Better efficiency when multitasking

We are all trying to improve our quality of work and course productivity. The buzzword for the past 20 years has been "multitasking" and we consider it to be the epitome of a successful worker. Although new software or hardware may appear like the perfect tools to get things done, I have discovered that nothing matches the following :

• A clean desk or workplace;
• A pen and notepad ;
• A limited set of tools, materials, documents or items related to the task at hand.

With less distractions, you can focus and get whatever needs to be done. Some may recommend that you turn off your phone or disconnect from the internet. 

living with somebody never felt so lonely

I just recently moved into an apartment with someone with whom we mutually thought that there was a possibility of a relationship, but then came to realize there is nothing.

Since we have been sharing a place, rather than camping, or a hostel, I have never experienced such hostility or unreasonable behaviour. To start, I have athlete's foot. It is on the nail, so the risk of contagion is less than on the lower surface of my foot. I am yelled at for not wearing socks or slippers. I know that it is not in my best interest to avoid an environment in which the fungus can grow, thus not wearing something over the toes. Being yelled at is never appropriate. In fact it feels like abuse. The challenge has been keeping my mouth shut. I have done the dishes left behind, I even invite the person to take part in the meal that I prepared.

Conversation has become functional: "Are you done with the washroom?" I try to avoid making more conversation than necessary, but I am also trying really hard not to respond or challenge the way that this individual chooses to behave.

Although I have brought in a number of my things in the place from my vehicle, much to this person's dislike, I wonder if I have made the situation worse. The housing crisis in the town does not make the situation any easier for either of us to find our own place, but I don't know how much longer I can deal with it.

Perhaps I should enjoy the distance, and space, but at the same time, it makes me wonder why somebody suddenly changes.

PART II

Although I thought that things would settle out over a short period of time, they didn't. I found myself in a bind  : the person owed me money and had a set of my car keys. My strategy of survival consisted of being nice. It was difficult to deal with the door slamming, questions or comments without responses, or even biting my tongue and doing dishes or things were left untidy.
Last Sunday I was asked if my car could be taken to view another one that this individual wanted to buy. Given I am the only insured driver, I would have to drive, but accepted even though I had other things to do. Agreeing that we leave after breakfast, the person closes onself in the bedroom, and when announce that I am ready to go, something is yelled with the door closed. Being patient, I oil my bicycle outside, come back in, wait a couple minutes more and still have no sign that this individual is getting ready to go.
I left and came back late. I was then told that my car could not be started ( the problem occurred on the same day that I felt that little respect was given my way - the person bought a bicycle, but did not make any effort to let me know that I could go home and not wait. Instead I was yelled at for not bringing a piece of bread in my backpack when going to a place to check out a solution to my vehicle's ignition.) The next morning, I was asked if I normally leave when I say that am willing to go.  I responded that I understood that the person ( I am tempted to use another word, but the tone of the entry would be off ) was finishing an e-mail and I can just go.  Again nice, for no reason of my own, driving down into town to be compliant with other unreasonable demands because biking up is too hard(one excuse, but I will not take the experience as an attack to my person), I asked finally for the money that was owed to me. I was told that it is at the apartment, and I'll receive it so there is no need to stop at a bank.
Upon our return, a dash in and out of the bedroom and the the person placed money was placed on the table after asking how much was the night of camping. It was only the part for the trip, and I'll be paid the rent at the end of the rent period. "It doesn't really work that way" was my thought, but I let it go. Coming to count the money, I asked again, as two 50$ notes were stuck together, then I apologized as it wasn't clear what the amount was.

Later on in the week, being nice once again for survival, I accepted to drive the person into town early in the morning (7am) and pick up at midnight. I was not advised that it the cash would be closed, and ended up waiting 45 minutes. No apologies, saying that should have let you know...


All in all, my savior was buying the newspaper. This person took the paper, without asking, probably still upset that I called too late to ask my car insurance company to have a name added ( still being compliant to avoid confrontation  - which now I think would have been proper ). I was handed a per day amount for the rent period. Again a stack. I said one should count the money being handed over so there is no confusion, "Only with you have I ever seen such a problem with money".  I am glad the aggressiveness, tension and untidiness is gone.

 

If I were to make one conclusion, it would be that of one of my good friend's : You have to be a little more selfish. After living with someone who I cannot think of anything else but selfish, it does not seem like a good thing, but maybe I wouldn't be so insulted.

Awful customer experience with Mr. Lube

Last week, I had a tire patched on my car. There was a slow leak that I decided to eventually have properly patched. Thinking that I could save time, I made my way to Wal-Mart to get an oil change and have the tire patched at the same place. Unfortunately, the good rates that you would normally get from that shop were changed to Mr. Lube : about twice the price for everything.

Regardless, the tire got patched properly, however it seems like the rim has been damaged. Instead of leaking over the course of a week, it now leaks overnight. Given I was driving out of town, it was out of the question to return 600km to have it fixed at their shop. When I called the shop, the attendant said there is nothing that can be done, and I will have to to return to where I was originally serviced.  Using my compressor twice a day, 2000km later, Mr. Lube has given me the worst service ever.

Update :

Had I gone to another tire service center such as Canadian Tire or Kal Tire, not only would I have had good service, but it would have cost me much much less.
Mr Lube tire repair : 40$
The patch from Mr. Lube was not done properly so  I had to replace two tires : 130$.

Total 170$ and a lot of frustration. 

Rebute during an job interview!

You may have seen a few lists of difficult interview questions, however it doesn't mean there is a correct way to answer any of the questions. The question which caught my attention, or should I say hit me where it hurts, is "If I were to tell you that you aren't ambitious, how would you refute me?" 

My first reaction is to ask if that is a projection. That is if you are insecure about something, you tend to attack others with your sense of insecurity.

Refusal letter template (US and Canada)

Dear Nimrod,

Thank you for your application to our company for a position in North America.
 
We have now completed the first stage of our formal candidate evaluation process. Although your application has much merit, we regret to inform you that in this particular instance, your application has not been successful.

The range of employment opportunities within our company are however continuously changing, and we encourage you to monitor our careers page for any future vacancies aligned with your skills and career aspirations.

Thank you again for your interest in our company and we wish you well in your continued search for employment.

Kind Regards,

Recruitment 

or 

Hi Unemployable Violator of Copyright, 

Thank you for sending your resume in to the Employment Agency that does not offer any benefits and undermines job security. Unfortunately at this stage, your skills don't match my client requirements. I have introduced your resume into our database and either myself or a colleague will contact you if any jobs that closely match your profile come up. 

Kind Regards

Being Overqualified to Occupational Fatalism

Can you imagine meeting with your friends over beers or coffee to talk about your excellent jobs, relationships and the consumer activities that we are supposed to take part in?

As I am applying for jobs, I came across an article about being overqualified. As much I would like to think that someone is beyond a prescribed number of tasks and responsibilities, it so many cases a new environment, so rarely will we not learn something new. With regards to the idea of evolving in a career, one may find satisfaction in higher levels of prestige, recognition, salary etc. However, one cannot deny that the goals that one sets defines how we will feel about the outcome. In contrast a lack of goals can stunt any desire or volition.
Although there are some jobs that do make people's lives better, such as in health care innovation, prevention and urban planning to improve access to services. I just hope that doing a job which will me more assurance that the sole democracy is this world is to become nothing more that dust with a lot of organic matter.

What are you supposed to to do when you do not feel like the protagonist in your own life

Does fatalism seem like the best form of agency to you? Do you feel that the decisions should be left your mother, father or the person who claims to be your better half?

Don't worry, you are not alone. Well, you are, given we probably do not know each other, and there is no else other than yourself who has the power to change the way you feel. I know that by experience as I have not yet succeeded to change the way I look at the world. It does not help that I am unemployed, but I have also had colleagues that are somewhat unhappy with doing a job just for the sake of the money and keep the family finances going.

Unless you are in member of the cabinet or an influential business person, it is unlikely that your day to day decisions will make a difference in the lives of people. Surely enough, you may be developing a community program, a technological innovation to assist a segment of the population, but a sweeping change like pegging your country's currency to another country's or regions could have very profound effects.

Where am I going with this? Economics are a fact of life, but the do not merit to be blamed for a condition or another. For example, as much I am losing some steam in applying for jobs, I am becoming increasingly accustomed to the condition. Am I using my time effectively by learning programming skills(even though I do not want to be a programmer) or by composing music (although I have lost most of my interest in music)? Not really. I spend most of my time reading the news, playing video games, taking hikes, and thinking of what I should do next.

I almost feel like saying that applying for jobs is like playing a video game which not nor interesting, fun or worth talking about. "I applied for a ________ position..."

Would becoming an entrepreneur be a solution to my problem? What types of projects would I like to be involved in? Do I have enough experience? Is it a good job? How will my relationships change?