A Dream Evolved

Wanting more than what you thought you always wanted

We all have that one ultimate dream that we have always wanted to accomplish. I consider myself an ambitious person, so it would be unacceptable for me to not work diligently toward my goals. 

Early on in my career, I made it my mission to change the way employees experience HR, and the way employers leveraged us. When I set this goal, I didn't realize that it is the very thing that would keep me driven and focused on the impact I wanted to have on the world. 

For about seven years straight, I would find myself still happy and fulfilled on this mission. But, then something changed. 

Can you relate? 

Previously, I wrote about my approach to HR; establishing ground-up HR departments to set the tone for the way the employee experience would be managed. But my environment was driving me away from that, to having a more comprehensive and total care approach to human in general. So, I positioned myself as a resource and started using my skills & expertise to help develop the professionals in my community. 

Over the past few years, the disproportionate lack of professional development resources available in communities of color became more and more prevalent. So over that time, becoming a professional development community resource is something that I've grown very passionate about. 

Did I mention that I am goal-driven? As in I will do everything I say that I will? 

You too? Okay... great! 

In my quest to become a more valuable resource to the city, I got comfortable in a job where I wasn't the Head of HR - this was new. This level of comfort allowed me to seamlessly change course a bit on my personal mission, while still seeing my original mission through. 

Well, things changed where I worked. People left the company. The Head of HR had just resigned and not been replaced. 

I, being my ambitious self, applied for the position the moment it opened. Of course, I was excited about the chance to be Head of HR again, who wouldn't be? 

Well, my application was never submitted to the CEO, and the position was subsequently put on hold. As you can imagine, for a short time I felt sabotaged. Like something or someone was getting in the way of me getting what I wanted, and felt I deserved. 

But wait... 

There was a moment of self-reflection after I publicly asked for guidance, that made me realize that I'm just too used to wanting what I always wanted. It was that comfort level that fostered feelings of something getting in the way of me losing it. But what am I losing? Nothing! 

That regulated my emotions instantly. My reminder was this: Don't ever be afraid of wanting more than what you thought you have always wanted. 

I had to understand that that particular path (back up the HR ladder) was not the one I was on anymore. 

What I had originally perceived as actions that were taken against me, was now understood as a shift to further align me with the new direction I was headed, in preparation for a disconnected exit (because I've worked jobs that I didn't want to leave and that's tough). 

If you have ever been in this space, or find yourself here now, remind yourself of what your goal is and make sure that you are moving strategically toward it. Stay focused on the path you are on. I learned firsthand that there will always be something quick or easy that can change your situation, but if you let it distract you, you will end up further from your goal. Remember that you are growing, even if it doesn't look the way that you are used to seeing it. 

Brittany McCollum, SHRM-SCP is the Owner of Black In Business. She is an expert in personal growth and HR effectiveness who has helped dozens of professionals attain their goals by bridging the gap between their vision and performance. As an advisor to company executives, students, and other growing professionals for over 7 years, Brittany McCollum, SHRM-SCP brings an influential approach to individual development & progression through her coaching. Visit www.imblackinbusiness.com Connect Brittany McCollum