You may say: Why am I starting with the quote by Stephen Hawking?
It is not about the fact, that being a physicist and one of the best selling authors of this century, he didn't allow his physical limitations to become an obstacle and hinder his quest to answer "Where did the universe come from?"
This simply describes the basic life rule: None of us is best at everything. You should always find a way to use your abilities in a best possible way, and succeed in whatever you'll be doing, no matter what life brings to your door.
I had my ups and downs as well... I would say more ups than downs though.
I'm Vicky.
Worked throughout my life for many years (over 12) in the aviation industry in the managerial position, I have discovered, that not the salary, not the environment is keeping motivated me, but the simple fact: that I am able to bring a smile on people faces.
When going home after work, I always had a thought in my head: today I was able to make someone's day brighter.
How? By serving the customer's the best possible way I could, to meet their requirements, to go an extra mile and satisfy their needs.
I travelled a lot (more than 85 countries and 125 cities), and each time when I was visiting a new place, I was stopping for a moment and memorising something, which will afterwards link me to that city, and which I would carry throughout my life.
Back in the times, when there were no smartphones, I remember the first thing I was grabbing from the airport information centre, was the city map. Yes, the paper ones, which nowadays people are using less and less.
Walking through the city (sometimes at -25 degrees) with a map on hands, stopping near sights, talking with locals, trying to absorb and see as much as it is possible.
In the list of my favorite cities are Vienna, Lissabon, Boston and Madrid.
Why those? Well, I like small cosy cities which carry the history at all times.
When the time came to leave that job, I was not certain at all about what future might bring.
I was lost, honestly saying, as fear of being in the dark is the worst.
There was an apathy period, where I was not sure what I want to do next. A downtime of 9 months, throughout which I was trying to recover with my thoughts and meantime getting involved in helping children in local orphanages.
I decided to use the skills I earned throughout my journey and open another chapter in my life.
It led me to jump for the next 2 years to the hospitality (Hotel) industry, which was interesting, something new to learn and excel.
Being involved again in operations and customer service, it threw towards me quite some challenges by facing the fact that I had to manage people and interact with customers over the ocean, on distance. So-called "Remote Management".
Not an easy challenge though, especially when your contribution to people life is not direct and F2F.
Yes, it was interesting, yes, I learnt a lot, nevertheless, I was not enjoying this as much as I wish I could.
As a result: disappointment... lack of motivation, despite having top executive position and salary one would kill for.
At that point, I realized, that another chapter in my life has to be closed. Again that fear of future bugging me each second from inside: What I am going to do? Where will I be heading to? What if I will not find what I am good at and will join the endless queue of homeless people around?
But the challenge of what is waiting for me out there was stronger.
I lost my father at that time, my idol, my tutor and my closest friend.
Life took away my favourite person from me but gave instead my one and only love, my soulmate.
I realized, that whatever will be waiting for me on the road, is not that frightening anymore. Cause I am not alone on that trip.
I resigned. To do what I like to do, to enjoy each second of it, to work for myself.
And here I am. At Steemit. Again, back on my feet, ready for the new challenges. Joined a few days ago and writing this letter of introduction.
This is my first introduction letter, by the way. First time I write about myself so long and for the public.
What am I going to write about here? Pretty much about everything:
Travel, Hotels, Airlines, Airports, Psychology, Interpersonal Relations, People Management, Operations within the Hospitality Industry, Customer Service, Life etc.
Life is a challenge itself, and everyone can fall. What matters is, how you rise again.
What was most challenging for you throughout your life journey? And how did you met that challenge?
End.
