By: Ian Christopher Figueroa Schmehl

Operations VicePresident

STATE FARM

Dear Ian,

You’re about to embark upon an amazing journey, and this is just the beginning of your story. Think of it this way – your life is a movie, and you’re the main character. Let’s just refer to you as the hero because, let’s be honest, every story has one. There’ll be days you won’t feel like the hero, but trust me, your loved ones will always think you are. Sometimes long movies have intermissions that let you get up, move around and grab more snacks. Well, young Ian, this is your intermission. Let’s take a short break from being the hero and reflect a bit. Grab a popcorn (extra butter, please), your Diet Coke and get comfortable in your seat. I’m going to share how your story develops over the years, all the plot twists and turns, and what you need to keep in mind as the reels roll on. I want you to take everything you’ve learned in life so far, hold onto it and be grateful. The final credits have not scrolled across your screen. The best is yet to come.

Marathon not a Sprint

Long days, short years – I’ve heard that saying. It’s certainly true for your professional life. You began your career in the leadership program of a respected Fortune 10 company (different from my current employer). You’re part of the largest leadership class in the history of that company (90 members strong). I want you to know, you’ll do just fine. You’ll gain so much from every role you have within the company, including life-long friends. You can be proud that two decades after your first day in leadership, there’ll be scant few remaining at the company from your class. Don’t worry when your classmate is promoted to director during his second year, and you aren’t until your seventh year. You’ll relocate eight times with this company, including one international assignment, and you’ll have 15 different roles along the way. You’ll work in operations, business development, sales, product development, and human resources. The opportunity to move around so often and have many different roles is rare in today’s labor market. Enjoy every assignment, every learning, and every team you’ll work with along the way.

Give Yourself a Break

I need you to know you’re not perfect. Every hero has his flaws. It’s fine to have high standards, but it’s also good to take a breath. You will make mistakes, just learn from them and move on. And please listen to Melissa (your amazing wife), when she shares you should give yourself a break if you make a mistake. Her advice is spot on (as it usually is). Learn to trust your instincts and reach out to your closest advisors when needed.

You make sacrifices and choices

Sometimes being the hero means making sacrifices and choices. And you can’t be the hero when you aren’t healthy. Remember your health is precious. Don’t squander it. Eat well (at least most of the time…sometimes you just need pizza). Make exercise a part of your routine and understand you’re a corporate athlete. You can’t deliver results if you’re not healthy. And when you’re being wheeled from the operating room after the kidney stone procedure, please remember you don’t “need to send an email” while in recovery.

When your beautiful daughters are born, don’t miss those events. Unlike watching a movie, those moments in your story can’t be rewound and replayed. Realize now that there will always be a meeting, an email, or a call. Family is the most important thing in your life. Don’t cause regret – create memories instead.

Time is the most precious resource

You’ll hear your mentor say, “Time is the most precious resource,” after a decade plus into your professional career. I share this now because it’s one of the most valuable lessons you’ll learn. Manage your day, manage your energy and most of all be intentional. Everyone is busy. The reason time is the most precious resource is because none of us knows how much of it we’ll have.

Respect other people’s time. Take the time you need but understand its intrinsic value. Act with a sense of urgency and operate with precision.

Understand that family is the most important piece of your life. Cherish your time with your wife, daughters, parents, siblings, and extended family. You’ll never regret investing your time in them.

Patience and Humility

Continue practicing what your parents taught you. Patience and humility are the two most valuable traits a hero can have when interacting with people. This goes for both work and non-work situations. Have a high standard and expect the best from yourself at work but know you’ll make mistakes every day. Give yourself and others grace. Push yourself and welcome other members of the team. Remember that before you can ever be a leader you must be an excellent team member. Always realize you have no idea what others are going through. As you lead teams over the course of two decades, know that people work with you – not for you.

Networking vs. Connecting

Yes, you need to learn to network, but be true to yourself. The relationships, the friendships you forge – those are real. Don’t worry about being seen. The hero ultimately gets what he goes after. Deliver results, be a voice in the room when it matters and pay it forward. That’s how you make real connections. You’ll have so many opportunities through the years to help others. Keep doing it. Everything happens for a reason, and it’s usually for the best.

I hope you’ve taken away a few things from our little intermission. Never forget that your faith, family and loved ones have given you a strong foundation to rely upon. Heroes always have a great cast of characters, and yours are the best. As your movie rolls on through the years, lean on that foundation your family has given you. When times are tough know that you’re equipped with everything you need. Young Ian, I’m extremely proud of what you’ve done so far and what I know you’ll do before your final credits roll. If critics Siskel and Ebert were watching, I believe they’d give you two thumbs up.