I've had the unique opportunity to hear from a lot of folks I've worked with over the last 4 years, from all over the US and as far away as Germany.
You truly don't know sometimes, how many people you've touched, helped and influenced because there never seems to be a good "reason" to share that information. But when that opportunity presents itself, it's amazing what's shared. I'm thinking a new habit for me will be sharing as I go.
If you're me, you work hard to do the right thing, move things forward, help your team grow both in numbers and in knowledge. You strive to learn and improve your own skills. You share those learnings with others, thereby perpetuating their growth. All reminiscent of the early days of civilization where stories shared were the modes of understanding.It's been heartwarming to have so many reach out and share, and amazing in it's ability to assuage my self-doubt. It helps bolster those positives that you need to believe and hold on to. For many of us one bad comment always wipes out 30 positives. (yet, another habit I have to break)
I guess I am on the right path.
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| Lovely note from a young designer I worked with at Leo Burnett. I love that we still are in touch and I get to travel along his journey this lifetime. I'm honored. |
When I look at my friends lists on Facebook or LinkedIn it's filled with diversity of age, ethnicity and experience. I am proud that I have a 94 year old friend and friends in their 20s; farmers, politicians, actors, marketers, stay-at-home parents, gun law lobbyists, paintball players, artists (fine AND crafts), homeschoolers, prep schoolers, drop outs, innovators, socialists and social sharers, chefs and bartenders, CEOs and nannies... and these are the labels that others attribute. I just call them friends and family. But I think it's poignant and necessary to have that range of friends and family. It allows you to have insight into different lives that you may not be living yourself, and be totally disconnected from, and these relationships provide you an opportunity for understanding.
As I add years to my life, what doesn't change is how much I love people...how you can learn from anyone...if you're open to it...if you listen more than talk...if you avoid judgment...if you are free of prejudice, there's so much sharing to be done.
And the cool thing is the lives that you touch, can touch others... I was just reminded, as I'm typing this, how you can touch and change lives. When working at my current job, I had the opportunity to bring an improv/actor friend in to facilitate a workshop we were doing. My talented friend, Jennifer Estlin agreed to do it. Another of the facilitators who we had worked with earlier, Jennifer Reeder (who was known for her amazing, short-films that she would not only direct but write), was participating this time as well. Jen and Jen got to know each other through the process, and Jen R cast Jen E in a new piece she was producing. Tonight they are sitting in Park City, UT at Sundance watching that film, Million Miles Away, being shown at the festival.
That's freaking awesome.
We touch lives every day, even if it's a thank you for holding the door, or flipping the guy off who just almost hit your car. Decide how you want to be perceived and act accordingly.
Be open, be kind, be honest... and be prepared for the fact that some will not like you... but most will. Be amazed when connections are made... be humbled when you are trusted... be aware of the words you choose.
Again... be open, be kind, be honest.
