you mentioned like the power cut and internet outage should hopefully not repeat (or at least, not soon!), and having to deal with a disciplinary will also hopefully not be a regular occurrence, so if things are really bad right now, look at it this way; from this point they can only get better, right?

I am also of course very sorry to hear about the death in your family. Please accept my sincere condolences. A loss like that can be devastating, and usually only time can truly help with the pain. I hope your remaining family and friends are being understanding and supportive, but you know what? You also have friends here on the Forum. I may not know you personally, but I'm sure we've all experienced rotten times in our lives when everything seemed to be going wrong at once, or we felt things were spinning out of our control, so we can certainly empathise with your situation. What I find often helps me when that sort if thing happens is talking about my problems, so you've done exactly the right thing by posting your message, and I thank you for doing so as it gives us, your fellow Vintage Star Wars enthusiasts, a chance to offer you emotional support and let you know that you're not alone . I care about you, and I'm quite sure others do too, so feel free to respond to this message or not, to PM me or not, as you see fit, if you think it will help. We're here for you, if you need us

As for good news, it often seems that the media only ever reports doom and gloom, as that seems to be what grabs people's attention the most. However, there's good news all the time if you look for it. There was the terrific story just this week of the little 4 year-old girl who saved her mother's life by ringing 999 when she collapsed at home, and won a Pride of Britain award (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-41819949/pride-of-britain-awards-what-did-suzie-mccash-teach-prince-william). YouTube is awash with uplifting and heart-warming videos of random acts of kindness and real life heroes if you look for them (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scs9NgcP2_Q), and they can inspire as well as help lift a heavy heart. On a personal level, although I have a few annoying health problems of my own at present, I'm not going to let them stop me continuing to work on the new display case I'm building at home, and I'm thankful that I have the ability and opportunity to do so, as no matter how bad our own problems may be, there are always people worse off than we are. That doesn't diminish or belittle our own problems, but it can help to put things into perspective sometimes.

I hope your various problems improve as quickly as possible and that you soon feel less burdened by them, but in the meantime please remember we are here for you and we give a damn about you

Kind regards,

Jeremy

 

[Michael Sith]

Life throws curved balls at us all the time mate, got to look at the big picture

The workload you are taking on, shows the measure of the man you are, which believe me doesn't go unnoticed ( by genuine people that is) and YOU know why you are taking it on.
As far as your parents getting back together, again you have to look at their happiness as opposed to your opinion, as long as your Mum is happy then all good ( you are always there to pick up the pieces if need be)

Death in the family is always hard to take, but something that you process in time, and learn to cope with.

Look for the positives in your life, centre on those and them as your platform in you life.

Life can be difficult, at times no reasons to be seen,
What will be will be and what has been, has been,
Take a look around, take a breath and stand back,
See the things you take for granted, that will set you back on track,
The little things that are always there, that once in a while,
Will offset the stress, and bring a little smile,
Sometimes we strive we think in vain, doing all we can,
But in truth that is the measure of a man

Chin up mate :wink:

 

[StarWarsFan]

Hi guys thanks for all your support. It helps I really appreciate it, may the force be with you all.

 

[peekaygee73]

Sorry mate, I haven't got any good news to share. I've been in a similar position to you in the past, and what I would say work-wise (as Snaketibe has already):

Talk to HR;
Request prioritisation on your workload from whoever's able to give it - you can only do so much and if by some miracle you get all this work done you'll only be setting an expectation that this is the norm;
Delegate work amongst the team, don't take on too much on your own;
Talk to the team to ensure you're making best use of their skills.

A good manager recognises issues and pulls in the resources he needs to address them; asking for assistance isn't a weakness, it's a strength. Any decent HR department or Senior Management team should recognise this.

 

[subzero]

Sorry to hear about your loss, and all the other stuff going on. Meditation is something that has really helped calm my mind down in the past during very bad times, all you need is just 5 mins two or three times a day ( even just once ) to just switch off and think of nothing, I know it ain't most people's thing but you'd be really surprised how much it refreshes your mind afterwards and makes you feel more mentally relaxed and positive. If meditation ain't for you then maybe even try some youtube vids of relaxing sounds like rain or something similar, and just sit back with your eyes closed and stick it on of an evening for 10 mins or so before bed, it's almost the same principle really as meditation, you'd be surprised how much of a positive outlook you'll have on things immediately after doing it.

It's always been my last resort to turn to when things feel like they're just taking over me, sure you have a lot going on and it's obviously dragging you down but the happy news here is that it doesn't last forever, it will pass and one day soon you'll forget you even felt like this. Trust me I know iv'e been through it enough times

 

[edd_jedi]

Life is full of ups and downs. Last year I got told I was being made redundant a few days after finding out we were expecting our first baby. My new job is tough, yesterday wasn't a good day. But at least I have a job so just need to get on with it and appreciate it could be worse.

 

[Robstyley]

Hey man, sorry to hear this. Life sucks sometimes, you've reached out and some of the guys have answered. I can't comment on your life or job issues but what I would say is talk to someone, a close friend or family member. Also might be worth taking some time out to do something fun or different to get away from the troubles. And most importantly my advice would be - look after yourself, eat well, make sure you get enough sleep/rest. Also exercise and fresh air, it will improve your mood and wellbeing. Lay off the booze and stimulants. Things will get better buddy.

I have a little good news. I have just reconciled with my Dad after us not speaking to or seeing each other for about three years. Long story and a number of issues but I realised I'd rather have a relationship with him the way he is than not at all. It's been getting me down for a long time. He's just turned 74 and I didn't want us both to spend the rest of our lives with regret so I went to see him and sorted it out. We're talking again and it's a weight off my mind

 

[StarWarsFan]

Hi guys thanks for all your support. Have applied for a temp pay raise which looks promising. The experience is doing me good but am so tired constantly and stressed.

 

[Lindo]

Hi guys thanks for all your support. Have applied for a temp pay raise which looks promising. The experience is doing me good but am so tired constantly and stressed.

I'm a senior manager at my place mate, management is a hard job, specially when people think you wander around doing nowt all day, they don't see the part of the job that is stressful and does not let you switch off the minute you clock off, all I can say is that if you manage this secondment well then think about going for a promotion.

 

[spoons]

I feel for you and have been in a similar situation. Your dedication is admirable but you do need to take time off too.

There will be stuff to catch up on but life will also go on when you are off. My advice would be take a week off and come back to it fresh. If you are stressed you could be next to go off sick and that helps no-one.

As to good news, I've got a new shed and I'm over the moon. Genuinely can't believe how happy a 6x8 wooden box has made me :lol:

 

[StarWarsFan]

Hi Spoons i'm sorry to hear you have been through a bad time too, I feel for you. Yesterday big my first big step arranged for a Firmware update on the phone system something my boss usually would do but I did it and felt good. I have booked the first week in December off, Saturday and Sunday have a ski fi convention to go to and a toy fair on Sunday so that will help. Going to take the GF to Meadow Hall in that week they have some great shops hopefully find a few Star Wars bits.

 

[Mini99]

Pleased to hear that work is hopefully getting better.
Have a great time at the convention and toy fair and enjoy your week off.
Do all the things that you enjoy, I hope that it will give your a fresh outlook on life.

 

[spoons]

Hi Spoons i'm sorry to hear you have been through a bad time too, I feel for you. Yesterday big my first big step arranged for a Firmware update on the phone system something my boss usually would do but I did it and felt good. I have booked the first week in December off, Saturday and Sunday have a ski fi convention to go to and a toy fair on Sunday so that will help. Going to take the GF to Meadow Hall in that week they have some great shops hopefully find a few Star Wars bits.

A while ago now thankfully - but thanks anyway. Sounds like everything is falling into place for you, and excellent news that you are taking time off. Might even bump into you in Meadowhall at some time. Hate the place but its where I do my shopping :mrgreen:

 

[Darth Bobby]

Just had a stressful couple of weeks at work and I'd forgotten how horrible it can be. I feel for you mate. A few years back I got promoted and felt very stressed for about six- eight months. Thats what got me back into collecting in a strange way. Around the same time I was promoted I picked up a copy of the Sansweet Action Figure Archive. I used to read it before I would go to work and it would remind me of simpler times. If you get the payrise make sure you put a little bit aside and treat yourself to something, doesn't have to be massive just something to reward yourself. The stressful times come and go and I believe you learn from them. Yes you're tired and feel terrible but I reckon in a years time you'll look back and think I did it, and I learned a lot. If you've too much on your plate have a word with them and ask for a little help, everyone get's snowed under from time to time. Sorry to hear about your loss and family problems, sometimes it all comes at once. Hope it get's better for you mate and remember you're not alone. 8)

 

[StarWarsFan]

Just had a stressful couple of weeks at work and I'd forgotten how horrible it can be. I feel for you mate. A few years back I got promoted and felt very stressed for about six- eight months. Thats what got me back into collecting in a strange way. Around the same time I was promoted I picked up a copy of the Sansweet Action Figure Archive. I used to read it before I would go to work and it would remind me of simpler times. If you get the payrise make sure you put a little bit aside and treat yourself to something, doesn't have to be massive just something to reward yourself. The stressful times come and go and I believe you learn from them. Yes you're tired and feel terrible but I reckon in a years time you'll look back and think I did it, and I learned a lot. If you've too much on your plate have a word with them and ask for a little help, everyone get's snowed under from time to time. Sorry to hear about your loss and family problems, sometimes it all comes at once. Hope it get's better for you mate and remember you're not alone. 8)

Thanks mate, hopefully my boss should be back next week, had a lot of praise for other managers and staff members, looks like will be getting that pay raise.

 

[Darth Bobby]

Just had a stressful couple of weeks at work and I'd forgotten how horrible it can be. I feel for you mate. A few years back I got promoted and felt very stressed for about six- eight months. Thats what got me back into collecting in a strange way. Around the same time I was promoted I picked up a copy of the Sansweet Action Figure Archive. I used to read it before I would go to work and it would remind me of simpler times. If you get the payrise make sure you put a little bit aside and treat yourself to something, doesn't have to be massive just something to reward yourself. The stressful times come and go and I believe you learn from them. Yes you're tired and feel terrible but I reckon in a years time you'll look back and think I did it, and I learned a lot. If you've too much on your plate have a word with them and ask for a little help, everyone get's snowed under from time to time. Sorry to hear about your loss and family problems, sometimes it all comes at once. Hope it get's better for you mate and remember you're not alone. 8)

Thanks mate, hopefully my boss should be back next week, had a lot of praise for other managers and staff members, looks like will be getting that pay raise.

That's great news mate. Be sure to buy yourself something with the extra cash.

 

[Snaketibe]

That's great news! Well done

 

[StarWarsFan]

Thanks guys.