Happy 2021 everyone????.
My monthly recap of my life as a career coach, writer, and human being.
Update – Friday 8th January 2021
Happy New Year, everyone
I had my first shift of 2021 a few days ago with the supported housing project for vulnerable young women.
Thankfully, it was a quiet shift that allowed me to reflect on the women I work with and what I have learnt to appreciate about each of them.
So, in no specific order here is my anonymised list:
- One person always makes me smile with her infectious optimism and hope.
- Another has gritty humour and a ‘let’s get things done’, energy.
- One person is sh*t hot with the systems and IT.
- A couple of people have longstanding and in-depth knowledge of the girls and their needs.
- The calm and patient demeanour of another often helps in certain situations.
- We have a couple whose attention to detail and follow up is off the scale.
And as for me, I think it is fair to say I tend to find myself listening as needed.
So, how do you appreciate the people in your team?
Update – Friday 15th January 2021
To tender or not to tender
This is the question I have been asking myself this week, and it reminded me of the maxim that women will generally only apply if they perceive there is almost a 100 per cent match between their skills/experience and the role’s requirements.
What is the best thing to do if you are attracted to a role/opportunity but the match is not one hundred per cent? How much is good enough? Is it still worth taking a chance?
Here are some things I might consider:
- Is there alignment between our values and what they are trying to achieve?
- How can I make it easy for the recruiter to see the relevance of my skills? To tell a story, paint a picture that demonstrates how they transfer across?
- Does the role/opportunity excite me?
- What can I learn from the application process itself?
One thing is for sure; the answer will be a definite no if I do not throw my hat in the ring.
And for those interested in the 100 per cent apply argument, you might find this article of interest. Entitled, women only apply for jobs when 100 per cent qualified.
Update: Friday 22nd January 2021
I do not usually bother with New Year resolutions as such – but this year, I will make an exception. I intend to read more, something which happened more by accident in 2020. So, here is my reading list for 2021:
Part One – books I want to read for the first time.
- Invisible Ink: A practical guide to Building Stories that Resonate by Brian McDonald.
- Just Ignore Him by Alan Davies
- Bullsh*t Jobs by David Graeber
- Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo
- The Terrible by Yrsa Daley-Ward
Part Two – books I want to revisit and pore over again.
- Humankind – a Hopeful History by Rutger Bregman
- Why I’m no longer talking to white people about race by Reni Eddo-Lodge
- The Mirror and the Light by Hilary Mantel
Think that will do for now, I can always add titles as necessary, and I already know that the Mirror and the Light will take some time.
So, what is on your reading list for 2021?
Update – Friday 29th January 2021
Each morning, the first thing I do before checking emails, etc. is to log into Buffer and schedule three posts for my Twitter account:
A quote that inspires or speaks to me at that moment (I have a stash of them saved on Trello.)
A question that relates to my quote for the day.
And my final scheduled post is something that makes me smile or laugh; I have these stashed on Pinterest, I tend to go for visual gags.
After that, I am either liking, answering, and otherwise engaging with other people’s posts, questions, and observations. Occasionally I will post an additional blog/article.
This approach is what I think is fuelling the steady growth in my followers and my increased enjoyment and confidence with the platform. I generally find it more fun and relaxed.
So, who else is on Twitter and if so, how are you finding it?
Until next month
Janice
