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Posts Tagged ‘#ubc’

The Cult of Self-Employment

Red Pen, pad of paper and a cup of coffeeHappy October! I’m excited to be taking on another Ultimate Blog Challenge, UBC, for short. This challenge encourages bloggers like me to post for 31 days straight and post them on social media. I prefer posting and sharing my blogs over Facebook rather than Twitter/X because I do not like that platform. I also ask that people not share my posts on LinkedIn because some things I write about are not for that audience.

Another essential part of the challenge is commenting on at least two other blogs that other UBC participants wrote. You can find them by searching for #UBC or #blogboost on Facebook, Twitter, or sometimes Instagram. This online writing community is friendly and supportive, and I love being a part of our quarterly writing adventure. I also encourage you to comment on my posts. It helps to know that someone out there is reading them, and I’m not just writing to myself! 😆

I will do my best to post daily, but as a card-carrying member of The Cult of Self-Employment, I may occasionally stray from the challenge.

What is the Cult of Self-Employment? I’m so glad you asked! I signed up back in March after launching my own digital marketing business called Red Pen Resources. I was initially lured into this cult by the promise of casual Mondays through Fridays. I was also provided with an incredible community of talented people who want to focus on their clients’ goals rather than office drama and politics. And when I learned about the freedom to follow my own creative instincts instead of sitting in endless meetings, I memorized the secret handshake, gave blood and urine, and here I am!

Upon initiation, I received a welcome swag bag, which included a ring light, a portable phone charger, a gift card to a local coffee shop, and my choice of fuzzy socks or slippers.

From the moment I joined the Cult of Self-Employment, I felt enlightened, empowered, and enthralled with this new way of life. You could say that I saw the light, and it wasn’t fluorescent.

I traded hanging out aimlessly by the water cooler for standing with purpose at networking events. With a coffee cup in hand, business cards in my pocket, and a 30-second commercial ready to go, I immediately fit right in. The other “cult members” are extremely generous with their time and resources. We cheer each other on and offer excellent advice. The occasional venting session takes place only in small groups and is permitted, but not required. We refer each other to members and non-members who need our talents and skills. In essence, the Cult of Self-Employment embraces a “go-giver/go-getter” personality and treasures business relationships that often turn into friendships.

Another benefit is a flexible schedule that allows me to go food shopping on a Tuesday afternoon or rearrange appointments to deal with the occasional family emergency. I also make time for professional development that doesn’t need prior approval. I place a high value on learning from others through webinars and conferences or just over breakfast and exchanging shared experiences.

The best part of my schedule is never having to justify taking off for a mental health day or a Jewish holiday.

There are a few downsides. Cabin fever and loneliness are occupational hazards, but I surround myself with others who work from home and get together for lunch or over Zoom. The only negative I’ve experienced so far is achieving that elusive work/life balance. I thought self-employment would be the solution to finding those moments of Zen. Alas, my home office beckons me to sit down and keep working, and she can be insistent about it! I have faced this challenge by prioritizing the projects that need immediate attention so I can complete them and feel accomplished. But, sometimes it doesn’t work and I miss out on a TV show or a blog post.

And yes, there are times when I need to work nights, but I am passionate about what I do and helping my clients succeed, so it really doesn’t feel like work at all.

All in all, joining the Cult of Self-Employment has been a game-changer, and I’ve never been happier. No need to save me now, I’m all in!

Are you a member of this cult? What do you love about running your own business, and what do you find most challenging? Let me know in the comments.

XO,

Elisa

Getting Over That Hill

A photo of a walking path in the park. I like to walk in a pretty park across the street from our neighborhood with a two-mile paved walking trail. Every time I walk through, I take deep breaths, enjoy the fresh air, and appreciate the park’s natural beauty. Until I get to this one big hill, and then, I’m miserable. It’s in a part of the trail where the sun beats down on me harshly. The twists and turns make it that much more difficult for me to climb. I plow through, but it’s not my favorite section of the park. And then I remember, what goes up must come down. The rest of the trail from there is basically downhill, and I arrive home feeling relaxed and invigorated.

Today, I didn’t even notice the hill. I was deep in thought about being laid off, my recent job search, and how things are moving along at a snail’s pace. Like that hill, it feels insurmountable. It’s easy to get discouraged. I’m one resume in a large pile on my potential employer’s desk. I have an excellent cover letter that shows my ability to write and think creatively. But, I’m not sure people actually read it or just scan it for my salary requirements. My resume is long at three pages, but it’s a well thought out representation of a successful marketing career so far.

I know, I know. A three page resume is probably too long. I need to cut it down. That’s next week’s project. 

I think it is more productive to attend networking events and ask people out for coffee or lunch to pick their brains. I love this part of the job search. There are always ways in which we can help each other, and we do so without hesitation. Last week, I sat down with someone and discovered we were both applying for the same positions. At first, it was a bit awkward, but as we continued to talk, we started rooting for each other to land the job. Building these relationships is so important during any job search. I plan to keep them going after I land a new position. In the meantime, I’m hoping my efforts will get me an “in” somewhere, and soon. Once I get over that hill, it will be downhill from there.

For now, I’m hoping to do some freelance work so I can keep my skills sharp and my creative juices flowing. I’m working on a new website and portfolio so people know where to find me and what I have to offer. And, I’m trying not too stress out too much. That is not an easy task, but I have a list of projects I never got around to this summer. I call it my list of distractions. It’s a solid list that will keep me busy. I need to apply for TSA Pre-Check and get a Real ID in case my new job involves a lot of traveling. I want to clean out and redesign my home office. I’ll very likely be working in a remote, or preferably hybrid, environment and need my office to be much more comfortable and inviting.

There are a bunch of books on my TBR that I’m working my way through when I need a break. And thanks to those long walks and that G-d awful hill, I’ve lost 12 lbs already and will keep working my program until I get back to a healthier weight.

And thankfully, the Ultimate Blog Challenge is the writing project I need to keep on creating for and connecting with those who read it and my fellow bloggers. I’m looking forward to it!

XO,

Elisa

My 2022 Word of the Year

I learned a long time ago that New Years’ resolutions don’t resonate with me. I make them, and I break them without a second thought. There are a few reasons for this. For starters, resolutions are typically too broad. Lose weight. Get organized. Write more. Volunteer often. Yes, I could drill down each of these statements with smaller steps, an overall plan, and a foreseeable goal. And then, to seal the deal, I would find the perfect app to accompany it.

To be honest, I already have the steps, plans, goals, and apps in place. And I’m working through each of these goals slowly but steadily. So, what do I need resolutions for? To commit to the same things I committed to last year? Seems a little silly to me.

Nevertheless, I like to jump on a good bandwagon, and writers have the perfect tradition for this. We pick a word of the year. Instead of making resolutions, we challenge ourselves to find a word that encompasses the kind of focus we want to achieve year-round.

It’s a pretty tall order, but I highly recommend it, especially if you aren’t a resolutions person.

Just to recap, in 2018, picked the word “coffee” and vowed to meet up with people to have coffee and catch up, network, or just for laughs. That was a fun year. I can’t find the word I chose in 2019, but for 2020, it was “believe,” and last year’s word was “today.”

For 2022, I wanted to pick something that motivates me and inspires me to grow and change for the better. Who better to turn to for inspiration than author and motivational speaker Brene Brown. She once said, “connection is why we’re here. It is what gives purpose and meaning in our lives.”

I agree with this on so many levels. What are we here for if not to find purpose and meaning in our lives? So, my word of the year is CONNECT. It speaks to me for several reasons. Here are a few of them.

Personally Speaking

For the past few years, I’ve said that I have a book in me. I am finally getting that book down on paper. In order to write a book, you have to connect on a deeper level with yourself, your past, and your future. This is what I have been doing for the last year with the help of the writing community, where I am an active participant. Soon enough, I will connect the dots on my story and hopefully be fortunate enough to share it with the rest of the world.

I will also start a new chapter in my life later this year as an empty nester. Both of my kids will be in college, which will be quite an adjustment. I admit that I’m feeling a bit anxious about it. But, I am combatting that anxiety by connecting on a different and exciting new level with my husband and my semi-adult children.

While I’m looking forward to the personal growth that will bring me, I’m also not rushing it. I plan to be present for all the special occasions and little parenting moments I can collect until I have to drop Andrew off at college.

Professionally Speaking

From a career perspective, I wouldn’t be where I am today if it weren’t for the people I’ve met along the way. I have an excellent professional support system made up of mentors, colleagues, friends, and family who continue to encourage and inspire me. I am so grateful to them, and in 2022, I want to reconnect with them, help them in their journey, and see where that leads. Networking has never been a chore for me. I thrive on meeting and learning from new people. LinkedIn was a big part of that when I was looking for a job. Now, I want to look for opportunities where I can share my expertise, continue learning, and give back to those who have been so good to me.

A Word on Disconnecting

When I think about connecting with what’s most important to me in 2022, it also helps to recognize what makes me unhappy. In 2020, I left a toxic work environment for a much more supportive one. This made all the difference in my life this past year. I’m much happier, healthier, and better for it. And now I know that life is too short for jobs, people, and things that don’t bring us joy.

I also want to disconnect from doom-scrolling on social media and watching hours and hours of news programs. I’ve been a news junkie all my life, but it has not served me well lately. At this point, I’m scared of the pandemic, the politics, and the pandemic politics. I want to be informed but need to find more balance here. And sometimes it is better to unplug from all of that shit instead – with the exception of Jake Tapper and all of the late-night talk show hosts. They still bring me plenty of joy.

I will also continue disconnecting from the world for a while with a good book. I read 30 books in 2021 and set a new Goodreads goal for 35 books in the new year. I’d actually like to read more than that, but we will see what happens. I also learned to DNF (do not finish) books that I can’t get into the story. Again, life is too short.

One More Thing

This post is the start of a new blog challenge for me – the Ultimate Blog Challenge consists of 31 posts in 31 days. Some days I’ll have plenty to say, and other days I may post a photo or a quick story. I hope you will read, comment, and share your stories with me too. Don’t want to miss a blog post? Subscribe above to get a post in your inbox every day!

Happy New Year! Let’s connect!

XO,
Elisa

 

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