“A mentor is someone who sees more talent and ability within you, than you see in yourself, and helps bring it out of you”-Bob Proctor

Pre-Covid, I made a giant career change. Before my move, I spent years and moved up the ladder quickly in the hospitality industry. I worked 90+ hours a week and moved things heavier than myself. I loved it, but it wasn’t sustainable. It was a decade (well, almost) of go-go-go and high adrenaline just getting the job done. However, I came to the realization that there are seasons in your life. That one season you can be living off of no-sleep, work, and coffee. You can’t live there, your soul needs time to recover. I wanted something that gave me weekends, time-off, the ability to live. My goals in life weren’t in sync with my lifestyle.

Swallowing my ego, I gave up being a director in my mid-twenties to become an associate at a 9-5 job with benefits. Knowing that there was still the option to plan events and drink wine for fun, I got a corporate ID and walked through the doors of a Fortune 500 company.

Never would I have imagined that I would be in the job I’m at now. But I believe that God has a plan, sometimes life doesn’t work out how you expected or even how you wanted but you need to just follow it. I went through what was essentially a paid university crash course in my new industry. I was paired with a tenured associated to learn on the job.

Anyone who knows me, knows I’m pretty bold, outgoing, and genuinely am typically very talkative. But I bet you that nobody at my new job thought that about me when I first started. I remember the first time I walked out to the floor to meet my mentor and her supervisor. I’m pretty sure I almost cried. I was terrified. My mentor’s supervisor tried to break me out of my shell by asking me about my previous experience in the wine industry. Can’t remember exactly what I said, however, I can confidently say I’m pretty sure my answer wasn’t a full coherent sentence.

While I was thoroughly embarrassed, the next week when I went to my mentoring session I got better. My mentor’s supervisor (who from this point on we’ll call Ladybug for anonymity purposes) was warm, kind, strong, and eventually broke through my cocoon and I realized we had a lot in common.

As luck would have it, once I completed my training (with flying colors), I was moved into Ladybug’s section. Calculating the odds of that are very hard but I like to think that it was fate. Walking from the managers office after I was told Ladybug would be my supervisor was an odd experience. My memory flickered back to the first time I met Ladybug; when I was trying to find my way back to my classroom through the rows of cubicles. As I was walking back, I thought “I hope she becomes my supervisor”. I knew I had acted like a deer in the headlights but she still cared enough to reach out and that’s what I wanted in a boss. To be totally honest I also found it hysterical when this bubbly woman would ruffle feathers and show someone she wouldn’t back down and she had a spine. I wanted so bad to be like her.

It was an exciting but scary time, I had great success in my previous career and it was hard to go back down a level. I was also terrified I wouldn’t do well, I wouldn’t be able to adapt to cubicle life after walking 10 miles a day, or be able to handle the job. I prayed a lot during that time.

On January 8, 2020, I walked into the building for the fourth month in a row with all the things to decorate my cubicle. I had string lights, a Himalayan salt lamp, pictures, artwork, a lot of cat stuff, and a special mug. It was awesome. It was chic. And I had a “home”. Less than three months later I packed it all up to work from home.

I’m a dark horse, I’m a rockstar at my job. I’m the G.O.A.T. (according to some of my coworkers). I have a very demanding role that is measured in every which way you can think of. Due to my ethics, my perfectionism, and my workaholism, I became and maintain my spot as a top adjuster in my department. I couldn’t have become that without Ladybug’s coaching and support.

It’s wonderful to have a boss that you know will stand behind you. A boss who is willing to give up part of herself to make you better. A boss who works her butt off as hard if not harder than you. A boss that wants you to succeed at work and outside of it. A boss who during the pandemic sent us “treats” via mail.

Despite her responsibilities and meetings, she takes at least an hour out of her work to teach everyone on her team. I can’t tell you how much of a blessing that is. I can’t thank her enough for how much she’s helped me grow professionally and personally.

I am so grateful to God for bringing her in my life. She is one of my biggest cheerleaders, she’s also the first person to call me and tell me I screwed up royally (and trust me she does).

The key to success is someone who pushes you to be better. It’s tough love because they see the potential in you. It’s when I call her after work hours about something at work, and she tells me to turn of my computer and have a shot of whiskey because I think too much.

When I started my new job, I never imagined it would lead me to meet one of the most influential and important people in my life. She’s a rock, a faith leader, she’s one of the first people I tell things to in my life. She’s helped create the woman I am and the woman I’m becoming.

I write this because you never understand the influences you have on others. Sometimes people come into your life for a moment, a day, or a lifetime. But it doesn’t matter the time they spend with you, rather it matters how they impacted your life in the time they’ve spent. Many people come and go in seasons, but the important ones are the ones who bring out the best in you. They are rare, amazing people who remind you why life’s worth it.

Until next time, cheers 🥂🍾

ChangeFriendGrowthLearningSupervisorSupportWork