From Gloom to Gratitude

2020 has been surreal! That is probably the best way I can summarize the ups and downs that we all have experienced throughout the year.

For me personally, the turning point of life was when I lost my job back in March. With that, came a LOT of negative outcomes… especially around job searches. Like many others, those rejects came in the form of:

1. Ghosting
2. Bait and switch
3. Claim for “gender balance”. Reminder: Women make up 25% of the workforce in tech!
4. Low ball offers (two grade levels below my current position)
5. And simply an inability to tell me where I fell “short”

I am obviously not the only one that experienced these things. It was such an unfortunate turn of events for many of us. Add to that the virus, social unrest, loss of life, and the impact of these things on everyone’s mental health.

I consider myself a positive person, thanks to some spiritual grounding, but all of the above did impact me. I experienced waves of “lows”. Every job rejection made me further lose faith in the process. After about 6 or 7 rejections (at the Final 3 stage), I decided it was time to open other doors for myself. I had to do this for MY sanity!

Explore possibilities. Explore my purpose. Explore my passion.

It was at this point, that things changed for me:

1. I launched a podcast 
2. I published book 2
3. I started writing book 3
4. I started on the entrepreneurial path
5. I made the MOST reliable and supportive relationships I have in a very, very long time

“Everything happens for a reason” is a phrase that I really believe. At the start of an adversity, it seems more like a feel-good phrase but with faith, strength, and hope, you realize that there is truth in it.

Even if life doesn’t go back to what it was before the adversity, the change brings you closer to who YOU are and highlights YOUR strength. This in turn fuels you to achieve more, with more meaning and impact.

Did I have doubts when I was starting a new project?? “Absolutely, I did!”.  

Did I make mistakes along the way? “Absolutely, I did!”.

Did I meet new connections? “Absolutely, I did!”.

Did I learn a LOT? “Absolutely, I did!”.

These are all seemingly positive results. But that did not mean everything was perfect from that point on.

Did I achieve results at the rate I desired? “Absolutely NOT!”.

I do not see so-called "failure" as an end result but rather an opportunity to learn and improve.

Did this stop me from pushing forward? “Absolutely NOT!”.

Did this make me a stronger person? “Absolutely, it did!”.

Bottom line: It is always easier to focus on $#!% that is not going your way. It takes INTENTIONAL effort to focus on the things that you are blessed with.

I am thankful for:

1. My wonderful family - a supportive husband, and two loving kids.
2. My new found friends during this pandemic.
3. My latest client - for empowering me to bring my best (authentic self) to the job.
4. All the rejections - they have enabled me to discover a whole other side of me!
5. Most important - the opportunity to LIVE another day and make a difference!

Happy Thanksgiving!