|
|
Linda Dona - ICRA President, 2006 -
2007
|
September 2006
President's Message
The Constant in our Lives
As I sit down to write the president’s message that you will be reading in
the November issue of “In Verbis,” the late September leaves are just beginning
to turn and the air is beginning to feel crisp. I can’t help but notice
how the change of seasons is reflective of the changes going on in our profession
as a whole and in my own personal professional life. I am sad to have
summer’s long days be shortened and see darkness encroach earlier on my evenings,
but every morning when I wake up to glorious sunrises and beautiful fall
mornings, I have to admit that maybe change isn’t such a bad thing,
In August of this year I was confronted with some changes
in my own professional life that made me realize that a change was probably
exactly what I needed. However, even with the facts in black and white
staring me in the face, I felt paralyzed. I didn’t want to change!
I was comfortable with how things were for me, and even though it looked
as if things were going to be more difficult for me in my employment in the
future, I wasn’t sure that I wanted to move on. After all, I knew what
to expect with what I was doing and who I was doing it for. There was
fear in the unknown world outside of my comfort zone!
That’s when I happened upon two tidbits of wisdom that
have stuck with me: Thinking about something is ten times more stressful
than actually doing it, and almost every change we are forced to make in
life turns out to be a positive one. It was then that I realized what
I was feeling wasn’t rational. Fear of change was holding me back.
And not only that, but the thought of changing was probably going to be worse
than the change itself.
So what did I do? I said my goodbyes at the company
I worked for, confronted change head on, and moved forward with employment
at a new captioning company. Has it worked out? At the time of
this writing I can’t tell you, as I haven’t yet started my new position.
However, I can tell you that I am happy that fear didn’t dictate the future
of my professional life in this instance.
Having dealt with change on such a personal level recently
has also made me think about changes which affect ICRA and our profession
as a whole. Technology continues to change the way we work, and while
it affords some challenges in the form of alternative ways to make the record,
it also creates some tremendous opportunities for us, as realtime writing
becomes more attainable to all of us through the use of advanced software,
readily available training classes, and the creation of new employment opportunities
for those who have tackled change head on and continue to embrace new technology
and work toward heightened skill levels.
So what’s the message for you out of all of this?
Embrace change. If you are unhappy in your environment, change it.
If you are feeling unchallenged, unmotivated, or underappreciated in your
current employment, improve your skill level and increase your professional
options. Be the catalyst for the changes you want to see in your life,
in your association, and in your profession. After all, there’s nothing
to fear but fear itself; right? And you just might find if you’re willing
to accept or even embrace change that you have a rewarding new career, a
stronger state association, and a bunch of self-esteem. Are you ready
for the challenge of change?
Cell: (319) 360-1042
|
|
