Monday, February 27, 2006

Driven to perfection

A new "bonus" policy has been implemented at work and it's totally stressing me out.

I still get quarterly bonuses based on story hit counts. However, errors are now factored in. If the newsroom reduces errors, we can get our bonuses juiced by another 20%.

Here's the problem: my group's error rate was so low over the past six months -- the time period used to come up with the new error reduction targets -- that our bonuses will be upped 10% if we only get one error and 20% if we get no errors.

No ERRORS!

So far, we're error free after January and most of February. We have to make it through the end of the first quarter, March 31.

My group lives in fear. We're afraid to get newsfeedback emails from readers. We share stories of error nightmares. I threw a cookie sheet one night when I thought I made an error. My editor threw her phone when she was called about it. (Fortunately, it wasn't an error...it was a close call though.)

Moreover, I think this new policy has contributed to me not blogging. I'm overwhelmed by the need to get everything I write for work perfect and I can't think about anything else. I'm hoping that by purging this newfound need for perfection that my mind will relax and I'll be able to think about something besides being perfect.

Wednesday, February 15, 2006

The Feb-Blog/No-Blog Continues

It's the middle of February and I haven't blogged all month. Sorry to all of my loyal fans, which include ... hmmm... Well I guess you know who you are. I really don't have anything exciting to write about today but I'm determined to post something.

Here's what's keeping me so busy: earnings season, early Saturday morning pilates class, training for the 10 miler, trying to make The Pea a better dog and taking guitar lessons.

Speaking of guitar lessons, I saw my guitar teacher, Jay Pun, and his girlfriend, Morwenna Lasko, play at the Little Grill last week. Check out their music if you get a chance. They're unbelievable. Here's their website: http://www.mojamusic.net

Guess that's it for now. I'll try to be more interesting in March.