Life’s journey is such an interesting and ever evolving path that we all go through. Sometimes, it is difficult to look outside of your own journey. I think some of that is due to being self absorbed and in other ways, it is your journey so it should get a majority of your focus. There are times when life just happens and you are doing your thing and moving forward and all is good. You don’t even really think about things – they are just happening. There are other times when it seems like all you are focused on is you, today, the next day, what is next, what am I doing. These are the more difficult times, but also the times where true personal growth happens. You are being challenged and when you accept that challenge, the outcome will be positive. This time also forces you to see all the positives in your life, even if overall it doesn’t feel like it – look around and count your blessings!
THE BACKGROUND
People can be defined in so many ways and the same is true for how you define yourself. For me, Husband, Father, Grandfather, Son, Vegan and then also my professional definition. And that’s where the problem lies……for me anyways. I have said to myself and to others time and time again to not let your job or profession define who you are! And, don’t let other people define who you are. I have confidently mentored many people on this topic over the years. In times where associates were struggling with a difficult supervisor, struggling with a demotion or from being passed over for a promotion and unfortunately, too many times when a person had lost their job. Yet it seems I am not listening to my own advice. Weird, but true.
THE JOURNEY
I had a 31 year career with the same company. I always had goals, a vision for what was next and where I was headed. I would achieve a goal, set direction on the next one, put together a plan and let it rip! I tried hard not to let my success be my identity, which is much easier while things are going well. The 31 year career ended and the last 6 years have been a bit of a roller coaster, lots of ups and downs. The vision got cloudy, I couldn’t seem to control things like I could throughout my previous career and I started to allow this to define who I was – at least to myself. I actually allowed negatively from a supervisor to affect me. Even though I knew they were wrong, a bit unhinged and projecting their issues on me, I let them win. How can that happen when I know better and actually mentored friends on this exact situation? The funny thing is, all the other aspects of my life are wonderful. I couldn’t ask for a better life to be honest. I am very lucky, blessed and I know it. But at times it is like a life divided and I don’t want that. Positive change has been happening, but time to accelerate it!
FORWARD
We all know a job and an income provide security and a sense of purpose. I have a job and I am working on my sense of purpose there. I will continue to look for additional avenues to add to these areas. And I will not allow all of this to overly affect me one way or the other. I still have the same drive, direction and desire to be successful. I am not talking just about a career now. I am passionate about my vegan journey and sharing it with others, passionate about my wonderful family, my naughty dogs, my physical fitness, my friendships and so much more. I have work to do in all of these areas and with renewed focus, I will continue to evolve and improve. The challenges aren’t over as there is no magic pill or a switch to flip, but I am headed in the right direction. My hope is that others who have had similar journeys have found some commonality and can reshape their focus on what really matters. Life’s journey is great!
