A Time for Reflection

As we draw closer to the end of 2013, reflection has been a recurring theme for me. I’ve been taking time each day to look at where I was when 2013 began and where I am now. While some areas have remained the same, others have changed drastically and not necessarily for the better. For example, my work out routine (which I loved) has been reduced to one day per week due to schedule changes at work, and I am noticing the difference. I realize that I need to change my outlook on my work outs. I can no longer depend on zumba to keep me moving, I can’t get to the evening classes I once frequented. My plan is to do add some resistance training into my schedule in the morning before work and look at my Sunday afternoon zumba class as a treat!

An area that has remained the same for me is my job. I am very thankful to be gainfully employed, but I thought that prior to the two year mark, I would have been able to have secured a different position by now. Initially this looks like it could be a negative, but as I see it, it’s helping me. Because I can’t see myself as a “lifer” in my current role, I believe I am being narrowly guided by my circumstances towards pursuing my purpose and passion. I am in the process of venturing into the world of entrepreneurship and I know that if I had gotten any of the numerous internal positions I had applied for, I would have been distracted and led off my path.

Take some time and reflect on the positive strides you’ve taken. Acknowledge your areas of opportunity and create a plan to make the changes necessary to improve in those areas. Don’t beat yourself about not being further along or where you thought you’d be. There is a reason for you being exactly where you are right now. The hard part is figuring out that reason, what lesson you are supposed to be learning from this experience. Once you think you have an idea of what that is, you can begin to do the work needed to move on to the next chapter.

I will end this year’s final blog post with a quote from Zig Ziglar.

“Sometimes adversity is what you need to face in order to become successful.”

Thanking the universe for my adversity!

Merry Christmas!

Is There A Job You Won't Take?

This is a touchy subject that can have so many variables and layers and couldn’t possibly be summed up easily. The response to this question will and should vary depending on each individual’s situation. The main factor that can come into play for me was how long I had been unemployed. During different points in my unemployment I thought to myself, “Ok, at what point do I start applying for jobs that I would normally not consider?” Is there a time frame? Do I wait until my unemployment compensation runs out?

Regardless of my education and experience, in my mind, some money is better than no money. So, if the unemployment benefits had run out, I would have probably accepted any legal job that was offered to me. I have to provide shelter, food and clothing for my child and if that means working at McDonald’s until I can find something else, so be it. I am not of the opinion that any job is beneath me. Does it mean I would be content? No. But I would gladly cook some fries or clean toilets if it meant I could keep a roof over our heads and food in our mouths.

My current job is not exactly where I want to be, but it is a foot in the door at a large financial institution. After a bad experience in banking during college, I said I’d never go back to banking. The phrase, “never say never” couldn’t ring any more true. I’m currently in customer service in a call center. Not where I saw myself after completing my MBA a few years back, but this is where I ended up, and I am thankful for it. I’ve had better jobs and I’ve had worse jobs. I am very thankful that I am now gainfully employed and don’t hate what I do. I have the opportunity to meet new people each day, which could lead to my next role.

I am also thankful that this opportunity presented itself pretty late in my road down unemployment. Had I been only six months in, I might have tried to pass on this. This job has taught me a lot about myself. It led to clarity on my purpose and keeps me striving towards bringing that to fruition. So, if you are at a place where you need to work, but the ideal opportunity has not presented itself, consider doing something you wouldn’t normally do. You never know where it might take you.

I’ll end with one of my favorite quotes; it helps to remind me that I am exactly where I am meant to be.

“Sooner or later, something seems to call us onto a particular path- this is what I must do, this is who I am.” ~ James Hillman