I just looked at the website and could not believe that I had not posted anything since October! I guess that just goes to show how busy I was this fall. In November, I took over a project from another consultant that had left consulting,so I worked an amazing number of hours in November and December. Normally, these are two of our slower months, but not this year! The project I inherited involves looking at air permit needs for a company in all 50 states and 3 U.S. territories. I am working with 15 other Trinity offices, which has been really great. I really like interacting with so many different people within the company. Although the project has been a great opportunity to learn about regulations in other states and work with different people, I must say that I am also completely exhausted. The mental challenges of the organizational and project management skills necessary for a project like this leaves me pretty drained by the end of the week. Luckily, I was able to take a really nice 1-1/2 week break during the Christmas holiday. I am not sure I would have made it without that!
The other challenge for me this fall was that in the midst of all of this client work, I had to complete three performance reviews and set goals for 2008 for one of our new consultants. I have to admit, however, that although it was challenging to find the time to write the reviews and decide on what the goals should be, I truly love this part of my job. To me it is so rewarding seeing new consultants grow not only great technical skills, but great client and sales skills. Seeing them rise to the challenges put in front of them is very energizing!