XD30 – Day 23 – Learning More Than Ever Before

I am extremely grateful to awake this morning being in a way better position than yesterday. One of my daily affirmations is being open to learning something new from people, places and things. I learned so much yesterday and was grateful to receive answers then than next week or even today. Wasting time is one of my biggest pet peeves. I have seen and experienced massive change in one week. That’s how fast my life goes sometimes. Rapid change can occur very fast. I have gotten comfortable with being uncomfortable. It’s the reason why I have received 4 promotions in 10 years. I am on the cusp of getting uncomfortable again for the next venture. 

XD30 – Day 14 – Money in My Sock

Goodness! Here I am thinking that I have stretch my money all the way until the end of this week only to learn via voicemail that one of my parents has watched my YouTube videos and is giving me money to upgrade my ‘presence.’. Immediately I tell everyone on Facebook because my parents are 65+ and they are critiquing my YouTube videos! How many senior citizens are doing that?! Exactly! Also I check my bank balance and see that there is way more than what’s in there yesterday. I can breathe just a little (I wish I would have known a little earlier else I would not had cancelled that meeting because I thought that I was dirt poor. That’s another blog post though.). Furthermore, PayPal says that my echeck has cleared so now my other money isn’t held up. I transfer that ASAP! Today truly feels like the wheels are churning.

                I am still putting a lot of new items into my eBay store to start summer off on the right note. I also want to move as much merchandise as possible. I have started doing eBay YouTube Livestreams and will do one later today because YouTube gives me another audience and storage options. I can also embed these videos online. I particularly love the screenshare feature because then all I have to do is plug in my webcam, show my eBay store and roll! I am still pushing myself to earn more money than I did yesterday!

XD30 – Day 13 – Pay Me Dust

                Sheesh! As soon as the money comes, the money goes. I check my bank account and am down to little or no money. Even though I am grateful to have cash in my pocket, I am happy that deposited the money else everything will bounce. See I am happy because I don’t have to think about the what-ifs. It could have ended worse than where I am sitting. However, at least I don’t have a negative balance.

                Yet, somethings are tied up elsewhere; and, I am fixing to make sure that I get these matters resolved. I know that I have the sales capability to generate the income necessary. After all, I am grateful to have one eBay sale and I know that once I have another sale…then another and then another. I will return to Periscope, add merchandise and try something new this time: YouTube Live. I have done YouTube Live with project management and webinar; but, never my eBay 

Depop Diaries - Closing My DePop Store

                Sometimes as businesspeople you have to make decisions. I have decided to close my DePop store after not selling anything in my store. I have been here for 6 weeks and haven’t made one sale; not, even with a Labor Day sale and extensive promotion. Below is my email to DePop to close my store. Now I have the task of finding another place to sell my clothing because I have a substantial backlog. I will try ThreadUp and some other places. I may even have to return to eBay (gasp!).

eBay Adventure – Sales Solve Everything

                Sunday I uploaded new items and started promoting them all over social media. I also made a $1000/week goal accompanying my new merchandise. I thought that it would take some time to get a sale but, nope, out of nowhere came a sale and payment. Usually, I would have to wait 1-2 days for payment. Buyers would inundate me with ‘please’ give me 1 more day to pay. However, receiving the money is great because now I can prepare the item for shipping. This sale also moved me beyond the whole negative review thing because someone wants to buy from me. The only downside is that I will ship it out Tuesday because DC has a 115 heat index. I am not passing out in that because I will have to also go to Staples and re-up on boxes and tape. Like I have said in the title, ‘sales solve everything!’

Visit my eBay store here: http://www.ebay.com/usr/carljenkin_6

eBay Adventure – New Merchandise = New Sales

                Yesterday I added some new merchandise onto my eBay store. I felt that it needed an overhaul and new blood. I added three new Stuart Weitzman shoes including the Saxony sandals. I promoted it on social media (Periscope, Twitter, Blogger and Instagram). This morning out of nowhere, I receive a sale. It also comes from a new repeat customer. I am very happy about it. I will ship the item tomorrow (I have no boxes and it is currently a DC heat index of 115 degrees). The great thing is that PayPal will release my money in one week.

                I am also thinking about relisting my Stuart Weitzman and doing video to highlight my merchandise so that people can see it. I am upping my livestream video game because I think that this is paying off. There is still over $2000 worth of merchandise in my decluttering process. I will move them.

                This new sale has been a learning experience about strategically using social media to generate sales. In addition, I will keep promoting my eBay store on Periscope. I know that I am getting a lot of reach out of it. I am very happy that I am off to a great start to this 30-day cycle.

Visit my store here: http://www.ebay.com/usr/carljenkin_6

DePop Diaries – Building Out My DePop Store

                I admit that I have not been paying as much attention to my DePop store because my eBay store has been making more money and I have been experiencing some fraud problems; however, I am BACK with a vengeance! I have added no less than 5 items to my store. It is essential that I fill out my DePop store. My goal is to have no less than 20 items on my store. Moreover, I have goals this week. I will make my first sale on DePop. I already have my Twitter linked to my DePop so whenever I upload something new, all of my followers see it. Blogging helps me so much because it gives me free advertising. Below are some of my new items. They range from Macy’s (blue ombre party dress) to Alice + Olivia (red floral asymmetrical maxi dress) to Michael by Michael Kors jaguar print skinny jeans. Finally, I will also advertise more on Instagram and Snapchat. Thus far, my biggest hurdle is not making enough people aware of my site. This will change starting today!

Visit my Depop.com store here: https://www.depop.com/en-us/phenomena

Learning from YouTube

                I watched Roberto Blake’s ‘Top 5 Tips for Starting a YouTube Channel’ video. I subscribed to his YouTube channel because I learned so much from him. Here was the video below:

My biggest takeaway was looking at the YouTube dashboard. I never thought about this but I took his advice and learned so much from my own dashboard. I honestly did not look at my dashboard because I had only two subscribers. Unlike my 780 Pinterest, 600 LinkedIn and 1375 Twitter followers, I didn’t feel that I needed to be emotionally invested. However, when I learned that someone on YouTube TV watched my video and that people were watching my videos through Pinterest, I reconsidered YouTube. Its dashboard did have a whole lot of good information on growing my YouTube channel.

                I am creating more videos for my Teachable platforms and I am using YouTube (and Google Hangout) as storage. I do want to make more videos independent of my webinars to communicate and share my project management knowledge. I am leaning towards reshooting my project management plan Teachable webinar. 

Gratitude List - Day 17

                Today is Mothers’ Day. I am grateful that my 67-year-old mother is still living and am great health. Here is my gratitude list:

Gratitude List – Day 17

1. Happy that my mother is alive on Mothers’ Day
2. I have a place to rest my head since I am tired and need a nap (rare I know).
3. I can be open to generating ideas
4. Writing 2 blog articles
5. Be happy for experiencing today. I am able to take it in.
6. I am grateful for another week to become better. I am grateful towards becoming an author.
7. To keep being worthy of financial abundance to receive and manifest my $20,000 this month.

I have listened to Constance Arnold interviewing Louise Presley-Turner. This broadcast confirms that I am on the right track regarding my gratitude challenge. This challenge has shifted my energy but it also forces me to confront negative people, thoughts and things. I mean as soon as I have started the uglies start popping up. Like I have said – the Devil is busy! I have dealt and continue to deal with them now because I am going positive.

                I have written a new blog article for both of my sites. I feel extremely productive. It feels good to return back to regularly scheduled programming. I have copied my PositivityChange blog post onto LinkedIn and Medium. In my PositivityChange post, I write about how to become an expert. Most importantly, stop fearing new college graduates because you have skills and experience. You need to communicate that. Besides, everyone starts out as an amateur. I have received 2 shares and 6 likes on my post. Another post has come out this one. I will write about how to move your low and medium skills proficiencies to high level skills when you want to be in another field.

                I have stopped paralysis of analysis and submitted my workbook to the printer via Fiverr. I am grateful that I have the credit so that it is technically free. I must diversify my products. Here is the updated gratitude list:

Updated gratitude list

1. Grateful to have the Fiverr credit. I have used it for my workbook and increase traffic.
2. Happy to get a free cab ride since the driver forgets to turn on the meter!
3. Have the credit to dine at Bourbon Steak to clear my mind.
4. I am open to the possibility of having two revenue-generating websites. If I grateful if the customer buys from my personal website or the book website. I cannot constrict abundance. 

Having unlimited revision attached to my order is a blessing. I need to work on creating the best product. In addition, I have outsourced my site traffic to a professional company. Yes, I am seeing traction gained from my Facebook Ad but I need conversion (sales). I have to try this out. I cannot afford a what if.

Gratitude List - Day 16

I am happy that I am willing to listen and learn from people. This entire self-publishing makes me a novice again. I am not the expert. I have to rely on others whom have more knowledge than I do right now. Every day I am learning something new about the book profession and about myself. I have learned today that I am getting better at the do-it-yourself (DIY) computer stuff. Today I have activated my WordPress’ RSS generator plug-in to get the RSS feed link and copy it to my Goodreads author page. I have learned this a couple of days ago when I have to link my blogs to my Amazon author page. I have downloaded that RSS Generator plug-in to all three blogs and boom- all of my posts are uploaded. I feel like I can work at the help desk! Here is today’s gratitude list:

Gratitude List – Day 16

1. To live in a neighborhood where I can walk to passport DC embassy events.
2. To receive good counsel from people who care about my success.
3. To have good wi-fi and Internet to conduct research for my book.
4. Have money for food.
5. A roof over my head.
6. A bed to sleep on.
7. I am open to learning more from people every single day.
8. To have the money to fund my dream.
9. Have my Goodreads author profile approved. 

I am seriously considering more publicity for my book. Yes, I am on two (well, 1 ½) virtual book tours but I want all of my bases covered. I have visited past blog tours on my book promotions company and I like how much activity I get over the two-month period. Every other day there is something. However, I dislike having only 4-5 interviews over a two-month period. I am inclined to get more interviews because I need to tell me side of the story and how this book will solve problems. Yesterday, I secured my first radio show. I need to have more lined up.

Gratitude List - Day 15

This is the halfway mark for my 30—day gratitude challenge. I must admit that I have received more job inquiries through gratitude. I have also conjured up a lot of negative thoughts because the Devil is busy. My federal complaint has popped up during this time. Dealing with the negativity head on eliminates it.

                I have received my finished ebook files and have successfully uploaded it to Amazon. I have also accelerated my pre-order date. I am happy because Tuesday is the traditional book release date. I get to be a part of this. May 17^th is my date and it finally official. Here is the gratitude list:

Gratitude List -Day 15

1. Someone is interested in me for a full-time position
2. I have finished my book
3. Amazon KDP has approved my final draft and accelerating my pre-order date
4. Add more info to the publishing company’s website.
5. Learn from the publishing company’s rep that I should not click on the Amazon box because it would override what’s in Amazon. This advice saves me time, money and agony. I would be in a tizzy if I mess this up.
6. Broadcast on Periscope (and remember to #save).
7. To have the technology and strong enough wi-fi connection to do my videos
8. That my mother is alive and healthy
9. I have the proper business formation to accept payments
10. To receive and activate my bank’s mobile widget application.
11. To learn more from others every single day.
12. To be able to afford the money for the publishing company’s IngramSpark submission guidelines.

I am happy that employers are interested in me and that I have something that the marketplace wants. I have kept up with my financial affirmation and below are the things that I have done every morning, afternoon and night. Here are the things that I have done to ensure that my $20,000/month have had.

Morning:

Reply to the recommended social media banner lady

Aced my phone interview

Afternoon:

Receiving my ebook file in multiple formats

Uploading my file to Amazon KDP

Email the publishing company for submission assistance

Add more information to IngramSpark

Get in contact with the publishing company’s president

Night:

Amazon KDP has approved my final draft and my accelerating my pre-order date from July 28^th to May 17^th.

Broadcast on Periscope and YouTube

Create a new PM.Expert blog article

Land my first radio

Conclusion: Yes, I admit that I have experienced a whole lot of progress as a businesswoman but I would still like a contract or some corp to corp. I am grateful that emotionally and am in a better place now because I have worked on my demons and the negativity associated with them. I don’t truly have demons but the Devil is busy bringing up old stuff. More importantly, I have stayed true towards working on my financial affirmation because I know that I am good enough to earn $20,000/month. Finally, I do see things turning around for the better. I envision this way before my May 17^th publication date because I am grateful for every opportunity and I have been working on myself.

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 Journal - Day 7

                Today is a very big day for me personally and professionally. I am opening myself up to new opportunities. Most people don’t want to give themselves permission to do something new. I have to else I will get the same result. I am grateful for these new lessons because this means new learning opportunities. I take everything as a new learning opportunity because I can grow from it. I just pray to Jehovah that He guides me through this process. Here is my gratitude list for today:

Gratitude List – Day 7

1. Thankful to be the first person in my family to write a book
2. To share knowledge on my radio show
3. To open myself to financial abundance and additional streams of income
4. To receive counsel from wiser people who will guide me through this process
5. That my Mommy is okay
6. I am in perfect health and able to complete my schedule
7. I am planting seeds and making deposits today for my future
8. Recruiters are interested in me and willing to take my phone calls
9. Grateful to learn more about the book industry every day
10. My energy is starting to shift positively
11. Review my Nanowrimo draft and have found 7+ articles benefitting my blogs
12. I am open to trying new social media avenues (Blab) to promote my book and myself. I may even do a Blab while broadcasting my radio show.
13. I am alive and breathing fresh air

I have made this gratitude list early this morning. I would not have expected the adversity coming my way. When the recruiter tells me to call her next Tuesday morning, my spirit is crushed because I have wait 3 whole business days for a response. That’s 72 hours. No way! I sulk badly because I truly want to work and be productive. I should not be punished like this. Next several of the Upwork questions aren’t on the announcements but once I open up the proposal, BAM, there they are! I return back to my regular sites. When I receive the best news ever: my former coworker got a GS-14 in settlement! I was so happy for her because it has been 2 years in the making. I am very grateful to be a part of the process and see it from beginning to end. I mail her two congratulatory cards (I could not decide)!

                Next I overcome my fear, go to KDP, and upload my book for pre-order. Now I put my pre-order all the way out to July just in case there is any funny business. I am grateful to find more errors now. While reading my book on air, I have noticed more of them. Instead of being mad, I am grateful to find them now instead of the reader finding them. I will resend another edit form. Furthermore, I learn from customer service that the KDP email account is responsive so I submit a copy of my US Copyright registration. I welcome all future correspondence. However, I do feel that Amazon will accept my book. Finally, I am thankful that I have overcome my fear and have completed the KDP form. It is a weight off of my shoulders.

Deliberately Expect the Extraordinary

                Listening to Constance Arnold’s most recent podcast has motivated me to deliberately ask and expect the extraordinary. This phrase has awakened me because until then I have only expected the ordinary. Given how my life has been for the past 4 years, all I want to do is keep my head above water and pay my bills on time. Now I have managed 3 promotions in the last 4 years but there has been a significant amount of turbulence too. However, right now I realize that I have decided to ask for the extraordinary. I simply don’t want to have a full-time position. I want one which is mentally stimulating where I will be able to learn something every day. Also I will deliberately expect more than just starting my business off on the right foot. I expect to it to be epic! Constance’s podcast has stopped me from settling right then and there because I know that I am capable to expecting more; therefore, for the next 30 days, I will keep a deliberate action journal chronicling my daily steps towards an extraordinary life. I love this idea because I love continuous improvement and with 32 days remaining in 2015, I can see progress ending this year on a high note; and, positioning myself for a way better 2016.

Lessons from Attending the First Periscope Community Summit

This week was the inaugural Periscope Community Summit. It was held in New York City. Periscope is a livestreaming application available on iPhone and Android. I managed to score a ticket and a room at the Yotel (the conference hotel) for this event. Below were the lessons learned that I culminated while attending. These 5 tips would help maximize your conference experience.

1.       Develop a personal marketing plan

I drafted mine while on the plan because I wanted to capitalize upon the opportunity of attending the first Periscope Community Summit; and this demands focus. My marketing plan contained the 4ps: product, place, price and promotion. These four constituted the marketing mix. Here was mine for the Periscope Summit:

·         Product: me

·         Place: Periscope Summit in New York City

·         Price: varies depending on product or service

·         Promotion: My Periscope feed and YouTube channel

Periscope is only available for 24 hours so many users either subscribe to Katch or upload their videos onto YouTube. The Katch website is katch.me. You could also upload your Periscope to YouTube. YouTube would increase your search engine optimization (SEO).

2.       Attend the meetups

I had the benefit of staying at the Summit’s conference hotel where there were many meetups occurring. These allowed me to network with other scopers (people who use Periscope). Sometimes these meetups were more important than the sponsored events because you saw people in their raw element without pretense. These unofficial group settings made networking easier.

3.       Practice your elevator pitch

Your elevator pitch was indispensable towards introducing yourself especially during a livestream event. The Periscope Summit was a livestream event with many broadcasters and someone could film you. You wanted to look professional just in case your video went viral. Be known for the right reason by staying prepared and practicing your elevator pitch!

4.       Have fun and explore

Take advantage of downtime to recharge yourself. Since the conference hotel was in Times Square, I explored the area. I also traveled to Midtown and Fashion Avenue. These excursions gave me a more well-rounded experience by merging the conference with the city.

5.       Have a post-conference action plan

Though it was nice that you’ve attended the conference, created your personal media plan, practiced your elevator pitch and networked all of the events, all of those things would be for naught without implementing a post-conference action plan. Creating one is essential because once the hype and enthusiasm wore off, you don’t want to be disappointed. Follow-up with thank you letters and emails mentioning the event you both attended and you’re interested in establishing a connection in the future. The recipient would remember that simple goodwill gesture. The letter would also establish your brand as one with integrity. The post-conference action plan enabled me to never squander a conference opportunity!

Check me out on Periscope at https://www.periscope.tv/missphenom

Check me out on YouTube at http://bit.ly/1OxtUqi

Quick 1st Half of 2014 Assessment

                I must admit that I hadn’t expected to be where I am at today, June 21, 2014. On January 1, 2014, I expected to have my PMI-ACP certification but then PMI announced that it was having a PMI-PBA pilot program. Immediately I jump at the opportunity.  I must also admit that in the past 6 months I have become a Small Business Book Award judge, attended the White House spring garden event snapping photos, and have an article published.  With today being 9 days until the halfway mark, I do see myself accomplishing these key objectives:

·         PMI approving my PMI-PBA certification application

·         Completely outlining PMBOK chapters 5, 8 and 13 to prepare for the PMI-PBA

·         Finished reading BABOK chapters 2 and 3

·         Scored 80% on the RMC Project’s PMP scope, quality and stakeholder management knowledge area practice exams.

·         Completed Ed2Go Introduction to SQL and Advanced Excel 2010 online courses

·         Enrolled in the USDA Graduate School SQL course for in-person assistance

·         Expand my personal and professional network

·         Have fun the entire time

Although this looks like a lengthy list, I am already in the process of completing many of these tasks so I will meet all of these obligations before June 30, 2014. Furthermore, here are my prospective 2^nd half of 2014 goals below:

·         Transfer the PMI-PBA knowledge and start studying for the Certified Business Analyst Professional (CBAP) exam by October at the latest. I think that I will finish it before then.

·         Get promoted

·         Seek more challenges

·         Travel more

·         Improve my SQL and Oracle programming skills

·         Pass the PMI-ACP certification test

Things Are Never What They Seem

             Speaking with my life coach has helped me clarify things. First, I’ll survive my current workplace Second, since I was promoted in August and that should be my FY13 annual rating, I should demand 2 5s and 2 4s. A promotion is the highest award you can receive so why not start there? My supervisor signed it so she can’t dispute it. End of story. Third, tread lightly on asking about the government shutdown. That might bring up a red flag. I ‘ll ask the contractor about this since she’s  worked during the government shutdown. That might bring up a red flag. I ‘ll ask her about since she’s a contractor who worked during the government shutdown. I’ll ask her about starting pay so that I don’t undercut myself. I want to start at $120,000. Also ask about work schedule and holidays off. Fourth, I will make my life coach proud next Thursday by executing on Wednesday’s interview. There’ll won’t be a letdown just to generate a story. This time will be different. The narrative is that I would’ve received two promotions in one year. It’s not the way I want but it’ll due. I will end 2013 on a high note. Remember, life is all about resiliency.

Less than 60 Days Left in 2013

            Today is November 1^st and less than 60 days remain in 2013. I’m amazed at how fast this year has gone. In January I was attending President Obama’s inaugural ball and now it is November. At least I have earned my PMP and promotion so it’s not like I’m wasting time! The next 60 days, I’m not wasting time either. I will be working on closing out 2013 with another certification, another job and learning consulting. I am considering PMI-ACP (Agile) because not too many people have it increasing my competitive advantage in the marketplace. I will get a new job somewhere else. Regarding consulting I’ve always wanted to go into it but my life always gets in the way. Not anymore because I am going to make time. No more excuses!

Getting My COTR

            I am happy that I have helped my coworker pass her COTR exam. When I return to the office, I will ask management about taking the training because I want this certification.  As a GS-14 I see GS-15 managing contracts so earning my COTR is the pathway towards that reality. I’ve already purchased the ebook and will read 20 pages per day until next pay when I buy the paper book. My goals are to finish reading the COTR prep book by November and earn my certification before year’s end. Regarding her COTR, I hope that she receives her GS-14 promotion especially since all of the COTR in our office are that grade.  I just want her to get her fair share.

Back to Where It All Started

            On the last day I’m 35, I am officially here in Cleveland and cannot be any happier because I’ll celebrate my 36^th birthday here. This past year I have received my GS-14 promotion, a new DuPont Circle apartment, and earned my PMP certification. These are major especially the GS-14 because not too many people get to this level at my age.

I will be with my father all day tomorrow but since my Mommy has moved our lunch to Sunday, I am free for my birthday dinner. This means that I will wear my Valentino dress. I bought it at Gilt City warehouse sale this past spring. I will pair it with Giuseppe Zanotti sandals that I broke in for an event but didn’t wear. I love them especially since I bought them 50% off. Speaking of fashion, I’ve bought the fashion Cleveland t-shirt from the Cleveland store off of Euclid & East 4^th. I will rock that with jeans on my birthday. It’s only right since I’ve promised myself that 6 months from now, I will showcase my collection for the 10^th Fashion Week Cleveland show. I refuse to let my housing situation deter me from success. I breathe creativity plus I possess the business acumen so I will always make a profit!

            I know what I will continue to do in my next year of life: stand on principle. Okay so people hate my drug free stance. They’ll get over it. I am an epileptic who has nerve problems and I’m not resorting to either marijuana, or any other type of drugs or alcohol to ‘cure’ myself. I work on myself and becoming better every single day. That’s all I can do and do it well I will!