The Real World is Anticlimatical

There's this story from my childhood. My brother, who had to be just out of diapers, told my mom one day that when he grew up he was going to be an apple tree. Me being only 16 months older promptly told him that he would most likely be the rotten apple that fell off of the tree.

That famous question- what do you want to be when you grow up? I never had an answer. I have a friend who has been saying he was going to be an astronaut since he was 5 years old. He's not on the moon yet, but he is now an aerospace engineer working for a private space program in LA. Then here is me- 23 years old, working as a Jr Accountant (not as prestigious as it sounds, but having a job right now at all is actually prestigious, so...), with a Bachelor's degree in Spanish. I STILL get the "what do you want to do" question, and I have no more of an answer than I did when I was 5.

It was so nice growing up as a kid and hearing everyone say "Oh, you are just so smart!!!! Do you realize you can do absolutely anything you want???". Do you know what that really comes down to? There are a million different departments, a million different jobs, a million different paths to choose from. How the hell does someone do that???? Believe me, I've tried several of them. The decision is impossible.

So after college my goal was to work for money, because eventually I'll choose my "dream job" and go back to school where I'll need the money. So I'm a Jr. Accountant. I don't honestly like accounting, but it's a stable job, and my boss likes me, and it's money and benefits. Welcome to the real world!!!! Within 1 year of graduating college, I have graduated, married, and bought a house. Sounds exciting! Not really...

Reaching the real world is like getting to the end of the book, and the ending is torn out. It's an anticlimax. All the hype and this is it? I feel like I've almost wasted the last year of my life. Almost being because we did, you know... get married and buy a house and I did actually graduate. But as for life experiences, I have sat on my ass. I've gained weight. I've done very minimal because at first the idea is to get a little rest after the very very long period of being awake (college). But then it becomes habit, and habits consume you. Wrong path to take!

I'm obviously attempting to remedy this situation, but it's tough to do. Maybe this blog can help hold me accountable for what I do. Maybe I can find a way to make some good solid goals and gradually work up to the awesome life I have ALWAYS expected to have. I've already started! I'm working on getting in to a grad program to earn a masters and license to teach. Other goals include developing a work out program that I enjoy, learning to eat the way you are supposed to, and to incorporate a little more fun and a little more socializing into my life.

Hold me to it. Leave me ideas of different things I should try, or new adventures I should find. That's the real key to life.

Lynzie

5 Things I Learned Working At A Call Center

1) Always ask for what you want.

For example:

You: Is there any way I can get free shipping?
Me: Unfortunately, we aren't running any free shipping promotions at this time.
You: Can I get free shipping, anyway? Since I'm such a great customer/had to wait so long to talk to you/it's my birthday?
Me: Let me check... Sure!

Your mileage may vary, depending on the policies of the company you're talking to, but know this: the rep always has to inform you of what the policy is first. If what you wants falls outside of policy, you have to ask again. They'll get in trouble if they offer to break the rules for you, but not if you request it!

2) Some of my co-workers are dicks.

If you think that you are right and the rep is wrong, ask to speak to a supervisor. Nine times out of ten, the supervisor will back up the first associate you spoke to, even if that associate was a complete ass. Hang up. Have some tea. Call back in half an hour, and you'll get someone new. Explain that you weren't completely satisfied by the resolution of your first call. This happens all the time, and you are not a jerk for doing it.

3) You won't always get what you want. Ask anyway!

Getting rejected by a call center employee is like getting rejected by that girl you only asked to the dance because your mom thought she was "sweet." You might feel kinda embarrassed, but your heart isn't broken.

4) "Our Policy" and "The Law" are very different things.


I cannot refund your sales tax. I'm sorry, neither me nor my manager are authorized to take the government's money. Want lower taxes? Go vote.

5) There are people who think "Website Customer Service" and "Phone Sex Line" are the same thing.


You wanna know the real difference? Phone sex operators get paid a lot more than me. I am talking to you, creepy pretending-to-buy-bras-for-his-newly-18-year-old-daughter guy. (I know he's pretending because he never actually buys anything. Which would be a whole 'nother level of creep.)