Taking Success in the Small Things
on Sarah Easter (Vietnam), 18/Aug/2010 09:29, 34 days ago
Before I left the US for this adventure in Vietnam, I asked those in my life who I greatly respect and who have had international work experience, what I could expect during my time overseas. I received a lot of great advice, but the message I kept hearing repeatedly was: "take success in the small things".While I understood this saying to mean that work would be very challenging and different in comparison to working at home in the states and that I should be appreciative of the small strides that I make along the way, I can honestly say that I didn't fully comprehend this phrase until recently.Reflecting on my time working aboard thus far, there have been many, many times that have been incredibly frustrating and discouraging as I faced a number of seemingly relentless mountains including lack of resources, people unwilling to change and an entirely foreign business context.However, there have also been times in which case I have reveled in the small successes along the way -- discovering that those who seemed completely unwilling to change are sometimes the most enthusiastic about learning and change once they truly understand and appreciate the importance of it, landing a sizable international order that has allowed us to begin to rebuild the handicraft portion of our business (see photos below of the recycled telephone wire jewelry we sold to a Canadian wholesaler), teaching others about business and marketing and watching as they understand and apply what they have learned to their jobs.I know that there are more challenges around the corner, but I think the challenges I have already experience as well as those I will experience in the future will only make the successes that much more sweet when they do occur.So, I will keep enduring the challenges and taking success in the small things as they come.