Colombia!

Colombia!

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Mission Statment

What is it about fall that makes me draw inward--search inside myself?  I feel as though I always become a bit more pensive this time of year, and often my mind drifts toward past SEARCH retreats and thoughts that are a bit deeper.
A recent lesson--a Career Advancement Seminar, we call them--gave me pause.  The aim of the lesson was to expose my students to the Eight Components of a Mission Statement--for a company, of course, but I couldn't help thinking:  How long had it been since I'd considered my own mission statement?  If you've ever gone on a SEARCH retreat (*Catholics cheer*) then you know what I'm talking about.
The following are the eight components of a company's mission statement:


·         Relationship to Customers
·         Market Location
·         Products and Services
·         Use of Technology
·         Care for People and the Environment
·         Major Advantages
·         Company Values
·         Growth and Profit


Parts of the mission statement that follows were written on subway platforms, or in a courtyard with Pullman (holla!) Hotels looming over me as I sipped an iced cafe au lait and ate a croque monseiur, with the classic rock song "Low Rider" playing in the background.  It is not always easy to put Shanghai in a box, and I think the same can be said for people, including myself.
But how was I going to take these eight components and shape them into a personal statement?
Well, Market Location was kind of easy:  if I could be considered a "market", then I am worldwide, baby!  I've lived in three countries outside the States.  I'd like to consider myself a global citizen.
Major Advantages:  What makes me ME?  The sum of my experiences--living overseas, close relationships with family and friends.  Genetics.  Pets.  Books I've read.  Dealing with homesickness and depression.  My values (see below).
Company Values:  What are my personal values?  My family.  My cat.  Nature.  My faith.  Writing.  These are closest to my heart, and they can feed me in ways that no food (not even a croque monseiur) can. 

Care for People and the Environment:  The afore-mentioned lesson stated that most international companies now have some kind of social responsibility piece in their mission statements.  I feel I've always been close to this.  In spite of my complaints about Shanghai, I've flirted with countless chubby-cheeked babies, to the delight of their parents, especially if I use a mix of Chinese and English.  I really enjoy my students, my co-workers, and people that are becoming good friends.
As far as the environment goes, I try to keep my A/C at a decent level (it's off most of the time these days), and I reuse plastic bags (since you have to buy them at the grocery store here) and plastic bottles until they get soft!  These things aren't hard to do, and they save me money as well.
I've also been pleased to see that "That's Shanghai", the ex-pat magazine, regularly lists pet rescue, shelter, and adoption events.  I see sweater-wearing dogs here now, being walked by everyone from scruffy old Chinese men to foreigners to young, petite Chinese girls.  I never would've guessed, 25 years ago, that it'd be possible to see such things in China--tears of joy!

Growth and Profit:  I don't have any delusions about getting rich as a teacher.  At the same time, I still do feel called to this profession.  I read once that teaching is the highest tribute to learning--basically, I'm showing respect to the teachers in my past by teaching in the present. 
My Chinese is growing, slowly.  I take a two-hour class once a week, and some Chinese co-workers are teaching me a little Shanghainese (one of the Wu dialects).  Shanghainese is different than your standard Beijing Mandarin. 
I'm learning that even if the little green man at the crosswalk says go, that I still don't have the right of way--scooters always do, and even rogue cars get away with running lights.  Patience pays off--I've had near misses, but I haven't been run over.

Relationship to Customers:   I guess my customers are my students and the people I interact with.  I'm not always awesome to people--sometimes I do shove my way off the subway, because if I didn't, I would miss my stop.  I'm not always patient, either--with myself or with others.  Especially if it's a slow-moving person ahead of me who's glued to their smartphone or yet another young girl wearing heels and dragging an overloaded trolley behind her, blocking the stairs and giggling.  That being said, I think my relationships with others are pretty good overall.

Use of technology:  What is technology, really, but a resource used to improve our lives? 
The resources I've got:                                  Some things I need/can work on:
this blog/Skype/FB                                         church/prayer/meditation
good food                                                      yoga
Facebook                                                       reducing alcohol consumption
walks                                                              patience and kindness toward the self
family and friends

Products and Services:  What do I produce or provide?  Laughter.  I have a great time laughing with a couple who lives in my apartment building, and my co-workers and I can be pretty funny.  I don't have your typical American perspective.  I've spend enough time living overseas and working with at-risk youth to know the American dream--green grass, nice house, etc.--does not exist for everyone.  I was born luckier than most, but it doesn't make me better. 
I am wacky.

I encourage people to try, and keep trying.