Stepping out of your comfort zone

A year ago when I started my new job I had no idea how many new experiences were in store for me. The craziest, most exhilarating one to date was speaking on stage at our international conference to a crowd of 2,500 people.

The topic was our sports sponsorship and healthy living initiative. Along with my team, I was involved in setting the strategy and the launch of the program so it was an exciting and familiar topic. My name was suggested to lead the segment during a meeting that occurred without me! Ha! When I found out I was both horrified and flattered.

I’ve given marketing presentations to groups of 10 to 150 people. I’ve done community theater and mystery dinner shows to audiences of 100-200 people. I was very nervous and did not sleep the night before . This was completely out of my comfort zone. And while I did not ask for the microphone, it was an incomparable adrenalin rush and personal test.

I’m very grateful to have found this position that challenges me to grow as a person, a marketer and business woman while allowing me to show my personality and acrobatic skills. Did I mention I exited the stage after successfully completing a wicked cartwheel?

Note: I have to credit my art director/photographer, Amie Schilson, on this photo that makes me really look like I know what I'm doing!

Networking for professionals in transition

Last night the St. Louis chapter of the American Marketing Association held a speed networking event. In a little over an hour I met about 30 people, roughly half of which were in transition. Having been in their position a year and a half ago, I want to help them in any way I can. I actually enjoy networking. I love meeting new people, hearing about their background, company, expertise and their own story.

My first question to a professional in transition is “What do you want to do?” You would be surprised how many people don’t have a clear answer and are in the grey area of “I’m not really sure” which translates to the helpless feeling of “I just want a job.” Not to discount the frightening feeling of being unemployed, but just because you are in transition, doesn’t mean you have to settle and just find a job…this can be an opportunity for you to find the job doing what you really, really want to do.

My advice is to take the time to do your own introspection…and really think about what your ideal professional position would be. Write it down. This is a huge opportunity. Describe your ideal industry, company, culture, boss, colleagues, team, position, responsibilities, location, salary etc. What do you want? This may be the opportunity for you to finally get it. Why not?

So you get to a networking event and meet someone like me who really wants to help you, now what. When you describe your ideal job, I will do my best to connect you with people in my network at the companies on your list, or with people who work in your target industry, or who have the kind of position you are seeking. That’s a much more efficient use of your networking time, getting you closer to your ideal position.

You don’t have to settle but you do have to know what you want. And I want to help you get it.

Note: I am a board member of the St. Louis Chapter of the AMA. I highly recommend joining. You will meet smart, connected people and have access to exclusive content (webinars, virtual conferences, white papers) via the national AMA website marketingpower.com. Well worth the investment. Our next luncheon event is September 16 at Maggiano's by the Galleria. See you there.

Eat Pray Love

I’ve read the book twice and saw the movie last night. Loved it. Love the idea. It’s so easy to get stuck in your routine of life and lose yourself. Go to work, pay your bills, eat at the same restaurants, shop at the same stores, drive the same streets.

Not everyone can afford to take a year off and explore like Liz did. Skip the salmon and splurge on the carbonara; try a new bottle of Italian wine; have a conversation with a total stranger; sprinkle a new topping on your popcorn at the movies; buy a painting from a local artist; take a different path when you walk your dog; leave a waiter a $5 tip on a $7 bill; eat a hand-made lavender truffle from a local chocolate shop (kakao at Shenandoah and Jefferson); stop in to see your niece and nephew just to give them a hug.

So that was my weekend, how was yours?