I'm Back

Yes, it has been a minute, but I am BACK! Not only am I back to my blog and back on Twitter, but I am BACK to feeling in charge of my life again. It's been a stressful time, full of difficult decisions, but I now have a new job, new hairstyle, new business idea, new investment, and a renewed outlook on life. Some of these involve much more risk than others, all have varying degrees of short-term uncertainty, but I'm going for it and feel great! I am also recently engaged to my very loving BF and looking forward to joining the Married club :-)

I visited a friend and her daughters over the weekend and we all went to see Night at the Museum at the theater. I enjoy when PG-rated movies can be equally enjoyable for both children and adults. Within that movie was the overall theme of following your heart. At one point, Robin Williams' character provided insight that the Key to Life is "doing what you enjoy and being around people you love". I may not have quoted it exact but you get the point :) Needless to say, it seemed as if he spoke to me and further confirmed what we all know but find it hard to accept at times, I think because it sounds so simple.

In your search for "IT", it's important for us all to remember that life is not promised and though rough times are inevitable, we need to find enjoyment in as much as possible each day. Find balance, joy, excitement, laughter, peace and happiness within your daily life and if what you are doing does not bring about those attributes, then make a plan and stick to it until the necessary change comes. As I've learned, this will involve some form of sacrifice but after weighing the often intangible cost/benefits, the answer is sure to surface.

Live Your Life!

Last week, I Quit!

I'd been thinking, dreaming and planning it now for a few months and last week, I did it!

However, I did it silently, without notice or conversation. Actually, I didn't have to tell anyone because it only happened in my mind! (Sigh!)

I'd been planning my departure and imagining the relief I'd feel after it was all said and done. But with no other job offer and the internal struggle of wanting to be loyal to my employer and stick it out in hopes of improvement, I'm still there. I'm taking it one day at a time, trying to change my outlook, continuing to do my best, taking charge of my life by reducing my hours without feeling guilty, reading Work Happy Now blogs, focusing on personal interests when not at work and taking steps to build upon my future plan. Though I haven't quit my job, I have finally quit stressing myself out as much...better late than never.

What I realize is...something has to change. If it's not the job right now, then it clearly must be me. I have to put a smile on my face, take inevitable frustrations lightly, go with the flow and set my own boundaries to help promote happiness and balance.

With the recent change of seasons, we have now entered Spring, my 2nd favorite time of year. The grass is becoming greener, the birds are chirping even louder, sun is shining longer and chill is leaving the air...I love it! My to-do list includes registering for a class to take this summer, finding permanent part-time employment and helping propel my new business venture to new heights. Knowing these things will bring me greater happiness gives me strength, energy and determination to take charge of my life and act on my full potential.

So actually, last week I guess I did quit...I quit worrying, complaining and feeling defeated. I quit taking myself for granted. I quit succumbing to work pressures and decided my health and happiness must come first. My job is a blessing, it's serving its current purpose...but this does not define nor limit me and I know there are even greater things to come. The puzzle pieces are coming together...and I can see the picture start to take form.

Check out The Fluent Self blog "when you need some destuckification"!

Networking is FUN-damental

As you all know, I’m on a mission. Achieving success requires the assistance of others who support and uplift you. That’s when having or developing a sound network truly comes into play. I have attended a few events over the past couple weeks, primarily seminars on Business Development and Networking.

After attending a company event last month, the stars aligned and paired me a fantastic mentor who is introducing me to a variety of people within his network and expanding my presence.

Another person in my network introduced me to a business owner and after a brainstorming conference call with the company's President, I’m starting a side gig this week helping this educational products company grow sales and expand its marketing scope. Granted, it will be low/no pay initially, but I truly believe this concept will be a success and plan to give it my all.

Actually, I'm really starting to think small business consulting may just be my “IT”. I get so excited thinking of all the possibilities and ways to nurture and grow business ideas into successful ventures. I shared this with my career coach and even he could see/feel my energy!

I set up a meeting with a manager outside my group last week just to learn more about the department and ask his opinion on how to transition into another career. His advice was to build a resume of experiences through volunteer organizations which may be in need of the skillset I need exposure to. Not only is experience gained, but a network is also developed and having an alternate focus could help balance out the drudgery of your current work. So simple, oh so helpful and right on time since I already have my eye on a few local organizations I’ve been planning to join up with.

While out Friday night, I started up a conversation with a total stranger...turns out he runs a small side business, may need some additional help and wants to discuss further.

Do you see how powerful networking can be? I feel progress. Though I’m not sure how this will all pan out, I do know that I am taking steps toward what feels like the right direction.

I have a phone interview tomorrow for an interesting position, still relates to accounting but at a smaller organization in a different industry and more in alignment with my prior experience.

To all my fellow IT-Seekers out there, I know times are hard, but DO NOT give up. Keep your head up, meet new people, send an email to someone you haven’t connected with in a while, think of out of the box ways to achieve your goals and GO FOR IT!

Mission #1 - To stop complaining about my current job
Mission #2 - To believe in my abilities and take new challenges head on
Mission #3 - To not block my blessings...meet new people, offer my services, follow my instincts, make time for what makes me happy and focus on the positive (or at least focus less on the negative)

Four letters explain it all

INFP

Introverted * INtuitive * Feeling * Perceiving

That's my Myers-Briggs type Indicator and explains my style and preferences even better than I could express. I just received the assessment results after meeting with my career coach and reviewing the Type manuals...talk about eye-opening confirmation!

Want to know what I discovered???

Well, my type is only represented by 4.4% of the national population, I am idealistic, have an introverted feeling with extraverted intuition, loyal to my values and to people important to me. I'm curious, quick to see possibilities and can be a catalyst for implementing ideas. I seek to understand people and help them fulfill their potential. I'm adaptable, flexible, tend to work in bursts of energy and feel frustated when unable to find a place to use my gifts and be appreciated for my contributions. Guess what else???

Drum roll please...my current employment is in TOTAL misalignment with my natural tendencies and preferences. I could feel it, I often thought it, couldn't sleep last night because of it, but now I actually KNOW it to be true! It's partially a relief and I now have a much better understanding of more suitable directions I should focus on. But HOW?

After answering over 400 questions, my highest rated categories of preference/suitability are:

• Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, Media - with a score of 100%, I think this one is quite clear! I used to love being in acting classes and enjoy all things entertaining.
• Small Business Ownership - I definitely have an entrepreneurial spirit
• Education & Training - I enjoy teaching others, feels so rewarding
• Office Services - I have a knack for organization and details
• Writing - I love to write, prefer it even. Thanks Mrs. Lynch (she was my high school creative writing teacher who pushed me to communicate my best and edited my Salutatorian speech)

I agree with all of the above but how in the world do I turn this into reality? I understand most people do not love their jobs everyday, but imagine a career which didn't feel like work because it comes so naturally to you...that's what I yearn for.

I have submitted to a few positions over the last couple weeks...tax position within the government (stability), consulting for an accounting firm (variety), finance director for an entertainment complex (sounds right up my alley), and office manager for an architectural firm (a spin off my skillset). No responses received yet.

I am pretty much obsessed with reading job descriptions online every evening, looking for job duties which includes my natural characteristics as an INFP. Most roles I happen to come across require a significant paycut but I am getting to the point of being alright with that for peace of mind and job happiness. I know it's out there for me and pray on it constantly.

I am seriously considering jump-starting my small business again, even bigger and better, which would entail providing services to clients, managing my own flexible schedule, teaching clients how to improve operations, writing proposals for business, possibly seeking out assignments in the media/entertainment industry, working on special projects, developing marketing plans to grow my business, creating advertising, networking...all the things I enjoy!

There are 24 days left in my 30-day plan. Quite honestly, I'm close to the point of turning in my notice on Day 30, even without another job offer, and taking a leap of faith over the next month or two to work on developing my business full-time. I could start laying the foundation now and try to line up work to start early April, set my commute radius to 150 miles, or father if need be.

The thought of this is SO exciting and invigorating. I am trying to be a lot less impulsive and impatient and more logical and calculating so I will continue to look and apply for a better career.

I admit it, I'm a bit afraid to branch out on my own considering current economic conditions and the cost of health coverage, but sometimes, you gotta believe and JUST DO IT!

What can happen in 30 days?

I work...HARD
I work long hours, juggle multiple responsibilities, take it upon myself to develop process improvements, effectively manage others and try to create greater efficiencies. I teach what I know, document what I've learned and do my absolute best. However, trying to make the best of my current job situation, knowing whole-heartedly that it is a mismatched fit, has me constantly feeling drained, frustrated and full of self-doubt.

I am officially OVER IT! I think it happened around 5:41pm today at the meeting after a meeting relating to a meeting my manager scheduled with me to meet about tomorrow (ya get that?). The end of the meeting produced a larger to-do list than I already had for the next month. Why can't upper management see when they are burning out their staff? Why are they so quick to delegate without fully understanding (or maybe caring) what that work entails?

I'm done...done with the stress-induced head, back and stomache aches, useless meetings, outlandish workload, unreasonable management expectations and trying to pull together the invisible puzzle pieces. I literally sit at my desk, staring at the computer screen for moments at a time some days wondering "what in the world am I doing here?"

FIVE SIGNS OF JOB BURNOUT
I'm about a 3.5, how about you?
Yes, the pay and benefits are great, I am grateful to have the option of looking (though I do suspect cutbacks may occur soon), know the job market is not favorable and I realize this career search may be difficult, but I CAN and WILL claim a positive change right now. If that means a salary reduction, longer commute, going back to school or coming up with funds to run a small business, I am going to work it out because a change needs to happen..and SOON!

I'm giving myself a 30-day challenge...to network, research, apply, meet, discover, find, define and decide. What can happen in 30 days? What will happen? I'm excited to find out and look forward to sharing the journey with you.

No more teardrops while driving home from work. I AM smart, talented, professional, fun and fabulous! Claim your strengths loud and proud!!

Out with negativity, doubt and fear...
It's time to reclaim my life
Let the 30-day challenge begin!

Coach Me

We often tend to think we can do everything on our own...maybe that's why so many of us are STRESSSSED out! Yes, I have a college education, years of experience, diversified interests and desire to have a stable, gratifying career. But, what in the world is my best fit? What do I really want to do? I know it's not my current job, but how can I best leverage my knowledge, skills and abilities to find what I know exists?

I've had track coaches, cheerleading coaches, college counselors and mentors all providing direction, support and encouragement. Though I didn't always win the race (sadly sometimes came in last) and at times even messed up during a half-time routine, but I still completed the task and they continued to coach and help bring out the best ME.

Well, I've now resorted to a career coach. We've only met once and have another meeting coming up next week where my results from the Meyers-Briggs assessment will be analyzed, applicable career fits discussed and my personal statement evaluated. Yes, I said personal statement...summarizing who I am and what I want all in a few sentences (ummm, that's the million dollar question!) What do I want? I've spent countless time thinking on that one, but will have to write some drafts down over the weekend).

I'm excited about this new venture towards self-discovery, it's a good sounding board with an unbiased party. I'm even kinda intrigued that he had a name for my varied work background and interests "Portfolio Career"...imagine that. It's not what jobs I've had, but what skills I can bring to the table. Through coaching, networking and taking steps towards personal development, I'm ready to WIN! I'm ready to BRING IT!

Let's INAUGURATE Change!

(in-au-gu-rate -verb/ To make a formal beginning of; initiate, commence, begin)

Though many of us are going through personal struggles, it is a memorable and exciting time in America. Regardless of your political party affiliation, the change in governmental power we are witnessing will be documented and highlighted forever. What was once thought by many to be impossible is about to become possible, the unbelievable is about to become reality. This entire election and its level of excitement and celebration have been like no other.

With the current state of unemployment and the economy, it is definitely
TIME FOR CHANGE!

How incredible is it that someone long considered an unlikely contender is becoming the person of power to lead us through these murky times? Has it been a stressful, difficult, possibly at times even doubtful journey for the President-Elect? YES! But with passion, conviction, determination, faith and support, our soon to be President has proven that ANYthing can happen!

All of this is to say, Never say Never. Even when you’re not exactly sure how to make a move…even when you don’t know all the answers…take matters into your own hands and BE THE HOW!

Make the decision to change your life now. Commence having a more positive outlook. Begin dreaming the impossible and help others along the way!

YES WE CAN!

Coming soon...tips on careers and 2009 jobs outlook. Is now a good time to go back to school? Is your career field close to obsoletion? What can you start to do now to gain an edge...Check back soon!