Several years ago, I got in a little trouble with my blog. I wrote a post about how I got “pushed out of the service area,” and more onto the sales floor. It was a bit of a harsh relocation. There were some new employees at the shop with very strong personalities, and in retrospect, it made more sense for me to be out on the sales floor. I made a bigger deal about it than I should have, and my complaining and moaning about the situation made a tense situation with my employer.
Thinking about where I’m at right now, and how it parallels the situation I’m in right now… I should have embraced the idea of being out on the sales floor. Our business in the bike shop, and in all businesses, is 80% people. I am a natural people-person. I can talk to a brick wall, and I can get along with almost anyone. I SHOULD have been out on the sales floor. I like to think of myself as a fairly good bicycle mechanic, but I am, hands-down, a much better salesperson. I’m not trying to be cocky about this, I’m just realizing and understanding my strengths and wondering why in the heck it took me so long to understand and embrace that.
If you gravitate towards something or are placed in a position that is not necessarily what you feel is your primary focus, try to understand why you are there, and blow it out of the water. You may look back and see that transition as a turning point in your career, whether positive or negative. Whatever you do, just keep moving.
PROBIKEWRENCH 