As we embark on a new year, I feel more reflective and changed than ever before. I started 2024 full of hope and excitement for what the year would bring, but those emotions quickly turned into fear, anxiety and uncertainty on January 19th when my dad was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic pancreatic cancer. He fought valiantly, like the absolute warrior he was, until it took him on August 30th at age 72. I feel so many things now, and “turn the page” has taken on new meaning. I hope that this airing out of my feelings and plans for the year helps others, and me too.
My word of the year for the past several years has been the same, and I’m using it again this year, INTENTIONAL. Directly defined as done on purpose, deliberate, not on accident. This word is so important, not just to our work, but also at home with our families. Everyone always says, “time goes by so fast”, “I can’t believe it’s been six/eight/twelve months since we’ve talked.” If we are not consciously aware of being intentional with our time and energy, everything will literally pass us by. The most important thing in life, our relationships with others, take time, effort and nurturing. We must be intentional about our efforts to keep in constant contact with family, friends and for those of us in sales, our customers. That effort cannot merely be checking a box, but an actual attempt to check on each other, evaluate the needs of those around us, and hopefully be a source of encouragement and help. These are some of the things I’ve been doing the last several years to help me stay focused on that:
- Set up recurring meals or events with different people in my life, whether professional or personal in nature.
- Make a conscious effort to be present when together, spending more time actively listening rather than talking.
- Find ways to show you’re thinking of them and appreciating the connection, like a funny meme, a handwritten card in the mail and remembering their special occasions. Putting others’ birthdays and anniversaries in your phone calendar is a huge help with this.
How does being intentional relate to your professional network? Just like any personal relationship, your professional network requires dedication and intention as well. I will hit the 20-year mark from college graduation in a few months. I am so proud of the effort I have put in all these years during college and since developing, nurturing and cultivating my network. It has served me well during my career in the electrical industry, and certainly has been the impetus to creating and growing idCareerMatch.com. It is my main point of advice when talking to graduating seniors about what’s next in life. Take care of your network, watch it grow, and never take those relationships for granted.
If you’re lucky enough to love what you do and love the people you work with, hold on to that for dear life. It’s worth more than the next benefits package. Work somewhere that values you as not just a contributor or employee, but as a human being with goals, joyful births, family deaths, and a myriad of other life experiences. I am so fortunate to work at one of those amazing places, and my passion for helping others find it has never been stronger. idCareerMatch was born from that desire, and many have already found new places to thrive and grow because of it. The connections being formed between candidates and companies hiring are incredible to see. I was intentional last year to spend as much time as I could with my Dad, and then grieve with my family. This year, I will be intentional about furthering my reach, growing and nurturing that network, and helping others try to do the same. For those of us still having hard days, just keep showing up every day with the intent to do your best.