The Learning Curve

The learning curve is a funny thing, isn't it?

I don't intend to be so unimaginative as to quote a dictionary definition, but that's mainly because it's really, really complicated (who knew?), and trying to figure out the original and evolving meanings of the phrase "learning curve" in order to appropriately follow through with this metaphor as it formed in my mind would probably take me until lunch.

Instead, I'll just tell you what I mean.

I'm not starting this job in an entry-level position. Far from it. I'm being hired for my base of knowledge, skill, and experiences. Things I already know and have already done.

And, sure, I know there's going to be a lot to learn with any new job, like the clients and budgets.

But there is so much more to learn, and that part is exhausting. Even if you throw in other "gimmies" like how to work the copy machine and where they keep the FedEx materials (still don't know that answer, by the way) or whether you hit "9" before you dial a number to get an outside line.

People expect you to ask those questions. You don't feel embarrassed to ask them, and they feel helpful for providing the guidance.

So what about who to "Cc" on an e-mail? How do you ask that? And did you know that the answer changes depending on whom you ask? Are people freakishly insistent on naming files a certain way, and that if you put a date in the title along with "v2" that throws off the way they scan for what they're looking for? Are there words the boss likes and (really, really) doesn't like in copy? If you've been asked to do something, but a bunch of other people collaborate, who, exactly, is the one that sends the (don't you dare use the word "final") version to the client?

Those are all more difficult to decipher.

I had a great first week last week here, and felt like I learned a ton. But the entire above examples of hard-to-learn things happened... yesterday. In, like, an hour. Plus a few more.

I'm not upset or even embarrassed or think anyone (other than me) left the day yesterday thinking, "That Maureen really screwed up today..." But I did get home with my head exploding full of newly learned nuances of the office, and dread of what additional ones I still don't know -- until I make more mistakes.

I'm the new girl, which I haven't been for over eight years. And I was hired to step in and pick up all the clients and tasks and responsibilities of someone who is leaving after eight years at this firm.

So excuse any incorrect usage in me saying that I feel like my learning curve just got awfully steep.

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Bonus, if you didn't see this on Twitter of FB, an incredible "mock case study" of how a PR firm could handle planning a little girl's birthday party. It's totally worth the watch. (thanks, Joe)