Starting afresh …

Chalkboard message: Start with a clean slate

I started my new job in the city today. Going into a familiar job but in a new organisation, reminded me of my teaching days. Yet, it is unlikely that I will teach anyone.

Reinventing yourself
When I was teaching, each year I would start with a new class, sometimes in a new school. This meant I could reinvent myself each time. I could determine the areas of teaching I would focus on – to do a better job than the previous year. It was my personal “continuous improvement” program.

As the school year lined up with the calendar year, resetting my professional focus for a new year, also aligned with the time when many people (me included) planned some new year’s resolutions to work towards. This was a nice alignment that gave me direction for the year.

Nothing is a waste of time if you use the experience wisely.
~ Auguste Rodin

Take a helicopter ride
Now I find myself facing the prospect of a new role in a familiar industry and business context. I find myself thinking about where I am going to direct my focus, as I start afresh. It’s like taking a helicopter view of yourself as you take your first steps in establishing the new work relationships, the way you manage yourself, your communication style and so on. Reflection and review is an important aspect of professional conduct.

There is a renewed confidence that accompanies this practice. The work territory is familiar. The clients have many common qualities to those dealt with before. The potential pitfalls are in the same sorts of places as experienced before. This sort of background is encouraging, especially when considering scope for developing new ideas. Perhaps it will be a good foundation for more innovative ways of doing the work.  I am looking forward to it.

When you have confidence, you can have a lot of fun. And when you have fun, you can do amazing things.
~ Joe Namath

So, it is with a spring in my step and a smile on my face, that I go to do this work. It is not quite the same as going to work in a ski resort, but offers its own quiet excitement. And … I will still get to enjoy the snow season for the other part of my week in winter!

2 comments, add yours.

Hedy

Very inspiring Mary

    Mary

    Author

    Thanks!

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