Sometimes I really surprise myself with how single-minded I can be about certain things.
For the past year, I have been living and breathing my goals of getting a job and settling down in Paris. Its gotten to the point where I actually cant do anything nice and relax because I keep thinking about how that’s taking me away from my job search, and how not having a job is delaying my “settling” in Paris.
I really DO need to stop and smell the roses and bit more. I’m in PARIS for christ’s sake! (Note: no religious connection intended, its just a nice phrase that accurately describes my frustration).
So, the things that I’m obsessing about are:
- Getting a job in Paris – looking up recruiters websites, looking up company websites career sections, reviewing my daily job ad emails, looking up people on LinkedIn who work for companies that I’m interested in and trying to get coffee meetings with them, what other networking functions are on, maintaining contact with current contacts, etc.
- Getting a job in London – as above.
- Getting a job anywhere else in Europe – as above.
- Where I will have dinner once I sign my contract – including who I will invite to celebrate with me, what champagne I will drink etc
- What clothes I’ll buy (once I have a job) – where I will get my work suits from, what new heels I will buy, what new clothes I can buy for weekend wear etc
- Finding an apartment to rent with M (once I get a job) – looking at internet and magazine ads for apartments to rent, which arrondissments (suburbs of Paris) I would like to live in (currently 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 11th. The 10th only if its in a really nice spot.), what furniture I’d like to put in that apartment, what parties/dinners I will have once I have that apartment and who I will invite, what I will cook etc
- Getting a little black and white French Bulldog – what we will name him (already decided: “Biloute”, which means “little dick” in Cht’i, the language of the North of France. It’s actually not meant to be offensive, it’s more like a term of endearment. I think its hilarious!), when we will walk him, how much fun it will be to take him to cafes and restaurants with us etc
- Where we will go on weekend’s away (once I have a job).
I’m dreaming about a time when I finish work for the week, M and I have a drink somewhere after work then head home for a quick comfort meal. I wake up Saturday morning and go for a jog in one of Paris’ beautiful parks, then have a leisurely brunch in a cafe, reading a French newspaper. The afternoon I’ll visit a new modern art exhibition (free), then home for a nap. That evening we start drinks, have dinner and continue on at a bar in Rue Tuiquitonne. Sunday is sleep in then croissants then meet Adam for shopping at the organic markets around lunchtime. We have a gossip and a crepe then head home. That afternoon I cook up a storm and M and I have a fantastic meal together with a lovely glass of red.
I kinda like that I’ve been so, hmm, “goals focussed”. I really have been doing a lot of “positive visualisation”! But when I cant relax and enjoy a coffee with someone because I’m wondering whether they’re going to know anyone to send my CV to, then really, I need to just chillax and get a life!
I have decided that any coffees or meetings with people now, even if for the purposes of work, will be conducted in the spirit of friendship and enjoyment of the moment.
Here endeth the lesson.