Let's do it.
In a move that stunned a few people last week, I made a very significant and life altering change.
I quit. I resigned my position at the company I have worked for in some capacity or another for the last 16 years. I gave my two weeks notice and I am moving on to a similar position in a similar field.
That's where the similarities end. I asked myself what I didn't like about my job and what I felt it was missing. Then I went to apply at a company who could offer me those qualities in a job. Three interviews later I am hired, and I am now beginning the exciting new solo adventures of a sales guy in a large corporation.
Doubt springs eternal. Can't let it get you down though. Have to soldier on in spite of the fear of failure. For what is failure but another opportunity to learn and eventually succeed. Indeed this blog post is probably the result of a past failure to write something someone would find vaguely interesting.
Why did I do this? I was getting a stale taste in my mouth. I was beginning to feel like an order taker and not a salesman. I was functioning in a repetitive loop that wasn't bringing me new challenges or successes. Life became about maintaining a bunch of plates spinning on sticks. I wasn't learning new skills or addressing weaknesses in my performance. I had no goals or measurements for success. I needed a mentor, some structure, and a defined territory in which to develop the skills that I lacked. What good is an abundance of opportunity if there is no one to teach you how to reach for the golden ring?
This is also the chance for me to get out of the shadows of my father. He is a brilliant salesman who is highly regarded in the industry. It never was a case of nepotism or favor incurred on his behalf. Every deal I put together or assisted on bore the mark of my efforts. There was nothing given to me that I didn't add to and make into something better. But the politics of having a famous father in the business meant that sometimes the questions were raised. Fair or not, my position and success were always measured in the terms of who I was the son of and not how I created business from vision and effort.
I go on to my new position feeling like this will be the true test of my abilities. I will see if I am meant for a life in sales because this position is a pure sales job. This is a force of professional sales people which I am joining. I have to control my rogue instincts and learn to function in a supportive environment. Too often I would say "screw it" and do things myself, holed up in the office until darkness fell. I have to learn to trust others to work on my behalf. I have to learn a thoroughness and attention to detail so that I may communicate effectively through my work and not through my words. I must plan my day ahead of time, and be prepared to accept new challenges without disrupting the goals I have set.
The journey is to become a complete and skilled individual. I'm excited because I have always dreamed of working for the company that hired me. Ever since I was a kid, this company represented the gold standard for professionalism in my industry. People aren't surprised I made the jump. Its a good fit for me and the resounding opinion is that I will be very successful in this organization.
But will I be happy? The job change was one of three key areas I needed to adjust in this new era of personal responsibility. This trio of personal improvements were conceived of in a moment of clarity onset by the descent into madness. I said to myself "If I could just do these three things, I could be happy" Well that's only half true. I said it would allow me to do something that would make me happy. What are the other two areas? Not really something I think would make for an interesting blog, but if I ever get to the point where I have accomplished these further two goals I wil revisit their appropriatness as topics for discourse.
What's my motivation? It changes. I don't cling to notions. That would just keep me hanging on. I'm here, feet planted firmly on the ground, ready to take some steps on the moon.
I'm feeling apprehensively overjoyed.
I quit. I resigned my position at the company I have worked for in some capacity or another for the last 16 years. I gave my two weeks notice and I am moving on to a similar position in a similar field.
That's where the similarities end. I asked myself what I didn't like about my job and what I felt it was missing. Then I went to apply at a company who could offer me those qualities in a job. Three interviews later I am hired, and I am now beginning the exciting new solo adventures of a sales guy in a large corporation.
Doubt springs eternal. Can't let it get you down though. Have to soldier on in spite of the fear of failure. For what is failure but another opportunity to learn and eventually succeed. Indeed this blog post is probably the result of a past failure to write something someone would find vaguely interesting.
Why did I do this? I was getting a stale taste in my mouth. I was beginning to feel like an order taker and not a salesman. I was functioning in a repetitive loop that wasn't bringing me new challenges or successes. Life became about maintaining a bunch of plates spinning on sticks. I wasn't learning new skills or addressing weaknesses in my performance. I had no goals or measurements for success. I needed a mentor, some structure, and a defined territory in which to develop the skills that I lacked. What good is an abundance of opportunity if there is no one to teach you how to reach for the golden ring?
This is also the chance for me to get out of the shadows of my father. He is a brilliant salesman who is highly regarded in the industry. It never was a case of nepotism or favor incurred on his behalf. Every deal I put together or assisted on bore the mark of my efforts. There was nothing given to me that I didn't add to and make into something better. But the politics of having a famous father in the business meant that sometimes the questions were raised. Fair or not, my position and success were always measured in the terms of who I was the son of and not how I created business from vision and effort.
I go on to my new position feeling like this will be the true test of my abilities. I will see if I am meant for a life in sales because this position is a pure sales job. This is a force of professional sales people which I am joining. I have to control my rogue instincts and learn to function in a supportive environment. Too often I would say "screw it" and do things myself, holed up in the office until darkness fell. I have to learn to trust others to work on my behalf. I have to learn a thoroughness and attention to detail so that I may communicate effectively through my work and not through my words. I must plan my day ahead of time, and be prepared to accept new challenges without disrupting the goals I have set.
The journey is to become a complete and skilled individual. I'm excited because I have always dreamed of working for the company that hired me. Ever since I was a kid, this company represented the gold standard for professionalism in my industry. People aren't surprised I made the jump. Its a good fit for me and the resounding opinion is that I will be very successful in this organization.
But will I be happy? The job change was one of three key areas I needed to adjust in this new era of personal responsibility. This trio of personal improvements were conceived of in a moment of clarity onset by the descent into madness. I said to myself "If I could just do these three things, I could be happy" Well that's only half true. I said it would allow me to do something that would make me happy. What are the other two areas? Not really something I think would make for an interesting blog, but if I ever get to the point where I have accomplished these further two goals I wil revisit their appropriatness as topics for discourse.
What's my motivation? It changes. I don't cling to notions. That would just keep me hanging on. I'm here, feet planted firmly on the ground, ready to take some steps on the moon.
I'm feeling apprehensively overjoyed.
2 Comments:
Thanks for posting a comment on my blog. I've linked into your's from Tali's a number of times and enjoy it immensely. She's right, you do have a way with words. Keep us up to date on this new job, sounds very exciting for you.
By
Christy, At
3:35 PM
mazel tov :-)
By
Zenchick, At
10:40 PM
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