Step Across

Having bounced around so many jobs for so many years now, I’m constantly learning a new job. I never have time to settle in and become the local expert, because I’m never around long enough.

But I’m discovering that doesn’t mean I’m not an expert.

People in executive level positions are my age now. They always used to seem to be these unknowable, strange, wholly-above creatures, but these days they’re dudes and ladies like me. They have different areas of expertise, but they’re not smarter or better equipped than I am. They just have nicer offices and make more money. That’s weird. And annoying when they turn out to be jerks.

Meanwhile, there are people 10 years younger than me, who are competent and good workers, but inexperienced. They are where I’m used to being -- the outsider, scrambling to figure out what I need to know just so I can start doing my job. To my own surprise, these days, when these less experienced people come to me with a question, I know the answers.

I’ve been a working adult for 15 years. Jobs that ask for 5+ years of experience? They’re asking for me. I haven’t had more than 2 or 3 years at any one job, but I’ve had a bunch of years total.

I'm a full-time copywriter now, with only about six months of direct experience. I was looking at a senior copywriting job opening a few weeks ago, and except for the fact that I’m relatively inexperienced at copywriting, I had everything I needed for that job. I could do it. A senior-level job didn’t seem strange and unknowable.

Our pastor sometimes talks about leaders in the church being afraid of their own power, afraid to exert their own leadership. Until very recently, maybe even minutes ago, he was describing me.

I am ready to be a leader -- among my church and at work. I’m ready. It’s not time for me to step up, because I’m already at the proper elevation. I just need to step across, and start the work.