That Guy

Jason is going through a civilian assimilation class. It's a class that everyone getting out of the military has to go through if they are getting out within the next two years. This class is supposed to give them the resources they need to transition to civilian life. As Jason is telling me about the class today he makes the reference that he is "that guy" in class. You know the one that asks all the questions and has all the right answers. That guy that raises his hand and then tries to help others understand what the teacher is saying. Yeah, Jason is that guy. Which only validates why I love him and why I'm marrying him. 

Often we look at those people and talk about them behind their backs. We call them things such as brown nosers or teachers pet. And we say that like it is a bad thing. 

Since when is this a bad thing? 

Since when is asking questions and having the right answers a bad thing? 

I think the worse thing is not knowing, not being informed, not making an effort. 

I remember those people in high school that were "those people." I was not one of those people. Frankly, I didn't have much respect for my teachers and my sights were set on much bigger things than anything my teachers had going on or thought they could teach me. And I can honestly say that not one thing any of my teachers in high school taught me even sticks with me now. (Sure, I had some decent teachers - so if you are reading this and you were one of my teachers, you made the fb list, so this probably doesn't apply to you) I knew from a pretty young age that I didn't want to learn from anyone that valued sports more than academics, judged someone based on who their parents were or weren't, or someone who made you literally give up a spot on a team so one of the more popular people could have it.  So growing up, I wasn't one of those people. On the outside I'm sure I looked like one of those people. I played sports, I made good grades, I didn't get in much trouble, overall from the outside I looked like one of those people. I guess there was that time that I told one of the coaches she could kiss my you know what if I had to play another hole of golf. I don't think my parents were even mad at me over that one, maybe even a little proud I stood up for myself. Sometimes I even refused to answer a question in class even if I knew the answer because I didn't want to give the teacher the satisfaction of thinking I actually wanted to participate. Sorry, mom and daddy, if you're reading this. 

Anyways, I digress. I said all that to say, that now, I am "that guy." You know, the one that has the right answers, the one that is always looking at how to do something better, whatever my boss needs I will do whether it is 2 in the morning, a Saturday, vacation days, etc. Yeah- I'm that person. And yes, sometimes people give me a hard time about it. But here's the thing, I'm not being fake, that genuinely is who I am. I'm 27, I want to be successful in my career, I want those around me to be successful and have the support and resources they need and fortunately the people I work with are people of integrity and leadership - why wouldn't I want to be that person? 

Is it worth it? Yes. 

And I'm marrying "that guy"

And I hope our kids are "those people" (if we ever decide to have children) 

Being "that guy" is not a bad thing. 

Saying Goodbye

I've written some over the last couple of years about my Daddy and Mom and how influential they have been in my life. A true guiding light in my life who has taught me the value of hard work, a good work ethic and integrity in the workplace. They always taught me to treat people fairly and work hard, because nothing in this life is free or just gets handed to you. Those values, I believe, are what has carried me in my career the last four years. Both of my parents instilled the foundation for me to be successful and without that I wouldn't be where I am today.

Today was the beginning of a long goodbye to one of my mentors who has helped to lead me through my career and has combined what my parents taught me about work and this specific career path. I had the opportunity to start working with Barry when I was in Circulation back in 2011 when he first came to the paper to take our Finance Director position. Being a Circulation guy from way back we had an instant connection. For anyone in the newspaper business, you know, those circulation people stick together - it is a very unique position to be in. A lot of our time spent together from 2011-2012 was compiled of a lot of sarcasm with sarcasm on the side. My boss had already taught me a lot about the circulation and the newspaper business so my reliance on Barry was minimal. I often told him that I came by my smart a** ways naturally. So that was the beginning of our working relationship. 

Today was our last weekly 1 on 1 meeting. I didn't come prepared with anything to talk about in hopes that he had prepared something for me. Sitting down I asked him to impart all of his wisdom on me to which he replied that, that would take longer than our scheduled 30 minutes. What he did have for me though did not disappoint me and I'll get around to that later on. I had the opportunity when I moved into advertising in 2012 to start working closer with Barry. And the last 6-9 months I've had the opportunity to work even closer with him since my boss has taken on an expanded role. He has taught me what battles to pick, how to respond, how to look at things a different way and included me in anything that he thought would be helpful for me to learn. No matter what my questions are he always answers and is a straight-shooter. With him, you always have to be prepared to hear an answer that you may not want to hear. He has taken the time to teach me when he could have just looked towards retirement and done his time in the office. 

A lot of what he has taught me, I can't put in words. The things I can put in words that he told me today is this: 

1) Have patience...No matter how quickly you advance, be happy where you are and look for opportunities to improve in your current position 

2) Always look for opportunities to improve your organization 

3) Don't let the small things become big things and follow the 2 e-mail rule - if something can't be solved in 2 emails, it is time to pick up the phone or see that person, in person

Of course there was a lot more to the conversation, but these were the highlights. And I'm sorry,  but you just can't get that guidance from a book. 

It crossed my mind as I was leaving his office that, that would be the last time I left his office from an official 1:1 meeting. It's hard to comprehend at 27 years old that the people that have been so critical in shaping your career are moving on and you still have another 30 years ahead of you without that person's guidance. Somehow I always thought I would work with these people forever. The same goes for parents - we never think about the time they won't be here to teach us anymore. And it makes you a little uneasy on how do you move forward without them. 

There will be others that help to shape my career throughout the years, but Barry is one that I will never forget. I'm sure that the term "sewer monkeys" will be something I remember forever and I may even use it at some point in my career and give employees something to talk about :) 

Maybe someday I will be someone's Barry and I think more than personal success, the influence you contribute to someone else success is the greatest measure of your success. 

As I move through this life he makes the list of most influential people - he gets to be #3 since my official boss and others haven't retired yet. 

1) Daddy and Mom

2) Barry 

I saved the tears from falling as I walked out of his office today, but I still have to make it through a couple of "going away events." 

 

Catching Up

It never fails, as much as I try to stay in the routine of blogging, somehow it always falls off my list of priorities. It has almost been five months since I've written and a lot has happened since then. 

I don't want to forget any of the moments I've had since the last time I blogged. And in June I didn't really do a recap of what had been going on. 

So to get everything down...

May - Jason and I went on our first vacation together. We went to Seattle and Oregon and it was absolutely wonderful and we didn't kill each other after spending a week together. So that was a success. I traveled a lot in May for pleasure and for work. May was a difficult month for me and one I don't think I'll ever forget. 

June - more travels for work, this time to Florida...I wish I could say Florida was awesome, it wasn't. It was hot and humid. The end. 

July - more hot here in Texas. We went to the Symphony Pops concert for the 4th. Jason had never been, so it was a ton of fun. June and July are both a blur as we were so busy during these months

August - mine and daddy's birthday month. Jason showered me with presents all month long and we ended the month with a trip to Fredericksburg with my parents. 

September - I sold my house. That's a pretty big thing but it was the close of a chapter in my life that was time to be over. I made some pretty big mistakes this month and said a lot of things I wish I could take back, but I can't. Just having faith that God restores. 

October - travels for work, vacation, and we got engaged. We spent the 2nd week of work at a conference in Virginia for my work and then spent some vacation time. We explored Shenandoah National Forest and went to Bush gardens..more amazing times with Jason. It is such a blessing to be engaged and going to spend the rest of my life with someone who I can spend day in and day out with and we never let the little things become big things. And he keeps me smiling. We also took engagement pictures which was a ton of fun. 

And that brings us to November.  These last several months brought a lot of heartache, a lot of laughter, a ton of love, a lot of travel, a lot of volunteer time but mostly a reminder that this life I live is truly blessed, and I need to remember that more often. 

I hope that I can find some more time in my day to sit down and write out our adventures and share my thoughts.