Unapologetically Me

I often hear from people who seem to view me as some sort of anomaly -- an exception to the rule. While I find it flattering, it often makes me wonder what exactly it is that sets me apart from the crowd.

For starters, I never try intentionally to stray from the beaten path. Seeing others with the ability to assimilate quietly and fly under the radar in a crowd has always been a trait I secretly envied. I mean, it's not always easy to be the girl who sticks out like a sore thumb. I often feel that my action an thus, my life are under close scrutiny. However, I've long since abandoned any hope of living incognito and have committed to being the somewhat mysterious, eclectic, lady of intrigue, unapologetic in my quest to learn and be more.

As with any decision, there are pros and cons. Here are a few:

• I've got a pretty interesting story to share with my kids and grandkids one day.
• By daring to dream, I've gotten the opportunity to see many of my dreams realized. I can't imagine living a hopeless, stagnant life.
• I have an awesome group of friends, family and supporters who cheer me on and are inspired by my vision. Having cheerleaders is a real motivator to keep it movin'!

And then again,

• It's not always easy to convince the people who care about me that the choices I make in life will all work out in the end.
• Being different is hard work! Being Miss Understood is a daily occurence.
• Committing to being a non-conventionalist takes a lot of discipline and constant introspection. Trust me, the picture is not always pretty!

In a nutshell, I feel incredibly grateful to be a part of what I feel is a very special group of people in the universe.

The Law of Attraction + Action = Utter Satisfaction

I'm an eclectic or an eccentric or whatever the latest fancy description they're using for creative types these days. I've always been this way. The one thing that can really kill the creative spirit is being a part of a hostile, dream-killing environment--one that suppresses rather than nurtures new ideas. In the past, I  attracted some less than stellar working environments; in part because I couldn't imagine what it would be like to work for a company I adored and also because I wasn't quite sure what I wanted out of a company. So I came up with the following list that I thought might help me to attract my dream company.

Career Must Haves:

• Must offer cross-departmental training
• Must love diversity
• Must be service-oriented
• Must offer fairly flexible hours
• Must be innovative
• Must be a friendly environment for creative types

I decided to put this new method of attraction to the test during my most recent job search and about 2 weeks later I received an email of a job posting that blew my mind! It was an ideal match based on all of my newly affirmed requirements. It was like divine intervention. Here I was receiving what felt like a message from the Almighty saying that its okay to have vision and clarity of mission.

BUT!!! It wasn't receiving the word on this cool and hip new job that helped me to land it! Getting a job with my dream employer required swift, decisive and determined action on my part. I couldn't just want it, I had to go for it! I didn't just do the regular resume upload, cliche cover letter and click send. I literally sold myself and in turn required that the company sell itself to me.

I am now happily employed with a company that makes its people its mission, both in word and deed. It embraces diversity, offers flexibility and is perhaps the most innovative company I've ever even read about. Oh and by the way, not only does it cross-train its employees, it encourages and rewards its employees for engaging in professional development opportunities.

I can't say that it was just the Law of Attraction that brought me to my dream job; rather, it was both the combination of clarifying my vision and deciding to go for the goal that made all the difference.

Resources for Individuals: Idealist.com/blog
Resources for Companies: All In by Adrian Gostick and Chester Elton