One year ago, I was leaving a job that had me trapped in a cycle of despair and a fight with values that were not my own. I left this job with a sense of optimism, hope and courage that a few months previously I couldn’t have imagined possible.
One year on, I feel pleased to be able to celebrate the following:
- I am full of admiration for every last one of my colleagues; their significant expertise, drive and commitment
- I laugh and smile between the hours of 9-5 as well as either side of it
- I engage in learning not for mere survival but for intellectual satisfaction
- I am keen to tell others where I work and feel proud and privileged to work for the Chartered College of Teaching
- I have a manager who values my contribution and trusts my experience
- I feel enthusiastic about contributing to the work of the wider team as I feel a valued part of it
- Work, whilst challenging and plentiful, is comfortable to contemplate because it aligns well with my own values
- Our mission is important and bold but feels to be within our grasp
Imagine the opposite of each of these things and it might give you some sense of where my previous job had left me.
2018 was about belief. Belief that I had taken a courageous leap into a job that would bring me all the things I had been sorely missing. Restoring belief in me; my skills and abilities.
The job has met everything I could have asked for it and the latter is a far stronger belief than it has been for many years.
2019 will be about joy.
‘Pointing forward without forgetting the past’ is the message on my new piece of jewellery from Article 22. This year I will continue to celebrate the professional journey I’m making, as well as the new life I’m carving for myself outside of the workplace.
If I was able to go back in time, I would tell the stressed, anxious, lost version of myself these three things:
- There is a job out there that will make your spirit soar
- There is a team out there who will support and value you
- There is an organisation out there worthy of what you have to offer
If you happen to find yourself in a position similar to where I was over a year ago then perhaps these messages will bring you comfort.
Listening to this song this evening was my source of joy and celebration.
7 Responses
Hi Hannah
I am so please you have found the happiness and fulfilment in your work you were hoping to find.
A lovely written piece, very inspiring.
Thank you
All the best for 2019
Paul N
Paul Newman
Group Executive Director-Faculties &
Head of Campus-Reading College
Thank you, Paul! How lovely to hear from you and I hope you’re well!
Thanks for sharing Hannah!! Very inspiring and full of wisdom as usual 😊
Thank you Anshi!
And you mayn’t have realised it at the time, but you were inspirational, even then.
Despite your potential having not been allowed to thrive, don’t doubt how much and how many positive differences you made; in an environment that made them terribly difficult to actualize but merely more remarkable that you did. An environment that benefited no end from your efforts, yet sadly forgot (?) to say so all the while.
Anywhere you work is lucky to have you on board; you can’t help but make a positive difference, regardless of whether your environment facilitates you to do so or not. Exciting to hear you are much better matched to a healthily happy new setting!
Kate, thank you ever so much for this comment. I always try to influence at least 1 person wherever I go but some places are more draining to do this in than others. It’s really lovely to hear from you and I hope things are well with you.