"I need to speak to you in my office," are the most dreaded words that any young professional can hear from a new supervisor or boss. The mind begins to race with all types of negative story lines about your performance and work ethic. Ten years ago, I heard my then boss utter these words to me. This was my first full-time with benefits office job after finishing my undergraduate studies at U.C. Berkeley, and I didn't know what to expect. My worse fears became manifest with each word of disappointment that dripped like a runny faucet from my boss' lips. The negative three month evaluation was unexpected, and ripped my ego down to shreds. After the evaluation, I was noticeably distraught, so I was allowed to go home early to think about what was said. I remember coming home with tears running down my cheeks like raindrops on a window pane on a rainy day.
I can honestly say that day was the worst day of my professional career. But from the ashes of my shredded self-image, I emerged stronger, wiser, and more determined than ever. I went home and wrote out a professional plan of improvement, which included changing my wardrobe, creating checklists and other systems for tracking multiple tasks, and building in systems to ensure accountability of my work not only to my supervisor, but to my co-workers as well. I went to work the next day with a whole new perspective; I was determine to master my mistakes, and use the setbacks as stepping stones for me to use to reach the next level. By the six- month evaluation, my supervisor was pleased with my performance, and by the end of the year, she didn't even recognize me! After receiving that favorable evaluation, I took a higher paying job in the government sector, never looking back to return to that type of work ever again. I could have been defeated, and chose to mourn my mistakes, but I chose to shed the "black clothing", and decided to master those mistakes instead. That one decision has led me to where I am today; a successful public administrator who's a true professional, making strives in government work unlike any other. Mistakes are not designed to permanently paralyze you, but to temporarily stun you. Mistakes stop you from heading down a destructive path, and creates a space to reassess and redirect. Mistakes can't be avoided, but mistakes can be mastered; used for your benefit to propel you to your next level. It's your choice. Mourn or master, what will it be today. Your thoughts and comments are welcomed.
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AuthorAkon M. Walker, MPA, motivates readers to transform words of inspiration into life application. Archives
June 2019
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