Networking

Let’s start with this, while I haven’t been posting as much as I wanted, and I have already ‘failed’ at one of my goals, I’m still moving forward, motivated. I’m prioritizing my own well being, my career, my life. I’m taking steps, some of which feel great, some of which feel really hard. But I’m taking the steps either way.

The last two years, working from home, going to class from home, working in other people’s homes, so on and so forth, has been wonderful in it’s own way, but has also put a significant damper on my broader networking, collaborating, etc. And while I have built some incredibly close and wonderful relationships in this time. As I start to peer back into my future and the world beyond Zoom and my ‘bubble’, I’m feeling woefully behind.

So in addition to working hard to find new communities through Nanny groups, Fat Chats, book clubs, and other such activities, I find myself working to start my Linkedin back up. I’m taking extra certifications to help boost my resume, knowledge base, and professional development. I’m making plans for trainings to try to fund when can, and bought a ticket to THE education networking event of the year here in Portland.

I’m getting professional headshots taken this week and I find myself thinking about my content here and on instagram in a slightly different way. Is this drawing in the kind of people that I might want to talk with, collaborate with, and socialize with? Because those are the things that matter most… in the long run, not likes or follows… not that I have a ton of those 🙂 But ultimately, this is me just reaching blindly into the dark. Imagining what I think might help and giving it my best shot. Hoping that in a few months, I’m no longer feeling this far behind.

And as I re-evaluate my wardrobe for ‘professionalism’ and google more networking techniques and skills… I hope, I’m not the only one out there…. and if you, reading this, are also feeling this way, or have felt this way. Please, let me know 🙂 I’ll be in your network.