People & Workplace

The Journey of Finding Balance

By Sheila Harrell on November 19, 2008
 
3685 Views
Send to a friend

This year is my 30th anniversary here at FedEx. The Company is 35 years old, so you can imagine I've seen, experienced and been through a lot of change. In that time I've been fortunate to grow my professional career to a point where today I serve as vice president of FedEx Customer Information Services customer service operations. I have had the opportunity to hold many different positions throughout the company which has given me the ability to grow and learn.

The journey has been one that keeps me humble as I started as a Service Agent taking in packages behind the counter and now I serve many FedEx employees who serve our customers each day. My journey resembles the dream that is no different than many of your dreams. I want to first be happy and continue to grow while contributing my time to something that makes a bigger difference in our world.

One of the most rewarding outcomes of my wonderful career has been the ability to grow professionally, while nurturing and building a family of my own.

Maybe it's because I work for a company that values its people, but I've made it a mission to study, understand and promote how people can have a successful life work balance. As a female who happens to have two executive positions in life: an executive at work and executive of the Harrell household. I take great pride and joy knowing that I've been successful at both.

When I found out about the FedEx Citizenship Blog and that I had the opportunity to discuss what work life balance means to me, and hopefully what it means for others and build community and sharing of ideas around the topic, I said, “sign me up!”

In the coming posts, this is what I hope to do, build community. I’m new to blogging, so I'm looking for your support. I'm looking forward to the journey.

Tags: 

Wonderful post , You

Submitted by BrandonSch on 12/28/09 - 11:27 am
Wonderful post , You absolutely hit the mark with this, I just don't think that people quite get what you're saying. I'm not for sure how many people I've talked to concerning this very thing in the past month, and they just can't get it. , Excellent post!

Sheila, you are truly an

Submitted by Janice Avery-Walthall on 12/02/08 - 12:06 pm
Sheila, you are truly an inspiration! I have been fortunate to work with many long-term FedEx employees. The knowledge and guidance that was shared unselfishly has been priceless and something that I will always cherish. You specifically have always been in my corner providing words of encouragement and leading by example. You are a special person and I am glad that you have been a positive part of my career at FedEx. Work/Life balance is something many of us struggle with, so thank you for sharing your journey.

Sheila, you are truly an

Submitted by Janice Avery-Walthall on 12/02/08 - 12:02 pm
Sheila, you are truly an inspiration! I have been fortunate to work with many long-term FedEx employees. The knowledge and guidance that was shared unselfishly has been priceless and something that I will always cherish. You specifically have always been in my corner providing words of encouragement and leading by example. You are a special person and I am glad that you have been a positive part of my career at FedEx. Work/Life balance is something many of us struggle with, so thank you for sharing your journey.

The journey begins with the

Submitted by Brian W. Neal on 12/01/08 - 6:30 pm
The journey begins with the individual. Ownership of the work-life balance is the important first step and clearly you made that step early in your career. Your valuable advice is important for everyone whether this is their first day at FedEx or their 20th Anniversary. Work-life balance is a dynamic process that moves and changes. Initially it can be a challenge to find the right balance. Especially for a customer centric and highly motivated workforce like the one here at FedEx. Giving my non-work (life) relationships and tasks the same energy and passion that I give to my work relationships/tasks is a valuable parameter I use. If I'm listening to a family member or friend they have 100% of my focus and attention. We can each design parameters that are relevant and work for our individual circumstances. At the end of the day, a good balance results in a higher quality experience both at work and at home. Good blog topic.

I love hearing this tip. You

Submitted by sheila on 12/01/08 - 6:21 pm
I love hearing this tip. You were blessed with a wonderful mentor at the time. Becky was right balancing family and career are so important. Congratulations on your wonderful life accomplishment of raising two daughters. I kow that they have learned so much from you on how to have a life filled with love, laughter, and joy. Your response sounds as if you have great balance. Also, congratulations on your achievement of going back to college. The accomplishments in life are so about the journey! It sounds as if you are enjoying every step. Keep that positive attitude and who know what is next for you. Also, you are such an inspiration to us all. Thank you for sharing, Sheila

Bryant, it is so much fun to

Submitted by sheila on 12/01/08 - 6:16 pm
Bryant, it is so much fun to see folks who love Fedex,our peer employee and our customers! You have the best attitude toward your work. Share with us how you balance your entire life? can't wait to hear. Sheila

Gwen, I feel the feeling is

Submitted by sheila on 12/01/08 - 6:15 pm
Gwen, I feel the feeling is mutual. I have enoyed learning from you through the years. You ability to focus on FedEx employee issues and programs while raising your son, caring for your mother and having a fun full life is so impressive. I have taken magical tips from you in the past. You beleive in exercise and getting up and moving. You also plan trips that are fun and relaxing. Thanks for living your tipsright before me. You are a living balance example!

I have been fortunate to work

Submitted by Michele Finley on 12/01/08 - 5:20 pm
I have been fortunate to work for several managers who have always allowed me the ability to balance my responsibilities at work along with my home life. This is very important to me since I have two small kids at home. It is great to work for a company that allows me to further my education, grow professionally, and take care of my family. It's also good to know that upper management supports this balance.

Sheila, thanks for sharing

Submitted by Julie James on 12/01/08 - 4:11 pm
Sheila, thanks for sharing your story! You have been a role model to many of us who were trying to raise a family and have a career at the same time. FedEx does promote life/balance, the key is to find that balance which no one can define for you, you have to find what is right for you. Keeping your priorities in order can be challenging too, it helps to have a mentor who can "relate" to your situation. Thanks again!

I am very proud of to read

Submitted by November on 11/30/08 - 9:47 pm
I am very proud of to read this article !I am a new employee in APAC and just graduated from school .To be honest ,I doubted my choice in the beginning .Even though I didnot know what the future will be like ,but from all the words my excellent co-workers just have mentioned ,I`m confident about my future now!No matter how hard the future will be ,sticked to it ,that will lead to a bright future! I would like to make friends with you from any parts of the world ! You should add my e-mail :www.zhouchangsheng851025@yahoo.com.cn and QQ976481497.My dear co-workers , the future is in our hands. Come on!!!!!

Post new comment

All comments are moderated. Comments will appear as soon as they are approved by the moderator. We will not post comments if they are defamatory, spam, off-topic If you do submit a comment, you warrant that it is your own original work, that it is not defamatory or offensive and does not infringe any law.
The content of this field is kept private and will not be shown publicly.