THE POWER OF PURPOSE: OPPORTUNITY VS. OBLIGATION
“I have simply tried to do what seemed best each day, as each day came.” -Abraham Lincoln
Do you feel like your job is a tremendous opportunity? Does it still excite you to walk into your office? Are you energized? Do you enjoy the company of your coworkers and your clients?
It’s been just over 31 years that I have had the privilege to work for Newport Harbor Corporation (NHC). It has been quite the journey. I started at the Newport Yachting Center working with a great team on legacy events, like the Polar Beverage Great Chowder Cook-Off, the Newport International Boat Show, and music events including the Newport Reggae Festival, Celtic Rock Festival, and the Nantucket Nectars Sunset Music Series of over 150 concerts from Train to the Beach Boys. We also hosted world class events: the ESPN Extreme Games, CBS This Morning, Sports Illustrated 50th Anniversary Tour, the Tall Ships Festival and much more. Over 2,000 events in three decades – an exciting, educational and unprecedented opportunity!
Perhaps you have been in your job for a few months or a few years, or maybe for decades. Whatever your tenure, if you’re feeling a bit stuck or stale it’s time to adjust your approach to each day.
- KISS YOUR DESK! Make a dedicated effort to fall in love with your job again. Realize how good you have it! Make a list of everything you love about your job. Put your mobile phone away and be present. Don’t leave skid marks at the door at the end of the day if there is still work to be done.
- Identify areas of opportunity. Find a mentor who will champion you internally, and seek out mentors outside of your workplace as well. Be an employee that you would want to hire. Learn beyond your skill set and stretch yourself. Be a lifelong learner: Read trade articles and books, listen to podcasts – don’t waste a minute! Become an expert in your field and share your expertise.
- Think positively! Your feelings will catch up with anything you choose to believe. Will you focus on gratitude, happiness and success, or a negative mindset of scarcity, jealousy, anger and paranoia? Like-minded people attract, so what kind of people are you attracting? When people see you with a spring in your step heading into a restaurant, a meeting, a special event or the office, make them think “Hey, I want some of that!”
- Look beyond yourself. Volunteerism and assisting those less fortunate will provide the happiness that money cannot. Be aware of opportunities to help others; it could be as simple as holding the door open for someone while offering a warm smile. You never know what burdens another person is carrying. Help them carry it by making their day just a bit brighter.
We don’t see things as they are, we see things as we are. Believe in yourself and your abilities. A career can offer us a powerful purpose. What drives you to wake up and commence the day with energy, fully engaged, committed and ready to do YOUR Best? The JOY is in the journey. So KISS YOUR DESK and live EVERY heartbeat!
Gail Lowney Alofsin worked for a cruise line and a resort before moving to Newport, Rhode Island to commence a career spanning three decades as the Director of Corporate Partnerships & Community Relations at Newport Harbor Corporation. In addition to working with a team to produce over 2,000 events, she also produced 89 weddings; which she jokes is 88 too many!
The highlight of her career to date has been the unparalleled colleagues, clients, nonprofits, sponsors, vendors and friends she has had the privilege to work with throughout the decades. She kisses her desk every Monday morning out of gratitude for a career she loves and appreciates.