I want to second what Sean said a few days ago about the quote he posted.  The quote – which says we should let go of results, focus on the importance of the work and, above all, cherish our relationships – has really rung true with me this week.  Less of a “light bulb moment” and more of a “wow, that’s exactly what my work here is” sort of thing.

Enjoying a late lunch with my co-workers in the kitchen / break room*

My director, translator and I finally reviewed my co-workers’ marketing plans this week.  These were assigned during the trainings I gave in September, a part of a larger marketing and promotional campaign designed to help raise awareness for my organization’s work and build the skills of my co-workers.

The plans weren’t ready on time, which I expected, and we’ve had to push the entire project back six weeks due to a variety of factors that are part of doing business here.  But by Monday, we were ready to review what they had written.

Most of them weren’t correct.  Core compentencies aren’t lists of the equipment and staff members; target markets shouldn’t be a list of every possible person that could ever take advantage of our services.  Most implementation plans listed the same outreach activities we have done for the past ten years.

But you know what?  I wasn’t upset.  I didn’t feel defeated.  And oddly enough, I was surprised that I wasn’t.  Because this very well could have been viewed as a complete and total failure.  They very well learned nothing, or at least have not taken the step to turn knowledge into action.

Instead, I saw the wins.  Almost everyone came to my trainings.  Every department completed a plan – even my director, who I figured would be too busy.  And, perfect plans or not, my co-workers are going to do some form of outreach in the community.  I’ve been here long enough and developed enough social capital to even attempt a project like this – something that wouldn’t have been feasible even a few months ago.

Installing the new color printer we purchased with my project's grant money (and yes, the cord situation in my office is ridiculous)*

Does this mean I’ve given up?  That I’ve stopped expecting much, if anything, from my Georgian co-workers?  That I’ve decided it’s too hard to accomplish anything here and that I should skate through my last nine months?

I might be inclined to admit that to myself if I wasn’t feeling so damn positive about everything.  Work to change what you can.  You have to at least try.  Focus on the small things.  And, above all, realize that this type of capacity building work is long, tedious, even morale-breaking – and getting every one of my co-workers to turn in a marketing plan a week late might be my biggest accomplishment here.

So here’s to keeping it real – and doing anything but skating through.

*Photos courtesy of my friend and co-worker, Martyna (her blog is currently in Polish, but being translated as I type!)