Recently, I’ve had a moment to reflect about what is important to me and what I really want out of my life jobwise. I don’t want just a job, I want a career that aligns the best of me, my talents and values.
Have you ever stopped to think about what yours are?
I did.
I was given a copy of Russ Harris’ list of 58 Core Values and I was asked to choose just 6. I wittled them down to 15 and then really took time to think about all the things that make me, well, me.
My Top 6 Core Values
- Fun – I want to enjoy my interactions and even in the midst of chaos or when things go wrong be able to have a laugh, get up and try again.
- Connection – I am a people person. I want to work with people, not numbers. I want my supports to make a real difference in your life.
- Authenticity – What you see is what you get, I’m truthfully honest and if something doesn’t work or I don’t know…I’ll say it, then try to find out.
- Co-operative – I love to brainstorm and work as a team with the people around me in equal partnership. I like the brainstorming philosophy – no right or wrong, just a plethora of ideas to bring to the table.
- Curiosity – I love to learn. I watch TED Talks often on random while doing my boring chores – a 2 for 1 win of my time! If I don’t know something I start to explore.
- Flexibility – I can creatively work in the moment, with the people and resources that are present. I can read a situation quickly and learn to adapt and navigate supports as we go along. Nothing is set – I’ve ditched many a lesson and let the students come up with a plan and to be honest, I’ve been surprised at their ingenuity. Letting my student’s control their own learning was the most powerful lesson my students taught me.
I have spent some time doing some self-inventory work as I recently fell into a job role that on the surface looked like what I wanted, but at the core was not me at all. I’ve never felt like this before in my career or any other position (work/voluntary) I have held. This was strange new territory for me. I left. Now it’s time for me to venture out again and work the way I want to.
I want my workplace to be with people, starting where they are at, within their own spaces providing meaningful support. Choice and control I’ve heard a lot about this for other people, now it’s my time.
Echo Back Consultancy 