Hardwood Floors December 2018/January 2019

"Take some time to think of all those who walked before you to open a door, or worked shoulder to shoulder with you to teach and train you so that your journey was better."

connected as you are as a way of paying it forward to those who have helped you. We all have so much to learn from one another; the 20 somethings can teach the 50 or 60 somethings a thing or two and vice versa. I once had a handful of direct reports who were twice my age and possessed 10 times more experience than I did and yet each one of themwas incredibly gracious and shared their knowledge when and where it was appropriate. Take some time to think of all those who walked before you to open a door, or worked shoulder to shoulder with you to teach and train you so that your journey was better. We should not only give them some credit, but we should also give ourselves some credit for having open minds, eyes, and ears to their wise counsel and example. Emily Morrow Finkell is an interior designer and CEO of EF Floors & Design LLC in Dalton, Georgia, a provider of hardwood ÁRRUV DQG KRPH IXUQLVKLQJV DQG 1:)$ GHVLJQ FRQWULEXWRU 6KH FDQ be reached at emily@emilymorrowhome.com.

One that I've had on my desk for a week is titled Really Ready to Retire? by Jeri Sadler and Rick Miners, co-authors of Don't Retire, Rewire! They compiled a list of seven things to consider before retiring, and these same questions apply to all of us at any age. Some of them include: • What ambitions are you waiting to fulfill? • What will make you rise each day as excited as you were at the high points of your career? • To what extent will you be in service to other family members once you retire? So many young and "less young" professionals change careers and ask themselves if they're making the right decision. The good news is that we have generations of mentors surrounding us that we can look to for examples of how, in retrospect, each step is critical in building a career. Obviously, for those highlighted in this issue of the magazine, you're doing quite well and are to be commended for taking the initiative and learning all you can in your current chapter. If you are on the "Fabulous 40" list, you might consider taking on a mentoring role with someone less experienced or not as

the magazine of the national wood flooring association

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