This week at work!

What I’ve been creating:

1. Client survey Google form

Way back when I was still working on process documentation and other operational tasks, I was responsible for creating a survey that allowed us to gather information from each client we onboarded in a systematic, streamlined way. 

The last time I worked on it, it was in the form of a Google Doc. I had started creating a Typeform for it, because there’s so much room for customization and branding within each form. However, it was taking up time that I couldn’t afford, so I ended up tabling the project. 

Now that we recently signed a new client, it was time to revamp the survey and get it ready to go. Because of the time crunch, I opted for a Google Form just to make sure that the content of the survey itself was accurate. If that worked, then I would take the time to create the Typeform.

Turns out, the content was not accurate.

There were lots of lessons here, but I’ll get to those in a little bit. For right now, the point is that I created a form that will hopefully cut down on client onboarding time (once it’s at the place that it needs to be).

2. Content for the Hapday website  

Knowing that Thanksgiving is coming up, I wanted to make sure we were being intentional with our content to make sure we were creating applicable pieces.

Turns out those countless, tear-filled hours banging my head against a digital wall trying to figure out my family’s website have finally paid off. 

One of our current goals is to have the workshops page on the Hapday website completely built out with complete and accurate information about all the various workshops we offer. 

This may seem simple and straightforward, but the current state of our workshop catalog is in slight disarray, so it will be a large accomplishment once this is complete. My main focus this week has been selecting appropriate header images and doctoring them up in Canva.

3. My professional bio 

This was one of the most frustrating parts of the whole week. 

I’ve had this task in my Asana list for awhile now, and I have been struggling hardcore to complete it. Literally all it is is just a one-slide bio to include in any presentations that I might be involved with. 

The frustrating part of this whole thing is fighting the killer imposter syndrome that just keeps popping up like a meth-infused whackamole whenever I start to think of my history compared to literally anyone else’s. This whole experience with Praxis has definitely helped provide the tools for combatting that mindset, but I fear I’ve grown lazy in practice. 

Here’s to a year of no more comparisons, am I right?

What I’ve been learning:

1. Always put yourself in the shoes of the customer (client/user/etc.).

One of the big lessons from early this week was a direct result of the failed client survey. 

Almost every question I included the survey needed to be edited in some way by my boss after hours. I failed to take into account the lack of context that a new client would have while filling out this survey and the questions reflected that lack of consideration. 

While I was trying to be intentional about not overloading a new client with information that may or may not be relevant to them or their position, it resulted in simply not enough information to make sense of what was actually supposed to take place. 

It was a good reminder to always take the time to place myself in the shoes of the user and truly think through what might be unclear or confusing given their (relative) lack of context. Empathy is key, folks.

2. Managing up is also key. 

This is a classic example of how I can understand something intellectually but still have a disconnect in carrying that out in real life.

Managing up—taking initiative and ownership of getting the help and answers you need without waiting for anyone else to magically bestow them upon you—is something I completely understand in my head. What that looks like in practicality is, I’m discovering, still somewhat disconnected.

I’m working on it. If anyone has any tips for how to do this better and more effectively, I have ears to hear!

3. How to be a cake and card double agent. 

This was probably the highlight of the week for me, even though it didn’t technically have anything to do with my actual job. 

Whatever, though—it’s good to embrace the joy where you find it, right? 

Anyway. My boss is leaving for a business trip for two weeks and will be gone over his birthday. In anticipation of this, my other boss asked if someone could organize a cake and card for a pre-birthday/going-away celebration on Friday. I volunteered as tribute.

A day later, my other boss (the one leaving for the business trip), asked me directly if I could handle getting treats and a card for one of our associates who was finishing up work—also on Friday. 

It was the most thrilling, adrenaline-filled couple of days at work I’ve ever experienced, and it was the closest I’ve ever gotten to fulfilling my lifelong dream of full-time espionage. I think I’m probably good for now.

This week in New York City!

I took the subway to Brooklyn for the first time in about two months. 

After being able to finish half a book during the trip there and back, I discovered that I kind of miss having a subway commute every day.

However, I then remembered that I get to walk to work every day and inhale the scent of nature as I pass by the park, and I realized that sometimes the trade-offs are worth it.