Sometimes...

Sometimes, just sometimes, you can feel like you are carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders. This has been the case for me at Lancashire Careers Company CIC over the past four weeks or so.

It all started with a financial decision for the good of the cash flow. Who knew that it would create such a backlash and real unpleasantness? Although this wasn't about insurance, I have heard it said that you only know how good your insurance is when you need to claim. In the same way, you only know how good your professional relationships are until you decide to leave the financial tie. It's strange just how what you thought was a positive can finish up leaving you questioning your judgement.

During this ongoing problem, and while feeling very stressed and bruised, I was asked for support from another company. I duly turned up on time for the arranged appointment, and I waited. Then I waited some more. Then I was told that the person I was seeing was delayed, which was fine because we all know that s*!* happens. After an hour of waiting, I left. I did message and email the individual concerned and to this day, one month since, I have never heard from them.

Then there was a death in the family. That person was younger than me and it sets you thinking, doesn't it? Of course with a death comes a funeral, and it was heartening to see so many family and friends of the deceased turn up to celebrate the life she had enjoyed. As a career practitioner, I found it incredibly interesting to listen to the celebrant talk about her career as well as her role in her family. My mind wandered a bit then and I started to wonder how often, even in death, career is mentioned. I recalled the last funeral I had attended and remembered that the celebrant had talked a great deal about her career too. I started to wonder what they might say about my career when my time comes. I hope it's interesting!

Finally, there was a wedding! Exactly what the doctor ordered to lift the mood and reduce some of that worrying burden I was carrying. This time the bride was older than me - which was a great balancer after the funeral! Unbelievably the weather stayed dry so the wedding took place outdoors, as did the reception. Who would have believed that I met up with some veterans working in the veteran sector from an organisation I have previously collaborated with? What a small world we live in!

The last month has tested me to the core. But, as I lift out of that space I can reflect and find the good things out of the horribleness'. I discovered that I have skills that I hadn't realised. Take a look at the newly written Lancashire Careers Company CIC website... I had no idea that I could figure my way around it and create content that better reflects what the company is about. You never know what you can do unless you try!

I have learned that there are people that this business does not need to work with. I have also learned that you should always conduct yourself professionally as you might do personally. Be respectful, be timely and remember impressions count. Bad ones last and serve as a reminder.

I have learned that neglecting our social media for a month isn't great, but you can pull it back and making lots of noise isn't always the best way to be noticed. I am observing people on LinkedIn taking social media breaks by choice, and that's okay too.

I have learned that careers are a subject that crops up when you least expect it! Remember some celebrant will be talking about yours and mine someday and we can't do a damn thing to rectify it.

Most of all, I've learned that despite the rain, the sunshine will come again and I just have to keep smiling!