Positive Vibes Coming My Way

 

Hey y’all. We’re officially halfway done with January. I have received this Chinese fortune cookie message. And it’s a nice spirits booster. Things has gotten rocky a little as of late; however, this message reaffirms that everything will be alright.

I am resilient. Each time there is a setback, I formulate a better plan to get my desired result; and, this time won’t be any different.

XD30 – Day 3 – The Devil Is a Lie

I cannot believe my good fortune! I have gotten into next week’s training program. I have only learned about this from my case worker this past Thursday. Originally, I didn’t even want to go to my meeting. I wanted to (literally) phone it in. My ITIL certification class was 2 ½ months late and I was fighting over the measly part-time contract position. I was angry. However, once he mentioned this, the lightbulb went off for me. I emailed him back telling him to refer me to this position. This is the fastest turnaround in government history! It ranks right up with my interviewing for my economist position on Friday and getting the job Monday afternoon. The Devil is a lie! In addition, with my in-person interview and future contingent letter and I am on a roll! 

XD30 - Day 1 - Here

I am here. A place that I have not expected to be. There has been a whole lot of adversity and weird things happening to me over the past 1 ½ years; but, I am still here. I am ready to admit at times it has been surreal like Salvatore Dali’s paintings. The melting watch portrait perfectly sums up this period; yet, I am still here; and, I intend of being here after this season passes. 

Bouncing Back

Resilient

a :  capable of withstanding shock without permanent deformation or rupture

b :  tending to recover from or adjust easily to misfortune or change

— re·sil·ient·ly adverb

After having a horrific start to this week, I have bounced back towards being productive. I’m getting back to writing and photography. I’m getting back to me and I love it.

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.

Adapt II

            A lot has transpired since my first Adapt posting. I have been challenged numerous times personally and professionally. I am happy that since then I’ve earned my PMP certification because I’ll be putting it to work to get me out of all of these jams. I want to do more project management and earn more money. I like to write songs, TV shows and scripts. Surely, I can apply project management to punch my own ticket. I came here in DC seven years ago with nothing and managed to quintuple my money. Now it’s time to do it again. I will ask more questions and I’ll be fine. I’ll just be more persistent and pointed because it’s either adapt or die! It’s that simple!

Something New Comes This Way

            I have learned that I can leave my apartment for another one if I have a good reason. For a time, I’ve been in escrow. Here I’m thinking that I need to go straight to homeownership but there are other available options. I love it because I will move out by Labor Day. I’ve been here for six years. I’ve arrived as a GS-09 and will leave as a GS-14. Not too many people can say that he or she has received a grade increase every year.

            My goal is to manage my money better especially since I’m earning more than the DC median income. After everything that has transpired, I am better off than most. At least I have some options versus others. Since I am making more money, I know that I can save an enormous down payment and stay in midtown DC. However, having earned my PMP I know that I’m capable of making more money so I’ll start looking for consultancy work. I know that I can earn more money. If I can go from GS-09 to GS-14 then certainly I can move up the same. If I truly want something, I just assemble a plan and execute it.

Adapt

            On Independence Day, I receive an email from one of my LinkedIn recruiter connections saying that she’ll check out some PMP-related opportunities. With my current situation in limbo, I must adapt. That means submitting my resume on holidays. Independence Day isn’t Christmas, Easter or Good Friday.

            In the spirit of Independence Day which gives me the freedom to choose how I want to live and where I want to work, I’ve used my free will to earn my PMP. This certification has opened many doors for me and I’m taking full advantage. Presently, I’m one grade below the federal government’s maximum grade. I’ll max out before age 50. Why stay stagnant when inflation doesn’t? Moreover, I feel like the ground is shifting under my feet and seeking out new opportunities attached to my PMP. Remember, at the end of the day. I’m responsible for my career; and, it’s adapt or die!

One Year and Counting

            I have celebrated my one year anniversary with my current employer.  I have learned to become more self-reliant since my current agency doesn’t offer clear instructions like my former agency.  Thus far I’ve spent money enrolling in several online statistics courses.  Currently, I am enrolled in intro to quantitative risk analysis to learn more about creating model to predict the riskiest clients saving us millions of dollars.  Even though my agency wants this to happen, it doesn’t have a plan ironed out; therefore, I’ve taken the initiative.  This initiative has helped me become stronger. I admit that in the beginning I was over my head; however, I’ve managed to right the ship acquiring a new level of resiliency in the process.  Furthermore, having taken all of these classes have me contemplating going to doctoral school for either statistics or biostatistics. One year from now, I will have my promotion and a clearer understanding. Most importantly, I will look back at today and say ‘what a piece of cake!’

Thank God for Resiliency and Foresight

Getting out and speaking to others are a godsend.  Sometimes my tunnel vision is so bad that I don’t see other people. While talking with the male volunteer, I see how much resiliency and foresight I possess.  He works at a movie theatre and is a substitute teacher.  He complains about failing the Praxis by 2 points.  This section contains algebra, geometry and word problems…Let me repeat this again. Algebra, geometry and word problems.  Not linear algebra or calculus I through III. His rant makes me realize that I scored 660 on the GMAT quantitative section.  He would had score 440 or something.  I recommend Math Word Problems for Dummies because this book has helped me studying GRE.  Don’t complain!  Get better.  Find a way.  If one isn’t available, create a way; just don’t sit there and say ‘Woe is me!’  I’ve applied this to my life.  I’ve failed calculus before but kept on going.  There is no quit in me!