We want what we can't have, at least sort of...

I believe that it is in human nature to want at least one thing that we either don't or can't have. And while thinking of these things we need to remember the old saying "the grass is not always greener on the other side."

There are several of these instances I can think of right off the top of my head. One from my younger days was wanting a sibling. As an only child with many friends who had a sibling (or two) I was a bit jealous of the built in playmate. However as I grew up I found that there were advantages to being an only child (including have parents with the resources to support activities I participated in).

As an adult, this comes into play at times with jobs, cars, a house, being able to travel and other things. However, I have learned that while it is okay to think at times "I wish (fill in the blank) was different" you have to make peace with where life has led you. If there is something you really wish was different then find a way to make it happen, it is not going to be just handed to you. But remember that one change can lead to others (both good and not so good depending).

What are your "grass is greener..." items? Mine include a career where I feel fulfilled (which I am working toward) and the most obvious is seeing people that just throw their money around like it is nothing when others are struggling to get by. Keeping positive thoughts though and I know that my life will work out the way it is supposed to, especially with my family by my side.

Three words for the year - Idea by Chris Brogan

Resolutions for the New Year are talked about by many and kept by few. Most are made under good intentions but, for one reason or another, the majority of resolutions are broken within the first few months of the year. According to a Washington Times article "Only 45% of Americans usually make New Year’s resolutions, and only 8% of those achieve success, according to statistics on brain.com, as sourced by the University of Scranton’s Journal of Psychology."

So, if resolutions are so hard to keep, why do we keep making them year after year? 

I came across a blog post by Chris Brogan that I believe makes much more sense than making resolutions. Chris talks about choosing three words that will become his "central focus" for the year. The more I read, the more this seems to be the way to go.

So that got me to thinking, what three words would I choose to focus on this year? I guess positive is one as I want to maintain a positive outlook on my life (family, career and just over all). Excel could be another as I continue to search for the right next steps in my career (working on this blog is another part of excelling in my role as a communicator) and becoming a better wife and mother. Education would be a third. While I completed my Master's degree in 2013, I have also learned that education should not be limited to the classroom. It needs to be an ongoing focus through reading any and all items that interest you and that pertain to your career.

What about you? After reading Chris' blog do you have three words that will be your focus this year?

Snow Day Without the Snow

Winter is continuing to hit us hard, although today is a rare work from home day without much snow on the ground. Last Friday I made plans to be able to work from home in the event that schools were cancelled today (Monday). While we continued to see that the snow would miss us (unlike northwestern Ohio) the temperature predictions had us see single to below zero regular temps with well into double digit negative temps with wind chills factored in.

I do not normally get to work from home. It is just something that my office doesn't allow for normal circumstances. However, with special permission we can on a limited basis. So today, I got to get up, put sweats on and sit down in our home office to begin my day.

The one thing I noticed was that I had fewer distractions here than I do in the office. And that's even with an 8-year old in the house. No one walking by or wanting to talk. No phones ringing. While I don't think that I would want to do this full-time, I am grateful for the opportunity to still work while being there for my son.

Now tomorrow is going to be another story as we are expecting cold temps again. But I will trudge into work. I might cheat a bit and pay to park close to the building though. Just can't see walking in with the really cold temperatures.

Online portfolio: Need or not necessary?

Searching for a job is almost full-time work in and of itself. Spending several hours throughout the week searching various web sites for employment opportunities and once you find one to apply for, the time that it takes to craft a cover letter and resume (not to mention the online applications) to fit what is in the job description.

I am one of the lucky ones. I have a full-time job that pays benefits and that I don't hate. Most days I even like being there. However, more than half of what I am doing is not in my field. Having completed my Master's degree about a year ago, I am searching for that right fit for the next step in my career. I want to put my knowledge and skills to work for an organization/agency that truly embraces building relationships internally and externally. Somewhere that wants to promote what it is doing for its customers.

As the title of my post states, I am in the middle of deciding whether to create an online portfolio. More and more jobs are asking for either links to an online portfolio or a submission of a hard copy. Since I do not have an online one yet, I continue to purchase folders and page sleeves so I can print out and include pages upon pages of samples in categories such as newsletter articles, letters, testimony and so on. Does this put me at a disadvantage when being considered? I don't know, but I can't help but think that companies are probably wanting someone that is a bit more tech savvy than myself. 

I would love to hear from readers whether they think that an online portfolio is essential to a job search in this day and age. I have a few sites that I have been considering, but would like recommendations as well if you have any. And to those who are currently job seeking too, I have a few things to say:

1. I wish you lots of luck
2. Don't give up
3. Don't take rejection personally
4. Take time for yourself during your search

As always, feedback on posts is appreciated.

Life is like a Choose Your Own Adventure book

About a month ago I was trying to get my son to read a choose your own adventure book. You may remember them from when you were younger. You read the first few pages and then you are given a choice with a page to go to if you choose "A" and a different page if you choose "B". When I was younger I loved this type of book and would go back through reading it over and over choosing different options each time.

However, as he started to read one, I realized that these books are like life. At various points in our life we are given a choice of two or more paths from which to choose and we have to hope we make the right choice. There is one big exception. Most of us cannot go back and choose a different path to see how the outcome would differ.

I know at times I think back and wonder "what if" about certain decisions. What if I did not attend that first theater meeting in high school. Would I have stayed with swim team? Would that have made me look at a different career choice instead of public relations? What if I had made any number of choices differently, where would I be today?

That is when I realized that no matter what, I made the right choices because I cannot see my personal life being any different. Being able to choose different paths in a book is a great thing as you can have many adventures on the pages of just one book. But being able to redo your life has many implications that many may not think about given the opportunity to take just even one different path in their past.