From Part-Time to Manager

More time for what is more important

Amy, showroom manager for a decorativeplumbing supply house in Salem, Oregon told session three of the Leadership Development Lab...

"In 2010, I was a single mom working 70+ hours a week as a restaurant manager. The pay was good and I needed all the money I could earn because I had just purchased a house. One of the downfalls of being a restaurant manager is the long hours, especially on the weekends. Getting home many nights between 9 pm and midnight was not conducive to raising a child on my own. Sometimes I felt my son was at grandma and grandpa's more than he was with me at home.

"The Consolidated Supply branch manager was a regular in my restaurant and we had gotten acquainted. Consolidated had a change in their sales showroom and he approached me about becoming their part-time showroom consultant. I accepted his offer. It was a big pay cut but I knew it was the best decision for raising my son. Now I could be home to make dinner, help with homework, attend baseball and basketball games, be the Mom I wanted to be. In only three months I was advanced to full-time hours and just a few months after that I was promoted to the showroom manager position. Taking the risk and making the job change was definitely worth it.

"The lesson I learned from this experience is to keep what I value most on my mind when making decisions that have long-term consequences. I learned that sometimes I have to take what may seem like a few steps backwards before I can move forward.

"The action I call you to take is to let your values be your guide when you look at the lifelong consequences of the important decisions you are making today.

"The benefit you will gain is greater, true self-confidence and steady progress toward the achievement of what is of real value and significance to you."

There is no better advice that we can hear as we make decisions every day. Keep the long-term consequences of this decision in mind. What trajectory will this point me toward? Where will I end up? Who is watching me? What kind of example do I want to be? What legacy do I want to leave? Look ahead way down the road. Where is this decision taking me? The slightest deviation from what you value can have lifelong impact on you and the lives of the many people you influence, live with, and love.