You miss 100% of the shots you don't take

This great quote comes to us from Wayne Gretzky.

And its true.  If you don't take the chance you are guaranteed to miss out.  Every. Single. Time.

I am not a risk taker.  I am not a shot taker.  Maintain the status quo?  That would be me.  If I keep things the way they are I don't run the risk of failure.

Two months ago my super duper boss left her job and moved on to an awesome position at another property.  I applied for her job.  She told me I had the ability to do it, so had her vote of confidence.  However, the hotel manager had a different idea.  He told me i wasn't even almost ready for it.  So, I didn't get the job, and the hunt for the perfect replacement was on.  The only helpful thing he told me was to decide what I wanted to do (at that point I had NO idea what I wanted to do with my life or my career) and go after it because no one is going to just hand it to me. 

For someone who wasn't ready to do the job I sure did it for over a month while he looked for someone.  I ran the department.  Things were going smoothly.  Then he hired someone.  And I continued to run the department because she wasn't pulling her weight.

So, three weeks ago my former boss and I went out for dinner to catch up.  I've known her for years, met her in college 13 years ago.  While we were at dinner she casually mentions "so, my front desk manager put her notice in today.".  And that was it.

I gave it a day or two of thought.  I sent in my resume not thinking it would ever go anywhere because I was told I wasn't ready for it.  She called me for an interview, which went well.  Then she called me for a second interview with the hotel owners (well, one of the owners), which also went well.  But it was taking forever to get word on the status of the position.  I was being told it was between me and 2 others, and it was a difficult decision to make.  And my hope dwindled.  I was certain I wouldn't get it.  If I was the perfect fit for the position the decision to hire me should be an easy one.

And then the phone rang on Monday.....

I GOT THE JOB!

I now have a big girl job.  I am now a full fledged manager.  I now have my own department to run!

I am excited to start down this new path in my career.

I am sad to leave my current place, I like everyone and am really going to miss my guests.  I've met some great people over the past (almost) four years.

I took the chance.  I took a shot and now have a great new job waiting for me.  If I hadn't taken the chance, nothing would have changed.  To get change one needs to keep their stick on the ice and take the shot.  It can, and likely will, lead to great things!

I took his advice, decided that I wanted it and went after it.  And putting myself out there has given me this great opportunity to do something great with my life and my career!

So, will you put yourself out there today?  Take the chance, it'll be worth it!