Do You Have A Dream?

A difficult time can be more readily endured if we retain the conviction that our existence holds a purpose- a cause to pursue, a person to love, a goal to achieve. ~ John Maxwell

A month or so ago, I wrote about perseverance and how sometimes you just have to keep going, how you cannot give up on your dreams. Last weekend I had the opportunity to see one of my dreams come to fruition, my wellness business hosted its’ first event, The Spring Reboot.  We offered a day of rejuvenation for the mind, body and spirit. Our attendees walked away with practical tips for living a balanced, healthy life.

For 15 years I had been trying to find a way to make this dream come true, a way to bring wellness information to people. When I first started thinking of this, I thought I was going to have to study/research all of the information and deliver it myself. What I didn’t understand then is that at the right time, after my original vision had changed, that the right people were going to be placed in my life to help me make this happen. I met most of the session leaders of the Spring Reboot during my wellness journey, a journey which started because of the effects unemployment had on my health.

So many times while I was looking for work people would ask why I thought I hadn’t found a job. After praying and listening, I understood that I was being very narrowly guided down a particular, one that would lead me right to where I needed to be. I now know that God would not have put this dream in my mind, heart and spirit if I wasn’t meant to see it through. When I began to answer that question with the narrowly guided answer I got some strange looks, but that didn’t deter me, or change my answer. Even though nothing had happened at that point to prove it, I knew that my dream was going to happen.

If you’ve always had a dream to do something, whether it’s to start a business, write a book, or  go back to school or whatever it is, please do not let unemployment stop you or kill your dream. If nothing else, use some of your time to really examine what you want to do, see if you can make it happen.

Unemployment was exactly the push I needed to get focused and confirm my purpose. Even though it was challenging I appreciate all of the aspects of my wellness journey and look forward to what is yet to come. I challenge you to consider attempting to make your dreams come true. Just because one of mine has been realized doesn't mean that it stops there. I have so many ideas for this business and I intend to see them all happen.

Keep living and dreaming!

THE PLOY: Is Now a Good Time To Go Back To School?

THE PLOY: Is Now a Good Time To Go Back To School?: I considered this very question so many times while I was unemployed. Even though I already had a bachelor’s and a master’s degree, I wo...

Is Now a Good Time To Go Back To School?

I considered this very question so many times while I was unemployed. Even though I already had a bachelor’s and a master’s degree, I would always consider getting this certification or maybe another bachelor’s degree. During one of the weekly meetings I attended in my job search program, Columbus State Community College had a representative come to speak about continuing education programs. I had decided that if I didn’t have any leads by January of 2012, I was going to apply for a 10 month pharmaceutical program. Essentially the program trains you to manage the labs where pharmaceuticals are manufactured. I ended up getting a lead and a job offer before the end of January so I didn’t apply to the program.

As I was deciding on whether or not to apply, here are some of the things I took into consideration. Was the program I was looking to enter specific? I felt that my BA in History and general MBA were not serving me well. Many of the jobs that were available had very specific educational requirements or it was “highly desired” to have a specific degree. When I was deciding on graduate school I thought a general MBA would be best, otherwise I would limit myself. Clearly, my thinking is very different than those making the hiring decisions. But I did understand this as I was considering investing in more education. The program I was thinking of entering was very specific and would have led to a very specific job market.

Another consideration was the financial investment. I have student loans that I am still repaying and was not sure if I wanted to add to it. Had it been a two year program, I probably would not have considered it. I still have child to put through college, the money I’d be adding to my debt could go towards saving for her education. Even though I love going to school and wouldn’t mind getting a PhD or something, I have to consider what would be best for my finances.

A final consideration was the investment of my time. Going back to school would have taken away a good portion of my availability and could have slowed my job search. The time I would have normally spent looking for and applying for jobs would have been spent attending classes and completing assignments. Going back to school would also have potentially made interviewing difficult, further extending my unemployment.

Again, I ended up not going back to school because I got a job, but it was high on my list if I hadn’t started working again soon. If this is something that you are considering, weigh the pros and cons. Do your research on what to study. Pick a field that is specific and expected to be growing, not steady or declining. Think about whether or not adding to your debt is a good idea. Many factors can contribute to making a good decision about whether or not you should go back to school while you are unemployed.

Ultimately it’s a decision that only you can make, but one that can have a major affect on your life, so take your time and choose wisely.

Perseverance

Perseverance has been a common theme in my life as of late. If you’ve been following my blog for a while, you know that my unemployment lasted a good while, but I made it. I had some good times (believe it or not) and some bad times, but I made it. All in all, I made it, hence the perseverance.

Once I finally got a job, I had to pay my dues. I had to start at the bottom. Even though my skills and education weren’t necessarily needed for the job I accepted, I needed a job. Part of my nature is to do my best if I decide to something. So I went to work each day to do a good job, to do my best. I sincerely appreciated the opportunity at hand and treated it as such. After a year in my role, I had a very good idea of what I wanted my next step to be. And I can say that I achieved that goal a little over a year later. Very recently I received a promotion and got the exact job I wanted. To some, two years might have been too long. For who I was 5 years two years is too long. I have come to appreciate my time, whether good or bad and have learned that there is a lesson in my pain. That pain, that lesson is an opportunity for me to grow. I have realized that as long as I am living I am open to trials and tribulations. And that in those moments is when I learn what I’m made of.

When I first got out of undergrad I wanted to start my own business.  At the time I had a very specific vision of what I wanted my business to look like, but had NO CLUE how to make it happen. I had written down my plan many years ago and just left it alone. Every now and then I would revisit the plan to see if I had come up with any ideas on how to make it happen. Over the years, the purpose of the business has remained the same but the look of the business has changed. Originally I wanted to have a wellness center for women, a facility where women could go to take wellness classes. While it sounds good in theory, unless I had access a lot of money for start up costs, this was not going to happen as planned.

During my unemployment and my wellness journey I revamped my plan. Instead of having a facility for women to come to, why not host wellness events at various places around the city? With this plan, I can meet the needs of people, not just women, who need help creating a healthy, balanced life. In comes The Wellness Loft, an event management company that hosts wellness events. The inaugural event and launch of The Wellness Loft will be the Spring Reboot, A Renewing of the Mind, Body and Spirit and will be held April 5, 2014.

As I prepare for what I know is going to be an amazing event in a few short weeks, I keep going back to this quote from Victor Hugo.

“Nothing can stop an idea whose time has come.”

Don’t give up on your dreams, ideas, or visions! With some perseverance they will come to fruition.

Unemployment and Dating

I guess this post really only applies to the unemployed person who is also single.

The desire for companionship does not necessarily go away when you are unemployed. In some instances it can even increase. I had moments when I really was really interested in finding someone, and other moments when the thought of adding that to my life just seemed like it would be way too much. During a period of wanting to meet “the one” I visited a local match-making company. Internet dating seemed really scary to me and I couldn’t imaging walking into my dad’s house for Sunday dinner with a guy I met on the internet. So, I thought a local, reputable match-making service was a much better option. After a brief meeting with a consultant, I was very politely told, that I needed to be gainfully employed before I could be considered as a client. Made sense to me, they weren’t some company setting up sugar daddies with dates. This conversation did make me reconsider my position on dating.

I did some real soul searching about whether or not dating was something I should be doing while I was unemployed. Didn’t I have enough to worry about without adding dating into the mix? When it came down to it, I had to take things as they came. It would have been a mistake to not be open to meeting new people just because I wasn’t working. But I had to make sure that if I met someone, I was in the right frame of mind, that I was in a good place as far as how I felt about myself. As I have mentioned before, being unemployed can mess with your confidence and self-worth and when these perceptions are lower than normal, we can make bad choices. For example, if you are in a period where your self-esteem is waning, you might consider dating someone that normally would not have a chance, your standards may fall to the way side because you think less of yourself. Thankfully because I had already experienced a relationship that had begun during a time when I was lacking confidence in myself, I knew what to look for and how to combat it.

For me, I was not willing to sacrifice potential companionship out of fear. I forged ahead and did some dating, nothing too serious, but I did meet a few people whom with I have remained friends. This is something you have to decide for yourself. If you are person that completely ties your self-worth to your job, then during a bout of unemployment may not be the best time to be involved in the dating scene. But if you are able to keep a positive outlook and realize that it your situation does not take away from the person you are, dating can be fun and can take your mind off of your lack of employment.

Underemployment. Is it real?

According to dictionary.com, underemployment is being employed at job that does not fully use one’s skills or abilities; or employed only part-time when one is available for full-time work. When I look at this definition, I think in all of my years of employment I’ve been underemployed for the majority of the time.

This point was made very clear to me about a year ago. I had received a phone call from my electric provider asking if I would participate in a survey. I agreed and the basic demographics were asked; date of birth, race etc. Then they asked about highest level of education, then about income. Based on my education the surveyor decided to skip ahead a few income levels. I told her she might want to go back towards the beginning of her list, because that’s where my income would be. I remember her pausing and saying, “Oh with your education I’m sure we need to start here”. Again, I encouraged her to start at the beginning. After reading the second level, we were able to move on to the next question. I could hear it in her voice that she had additional questions that had nothing to do with how I use my neighbor comparison statement. She wanted to know why someone who had an MBA wasn’t making much more money than she was.

The reason is…a lesson. I am on a life journey and part of the journey has brought me to a place where I can truly appreciate the opportunity at hand and wait patiently for what’s next. Now, that doesn’t mean I’m not looking for other opportunities. I have a very specific plan for my career and am focused on doing whatever it takes to make that happen. Had I not been unemployed, I probably would not be as appreciative as I am for my current job, nor would I be as patient as I wait for my next opportunity.

If you are in a state of underemployment, have an attitude of gratitude for the experience and be patient as your next opportunity presents itself. If your unemployment only includes part-time hours, do your best to make the most out of the time you are there. Get to know the people you are working with and help them to see how valuable you are. That way, when a full-time position comes available, you can be at the top of the list of candidates.

I recently interviewed for an internal position and believe that my attitude of gratitude and patience as I’ve been looking for the right opportunity are going to help me outshine the other candidates. If not, I know that what is meant for me is mine and I will continue to press forward with my plan. I will keep a positive attitude, while focusing on my personal and professional goals. This little saying gives me peace when something I want doesn’t happen, “Life’s rejection is God’s protection”.

Thankful for His protection!

Goal Planning Tips

I was asked to write a guest blog at the beginning of 2014, and thought I would share the post on my blog. Enjoy and Happy Planning!

So, we’ve made it to 2014! We have been blessed with the opportunity to begin again, to get a fresh start, write a new chapter in your book of life. Time to set some goals! Keep in mind, these goals can be professional and personal.  A good mix of the two can help create a good balance in your life. The goal setting process is one that is challenging yet can provide you with the power to create the life you want.

One of the first things I would do to get started is to get a clear picture of where you want to be at the end of 2014, then think about what steps it will take to get there. Once you know where you want to be, and have a basic idea of how to get there, putting this goal and plans on paper is a key step. Goals seem more real, more concrete when we see them in writing. You don’t have to be a “writer” to do this either, if you can make a grocery list, you can make a list of goals.

Another important part of this process is to surround yourself with like-minded people. If the people in your circle are stagnant or complacent, it might be time to expand your circle, or even create another circle. One way to meet people who are heading in your direction is to join groups or clubs that are involved in whatever it is that you goal is related to. If your goal is a professional one, LinkedIn is amazing resource for finding groups to join.

Now that you have a core group of people that are of the same mind as you, take it a step further and tell some about your goal. When you share your goals you create a form of accountability. The person you tell can potentially keep you on track to reaching that goal. I understand that this is scary for many reasons, but that fear has to come second to wanting to achieve your goals.

A final step to making your goals happen is to keep your goals and plan in front of you. As part of my planning process this year, I am going to create a vision board to keep myself reminded of why I am focused on my goals. I’m also going to keep my goals and action plan on me at all times, that way I can take it out and see what kind of progress I’m making and decide if I need to adjust any of my action plans.

Setting goals and creating a plan to achieve these goals can be nerve wracking but so important if you want to see yourself make your goals happen in 2014; it takes dedication, self-reflection and proper planning. And even if you do all of these things, your end result may not be exactly what you thought it would be, but you’ll never know if you don’t try!

Networking... A Four Letter Word To Me

I really dislike the word “networking”. I use dislike because I’m not supposed to hate. I have such a hard time grasping the concept that having the necessary skills, experience and education can’t get you a job that you are qualified for. I got my current job through my “network”, but how likely is it that my dream job is going to include someone in my network? Not very likely. Even though I don’t like certain aspects of networking, I do understand that it is expected and can be helpful when searching for a job.

What I found particularly successful in terms of networking was reaching out to people already in my life. People tend to be more willing to help if they have a vested interest or existing relationship. It’s better to reach out to a former co-worker than your mom’s friend’s sister’s cousin who works in HR. Your former co-worker might actually care that you are unemployed and if nothing else might get your resume into the hands of hiring managers. That cousin however, may not be willing to stick his or her neck out for someone they don’t know. During my unemployment I didn’t let pride keep me from talking to people about my struggles and ultimately that is what lead to my former co-worker contacting me about a position he had just gotten hired for and they were looking for additional people.

Another success tactic is one that I stumbled upon, a job search group. Each week the group of unemployed professionals meets and usually has a presentation or speaker from a local business. The presentation topics ranged anywhere from personal branding, to updating your Linked In profile to the importance of having your elevator speech prepared. Members of this group also have access to a certified resume expert that reviews your resume and offers tips on how to make improvements. During these meetings members also have the opportunity to introduce themselves and give a little of their background information. This is important because I might have knowledge of job that I’m not qualified for, but someone in the group could be an ideal candidate. There are many of these groups all across the country and some have specific target groups. For example, the one I was in was for people who either had management experience or were college graduates. Another example is groups for older workers, they sometimes have unique challenges and those need to be addressed separately.

So if you are like myself and tend to be anti-social, networking in the traditional sense can be a horrific experience. The idea of walking up to complete strangers with the intent of pulling them into your “network” is just too much for me and makes me extremely nervous. Focus on who you already know and join a group that will ease you into the expansion of your network. When you start your next job, continue to meet new people and before you know it, you could be that connection someone else needs.

The Side Effects of Unemployment

After a lengthy period of unemployment it can sometimes take years to recover from the effects of unemployment. Aside from the obvious negative financial aspects of being unemployed, unemployment can have lasting effects in other aspects of your life; physical, mental and spiritual.

From 2008-2012, I was unemployed for 20 months total; a six month stint, then did some contract work for almost 2 years, then another 14 months of unemployment. During this time I was without medical and dental insurance. While my physical health has remained pretty good, my dental health has always been a challenge and that didn’t change just because I didn’t have insurance. Even though I’ve been working for almost 2 years now, I am still trying to repair some of the problems that began while I was unemployed. Just last Monday, I had to have 3 fillings, two extractions and a root canal and still have more work that needs to be done. Despite having the mouth of a 70 year old, I am still smiling; it’s just not as big as it used to be. By spring, the transformation should be complete and the big smile will be back!

For a while, I really let the whole bad teeth thing mess with me mentally. I constantly berated myself for not doing more prior to being unemployed. Having teeth that are broken and cracked not only cause physical pain, but also made me feel bad about myself for a little while. For a short period of time, I thought that I would not be taken seriously and looked down upon by hiring managers if my teeth weren’t perfect. On occasion it still makes me a little sad that my mouth is in such bad shape, but I pull myself out of that because it is something that can be fixed and ultimately it doesn’t change my character or who I am.

So being unemployed wasn’t good for my teeth and made me experience some self doubt, one of the positives is that my faith was strengthened TREMENDOUSLY! Thankfully this has also been an after effect of unemployment. I am in a place of peace and understanding that only grace can provide. Had I not gone through this difficulty, who knows if my relationship with God would have developed like it has. I’m just thankful that it drew me near as opposed to pushing me away. I know that I’ve said it before, but I have to reiterate that if not for my time of unemployment I would still be floundering around, looking for fulfillment as opposed to having realized my purpose and pursuing that.

The side effects of unemployment can seem overwhelming, but many are superficial and can be fixed over time. Whether your issues are like mine or something totally different, as long as we have breath, we have the opportunity change our lives. As you look at the picture on my blog, know that behind that smile is pain, trials and tribulations, but in spite of it all, I still smile.