Our June luncheon speaker, Stephen Barnhill, plans to reveal some lessons he’s learned while trying to change the world. From graduate school to the glamorous world of ad agencies to serving only nonprofits and mission-minded businesses, Stephen has amassed broad experience in institutional, corporate and marketing communications. Outside of work, he has served as a director of numerous nonprofits, including Operation Rainbow, The Park People and Houston Metropolitan Ministries.
I look forward to hearing his insights from a 30-year career. It got me thinking. What have I learned during the past 30 years?
Don’t burn bridges. No matter the circumstances for leaving a job, refrain from telling the employer what you really think.
Promise a date to finish the project and deliver early. Side note–as I’ve gotten older, this has become more difficult to do, but I still try.
Keep a master to-do list. With i-technology today, this is easy to do. Although I still tend to write lists in longhand on scraps of paper that end up on my desk, in my purse, in a notebook, next to my bed, on the refrigerator…
Make friends with your clients’ assistants. They really run the show and can get you answers much quicker than the client.
Take vacations. It helps refresh creativity if you take a break once in a while.
Vent and laugh. Confide in trusted friends or therapists. I can make referrals to the latter if you need.
Volunteer. Whether it’s at your kid’s school, your church, community organization or IABC (hint, hint), it can help you develop skills, meet contacts and feel good about contributing to something worthwhile.
Exercise. I recommend polka dancing.
Show your gratitude. With email, it’s even easier these days to dash a thank you to someone. It will make you both feel good.
Pray. As much as you want to be in control of everything, you’re not. Daily guidance is needed.
What have you learned over the years? Share your thoughts here. And thanks Stephen for the cue to reflect.
