Do you remember the child’s toy Jack-in-the-Box? Without children daily in my life, I’m uncertain if it still exists. As a child I played with it learning how to perfectly press the spring-filled clown down before snapping the lid shut — because if you didn’t get it perfect, it popped back at you before the game could begin. You were never certain when the “Jack” would pop up as the song played, but you knew it would and the surprise brought giggles as much from the observers as the one playing.

After returning from a week of restful vacation to let my brain unwind, I spent three extra long days in the office, at interviews and catching up just to get through the week, not to mention attempting to get ahead of schedule. The juggling battle of what needed attention first reminded me of the tension in the “box.”

Truly in the newspaper business, where publication happens whether or not you are ready, deadlines are the driving force. That doesn’t mean everyone is satisfied when calls have not been returned or emails wait for responses. All are important aspects of the day’s routines, but they are not part of tomorrow’s deadline. 

Everything and everyone is important, especially in their own minds. I’m still learning that lesson — which is part of the reason I knew it was time for my vacation. Twice the week before my retreat, I stepped out of bounds and placed demands on others because I deserved it or thought my needs were more important than those of someone else. Oops. 

I’ve been in training a long time now to understand I am not in control of my own life much less the world. I cannot change circumstances and I even have a hard time changing myself, the very reason I need a cup of coffee — with God. The coffee may be warm and stimulating, but it is the release valve of letting go. Letting God speak to me is what brings my rest and focus back to the priorities of my life and of my day. 

Sometimes things waiting for me seem too important to put off. That’s why in the 1980s as a talent agent I worked 18 hour days and longer. There was so much to do to meet the demands of finding jobs for more than 1,500 striving actors and models.  

That’s why I worked a 27-hour day in my first newspaper job taking to press one of the most important tabloid products of our year. Supervisors didn’t seem concerned that it was only two months after I started a job that I’d never had before in a one-person department without any help. I wasn’t finished with the writing when it went to print. 

In the wee, did I say way-wee morning hours at about 24 into my workday, I resorted to using appropriate “industry” photographs with inspirational scriptures to fill the last remaining empty spaces. I didn’t have time to notice they were directly across from the paid advertising by the “gentlemen’s clubs” looking to reach the out-of-town visitors at the convention where the supplement would be handed out.

Needless to say, I was reprimanded. It was surprising that I wasn’t fired, but how could they when I met the deadline and the product was printed on time. I’ve learned a lot about managing stress since then.

Next time you feel stressed at work, think about stuffing that spring-filled Jack into the box then grab a cup of coffee with God. First things first — everything else can wait.

 

VICKY BRANTON is the Teche Life editor at The Daily Iberian.