Become Irreplaceable

A lot of my personal anger and disappointment comes from one feeling -- not being wanted. And I mean this in the most selfishly unselfish way possible.

If you were ever a middle-to-late round pick for backyard sports teams growing up, you know this feeling. If you were ever asked to play a completely different instrument because "it fits your style better" -- even though you know that has nothing to do with the decision -- you know this feeling. If you were ever laid off from a job and deep down inside you knew that the company was probably never going to be able to fill your shoes to your level, you know this feeling.

Now, on my own professional level, I know this feeling.

To make this clear from the start, I'm not passing blame about anything. I chose to quit my job at NBC15 to allow myself to go back to school for a degree in Education so I can teach and coach. It was definitely my decision. But a recent conversation with my bosses really tuned me into what some of this world is about.

My boss tried to convince me that people here will care that I'm leaving because I'm a likable person, which makes me feel pretty good about what I could establish with people I got to know in just under two years. He told me things like "it won't be the same" as far as the newsroom goes.

He also said when stations lose people, they miss that person's style and personality. But it's what he added specifically about the work that struck me -- "Everyone is replaceable."

This was evidence enough that I'm making the right decision to move on from where I am now. Try asking yourself the question, "Am I completely replaceable where I am right now??"

This can go for anything from job status to personal relationships and goes far beyond personality. Was Kurt Warner replaceable in St. Louis for the Rams?? Marc Bulger took over the spot and while he has two Pro Bowl selections to his name -- and no All-Pro selections -- he likely won't be leading a team to the Super Bowl at age 37 like Warner did for the Arizona Cardinals.

Warner isn't the only example of the display of being virtually irreplaceable. In no way am I saying I did such a good job in this position that they could never replace me at NBC15. In fact, I'm saying the exact opposite. I'm so replaceable that someone else should get the chance to shine in the position. It's your typical head coach statement to a player going through the motions during practice, "If you don't want to play, get out, and I'll find someone who really wants to be here."

I've often half-wondered what I would do if I ever found a new "favorite movie" or a new "favorite song" because my online bank account will ask me a random question from a list when I log on. One of those is "Who was your favorite teacher growing up?" I know mine and I'm pretty sure you probably know yours. Someday, if I'm up for it, maybe I'll be lucky enough to be the answer to somebody's "favorite teacher" question.

So now my mission continues towards finding my career for which I am irreplaceable, finding my someone to whom I am irreplaceable and showing others that my service to them, lessons for them and help to assist them are irreplaceable. Take a minute and think to yourself today about what you're doing now -- are you becoming the best person you can be?? Or are you simply existing??

Become irreplaceable.