One of the amazing truths of human life is that we are given the opportunity to make each day a fresh start. A prophet once said “His compassions never fail. They are new every morning”
For me, and a good number of my peers, new beginnings will take on a very personal meaning this week. For some of us the change is welcome – for others, it will be tough. In any case, it will be change and I am convinced that the rest of my life will be built on the experiences I have had up to this point. I will be taken to new levels that I am sure will challenge my abilities, my energies and my faith. But I am also sure that I will look back on this new beginning as a positive step.
A number of years ago, while in a staff position in SE Programs, I had a number of SEs come to me looking for career guidance. My advice was simple:
1) make sure you develop skills that are transferable outside of the company. That way, you will be of value to the company…and if you should find yourself outside, you will have skills to fall back on.
2) Invest in your life outside of the company to retain balance.
To some extent, at least, I have been able to follow my own advice and it leaves me well positioned to enjoy my retirement from IBM and to hit the ground running in this new beginning.
Over the last several years, I have become chairman of the board of a charity – a writers’ association called The Word Guild. As well, in partnership with my wife (with her doing most of the work), we have done some publishing. One of the highlights of the last couple of years was a joint project between the charity and the publishing partnership where we were able to donate a half a million dollars worth of books to World Vision to use in their fund-raising efforts on behalf of kids with aids.
That book, Hot Apple Cider, is a compilation of pieces from 30 Canadian authors who are members of The Word Guild. In addition to the books donated to World Vision, Hot Apple Cider has sold enough to become a Canadian best seller.
We see a lot of opportunities to expand both the ministry of the charity and the publishing. I am thankful that I will no longer have to limit my involvement to evenings and weekends – it is exciting to think of what might be accomplished.
I have had many conversations recently with a business man who has been encouraging me to look at the merits of being a big cog in a small machine vs being a small cog in a big machine. While I am looking forward to that, I know that one of the best parts of being part of a big company has been the teamwork with so many other ‘cogs’ – I will miss those relationships. The people I have worked with have been the highlight of my career. And I know that success in the future will mean partnering with many others. (that’s one of the transferable skills I believe I have learned.) And isn’t it exciting to see the potential teamwork that can be built with the new social networking tools? (See you in facebook!). ….Les
Les, your note and site very much reflect exactly my perceptions of you … understated with a hint of elegance and a lot of class. Well, my dear colleague, you finally got off the Siebel “project” … a lengthy deployment! I shall miss our occasional interactions, your constant good humour and your deep well of knowledge. Our loss is the community’s gain. Stay well and keep the laps up! Gwen
I’m going to miss you Les! Thank you very much and really wish you the best with your challenges, you’re no longer tied to the thinkpad!
I already added you in facebook, count with me if I can help with charity, even from the other side of the continent.
Your energy and positive attitude is awesome, keep it up!
May your transition to the next step by smooth, Les! I’m glad to learn of your blog and look forward to checking in on your musings.
Hi Les,
What an exciting change! Blessings as you maneuver these new waters! May there be excitement at each new twist and turn of your journey.
Les, thanks for sharing your thoughts. You and your wife are doing tremendous wonderful things impacting the world. If I can help in anyway in your charity work, let me know.
Blessings in this new chapter of life.
Hi Les,
it has been a pleasure working with you and I very much enjoyed our Web 2.0 brainstorming sessions.
I wish you the best on your new endeavors!
-Gerhard
Les, I have no doubt that you have been released to some new visions and greater things and that you will make good use of your freedom to choose what comes next. I also believe that you will feel God nudging you in the paths He has planned for you. Blessings abundant!
Oh Les, how exciting! I can’t wait to hear what God has in store for you.
Kimberley
Hello Les,
May this time of transition be as smooth as it is exciting, and your new direction prove as significant for the Kingdom of Heaven as it is memorable for you.
Truly Yours,
Peter.
Hello, Les, wishing you well as you begin the second day of the rest of your life. I’m sure the first several weeks will feel strange, after 35 years. But soon you’ll wonder how you ever had time to spend on IBM because you’ll be busy with so many other projects on the go. Your only problem is going to be figuring out what to do first!
Take care,
Wendy
Les, I know from my own sweet husband’s experience leaving a workplace where the people were the best part, missing them can be a type of grief. Be intentional about keeping in touch. No, it won’t be the same, but it’ll still be good.
On the other side of the picture, congratulations on your escape! It’ll be interesting to see where the Lord directs your use of those transferable skills… and what new ones He has for you to develop.
Blessings on the adventure!
Congratulations on your retirement, Les. I look forward to seeing what you and Nancy will be up to next.
Blessings
Deborah