Professional Experience Experiencer
I like being really good at things. I guess that’s human nature, right? Everyone likes being good at what they do.
One of my favorite parts of working was review time. Oh, I loved reviews. A chance to be told how empathetic, how strategic, how darn amazing I was. Oooh, and there was nothing better than direct quotes from peers. I once got laid off after the best review of my life, but that review felt like proof I was gonna be ok. And look…I am!
My last job was with a company that didn’t believe in reviews but pushed more open and consistent communication. Good idea in theory, but not as satisfying for me as that document I could hold in my hand with “Exceeding Expectations” marked straight down the line.
But take away the job and the reviews fall away too. My child’s report card is not MY report card. And as much as my husband knows my love language is words of affirmation - it’s just not the same thing.
So now that I’m a full-time expat, I want to be a really, really great expat. Like the best expat ever. With glowing reviews!
At first, I thought being a great expat meant a chance to gobble up opportunities that would make me stronger on my re-entry: Life Coaching, Design Thinking, Ad Conferences, etc.
Then I thought it was a chance to be the best mom ever. Super involved in the PTA. Mindful in every moment.
Once our contract in Japan was renewed for another two years, I thought ok, it was time to pivot and redefine what being a “great expat” meant for me.
I knew I wanted to be truly present in our time here as a family and experience all there is to experience, so we could leave with no regrets. Dammit, I was gonna be, like, a…Professional Experience Experiencer. Yes! That’s it! To me being a great expat meant carpe-ing the heck out of each diem and creating the best possible memories through experiences with friends and family.
As I started to craft these memorable moments on this side of the planet, the universe had other plans. COVID hit. But wildly it showed me that I could craft memorable moments anywhere we went, not just overseas. As long as I brought a sense of adventure, optimism and excitement, a hike in our own backyard could be as special as a hike through the cedar forests of Japan.
But now, back in Tokyo, I’m ready to elevate in my role of Professional Experience Experiencer. I’m ready to make Partner. Or at least VP.
But I need to grow into it with pure authenticity cause here is the thing: I run in circles with people that see more, than I see. Curate more unique adventures, than I curate. And do super cool things, way before I do them. I am freaking surrounded by Professional Experience Experiencers.
And as I scan my socials looking for information and inspiration it is easy to compare, on my quest to be the best. I have to remind myself that social media is my journal that fills a beautiful role as a tool of connection. And that a comment does not equate to a review (even though it hits the exact same spot in my brain, that releases the exact same dopamine, that feels oh so good.)
I know that ultimately the most important review I receive is this one I get from myself every evening as I lay my head down in Steve’s nook. It’s only me who decides if I am crushing my time in this job or not. I have to remind myself that right now my only boss is me and no one is better equipped to knock her socks off. And my team kinda thinks I’m a superstar too. (Thanks Bertling boys.)
Cause in a blink, we will be back to exploring our own little backyard once again. Back to the life I knew. With an entirely new job to crush, on the horizon. And during the interview process, I will inquisitively ask “So…what’s your philosophy on employee reviews?”