In “True Colors® Personal Success” guide, True Colors® founder Don Lowry states that the “True Colors® symbol represents an individual’s pathway to self-esteem and confidence… one who strives for excellence, one who demonstrates a positive state of mind, one who values the difference in others, and one who participates in improving the quality of life for all.”
As we are engaged as a Division applying True Colors® at work, I wondered if we could use Lowry’s definition to rethink how we define and talk about personal success at work.
By aligning our work with Lowry’s approach (instead of thinking that we are only accomplishing tasks), we can gauge success by how our daily work makes us feel and how we find confidence in our work. When we strive for excellence, remain a positive contributor and find value in what we bring to the table, we will find success. Lowry’s measure means that each day and in each interaction with our students, staff, and faculty, we can find success.
Some of you may easily find this kind of success in your daily work depending on the brightest color attributes (Blues and Oranges). For a taskmaster or analytical person (as strong Golds and Greens like me), this concept is pretty liberating.
Try and take the time in your day to see how this approach to success might impact your life. Find the joy in conversations with co-workers and students different than yourself. Allow those interactions to enrich the day with this new measure of success. If we all work toward this goal as individuals, the collective effort will undoubtedly reflect the great success we have accomplished as members of the Division of Student Affairs.
Marilyn Russell
Director of Sorority and Fraternity Life
Office of the Dean of Students