Validated

Lunch with the COO went well on Tuesday. We had great conversation and he really helped me find the words for the things I've been feeling and struggling with. I think best of all, he really validated me in that I don't have to have some huge career vision and aspiration in order to work at DW and/or move into a different position...that it's okay to have goals outside of the office and yet still be committed to a job even if my aspiration is not to be the president of the company some day.


He asked me the following question: "In five years, if we were to have a dinner to celebrate you and your accomplishments at DW, what would you hope we would be able to say about you? What would you want to be your most major accomplishment?"


My answer: "That I helped people and contributed to their overall good - whether by providing a fun party, a listening ear, a word of advice, writing/editing assistance or any sort of other practical help on a project."


But....I'm also bored. I've mastered my position and have taken it as far as I can/want to take it. I want to feel like I'm contributing to something...and the COO put perfect words to what I was trying to say: I AM contributing in my current position...but it's in intangible ways and I'm looking for something that's more measurable.


He encouraged me that there is a solution and a way to make the things I want to do work. He said there is a creative solution to this and he knows I'll be able to find it.


So, step 2 was my lunch today with S (who was in my review). And, that went much better than my review went. In part, because I was more precise in my own idea of what I want to be doing overall in my life...and how that can play into things at work. She and I talked about some practical next steps and, I think what helped the most, about what she sees in me and where she thinks I'd be happiest longterm in our company. And, truth be told, she was right on the mark.

All in all, I feel a more measured, but realistic, sense of contentedness and vision for a realistic future for me at this company. And one where I'll be able to contribute and help for the betterment of the company and contribute to something more meaningful than answering phones, distributing mail and order food.

I guess time will tell if it's really realistic though, huh?