Words for Goodbyes

Yesterday was my last day at my job. Feels wrong to call it a job because it was such an integral part of my LIFE for the last (almost) 7 years. I left because it's time for me to start a new chapter - more on that soon. In the meantime, I thought I'd pass on the goodbye email I sent to my company. As I was writing it, I realized that it's so critical to live by the same values in your personal and professional lives.

Here is a little peek into my farewell, and to all my friends and colleagues, may you prosper and continue to fare more than well. As for me... well.... Packaging Group Director to... we shall see! Stay tuned and Cheers!

Dear Everyone,

Thank you guys. Thanks for letting me see true artistry at work everyday. I can honestly say that being exposed to such skill and beauty on a daily basis has made me look at the world in a different light and for that I’m very grateful. Thanks for letting me be part of a team that has a can do attitude, that has each other’s backs, that challenges one another, and that learns from one another. Thanks for being great partners for almost 7 years.

I’ll leave you with a few thoughts… Words of Wisdom by Mama Boyd AKA Beazy: 

-Express gratitude. It feels good to be thanked, to be acknowledged. Some people say that they don't need it, but really when your bucket is being filled you may not even realize it and the effects on your soul are good. I hope the expressing gratitude goes all ways- Account Director to Account Director, Creative to Account Director, Account Director to Developer, Developer to Biz Dev. You all work so hard. Continue to build one another up.

-Use your intuition. To me, this isn't something to be reserved for your personal life. In business it's considered a ‘soft skill’ but man it's a soft skill that can yield some pretty big results if you follow it.

-Remember that some days it's okay to tell yourself ‘we are not saving lives here.’ But also don't say that too often and diminish the work you do. This industry inspires creativity well beyond our walls (I’ve seen this through my Son), creates daydreams, fuels the economy, is a perfect platform to support social and civic causes and helps people make their dreams come true. I'll never forget when I first started working with Two Moms In The Raw. The owner, Shari, was telling me why she started her business. She had just been diagnosed with MS after the birth of her 3rd child. Her body was so weak she couldn't hold her baby. The traditional treatments were not working for her so she went holistic and part of it was a raw diet. It worked. She started her business because in her words, ‘I had to be able to be a mom and hold my babies.’ She created something that not only helps her live more fully but allowed her to make a livelihood with her husband to provide for their family. I got to be a part of that. I feel lucky and better for it.

-Bend sometimes. The rules, the parameters, the norm (we obviously do this in art specifically, a lot). Knowing when to bend can be the difference between a short relationship and a really long one.

-Put your family first. Always. The work can be figured out and isn't going anywhere. 

-Never be too good to hustle or too high to be humble. 

-Never be afraid to say you don't know something. Never be afraid to ask a question. Take accountability for yourself in all matters and never lie. If you follow these basic tenants you'll save yourself a lot of confusion and heartache and your life will be easier - your business life and your personal life. And people will thank you for taking the pressure off of them to be perfect all of the time too.

-Share knowledge whenever you can. Someone send articles all agency at 1 AM. Continue to keep each other on your toes.

-Be kind. Work hard. Play hard. Do the right thing. Make good on promises. Always be fair. Take time to notice joy in the big and little moments of life. Wash your hands. It's pretty much that simple.

If anyone starts to miss me just blast some Biggie and ask someone to walk around in loud cowboy boots for a few hours. 

Blue Skies, Aloha, & Mahalo,

Sarah

Whatever you do, do it with love.