Lesson 2: Finding the good in my job and keeping it

Whenever I feel negativity in my work, I always remember that scripture in the Bible where all the drudgery of labor started. It is back where Adam and Eve disobeyed God. From then on, God cursed the ground and told man that he will have to sweat in order to eat and survive.

Working is hard, but whoever does not work, does not eat.

Is it possible to be happy and thrive at work? That is the million-dollar-question. Currently still referring to this book, "Lessons from headhunter". I am wondering whether this person who claims to have found joy in her career can take me to where she is at right now.

So, let's start the exercise.

1. Write down what you believe about your current job. Are you getting what you want out of work? If not, what's missing?

My current job is a blessing. I had it when I was really desperate and insecure about finding a job here in the States. My company gave me the opportunity and the grace to grow. I've committed a lot of mistakes, costly mistakes in fact, but they were very gracious to let me find my own rhythm and become better at what I'm doing.

I can honestly say that I've overcomed a lot of weaknesses through this job. Being a teller calls that I make my customers feel at home whenever they're in my window. So, while I was formerly shy and uncertain about my command of the English language, I've grown to become confident, to start conversations, to introduce myself, and to signify interests in others.

I've also grown in my sales skills. I've learned that sales is a numbers game. You win based on how many people you ask. You don't need to be an expert salesperson like I thought you should be. You just need to ask. And you need to ask everyone as much as you can in order to get great results.

I think I've also recovered some of the competitive spirit. By that I meant, I wanted to excel and I wanted to be outstanding. But this time, my competitive spirit has grown mature. I've learned that I must only strive to be the best I can be and hit my goals and focus on that. By being the best I can be, I may eventually become THE best.

One thing I think that's missing in my job is compensation. I have a feeling that this job deserves more pay. Being a teller is a multi-faceted job. You are in customer service, sales, accounting (by virtue of accuracy in handling cash). You get graded in everyone of them. You are the face of the company.

I may be wrong, but something else that I've been feeling is I deserve to earn more. I have a bachelor's degree. I have great experience in sales, customer service, event management, advertising, marketing, couseling, coaching, and even starting my own business.

I am meant to do greater things. I am meant to make a difference. I feel that I can not be held by the confines of a bank environment. I want to have a versatile life and touch many people's lives.

2. What parts of your work do you want to take with you? What parts do you want to leave behind? What are your reasons for wanting to make a change?

I want to take with me the confidence that I can sell and I can rise above my weaknesses, my inhibitions and doubts. I can be confident and initiate conversations with people.

I want to leave behind the confines of a building or a cubicle where I had to stay all day long. I want to be able to move around, get out of the office if I had to, have the freedom to go somewhere if I had to do some creative thinking. I want to be able to interact with people and listen to their concerns, goals, and propell them forward.

I want to make a change because I want to start a career, not just have a job. I want to start my journey to my self-discovery and be able to live to my fullest potential.

3.) What do you believe about success and failure? Do you believe that success is for everyone or just an elite few? Is success something that's hard won?

Success for me is fully utilizing your talents and skills and becoming your best. It is also being able to find a venue where you can be most rewarded for your hard work. Success is being able to touch people's lives to make a difference. It is about leaving a legacy behind for people to remember and an example to imitate.

Success is financiall stability, which eventually should lead to financial freedom, when you are able to spend most of your time for things that matter most to you: like faith and family for me.

Success is hard won. It is rarely a product of luck. It is not for the elite few but it's for people who are able to break through the barriers of self-doubt, undiscipline, laziness, mediocrity, apathy, fear, and faithlessness.

4.) What do I envision work to be?

I work in an entrepreneurial environment that oozes with creativity, passion,and vision. In it is a team of professionals who respect and uphold each other's capabilities and considers each other indispensible. Our business is beyond monetary gain. It is about making a difference. The gain is secondary but it flows. It flows because we are on the right track.

This job greatly rewards me financially while still giving me the time to pursue other endeavors, like coaching other people. It also allows me generous time with my family because they are my priority in life.

In this job, I am able to grow as a person to be able to build my own enterprise someday and become financially free.

CAREER COMFORT (quoted from the book)

"I bless this job and thank my Higher Power for sending it to me when I needed it. I am choosing to lovingly release it and pass it on the next person who needs it. I now choose to move on to a position that meets my needs and helps me fulfill what is best in me."