A few years ago, I wrote a reflective piece entitled, “I Have Arrived.” The following is an excerpt from my book, Love-Based Leadership:
I’ve done it! I accomplished whatever Mom and Dad told me I could do! I have arrived.
As the first-born of a pre-baby-boomer couple, my parents always told me to do what makes me happy, and remember that I could accomplish anything. They supported my desire to pursue acting. They supported my desire to study sign language interpretation (I liked the dramatic flair), then they encouraged my business drive. My mother always had a career. She broke through many glass ceilings and earned great respect in her profession. She was my inspiration to break on through to the other side. I had arrived.
When I moved up in my organization, and took on more responsibility, I tripled my income over a nine-month period. In addition to the money, I earned respect and a place at the table with the men. Four men, and little ol’ me. I had a place at the table in a predominately all male industry. I had arrived.
I changed my wardrobe, hair, and personal style. After all, I was in senior management. I had arrived.
I worked 80 hours a week. I was dealing in hundreds of thousands of dollars daily. I was getting little sleep with the worry. Yet, I felt important and needed; the men in my organization had come to depend on me and my opinion. I had arrived.
I started to show symptoms of extreme stress. On my fortieth birthday, the doctor put me on blood pressure medicine and told me I needed to exercise more. I’d been working long hours and my eating habits were atrocious. Fast food eaten even faster became the norm. I took up smoking as a stress reliever (yes, I am an educated woman, and yes, I know the hazards of smoking). I had arrived.
One day, on my back patio after a long day at work, with a martini in one hand and a cigarette in the other, I had a thought, I have a place at the table. I have earned respect for my hard work and knowledge. I have an awesome six-figure income. I have everything the successful men have had for decades. I have 30 pounds of extra weight. I have a high-level position. I have a stressful job. I have a beautiful home. I have high blood pressure. I have a drink in one hand and a cigarette in the other. Oh my god…I do have it all! I have arrived…
But just exactly, where am I going?
Have you arrived and do you know where you are going? Let’s design our path with intention!
With love,
Maria
Content copyright 2012. Dr. Maria J. Church. All rights reserved.