Wednesday 23 January 2013

Hurray for open-minded employers


Rome was not built in a day but there is change coming...
It’s a challenge for many of us TV mums and dads the world of trying to work out a work-life balance in an industry where if you say “no” there will be someone else saying “yes” (and not always as qualified and for less money) standing right behind you.  In an industry where your last "credit" defines you, it's going to be difficult to open minds up to the fact that 1, 2 or longer years out of 'broadcast' does not mean you were not good enough to get another gig.  It just means you grew up and took time out for either a family or maybe just a bit of a life.  After all, living on location 7/8 months of the year wears thin even for this globe-trotting Aussie.
With companies and government agencies offering dozens of internships to broadcast and media newbies there are very few forward thinking employers reaping the rewards from hiring highly-skilled and experienced production people for the same cost as someone with less experience.   
But things are changing. 
My friend is a very experienced Producer/Director with a lovely little 2 year girl old. She now lives in Australia.
 
She wrote in November:   
I'm loving your blog posts. Nice of you to share the journey. I'm still stressing out about the whole issue of work... I don't want to be away from my daughter full-time (she's 2 next month) but I'm SO pessimistic about getting hired with only part-time availability. From mid-Jan my daughter will be in daycare 8am-4pm Tue-Wed-Thu so I'm hoping I can find SOMETHING!!" 
  
She wrote in January:  
"I actually have a lot to thank you for! ... inspired by your blog, I applied for a job pitching myself as ‘available part-time only, but great value for money!’ and I got it!
It's a short term role 3 days a week, on the days my daughter goes to daycare.  The role is Assistant Producer  it's a 'demotion' in terms of seniority to be an AP again, but I figure that's the cost of getting a part time gig.  They hadn't advertised it as part-time, but they liked my CV and my pitch and so called me in for a meeting.
Hurray for open-minded employers. 
I'm a bit scared of the whole juggling work and motherhood thing... but some people seem to manage it in this industry, so why not me?"

HURRAY! Thanks for sharing. You’re the inspiring one and good luck.

Friday 18 January 2013

Live outside the box

Don't knock it until you try it.

Two weeks ago I decided to try something new. Getting out of the house on a Monday night without kids or hubby and something even more wild... attending a local knitting group.

Yes shocking! I know! It's a far cry from hanging out with the who's who of the music world or flying business class to amazing locations or freezing my butt off doing interviews on the red carpet.

But life is what it is and after watching one to many "Location, Location, Locations" I find myself living in 'an idyllic village' just a short 45 minute commute to Waterloo, yet wanting to live in the city.

Stitch n bitch, as it's named, meets in a local pub (bonus) and half way through the night random amounts of musician turn up to jam at the pub's folk night.  So it is very cool in a geekish way.  The people are lovely, they don't want me to pay them for their knowledge and they are really and I mean really into knitting.   I on the other hand am very much a novice.

Now I'm not asking you to join me, but just to seek out new things to try, go on - be daring.. the world's your oyster.

Saturday 12 January 2013

New Year New You


Actions speak louder than words.
OK I'm the person who NEVER makes New Year’s resolutions because I know I am not going to keep them. I'm honest enough to know I'm weak and don't really care about most trivial things.
And these days it looks like if you want to change something you put yourself on national TV for all to see.  While channel flicking I stopped on Supersize vs Superskinny. It’s not my normal viewing but I was stunned to see the large guy give such great advice to the super skinny woman.
A drink for everyone
 It was 'don't do it for your children, do it for yourself.'  What great advice.  How many of these reality shows do we have to watch where women have lost themselves and live for their kids.  Now there is nothing wrong with having your kids best interests at heart, however if you lose the person you are because you live for you kids what kind of role model are you being?  You’re saying when you have kids your life is over.  It's not. It's just an extension to who you are becoming NOT who you are.
SO let’s get back to CHANGE.
If I wanted to change something I would just go ahead and do it, there is no need for me to wait for a time of year to make a change.  I have lost too many years just plodding along now it's time to live life to the fullest. You just never know what tomorrow holds.

When I decided I wanted to go back to work I wanted to be healthy and fit.  I was sick of feeling lethargic and rundown so I decided to give myself a super healthy kick.  I joined a boot camp exercise group and did a juice detox.  For me, I needed to clean up the inside and outside.
 Boot Camp fitness is outdoor and it’s total madness, full on and not for the faint hearted.  I have fallen in love with it (love-hate really).  It will make you fit, change your shape, it clears out the cobwebs and you will not be able to walk the next day for the first few times.  For me it has better results than half-arsing my way around a gym.
Day 1 Juice Detox
Now Detox. If you’re going to do something, do it well and I booked myself a five day Juice Detox Programme. It was simple, no messy hard work or working out what I needed to buy and drink in what order. It just turns up at my door the night before.
 It was one of the best things I have done in a long while. I lost weight which is a bonus but more importantly I had lots of energy, my skin was clear and I woke up on day 4 ready to take on the world.  I was on a real juice high.
Fast-forward a few months and I have stuck to some of the 'lifestyle' changes. Santa gave me a new juicer (the old one died) and I still love boot camp (just maybe more in summer).
 So if you have found yourself a week and a half into 2013 and nothing is different from last year it won’t change by itself.  If you want change in any area of your life, just do it and don't wait to go on the TV and air your low points to the world.

If you want to lose weight then exercise; it’s free to hit the road and run. If you need a new image then hit the shops or charity shops - something new (to you) is new! Who cares about the price. Need to give up smoking then just stop (I did cold turkey many years ago and it can be done). Got to the library - I'm sure there is a book to help with whatever excuse you’re giving yourself for not changing something for the better.  If you’re not happy there is no person nor amount of money that will change that. You have to decide to change your thinking - the grass is not greener on the other side.

If you want a New Year and a New You then drop all the excuses and say (just like an over produced L'Oreal ad), “I'M WORTH IT”.
We have one life, let’s live it and not just survive.