Tuesday, May 31, 2011

17 Year Anniversary

It's not what you think... today was my 17th anniversary of starting work at State Farm.

Drove a red Saturn to the lot that day... and today.

Ate lunch in the cafeteria then... and now.

Headed home to the insane party-rocking student apartment... today back to the condo.

Wore glasses... now contact lenses.

Worked for Rusty Hendren... today too (after a few tours of duty with others).

Weighed 150... add ten pounds.

Wore a suit... wore jeans.

Single... married.

That summer I wrote a collection of career goals which I still have to this day. Wanted to finish actuarial exams in 10 years, finished in six. Wanted to retire at 50, will probably clear that one by plenty as well, God willing.

There were some incredible breaks along the way, exams undeservedly passed, jobs opening up timely. My worst day at this job is better than the best at a thousand other ones. A book's worth of lessons learned about leading, respecting, failing. The State Farm career has been a life-altering gift that I intend to honor for its duration in great thanks.

No comments: