Career Development Conference

I just got back on Sunday from Career Development Conference. This is a week long, specialized training that you actually have to qualify for from my employer. It is held in Dallas Texas at the American Airlines Training Center. The rooms are small enough that you can reach across the room from one wall to the other, practically. But apparently, I'm lucky, because it used to be that individuals shared rooms with THREE other people! And since all I did was sleep in my room, I guess the size is pretty much irrelevant. The food though, was outstanding! I really enjoyed not having to cook, clean or drive for the whole week.

Each day was motivational and educational in nature. Each day, there was an inspiring story of someone who overcame all the odds to achieve what others said was impossible. And there was direct, enthusiastic training on the difference between goals and desires and how to tell the difference. Knowing the difference is critical to succeeding. They should have put warning labels on the door to the auditorium, because I found myself touched and in tears nearly every day. I was amazed at the skill of the individuals who shared with us tactics for success. The cool thing is, it wasn't just career success...they challenged us to find balance, seek for joy, and look for our missions in life. It was truly amazing!

We also spent a large portion of each day in classes to talk about the "counselor approach." It emphasizes using our interpersonal skills to make sure that we are "solving problems" not just making a sale. One thing I rediscovered is how much I LOVE what I do. I needed that really badly at this point in the business. I have been working my tail off, and even though knew it was going to be a hard "row to hoe" from the start, I was hoping it would be a bit easier to get myself established. And no offense to the management of our office, because surely they must measure us in order to know if we are doing what we need to do to be successful, but I was seriously lacking the inspiration of what I was doing as we tended to focus on the numbers. Our company is about humanity, or so we are told...yet in my day to day interactions with those who represent the company to me, humanity seemed replaced by performance statistics. So I had been praying about finding the peace and inspiration that I needed to be successful...finding the humanity in what I was doing. Lo and behold...Look how God answers prayers!

I left the conference feeling happy and at peace. Succeed or fail with New York Life, I know that I have found skills and individuals that will have a lasting impact on my life, and hopefully on the lives of many that I meet. Will the miracle come? I don't know, but I know that I have done my best by putting on my shoes each day and doing what I need to do to be successful. I have tried to keep my priorities in order (a hard thing to do when it feels like EVERYTHING depends on me! It really depends on God...I just have to do the work. But how quickly I forget that!). I have been blessed in the journey. I know the miracle can come, because God is God. I need to surrender to his will and let come what may. :-)

Love to all of my pepsquad and nurturers of my soul out there! You lift me every day. Hugs!