Being Professional

I tend to see myself as a contractor rather than an employee to a company.

The picture of a salaried 'employee' to me, hints of an exploited victim, someone who has no control and at the mercy of faceless shareholders. Someone who will always give more than he is paid. Why else would a company take him in?

As a contractor, I enter into a contract with the client company to provide services for the agreed price. I am my own company and my own product. I manage my own revenues and bottom line. I choose out of my own free choice to take on the contract and not because I'm forced to. As a professional, I do not pick my assignments. I am paid to do so and I will go where I am needed.

My work is of the highest quality so as to uphold my own reputation. Whatever title the client company bestows on me is less relevant compared to what I truely am.
If my fame grows, my services would be in demand and I can fetch higher value contracts.

Towards Managing Conflicts - With other people

Do you know how hard I tried?

to lose that foolish pride.

I find it meaningless to get into conflicts, there's seldom anything to gain and more likely will work negatively.

Getting angry with loved ones, will be regretted later.
Being sturbbon with friends erodes the friendship.
Starting a fight for whatever reason in the office, makes us look uncooperative.
Having a quarrel with strangers can at best ruin your mood, or (in the worst scenario) result in some less sane individual coming after your family, yourself or your properties.

Better to lose my pride for someone I love, than the other way round.
Remember the times our friends give in to our tantrums.
Keep cool, save the job, win that promotion, earn respect.
Often, "getting even" may not be worth it. It might be easier to just let the moment past, and enjoy the rest of the day.

Lyrics from some song:
sometimes I could get even
sometimes I could give up
sometimes I could give,
sometimes I don't give a ...

Death of a party

"Sadly it's time for us to go" This is not the most welcomed email subject, not when it came from the ishop. I hope there are alternative service centers available.

And so the shop where I bought my macbook will be gone by next month. Not completely left high and dry, but still quite the sour taste.