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.

Tracy's CV, Part 3: What did I do when I first started @ Microsoft...

It's been a couple of weeks since I posted Tracy's CV, Part 1 and Part 2, so it's high time that I post the next chapter...what did I do when I first started at Microsoft. I was blessed to get a contract gig from 2004 to 2005 at Microsoft on the Corporate Marketing Group's Packaging Team--a fantastic group of people then and now. The person I reported to was and is a fabulous manager--she's my mentor and I'm honored to have had the privilege of working with her. I met so many people that year and really got a taste for Microsoft. I loved it--so much energy and so many great people. I worked on the Visual Studio 2005 and Microsoft Expression packaging systems. I knew nothing about the developer audience, and I learned a ton that year and not just about the audience, but branding, design, and experiential marketing and packaging. and how it's done at Microsoft. I've outlined some key elements below.

For more information about me and my history, please visit me on Linked In. I'm in the market for a new role and I'd love to be a part of your team.

Microsoft Corporation: Marketing Manager – Corporate Marketing Group/Packaging Group – 2004 to 2005

· Managed Developer Tools (Microsoft Visual Studio, Microsoft Expression, Microsoft Visual FoxPro, and MSDN) product packaging and in-box components from out-of-box-experience and usability assessment, research, concept, design review, and production to RTM
· Prepared and presented packaging creative/input briefs for internal teams and creative agencies
· Gathered input and product information from product team to determine marketing objectives, establish communication objectives, messaging priorities, and creative focus
· Guided creative development and production process to ensure projects meet domestic and global marketing and communication objectives
· Collaborated with internal groups including other divisions within Corporate Marketing Group, Product Management, Product Launch Services, LCA, and International Product and Localization teams
· Managed creative agencies, production design firms, and packaging vendors to ensure projects are completed on strategy, on schedule, and on budget

On changing things up, comfort zones, and being thankful...

Last night I ventured out to AdClub's social at HL2's offices in Seattle (thanks for the invite, Greg! I'll go again.). It's been quite a few years since I attended a networking/industry function and I had a great time. While I felt a bit out of practice and recognized VERY few faces, I eventually got the hang of networking events again and met a few people--and as it turns out, we had shared interests AND common connections. This helps pave the way for more conversation and more introductions. A key takeaway and note to self)--don't just put your name on your nametag--shake it up and put your name, what you're up to, and what you want to do or what you're interested in. It draws eyes and STARTS THE CONVERSATION.

I hit it off with a person named Jen and we chatted for a good portion of the evening. She was a fount of information and post-event, we connected online and exchanged more information and leads. Today those leads have resulted in two phone calls for potential positions--one contract, one full time. I have a "meet and greet" set with one person and will set up another "meet and greet" with the other early next week.

Plus, as I was leaving I bumped into a friend/colleague from Microsoft which resulted in an extended stay, more conversations, and more connections. I'm still on a high from the evening!

Can I just tell you how thankful I am?! I'm thankful for people willing to help and provide support, provide feedback, reach out, introduce, make a phone, send an email, etc. I'm thankful for those I've known for years who help me and for those, like Jen, who I just met and are willing to make connections.

To those of you out there who DON'T do that...shame on you. Whatever your reason for not helping, get over it and help a colleague out. Take a moment to figure out their background, ask a few questions about what they're looking for, make connections, and pass opportunities their way. Don't just dismiss and ignore their calls and emails. Do you think it's easy for them to call you? Times are tough for everyone and one day you might find yourself in need of them. Positive light will come back to you in spades, so give, even if but a little.

I can't tell you how important it is to shake things up a bit and do something different--I KNOW it's not easy, especially if you don't have a natural ability for chit chat or just simply sucking it up and doing SOMETHING that you'd rather not do. As I sit here in the outplacement services office taking advantage of free wi-fi, free soda and coffee, and a quiet workspace, I'm thinking about how I finally sucked it up and came in here today--three weeks AFTER the layoff. I didn't really want to, but I am actually feeling better that I did. I have familiar surroundings, I don't feel like a loner in a coffee shop somewhere feeling obligated to buy coffee in exchange for wi-fi and freezing in their A/C (probably a means of getting you to buy more coffee in order to warm up), there are other like-minded people here who I can connect with (and help), and I decided to sign up for a career continuation workshop next week.

I figure even if I'm a little bit ahead of the pack in terms of already having a ready-to-rock resume, a 2-minute pitch, and know what I'm looking for, I might just get something out of it that I can share with someone else (you know who you are).

Anyway, long story short...I did something that I haven't done in years and it produced results and I'm thankful for it. Go forth all of you and do it. I'm rootin' for you all the way!

Have a great weekend!

Tracy's CV: Part 1

As promised in last night's post, I've started feeding bits and pieces of my resume on my blog, which will then feed to Twitter and Facebook. Today's "bits and pieces" is my summary of qualifications and a brief list of marketing disciplines that I've been a part of. For those awesome companies with great marketing teams who are looking for someone like me, please connect with me on LinkedIn. Enjoy!

Proactive and highly organized marketing manager with 14 years experience in integrated marketing campaign management including collateral, packaging, direct marketing, and events. Accomplished problem solver and communicator with strong strategic and tactical planning skills and experience creating, managing, and executing integrated marketing campaigns that support business and revenue goals. Expertise in delivering projects on time and on budget by establishing and maintaining positive partnerships with internal and external clients, vendors, agency partners, and senior management.

Branding and Messaging • Event Management • Product Marketing • PR and Messaging • Packaging and Collateral Development • Agency Management • Cross-Group Collaboration • Integrated Marketing Campaign Development • Social Media Marketing • Project Management • Budget Development and Management • Production and Fulfillment