I didn’t look forward to going in to the office (when going in to an office was still a thing!), and my job felt like work…not a passion, but a chore. So, I had to make a difficult choice…keep going on a path someone else had set for me, or correct course and take a chance. I’ll admit, it was a scary move for me. I kept hearing the phrase from the 1970’s show with David Carradine: “Choose wisely, grasshopper.” I wasn’t at all sure that I was choosing wisely, but at least I was the one choosing.
Fast forward – it was absolutely the right choice to make, as I loved my next role! I’ve tried to remember the concept of choice throughout my career and my life. There have been times when I chose to accept certain roles and challenges, and times when I chose to not pursue them because they weren’t right for me at that time or place. But, sometimes I still need a little prodding to remember to be bold enough to make a choice.
Just last fall, I was talking to my mother about my dream of owning a beach house one day. In her usual wise and comfortable way, she asked me what I was waiting for, and I told her I was waiting for the “right” time. I had a lot going on in my life then – from a very busy work schedule, to helping her during her journey with her stage 4 cancer, and more. I’ll never forget her response – “Sometimes the ‘right’ time never comes…”. So, I chose to take her advice and take the leap. I’m forever grateful for the little nudge I needed to make that huge, but wonderful, choice in my life.
As one of the many reminders of my mom – I have a picture that had hung on her wall, which now hangs on mine. It carries a simple, yet impactful, message that has made a huge difference in my career and life when I remember to follow it: “Today, I choose joy.” May you own your choices…and may all of them bring you joy.
About the Author
Cindy Heismeyer, Vice President and Director of Marketing, is responsible for driving Selective’s marketing, advertising and branding efforts. Cindy leads a dynamic marketing team that develops and executes marketing strategies, and incorporates new and innovative marketing and communication programs for agents and consumers by utilizing multiple channels and solutions. Ms. Heismeyer joined the company in 1985 and has held a number of positions within the Information Technology, Market Research and Competitive Intelligence, Corporate Communications and Corporate Marketing departments during her tenure. Cindy is also one of the founding member of Selective’s Women's Agency Leadership Initiative and Women at Work initiatives and is an advocate for the advancement of women in insurance.