Today I am getting out of my head. For some you might think, what the heck does that mean? Others probably know exactly where I am coming from. I have lived in my head for a long time. Rationalizing career moves, controlling what I think are the right steps in order to grow as a professional, as a leader. If there is one positive thing I will take from this COVID-19 time we are living in, is that I have no other option but to get out of my head.
Over 6 months ago I was furloughed from my dream company. I have been in the HR/Recruiting world for quite some time, and I love what I do. Or do I? I was asked a question some time ago by someone that I consider a highly respected leader in her organization, and someone I am proud to call my mentor and friend. The question was, “if money was not an issue in your life what would you be doing?” Quickly my thoughts went to travelling the world, giving back, and finishing all those pesky house projects that I keep budgeting for. But then I started thinking and then what. What happens when you take time off to do things in life that give you pleasure such as traveling, shopping, going to spas? I personally, need more. And here is where I tie this back to my career. I LOVE what I do. I fell into HR and Talent Attraction but I chose to stay in it because I truly love it. It fulfills me professionally. But getting out of my head means that there is more to my every day job that I love. So being the organizational freak that I am, I made a list.
What do I love about what I do?
- Giving people an opportunity to work in a company they love and respect
- Helping people find their calling
- Looking at someone’s personality and seeing how and if they would be the best person to work with a particular hiring manager.
- Giving people the opportunity to land a job they might have been passed up for because they didn’t have resources or just didn’t know how to tackle the process of job hunting
- Thinking outside of the box
- Showing hiring managers what they truly want in a candidate vs what they think will work best for them
- Putting strategies and procedures in place
- Starting something from scratch and seeing it bloom into something amazing
- Organizing
- Diving deeper into a problem and solving it creatively
- Holding up a mirror and showing someone how awesome they are, and how they should follow their dreams and what really motivates them
- I LOVE listening to people – looking deeper into who they are
- Being creative
- Being someone that is completely trustworthy and values integrity above all
- Connecting with people
- Seeing what a company needs to work on with its team and helping it move forward
- Learning something new as often as I can
Until recently, I have been doubting about my career path and the choices I have made. Today I am in full acceptance mode that I am great at what I do because I truly have a passion for it. And to be completely in the trend, that makes me #blessed! Why? Well, a lot of people are working in jobs or careers that they don’t love. If there is one thing, I have taught my daughter’s is that you need to do what you love in life. Yes, let’s be super realistic, we need to pay the bills, but why can’t you have both?
I did an exercise with past colleagues, and leaders recently where I asked them what they thought I was good at. It’s crazy how the list was a complete reflection as to what I hold dear to my heart, and what I love to do in my career. Not only was it a complete confidence builder but it was amazing to see that some of the things that I thought I lacked confidence in, others perceived it as my true strength.
As I got out of my head for the day, I have a new found respect for ME, who I am, what I love to do, and the gifts I can offer the world. I will continue to challenge myself and continue to evolve into what I was destined to be, but in the meantime I will build on faith, rest and play.
And now I challenge you to get out of your head!