all you need is positivity (and lots of endorphins)

and the infamous 'busy season' (sort of) begins... busy season... the ominous period between fiscal year end and report release date. all rookie auditors are warned of it by those older and wiser, who have experienced the phenomenon first hand.

some of the things i have heard thus far include "you will gain the first year 15" "i saved a lot of money by not going out at all" "hey, staying until 9, 10, 11, or 12 at night isn't so bad if you get free dinner!" among other equally encouraging comments


as someone who likes to be in control, this unknown commitment of my time (ahem, life) concerns me a little. how will i deal with not being able to make my own schedule? allocate my own time? run my own life? two weeks ago (BUSY season... hence i've been a little slow to post) i was placed on a project working busy hours, and got to "test drive" how this whole busy season thing works.

here's what i learned: i (think i ) can survive busy season if i do two things:

1) get those endorphins flowing early in the day - while it sucks waking up before the crack of dawn (literally before the sun), getting a good run in before going to work focuses me and puts me in a good mood immediately. also, when i have already worked out, i don't feel as anxious to leave work. i've already taken care of what i want to do for me for the day, so i can really devote my attention to my work.

2) have a positive attitutde - while it also sucks working 10+ hour days and saturdays, it is going to happen to many of us professionals in entry-level positions, or anyone who works in a team-based environment. the only thing worse than working long hours is working long hours with someone who constantly complains about it. by having a positive outlook, i not only was able to trick myself into feeling happier, but i'm pretty sure i made work a little more enjoyable for those around me.

this may be my overly optimistic (positive attitude !) and naive view of how to approach busy season, but hey, it can't hurt to start off believing that the glass is half full. and if that glass comes with free dinner every night, things can't really be THAT bad........ right?

until nextime!