Monday, 29 August 2011

My 50th year in seven days: part 3



Throughout my career in local government, apart from the politics another thing that caused periodic anxiety was constantly being re organised. One result of a fast moving political environment is that those in charge quickly become impatient for results.   The thought process appears to be: if the results/improvements are not instant then there must be something wrong and therefore it needs fixing.   This invariably meant that we needed a team of consultants to tell us how we could do it better. The net result was I was never more than 24 months away from being reorganised and having to restart in a whole new area.   

I moved from planning to economic development to project management to regeneration.  I'm not complaining it was great experience and contributed to my very wide and varied portfolio of skills.  However every step was like giving birth.  I constantly had to fight for recognition and restart anew.
When you love something, it is hard to let it go.  I loved working in the public sector, being able to help individuals, however small the impact.  I thought this was how I was supposed to be making a difference.  However the universe had other ideas.   

You know how when you refuse to pay attention to the gentle rain drops smashing against your window of life that universe sends you a shower; and if you still don't listen it turns into torrential rain; and if you still aren't listening, suddenly hurricane Mary Ann, or Kevin (apparently they now alternate the names between men and women because calling all  hurricanes after women was deemed to be sexist) comes along and blows your home and community away from under you so you sit up and take note.  You've been there?  Yes or yes!  Well throughout my working career, I think the universe was sending me hints.  This is not your purpose move on.  

The next instalment in my story continues here tomorrow.


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