Working full time isn’t the easiest thing to do when you have lupus, or any number of chronic diseases. It has and continues to be a struggle for me. I have my good days, and I have my bad days.
Sometimes I feel like I’m just doing my best to stay above water. Thankfully, thankfully, thankfully, my job gives me the flexibility to work from home; I do so about twice a week.
When you feel like you’re working super hard just to get by…but then someone recognizes your hard work and recognizes you for it…it’s better than amazing…especially when you’re being recognized based on your hard work, and not based on the fact that you managed to accomplish somethingWHILE managing a chronic illness.
The company that I work for recognizes certain people every quarter based on nominations from others, including managers, colleagues, etc.
I’ve been with this same company for nearly 15 years. I’ve won this award once (aside from when I won it as a team award…I’ve never been recognized by myself).
It may not be a big thing for all people, but it was a big thing for me. What made it even better was the fact that I received phone calls and emails from several of my HR colleagues congratulating me. It’s like they knew that this award meant so much to me.
One of the great things about winning this award is the fact that it qualifies me to win the annual award, which is a trip to a tropical location with several other winners. I hope I win-a trip to a tropical location in the middle of winter is always welcome (the trip takes place in January).
I won this award because I was basically doing two jobs for a while-my old job plus my new one. When I got a new role, my old position experienced a loss and was therefore in a bit of trouble; that role was a busy one. So I did one job in the morning and the other in the afternoon. I helped cross train two people who were new to the role, and I also did the other role full time for a week when one of the new people in that role went on vacation.
It was definitely difficult for me to run up and down to different buildings while lugging my laptop around, but everyone in both environments were so appreciative and helpful, so it was definitely worth it.
I’ll of course post another update when the time comes to see if I won the trip. At the end of the day, though, it really isn’t about the trip. What matters most is the fact that I am doing something that I love…and getting recognized for it is just a bonus.
