Last We Spoke

The last time I posted on the blog, I was up to my neck in a very aggressive and ambitious project that consumed every waking moment both at home and at work. Both the stakes and stress were higher than I’ve ever experienced in my personal or professional life, and I was far from happy. But this isn’t a story of anger, stress, and displeasure—it’s a story of growth, reflection, and being thankful.

A New Opportunity

This past August, I joined the team at Artisan eLearning, and I couldn’t be happier. I wasn’t ever really satisfied with my previous position, and was so very tired of feeling like I was growing in my ever-growing negativity with the entire situation. So when I was approached with the opportunity to join Artisan, I was obviously thrilled. What excited me the most was the role I would get to play in shaping my position and responsibilities as well as the development and graphic design role that was initially envisioned.

I’ve been in my new role for a few months now, and we’re still figuring out what exactly my job entails, but it’s been such a great experience already. It was really interesting to navigate the switch from working in an office, as a member of a large organization’s training department, to working at home on a very small, and let’s not forget virtual, team. Stay tuned for more on that experience and some lessons learned in a later post.

Looking Back

When I first got the call with the job offer, I was excited at the mere thought of moving on and leaving what felt like an overly negative experience behind. But I quickly realized that I have a lot that I am thankful for. In 2012, when I was about to lose my first Instructional Design job in Baltimore, I was offered a job that would bring me back to my family and hometown. Throughout the countless stressful situations and projects with what felt like unrealistic expectations, I became faster and more skilled in my craft.  And lastly, only a few months after starting, my former boss got approval to send me to the Masie Center’s Learning 2012 convention as a member of the 30 Under 30 program.

It was there that I met Nick, my now dear friend and colleague, from Artisan eLearning. Little did I know then, that connection would eventually lead me to where I am today.

Lessons Learned

The past seven months have been an incredible and humbling experience. It has given me a new perspective on the power of networking and personal connections. It has also given me newfound appreciation for seemingly impossible challenges and the resulting personal growth.

Lastly, but most importantly, it has given me a much-needed reminder to always be thankful.

As we move from Thanksgiving and prepare for the rest of the holiday season, I’d like to say thank you. Thank you to my friends and family for your continuous love and support, and to my colleagues and employers, both past and present, for the opportunities to learn and grow. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for every one of you!

What are you thankful for? Leave a comment below.