💎 #8: Your pace is perfect

🚨This is a reflection post🚨

A bit over a year ago, I walked into my [then] boss’ office for our weekly meeting and as we were ending our time together, I boldly proclaimed that it would be the last semester I would be working at the university. Almost as soon as I said it, I wanted to unsend…recoil…reel the fishing line back in. I almost couldn’t believe myself. However, after a few moments of reflection in silence in my office, I realized I meant it…with every fiber in my being. My time there was coming to an end…I felt it deep in my heart…and honestly I had no clue what was next.

For context, a few days before I had just received a rejection email [from my now employer]. I was informed they were going in a different direction, and I politely thanked them for the opportunity and asked for feedback. **As an aside…ALWAYS ASK FOR FEEDBACK.** I appreciated the candor of the feedback, was aligned in that it likely wasn’t the best fit for me [as it was proposed at that point], and walked away on amicable terms. Another point to make is that I had NEVER been told no on a job opportunity. So needless to say that was new territory for me AND my ego.

After making my bold statement, I really had no idea what was next. What I did know, was that it was time for next. For the first time in my career I starting being open about pursuing other opportunities. I’m not a blaster of information, but I am definitely intentional with my conversations. Not soon after I had another opportunity in which my name was put forth. I was not a part of the original pool, but I guess enough people spoke highly of me, that I not only made my way in, but was a finalist. I went through the process…felt okay about the situation although there were definitely some red flags…and then I waited. And I waited. And I waited some more. Essentially they froze the position after going through AN ENTIRE PROCESS. I was livid [to say the least]. I literally could feel the smoke coming out of my ears when I received the call. One thing I hate is people wasting my time. Honestly, it was God’s covering that held this job from me. I knew it my heart it wasn’t right, but I was so dead set on making a move, I was going to jump into a situation that was not designed for me.

After the “smoke” settled, I started to get a bit antsy as I was halfway through the semester and I did not have any prospective moves in order. BUT GOD! Within 2 weeks I had 2 very intriguing opportunities come to the table. Opportunities I could really envision myself in, and both were outside of my normal purview. God needed to show me that I wasn’t thinking big enough, and that what was for me, was not going to pass me by – it might have to circle back, but it would surely find me. Nonetheless, I had quite a few conversations, presentations, and interviews over the next month and the opportunity to do something that honestly I had never truly envisioned myself in was presented to me.

Through the job search process, one can get frustrated, excited, anxious, uncomfortable…you name it. I encourage you to stay the course. Many of our young professionals (YPs) are in hiring season and they are living in comparison and maybe even festering in a bit of jealousy as their peers are starting to showcase their “wins”. Stay in your lane. Run your race. Your finish line will find you if you continue to put in the work. Opportunities are not always convenient in timing, but what they lack in convenience, they make up in purpose and heart fulfillment. Know that the pace at which you are moving is YOURS…and it’s absolutely perfect.

-Dr. LCJ