Can I Brag?

Have you ever had a job where your mentality was, “I come in. I do my work. I go home.” Maybe you are there now?
I was there. I was there even a year ago! I have been at United Way for over 3 years. I used to think of my finance job as JUST that - A job.

I am not sure what changed for me this past year – But can I brag about what those changes look like? It hit me one day. I love my job. I love who I work with.
I love what United Way stands for. And I LOVE that I am a part of it.

I took a long, hard look around me & came to some realizations. I feel as though I am a part of a family. I am different, yes. My fashion sense may be a little ………unique & I have different views & opinions (everyone does!) & my sense of humor may be a little ……dry – and yet, I feel accepted.
I realized that I respect my co-workers and they respect me. If there is ever a problem or concern, it seems to work itself out. I am given the freedom to be honest & voice those concerns.

I am given opportunities to expand my horizons – to learn & grow.

We are all a part of a very important task. An important goal. I am a part of it.
How can I even blog this into words how proud I am of being right here. Right now?

My last blog, I wrote about our internal campaign & how good it feels to be able to be yourself at your job. Can I say it again? It feels really good.

Would I be considered a nerd if I said that I actually look forward to coming into work and working??

It took me awhile to get to this exact spot of feeling like, “I get it. I get that my role is important.” Trust me, I’ve had my days of where I have SO NOT wanted to come to work. Some mornings, I would even get a pang of anxiety. It was because I didn’t open myself up to realizing things.
Realizing that my role is important & that people respect me just for being me.

So – I challenge you. Today. Right now. If you are in that spot of “just coming in & doing my job” – challenge yourself to change your outlook. It doesn’t matter where you are. Somehow, some way YOU ARE making a difference. Your role DOES matter.
Believe it.