Today, I celebrated eight years at Christian Care Ministry (CCM). While my tenure has been devoted primarily to sales and marketing, I’ve been so thankful for the array of incredible opportunities and wonderful people God has put in my path. Today especially, I find great joy in remembering all He’s done and have decided to share eight things I’ve learned in my time at the ministry. They are in no particular order. Enjoy, and I encourage you to think back on your own journey!
1. Relationships are critical to your professional success.
We were not designed to do life alone, and business is no different. Build relationships in and out of your department and organization!
2. Partnerships are grown and operate on trust, their support and value to each other, and being forward facing.
3. Being internally motivated will take you so much farther than being externally motivated.
When it’s hard, when you’re clawing for every inch, sometimes the only thing that drives you is a core value. Find your “why” and stoke that fire!
4. Be a lifelong learner of your area, or quit.
5. Christian organizations (church or nonprofit) are full of people that succumb to pride, selfish agendas, and politics… just like me!
CCM has made me so much more appreciative for our adoption into the family of God with one Father, the Word of God, the unifying Holy Spirit, and our emphasis on prayer. In Christ, people that have nothing else in common are able to come together to serve the Church. It is one of the most beautiful things to witness.
6. Risks are worth taking!
For almost five years, I’ve had the pleasure of overseeing and expanding our channel partner strategy. With a powerful story to share, incredible teammates, and like-minded partners, we have seen incredible success in an area that years ago was not a strategic option. On a daily basis, I’m thankful to God for wiring in such a way that I see opportunity in risk. In case you’re wondering, my wife Sarah is also wired this way!
7. Success will come, so will failure.
Try new things, pay attention, listen to your peers and those you lead, learn from others, study your data, work harder than everyone else, and success will come. But sometimes, it won’t and you actually fail. Disheartening? Never! Regroup, repeat, and work until it works! I started at CCM in the sales department where early on, I was not doing well. Actually, I was doing so poorly that I walked into my director’s office and told him I planned to quit. Now a beloved friend, Steve Brown asked me questions, provided coaching, looked me square in the eyes and said “it’s not a bad month until the month is over, get back out there and keep working.” It was a galvanizing experience that still drives me today.
8. The best is yet to come!
With God, nothing is wasted, every day brings new mercies, and nothing is impossible! There have been days I have walked on cloud nine, days I’ve been embarrased of my mistakes, I’ve led people to greater success, and disappointed my team. Time and time again, I’ve learned that no matter the outcome or current update, the best is yet to come. Lord willing, I will have another eight years at CCM and it will be as challenging and exhilarating as the last!
To the partners and lifelong friends I’ve made at CCM, thanks for being part of the journey! So thankful for you!
Originally Posted on Facebook – June 11, 2020
Dom Robin 