{"id":22062,"date":"2024-04-04T07:19:28","date_gmt":"2024-04-04T14:19:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/propelbusinessworks.com\/?p=22062"},"modified":"2024-04-08T07:33:58","modified_gmt":"2024-04-08T14:33:58","slug":"learning-as-you-go-reflecting-on-lessons-we-take-with-us","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/propelbusinessworks.com\/propelsocial\/learning-as-you-go-reflecting-on-lessons-we-take-with-us\/","title":{"rendered":"Learning As You Go: Reflecting on Lessons We Take With Us"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Recently, I found a yellow legal note pad with notes I had scribbled down in April of 2009. That was fifteen years ago<\/a> this month and I can still vividly remember the moments I was living.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The economy had tanked in 2008 and companies were folding left and right. We thought we were safe, but little did we know, Shindaiwa would soon be next on the chopping block. It was March 15th that we all found out we would be closing our doors on March 31st. It was like a wrecking ball smashed through those walls. We were all stunned. Every last one of us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Looking back now, I see fate in it all. But at that moment I was assessing life, lessons, and trying to comprehend what was ahead<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Days later I would take myself away to my grandparent’s beach house to search, brainstorm, reflect, and ideate. But first, there was reflection on one lesson I would take with me. Here is a letter I wrote in the early days of April 2009, just before Propel Businessworks was conceived…<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the things that made us all feel like family was our ability to communicate comfortably\u2026 with each other and our customers. There was a bond and a foundation of trust built by strengthening ties, both inside and outside the office. It allowed us to do each of our jobs better because we all got through each challenge, not always easier, or better, but together. The relationships we had made us what we were and we were great as a team! That encompasses my image, my memories, and my lessons of Shindaiwa. And that is what I choose to take with me. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every new adventure starts with the ending of another adventure and at each exit we have a chance to learn. It\u2019s not always about who is wrong or right. It isn\u2019t always about the difficulties or conflicts. Shindaiwa was about people, just like life is about people. And that has taught me to open up, to trust others, and to always think the best of someone. To give people the benefit of the doubt first, and let them prove you wrong, if that\u2019s what they choose to do. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Use the golden rule as you\u2019re conducting daily business and go with the flow of positive interaction with people. No one is perfect but because we felt like a family, it was easier and we were more eager to forgive, laugh it off, and keep moving forward.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We have all learned to work, live, survive, and never give up TOGETHER. We learned how to communicate, whether good or not so great, we learned. It\u2019s amazing to have been part of a company that taught me the lesson of relationships in the workplace. Valuable lessons. Thanks to Shindaiwa.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fifteen years later, this is still true. My 4+ years at Shindaiwa and the team I worked with stand alone as a building block to the life I have now. Every job experience shapes us, if we let it. It can spur us on for better, or be a strong place for us to grow and be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I often recount my thoughts when leaving that company as not wanting to put a resume together or apply and interview anywhere else. When I left those doors, my days of being employed were left behind.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The second page of my yellow legal pad included a list of options I could pursue. I remember sitting in Grandma’s recliner, looking out the picture window at the bay and writing down every idea that came to my mind…<\/p>\n\n\n\n