I’ve been sitting on a secret for a few days. That I was going to get a promotion.
Well, the news is out. My first official day doing the same ridiculous sum of work for a slightly higher salary sum was yesterday.
The news was bittersweet because two people were let go in the same two-sentence announcement.
“X and Y are out — Goddess is your new Queen.”
Not that I plan to give up the Goddess title. I mean, really. It’s who I’ve been my whole life.
But after five years of hollow promises from my former supervisor to correct the record and anoint me queen, it only took three months in the new gig to get my royal robe.
It was the surprise of a lifetime, though.
I figured they didn’t worship me as much as I deserved. And, to be fair, I wasn’t exactly in love either. All my friends had been fired and my BFF and I were waiting our turn.
So when I got a call a month ago to apply for the perfect role (title-wise and money-wise) … and I got that job OFFERED within a day’s time … I was ready to say yes.
But I didn’t. In fact, I said no.
Then they came back with more money. That was a hard one to say no to. I agonized. Literally lost sleep for days.
And when I envisioned accepting it, the only thing that made me happy was that I could deliver the exit-interview soliloquy I’ve been working on since Easter.
My BFF got an offer to leave too … and didn’t exactly have the same gut-punch feeling at the thought of leaving. She’s thrilled with her new salary and job. As my friend upstairs said, her only question was “What day do I start?” My debate was, “Will I be giving up a career I actually love?”
The second no was harder to arrive at. Yet, easier to say. Because, I knew. The job wasn’t for me. Not yet. Maybe not ever.
In the promotion process where I’m at, I mentioned the other offer. (That kind of mention comes with great risk. They don’t play with folks who have their eye on the door.)
But I wanted them to know about it. That I’d said no twice. That the position is still available, and that I’d told the interviewer to go about their business and maybe we can circle back in a month to see where they are and where my head is at.
Who knew that, in that month, I’d have the job I REALLY wanted?
Mom knew. Psychic.
I was badgering her for weeks with “what if” scenarios. Mostly what if I take this new gig and it’s even more of a flaming dumpster fire than my May and June were?
Eventually she said, “What if … you got the job you want at the company you’re at?”
That’s all I needed to call the would-be employer and said so long and thanks for all the fish.
And it’s not that July was any less of a dumpster fire. I just knew I had a ticket out. And I could get one at any time.
Once I had that, I got the perspective I so desperately needed.
That, and I had finally stood up to my new (super-nice but super-micro-managey) boss and told him to pipe down on the micro-management.
He did, for the most part. And life was better in Goddess-land.
Today, I have his job. Which, to be fair, I took over three months ago anyway and was frustrated that he was living on Easy Street while I was (voluntarily) busting my butt.
But the overlords were watching. They don’t miss a trick. And they tell me they had this plan for me since Day One.
Which may explain why they all tortured me so much. Man, getting sent home for my dress shorts, being talked about within earshot, having things I said half-ass repeated/twisted (I mean, talk about me all you want. Just quote me accurately), etc.
They just wanted me to be better, to be ready for what was in store.
Or maybe I’m reading too much into it.
Anyway, I’m happy with the outcome. Terrorized a bit by the process. But as they say, if you aren’t at the table, you’re on the menu. It was nice to be where I was this time, instead of the one guessing.
Congratulations have been quick and hearty. But everybody’s suddenly a two-handed economist:
“Oh that’s great. We love you. We know how hard you work. So deserved …
“But damn, why did (collateral damage) have to be let go?”
Not my boss, who I have to state again was truly the nicest boss I’ve ever had. But one of his friends got let go too. And everyone LOVES the friend. (No one really saw the boss. Least of all me.)
So the victory, as it were, has been hollow.
I was texting with my friend upstairs while all this was going on. She said fuck them. You busted your ass for how many years and didn’t get a drop of recognition before today? Did your superiors’ work and got none of the credit before now? Fuck them, you earned this. You deserve YOUR moment.
I did celebrate, by the way. I walked out and right over to the nearest Weight Watchers center. I hadn’t been to a meeting in YEARS. But that was the night I had planned to return. And damn it, I returned.
My new leader is fantastic. I’ve hated almost all the meetings I’ve attended in South Florida. But I am so happy I picked the leader and the night I did.
She asked what brought me back. I said I was always planning to return. And that I got promoted and I really wanted to go home and stuff myself full of wine and cake. But that my ultimate mental challenge was to stick to my original plan. And this proves I can do it.
She said “Honey, you celebrated in the best way possible. I have no doubt you’re going to ace this, too.”
It’s good to be queen.