Feng Shui

I find when you have a lot on your mind, cleaning helps to organize your thoughts.  This weekend, I decided it was time to clean up our downstairs den.  We never use it, its main traffic is the dogs coming in and out side to do their business. I found myself these past couple of weeks dreaming up what I want my home office to look like.  Of course, I can't afford the one that I see in my head, but I have some supplies to work with at home such as a desk, a filing cabinet and a nice den to work in.

We already have a TV and a couch down here, but this space is in some serious need of tender love and care.  I started off by moving everything away from where it was and sweeping in places I'm sure I haven't touched in a year.  I should have taken a picture of the pile of dirt I accumulated after everything was said and done, but I was embarrassed to see the lack of cleaning that hadn't been done.

Check it out:

In the end, I came out with a decent little spot.  I washed the couch cushions and febreezed it like crazy, then I dusted the TV off (there was about an inch of it on there) and set up the old Ikea desk I've had for a few years now. Its a cozy little spot and its mine.  Oh, did I mention I have my own bathroom down here too :) Im set!  Now I get to work in peace and watch my favourite girly shows in peace haha :)

There's something to be said about having your own office...in your house :) Makes me feel just a little more important. All I need to get now are some plants to give it some life and perhaps a picture or two to put on my walls.  It's pretty bare down here.

"Be Prepared"

I find myself these days reflecting back to my roots.  I've been in a couple of situations this week where I am in a conversation with a person and get a flash back of my childhood. For example, I attended Ottawa Fashion Week on Friday February 8th and was in conversation when I realized as I was talking about my business, that I didn't have any business cards with me.  - Now, I should know better.  When I was a kid, I was a girl guide. Their motto is "Be Prepared"! How could I have gone more wrong! haha It's amazing the amount of times I hear my own mother in the back of my head. :) It's saved my butt a few times.

Speaking of Ottawa Fashion Week, it was my first time seeing it ever and it was amazing.  I got front row seats to see bernice & barclay.  You can check it out yourself on their facebook page :) I got so many pictures of the event but unfortunately, I got into a fight with my alarm clock/phone one morning....and let's just say "Lisa 1, Phone 0". :( I am still going to try and retrieve them, but no promises. I can't wait to go shopping ;)

More than you can chew

As a business student, I was required to buy one of those agendas you can get at Staples and highlight the hours your were occupied in classes, the time spent working at your job, the tests and exams that were coming up.  Well you get the idea, basically highlight your every move of every day of every hour and every second.

I got the concept.  I think I have excellent time management skills.  At twenty eight years old, I've gotten myself this far.  I get myself up and out of bed each morning even though it begs me to stay.  I get myself to work on time for two of my scheduled jobs (the other three jobs are done in between the hours of those scheduled jobs). What I didn't expect was how unorganized I feel.  Like I have no concept of time management what so ever.

We all know procrastination.  I'll admit, this week I procrastinated a bit but still got a lot done.  I took the time to focus on the work that was getting the least amount of attention but needed the most amount of my time.  My plan from this point forward is to go back to the basics.  Get myself another agenda and block out my hours and plan a week at a time of what needs to be accomplished.  I will set goals in place in order to keep myself motivated to work more.  I think this is the beginning of a beautiful work-aholic relationship.

Let's see if I can keep myself on track this week.

A Good Start

When you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything!  :) I got the job at Parson's refrigeration.  Say "hello" to their new admin/bookkeeper!! 

Despite wanting to celebrate the whole week, I got a lot done.  Working at Summerhays doesn't feel like work at all.  I think its great that I can get paid to socialize.  Mind you it comes with a price!  If you are a server, you may experience the following side effects:

• Lower back pain
• Wrist pain
• Feet pain
• Knee pain
• Dry, Brittle hands
• Toned legs and butt :) (My favourite)

I guess the beer and wings after work doesn't exactly help matters too much.  

I was able to buckle down this week and get some data entry done.  We all know how tedious data entry can be, but I find this one slightly interesting.  First of all, This book was started in 1973.  I'm holding a piece of history that documents fashion pattern logs. The fashions are for professionals such as Military Officers, Fire Fighters, Instructors, Cadets etc. I just finished entering 1985 this week.  Let me tell you, it was a busy year for fashion that is for sure.  

I had a meeting on Thursday, I am happy to announce that I have gained a new bookkeeping client.  Business is starting to pick up :) Speaking of which, I need some help coming up with a business name.  I want something that sounds professional but will illustrate that I am a multi-service company offering bookkeeping services and social media marketing.  Let's hear your suggestions, who knows you might be the one to name my company.

The beginning

Hi there,

So this is my first time blogging, bear with me here! I am no guru by any means, nor did I ever think that this girl would be blogging.  I guess the best place to start this is to introduce myself.

Hi, my name is Lisa Leduc, and I have a problem.  I quit my full time job because I couldn't stand to listen to a boss who couldn't take the time to hear me out or listen to me.  I felt like I was a kid and no matter what suggestion I gave or idea I had, it was never good enough.  Who likes being yelled at every day?? Not this girl.  That is when I decided to say "screw you" full time employment, "hello" self-employment.  Now I know what you're probably thinking, why give up security and regular income? Why take unnecessary risks? What makes you think you have what it takes to be successful on your own? To be honest, I'm not sure I have an answer for you.  Why did I give up a secure job and regular income? (which was really nice by the way), that's easy to answer.  I know that I have a lot to offer a company who is willing to listen to me and give me a chance.  I have three diplomas; one in Small and Medium Enterprise Management, one in Business Marketing and finally one in Advertising and Marketing Communications.  Why did I graduate 3 times? because I love to learn!  Call me an educated bum :)  I am confident I have the skills I need to get myself going on my own, risky yes, but I always learned "big risk, big reward".  Cliche I know, but heck, its true.  For the first time in my life I feel that I'm finally on the right path to success.  When I will see that success....is yet to be seen, but remember! I'm just starting out :)

I was expecting to be unemployed as of February- March of this year (2013), but my boss decided that he was going to find my replacement immediately and my last day was December 2012.  Hmmm....not part of my plan but an excellent opportunity to switch things up a bit.

I took one day to myself to be sad, angry, pissed off at the world for lack of a better way to explain it.  Then decided, enough is enough.  I spoke to my old boss at Summerhays Bar & Grill and he was more than happy to take me back. I like to think of myself as a pretty decent server that provides excellent service.  On top of that, I provide bookkeeping services to small businesses.  Currently, I am doing EZ HVAC's books.  He is a good friend of mine that trusted me to keep him on track and organized.  I also am working for an Ottawa based realtor, Nick Cripps, as a marketing specialist.  The funny thing about all of this, is that when I was young I never wanted a job in finance or selling houses!! Who would have thought that my life would end up here.  To be honest, its much more enjoyable than I could ever imagine.  On top of financial and marketing, I am doing some data entry for a fashion log for a friend.  Tedious, I know! However, at the end of the day it pays the bills so who can really complain about that.  That being said, I am currently waiting to hear back about a job offer as an admin/bookkeeper.  Pretty much just the extra hand around the office to take care of the work that the rest cant get to.  But its a start don't you think?  I'll be happy when things settle down a bit more and I get back to some sort of routine.  The adjustment from full time to various part time work has been trying on me, but I have to remember that change is needed.  In order to move forward, sometimes you have to take a step backwards.

So until next time, thank you for your interest in my blog.  I will be back next week with an update.  Hopefully I'll be able to talk your ear off about new opportunities :)

Take Care!