Networking

It's 3 months today since i left full time paid work, how quickly the time has flown. 

Over the past few weeks  - i have been catching up with old contacts - sorry i should say "networking".

Just in case you're not aware - networking is the latest buzzword for me, at least that is what my outplacement consultant has said it should be. "You're not just catching up for coffee -  you're networking."

So networking i have been doing - over coffees and lunches - connecting with people to see if they know of any opportunities that might be available. There is the added bonus of actually getting to hear about people's lives.

So have you been networking lately? Who with? Maybe you want to network with me? 

Linking up with Jess today on I blog on Tuesdays.

discovering my passion

Being unemployed is a funny state to be in, particularly as i have been working since i was 13 years old. Back in those days, the newspaper round brought in some good pocket money.

Now the reality of looking for a job is that it is going to take time, coupled with the lack of practice is an added disadvantage in the fact that i haven't had to really look for a job in over 10 years.

So the question that I face at this juncture is what do I really want to do?

Some of that advice I have been given aligns to that adage of work with your passion and you'll never work a day for the rest of your life.

Wise? Perhaps? 

I have spent the last few weeks mulling over this question - what is my passion? I have been googling and reading articles and forums to work on this. 
There are some really helpful resources out there to help me on this journey.

And if I find my passion - am i good enough at it to turn it into a source of income?

One thing I have discovered thus far, is that I am going to have to invest time in working this out. 

Do you know what your passion is? How did you discover it? If you had nothing to lose, what would you throw your energy and time at?  

The R word

The dreaded R word - redundant is not a word most employes like to hear. 

Unfortunately the current economic climate lends itself to be said repeatedly in workplaces across Australia and globally.

According to wikipedia it means superfluous; exceeding what is necessary. Who wants to superfluous and un-neccesary? Not I.

Unfortunately, my 'R' word came whilst we were on holidays last month, when i was informed  that my role was being eliminated and i was given my notice.

Shocked? Yes!

Gutted perhaps a more appropriate description of how i felt when i was told.

I have heard it said that everyone goes through an average of 2 or 3 redundancies in their career. I have been fortunate to date to have dodge the bullet at least once. I guess my number was up this time.

I have been warned by friends who have had the pleasure of being made redundant that the emotions will flow over the coming days and weeks. So i await for what may come.

The initial shock has subsided to give way to grief. And grief i must. 


My conversation with a friend this week about work is that we stay in the places we work not because of the company we work for but because of the people we work with.   This is so true.

Even though I am sad to leave what i have know for over a decade, sad to leave the people i have worked with; friends that i have made. 

I am ready to embrace the new doors of opportunity that will open ahead. Look out! 

Have you ever been made redundant? How did you handle it?