Reinvent Yourself

Well, we've made it through the first full week in 2009!

Isn't it wild the month is nearly halfway over? With that being said, it's never too soon to take steps towards reinventing yourself...new hairstyle, take a new class, learn a different language, study a new skill or take strides towards pursuing a new career.

Reinventing yourself calls for change, but change towards the improvement of your life is GOOD! Want to hear some uplifting success stories? Check out this great blog a certain diva mentioned recently on Twitter.

Whether it's reading an article about the hot careers of tomorrow, learning how you can help make life around you more "green", reading job postings outside your current field to get a sense of its duties, jotting down new business ideas in a notebook, or just sitting back and envisioning how you want your life to be.


JUST DO SOMETHING!
Come on IT-seekers...Take a step towards reinventing your life today!

What do you want to be when you grow up?

Seriously…even if you are already “grown up”, what do you want to be?

I’m sure we all got this question a lot as kids. Well, when I was six I thought it’d be cool to be a secretary…sit in a cute office, type letters and wear nice clothes (hey, that’s what they did on TV).

When I was eleven, I wanted to be on television, maybe an actress or news anchor. I thought it would be SO cool to have a captive television audience and I REALLY wanted to be on the Cosby show. When young, the imagination is oh so free to run wild and envision all the possibilities. I would spend hours imagining what my life would be like once I grew up.

At sixteen, I went through the process of elimination among becoming a doctor (blood or needles, no thanks), lawyer (I was too shy) or engineer (I’m no math whiz). My household was well below the median income, and I was determined to find a job path to ensure I could bring in some dough. Then, I took a bookkeeping class in high school that sealed in my fate…I decided that year to BEcome an Accountant!! Whoo Hoo!

Sooo, that’s what happened. I went on to college, graduated from a great business program and started out my career the traditional way, as an aspiring CPA. Well, several years and no CPA later (long story), instead of others asking me the question, I now frequently ask myself…What do I want to be when I grow up?

Aren’t we entitled to change our minds about a professional path? Is it fair to be penalized if I desire a career shift, even if it ends up being temporary just to see if I find a better fit? Am I crazy for thinking I should be good and settled into a career right now? Am I such a rebel for not being okay with the 9 to 5 (oftentimes 9-6, 7 or 8) shuffle?

Yes, I know I have a lot to be grateful for, especially just having a job these days. Is it so wrong to want to be happy at work or even just content with it? Am I asking too much?

What do you want to be when you grow up? We may be grown physically, but psychological growth may be hindered by the paralysis of fear. How do we grow “up” and out of complaining and start to follow the notion of CLAIMING what we are going to BE. Check out this article outlining steps to make an informed decision.

As stated in a blog that I often find inspirational “When we stay attached to our expectations of what we think life should be, we can’t enjoy the positive within the changing moment.” (source www.workhappynow.com)

Despite it all, I'd have to say today was a pretty good workday for a change. Yes, it was hectic, deadlines are fast approaching and I didn't get home until 9pm, BUT I did have a positive meeting with my new manager, learned to laugh at some of the office nonsense AND got a callback for my first commercial audition of the year...that makes for a good day! Let's hope I stay on a roll!

My Claim:

I am going to BE satisfied with my current employment, understanding it’s a temporary means to something greater. I will strive to remain on an active pursuit of Incredible Triumph over complaining and procrastination knowing my life holds much greater purpose. I will find IT!

Claim IT Here:

“I am going to BE _______________________”

In with the NEW...

Ahhhh, the possibilities for the new year. I guess the best description of how I feel about 2009 is CURIOUS. Will I stay in my current job? Will I begin writing my book drafts? Will I get engaged? Will I make it into another commercial? Will I earn more money than last year? I have a pretty good idea about each answer, but really don't know. Regardless, I feel so at peace right now and excited about the start of this year.

A quick list of things I'd like to achieve/experience in 2009:

• Become a freelance writer for a magazine or blog (motivation or careers maybe)
• Star in another local/national commercial (at least three would be cool)
• Get more involved in networking events/conferences (need to expand my circle)
• Payoff last two credit card balances (this is top priority, I'm soooo close)
• Take a trip to Jamaica (never been but really want to go)
• Research book-writing, reserving book titles/ISBNs (this includes several special projects)
• Expand my blogging/twitter presence to 250 followers (I think that's a reasonable 1st yr goal, more would be even better)
• Stress less (not sure exactly how to do this but getting better at it)
• Finalize a small business plan (I'm such an entrepreneur in spirit)
• Work my career; NOT let my career work the life out of me (that's a must!)
• Continue to take control of my life, emotions and money ('nuff said)

Faith, Focus and Determination will be MY guide to IT
(Incredible Triumph)
Fill in the blank for yourself... "In 2009, I will achieve I_____ T____"

I'm looking forward to all life has to give...Here's to "What's my IT?" taking each of us to a whole new level of purpose, peace and prosperity!

CHEERS!

Out with the OLD...

In a matter of hours, the year 2008 will come to a close. I don’t know about you, but this year has involved an extraordinary amount of change in my life, unforgettable experiences, both good…annnnd not so good. Among other things, I have attended to clients across states, lived in NYC, worked in Midtown, racked up frequent flier miles, lost clients, been on television, walked the runway, prepared tax returns, been on a soap opera, relocated to a much smaller town in VA, started a new job in a new industry, changed my living situation, added on a few pounds, attended weddings, taken my first cruise, been on a jet ski for the first time, laughed, cried, believed and doubted.

I love the end of a year, because I take the time to reflect on all that has happened over the course of the year and think about what I can do to improve myself and ways in which I want the next year to be EVEN BETTER. Each second which ticks by can never be recovered. The year 2008 will never repeat.

How is your life different from a year ago and what do you envision it to be a year from now?

As we all know, life does not always go as planned (to say the least), but how will you handle what is thrown at you? What new persons will come into your life and why? Who will leave your life (which can be a good or very sad thing). How can you improve your finances and reduce expenses for long-term prosperity? How will you make yourself THE BEST YOU possible in 2009?

Along with your resolutions, why not write down things you want to try next year. We think about these things often, but there’s power in written words. Create a list of places you’d like to go, restaurants you want to visit, classes you’d like to take, etc… When we make grocery lists, we head to the store and rarely leave out with LESS. Make a life list for yourself and you’re pretty certain to have an overflow of experiences far beyond your expectations (check out a cool site called 43 things where you can even share some goals with others and receive group support). No one needs to know everything on your list, it’s your agenda to accomplish in your own way and personally designated timeframe. I recently purchased a a 20x30 Project Board, where I intend to do this very same thing. It will be labeled "My IT-Vision for 2009".

Life is an incredible journey and it is so important to surround yourself with positive, inspired and motivated people. Enjoy the simple things life has to offer, find a way to laugh at the complex situations life hurdles your way. Believe me, I know it’s much easier said than done, but it’s all in how you look at IT...practice makes perfect, so keep trying to turn a new leaf and say NO to negativity and YES to inner peace. Embrace life changes and enjoy your evolution.

I believe 2009 will be a tough year globally, both on an economic and political level. However, with forward-thinking practices and a network of support, which also includes helping others as much as we can, a year from now we will reflect on ’09 and how incredible it was.

You can look backwards on occasion, but keep moving, only taking steps forward, right or left to get closer to IT.

*Live *Laugh *Love

ITs just the Beginning

My inspiration for creating this blog has been around for a long time, but with the New Year on its way and a new President on the horizon (he surely has his "IT"), I finally felt motivated to make it happen. Change can be good. Reflection can be a positive learning tool. Having aspirations can take you to the next level.

My vision for this blogpost is to help highlight the "IT" that many of us are seeking and build a supportive e-community of IT-Seekers. All of our ITs are different. Oftentimes, it's fear which prohibits our forward motion, sometimes it's financial or family circumstances (which circles back to fear) which hold us back. Many are searching for IT, some have found IT but don't know what to do with it, others found and are using IT and can possibly help shed light on what their "AHA" moment was to embark upon IT.

Personally, I have always been an ambitious, daring, out of the box thinking type person. My decision to pursue a business education several years ago was based on logic and money (more likely to always remain employable dealing with numbers) rather than emotional and passion-based (will be happier as a news anchor, journalist, author or actor, then excel in it and the money will come).

As a result, I have jumped job to job trying to find that right fit, started small businesses without a sound enough business plan, ventured into media entertainment pursuits while juggling my full-time career which means the lesser paying job does not get the attention and nurturing it needs and only leads to me being frazzled, frustrated and burnt out! (Not cool, though I did have several exciting and memorable experiences as a result)

Maybe if I were 22, it'd be different. However, I'm not (maybe I'll later write on what I think I'd do if had a chance again to be 22). Regardless, I still have faith and hope that the puzzle pieces will come together. Some of you may love your jobs but still feel that something else is missing. Many of you may not enjoy your jobs or even have a job at the moment and want or need to make a transition. Life is about more than just work...what else brings you joy and balance?

This blog will highlight interesting career data, offer website suggestions for career aptitude testing, share stories of people who dared to dream and succeeded, as well as those who failed (but is a try ever truly a fail?) and most of all, will hopefully provide inspiration to all trying to find their IT and motivation for those working hard at IT to keep moving forward.

Whether you are young or more seasoned, know that as long as you have breath of life, the possibilities are endless. "Seek and Ye shall find" (Micah 6:8)...the journey is what life's all about. Maybe the pursuit is your IT, keep visiting and let's explore!