by Nikolas Nies

Created on: April 22, 2010   Last Updated: April 24, 2010

Stuck in a dead-end job, she was wondering how to improve her life.  Working in the factory for the last twelve years, trying to build upon her education seemed impossible.  Shift work was not compatible with any of the local university school schedules.  Not impossible, but it would have taken great sacrifice to attend school.  So complacency set in, and looking at the economic landscape, she wished she had done something to prepare her for the cost-cutting, job-slashing climate that had taken hold.

Along with the cost-cutting efforts, her employers had hired a consulting firm, specializing in lean six sigma principles.  During a training session on lean six-sigma, she felt a profound awakening overtake her.  The trainer was talking about adding value to the product while eliminating variation to increase yield.  As he was talking value, she begins to think of it in terms of her own value to the company.

As she contemplated this philosophy, she realized that her personal value and attractiveness to potential employers could only be enhanced with her personal development.  She started investigating this Lean Six-Sigma approached and before she knew it she was well versed in the thesis behind this philosophy.  She eventually gained the attention of her employers and was recruited to initiate the programs the consultants had recommended within her plant.

Realizing that nothing last forever, her personal development, based on adding value to her employability, became a driving force in her business life.  She realized that complacency and procrastination were enemies of her personal development, and she needed to stay on top of her efforts to build upon her skills.  With her new job, the hours were more flexible and school would not be so hard.  However, looking back on her factory life, she wished she had taken steps earlier in her life to develop her skills.  

As she started this transition in her life, she began to share her enlightenment with her co-workers.  She realized that there were a lot of people with her previous mindset.  As she was experiencing this new awakening, it was clear to her what direction she would take her development.  She thought it ironic that she was seeking development in coaching others in their pursuit of personal development.

As was learned in this experience, it is never too late to start a journey of personal development.  Although this story focused on employment, personal development can be applied to every aspect of our lives.  Any effort to enhance our personal development on any level can only make our lives better and more fulfilling.  It can also be different things to different people.  You owe it to yourselves to start looking at how your life will benefit from developing personally.

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