Ah, fall. It is definitely my favorite season of the year. All the beautiful colors, usually crisp, cool weather that accompanies lovely layers of scarves, sweaters, hats, boots, and the like. This year it has been unusually warm. I know a lot of folks have welcomed the warmer weather, but for myself, I miss the cool weather. It just feels wrong for it to be 70 - 80 degrees outside with all the beautiful leaves changing into yellow, red, orange, and brown. Such is life sometimes.
This is a new season for me. I am exploring the beauty of having time. It has truly been a gift. These past few weeks, I have realized my great desire to help others and the joy that comes from this type of work. About five years ago, I worked at a non profit as an advocate for domestic violence and sexual assault victims. It brought great joy and was definitely a rewarding job, but it required a lot of energy and as you can imagine was stressful. It taught me a lot about time management, priorities, and compassion. After that job, I moved here - to the DC Metro area, and my life took a turn.
After working on the hill, I worked at a small business, a government contractor, did door to door sales and marketing, and then worked for a corporation. What a ride it has been! This next season will turn over a different leaf. Ones work must have meaning. I have observed that I NEED to be challenged in my work, to grow, expand or I become frustrated. Knowing that I am making a difference is key. Whether it be increasing the profit margin, creating a better working environment, establishing vibrant relationships that allow for teamwork, creative expression, efficient problem solving, and good project management or whether it simply be working hard and delivering a good product - it has to help in some form or fashion. Otherwise, the work falls flat - and frankly, so do I.
Relationships are important - I believe they are more vital to the work environment than a lot of people consider. Most folks I know show up to work, do their job, and go home. Some consider the value of getting to know their coworkers a little bit, and some do not. I have found in my short professional career of six years that those that go the extra step to know the person behind the work excel, grow, and rise to the top faster than those who do not.
Do you know what the strangest lesson I have learned since college? If one works fast, hard, grows, expands, and wants to move up the ladder it is not praised. Those who like where they are and want to stay there despise the hard worker who finishes their work quickly, efficiently, and with high quality. Why? It makes them look bad. Bizarre, right? I think so. Why wouldn't a person want to grow and improve themselves - work as hard as they can to produce the highest quality product, design, project in the least amount of time? It saves the company money. I haven't figure this one out yet.
I have seen a lot of busy work that amounts to a pile of beans. A lot of excuses about why it takes almost twice as long for some to complete a project than others, and justifications for staying in the same, comfortable place. I guess change is uncomfortable - I get that. But how can folks be content to stay in the same place? And believe you me - a lot of the workforce is perfectly content with the status quo. Maybe my discontentment with it - always wanting to see how I can improve a process or streamline a project or improve the big picture sets me apart. Or maybe it makes me a frustrating employee to have. Because I DO have a lot of ideas, and they do need vetting. The most irritating response to a great idea I have is this. "No, I don't think that is going to work. I mean, it's a great idea. I could see it happening, but you know, it's just a lot of work. I am not sure we have time for it. Let's go this route. I know it may not produce the same results, but it takes less time, so it's a good one. Thanks for your input!"
I mean, really? Do you know what I hear when someone tells me this? Lazy. Or that they aren't willing to put in the time or let me work a little extra to do it myself - which I am happy to do. Anyways, I have rambled and vented too much about my observations in the workforce.
All that to say, I am supremely excited for the possibilities this next season holds. I am sure there will be challenges, workplace drama (can't escape that!), frustrations, but I am hopeful that there will also be great joy. For in meaningful work, one can find great satisfaction, motivation, and endurance to press forward with vigor and a great work ethic and attitude. This is what I desire.
Having the ability to express myself creatively is key. The possibilities are endless. Let's dream in our workplaces, collaborate, produce high quality products, projects, and work. And let's not be fearful of the naysayer or the lazy coworker who pushes back. Let's dream greatness. It may just change the small corner of your workplace or mine. We have an opportunity in our short lifetime to make a real difference in other people's lives. Let that not just be in our personal lives, but also in our professional ones. For it is in that space - the workplace, that we spend the majority of our time. Make it count. Be the person you want others to be blessed and encouraged by. Let's learn to look outside of ourselves, take the extra minute to listen, and just see where it takes us.
New seasons are beautiful. I love that the new season I am walking into just happens to coincide with my favorite time of year - fall. I hope to fall deeply into the season with joy, hope, vigor, and a vision to help others and work hard.
What is your ambition in this season of your life? Seasons come and go. It is how we treat them that matters - with care, with a ho hum attitude that coasts, with disdain, with energy - these are the options, dear friends. I hope you walk into the next phase of your season with eyes wide open, ready to offer your best and see the results.
Enjoy the rest of this lovely season. May it bring joy to your hearts.
Until next time,
Tina Lou
No comments:
Post a Comment