tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61875481559062738192024-02-08T06:47:42.366-08:00Networking and WalkingNetworking and Walkinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01352834362471826629noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6187548155906273819.post-38703911738884683942009-09-28T12:29:00.000-07:002009-09-28T12:34:33.406-07:00Stepping Up HillWell, there still haven't been any responses to my Craigslist ad calling for people who can walk and talk, aka network, at the same time, so I begin this week solo again.<div><br /></div><div>I've done a really good job of ignoring signs my car wasn't running right but I read AAA and self-diagnosed the problem and took it to Midas, a little more than one half mile down hill. </div><div><br /></div><div>The walk back was half of my normal route and I'll do the other half as soon as they call. My self-diagnoses was way off, by the way and there were many more things wrong than I thought. On the upside of this transition is that I'm not driving 100 miles a day so these 'spensive fixes outta' last me a lot longer. </div><div><br /></div><div>The weather is threatening but I've no choice but to hit the road to pick up my car.</div><div><br /></div><div>One step at a time.</div>Networking and Walkinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01352834362471826629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6187548155906273819.post-26268884775321285042009-09-27T12:16:00.000-07:002009-09-27T12:18:50.276-07:00A Weekend Without Steps ....Weather and chores prevented me from taking steps to better health this weekend, but I managed to network with three people currently in my extended networking family. <div><br /></div><div>We traded specific job leads and some tech updates. </div><div><br /></div><div>Something positive transpires just about every day if you put a little effort into it. </div><div><br /></div><div>Now all I need is someone to respond to my ad for networking and walking. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Networking and Walkinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01352834362471826629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6187548155906273819.post-26075411852207982952009-09-25T17:42:00.000-07:002009-09-25T18:43:00.438-07:00Steps Along the HudsonToday the sunshine drew me to the river again but I walked alone. That's the opposite of my goal, but I walked anyway.<div><br /></div><div>Markers painted on rocks cite your progress at one quarter, one half, one mile and one and one quarter miles. That's a popular turn around point, one and one quarter mile. There are picnic tables here in a shady spot offering a clear view of a famous prison on the Westchester shore. </div><div><br /></div><div>There were many walkers with happy, smiling pups both on leash and off which I do not like. </div><div><br /></div><div>The parking lot was full when I left to get ready for Tomorrrow's Workplace. I spent about four hours there this afternoon, mostly organizing pieces of paper and printing even more - articles on breathing, networking events throughout October, jobs I've applied for and such. Can't let a preposition dangle, there. </div><div><br /></div><div>I also researched the career sections of local companies like Chromalloy, Wenger, Fiske. Nobody had nothin'. </div><div><br /></div><div>But I did reach out to an exec I know at a non-profit. I have a meeting scheduled with her next week -face to face. I've interviewed at United Way and Waterkeeper Alliance and the interviews went pretty well so I wanted to pick my friend's brains about pitching non-profits and see what they are all up to in regard to events, fund-raising and such. </div><div><br /></div><div>I also connected with an out of work exec I met at outplacement in July. High level guy. He was on vacation and is interested in all the networking I've been doing. He'd be a good guy to bring in for some of the folks at the Monday morning group. </div><div><br /></div><div>Also connected with a former colleague who has been auf'ed (thanks Project Runway) from more companies than anyone I know. He was like Switzerland. He got along with everyone and everyone loves him. He's a financial planner now (Ameriprise, I think) and we are going to get everyone together for dinner in the next couple of weeks. My Vistaprint business cards should be ready by then. </div><div><br /></div><div>Then the real networking will start. </div><div><br /></div><div>Stepping through transition!</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Networking and Walkinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01352834362471826629noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6187548155906273819.post-79724869124756870042009-09-24T13:31:00.000-07:002009-09-24T13:48:12.274-07:00Stepping Through TransitionWhen they cut my salary by 9% a few months ago, I immediately cancelled the newspaper but since that didn't help much, I had to look for more ways to come up with that 9%. It wasn't easy. I was already living lean I thought. <div><br /></div><div>So I had to man up and admit it > the gym membership was the next choice. As an alternative to the elliptical and a press once or twice a week, I started walking. My neighborhood is quite hilly and on a good day I walk in the door a sweaty mess. </div><div><br /></div><div>Fast forward to July 13 and The Great Purge. Three-hundred-plus of us were let go. Unfortunately I've been here before. I called outplacement but they wouldn't let me in for a week.</div><div><br /></div><div>So I took a walk. The next day I walked my route twice. A few times, I'd get in three. At 2 miles each, I was doing pretty well. Then I started going to outplacement, took some sessions and worked at a workstation just as nice as the one I left. I felt like a real person when I was there. </div><div><br /></div><div>Fast forward again and I'm done with outplacement and getting involved with different networking groups in Rockland County (NY) and Bergen County (NJ). </div><div><br /></div><div>I've traveled to Suffern, Wayne, Wyckoff and Oakland. A big black bear ran in front of my car on the way to Laid Off Camp yesterday. I enjoy these events a lot and I've met some very intelligent and future hard-working people.</div><div><br /></div><div>Today, the sun drew me outside and I decided to take my walk but at Nyack Beach State Park. </div><div>Its more than a couple miles back and forth, the river is wide and sparkly and the Tappan Zee Bridge looks pretty in the distance. It's not so pretty driving across it twice a day I can tell you that. </div><div><br /></div><div>On the walk back with two books and a bench waiting for me ("Julie and Julia" and "The Secret") I wondered why all the networking events played out like board meetings, 12-step programs or happy hours. I'm not complaining; like I said I enjoy them.</div><div><br /></div><div>But the fall is coming and its my favorite season and I want to make sure I keep on walking.</div><div><br /></div><div>So here I am with this first step. The second is to try and find other folks who want to walk and talk at the same time. Walk for health and talk about opportunities.</div><div><br /></div><div>Are you out there and ready to step through transition?</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Networking and Walkinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01352834362471826629noreply@blogger.com0