In the category of shocking but true, I have been promoted to a challenging position at work reporting to the president of the company. I've been interviewing for other jobs more along the lines of what I already do, but with this one, they came looking for me, and it was an opportunity I couldn't turn down.
My email exploded yesterday when the word went out. Lots of congratulations and hallway handshakes, of course. Most of my colleagues were genuinely delighted and proud, but a few expressed concern about how hard the job will be. Like, who wants hard?
Me! I'm just not the type to slither off to a comfortable place and rest. That's a recipe for an early exit, and I'm just getting started. Do I wish an opportunity like this would have come earlier in my career? Sure, but it took all this time to learn what I've learned and evolve into who I am! I'm honored my company's leadership wanted to leverage that experience.
Those who expressed something along the lines of sympathy about the new job were all late-career professionals. The young ones get it, especially the women. They are not scared of hard work. I think what they see in me a balanced fun person who works really hard and is successful -- and that inspires them. I heard words like badass and role model and pimp. I had to explain to my husband that pimp is good.
I'm glad I didn't listen to all that crap about gray hair ruining your career.
