Ep 119 Career Lessons Through The Years
Episode Notes:
Join me today as I share a few lessons I’ve learned over the years of being a device rep. Change ins the one constant in life and today I am sharing best practices on how to embrace change as well as help give you some tools to help as you move into – and continue through – your career as a device rep. I was able to learn the lessons and now I want to return them to you – all while having fun doing it!
In Today’s Episode:
- Being an aunt
- Organizational change
- Reorganizations
- Other peoples opinions
- The competition
- Your brain energy
- The relationship you have with yourself
- Gender and size in the field
Work with me: www.michellebourquecoaching.com/guide
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Episode Transcript:
Hello hello hello
Welcome back to the podcast friends
What’s going on in your world?
I have to tell you
I have a lot going on over here
First off
Let me just tell you some fun family news
I am an aunt again
Super exciting
And – I have to say
I’m thrilled
Her time of birth was 3:11am
A girl after my own heart ..lol..
Let’s see if she keeps that schedule …lol.
I would love it when she visits
But
My sister …lol..
Well – let’s just say it could be a new experience for her
If the baby keeps that schedule
Isn’t being an aunt so great lol…
Ok –
We also have lots of change at work
A reogranization of sorts
Which
Listen – for me
I know
Change is the one constant
I have been here almost 15 years
And there is always a change this time of year
Totally fine in my mind
Honestly I think for me
I look forward to change
It’s new opportunities
But
Our human brain doesn’t always go there immediately
So
If you are new
And this might be something happening to you
Pay attention to what your brain is telling you
You don’t have to believe it
I have colleagues that I hear
And they are worried
They think
We will lose our manager
We will lose accounts
Territory lines might be changed
I don’t know
Maybe that will happen
But the fact is
All of those scenarios
Are just as true as
This is going to provide so many new opportunities
Both are equally true
Until they are not
right?
So until you know anything differently
You get to choose to think about all of it
The way that is most helpful to you
I remember when I worked for my last company
I know
I know
Yes, I can remember back 15 years ..lol..
Well – for somethings
Other things …
Lets just say my memory isn’t the best
Which Marc says
Makes me the best..lol..
Because it’s like living a new day everyday with me ..
Lol
I’ll choose to think of that as a loving compliment
Anyhow
At the last company
I remember the RVP using a quote I said
I might have taken it from someplace
That I don’t remember lol
But I said
Change is the spice of life
right?
I mean – if we aren’t changing
Are we
As people
growing?
I don’t think so
And all of this got me to thinking
About things I’ve learned
From customers
And I wanted to share some funny stories here with you
And tie in some concepts
That I wish I knew
Back when I started in this field
So hopefully it helps you
Along the way
And give you a couple of laughs here today
Ok –
Let’s dive in
A couple of years ago I had a doctor
Tell me he could give me some botox for a deal
He said
It’ won’t save your marriage
But it might help with the younger reps coming in
Lol.. you can’t make it up right?
But here is what I like to say about this
I love the question –
How is this happening for me?
And since I’ve learned the tools in coaching
I use it everyday.
You ALWAYS get to choose how you react to anything ANYONE says.
I choose to find the upside, and I love to laugh often.
So for sure – this made me laugh.
As you start in this industry –
and continue to succeed –
remember this:
everything in your life is a choice, even if it doesn’t feel like it.
Choose wisely.
Choose a way that empowers you along the path
Ok – and lets go back a few years before that encounter
And I think I was still fairly new
One of my doctors said
Michelle
The competition is trying to bring I the pretty young girls
We are glad your company doesn’t do that
I almost bust a gut laughing after picking up my jaw
And one of the nurses was like
Doctor!
And he said
Oh – wait
That’s right
You used to send us
One of my old coworkers..lol..
We were dying
Here’s the truth –
if you spend all your brain energy
on your competition
you will miss some amazing solutions
for your clients, customers, and patients.
Simon Sinek says – “we’d achieve more if we chased our dreams instead of our competition”.
I love that
Go after those dreams with all your heart
and have the courage to step up
And be willing to play for the long game.
Side note – Not that long ago I finished Sinek’s book
The Infinite Game
Highly recommend it
Ok –
When I really first started I remember
A nurse coming over to me and saying
We are not used to seeing little girls in the OR
Usually the reps are big guys
First off – I have mentioned this here before
I weighed 100lbs in 3rd grade
- I have never been considered “little”…
- “pretty plus” – yes, little – not so much.
But this does speak to the industry back when I started
But that doesn’t mean it’s the way it has to be
If you are just starting in this field
know this – you are here for a reason.
You do you.
Show up as yourself,
bring your top game,
serve your doctors,
accounts,
patients
and you will be successful no matter what your size or gender
Now more then ever we hear about the importance
Of diversity and inclusion
I want to encourage you to step up
And lead
You get to be an example of what is possible
And I’ll close with
Something patients often ask me
Are you a doctor or a nurse
And my reply is
No
I have my masters in public communication
And if they give me the head tilt
I just say
We are communicating right?
Lol
Here is the takeaway for this
People will always have thoughts about you,
and that’s Ok.
We only question or get worried about
Other people opinions
when our own belief in ourself is not strong.
As you progress in this industry
it is imperative you have your own back.
Honor commitments you make to yourself.
Say no
in order to open up more yes for growth.
“Belief in yourself”
sounds a bit airy fairy…
but the truth is –
the relationship you have with yourself is essential to you success
- and longevity.
Don’t take that lightly
The more you build that relationship
The more success you will have
And if you want to
Be able to continue to excel in your career
Make more money
Take on new roles
But without the stress and overhwhelm
I can help
Go to michelelbourquecoaching.com/guide
You can start with the 3 simple strategies to
Excel but without the stress and overwhelm
And from there we can get on a call
To discuss your specific
Needs
Ok –
That’s what I have for you today
Let’s circle back next week
But for now
Stay safe
And make it a great day
Take care!