Do Your Pearls Ever Get in the Way of Your Corporate Ladder Climb?

While traveling last week for work, I went to dinner with a colleague from our Manhattan office. Over dinner, we spoke about how we ended up in Human Resources, our field, our industry. We both remained very politically correct, after all we aren't friends, just co-workers. HR co-workers at that. After we both had a glass of wine with our dinner, we looked at one another as if thinking I'd like one more, but what if they don't...My colleague, senior to me, asked the waiter for one more glass of wine, and I, of course, was happy to do the same. No one should drink alone (except George Thorogood).

We continued our conversation and after awhile, my colleague said, is it hard, what you do? I was a little confused thinking our jobs are not that different. Being a good HR professional, she read my confusion and said: In front of me, I see a 1950s housewife battling with a take charge corporate climber in a fitted suit. The only similarity is a strand of pearls.

In this corner wearing an A line skirt, lovely pearls, and fitted sweater we have 1950s Janine holding a baked apple pie...In this corner, wait... how does she climb that ladder with those 4 inch heels on...I think her arm is stuck in the strand of pearls...she's not going to make it...no, no wait she's using the strand of pearls as a lasso to pull herself up. Ladies and gentleman, an amazing show of talent! What's that in her hand? An apple pie?

The first thing that struck me regarding this statement is I have described myself in a very similar way--I am very self aware -- even if I sometimes ignore this awareness.

How do I do this? I have asked myself that question numerous times over the last several weeks. I know I did it, but it seemed more streamlined then. Not as difficult. It's like I am out of shape and practice.

You call this dinner? Traffic, traffic, traffic. This is the Office of Weed Control, have you noticed your backyard? What's for breakfast? Tuck in your shirt for school. Can you review the RFP? Check written for field trip, buzz of Blackberry. Picture package picked out. Executive 0ffer letter drafted. Termination, exit interview. Follow up with employee, Blackberry buzz...breathe...and again...

This week I mixed up my son's soccer practice days. Granted they changed these days the same week I was traveling, but I would have never made that mishap before.

I am not as far in organizing the stewardship binders for my son's school as I would like.

I really wish dinners were planned better. This is a huge heartbreak.

I can drink coffee and 5pm and still sleep at night.

I haven"t been on my treadmill for awhile, but it's okay because my caloric intake is low due to lack of time to eat.

Is it hard?

Yes.

I am still adjusting, still trying to earn that platinum medal for pole vaulting in 4 inch heels while baking an apple pie as a child yells mom in the background and someone else says do you have a minute?

Would I change it?

No.

The 1950s Me and the Corporate Climber Me are friends. They have a lot of work to do, that 1970s me is constantly doing something nuts.