I've Gained My Perspective

I’ve gained my perspective. So, I lost my job, gained my gratitude, found my job and now, after 9 months of re-employment, I’ve gained my perspective. At times my perspective feels a lot like gratitude. Not a bad thing I suppose, but there is a difference. In my view, perspective is more objective, and gratitude is subjective. With perspective we see things as they are. We reflect on what’s been done well and what could be improved upon.

I saw my shortcomings in my last position. Some were intellectual while others were motivational. Frankly I had been moved from one position to another with my only goal of just being employed while my oldest was preparing to start college. The changes my former employer was going through were natural in the telecom industry and not a surprise. They were moving people, creating and eliminating departments monthly. I did recognize the benefit of learning new things and working with new systems and people, but, if given a choice, those positions would not have been what I would have chosen. Although the opportunities to learn were there and I tried to do so despite a lack of enthusiasm for the work. I also learned that I really liked the people I was engaged with. They were, in most cases, very helpful in getting me up to speed and very generous with their time. I felt I needed to do my best to pull my weight and to show them the time they invested in me was paying off. I seem to work best with a team mentality. 

That was a problem in these last roles. I was “on an island” and lacked the face to face, team relationships I had cherished previously. After all, I was working for an enormous national company whose headquarters, and my team, were out of state now. At first, I really hated it, but later I learned to embrace it. Again, not my ideal situation, but I learned to adapt to it and adjusted my work style to make the most of it. I learned to consolidate my questions for management to not be a pest. I learned to work on a solution longer and harder myself before asking for help via email, IM, text or phone call. I learned I was more capable in these new roles than I had initially thought.  

And I think that was the perspective that allows me to enjoy my new job as much as I do. First, I wanted this job. I wanted a job as a Project Manager first and foremost. Next, I wanted a job in an area I enjoyed. Now, to be honest, I had hoped to get out of telecom. It is a brutally competitive business that I don’t think Wall Street fully understands or appreciates. The pressure from “The Street” forces adjustments to game plans and kills long term goals and objectives for telecom leaders. I don’t envy their jobs whatsoever. But, this is the industry I’ve worked in for, let’s just say, a very long time.  I know this business and enjoy it. It’s where my people are! Friends and colleagues of all stripes. People I understand because we all have a similar, dare I say, perspective?

So, what now? I’ll tell you what. I intend on being the best at what I do. A lofty goal, but could there be another? I know I will fall short here and there from time to time, but I hope no one could question my work ethic and my intentions. I heard this quote from Chris Pine, not a poet or philosopher by no means but it makes sense to me all the same. “The only thing you sometimes have control over is perspective. You don't have control over your situation. But you have a choice about how you view it.” I like that.