A Toast to my Failure
Let’s all raise a glass to my dear departed job. It is now officially dead and gone. My first real job. Everybody loses a job at least once, right? I propose a toast: to my first big failure. I’m a little depressed; I’m not quite sure how it came to this.
Well, no regrets. Move on. Let go. Look at yourself in the mirror, see more clearly who you really are, give yourself a minute– one minute– to wallow in the bad feelings, then tell yourself that what’s passed is passed and what counts is today. It helps that, although I loved the organization and the people it serves, I hated my role within it. The job was really a terribly match for me. And having now dabbled in the Gallup StengthsFinder, I can see why I hated it.
Time to pound the pavement. I’m a bit burned out on churches and Christian organizations. I think I’ll try for a nice dull job at a bank or doing retail or something. Maybe a coffee shop. Something in the service sector industry; after all, Operations Management, Service Sector is what I studied. If I go the organization route again it’ll be something totally different: the arts, or maybe a nice quiet museum.
In the meantime, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go watch Elizabethtown; a movie about failing, getting fired, and moving on. I can’t afford therapy– after all, I haven’t got any insurance any more. So Cameron Crowe will have to do.
September 11th, 2006 at 9:10 am
Hey Mel! Failure is never anything you need to worry about unless you stop there. And I can’t see you doing that. I’m excited about your future and you finding work that fits with your natural talents. I suspect too, that before long you won’t even see this as a failure; just a stepping stone.
You’re in our prayers as you move forward!
September 11th, 2006 at 9:53 am
I won’t try to replace Sam’s wise advice. Certainly sorry to hear that your job ended leaving you with these feelings, but glad to hear that it’s lead you to narrow down the field for the next step.
September 11th, 2006 at 10:17 am
People who don’t fail suck.
You’re first big one though, eh? Once it’s a little less raw… you’re gonna need to pick up the pace to catch up to people like me who really, really don’t suck.
nooc
September 11th, 2006 at 10:21 am
I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know, but failure creates the most growth and usually leads to bigger and better things. Take your sadness, anger, and frustration and use it motivate and fuel you to make something great. I know you will.
September 11th, 2006 at 11:17 am
It’s good to learn from jobs and positions along the way…it shapes us. I’m sorry the job didn’t work out like you’d wished…but you’ll find a perfect position for yourself!
I don’t think I’ve ever asked, but what is your field of expertise…or even field of desire?
September 11th, 2006 at 11:29 am
In college I studied Operations Management with a focus on the service sector. That means I should theoretically be trying to run a store or a restaurant or something; or working quality control or inventory at a hospital or similar large service-sector business.
Long term I want to do missions/development work and/or church planting, and I’d love to help run a coffee shop or cafe or similar. I’ve been volunteering at the non-profit coffee shop affiliated with the church I attend for about three years and it’s great.
September 11th, 2006 at 11:39 am
That’s it; take control of a coffee shop and slowly take it over from within. First ya get the fair trade coffee, then you promote the fair trade coffee, before you know it you’re setting up film nights showing choice Indie flicks on the projector you’ve rented from nearby, everyone’s buying coffee and they’re all loving it.
September 11th, 2006 at 12:50 pm
Is it too late for a gap year?
i’ve always thought it would be fun to work for an airline…just behind the scenes stuff and get free airfare!
September 11th, 2006 at 2:42 pm
I hate failing… but hey would we really be living if there wasn’t any possibility of failure. A toast to failure!
September 11th, 2006 at 10:25 pm
As a long time ski instructor (snow), I used to tell people if you don’t “maytag” (crash) at least once a run you’re just not pushing the envelope enough. So keep pushing the envelope God will bless you with one great adventure after another! Meanwhile read 1 & 2 Peter. There’s nothing like seeing the world through Peter’s eyes when you’re recovering from a percieved failure.
“You are generous because of your faith. And I am praying that you will really put your generosity to work, for in so doing you will come to an understanding of all the good things we can do for Christ.” (Philemon 1:6)
September 11th, 2006 at 11:43 pm
I’m sorry, Mel. It sucks no matter how it happens. I can relate. I’ve been there… twice. Perfect hindsight, though. Our Father knew it was time for me to move on. I learned a lot in those times and I love the track He has now directed me to. However, there is no way for me to deny the gut-wrenching feelings that still come up when I think of those failures.
That aside, I propose a different toast: to His perfect timing!
September 12th, 2006 at 11:37 pm
i love you, mel. and i feel your pain. i’ve never had so much trouble finding the right job. and it’s truly ridiculous how hard it is to get a descent job when you HAVE a college degree. i don’t get it. i thought the degree was supposed to get me a better career? cuz i’m making the same money as people who didn’t even graduate from highschool. it freaking sucks. you’ll find your place, though. i’ll be thinking of you.