A Catalogue of Sorts

Richard had a conference in San Francisco a short while ago, I joined him. It was always the plan, I would take a week off work, go with and enjoy a rather impromptu vacation. The trip was punctuated by the job loss, while it was nice to relax upon my return from San Francisco, knowing I wouldn't have to go back to work hurt my heart a little...well a lot really....

I have been taking some time to catalogue why I loved my job so much...what made going to work so easy...

Here's the shortlist I have come up with.

• I worked for a cause; knowing I was working for an organization that improved the lives of families in need made my heart soar.
• Each and every day I was challenged to think critically about a project and how it would benefit the community. Each day I came to understand the mission of our organization on a deeper and more meaningful level. I had to communicate, communicate, communicate what that meant to us as an organization and make sure that message was understood by others.
• I got to be an advocate and pseudo spokesperson. I LOVED speaking about the project, updating others, communicating project news,
• I connected with volunteers daily, I got to know, befriend and learn from those who cared as deeply as I about the mission. I built great relationships with board members, campaign volunteers and program volunteers.
• I learned that I have a passion for non-profit governance. I have always had an interest in all things political, but prior to this job I was only marginally aware of my love of governance...how and why organizations are run a particular way, how boards interact with senior management and what this means for strategic planning. This has lead me to some hefty reading and learning I am excited to do.
• While not a member of the senior management team, I worked incredibly closely with senior management. The Project Manager, CEO, CFO, Regional General Manager all in part became mentors to me. I learned so much from each and everyone of them, I appreciated the opportunity to work for and with people who offered me so much of themselves. They gave me opportunities to work on projects not related to the project office I worked for and because those opportunities I was able to learn, grow, even mentor others.

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Some days I wallow a little, I sit on the couch watching Martha and worry I wasn't passionate enough, capable enough, talented enough to be kept around. I then remind myself that I tend to wallow in the irrational.

I am a talented employee, with vision and drive and a passion to lead, I knew the finances.... I have to remind myself that the senior management who became mentors to me are willing to help me however they can to find that fabulous next step. I know they recognized my talents and that means a lot.