In Blog #16 I talked about how to handle a bad boss, in this post I want to talk about how Things Happen for a Reason.
“If it’s to be, it’s up to me”
Six months went by since Al got fired, Clem had settled into his store. We would talk during the week sharing stories on how to deal with certain things. Clem and I had a great working relationship.
The Call
One day, I get a call from the VP of operations from corporate and he informed me that Koby’s sold to Payless shoe source. I had the option to stay and work for them or take a severance package.
It took me a moment as I stood there stunned. Why is it when things are going good the bottom falls out? My belief though was that things happen for a reason and maybe it was time to move on.
Over the last few years I just didn’t gel with LA except for my job. I loved my team and the store and made a few friends outside of work but just wasn’t feeling the vibe. Time to take the severance package and move back to Fresno.
Maybe a different direction
My decision was to leave Koby’s/Payless Shoes source. This lead to a thought. Look into getting a degree in Computer Science.
My dad had moved to Idaho and was on his second marriage. His second wife I didn’t particularly like. My dad and I were close so I thought it would be nice to be closer to him. Secondly to get a degree in this new field everyone was talking about now was intriguing.
The next day I called him up and he said he’d have to check with his wife first. After I hung up I felt that my dad seemed a little funny about it. We were pretty honest with each other, so I was sure it would be a yes. A few days went by, so I called him to see what the status was. He said that he was okay with it but “she” wasn’t. “So I guess thats a no then” I said. He said “I’m afraid so.”
Then he said I’d feel better about myself if I figured out how to do it on my own. What was best for him was to keep her happy.
Ok then…
Plan B
First I was a little butt hurt, my dad left the family right when I graduated high school. It seemed he was more interested in his new wife than his kids. My mom didn’t make it easy for him though, so it was kind of hard to understand his real viewpoint at the time.
For a few years none of his boys wanted anything to do with him…He said “One day you will all understand and we can have a life together again”. That day came finally and I decided I wanted, actually needed, a relationship with him. My dad had always been my mentor and I still needed him for guidance.
It made me a better person and showed me to live by the quote “If it’s to be it’s up to me”.
Big Decision
Another major decision that came out of this was I decided to stay in the footwear industry.
Right away I landed a seasonal job in a shoe department. Shortly after I got a call from a guy named Jim about an opportunity for a full time permanent position at a store called Rodders. Jim said that it could lead to management down the road. I accepted the position…
Things usually happen for a reason and you need to learn to trust your gut on what’s best for you. If I stayed in LA I wouldn’t have been happy in the environment and would not have had this new opportunity at Rodders. You also have to take control of your own life .
“If it’s to be it’s up to me”.
…just sharing my story and tips from my footwear career.
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