I feel so good today. I wrestled with some personal demons last night, and came out victorious. I enjoyed a playful online interaction with my 12 year old niece yesterday evening, and that helped bring some joy back into my heart, and remind me of what's really important to me in my life. Laughter is a very good and healing gift we humans have! It lifted me out of my dark mood and helped me find some equilibrium.
I'm content with work here at year-end, too. I started out so strong this year for the first half of the the year, and then had a very disappointing 3rd quarter in sales, which was tough on my confidence, and my pocketbook. Things were difficult and financially tight as the kids were starting school. It was a tough time, which happened when other difficult changes were happening in my life. Included in the difficulties were some significant changes at work, which I had to adjust to. I felt so off-balance and flailing at a critical time coming into this last quarter of the year. For many reasons, including my own lack of focus, I just didn't see myself having the monster 4th quarter that I typically have and that I needed to hit my yearly numbers.
I'm proud to say that I went deep into myself and addressed some issues which were causing me to lose sight of my goals, put them to rest. I was able to stay relaxed, calm and confident in my abilities - to close out the year strong! I easily hit my quota for the year and am now over my 4th quarter quota and made it to the yearly bonus number as well. I still have one last deal coming in today for another $24K. I'm sitting pretty and feeling good about having some money to put into the bank.
As important to me as the revenue I've been able to generate for my company and make for myself and my family, are the relationships I've built and the way I've conducted myself in my dealings. It feels good to help them, knowing that we will be a great choice to help them improve their business, but also to know that I can negotiate deals that feel good for us all. I am much better at standing firm when it's important that I do, and I've earned the respect of my clients in the process.
One of the best things I've heard all year was when a CEO of a firm who recently purchased our software after an intense negotiation, called me to tell me a couple of days ago, "I have enjoyed doing business with you, and am looking forward to a long relationship between our companies. I want you to know that you do good work and are an asset to your company." It made my week to hear that from a man who came to this country with nothing and found great success. All the work that I've put in the be more self-directed and to rely less on my boss's feedback to know I'm doing well has paid off, and this new client's gesture was for me a symbol of my newfound confidence in myself. He spoke to me with respect and with warmth, and it went straight to my heart. All the money in the world would not make me happy, but to earn a living, while also helping people and developing good relationships - that completes the circle for me, and it's no wonder I almost never wake up thinking, "I don't want to go to work."
Just as I was sitting here thinking on the year's ups and downs, and my own failures and successes, feeling content that I'm still able to find some balance while striving to grow and better myself, I looked out my window to see a perfect V formation of geese flying just slightly above me, but very close. I could see the colors of their individual feathers. They were equidistant from each other - and just perfectly aligned. It was a beautiful sight. I've never seen a more perfect looking formation of geese. And then, as they flew into the distance I saw them regroup, losing that perfect line in the process.
Just as I know those geese in transition will achieve a perfectly balanced formation again, I know I will falter and regain balance again myself. This coming year will be filled with tears and laughter, darkness and light, good times and bad - and I will be able to find balance overall.
No comments:
Post a Comment