Bed Time Brain Buzzing

So as I was getting ready to turn off the lights and settle in for the night, I realized I hadn't written on here in a few days. I am really determined to stick with this, at least writing once a week... So here goes the thoughts as I got ready for bed...

Am I made for the corporate world??

All I have seen of it thus far is red tape, unrealistic expectations handed down from people who sit at desks and have no idea what actually happens on the day to day. There is so much corruption, lying, manipulating, politics, and just general ass-kissing...

I want truth, I want actuality, I want realizable and attainable goals, I want trust and friendship in my peers. I want a mentor, a guide, and not one that teaches me how to play the game...

I hate that this is what our world and business has come to. I want to have a successful business built on good relationships, honest business and personal interactions, and a good standing in high morals and virtue.

Am I being naive? Is this possible? Am I in the wrong area? Is it all business? Is it all corporate businesses?

HOW DO I GET AWAY FROM THIS?!!

I am pretty sure one of the two people I have managed to form a relationship with at work left today... I do not know if it was her choice or not... and I have no details... I just know that because of my damn caring nature and ability to read people I accidentally got myself put into the situation a little bit without the right or ability to ask any questions and its so frustrating. I do not want to lose my only potential friend at work... when I am already having such a hard time finding reasons and ways to stay happy.

I just want to go back to being the happy person I usually am... I hope I can make that person a full time part of my life... and not someone that goes sulking away every morning when I walk through those doors....

There is still so much more reeling through my head... but I worry how much I should and should not share on here. I do not want to get myself in trouble, or have any questions raised about me or my loyalties... Again, I just want to be happy at work... and sadly right now I am not feeling that too much...

Here is to hoping for a brighter future... and working hard every day to get there!

Paths Ahead

OK, so I am at a point in my career where I am looking for a change. Unfortunately, there are some circumstances at my current account that I just am not happy with, nor do I want to have to succumb myself to this negativity. I am a pretty happy person and found myself really becoming bitter, angry and overall grouchy. I truly hate that this is happening!

But the hard part is my job is at least talking about getting me into a marketing position, which is something I really want and think I will succeed at. However, this change has been "in effect" for at least two weeks and the amount of marketing I have gotten done is probably less than I was doing before. And for the rest of the semester (at the minimum) if it ever actually transforms I am still supposed to be responsible for things in the cafe. Basically my job responsiblities have doubled, but my pay and status have not really changed.

So do I stick around till next school year for a brand new cafe, hopefully a full marketing manager/director position, but still dealing with all of the incredible amounts of negativity that surrounds me when I am there.

Now I am at the point with this company that I can look into transfer to different accounts or sectors... but there are things in general about the company that I personally do not like... maybe even disagree with. But are these things important enough to me that I would walk away from a good company with a lot of growth opportunities. But in order to be in an area I find appealing I would have to stay in operations and walk away from the marketing opportunity sitting in my lap.

And then there is the question to just move on altogether. But I am worried that my experience is not focused enough in the marketing world to find something that will allow me to move forward, versus backward in my career path. I feel like there are so many things I still need and want to learn.

This desire to learn.. go back to school... is one of the few side reasons that make me want to stay with the company I am with now, because they will give me money each year toward school... and i just have to give them a year of service after I complete the course. So I could have my Masters by sticking with the company for another couple years... Also, I have to worry about health benefits, because of my previous health conditions I can NOT let my lapse at all. Obviously, there is a grace period before you can get insurance with a new company... and I am not sure of all the rules with Cobra health benefits when you leave a company... I guess its something to look into.

And then there is the question of if I leave, what kind of jobs do I look for. What is my niche? What in the marketing area am I really great at? Is there another company that just needs an all around marketing manager, that handles events, promotions, social media, etc.

I guess those would be my three main areas of focus. Hoping/Providing the company doesn't want online experience, HTML background, and things of those likes, which I keep seeing a lot for in my preliminary searches.

Plus, you have to think that as a marketing person, what can I do, that is out of the ordinary, that will make me stick out, make me be the one they choose. These days a typical resume does not get you very far. And how else do you show your personality true and true through one of two pieces of paper... Even better how do you show your quirkiness without coming off like a 5 year old. Because honestly I think one of my best qualities is that I can have fun doing just about anything and can lighten a situation because I am silly. But where is there room for that in the business world? Where will I fit in?!

All the Marbles

So one of my roommates and I... I have five... a big change for me, but a topic for another time...
Anyways, we were talking the other day and came across an interesting topic she's learning about in her Masters Macroeconomic class. Is it more economically profitable to find your niche to focus on and then outsource everything else... and if so, how far can you take that example. We got on to the subject of house updates and chores... which ultimately got way out of hand in the realm of excuses to keep us from having to do things... but it really made me think...

What exactly is my niche, what am I great at, what is my singular greatest passion??? I have a many talents and interests, but I feel like there are very few things that I go out of my way to know everything about? I love gymnastics, but I do not follow gymnasts or the sport... the same with pole... I never get so involved with music that I would be able to point out the guitarist of my favorite band... or most times even know his name.


Similar thoughts go into my career. What are the things that define me and my career path. What is my personal brand? Honestly, I was reading an article today about personal brands and realized I am totally lost in what mine is. I am not sure if that is because I do not have a business to brand, but I am a marketing person so I should be able to figure this out!

I guess my brain is fried from being over worked with two jobs, multiple moves, health craziness and generally just trying to figure out my life and my next steps.

Well I am working on things slowly I guess further pondering and exploring the aforementioned problems can get added to my list of goals for the future.

Just to keep my random thoughts rolling here are some more of the goals I thought up...

Increase Vocabulary
Read at least one book a month
Utilize the technology at hand to get more organized (schedules, to-do's, appointments, etc.)
Use my marketing skills toward my career
Call a friend or family member at least once a week
Take a closer look at relationships and evaluate which are worth putting time into and which are not
Be Healthy - in all aspects and decisions -- be balanced
Invest in the good things in life and let the negative and bad things fall to the wayside
Make the most of my time... explore places and meet new people -- make connections
Find a passion! Follow it to wherever it takes me
Learn more and put focus into learning my religion
Learn more and take an interest in politics... at least the basics.

I am sure there are more... but this is a pretty good start I think.

Adventures

So as I have mentioned earlier, and probably numerous times happiness is a big part of success in my eyes. And happiness can be derived from having lots of fun. So I have decided to compile a list of the many things I would like to try, get involved in, or return to over the next couple of years that I think will help enrich my life, help me have fun, and ultimately make me happy.

Archery
Trapeze
Hip-Hop Dance Classes
Teaching Gymnastics
Pole Fitness -- Perhaps Teaching
Skiing and/or Snowboard
Tubing
Jet Skiing
Snowmobiling
Swimming/Diving
Ski Diving
Trampoline Gym
Disc Golf
Camping
Sewing
My Religion and belief system
Feng Shui
Accessorizing my outfits (shocker for some I know haha)
Slacklining
Rollerblading
Wine and Food Tastings
Motorcycles -- riding and/or fixing -- same goes for old cars
Billiards -- pool and darts (maybe join a league) and bowling too
Live sporting events -- especially Pro Teams
Live music -- for both bands I do and do not know
Comedy Shows
Kayaking and White Water Rafting
Hiking
Exploring
Visiting Museums and historical sites -- most interest lies in art and science
Finish my tattoos
Yoga
Beer Making
Card and Board Games
Books -- broaden my reading interests
TRAVEL! Fill up my passport! and see all of the US
Create things...

I do not think this list is nearly complete, but I think it might be a good start.

What do you think? Any good suggestions for additions

I've Returned

First, I must say that I am a little disappointed with myself for having forgotten about this blog once I started on the next path to come into my life. If I hadn't made it clear I am definitely a person that does not think success is immediate or even finite. I feel like that is always something we can do to further better ourselves and work towards being a better, happier person and therefore, in my eyes, a more successful person.

Well a lot has obviously happened since my last post so a brief update...

I started the job at Taft as their leasing and service coordinator. It was a great job and there were a lot of challenges. When I got there, they did not have a mission statement set up, or any of the other basic marketing identity items that should have been in place. I quickly took over many items and pushed for even more. After just over a year I was promoted to the Assistant Property Manager Position, with three staff members under me and responsibilities over the Maintenance Team. I ran the 100+ unit on-site Mini Storage facility and had made great changes there too. Over my time there, I got the company on track with the marketing basics, helped create a website for the Community, played a major role in our consecutive Best Of Awards, got the ball running us into social media networks, and established great events for the residents to appreciate.

However, once I accomplished all of the things I set out to accomplish for the company I grew bored and started to seek out new opportunities. I shadowed my uncle in his position with a Food Service Management Company and was intrigued. He helped set me up with a couple interviews, but nothing panned out.

One day he called me and asked me if I wanted a job in Boston as the Front of House Manager -- basically the #2 in the account. After carefully weighing out my options and some back and forth on their part, I accepted the job and was in Boston starting to work within two weeks of my accepting.

It has not been easy! And it sure has been an eye opener. There have been a lot of changes, being short handed and just all around struggles, but I have prospered through each challenge. I am not coming up on my 18 months with the Company and am slowly trying to move into a Marketing Manager Role. This is slow coming as giving up my old duties, is not a quick process. I really hope to be able to get into this role and grow in it. I have a lot of ideas of what I want to be doing and hope I can get the support and time to accomplish those things.

In addition to the many hours I put in with the FSM company each week (full time managers are supposed to put in 50 hours a week... which somehow tends to be a minimum...) I also have gone back to the Taft as a marketing consultant for them. Which is an interesting aspect working from so far away, especially having been a large part of the team... to only be able to help to an extent can sometimes be frustrating because I know if I were there doing it, it would be bigger, better, more involved... but that is no longer my position there and I must learn to separate a little.

Well since you are all caught up for now, (and I have a bunch of other work I need to be doing) I will let you ponder that and hopefully you will come back to see what else is on my mind, where it is taking me, and how I feel about it.

Cheers!
Jess

LFE UPDATE!

I finally got a job offer and took it. And I know some might be wondering after reading previous posts if it is a job I want, and that I can grow in or if it is just something I took because it was there.

Well I believe that it is something that I really want to do and can be good at.

I accepted a leasing/service coordinator position with an apartment community in downtown New Haven.

The job is very multi-faceted which is what I truly need. I get to create, build, and strengthen relationships with a variety of people. The company is also excited to have my background in guerrilla marketing to help add a different edge to our business.

I start the first week of November, after a lovely tonsil surgery. I am very excited, to have a something new to look forward to. I cannot wait to jump head first into this great opportunity and make myself a place in this world.

However, I still want to sit down and establish a laundry list of sorts of the skill sets I need and already possess to eventually one day open my own restaurant and music venue. (If anyone has any advice or input on this, I would greatly appreciate it.) When I last spoke with one of my most influential college professors a couple weeks ago this was her suggestion. This new position is definitely something that I think I will enjoy for awhile, and will give me plenty of experience. However, I also want to keep my future goals in mind. I want to make sure I am keeping my eyes open for opportunities to gain, improve, and renew skill sets that will be essential to my success later down the road.

So here is to the future - and the present

8 Rules of Innovation

http://lateralaction.com/articles/tyler-durden-innovation/ <<<< GO READ THIS NOW!!

This post is quite eye opening, if you let it be. Yes, funny that they are using Fight Club to tell us how to get more out of your life, but if you know the story if makes perfect sense.

We all need to take life by the reins and stop worrying about all the little things... which brings me to something else I read today... Perspective...

A philosophy professor stood before his class with some articles before him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large empty glass jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.

He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes."

The professor then produced two cans of beer from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

Then said the professor, as the laughter subsided:
"Now, I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things: your family, your children, your health, your friends, your favorite passions – things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full."

"The pebbles are the other things that matter: like your job, your house, your car. The sand is everything else – the small stuff."

"If you put the sand into the jar first, there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you."

"Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take your partner out to dinner. Play another round of golf. There will always be time to clean the house, and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first. Those are the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."

There was a pause, and then a truculent student voice from the back muttered "What about the beer?" The professor smiled.
"I'm glad you asked! It just goes to show that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of beers with your friends!"


I do not very often take the time to read these things, until late, and am very happy I have. I want nothing more than to get ahold of my life once again, and here is where I start.

Have a great day and stay tuned...