52 Weeks ~ Week 1: Updating the Outdated

So, I haven’t gone so far as to actually do it yet, but I have determined what will be the first goal in my 52 week transformation.

I need to update my resume and LinkedIn page.

These two professional pieces of literature are crucial to my ability to market both myself and the skills I possess. And both are severely outdated. That makes it extremely difficult to give an accurate description of who I am and how I’ve grown. Though my job title hasn’t changed in the last year, my responsibilities certainly have. I have taken on the role of becoming the editor of my employer’s first internal newsletter. That’s quite a big deal, especially considering my career goals, and I’m not giving this new role quite the spotlight it deserves.

This became apparent to me last week while I was writing one of the articles for the most recent edition of the newsletter. Ironically, I had been given the task to write a story about the power of LinkedIn and all that it has to offer. It started out with me somewhat regurgitating another article I had read that I had found much merit in. My HR rep, however, did not like the fact that this article seemed to focus on finding another job and getting recruiters to notice you. So, I had to rewrite it. Before I did though, I had taken plenty of useful information away from the original content and started to think about it terms of myself and how to apply this information to my own career goals. That’s when I first came up with the idea of updating the outdated. It occurred to me that I wasn’t maximizing the potential of my LinkedIn page. I wasn’t capitalizing on the skills that would help me get the job I ultimately want.

Though it might not change my job search overnight, by using the key words that are more closely related to my career goals, I would say that I will have successfully taken the first step to reaching my dream.

I Need a New Goal

I’m not really sure where to start either.

What I do know is that it has come to my attention that I have finally finished my 365 Blog Challenge. Okay, so it took me about 2 months longer than it should have, but the fact remains, I finally finished it. Now what?

I follow a wonderful blogger who has dedicated herself to writing once a week, rather than the once a day that she had been. She was, and still is, much more dedicated to it than I am. Not that I don’t want to be, but really, I noticed that regardless of how short her blogs were, she always made it a point to write one every day. It was really quite inspiring.

The problem is, I’ve reached, yet another, impasse. I’m more than just a little frustrated at the lack of forward motion my lifelong dream is experiencing, but I can only blame myself. As I do every year, I allow myself to get wrapped up in the half a dozen activities that my children want to participate in, and I leave no time for myself. Heck, I’m surprised I’ve found an opportunity to write in the midst of all the running around. Thankfully, though, tonight was mild in comparison to some of the others I’ve seen lately. I know it will only get better too, but for now, I’m hectic every minute of the day, it seems. As it always does though, all of the time spent running to and from activities leaves me little to no time to think about doing something for me, let alone actually accomplishing anything. Truth be told, I really wouldn’t have it any other way, but some days, I wish I had more time. In addition, I am currently studying for a test I’d rather not take. A test that just might keep me at my job a little while longer. A job, that for all intents and purposes, is getting me nowhere closer to my ultimate goal.

Or is it?

I regularly forget that I am acting as sole editor of my company’s newsletter. That has to count for something when my dream is to become a writer in some capacity. I guess it doesn’t help that I only get to play this role once every couple of months, and for a short 2-4 week span of time. I truly am hopeful though that this role will one day help me as I move ever closer to my dream. So, maybe I am moving forward after all. Maybe it’s just more slowly than I would like.

But still, I need a new goal. I need a new way to use my talents. I know I’ve got them, but I also know that 8 weeks out of a year is not enough. I should be doing more. But what? That is where the impasse begins. I’ve never been much of a thinker that way. Never really been good about looking outside of the box for ideas to help me get closer to where I want to go.

Maybe that should be my goal.

A year ago, when I started writing, I did it to get experience doing it, so I didn’t feel so weird. Though I knew I should write, I had never really done it, so it didn’t really feel normal. Well, now it does. Mission accomplished. But now, I need to dig deeper, look harder, and stretch farther. What is my purpose? How should I use my talents to achieve my ultimate goals? Sure, I’m not going to reach that goal overnight, but maybe in a year I can be closer to it than I am right now. Just like I did this past year. It’s worth a shot.

So, that’s my goal. Each week, I’ll find a new way to use my talents, so that rather than using my skills only 8 weeks out of a year, I’m using them 52 weeks. Then, of course, I’ll blog about what I’ve done, or what I’ve thought to do, or maybe the research I’ve conducted. Who knows, but at least I’ll be making progress. And that’s been my goal, all along.

Given a Second Chance

Okay, well, technically, it’s my third chance, but I’m more or less referring to the second chance I have to make this opportunity count.

What I’m talking about is the dreaded mandatory industry-based testing that I have to complete in order to keep my job. I have spoken about this topic multiple times, but this time, it’s for real. Getting down to the nitty-gritty. I am finally forced to take it seriously.

I am still not looking forward to it. I still don’t want to take it. And I still want nothing more than to boycott the entire experience in an effort to maintain my assertion that I am not in it for the long haul. But I can’t. The truth is, it’s one and done. If I don’t pass this time, I don’t keep my job, and I just can’t afford to let that happen. So, I have to study like I’ve never studied before. Cram like it’s the most important test of my life. Now, while this couldn’t be farther from the truth, that doesn’t stop me from having to believe that for the next 30+ days and using it as my motivation to keep me focused on studying.

But that’s where I got lucky.

Technically, I should only have 3 weeks until that fateful day, but as the result of some unfortunate, or, shall I say, fortunate timing, my study period has been extended by 2 weeks. And it wasn’t even done intentionally. A couple of weeks ago, my boss allowed me an extra week to schedule my exam, telling me I needed it scheduled by October 6th. He was out last week though, and I didn’t have an opportunity to schedule the exam as I was handling all of the issues, as well as training, for my specific departmental tasks. When I went to schedule it today though, the soonest date I could choose was October 15th, and even that wouldn’t work because of a conflicting doctor’s appointment. The next available day was October 20th, which, as I mentioned, is 5 weeks from today, rather than the original 3 it should have been.

I guess I should stop my belly-aching and get to studying. I have been given a gift. I really shouldn’t squander it.

I Have a Secret

I don’t really hate football.

This seemingly obscure thought came to me earlier tonight as I watched my girls cheer at a football game.

For one thing, my friend’s son was on the team they were cheering for, so, at the very least, I had someone to talk to about it for the hour it took this game to commence. (My boyfriend could not be so easily provoked to have such a conversation) This, above all else, helped eliminate the majority of the boredom that usually accompanies me coming within five yards of this sport. Second of all, I understand the game, so, technically, watching isn’t really that bad. It’s not like I don’t know what is happening. I actually have a very good grasp of the rules of play; it’s to the point where I’m not confused if I look up after a few minutes of not paying close attention. Third, watching small children play football, or any sport for that matter, is much different than watching grown men play. The unfortunate reality is, as they age, men forget why the play the sport in the first place. Though I realize the sole purpose is to win, grown men start playing for money, rather than the fire that ignited them to play to begin with, and money can make a person change the way he plays the game altogether.

Keep in mind, I’m sure women can run into this same problem, but as we are talking about football, that’s a terribly irrelevant point. Similarly, I didn’t think it would hurt to bring that up.

Moving on.

I have also decided that another part of the reason why normally I would claim pure unadulterated hatred in this situation is because for some football fans, dare I say many of the ones I know personally, seem to allow this rotten excuse for entertainment consume their lives for nearly 6 months (some longer if they watch pre- or post-season games). And I don’t mean they have a favorite team and they try to catch as many games as possible. These are people who have actually admitted to it being more important than family gatherings.

For instance, a week or so ago, a friend posted a status regarding football and that should someone who lived in Nebraska plan a wedding on the same day as a college football game, well, that person was just plain stupid.

Needless to say, as a non-football, non-Huskers fan, I was incredibly appalled. But my surprise came more from his odd concept of priorities and less about his enthusiasm for a sport I loathe. I couldn’t believe he actually admitted that he would miss a family get-together, a wedding no less, for a silly game. And yes, in comparison, the game is silly, and should not be given the same value as a family member’s wedding day. But, I guess it is to some people. That’s where our opinions differ. I couldn’t imagine putting something so petty and trivial over my loyalty to family or friends.

But, now in saying that I don’t hate football, that doesn’t mean I’ll be heading up any Superbowl parties, or even attending one if the occasion should arise. In fact, I might agree to it, but at the last minute change my mind when something more exciting, comes along. Ya know, like watching water boil. On the other hand, I will try a little bit harder to keep the bitter and hate-filled comments to myself (I said try, but remember, I’m no saint).

It’s Too Early

As per my usual fall routine, my Saturday morning consisted of an early morning soccer game.

Unfortunately, however, Mother Nature appears to be confused about what season we recently left and what season are currently heading into.

That being the case, the late summer, early fall attire looked more like late fall, early winter. Myself, my eldest daughter, and my nephew were all bundled up this morning with winter coats, hat, gloves, and multiple blankets. This was in addition to the soccer players who donned similarly bundled ensembles that included leggings and sweatshirts beneath their uniforms.

But it’s too early for this crap.

I understand that I have a terrible misunderstanding and an unaccommodating approach for the changing of the seasons, especially considering I have lived in the Midwest all my life. I want the summer to last forever, and the winter to be gone in the blink of an eye, but I usually find the opposite to be true. The cold, blustery winter generally outstays its welcome far longer than I ever thought would be imaginable, and the summer fades as it was never here to begin with. And this year it seemed to move out more rapidly than usual. Not only was the last week of summer vacation the last hot one, but after only two short weeks into the school year, we have already started to experience the devastating effects of the months to come.

Alright, so there have been many places that have already seen snow, and yes, we were lucky enough to not be in that group; however, when you’re forced to wear winter coats so early in the year to escape the cold, I’d say that’s devastating enough.

I guess I’m going to have to keep hoping that Mother Nature has a few more good days left in her before the real winter hits. Fingers crossed.

Season of Change

The winds of change are upon us, well, in our household anyway. 

Over the last several months, it has become increasingly more clear that I have unwittingly allowed my children to take me for granted. Though obviously unintentional, I have spent my children’s lives setting their expectations of me too high and my expectations for their gratitude far too low. 

In truth, all I ever wanted was for them to feel loved. 

When I was younger, all I had was gymnastics, and it only lasted for the short years between ages 11 and 16. Both before and after that time, I felt little more than a nuisance and really never felt like anyone was on my side. Those five years, however, were some of the best times I ever had, and quite frankly, are really the only good memories I have from my youth. Well, that is with the exception of a few random bowling memories with my older sister. But I digress.

The point is, ever since becoming a mother, I never wanted my children to feel like that. So, I took care to enroll them in activities and never feel like my lack of money, or, at the very least, my inability to manage it would ever be the reason they couldn’t do something. The consequence? I led them to believe they should be allowed to participate in everything, and not appreciate the time, energy, or money it might require of me to do any of those activities. Whoops. That’s not what I meant to do. 

Fast forward to angsty-teenage years. What a mess. Not only do they despise every imaginable thing I stand for, but they also have no appreciation for anything I do. Ever. Regardless of how positively it might affect their lives. Sadly, that type of behavior roughly translates into moderate to often extreme levels of disrespect. No, I do not believe they are really that heartless, but similarly, why would I expect them to behave any differently? In a way, I shouldn’t. This is what I’ve taught them. What I do expect going forward, however, is that this will not remain the constant. Things will change because after everything they have been given in their lives, a little appreciation would go an awfully long way. 

We’ll start by removal of many of the nonessential items and purchases in their lives. Namely, movies, extracurricular activities, dining out, and any purchases that do not fit into what I consider necessary to their life and well-being. Next, I have suspending any future earnings through the Dave Ramsey plan. Chores will be completed without the expectation of monetary compensation. Should attitudes not change, we will go deeper, and hit right to the core of all that is important. Hopefully, we won’t have to go that far, but I am not afraid to make more extreme changes, if necessary. 

I think this will be good for us. For all of us. I don’t expect them to change overnight, nor do I expect them to be perfect. Just better. Even I could stand to be better. Couldn’t we all?