When you’ve only had a limited set of experiences, your viewpoint tends to be limited. Many of my colleagues are in this position: Their life experiences are limited to growing up, going through the ALERT program, and then joining staff. Frequently, they end up in two positions, both of which are lacking:
- They end up idealistic and oblivious. Without other experiences as a guide, they think “This is as good as it gets”, and they don’t see any of the problems or areas ripe for growth. This leads to stagnation and complacency; however, it is marginally better than the second outcome.
- They end up critical and discontent. Problems get magnified, successes dimmed, and other organizations or places look so much better than where they are at right now. This attitude, while often framed as desiring progress, usually sabotages real growth because it harbors doubts about the foundation of the organization and actively demotivates work.
Having a wider range of experiences helps to curb either of these extremes. You realize that every organization and place has problems, and you learn to work around these problems. You also realize that nearly every place has advantages and good things. This brings balance and perspective.
Gaining wider experience requires an openness and willingness to move beyond what you are comfortable with. It requires risk taking, a willingness to fail, and a desire to grow.
What has enabled you to gain wider experiences?
My name is Samuel Kordik.
I am a single 20-something young man, in pursuit of knowing Christ and being known by Him. I serve as a ministry leader, work as a paramedic, and live as an adventurer.
Great post. I completely agree with this; wider experiences have always helped me to grow, but I had to go into them prepared. I think that living at ALERT, people really have to be prepared ahead of time: they are either “idealistic and oblivious” before they arrive, or they’re “critical and discontent” after they’ve been there awhile. When I first arrived at ALERT, I received very wise counsel from my boss: she said, “When you’re working here with ALERT, leave at your prime.” I have seen the wisdom of that again and again; it was hard to leave at my prime, just when I felt I was accomplishing great things and doing a lot for the ministry. But leaving at my prime meant that discontent and criticism were at a minimum. I decided, ahead of time, exactly how long I would stay, and built up to that point; there was no slow spiraling out of control. I think it’s perfect: in other relationships and opportunities, since, I often chant to myself that it’s best to leave (or whatever form of withdrawing that the case may call for) at one’s prime. I really think that’s been helpful for me.
Coming home from ALERT, it meant realizing that I’d made it through an environment that can be (let’s face it) just as secular as any other; it meant deciding that I needed to continue to let God do a work in me while maintaining my absolute dependence on Him, and it meant taking a job in City Government, specifically Public Works, known for being the most aggressively ungodly department in a largely neutral and socially and politically acceptable career. I determined, ahead of time, that I would stay unstained in such an environment, and two years later, the people I work with respect me for it. (For instance, I determined to never use a certain set of words in trying to fit in with the guys.) It hasn’t been easy, but it’s been important, and somehow I’ve managed to remain reputable in my job as being genteel, and efficient.
I learn more every day…..
new blog post some time??…. thanks kordik! =)