At my old job I was the one with all the gossip. If there was something to be known, I knew it. If there was something to be found out, I was the go-to girl. Here however, nobody tells me anything. For example, I never know when someone's pregnant until much later than everyone else (and believe me, that happens a lot because everyone here is pregnant at some point). And then people say things to me like, "you didn't KNOW that???" One theory I was given is that people tend to assume I know everything already because of my central location and my interactions with just about everyone. But it never fails, the good stuff always slips by me.

Maybe it's because I've made a conscious effort to keep myself out of the gossip loop. Sure it's fun to become all embroiled in other people's business, but it can turn ugly just as quickly. My old company was like college. It was filled with young people and I soon became a very important figure in the important social circle. I planned all the post-work gatherings and spent a good deal of time talking and laughing when I should've been working.

When I started here, I decided to be discreet and mature and focus on getting ahead professionally instead of personally. I noticed that if you listen to gossip, particularly people speaking negative about others, you start to formulate your opinions based on what you hear. I think it's better to keep a fresh perspective and an open mind because once someone is labeled as "bitchy" or "annoying" that is how I tend to think of them. I am amazed what a difference it makes to think positively about a person, or at least neutrally, instead of passing judgement. It even reflects in the other person's behavior and in that sense, it is a much more powerful position to be in than being the gossip queen.  ¶ 4:58 PM