New Year, New Blog

Hey there everyone, Shannon here….

Oh, that fresh new blog scent! This is the first in what will be a series dedicated to all things career mistakes. From time management issues (anyone else ever thought they set their alarm when in reality they set their calculator?) all the way up to deleting whole servers, there is no shortage of mistakes and missteps than can happen in one’s career journey. Some are comical and not that serious, others can have far reaching consequences.

What’s important about those mistakes and missteps is that we don’t like them define our careers or us as individuals. Everyone makes mistakes. It’s how we move forward from and grow from those mistakes that matters.

But who am I and why am I starting this project? I’ve been working in a corporate setting for almost thirteen years. Before that, I worked in manufacturing and machining for eight years and did a short stint working in a restaurant before that. I started my college career in the sciences with the intention of becoming a Medical Assistant before realizing it wasn’t my calling. I moved on in life and my career for a long while after that before deciding to go for a business degree during the pandemic. I now have two business degrees - one of which is a shiny new MBA - and a renewed sense of purpose.

This project is for the younger generation of workers who are just entering or about to enter the workforce. It is also for those who feel stuck where they are and are afraid to move forward because of the mistakes they could make. It’s also for those who have been in the workforce for years, have seen a few things, made a few mistakes, and now wanted to pass what they’ve learned on to others. It’s for all of us. The goal is to make those mistakes and missteps less scary and less jarring. It helps, sometimes, to know you aren’t the only one who has faced this issue and lived to tell the tale. It also helps to know where the potholes are so you can potentially avoid them. 

One of the biggest career mistakes I have made is taking other people’s personal limitations to heart so that they become my limitations. Let me explain.

I have had an interest in a leadership role for some time now. As it stands, I lead by training and mentoring others as best I can when I am able. So, while I can and have lead teams and projects, it was never with the official leader title. For a time, the team I was on was between leaders. We were essentially leading ourselves for a little while. I applied for and interviewed for the leader position with assurances from everyone that I was a shoo-in and had it in the bag. During the interview, I was told that they didn’t think I could handle getting my Bachelor’s degree and being a leader at the same time because they were unable to. I accepted that because I respected this person. What did I do instead? Worked 60+ hour weeks, went to school full time, and ended up training my incoming leader. All while apparently not being able to be a leader myself because they didn’t feel I could handle the workload mixed with school. This was a huge mistake.

Because I had a great deal of respect and care for the person delivering that feedback, I took it to heart and let it impact my career and where my career ended up. Now, did that decision lead me to where I am in my career today? Yes. Ultimately, that decision worked out. I enjoy the role I am in now more than any other role I’ve had at the company. It allows me a great deal of autonomy which I love. Do I wish I would have pushed to get that leadership role though instead of allowing someone else’s limitations to impact my career path? Also yes. But what is important in this scenario is that I learned from it, moved on, and forged a path forward that led me to one of the more fulfilling roles I’ve had the pleasure of having. Have I given up on my leadership aspirations, though? No.

This is a small example as this is just the beginning of this project. Moving forward, there will be more examples from me but also from all of you! We are going to branch out into as many industries as we can, gathering those nuggets of wisdom that we have learned over the years in our careers, so that others can benefit from our experiences.

What’s important to remember is that progress is better than perfection. If you’re aiming for perfection, you will be disappointed. There’s always a way forward. There’s always another path to follow. Who knows that new path may be exactly what you needed but didn’t know you were looking for.

So, here’s to new beginnings. We’re officially walking the path of progress and possibilities. I’m glad to have you all with me on this journey and to see what we can accomplish together! Onward and upward!