Choosing Your Path

Most times I write about topics that interest me. They come to me as I am driving, sleeping, cooking, working out, or watching TV. Since I started last year my blog entries have made their way throughout the U.S. and to far away places in Latin America, United Kingdom, and Japan. I have been happy with the feedback I have been receiving on G Spits It. Most recently I have been asked to comment on topics that interest my readers. I am more than happy to add my two cents to almost any conversation.

Today’s topic comes to this page from one of my good friends who I am glad to say has just self published a mystery called You Don’t Know Me which is now available through LuLu Press and Amazon.com. I had the privilege of reading some of the earlier versions of this work and have watched the evolution from concept to finished product. This is not an easy task and she managed to get it done, work, raise two kids, etc., etc., She has also managed to be diligent about maintaining a blog (http://mathewsls.blogspot.com/) of her writing experiences and truth be told was one of the inspirations for me creating G Spits It.

That brings to the topic – she wanted me to talk about my career and what’s the best way for sisters and brothers to navigate their careers. She thought this would be a good read after I told her that I met with a young lady at work who was told by her colleague that I would be a good resource on the best way to make her next career move.

As always – I try to keep it as real as I can. I have been working steadily in Corporate America since I was eighteen years old. Most of that time has been in healthcare in various capacities, but I have also done a stint or two in telemarketing and customer service. The one reoccurring theme that I can reflect on is that many of the positions I have held, experiences I have had and skills I have developed have been a response to a need within my department or division.

Some of these situations were short term, others evolved in to long term opportunities, but at the end of the day many were borne out my supervisor/manager/leader/director’s need to get something accomplished that they were either unable or unwilling to do and did not have the luxury of an additional resource. That is how I became a Supervisor, Trainer, EEO Coordinator, Instructional Designer, Technical Writer, Manager, Webmaster, Business Analyst, and Entrepreneur just to name a few. For many of these positions, I actually saw the opportunity, communicated it to the right person and generated excitement around it.

Now understand this – it is not always easy. There are plenty of people who will be straight up HATERS – other employees who feel threatened by your greatness, a political environment that discourages innovation, human resource reps or hiring managers that don’t share your vision, and the list goes on and on. It is up to you not to get distracted by the noise and continue to forge ahead.

So here are some specifics:

• Prepare, prepare, prepare – that takes on different meanings depending on the goals. If you want to be a doctor or a nurse that means hitting those books, if you want to be an athlete that means perfecting your technique and building up your endurance. Whatever it is, you have to know the game, emulate the top players, build your skills and experiences, and keep them SHARP.
  


• Be good friends with humility – this is probably the most difficult for me and for others. It is hard to admit to yourself and others that you have a weakness that you need to strengthen or you may not have a clue how something works. Know this – pride has a tendency to get in the way greatness. It takes a big person to ask for help and make mistakes to make themselves better.
  


• Reach out – this is a two way street. Reach out to others for information and direction – what’s the best way from me to get from point A to point B? On the flip side - be a resource to others as they make their quest to greatness. Warning with this one: don’t be an energy zapper or let anyone zap all of yours!
  


• Make a plan – set goals, write them down and the steps you need to take to get to them. A pen and pad are the best ways to keep you on track.
  


• Keep it simple – don’t try to take on too much. How is it possible to start five or six unrelated goals and manage to get even one of them right? That’s like starting Medical school, training for the decathlon, renovating your house, and getting married ALL on the same day. With all of those balls in the air, some are bound to fall on the ground!
  


• EXECUTE – this is pretty self explanatory. Only thing I would add to it is that make sure you do so when most of your ducks are in a row. I say most because I think some people get caught in a self imposed paralysis and NOTHING gets done. They are just as bad as those that try to make is happen by half steppin’. There is no merit going down either path.
  

So that’s my nickel on the topic. I dedicate it to my people who dare to their thing.

This discussion will continue with my next entry – with a twist.

With that I wish you all the best today and always.

G