Time and Growth

Time on your hands can be rather daunting.?After a layoff in early December last year, I was blessed with time to spend with my mom.?She had begun a spiral that began in Summer of 2022, and recently ended in death at the age of 84. Overcoming obstacles and finding a way to be better are gifts she left with me. ??

This article isn’t about being depressing. I have had time to think about what makes life amazing.?Surprisingly to many, they are surprised that I miss working and being part of something. The thought that someone finds me valuable enough to pay me is amazing.?I approach jobs like an entrepreneur who frames their first dollar.?Each day can be that amazing feeling of feeling valued and touching someone.

I want to first start off with LinkedIn.?What made someone want to create a platform like this??You can go read about it at such places as, The Complete History of LinkedIn: Everything You Need to Know, Updated:?December 19, 2022?by?Richard Reynolds.?

The basic premise, a free platform for professionals amongst differing industries and diversity, being able to reach out and connect.?To help others and grow as people.?This made me think about why I work and what I want to be when I grow up.?CORNY Alert, CORNY Alert!?Money was not the first and foremost thing in their mind.?Connecting fellow humans led to money ultimately, but a core philosophy was the cornerstone.

Helping others.?Being a servant is a great gift to receive.?Helping others to be successful is a key reason I work.?

Connecting with business partners and customers is a gift that I cherish. Business partners are those within the company, department, and community.?

As a manager, I’ve been fortunate to hire many smart and wonderful people.?Some were able to grow and develop and some were forced out to learn and grow and some simply decided where they were planted ultimately were not for them.?No matter whether I’ve had a title or not, nothing is better than helping success happen for employees, customers, and the company.

Entrepreneurial mindset is a critical love.?I am not smart enough to have my own business, BUT I believe in being a steward as if I was the owner.?The goal is to make decisions that help the employee succeed, the customer succeed and ultimately the company.?

As I think about using LinkedIn and its history of simplicity, it makes me think about you.?Are you in it for the title??Is it just about money? Are you growing as a person? Are you helping others grow??

We continue to live in unique times with fears of economy, war, and ugliness.??In the end, while time is still daunting, I am fortunate to have family, opportunity for work is out there and I had time with my mom.?Self-reflection in good times and bad is how we grow. It hurts.?It can be corny.?Approaching life like those who created LinkedIn is not a bad thing.?What are you doing to help people grow and connect??You still have time.?