It Is (Past) That Time Again

When I first started working at my current company it was outlined that I would have an annual review to go over my performance during the previous year. Of course, the only exception to that policy was the first six months as I agreed upon being hired that I needed some time to get re-acclimated following an extended absence from the industry. This placed my first review in the middle of April 2014. Obviously, this would mean that my second review would occur around the same time the following year. Well, that obviously didn’t happen or you would have read this post months ago.

However, while it would have been nice to have everything move along as planned, we have been busy this year with both new and existing business. A great problem to have and something that I attribute to us all doing our jobs and doing them well. So, months later, we were finally able to find a window in the day to get my review done last week. Thankfully, my company believes in retro pay!

It is still an odd process for me as each of my colleagues completes and evaluation form rating me on a scale of 1-5 (1 being the best) and providing comments on various categories related to the my performance. I have filled this same form out for a few of my colleagues and it can be a bit of a challenge at times especially given the fact that we have to recommend three areas of improvement. While it was difficult to determine these things in others, it was rather easy when completing my own form. Yes, I was also required to take a step back and review my own performance.

By being honest with my own review, the others sounded fantastic as I sat across the desk from the owner of the company. Heck, I would much rather be too harsh on myself and use it as motivation than think I am doing a great job only to struggle with my responsibilities. Seems that my boss feels the same way which made for a great experience going over the previous year and the flattering comments that my colleagues wrote as well as the points where I need improvement. Both were very much appreciated. The salary increase at the end of the meeting was appreciated as well!

It continues to be an interesting process but one that is hugely beneficial in monitoring my performance. I know what to keep doing and where I need to improve my routines. Hopefully I can show the marked improvement that I expect by the time my next review comes around which is still scheduled for April! Of course, you will find out shortly afterward in a few months. 

Feeding The Animal House

The only day that is dreaded more than April 15^th is October 15^th. This is the last chance day for those of us that, for one reason or another, were unable to file our taxes in the spring. This is the day that we have been hoping that would, somehow, never come or that the calendar would just simply skip a day. And for some of us it is not just a day of inconvenience, it is a day when we take on an additional financial burden (some greater than others).  

Every day that passes and every hour I sit at my desk, I know that I will never receive my full salary for that day. It is the price we are forced to pay, and pay, and pay again in the seemingly infinite deductions that are pried from our pockets to fund things that we would never support on our own. Don’t get me wrong, there are many things that we must contribute something to, but there are many, many things that we should not be forced to pay.

This happens each and every day as we watch about a quarter of our salary evaporate (for some it is a much higher percentage). However, it doesn't end there as when we finally get that money in our pocket it continues to be chipped away throughout the day as we are forced to pay more taxes… service, sales, gas, real estate, etc. Given all of these tax attacks, it is safe to say that the average person loses about 40-50% of their pay just to taxes. The remainder, of course, has to cover all the costs of living including the bloated Obamacare costs that have recently latched on to our wallets.

If we see a few extra dollars in our bank account at the end of the year we feel as though we might have won that round. However, the government has one final punch to throw to see if it can take us down. While many take it on the chin and get it over with as soon as possible but there are a few of us that duck and weave until we can no longer put it off. For most, more than anyone would care to admit, this final poaching is what takes us down and determines our losses for the year. This is where we find ourselves now… trying to get up before the referee counts to 10. Next year, another round, and more money being sent to the animal house to never be heard from again!

Productive Day At The Lodge

For the first time in a few weeks, I got up early this morning for a Saturday full of activity. While I had plans to run a few errands as well, by the time I left the lodge in the early onset of evening I had already gotten plenty of things done. While only a few of us showed up to the lodge cleaning event (this was largely due to my forgetting to send a slew of emails prior) the few of us there took care of the essential tasks that have been put off for months.

In addition to the work that needed to be done, it was also a time of exploring the lodge, planning for the next few months, and just enjoying the company and fellowship. Even though we see one another most months, it is a different experience spending some time with one another without having to prepare for a meeting. It was also an interesting time looking into the corners of the building that we seldom see and discovering a few long lost documents and artifacts from the history of the lodge including old lodge bylaws (my salary hasn’t gone up much in the last 90 years) and a collection of thirty year old glasses from throughout the district.

However, the most productive part of the day was in the conversations I had with handful of brothers that helped us achieve at least some of our weekend goal. I was able, in preparation for the anticipated changes coming early next year, talk with my mentee about becoming my assistant. I am incredibly proud of the progress that he has made in such a short period of time and I know that he will be able to step in at a meeting if I need him too.

The other conversation of note was with a brother who happens to also be a realtor. While during meeting nights business isn’t really discussed beyond how things are going in a general conversation, I try my best to take note of a brother’s occupation just in case. He happened to show up at the lodge today to help with the cleaning so I thought it was the perfect time to discuss some real estate questions and I am so glad that I did as it looks like our dreams might actually be within reach for the spring. There could be one more big change on the horizon.

While we all gathered to do our part to improve our lodge we all seemed to get much more out of the day than we were expecting. We found a new officer for next year, new business, and a future that seems to be a little bit brighter and cleaner than when I got out of bed this morning. While it would have been nice to have more brothers join us, I can’t really complain about the great day that has now come to an end.