Recently I was honored with a nomination for the Chicagoland Admin Awards, and was beyond thrilled to find out I was a finalist for the Leadership Award. I could not believe it! It was the most exciting day to read my name as a finalist! This award represented so much to me.
First, I truly love my job. I may complain about the stress or how tired I am or getting a call about the alarm going off in the middle of the night (I mean who wouldn’t complain about getting a call at 2am interrupting my perfect dream of getting a foot massage by Gerard Butler), but I have never felt more fulfilled and challenged by a role. I feel so fortunate to have been given this position and trust by my boss. Now, for myself, I will say that I feel that I have proven his trust in me and it is why I have been delegated higher and higher level responsibilities. I feel that I have never underwhelmed and I have always over delivered on every challenge set before me. I am the executive administrative assistant to the CEO and Founder of an AMAZING company. I don’t talk about it often, but I am very proud of that.
So, last night was the award ceremony and between you and me I wanted to win so bad! I know I should just be proud that I was a finalist, but the trophy was so freaking cool! It was this unique piece of blown glass, and they even showed us a video on how it was made. I wanted to bring the trophy home to my work family and to be able to show my children, see kids! Mommy works so hard for a reason, Mommy works this hard to be the best and to be a leader and that hard work does not go unnoticed or unrewarded! I tried and tried not to get my hopes up, so I wouldn’t be completely devastated when my name wouldn’t be called, but I did not succeed there.
When my category came up, and they started talking about what the leadership award means, I just felt so proud to be a part of that category. Soon, they started announcing the finalist, and I was sitting in a table with 8 others from my family and my work that cheered so loudly when they said my name. I waited holding my breath as the emcee said, “and the award goes to” but they did not say my name. Ouch! Totally crushing. That devastation lasted only a minute, because my boss was sitting to my left and leaned over and said, “That’s bullshit” I laughed and it was just the absolute perfect thing to say. He went on to say some really motivating things to me. He talked about an award disappointment he had, and he talked about how proud he is of me and how much he appreciates all I do. He even went on to post on facebook some of his submission from the award nominee form. Wow.
I may have not gotten the trophy that I had so badly wanted, but I walked away with so much more last night. Every person at my table, from my parents, husband, and sister; to my work family, my boss, and my best friends all lifted me up and reminded me how much I bring to the office every day. I also got to go home and show my children pictures from a wonderful night with my picture on different programs and event materials. Even though I didn’t bring them home the trophy, I was able to show them how much people appreciate my hard work.
Next year I can only hope I will be nominated again, because even after all of the wonderful feels of my boss, friends, and family I still want that fucking trophy! My Precious (said in my best Gollum voice impression)
Comments