I've been neglectful in my blogging, but I'm back and I have fodder. Typically, I write when I cross paths with something that inspires me. I found something to inspire a series of posts, but time has peetered away and I have yet to start.
My inspiration comes from the book REWORK by 37signals founders Jason Fried and David Heinemeier. It's a great, fast read and absolutely chock full of common sense for your professional and personal lives. As I read the book, I found myself harkening back to a variety of situations I've encountered in life and could apply this common sense to each and every one of them.
This, my friends, is my inspiration. It's common sense and storytelling. I will enjoy each and every moment of sharing my experiences with you. My first attempt will be to share a story based on the first chapter titled "First". Of course, it's been a few weeks since I finished reading the book, so I'll be re-reading it and recalling the stories.
Give me a few days...I'll get there.
Showing posts with label inspiration. Show all posts
Showing posts with label inspiration. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
The Eagle Has Landed...
For months I wanted to start a blog, but didn't quite know when to start it or what to say. I ended up finding inspiration when I was laid off in early May and wrote my first post, When your best isn't enough. It wasn't long after that post that I was Back in the saddle and Not slowing down one iota. I did the usual things like Meetings, Twitter resume, and job postings... and had a bit of fun with a site called CardsofChange.com.
Then I started looking for ways to get my resume out in the public eye in a different way, so I posted bits and pieces of my resume here, here, here, and here. I didn't even post the entire resume before I wanted to tell you a bit about Changing things up, comfort zones, and being thankful, as well as how Inspiration comes from everywhere.
I've encouraged people to Have some fun during your job hunt and I did just that--I continued to have fun with the folks at CardsofChange.com. I never did hear back from the BBC reporter after my reply to him, but all the same, I had fun dreaming that I might be part of a short feature on the BBC. Maybe I was and didn't even know it--note to self...check with Cards of Change.
During this time, I've also written about how important it is to Pay attention and how I jokingly--yet seriously--say I'm a connector. You do need to pay attention to what's going on around you and you do need to do your part and connect people who need and ask for help. Please believe me when I say that paying it forward is a good thing. It just is.
I had a bit of fun saying My name is Tracy and I'm a Microsoft Graduate. Some say survivor, I chose graduate for a most positive and humorous spin. TomAYto, tomAHto...it's all the same--I'm a survivor, too.
So why am I recapping the writings of the last couple of months? In a nutshell, all this work of connecting, thanking, meeting, paying attention, having fun, and more has come together. In a couple of weeks, I'll be starting a new adventure and I'm super excited. I'll be working with a talented group of people and I can't wait to be a part of it. In fact, I just added my start date to the Days Until countdown clock app on my iPhone! 20 days...tick, tock, tick, tock.
I know, I know...quit with the cloak and dagger and just tell us where you're heading. It's not cloak and dagger; I'm like a good movie trailer that keeps you wanting more and makes you say "I have to see that!" So like a good trailer [roll on-the-edge-of-your-seat-nail-biting music, please]: Coming August 3, 2009
I'm also compelled to give my Oscar acceptance speech before the movie has even been released. LOL Seriously though, there have been so many people who have helped me along the way. To all of you, there aren't words enough to express my deepest and heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for all your kinds words and support. Thank you.
Then I started looking for ways to get my resume out in the public eye in a different way, so I posted bits and pieces of my resume here, here, here, and here. I didn't even post the entire resume before I wanted to tell you a bit about Changing things up, comfort zones, and being thankful, as well as how Inspiration comes from everywhere.
I've encouraged people to Have some fun during your job hunt and I did just that--I continued to have fun with the folks at CardsofChange.com. I never did hear back from the BBC reporter after my reply to him, but all the same, I had fun dreaming that I might be part of a short feature on the BBC. Maybe I was and didn't even know it--note to self...check with Cards of Change.
During this time, I've also written about how important it is to Pay attention and how I jokingly--yet seriously--say I'm a connector. You do need to pay attention to what's going on around you and you do need to do your part and connect people who need and ask for help. Please believe me when I say that paying it forward is a good thing. It just is.
I had a bit of fun saying My name is Tracy and I'm a Microsoft Graduate. Some say survivor, I chose graduate for a most positive and humorous spin. TomAYto, tomAHto...it's all the same--I'm a survivor, too.
So why am I recapping the writings of the last couple of months? In a nutshell, all this work of connecting, thanking, meeting, paying attention, having fun, and more has come together. In a couple of weeks, I'll be starting a new adventure and I'm super excited. I'll be working with a talented group of people and I can't wait to be a part of it. In fact, I just added my start date to the Days Until countdown clock app on my iPhone! 20 days...tick, tock, tick, tock.
I know, I know...quit with the cloak and dagger and just tell us where you're heading. It's not cloak and dagger; I'm like a good movie trailer that keeps you wanting more and makes you say "I have to see that!" So like a good trailer [roll on-the-edge-of-your-seat-nail-biting music, please]: Coming August 3, 2009
I'm also compelled to give my Oscar acceptance speech before the movie has even been released. LOL Seriously though, there have been so many people who have helped me along the way. To all of you, there aren't words enough to express my deepest and heartfelt gratitude and appreciation for all your kinds words and support. Thank you.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
When your best isn't enough
Today I have an excuse to finally start the blog I set up months ago. Yesterday, I was laid off from Microsoft. Okay, okay, so it's not the most positive place to start, but stick with me. :) When I was first reorg'd just over a year ago, I wasn't convinced that the new org and its charter was going to be exciting, but actually it was, and still is. I had some fun and Iwas blessed enough to continue to meet and work with some smart and interesting people. However, it didn't take long to realize that I was "legacy". I had experiences, knowledge, contributions, and more weren't necessarily recognized or appreciated by the new powers that be. I just wasn't going to be part of the long-term future of the org. My best work wasn't enough.
Over time, I supported some great new businesses, and saw first hand how new marketing practices were valued, showed results, and were quite fun to work on. I found a new career path and I grabbed it. Even though I became a convert and drank from the firehouse to learn as much as I could, it wasn't enough. Again, my past work was what the powers that be seemed to remember most and considered to be "traditional" or "old marketing" and not on the bleeding edge. My best work combined with my on-the-job education, wasn't enough.
Even though my confidence was rocked (that's fodder for another blog post, right there), every move I made questioned, I kept going...I asked questions, took classes, attended a conference, met with experts, read, gained as much knowledge as I could. I embraced the changes as an opportunity, but again, my best efforts weren't enough.
I met with someone today who helped me to realize what I inherently knew and reinforced what so many colleagues have said...I am good enough, I'm start enough, and gosh darnit...sorry, channeling Stuart Smalley. Seriously, though, my background is great, I am good at what I do, and I'd be a valuable member of any company and team I'm a part of. I have foundational marketing experiences and I'm learning new marketing strategies and tactics every day and seeking out opportunities to put them into action. So, here I am opportunity...I'm looking for you.
Like so many things, I take this entire experience all in stride. It is what it is. What else am I going to do? What else SHOULD I do? Kick, scream, cry, laugh, yell, shake a fist at the cruel cruel world? I could do all that--I have laughed. I did cry and even now fighting back a little lump in my throat. But, out comes my inner cheerleader and the stupid pom-poms and "READY!?, OK! P-E-R-S-P-E-C-T-I-V-E!" I work hard to keep things in perspective--remain "cool as a cucumber" as some dear friends have said of me :). In the grand scheme of things, this is nothing. I've loved and I've lost and yes, it stinks that I need to look for a new job in a tough economy; yes, this puts a massive strain on our already strained family budget. The list could go on, but really, I have my husband and my kids, my intimate and extended circle of friends, family, and colleagues that are looking out for me, everyone's healthy, so I have everything. I could be living in a van down by the river and as long as I had my peeps, we'd be just fine...everything will be okay.
Geesh, that's three SNL references in what 200 words or less. :) See? I'm still laughing.
Like so many experiences in life, this is an opportunity for something new. So onward and upward. Just about every single person I've worked with in the last 14 years who has been laid off has landed and in a far, far better place. Why would it possibly be any different for me and the other 1199 people that were laid off from Microsoft's Puget Sound campuses?
To be completely and totally cliche, when one door closes, another one opens. Granted, the hallways are a bitch. The question is how will you make your way through that hallway and open one of those doors? And what big, best, awesome, miraculous things will you do when you make it through...because you and I WILL make it through, NO. MATTER. WHAT.
Over time, I supported some great new businesses, and saw first hand how new marketing practices were valued, showed results, and were quite fun to work on. I found a new career path and I grabbed it. Even though I became a convert and drank from the firehouse to learn as much as I could, it wasn't enough. Again, my past work was what the powers that be seemed to remember most and considered to be "traditional" or "old marketing" and not on the bleeding edge. My best work combined with my on-the-job education, wasn't enough.
Even though my confidence was rocked (that's fodder for another blog post, right there), every move I made questioned, I kept going...I asked questions, took classes, attended a conference, met with experts, read, gained as much knowledge as I could. I embraced the changes as an opportunity, but again, my best efforts weren't enough.
I met with someone today who helped me to realize what I inherently knew and reinforced what so many colleagues have said...I am good enough, I'm start enough, and gosh darnit...sorry, channeling Stuart Smalley. Seriously, though, my background is great, I am good at what I do, and I'd be a valuable member of any company and team I'm a part of. I have foundational marketing experiences and I'm learning new marketing strategies and tactics every day and seeking out opportunities to put them into action. So, here I am opportunity...I'm looking for you.
Like so many things, I take this entire experience all in stride. It is what it is. What else am I going to do? What else SHOULD I do? Kick, scream, cry, laugh, yell, shake a fist at the cruel cruel world? I could do all that--I have laughed. I did cry and even now fighting back a little lump in my throat. But, out comes my inner cheerleader and the stupid pom-poms and "READY!?, OK! P-E-R-S-P-E-C-T-I-V-E!" I work hard to keep things in perspective--remain "cool as a cucumber" as some dear friends have said of me :). In the grand scheme of things, this is nothing. I've loved and I've lost and yes, it stinks that I need to look for a new job in a tough economy; yes, this puts a massive strain on our already strained family budget. The list could go on, but really, I have my husband and my kids, my intimate and extended circle of friends, family, and colleagues that are looking out for me, everyone's healthy, so I have everything. I could be living in a van down by the river and as long as I had my peeps, we'd be just fine...everything will be okay.
Geesh, that's three SNL references in what 200 words or less. :) See? I'm still laughing.
Like so many experiences in life, this is an opportunity for something new. So onward and upward. Just about every single person I've worked with in the last 14 years who has been laid off has landed and in a far, far better place. Why would it possibly be any different for me and the other 1199 people that were laid off from Microsoft's Puget Sound campuses?
To be completely and totally cliche, when one door closes, another one opens. Granted, the hallways are a bitch. The question is how will you make your way through that hallway and open one of those doors? And what big, best, awesome, miraculous things will you do when you make it through...because you and I WILL make it through, NO. MATTER. WHAT.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)