What Energizes Me After a Rough Week at Work

Photo by Emily Fletke

“There is a job opening at the New York store. We think you would be perfect.”

That message set me on a course to becoming a living, breathing New York gal. By any career standards, that meant I had “made it.”

My job as a Visual Merchandiser for a reputable British brand fulfilled the life-long dream and prayer I had harbored of moving to the greatest city in the world.

Life had happily taken me to London after I graduated from college. I quickly discovered a branch of retail where I got to be creative through dressing windows and displays. Three years and three brands later, I felt I actually knew what I was doing, and a dream I had previously given up on was now being served up to me.

So I moved across the pond into the concrete jungle of New York City. For the first few months, I walked blissfully around with a goofy smile on my face, soaking up the beauty of NYC. I expected to sit back and contentedly live my new life. I was in New York. Success!

WHEN WE HIT SOME BUMPS

Then work hit some bumps. Financial expectations failed to be met, workplace relationships became strained, and I felt challenged at every turn, instead of the usual stimulation and joy I got from my job.

At the end of one particularly difficult week, I crawled in an emotional hole of doubt and discouragement, questioning everything about my move. “Why had I uprooted my life if this position wasn’t going to be fulfilling and meaningful, and if I couldn’t make a difference? Why was I failing?”

Then one morning I read, “Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all things. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream and your wildest imagination! He will outdo them all, for his miraculous power constantly energizes you.”

Once upon a time, living in NYC had been my “infinitely more’ request. It had been an unbelievable dream in my wildest imagination. While my company had been the vessel through which I got here, I was humbly reminded of the greater hand guiding the vessel. This move had only been possible through a mighty power — God’s — whom I knew, but he continued to surprise me with his kindness.

CHANGING OUR STANDARD FOR SUCCESS

God is the real reason for my success in getting to NYC. So when things get rough, or I’ve had a tough day, it doesn’t change my reason for being here. My reason is based in his love and provision, which are constantly energizing me.

While the highs and lows of working life remain unpredictable, God teaches me to change my standard for what success is, both at work and in life in general. His standard for success is kind and attainable, and yet he is also able to achieve infinitely more than your most unbelievable dream, even the one of a completely stress-free work life.

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Anna is British born, South African raised and 6 months into becoming a New Yorker. She currently works as a Visual Merchandiser for British retailer The White Company and resides in Hell’s Kitchen. She enjoys cupcakes, kickboxing and colourful earrings.