I want to be a sponge

Seven months ago, I accepted a position at a company that, although it had been around for seven years or so, was really more of a start-up in terms of infrastructure. At the time, I was two years out of grad school and working on building my experience and moving forward in my career. The previous companies I worked for were large enough that I had the opportunity to observe experts in their respective fields but little personal opportunity to tackle out-of-the-box challenges and have any true influence on decision-making.

One of the main enticements for this new role was the opportunity to help build something - to be a part of a small team that would ultimately build out a department and support the whole organization from a human resources perspective.

Over the past seven months, I have done everything from making copies to implementing an HRIS system; proofreading offer letters to writing policies; filing paperwork to traveling to give open enrollment benefits presentations; counting employee time punches to developing marketing materials and working on executive compensation agreements. I have learned that you are never too experienced to "get in the weeds." It is so important to keep a pulse on the daily tasks that keep a department and a company running because only then can you make informed decisions about what needs to happen at a higher level.

I am fortunate to be on a team of well-versed experts in the field of human resources. I am by far the most junior on the team, so my goal is to be a sponge. My colleagues are former managers, directors, and VP's of other companies who have taken a step back from the large company opportunities, set aside egos and pensions, and dug their heels in to come together and create something great from the ground up. Recently, I traveled to Colorado with my EVP and a Director on my team, and I had the privilege of watching our EVP roll up his sleeves and sit down with a pile of new hire paperwork for hours to put it all in order. Nothing is too menial for him to work on, and this view of teamwork is so refreshing to me.

Each day has its new challenges. It seems there is always a fire to put out somewhere. The workload can be overwhelming, but I realize what an incredible opportunity this is to learn and grow.

So just remember: Each task you perform, no matter how small, is integral to your work, and your attitude makes all the difference!

Welcome, Fall!

Definition of fall: honeycrisp apples, driving with the windows down, and a season of thankfulness. 

There is just something invigorating about fall, isn’t there? Especially in Texas. On the heels of a scorching summer, fall creeps in and with it brings a cool breeze that runs its fingers through your hair; leaves that mingle with each other as they float to the earth; and sweet and savory pumpkin dishes that fill kitchens with a distinctive autumnal perfume.

                                

At this time more than any other throughout the year, thankfulness is on our hearts. The cool weather ushers in a season of appreciation and gratitude – a time when people make a deliberate effort to be patient and considerate. What is it that arouses this attention to the needs and feelings of others? Is it the holiday season in general? Is it because the year is drawing to a close and our thoughts turn to a desire to end well and start fresh?

Consider this: We are called to be peaceable, considerate, and always gentle (Titus 3:1-2) – not just during the holiday season. Our words should be pleasing to the Lord (Psalm 19:14). What would it take to keep this frame of mind throughout the year?

A few years ago, I started a practice of writing down at least three things I am thankful for every day. When I first started, I had lofty goals of writing eloquent, spiritual things like salvation and grace and forgiveness. Yes, I am thankful for those things every day! But there are also little things I am thankful for that remind me of the God who sees me (Genesis 16:13). I am thankful for safe travel and fuzzy house shoes. I am thankful for velvety smoothies and windbreakers. I am thankful for long conversations with good friends and for a place to lay my head at night. I am thankful that He delights in the details of my life (Psalm 37:23). 

For these things and so much more, I am thankful. Perhaps starting a daily “I Am Thankful For…” list could help put your life into perspective. It has done wonders for my outlook and my attitude.

And so, I challenge us all to “[b]e thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus” (1 Thess 5:18).

Attitude: It's a Choice

Change: It’s inevitable. It’s unavoidable. It’s constant. It’s relentless.

Growth: It’s possible. It’s productive. It’s beneficial. It’s necessary.

Attitude: It’s a choice.

A few years ago, I would have said that the one thing I avoided most in life was change. I had my routines like everyone does, and I had plans for the future.

Then, as New Year’s Eve 2008 approached, my dad challenged me to establish a motto for the year. A one-word theme. His suggestion: be flexible. This word is a spot-on characterization of my parents. In their lives, flexibility appears in such things as an awareness of opportunities to serve others and a willingness to set aside their plans. They see a need, make a plan, and take the initiative to act. Countless times, they set aside what they’re doing to listen, support, encourage, and commit acts of service. As the years have gone by, I’ve realized what a blessing their flexibility is, how rare it is in today’s society, and how fortunate I am to see it modeled firsthand.

As I considered this one-word theme for the year, I realized it could very well transform my outlook on life, if I allowed it to. Somewhat cautiously, I made the commitment.

During that year, God gradually softened my heart and clearly showed me that His ways are not my ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). My response to changes in my plans was up to me. Would I have a positive attitude about it, trusting God with the outcome? Or would I stomp my feet and complain?

Through a number of circumstances since that time, God has continued to remind me that, while it is good to make plans, He determines my steps (Proverbs 16:9). This is a beautiful truth that relieves the pressure I tend to put on myself to always be prepared. Believe me, this is an ongoing process of submitting my will to God’s will. I’m constantly identifying areas of struggle and trying to learn from them.

He determines my steps.

So in a world of continuous change, what can we rely on? We can always count on this: God never changes (James 1:17).