5- Year Anniversary. A Reflection.

I have a work anniversary coming up!

Five Years. 1,825 days. I still cannot believe it!

As with any milestone date, a natural byproduct of the experience (other than aging) is the flood of memories that wash over you as you reflect on all the events that brought you to today.

This morning, while at the dog park, I thought about my first day of work, approximately five years ago.? I remember it clearly. The onboarding day began with thirty-five other colleagues; a very large cohort. Our initial on-site contact person, a representative from human capital, welcomed us effusively. She was very friendly and knowledgeable.? (She’s still great!) She reassured us that we would all do just fine. The department’s leadership overextended themselves in acclimating us to the corporate culture.? They shared details about who they were, how they would support us, and set us up with everything we needed to be successful in our training. Even the breakfast buffet was awesome.

And then it was off to the races.

If you could blend anxiety, exhilaration, curiosity, fear, and accomplishment in a blender, and pour it into a mason jar, that would effectively describe the emotional smoothie I seemingly drank every morning for the first six months in my new role.

It was mental BUD/S training. I was being intellectually stretched in ways I had never experienced before and was forced to move beyond any professional comfort zones previously established. It was exhausting. But it was worth it.

Five years later, I now realize that sometimes the best way to learn is to jump in headfirst. The cold, unfamiliar plunge will shock the system and leave you momentarily stunned, but in most cases, you will instinctively adapt to the new environment, and begin swimming. Trusting your skillset is a must. I would NOT be in this space now if I did not deserve to be here.? I was reminded of this truth during a temperature check with one of my mentors last week.?

Five years later, I welcome stretch opportunities with or without the morning chug.? My network is expanding to include professionals in year ten, fifteen or twenty of their professional journeys.? Most importantly, my network includes professionals that can remind me of my growth and provide guidance when I am having a “first day” flashback without discounting my skills and expertise.??I am not drowning. I am swimming.

My five-year tenure evidenced pivots before the term “pivot” became a buzzword.? I am adding necessary technical skills, and ESSENTIAL, (not soft,) skills to aid career advancement.? I read the articles, order the books, listen to the podcasts, and go to the trainings. Upskilling is essential to remaining intellectually relevant, and I am grateful to be in a professional culture that values and prioritizes continuing education.

Best lesson.? Share what you know.?

Hoarding resources and information is the fastest way to disconnect from your professional growth. Some of my best memories from the last five years were born while collaborating on projects with people I did not know prior to the assignment. These projects created learning opportunities?and generated dynamic synergies that have added value, propelled careers and forged long-term friendships.?

I stayed the course. There will be another difficult time, a tough task, a bad fit and another stretch opportunity, but I know that emotional smoothies won’t break you if you are determined to get them down.

Cheers.