Gratitude

Your ideal environment

by Katie Welker

It’s after 7 p.m. and I am sitting in an empty office working. My boss is out on vacation this week, and since I’m still so new, i’m her out of office contact. It may seem counterproductive to most, but it’s the perfect way to learn on the spot. Not to mention I have a great team who helps me whenever I need it.

A few minutes ago, I took care of a small client request for my boss and copied her on the email follow up. My boss replied back and said, “You are awesome!!! Now go home and enjoy your evening!”

First and foremost, she’s right about needing to go home! I have a longer commute now that i’ve relocated to Chicago. But what I found so rewarding was that she took the time to acknowledge the fact that I helped out. She didn’t have to send that email, she’s on vacation for crying out loud! But she took the extra minute to go the extra mile, and that makes all the difference.

It’s the same with everyone I work with. Never too proud to say, “thanks for your help!” or “I don’t know how I would have handled that without your guidance!” Yes, we’re competitive. But at the end of the day, we’re also on the same team.

And that is the kind of environment I thrive in. Encouraging, positive, direct and constructive when needed, but no room for complaints and negativity.

I’ve been in Chicago for just about one month, and at my new job for even less time. Needless to say, there will be MANY ups and downs in the future. However, I know that no matter if it’s a good day or a bad day, I have a group of people who are rooting for me to succeed. And that’s something I feel so fortunate to have found.

So what’s your ideal environment? Where do you feel like it’s okay to display both your quirks and your strengths? If you haven’t found it, I urge you to keep looking. Because i’ll tell ya what… it’s worth it once you do.

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Want to know more about the specialized staffing agency where I work? Check out creativecircle.com, or connect with me on LinkedIn. I’m a people-connector at heart, and would love to hear from you! xo.

Who is it

by Katie Welker

Tonight I spent time with one of my closest friends, and as we threw back a couple drinks we found ourselves playing this silly game called ‘tough questions.’ The rules? Ask each other tough questions. Shocking, I know.

We started off pretty top of mind: if these two people were trapped in a burning house and you could only save one, who would it be? and If you had to choose between a career and a family, what would you choose?

Then I asked him, if you could spend your last day on earth with only one person, who would you spend it with? As we talked through his answer and the subsequent topics to follow, it really got me to think about the company that I keep and who it is that I want to surround myself with. The issue stuck with me the whole drive home.

As i’ve come to learn all too well the past few years, you never know how much time you truly have with the people you love. So who is it that you would want to spend that last day with? Heck, even if you had a week, a month, a year… who would it be? Maybe it’s a family member, an old friend, a mentor you just wouldn’t be where you’re at now without, a significant other. Maybe it’s even a few people who you just can’t decide between.

I bet the answer will come quicker to you than you may realize. And if you’re fortunate enough to have the clarity of who these people in your life are, do yourself a favor and reach out to them, no matter how long it’s been. Then go a step further and make your gratitude for them known.

At the end of the day, hiding the reality of our heart does more harm than good, and often leaves us barricaded with doubt and confusion. When it comes to the important relationships in our lives, there shouldn’t be any guessing as to what we truly mean and how we truly feel.

Who is it?

Now go ahead. Tell them.