Yesterday was interesting in the sense that I suddenly felt that my input and abilities mattered without being tested.

I was asked to provide some information that is being sent to the upper level management of various departments. I was not asked, ‘can you…’ but asked ‘when can you…’ I appreciated that.

I have started to feel more comfortable in my abilities with Mainframe (Finally.. Thank You LORD) and have even written some JCL and Natural code to help me to automate my job even more.

I was given the position the first week of March. On a normal week one of the tasks can take up to 12 hours. I now have that task automated to the point that it only takes around 6. No one has asked me to show them how I have done that yet, and until they do I am certainly not offering the information up.

In meetings lately I have been a bit more outspoken; giving my honest feeling about how/why things are done. I have felt this new openness being accepted with no obvious repercussion as well as no humiliating laughter ( ).

That said, I am off to get ready for another day.

- Joby