When the best laid plans don't happen, don't drive angry.

For those of us who are planners and think ahead, plot scenarios, and plan for change and mostly take those changes in stride, what do you do when your plan blows up and you're left wondering what the hell just happened?

First, let's just accept that it sucks. It just does.
Second, breathe. To be completely cliche, this too shall pass. It will.
Third, move on. You just have to, but give yourself a bit of time.

In the last couple of years, I've been a marketing consulting and with that type of work comes risk and reward. I know there's a mindset that full-time work is safe and secure than contract work--I was definitely of that mindset--but having been in the position of unexpected job change and looking for work, NO job is safe and secure. It can happen to anyone.

I initially took a leap of faith on contract work nearly eight years ago and loved it. I met some great people and expanded my network by leaps and bounds. I returned to FTE work here and there, and then back to consulting. I discovered that contract work is interesting and fulfilling, provides flexibility and an opportunity to work with a variety of people and different projects.

Last spring, I found a year-long contract with a good team and familiar people and left one contract for another. While I struggled to find and understand the rhythm of the work involved and figure out some personalities, I was happy to be gainfully employed and working on new and interesting projects with the potential to continue with the team long term.

And then...BAM.

Reorg, changing roles and responsibilities, and I found myself in the position of having my best laid plans POOF gone. I'm looking for work again.

I keep telling myself this is the life I've chosen and it is, but oy, I hadn't planned on things changing THIS soon. It's bittersweet, actually. I'm disappointed that I won't be working with someone who I respect and like very much, but at the same time, I've come to the realization that the rhythm of work and personalities I've struggled with will no longer be a daily occurrence.

I've mentioned a few rules of thumb that I typically follow when sudden change happens:

1. Acceptance
2. Breathe
3. Time

In every job change, I've followed all three of these rules EXCEPT this time. I've accepted it, but I've stuck on the "it sucks" part too long. I'm breathing, but I'm antsy and clock watching. And giving myself time to absorb the change...that should really be the first rule and I broke it BIG TIME.

One of the gifts of this change is that I had some time to look, but I didn't give myself those first few days to take it all in, breathe, and dust myself off and start in. I just started, but...I made the mistake of "driving angry". Remember the scene from Groundhog Day when Bill Murray's character tells Punxatawney Phil "don't drive angry" and the groundhog drove off the cliff and into the quarry? Yeah, I drove angry. Mind you, I didn't do anything appropriate or unprofessional, but by not giving myself time to let the details soak in, I've felt very unsettled.

I'm slowly but surely coming out of my funk and realizing that I have set these rules for myself for a reason. The good news is I do see the upside. I will be able to take off all of December, play some winter golf, enjoy the holidays, and continue looking at both contract and FTE opportunities and start fresh in 2013. Do overs are a good thing.

So, the next time your best laid plans take a sudden turn, what will you do?

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.