Every day is a chance to #BeMore. Not do more. Not work more. Instead, we encourage one another to be the best we can be and enjoy life to the fullest. Two of Green Hasson Janks’ leaders share their personal stories below.
SAYING “NO” TO WHAT ISN’T A PRIORITY IS SAYING “YES” TO WHAT IS
By MARI-ANNE KEHLER
We’ve all heard the advice borrowed from flight attendants: “Put your own oxygen mask on first!” We cannot be of use to others, or ourselves, if we aren’t healthy enough to be effective. Self-care isn’t optional in the long run; it’s critical to real success. But putting that into action is difficult for those who are trying to have it all by doing it all.
I raised a son with a disability into adulthood and typically slept only four hours a night – for 20 years. I got very good at working hard, playing hard and juggling all the balls in the air. But after a health scare, I soon realized I wouldn’t be of much use to anyone for long if I didn’t slow down and put my own wellness first. Practicing self-care is the best preventative medicine there is. I discovered a few secrets I’ll pass on which are universal truths for all, especially fellow ball-jugglers:
- Self-care is not selfish; it is the most responsible thing you can do.
- Treat yourself the way you would a dear friend, with gentle compassion and care.
- Saying “no” to what isn’t a priority is saying “yes” to what is.
- Set clear boundaries for yourself, and stick to them.
- Set realistic goals for yourself and schedule them.
And my favorite truth is from the great writer, Anne Lamott:
Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes. Including you.
SPONSORSHIP AND PAYING IT FORWARD
By ANITA WU
In a client service profession, our clients are our primary focus, and yet it is just as crucial that we anticipate the needs and exceed the expectations of the people within our organization as when we present ourselves to the outside world. Looking back at the early stage of my career, two particular situations were instrumental in accelerating my development:
Opportunity – I regularly attended client and settlement meetings. So much of what I know about my job was learned through observation. For the first couple of years, I was happy to play a non-speaking role. However with time, my thoughts started to align with the active dialogue, which built up my confidence and allowed me to find my voice in these meetings.
Empowerment – My supervisors introduced me in these meetings as an integral member of our team, and I performed much of the follow-up work including circle backs with our clients. Not only did this pressure me into strengthening my technical skills, but also figuring out how to effectively communicate my message to others. As an added benefit, I gradually established my own individual relationships with our clients.
Had my supervisors not afforded me these situations, it is unlikely that I would have had the good sense to seek them for myself, at least not before losing interest in my job. Moreover, having well-respected, strong-minded women as my supervisors shaped my ideal of who I could become.
Perhaps the best way I can express my gratitude to the generation before me is to be as generous to the newer members of our firm.
Sponsorships require trust and accountability by and between the persons involved. Gone are the days of a “one size fits most” career path. Everyone’s definition of success is different, and having a sponsor can help to set a realistic timeline for the achievement of one’s goals.
Being a sponsor keeps us engaged and informed and freshens our perspective of this ever-changing world faster and better than if we were to go about it on our own. And women need to have as many sponsored career opportunities as men to ensure the path to leadership is equitable.
At Green Hasson Janks, we focus as much of our energy toward training and team building as we do to servicing our clients. As both a recipient and outspoken benefactor of sponsorships, my connectivity to our firm is strengthened, and I am continuously inspired to #BeMore to my colleagues, our clients and myself. With our commitment to anytime/anywhere work, our support of flexible work environments and our passion for health and wellness, our Firm wants people who live their best lives.
Mari-Anne Kehler is Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer, Green Hasson Janks https://www.greenhassonjanks.com/about-us/people/ mari-anne-kehler/
Anita Wu is Principal, Entertainment Practice, Green Hasson Janks https://www.greenhassonjanks.com/about-us/people/anita-wu/
