Leap of Faith

Jumping at several small opportunities may get us there more quickly than waiting for one big one to come along. ~Hugh Allen

I honestly think this is one of the hardest things to explain to a recent graduate, or someone who is just recently out of work. It makes so much since to wait, something will come along, they all just know it. Personally, I think the small steps you take are more important than the giant leap of faith. With each small step you will learn something new, have your eyes opened, learn of a path you couldn't see before. In sales, it's called networking. In operations, it's called strategic placement. Doesn't matter what you call it, just do it. Don't ever wait for the leap of faith, because the perfect opportunity will only take a tiny step. It will be that star you have been reaching for the whole time.

Connect-the-dots

"The keys to success: 1. Get up early, and stay late 2. Be able to speak to people on all levels of a corporation, and 3. Learn how to connect the dots" - my dad

My dad said this to me when I was too young to even understand why he was standing in line with all of the other dads waiting for the train into Chicago everyday. You can imagine I had no idea what he was talking about. My dad was a very significant person to all of the companies he worked for. From reading my previous blogs, you will know that that is much more important than being successful. He taught me all of these things growing up. Something about relationships, and then the one about the keys to success. For the first time in my life, I am beginning to understand the utter importance of these 3 keys. This has helped me more in life, and in work, than anyone can ever understand. I have to truly thank my dad for the wonderful life lessons he has taught me.

Success vs. Significance

The inner struggle between success and significance. What can I say? I want to be successful, who doesn't? In the long run though, isn't it more important to be significant? 50 years from now, no one will remember who was the CEO at BP that went yachting in the Meditterranean while the Gulf Coast was covered in oil. But don't you think they will remember the leader who stepped up and had a plan? The guy from BP who said this is unacceptable. We need to do the right thing, right? So what is the problem with wanting to be successful then? I personally think that chasing success is the problem, not the actual success. Running through your career with blinders on doesn't allow one to see the big picture. The leaders who can see the big picture are the ones who are the most successful in the moral game of life. The CEOs and founders of Google have it perfectly. They want their employees to enjoy work, they want to offer them an environment that no one else can, and they want it to be a big family. They have one of the lowest turnover rates in the country. But why did they do it? I have to think it's because they want to be a significant part of their employees lives. I want to be that person in my employees lives as well. I don't need them to remember my name, just that I was the person that helped them find work in one of the worst job markets in our nation's history. In time, I believe this mindset will do more for my career than a large paycheck ever could.

A Very Wise Man

"Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new" -Albert Einstein

A wise man once made a very wise comment. In fact, he made quite a few very wise comments. It's true, what he says, that you can't try new things without making mistakes. It takes a very wise person to understand the difference between mistakes and failures, and an even wiser person to know how to get back on one's own two feet after they have made a mistake. For, a mistake only turns to failure after you have refused to get back up and keep pushing forward. I can only hope to be the wisest of the two, and to keep pushing through the mistakes and the learning curve to be the best at my job that I can possibly be. For, I hope, you too will have aspirations to become the wisest and learn all that you can and be everything your dreams want you to be.

New State, New Job, New Life

Life's funny. You really never know where you are going to be, or where you will end up. I never thought I would ever live in Mass. I hate cold, think that winter is extremely unnecessary, and everyone is always crabby! Not attractive to a girl who loves the heat of summer and an ice cold tea on the front porch with family and friends. No matter though, because here I am. Gorgeous ring on my finger, new fiance, no apartment, and no job. That's when I found Ingrid. She owned the top staffing agency on the South Shore. I NEEDED her to help me find a job. I was really disappointed at first, she didn't find me anything, not even temp work. Then, 4 months later, she calls me up and says she wants to talk. Here is the break I've been looking for. A foot in the door at one of the companies she works with. However, I soon found out she wanted to hire me herself. Major score! My eyes were opened wide to the world of recruiting. Who knew? It's the perfect mix of sales, marketing, and just generally helping people out. I couldn't be happier!!