Because I’m Happy
I have always been a determined and driven person. I set a goal and I home in on it until I achieve it. Graduating college, getting a career and advancement were the top goals.
Approximately 6 months after graduating college, I landed my first job in my field. Honestly, I felt like a failure compared to other graduates who had job offers lined up after college, so to finally have my foot in the door felt amazing. I instantly made a plan. Work at the company for two years and then find another job with another company. Two years passed and an opportunity I wanted, I felt was unfairly given to someone else. Not only that, I began having issues with a coworker. Stressed, angry and hurt, I ferociously began job searching. However, the job search started to leave me more defeated than when I started. Most job descriptions wanted more job experience than I had or they wanted more skill sets than I required. Still, I applied for jobs. Constantly, I was met with rejection email after rejection email. Eventually, I did receive one job offer, but I felt as though taking the job would take my career in the opposite direction, so I turned it down. With the stream of rejection, I felt hopeless. I thought I would be stuck at my current position forever.
I can’t remember exactly what caused my thinking to alter, but one day, I began to think about the positives of my life. Although I was disheartened about waiting 6 months to start my career, I had known people who went YEARS without being hired in their field. That was one blessing. The fact that I even had a job at all. Two blessings. I was paid my goal salary. Three blessings. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that I was more blessed than how I was perceiving the situation. As a result, I began to be more content with the work situation that I was in. I began praying and thanking God for the job and everything else. I also began to pray for peace and protection from anger and aggravation concerning my coworker. From the first moment I prayed that prayer, life seemed brighter, happier even. I noticed when I would pray that coworker would leave me alone. I began to trust in the Lord in my work situation.
I also decided to use this time to learn more skills. I realized that my desire was to become a Digital Marketing Manager by the age of 30 and a Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) by 40. As a result, I began looking at various Digital Marketing Manager job descriptions and wrote down all the skills that it required. Since I wasn’t in school at the time, I decided I could teach myself through LinkedIn learning and other tools. The first skill I focused on was Search Engine Optimization (SEO).
Shortly afterwards, my employer posted a Web Marketing Coordinator position, which primarily focused on SEO. I took a leap of faith and applied. Unbeknownst to me, the position was being acquired by my department, so essentially, I had an interview with my superiors. Later, I was offered the job position and moved to Atmore, AL. The job not only focused on learning SEO like advertised, but also digital ads, which was another needed skill for Digital Marketing Managers. Once again, I planned. Stay in this position for three years and then move. However, God had another plan. (God changing my plans is a common theme in my life lol). After a year of being in the position, another position became available. I became hesitant because I had plans! However, after conversing with my best friend and praying, I decided to go after the newly opened position. Shortly afterwards, I was promoted to Web Production Specialist! Not only was the pay higher and I was now a salaried employee, I was also able to add another skill needed to my repertoire.
I’m not sure if it’s my analyzing nature or what, but sometimes, I like to analyze my life like I was taught to analyze literary books.
Was there foreshadowing?
What was the moment that incited change?
As I analyze this particular part of my life, I realized that the two promotions were prompted by my continuing seeking of contentment. My pursuit of being happy while my situation looked dire. To have two job promotions within two years after feeling as though the job force deemed me as insignificant and inexperienced proved to me that God can make a way out of no way, especially if you become thankful of your current situation. I also see that period as a reenactment of Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT): “Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand.”
I understand it can get hard and frustrating. The job isn’t paying enough. The boss is working your LAST nerve. Coworkers won’t do any work. Instead of giving the power to your emotions, I encourage you to practice Philippians 4:6-7.
Give the power to God. Let Him know your frustrations, but also thank Him for your position. It could always be worse.
*This blog post reflects the author’s recollections of experiences over time. Names of individuals have been changed or omitted to respect their privacy, and some events have been compressed.
