Being A Professional Temp

For years I have joked that I am a professional temp.  When asked what that means I've replied with, "Someone who can turn a 3 week job into a 3 month job".  All while not being noticed.

The key is to do just enough to keep your job but not so much as to work yourself OUT of the job.  Bosses really only care about one thing- getting the job done.  They don't care how long it really takes or how much the company is spending on a temp to get it done... only that it is being taken off of their plate and the temp seems to be doing their job well.  I came to realize this early on and it has paid off in longer term employment.  Not only that but I have been recalled for that same company several times.

So anyone out there looking to do the temping game to supplement their self employment "real job"... do yourself a favor and stay under the radar.  The one thing bosses hate more than anything is to be shown up or proven wrong.  Do your job at a steady pace, show that you can work independently and you will have a job for quite some time.

Finally... My Prints Are Up For Sale

Over recent years I have dabbled in getting my photos from my trips overseas together and sell them.  I've had some sales and stockpiled some frames but never created a website... until now!  Just this weekend I was finally able to put up a new website selling my prints.  It only has about 6 places to start but at least I have something started.

http://jalanphotography.com/Prints.html

We'll see how quick it gets going... although I do expect it to be slow before people catch on.  I'm just happy to get this part behind me and now I have something to provide when asked.

Dumbing Down to Fit the Masses

After all of these years on this planet I have just recently learned one valuable thing.  Sometimes a person can actually be "Too Smart".  I've lived my life knowing that my mind works differently than most.  I pride myself in my intellect, my quick wit and my way of life.  But it comes at a price.

Not everyone has the patience to deal with a person like me.  I like to speak my mind (keeping it tasteful) and catch people off guard when I can.  But apparently that rubs many people the wrong way.  Not to mention it is tough for someone to keep an intellectual conversation with me when all they want to do is unwind.  Stumped I decided to work on that part of my life.

Just today I came to the realization that I need to dumb myself down more.  I have to work on not being on my toes at all times and just go with the flow.  This is not just for friends but for all other parts of my life as well.  For instance at a temp job... bosses don't want to know that their employee is smarter than they are for obvious reasons.  And here I was thinking that all of that "doing things on my own" stuff was helping my cause.  Also, in acting it seems CDs, agents, producers, directors and everyone else that has some control wants to keep that control.  They are more apt to work with a "ditsy" actor than someone who can call them out.  Which again is understandable.

So, I plan on taking this new found info I've learned and start applying it to my daily life.  Not because I feel this is what people want from me, but to make my life more enjoyable.