10 Years Strong

Today is my 10^th work anniversary. I started working at the Bureau of Economic Analysis as an Economist on May 15, 2006. I have made significant amount of personal and professional progress in a decade. I worked there for 6 years. BEA has moved from DC to Maryland. I have moved on from BEA but since live in DC. When I walked back from seeing my officemates, I felt like it was survivor of the fittest because DC had undergone a lot of changes but I survived them. After 4 promotions in 9 years, a couple of discrimination complaints and fighting off eviction due to a new company wanting to raise the rent and push out poor people, I was still there!

Now I am at the beginning of the new 10-year phase. I am an entrepreneur who is on the cusp of releasing my first book entitled Expand Your Personal Brand. If the first 10 years here in DC is any indication, I am onto bigger and better things! These first 10 years were just the warm-up!

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Gratitude List - Day 13

             

 I am still riding high from securing my book PR lady yesterday. My life is going in the right direction. I am grateful for being able to sit and be still. I will listen and learn. I know my limits which is why I have hired her. I have a clear pathway towards becoming a bestseller. My PR lady is a 4-time international Amazon bestseller. She has given me homework such as emailing the business conference for half-page ad and vending prices.

                Another note: It is Star Wars’ ‘May the Fourth’ and I will tap into my Inner Trekker because I love math, science and space. Star Wars came out the same year I was born. People don’t understand the importance of space exploration and discovery. Star Trek and Star Wars show that anything is possible. Here is today’s gratitude list:

Gratitude List - Day 13

1. To be open to learning more opportunities
2. My phone interview company has emailed me its health benefits. That’s a good omen.

It is limited because my energy is limited at 2am. I have a career luncheon to attend and must be out of the door to Kinko’s by 10:45am to copy my resumes and board the silver line for Tysons Corner.

                I am happy to go because so many people have taken my resume and thought I have given a strong elevator pitch. I have emailed recruiters interested in me. My goal is to obtain a Senior Project Manager or Senior Scrum Master position. I would love to have a full-time consulting opportunity especially with my LLC because I can now do corp to corp.

                Finally, I have submitted my bibliography and thank you page to my publisher for my book. It is like a load has been lifted off of my shoulders. Now I can focus on promoting my book. The publisher says that I should receive it by tomorrow.  This file will allow me to upload it to Amazon KDP. Here is my updated gratitude list:

Updated Gratitude List

1. I have the health and energy to travel to the career luncheon
2. I have met people whom are interested in me.
3. I’ve finished my book by submitting my bibliography and thank you page.
4. I have the money to get my clothes out of dry clean
5. I have people taking my resumes.
6. I am chronicling my self-publishing so that I can help others.
7. Creating another radio episode.
8. I have the money to afford the career luncheon.

Gratitude List - Day 12

                I am very grateful for this day. I am at Cove on an all-day pass working on finding a job and pushing my brand. I am extremely fortunate that someone is interested in me. Moreover, I have removed my ego and asked someone about citing my blog in my bibliography. Stoking my ego and not asking = delaying my book. I don’t need this with 2 more weeks to go. I have also forgiven myself for beating myself up about the lack of promotion. My book is not done so there is nothing for the reviewers to read (yet). This will all change by Friday because my book publisher will be done with the conversion and I can send it to the book promoters who will then send it out to the reviewers. What I will do in the meantime is to receive the feedback, complete the bibliography, prepare my social media and notify the promotions company ahead of its release. Below is my gratitude list for today:

Gratitude List – Day 12

1. That my condo will get cleaned today
2. I will be productive
3. That I am experiencing a very big bounce from yesterday’s financial affirmation
4. I get to keep learning and interacting with people
5. I am one step closer towards finishing my book
6. I will put the knowledge that I accumulated last night into action
7. Be healthy with high mobility. Health is wealth.
8. I am awake and alert to thoroughly enjoy today.
9. That my career coach is feeling much better and is able to function

1

I am happiest that my career coach is on the rebound because she has been in the hospital. I don’t wish this on anyone. I need her well. In addition, I am happy to be healthy. I have to carry my laptop with me when I walk to Cove. If I am in bad health, then I cannot do this. Speaking of Cove, I get the most done there. I need to get out of the house in order to increase my productivity. Cove is the place where it is controlled and there are no crazies. The same cannot be said about certain people on public transportation. Once again the black male Georgetown circulator asks me ‘if I am going to Georgetown?’. Dude get me home. I notice he doesn’t ask the black woman with the Merry Maid uniform shirt because she is just like him -servicing white people.

Morning Affirmation: I am worthy of receiving $20,000 per month in Phenomena LLC. I am doing this going to Cove, scheduling job interviews, emailing the publishing company regarding my bibliography and revising my workbook because I know that I am worthy of this amount. I will say this affirmation every morning, noon and night.

                My day has turned around by my business bank has enrolled me in merchant services. Receiving these emails puts me closer towards my $20,000/month goals.

Here is my updated gratitude list:

Gratitude List

1. I have kept my cool
2. I have a redress method to file a complaint
3. That I live here and they are temporary individuals
4. I have decided to be happy, file my complaint and let it go
5. My merchant services account has been processed and I am starting to receive access.
6. The business bank’s payroll services representative has contacted me.

I have released all of the ill will that this one incident has happened. And I am glad that I have done just that because there are way more positive things in my life. I have completely rebounded from this by listening to Ricky Smiley’s video confession. I know what it is like to move up the ladder and people ridicule you. I look at the first federal agency I worked at. I have moved on and they are moving from DC to Maryland. Every time you get to a new level, there is a new Devil. Ricky says that God will replace everything and everyone whom we lose when we advance. This is so true. I have lost so many people along the way but have gained so much.

Afternoon Affirmation: I am worthy of receiving $20,000 per month in Phenomena LLC. I am doing this receiving my business banking merchant services and working on my bibliography because I know that I am worthy of this amount. I will say this affirmation every morning, noon and night. 

Tonight I have decided to follow up with a book person whom I want to work with. I ask her if she does non-Christian books (mine is business book). She says that she does everything but erotica (me neither!). There is fortune in the follow-up because this woman not only does business books but will ensure that my branding and social media are on point, I become an Amazon international bestseller, and get placed on radio, TV and speaking engagements. Also she wants a reasonable rate ( I have given her partial payment.). We will reconvene Thursday after my radio show. I just thank God that I have (finally!) found someone who shares my vision for success and will guide me through the wilderness.  This is my second updated gratitude list:

Updated Gratitude List

1. I have finally found someone who will guide me through this book publishing and promotion process.
2. I feel much better know that I am on track and am willing to do the work necessary to make this a reality. 

1.   

Evening Affirmation: I am worthy of receiving $20,000 per month in Phenomena LLC. I am doing this creating my own YouTube expand your personal brand Vlog series, retain a book and media promoter and apply for more jobs because I know that I am worthy of this amount. I will say this affirmation every morning, noon and night. 

Gratitude List - Day 8

                I have pulled myself up by the bootstraps and gone to the bank to enroll in its merchant services. I have overcome so much and not even a fire alarm evacuating the whole building across the street (the bank’s branch safety spot is the Starbucks). I need the merchant services in order to get my book sold at next month’s conference. Afterward, I have taken up a person’s recommendation to eat at the new chicken spot. It will be my last because I am not even full. What a waste! Back to Shake Shack I go. I am at least thankful that I have cash to go back and eat lunch twice. Moreover, a male employee says that I have swag because I am wearing my leopard-print Alice + Olivia raincoat and my green Banana Republic jumpsuit. Here is my gratitude list for today:

Gratitude List – Day 8

1. I am alive with a dry roof over my head
2. I have opened my merchant services account enabling me to take orders
3. Amazon KDP has accepted my pre-order
4. I have emailed half of the people whom have helped me throughout my book’s journey
5. That I feel that my life is starting to get better
6. I have money to pay my book edits
7. I have a full selection of clothes to wear
8. I have spoken with my father today

Launching my book is the scariest thing that I have ever done because I have never put my name on anything. It is now real. I am in business. Now I need some additional guidance. I am just happy that I am able to ask people for help. That’s big for me. 

Gratitude Journal : Day 4

                Although my sleeping pattern has been erratic, I am grateful to at least write down my list before returning to slumber. This is the second business day of my gratitude challenge (I started Friday.). I am also happy that I have pulled myself out of the doldrums. I am no longer in a funk and being grateful is becoming easier. Here is my initial gratitude list for today:

Gratitude List – Day 4

1. The opportunity to land another Project Manager in-person interview.
2. The opportunity to learn more about the book publishing industry from a professional.
3. For financial abundance that is coming soon.
4. Breathing the fresh air in DC. I am experiencing real spring (not 3 weeks of 65-70 degrees before there’s 85-degree heat until October 1^st). I can leave my windows open all day.
5. To start today and this new week off productively.
6. To excel on my project management radio show.

This was the list until I walked to CVS then I had an epiphany: I am not financially lacking when I have checking accounts at two different banks. The average American had one checking and one savings account. Here I was with a personal checking and saving plus a business checking and saving accounts. I was doing better than most. This week I worked on guaranteeing that I filled both my personal and business accounts.

                Another reality check I had was that I wanted to know more about how Jehovah wanted to use me. I meant that I was put on here for a reason. I wanted to know which would help me improve my personal and professional lives. Now I added 2 more items to my gratitude list.

Additional Gratitude List Items

1. Having two checking and savings accounts at different banks.
2. Seeing how Jehovah would use me.

I was satisfied stopping there because cumulatively I had 8 things on my list. However, speaking with a professional reignited my gratitude. She proofread my meet the author blurb for free. That gesture magnified that my practicing gratitude had the snowball effect. All I wanted to do was to learn more from a book editing professional. I received a free critique in response. That made my day. Next I had my in-person interview and was glad that I researched the interviewer, company and LinkedIn profile because I asked the right questions. That extra research made me quick on my feet too because some of those questions were hard. Finally, I spoke with my brand manager who now told me that I could do my 5-hour session via Skype versus travelling. I genuinely felt like cursing her out but I stayed in peace happy that I still had this option before my book came out. Furthermore, she also told me to start going to events and pitch myself as a speaker. Well, there was an event tomorrow evening where I will do just that. I amended my gratitude list adding two more things:

Additional Gratitude List Items

1. Choosing to stay in peace amidst stupidity.
2. Having the flexibility necessary for a quick turnaround.

Gratitude Journal : Day 2

                I awoke thinking about nothing but gratitude. It was on my brain all day yesterday and this morning. I also awoke at 6am to do laundry. There is a stillness and serenity about being the only person awake in your condo building on Saturday at 6am. It is not a workday so people are sleeping in. I load my first two bags of laundry then walk to the ATM for extra cash. Outside displayed a quietness too because there are too many cars. At 6am I did not think that the buses were running yet so I walked away without man-made noise pollution. I finished laundering close at 9:20am. People started awaking and being on their day. By then I had already completed half of my to-do list (the other being writing down all of my book edits). I went to the CVS to mail my mother’s and aunt’s birthday cards, picked up lunch and dinner then returned to write Ellen’s letter. I also wrote down my gratitude list. Here it was below:

Gratitude – Entry 2:

1. I am alive.
2. I have the mobility and strength to do 8-9 loads of laundry and walk to the DuPont Circle ATM
3. To have the money in my checking account to withdrawal $10
4. I have a dry place to live while it is raining.
5. I have the money to pay Sharvette for my website upgrades
6. Food to eat.
7. Have the money to buy two birthday cards

I felt a certain amount of progress writing it before noon versus yesterday afternoon when I got the epiphany. I was serious about turning my energy and life around. Unbeknownst to me, Periscope would play another big role in my life today.

                I watched Robin Devish’s hourly scope-a-thon where she broadcasted different book publishing topics. She ran the gamut from why her first self-published book failed to the business of books. Although I had the business formation, US copyright, and copy editing down pat, I still learned a whole lot about from her. I learned that I could resubmit my US Copyrights Office application because my book title changed and I edited my book; I needed a sales plan for both my book and my business; and I should focus on selling my book first then look at the data and sell my audiobook and workbook. Yesterday I showed gratitude for being able to learn from anyone. Now this came to fruition through watching Robin on Periscope. She provided us with her email. I submitted all of my information. I was surprised that she said that I was farther along and ready to be successful. That comment lifted my sails because it was coming from a professional! I was just grateful that a professional gave me an opportunity to contact her. I never expected that response.

                Furthermore, I also watched Arvin’s Periscope about the writing and publishing a book in 24 hours. Now I would be the first to admit that I liked structure (LLC and US Copyright Office); yet, publishing a book in 1 day would be great for my thought process. I already came into the class with a project management ebook idea. However, it grew to include the idea that using this 24-hour turnaround would help me generate free resources and lead magnets for my business. In addition, I would learn how to upload a book on Amazon. Moreover, that course would have a 7-day replay allowing me to learn at my own pace.  This gratitude thing was starting to work out and paying some dividends. 

Protecting Myself One Idea at a Time

                Today I have received my US Copyright Office papers for my book. Protecting my intellectual property is indispensable in a knowledge economy. You must protect your ideas at all costs. I feel so much safer knowing that my upcoming book is protected and that no one can rip me off. Below is the official paperwork:

I am way more motivated to keep at it and finish my book’s revision this month.

I am doing intellectual property protection beyond just my ideas. I have protected my name by buying the carlarjenkins.live because I must control my media and content. If you don’t control it, someone else will. Here is the official US Copyright Office site: http://www.copyright.gov/

Scrum Journal : Day 1

Early Sunday morning at 12:45am, I emailed four of my LinkedIn connections who had both PMP and (CSM) certified scrum master certifications asking them about CSM. I have done this instead of sleep, because I have had things swirling in my head. I am also fed up of potential employers asking me if my PMP certification the only certification; or, if I am considering ITIL certification. This morning I got sick and tired of being sick and tired! I was in a rut and had to get out of it.

                When I reawaked, three of the four connections responded. All three mentioned that scrum was hot. Also one person recommended a book by scrum cofounder Jeff Sutherland. After one sample chapter, I was enthralled finding the Crown publishing larger sample chapters. Although I bought the paper book, I decided not to wait until after 8pm in order to receive the information. That was the best decision I made today because my paper book arrived at 8:30pm and I finished reading and outlining the book at 9:30pm. Jeff Sutherland’s book took you through Scrum’s past, present and future. The appendix was a goldmine taking the reader through ten steps. Upon completing the book, I decide to take the CSM exam. My business analysis background and IT project management helped so much with this decision.

Once I decided to earn CSM certification, I went to ScrumAlliance to check out the local courses. Now although there was no eligibility criteria (like 4500 project management hours for PMP with college degrees), those 2-day workshop prices were sky high. $993 was the cheapest. Yikes! I just thanked God that I had the money on my credit card. Another problem was timing. I got this CSM epiphany on a Sunday. Three workshops started Monday so of course they were full. In addition, another CSM workshop was filled for Thursday and Friday. My research skills went into overdrive because I would not be denied this opportunity to advance my career! I found some other courses but these companies straight up lied about their locations. One in particular, had the unmitigated gall to say Washington, DC but its workshop was happening in Sterling, Virginia at the Dulles Spring Hill Suites. Look Dulles airport was far away in Virginia. Washington, DC had National Airport. That company was trying to capture the unsuspecting non-natives. It would not get me though! I did manage to find another CSM workshop in Fairfax; but, I checked the map and saw it was near George Mason University (or the boonies as a downtown Washingtonian would say). I checked the address learning that it was off of the Vienna, Virginia metro stop. Okay, cool. The orange line was manageable. The price was lower than the $1300, $1650 and $1950 that I saw. I emailed the vendor for more accurate address and information. And, with that, I was well on my way towards becoming a certified scrum master.

Bishop T.D. Jakes’ Destiny Book Review

                T.D. Jakes’ Destiny book is supposed to take off where Instinct left off but Destiny did more than that. Destiny supplied the blueprint towards taking full advantage of the window of opportunity is still open. My favorite part of the book is surviving the horror movie. Oftentimes in life, when you grow your former crew, they become zombies trying to repossess your soul and kill your dreams. I identify with this in my life. It can look like the Michael Jackson Thriller music video.

                Bishop Jakes also discusses what happens after the horror movie and very few people delve into this transitional period once your destiny is realized. Jakes understands that the reader needs new skills to adapt to this new environment. His book Destiny masterfully guides you through the paradigm shift towards fulfilling yours.

My 1% Improvement: Reading What Color Is Your Parachute 2016

I am reading, ‘What Color is Your Parachute for 2016’. Honestly, I was just perusing Amazon just to look at any new career books that I can read and I discovered that this book was just published this past Tuesday, August 11, 2015. It’s a classic. I honestly never read a previous edition. I know it's been around for over 20 years but I said why not go ahead read it? Give it a chance, give it a shot and more importantly from a personal career perspective I wanted to get into my second gear for the rest of 2015. As you know this is August 2015 and I believe we have in between 33 to 40% of the year remaining so why should I wait until 2016 to do something when I can get started in August 2015? Get a head start and do something productive for the remaining three and a half months. Furthermore, this time also coincides with the children's back to school. I know that a lot of my friends have children. Since this is back-to-school for them, I decided to read this book as my own personal back-to-school for personal enrichment. I will update everyone on periscope to see what I currently think of the book.

Finding Light at the End of the Tunnel is Published on Careeranista

Today I am so proud that my very first article from the Careeranista website, www.careeranista.com. It’s entitled, Finding Light at the End of the Tunnel. This is also the same book which I proofread for January 2014 publication.

http://www.careeranista.com/index.php/blogs-and-advice/diaries-of-a-careeranista/entry/carla-jenkins-on-finding-light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel?fb_action_ids=10152229298249194&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=aggregation&fb_aggregation_id=288381481237582

Making Moves

                I helped proofread a friend’s book and she quoted me and wrote me in her acknowledgements. She also debuted a career website along with her book. I asked her about writing articles for the site and if freelancers wrote the majority of the material. She responded that though most freelancers wrote the website material, they did it for free. Well, I knew that I could at least get something since I helped her with the book.  Furthermore, I wanted to expand my career opportunity and writing is right up the alley.

                Writing will be my ticket out of a toxic workplace. With the government shut down, Friday being my off day and Monday being Presidents’ Day, I have 5 days towards working on my craft. Immediately I wrote her my biography (BA, MBA and PMP) and a photo to her copy editor to get started. Even in the midst of a snowstorm, I am making career moves.  I am using my pen to get out of this raggedy mess.  

Not Waiting for Destiny to Intervene

            I’ve just purchased the COR/COTR Answer book today using my credit card because I couldn’t wait until next Saturday in order to start working on my dream. Using Amazon Prime, it’ll arrive on Monday. In between now and Monday, I will read my ebook and write down some notes. Furthermore, I’ll ask my boss about COTR training but am prepared to foot the bill myself.  I know that by next Saturday I will have read at least 140 pages. I will earn my COTR certification the first time.

            I’ve never been someone who waits for an opportunity especially when there’s a clear pathway to getting it.  Most GS-15s manage contracts and COTR lets me do it.  There’s also managerial encouragement. The deputy director said ‘there was always a need for another COTR’. Well, all the more reason to go for it. 

Maya Angelou's Mom and Me and Mom Book Review

            Though this is Angelou’s seventh autobiography but it’s the first time delving into the complex relationship between she and her mother, Vivian Baxter. This book chronicles their 60-year relationship from California to New York City to Europe to Winston-Salem and Baxter’s impact upon Maya as an adult. After divorcing her father sent Maya and her older brother, Bailey, to love with their paternal grandmother in Stamps, Arkansas, for 10 years. Upon returning to California Maya was filled with so much rage that for the first two weeks she didn’t even address Vivian.  The day her grandmother was leaving for Arkansas, she asked Maya how she would address Vivian. Maya replied’ Lady’. The title stuck. Maya wouldn’t call Vivian ‘mother’ until she helped Maya deliver her son, Guy.

            Mom & Me & Mom differs from all of her other autobiographies because of its referential tone.  Having read I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings there’s a difference.  Even having celebrated her 85^th birthday this past April 4^th, Angelou writes as if she, too, is still learning the lessons that Lady dispensed. Mom & Me & Mom showcases Lady’s evolution from reluctant mother, thug and gambler parlor manager to warm, loving, matriarch not just of her family but the entire Stockton, California community.  In the beginning, when Maya was abused by a boyfriend, Lady used her underworld connections to find him.  Later in life when a Stockton city employee arrived on her doorstep telling her about a family forced to sleep in their car, Lady allowed them to shop her garage full of donated clothing and shower in her house.  The city honored her with a commemorative plaque for her charity.

This is what makes Mom & Me & Mom so memorable because it espouses the importance of her parents must change their style once their children reach adulthood. Angelou admits that Lade ways a horrible mother as a child but a magnificent one as a woman. Whether or not your child is a superstar or note, it serves as a map on how to navigate those murky waters.