Draw your future - Take control of your life

You learned all you need to know in life in kindergarten, yes it's true. From saying please and thank you, to drawing and coloring, the skills and behaviors you learned as you began your educational career all were given to you when you were just 6 years old! - It took some time to polish, hone, and perfect (hence 12 - 16 more years) these skills, but if you just harken back to those days you will see a wealth of valuable opportunity that will help you be the professional you've worked so hard to become!

The moment when your boss’ decisions actually made sense….

For me it was similar to when I realized I was becoming my mother. It’s when I am in a position where I find myself having to make the same or similar decisions as a previous boss made. Clearly I was paying attention and while I may have scoffed at some of the decisions made by my superiors I could probably see the value in them even while shrugging my shoulders. I recall when I thought it was either too much, didn’t make sense or I thought to myself “why are we doing this?” I learned early on in my career (especially as an HR professional) that some decisions I just may not agree with, but as one that is required to communicate to and educate others, I need to get on board either through knowledge, acceptance or both. Knowledge helps in accepting and knowledge also helps in fully understanding the purpose; and by the way once you learn something it sort of sticks with you.  So when faced with having to “get on board” with a decision or idea that you aren’t fond of, try the following:

• Remove yourself (personally) from the final outcome
• Ask yourself what is it that (they) are trying to accomplish
• Figure out what your role is in communicating, rolling out, implementing, etc.
• What’s the learning opportunity for you
• And by all means if you have different, cost-effective, or more efficient ideas speak up respectfully, and responsibly.