The First Week (Almost Done)

It is Thursday night and there is one more day left in the work week. First week of the new job and I must say that it seems to be going well. The mapping process is very different from what I am used - much more structured and formal - and most of the work is research and revision of existing maps. The actual mapping work would probably bore after a while but the cartographers who do it have been doing it for 9 to 22 years. Amazing, really. They are good at what they do - they work hard and are focused. A little introverted but really - does that matter? They get the job done.

I don’t get to do any mapping myself but I can see that I will certainly be able to influence what goes on. It is satisfying to have one’s own group that one is responsible for and can shape. The boss looks upon me as the resident expert - daunting, perhaps, but also satisfying. It might be too early to judge it as a success but I’m feeling good about it. Even my worries about being a good manager have diminished. I think I know what I need to do. Once I start feeling very comfortable and secure, I tend to relax. That is when I start making mis-steps that can be costly. I need to watch out for that.

The commute is long. It took about 1 hour and 40 minutes one day but then I left at 7 AM. The next day I left an hour earlier and saved 20 minutes. So that is what I’m doing now. Audio books and a new and interesting job make the time pass quickly.

Once again, I can’t say enough about how exciting it is to be part of a company whose focus is maps. Maps, maps, maps. That is what it is all about. The Chief Operating Officer from the US was in today and it was a pleasure to hear him talk about the company, changes in the industry and the directions the company is headed. And then to think that I can be a significant part of that. (And also to hear that the boss has spoken highly of me - already!)

A happy camper? Definitely this week!