Tis the season, gang. Your calendar is maxed out, as well as your wallet and, for a lot of us, our patience. Here in NYC, things move quickly – quicker than everywhere else – and in times such as these, we need to be mindful of when the clock stops for a few minutes, just like it did this morning. NYC and the country took a collective inhale and exhale as, yet another crisis/terror attack was averted. When things like this happen so close to home, I sometimes struggle with what is most important, like I am sure all of you do.
Our clients who were expecting candidates to interview this morning were patient and understanding; our freelancers who had trouble getting to their assignments were respectful and communicative; our whole staff checked in with their friends and family to make sure we were all safe, as many of us normally commute through this morning’s crime scene. And just as police officials held the press conference and told the world that New Yorkers are resilient and ready to get back to work, we all went back to our work. And that brings me to you.
Time. It’s a gift. We rush. We stress. We hurry. We borrow. We take. And sometimes, we pause. My sentiment is meant for everyone at all stages of life, to not take time for granted, whether it is yours or anyone else’s. If you have a meeting scheduled, honor it. You must see your commitments through, especially if someone else has made time for you in their world. This rule should apply to your professional or personal life: you should honor everyone’s time. If you regularly run late, and even I do, try and schedule yourself with built in time and use that time to focus on what is most important to get done in your day. If you are booked on an assignment, you go (sickness being the only valid excuse). If you are looking for someone in the world to take you seriously, then leaving others in a lurch is not the way. If what I am writing resonates with you, and I hope it does, then be aware as you are on your journey. Be aware of how your treat your time and others. Give ample notice and make wise choices – you never know who will remember the person that “cancelled last minute.” Make your mark by being authentic, respectful and honoring your promises. Time is not something to be wasted. Time is something to be respected.
Holler if you would like to hear specific examples of how time has been wasted while on a job search in the last few weeks and I will indulge you. The Choice Family is a huge believer in karma and leading life with our best foot forward. I think there are volumes of lessons to be learned from others’ mistakes and I truly hope that any mistakes made will be silver lining lessons and better habits for the future.
