write a checklist
February 25, 2014
Today I had a pretty overwhelming day.
In the morning I had to settle some immigration stuff, then I had to run to a few meetings on FV collaborations, then I had to do a marketing lineup for the next few months that involve big events which is always scary, then I had to tell off some people about work which is always frustrating, then I had to sort through recruitment stuff for our expansion (seriously, can people learn the etiquette of sending a CV?), then I had to do a marketing plan for my new project, then had to answer interview questions from magazines that I’ve been super bad at sending on time, then I was in a meeting to make some changes to the FV mobile app (that part was fun!), then I had to think about the budget for a project, then I had to speak to manufacturers about delays of production, then I had to worry about operations, buying, marketing and order fulfillment to see if everything is running smoothly. All the while, getting emails and whatsapps from people including team members, fashion designers and family members that need my reply immediately.
I was tired.
Sometimes people think being the boss is easy. But it’s pretty hard when you have to go micro and monitor all departments and at the same time, go macro and plan the business growth and direction. It’s fun and challenging, but it’s not easy.
So yeah.. long day indeed.
But you know what helped? Writing it all down. Not quite the same as typing. I have never had a proper notebook in my life since all I do is type all day, and my handwriting is now so so bad that I judge myself for not being able to write in a straight line. But I got this really nice batik notebook from Karyaneka that I was dying to vandalize. After writing down all the things I had to do, my tasks suddenly became so clear. Everything has a solution and all we have to do is take a deep breath and write down our checklist.
The moment I got home, I went to the freezer, got my Haagen Dazs pint and a big spoon. Sunk in to my lazy chair and told Dean, “What? I deserve this today,” with a full mouth of thick and creamy cookies and cream ice cream.
A girl’s gotta treat herself sometimes.
vivy, just my two cents la, i think you’re not quite the same blogger that you were before. you used to be humble, hilarious (without trying too hard) and seemed genuinely nice. now you’re making offensive remarks and are showy as opposed to sharing. i miss the quirky and simple you. anyway maybe it’s just the exhaustion of juggling between being a boss and a mom AND a wife at the same time. sorry if this is offensive
With all due respect, I don’t agree with @dynaz. You’ve always been very polite and considerate with your words. Perhaps some people terasa with your humour and I’m not sure why. I guess some people view things DIFFERENTLY and that’s bound to happen when you’ve so many readers.
Keep on writing, Vivy. I think you’re doing a wonderful job at handling your work and personal life. I admire your ethics, morals and lifestyle. May Allah Guide you always.
dynaz: oh no please don’t apologise because I understand everyone takes things differently. I had a read-through of this post and I’m not exactly sure which part you found offensive… I was just basically ranting about what I did today and had ice-cream at the end. Anyway, I would think that I would’ve obviously changed from how I write in my uni days, but I apologise if you feel offended. Will be more sensitive in the future.
Riri: thank you, Masyaallah! Appreciate your motivation and doa. <3
Thanks vivy for this post. I find this calming. I will try to have a check list, this sounds like a fab idea. I had a breakdown yesterday at work because of way too many work and bs. If i were to write a blog post about my day yesterday it would go something like %>|€|${€|!|~$~&@:!!! It’s amazing you can still keep calm about things vivy 🙂 I too admire your work ethics and achievements. Been reading your blog since your uni days
Hi Vivy, I’m just one of your usual silent reader but decided to leave you a comment today. Just want to tell you, hang in there! It’s not easy being a mom, then a boss, and then wife (all these in no orderly sequence but you get the hint) but hang in there kay? And yes, journalling always help. Even if the writing doesn’t make any sense. 🙂
cayok vivy
u can do it
for every hardship , Allah will ease your journey
everything starts with a good intention
” erti hidup pada memberi ”
🙂
remember back those days , the reason why you wanna build FV empire.
i am your avid reader since we were both in university, and while we’re still young and healthy
embrace the moment and accept the challenges.
it is like..
ok whatever bring it on !
Vivy you are always an inspiration to me.i love to read through all your previous posts..and if theres any change at all,
you just become more mature,stylish and strong bussinesswoman.its hard to please everyone,so just be true to yourself and keep going.inshaallah
i’m sorry but I guess I was very hormonal last night when I dropped the comment. i’m 6 months pregnant (heavily) and are obviously very bitxxy. i get easily offended with anything. i actually had to read through this post to find what was so offensive about it. I couldn’t. i’m embarassed and i’m truly sorry. my pregnancy gives me no reason to be a total jerk and i’m sorry I had to throw it all on you.. my husband was asleep last night and this blog was the last thing i read before bed. sorryyy!!! 🙁
good la you dynaz..admitted when u think u silap. 🙂 not easy for some ppl to apologize. may ALLAH bless u.
dear Vivy, nothing wrong with your post..the ice cream part..paling best…hahaha. all the best & may ALLAH bless u & your family foreva.
Sometimes it’s good to rant. It’s not that you’re ungrateful with what is going on with your life. Imagine if you kept it pent up, who knows what happens when you’ve reached your limit. Someone closest to you could be your victim when you lash out.
Though, when my husband complains that he’s tired with all the work and meetings he has to go to, through out the day, night and even on weekends. I just remind him that the work he has to do is a form of ‘rezeki’, because with his ‘usaha’, we’re able to live quite comfortably. You can’t expect to gain things from doing nothing right? God has opened so many doors (read: rezeki) for us.
So hang in there Vivy!
Hey! Read this post and I felt tired for you. Phew, what a long day and you made it through *fist pump*! You mentioned that you micro and macro manage. I thought you would already have a “right hand” person to help you with the operations side of the business? But anyway, that was just a thought. Do take care of your health =)
Sometimes I really wonder, how do you do it? SubhanAllah.
What I have always admired about you Vivy is that it takes a special kind of dedication to blog for as long you do and still updating it as regularly as you are now. Im sure the same attitude applies to other aspects of your life as well. Although (I humbly admit) your life and successes as far as I can see them are quite the envy inducer, they are well deserved and most of us would benefit from taking a leaf out of your book.Please don’t take this comment as condescension, it is meant to be a “salute” kind of thing. All the best and may Allah bless your family always.
Vivy I would say your writing style has changed over the years but your sense of humour and your ability to make even mundane stuffs sound more interesting and fun is still there. I really love your writing style and I enjoy every post of yours. My only suggestion would be more updates about your life and less ootds – I like both honestly but I already followed you on instagram so I could drool over your fashion sense. I pray that you’ll keep on inspiring others and may we all be better muslims 🙂
“then I had to tell off some people about work which is always frustrating,”
TRUE. TRUE.. TRUE..
Hi Vivy, can you write a post about how to send a proper CV and how to attract employer? Because I really need that to apply a job since I’ll graduate very soon 🙂
I’m always jot down the things that I need to settled and it help me so much.