Workaholic sloth seeks early kisses

What is work?

Work is an ethic, a habit, a security, a tyrant, a wolf-scarer, a joy, a way of life, a euphemism, a reason, a surprise, a luxury, a gift, a privilege, a duty, a bore, a guilt-inducer, a chimera.

What was your first job? Saturday shop-assistant at British Home Stores in Edinburgh - in make-up, then in household goods. What did your mum and dad do? Father was a Church of Scotland minister, in due course given an honorary doctorate by his alma mater, the University of Edinburgh, and serving as Moderator of General Assembly of Church of Scotland. He is now chaplain to the National Trust for Scotland. Mother was a teacher, latterly of special-needs students. Greatest difficulty? Self-discipline. Myopia of (some) commissioning editors. What do you excel at? Live presenting and interviewing. Processing complex information swiftly and comprehensibly. Scripting.Editing. Producing and directing. Modesty. How do you stay motivated? Books. I am motivated by stories that need to be told. All good histories, factual and fictional. Is goalsetting important? Yes. Are you workaholic? Chronically - in defiance of equally chronic sloth. How do you keep work and life apart? By the good grace of my dear friends and family, who unrelentingly remind me of what matters in life - that is: work AND life. Are you a good boss/ employee? Good boss - I think so, I hope so. Good employee - I'm a good co- worker in all joint enterprises. As a freelance/independent operator, I don't have to worry about the compromises that go with taking the shilling - I just have to worry about where the shillings come from - and THOSE compromises! Can you surf/email? Yes. Fave working clothes? Off camera, American /Italian trousers and Echo boots. Onscreen, Austin Reed trouser suits. What's in your bag? Files, yellow pads, Psion, apples, cellphone, newspapers, make-up, A-Zs, pens and pencils, wallet. What single change would you make to improve your working life? Morning kisses. Have you ever been sacked? Freelances don't get sacked - just not re-hired. Never a hindrance. Does talent get to the top in Scotland - if not, why not? Talent does get to the top. Encouragement - not a Scottish habit - helps tremendously. Exile forever the 'Oh, I'm not sure' mentality! Do! Go! Don't check with the doubters!

Copyright 1999
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved.