networking

4/8/21 – Networking vs Sales is there a difference?

April 14, 2021 by Sheila

Networking vs Sales is there a difference? If you are like most job seekers or maybe not, getting out and networking can be overwhelming or feel a bit uncomfortable. Who do you talk to? How much do you share? Where do you go to meet the “right” people? It can also feel a bit “salesy” if you are not prepared to communicate what it is that you want for a prospective new career. For example communicating the type of work and role, industry, and even identifying potential key employers can make the difference between a successful interaction or not. Then there is the issue of how do you ask for what you want without it seeming like you are pushing for the “sale”? Let’s start by taking a look to Merriam Webster for guidance in defining the difference between networking and sales. Merriam defines networking as: the interaction with other people to exchange information and develop contacts, especially to further one’s own career. That seems perfect in what we are attempting to do. Merriam defines Sales as: an exchange of a commodity for money; the action of selling something.

During Dave Sherman’s keynote session he goes into more detail about how networking does not have to be “salesy”; he points out some similarities, and highlights the difference that makes networking effective and productive.

Dave Sherman was one of the first presenters at Career Connectors when the organization was just getting started. He is an entrepreneur, speaker, trainer, coach, and author of 3 bestselling books on networking and sales. He is known as the “Networking Guy” and guru. Dave is high energy, exudes positivity, and inspires with his wit and authenticity “keeping it real” as he shares personal and professional experiences and his own journey when he found himself in career transitions. His talk exudes a sense of urgency and gives clear reasons and encouragement to get up and keep going. Dave shares that his favorite place is Career Connectors and helping people in career transition. He loves Diet Mountain Dew, good red wine, and cigars.

Today Dave joins us to share his tips and tools for networking, by first outlining the 6 step process for Sales:

Rapport Building
Discovery
Build Value
Presenting Price
Ask for the Sale
Overcome Objectives

Now for Networking he shares the same process but removes items #4 and #6.

4 Step Process for Networking:

Rapport Building
Discovery
Build Value
Ask for the Sale

The time to start selling is now and the product is YOU! Networking is the #1 way to find a job. By doing lots of networking it will help you in finding a job faster.

Let’s break it down:

Rapport Building:
Here is where you want to increase your likeability and commonality with the individuals you meet. Finding a common interest or experience goes a long way in assisting you in connecting with your intended audience. Ways to accomplish this is by:

Be Friendly: Put a smile on your face and be pleasant. First impressions go a long way and having a warm and welcoming demeanor can be a good first step to making that connection that will make a difference in your job search.
Be Transparent: Let people see who you really are and be consistent. If you are outgoing and gregarious trying to be reserved may not come across as your authentic self and vice-versa being over gregarious when you are reserved will most likely not come across as being transparent either.
Be Authentic: Be truthful. People want to know that this is the person they are talking to and it builds trust. People like to network with people who they know, like, and trust.
Be interested, not just interesting: This is KEY. During networking take the time to get to know and learn more about the people you are talking to. What they want, who they are, their interests and not just the work stuff but what they enjoy personally. You never know through casual conversation you may find you have more in common than you thought and begin to build a foundation for your network for that next job.
Discovery: Ask questions and be curious. Listen for the response and then ask more questions. What they need, what are they looking for, how they might be able to help you, and how you can help them. The key here is to be present. Maintain focus on what the person is saying and not think about the next great question you want to ask. Let it naturally unfold, you just might be surprised as to what you learn and discover. Do not interrupt or change the subject no matter how tempting it might be. A good rule of thumb here is: Talk less, Listen more, and Ask more questions = increased likeability. You are demonstrating that you are interested in the person you are speaking with and value what they have to say. A quote from Zig Ziegler: “If you help enough people get what they want out of life they will help you get what you want out of life.”
Build Value: This is your time to talk about you. Share with people what your current reality is. “I am currently in career transition and looking for my next employment adventure”. Tell as many people as possible you are in transition. You never know that one person you least expected may be the person to put you in touch with your next awesome opportunity.
Create an Elevator Speech: This is where you create a short “sound bite” that conveys what you are looking for. Be as specific as possible. For example: “I would like to get into Banking and I would like to work at Chase or B of A.” You have to tell people what you are looking for and identify as least 3 companies you want to work for. Then listen and ask if they know of anyone they can connect you with. The elevator speech is important to have prepared before you begin networking unless you are just going to the event to meet people. Remember not to ramble, do not share a resume, and stay positive! Humor is always a good equalizer to use in these situations too.
Ask for the Sale: This is where you promote yourself without being salesy. What do you want from them? The 4 key words when networking are: “Who do you know that does this……” Keep in mind the 6 Degrees of separation. The individual you are talking with may not be able to help you but they may know someone they can put you in contact with who can put you in contact, etc. Ask if they would be willing to have a 15 min. info meeting to gather more information. If you don’t ask …you don’t get. It has been shown that if you do not ask for help it will take 2-3 times longer to get that job.

Important to remember: Know what you are looking for. Know what you want. Know the companies you would like to work for. Follow up with the people you speak with and be grateful, gracious, and appreciative.

In closing, do everything in your power to continue to work through this. Start networking, meet people, build and create friendships/relationships, talk about things that are not work related to develop commonality. Build rapport through: likeability and commonality be interested not just interesting, ask lots of questions and listen, build value. Know what you are looking for; it does not have to be the exact role. Finally, ask who do you know, can you make an introduction, and can we have 15 min for a brief meeting to share more information.

Final comments regarding networking in this virtual world we are in. Dave suggests using Zoom meetings. There are many special interest and hobby groups available; such as movies buffs, book groups, wine lovers groups, Facebook groups, the list goes on. If you are comfortable getting into the community, Volunteer opportunities are becoming more available. Get out of the house at least 1-2 times a week, create connections, join networking groups such as BNI, go to some of the meetings and introduce yourself and be prepared with your elevator speech. Check out the Phoenix Networking website for other opportunities and groups.

Hiring Companies

Community Medical Services
Megan Kennedy, Recruiter

Community Medical Services is on a growth trajectory and scheduled to open 10 additional clinics in the Phoenix area in 2021. Currently they have openings in both the Clinics and Corporate Center which is located in Scottsdale, AZ. Founded in 1980’s Community Medical Services is a group of Outpatient substance abuse and opioid abuse disorders clinics. They currently have 23 locations in AZ, in addition to the other locations nationwide. Services include a variety of approaches including medication, counseling, and outreach. The Corporate office is open 5:30a to 1:30p and the clinics are open 24/7. They are a growing and stable corporation with a full array of benefits and a culture that is fun and engaging. Candidates do not have to have healthcare or behavioral health experience to be considered. They currently have both clinical and non-clinical roles available in Glendale, Phoenix, and Scottsdale. The application process is multi-step that includes: Application, phone interview with Megan, Video interview with Clinic Manager or hiring manager if at corporate, a tour of the facility (optional), offer or interview feedback as to why candidate was not selected. Onboarding takes place every 2 weeks. Next new employee orientation is scheduled for April 19, 2021 and May 3, 2021. Because they are a national company they follow the national guidelines for COVID-19 Precautions and pay practices. To explore open opportunities go to the website: https://communitymedicalservices.org then go to career opportunities. Submit your application online.

Hawaiian Airlines
Matthew Chimbos, Managing Director of IT

Hawaiian Airlines is 92 years old making it one of the oldest airline carriers in the business and the second oldest in the world. They are a strong company with 61 planes and 32 destinations. One unique feature about Hawaiian Airlines is that every flight originates and ends in Hawaii. They are in the process of expanding their routes. They currently have openings in their Tech Center in Tempe, AZ. and plan to hire 50+ IT positions by July 2021. They have both remote and office work available. Matthew shared that Hawaiian Airlines has a comprehensive benefits package and unlimited pass travel flights for you and your family. This includes you, your parents, and your children. In addition to pass travel to those you choose i.e. friends and additional family members. Current positions include but are not limited to: IT, Operations, Analyst, Revenue Management, and Loyalty. Please check their career page for a complete listing. If interested in a positon please apply and then reach out to Matthew Climbos via LinkedIn and mention Career Connectors and the position you are interested in he will do his best to answer any questions you may have and put you in touch with a hiring manager.

Logicalis- Architects of Change
Caleb Below, Sr. Talent Acquisition Specialist

Logicalis provides customer IT solutions. They are partnered with Cisco, IBM, HPE, Net App, VMware, Microsoft and AWS, to name a few. They currently have openings in Tempe, AZ. Service Desk Technician, Account Executive: for this position send resume to Caleb Below via LinkedIn. Additional positions include Sr. Program Manager Service Now, and Principal Architect Data Center; to name a few. Please visit the company career site for a complete list of opportunities. Apply on the company career site and put Career Connectors as your source.

Freedom Financial Network
Melissa Whitlatch, Sr. Recruiter

Freedom Financial Network is a financial services company that has been rated as a Best Place to work in Phoenix 17 times. If you have a passion for helping others in their financial planning needs they would like to talk to you. They currently have 150 positions open. Examples of some of these positions include but are not limited to: Customer Service and Sales and Shared Services to name a few. They provide a comprehensive benefits package. If interested please apply on line at www.FreedomFinancialNetwork.com. Message Melissa after you apply to let her know that you are interested.

The Entrepreneur Source
Anna Schulman Brambilla, Career Ownership Coach

The Entrepreneur Source specializes in matching prospective business owners with franchise opportunities. They provide a proven business system that allows you to be in business for yourself but not by yourself. Entrepreneur Source does all the marketing, legal, strategic planning so that you can focus on the work you want. All the startup work is done for you. They provide guidance from the franchise offers, establishment, and brand recognition. Connect with Anna on LinkedIn to learn more and to schedule a free informational meeting to learn more about franchise opportunities. Franchise investment can range from anywhere from $75K to $250K. They also have opportunities from $75K and below.

https://anabrambilla.youcanbook.me/.com
Website: https://abramilla.esourcecoach.com
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/annabramilla

Closing

CEO/Founder of Career Connectors Jessica Pierce closed the formal part of the online meeting. She reminded all in attendance of the many resources available online including career advice, webinars of the online events since the Pandemic started, urging everyone to please visit the website where you can take the DISC assessment for free, receive free head shots courtesy of Gordon Murray Flash Photo and other free resources.
Jessica thanked the 125 Career Connectors volunteers and anyone who’s donated to Career Connectors. Bloggers are needed who attend events, take notes, and work with Sheila to get the recaps posted on the Career Connectors Website. Click for the Events Schedule for more information about special events.
Jessica turned it over to Director of Operations for Career Connectors Sheila Coulam to explain the Breakout Rooms process where attendees are welcome to meet in smaller online groups to chat with the keynote speaker, hiring companies, resume experts, and LinkedIn coaches.
Next event:
Thursday April 22, 2021 from 9a to noon on Zoom.

Featured Topic: “How to use LinkedIn in 15 min/day” presented by Brenda Cunningham.

Featured employers:
Terros Health
Mobile Mini
Liberty Mutual
WealthWave

Is It OK To Connect With a Potential Employer on LinkedIn? 9 Things To Consider

January 21, 2021 by Markitors

Is it OK to connect with a potential employer on LinkedIn? Why or why not?

Here are nine things to consider when connecting with a potential employer on LinkedIn:

Worst case scenario, you get ignored
Create a connection strategy
Is your LinkedIn profile up to date?
Always add a message
Connecting is one of LinkedIn’s main purpose
Consider a thank you note
Know who you’re talking to
Explain your value and how you’re beneficial
Have you spent time cultivating your LinkedIn?

Worst case scenario, you get ignored

The worst-case scenario is the potential employer ignores your connection request. I don’t see a problem with making the connection request. Just know that when you press “Connect” and send the request, there’s a chance the request may be ignored. Try to avoid getting offended if that’s the case, as employers have hundreds of candidates applying to positions who may be doing the same thing.

Carey Wilbur, Charter Capital

Create a connection strategy

It shows a keen interest in the company’s goals and puts you in a good position to stay in touch with them. It’s a good idea to carefully draft a connection strategy (beyond merely letting them know you’ve applied to an open job). You could engage with their posts, offer new ideas aligned with your career expertise, or like their updates. You can also follow companies on LinkedIn that interest you, which will be apparent to their hiring team if you apply to one of their posted openings on LinkedIn.

Laura Smith-Proulx, An Expert Resume

Is your LinkedIn profile up to date?

Extending a connection request on LinkedIn is like extending the job interview. Just like a candidate should be cognizant of their physical appearance in a job interview, candidates should accurately represent themselves through information on their profile. Before connecting, make sure that your profile contains a “summary” about yourself that reads like an objective statement on a resume. Make sure your headshot is professional, as you’ll be representing the company you’re applying to online. By taking the time to ensure your LinkedIn profile best represents you and your abilities, you’ll be able to continue to make a positive impression on your potential employer.

Brett Farmiloe, Ma r kitors

Always add a message

Yes, you should connect with a future employer on LinkedIn! There are, however, a few caveats with that statement such as who you are connecting with, what you are saying, and the position. Only connect with someone who will be looking at your resume such as a recruiter or hiring manager. Additionally, when connecting always add a note. This can be as simple as, “Hi Katia, I have applied to your open recruitment role, and wanted to express my utmost interest and excitement. I would love to connect!”. Additional best practices for outreach includes reserving this only for roles you are truly excited about and that align with your career interests.

Katia Dillon, TechnologyAdvice

Connecting is one of LinkedIn’s main purposes

By all means yes! Remember, one of the main purposes of LinkedIn is to make new business connections. If you have targeted a company for hire and see that a Hiring Manager at that target company is advertising a role that you’re interested in then yes send a request to connect. If you do it in a professional (do not beg) manner then you could earn yourself a close look and possible interview. Certainly, make sure you use LinkedIn to its full potential in the job search!

Ronald Kubitz, Forms+Surfaces

Consider a thank you note

Put yourself in the interviewer’s shoes for a second. She is interviewing not only you but many others, trying to determine who will be the best person for the job and the company. Connecting over LinkedIn before a decision has been made can come off as both pushy and over-confident—like you’re certain that you’ll be the one who’s working closely with the interviewer over all those other candidates. What should you do instead? Write the perfect thank you note. It’s still the best way to follow up and let the interviewer know how much you want the job. If you really want to grow your network on LinkedIn, it’s okay to request a connection with your interviewer, just wait until after a decision has been made.

Mark Christensen, People & Partnerships

Know who you’re talking to

It’s more than OK, that’s definitely a way to stand out from the crowd of resumes. I’m speaking here from the employer’s perspective and I hired many people that showed me the courage to approach me and talk to me. The most important thing is to show interest, know who and why you are speaking to. Personalize your message, show that you understand what the company does and how they can benefit from hiring you.

Tom Winter, Eye One

Explain your value and how you’re beneficial

Don’t connect with a potential employer on LinkedIn unless you have an irresistible offer to help the company. Otherwise, employers might get annoyed with you, which can lessen your chances of getting hired. Before connecting with a potential employer, create a proposal that is beneficial for the company. Doing so establishes your value right off the bat. If you connect with them without any concrete idea, you will be wasting your efforts since employers won’t even waste their limited time conversing with you.

Stephen Light, Nolah Mattress

Have you spent time cultivating your LinkedIn?

It is appropriate to connect with a potential employer on LinkedIn if you’ve spent time cultivating your LinkedIn content and brand and it gives insight to a potential future employer about your professional experience and approach to the position. It will give them access to your recommendations, digital resume, and your interactions and posts. If you’ve made it decently far into the recruiting process, I think it’s appropriate to connect. Also, even if you don’t receive the position, there’s value in keeping the dialogue going, because you never know what the connection will yield.

Eric Mochnacz, Red Clover

Terkel creates community-driven content featuring expert insights. Sign up at terkel.io to answer questions and get published.

How do you build connections? 9 ways to grow your network

September 22, 2020 by Markitors

For many, the term networking comes across as a generic and ingenious way of advancing one’s career. That is because too many professionals approach it in the wrong way! Growing your network is not about having the most connections on LinkedIn as much as it is about developing strong relationships with people who share the same interests and goals as you. The ultimate goal is to create meaningful connections with people who won’t hesitate to say your name in a room full of opportunities.

But how do you find those people? And how do you approach them in a meaningful way? We’re glad you asked! In fact, we asked the same question to nine extremely well-connected business leaders. To learn the tips to their effortless approach, read on!

“I’ve Never Met a Stranger”

The best way to grow your network is to be approachable and easy to reach. Take the time to respond to messages, and when possible schedule quick 15-minute virtual coffee meetings. I always remember one of my Dad’s favorite sayings, “I’ve never met a stranger.”

Nicole Spracale, Coaching and Consulting

Attend Online Events

The best way to build connections and grow your network during these changing times is to attend online events. This is a great time to attend virtual events that take place anywhere across the globe and explore new industries that you otherwise may not have invested time in being plugged into. Initiate 1:1 meetings from these larger events and go deeper with a small number of people for mutually beneficial connections.

Stephanie Thoma, Networking Career Coach

Connect Based on Common Interests

Approach networking as you would making new friends. Don’t try to ask for favors or grand gestures the first time you reach out. Connect with them based on common interests or industries and get to know the person before you begin making professional inquiries or requests.

Vanessa Molica, The Lash Professional

The Network Effect

The best way to build connections and grow my network is to ask people in my existing network. The term, “the network effect,” exists for a reason. I’ve found that if I can get a few introductions from friends and colleagues, those introductions lead to more introductions, and so on. Plus, these relationships hit the ground running because they’re from warm referrals instead of cold outreach.

James Pollard, The Advisor Coach LLC

Company Retreats

Lake Rabun offers company retreats that are an excellent way to build and maintain relationships with people in your same industry. While the pandemic is in full swing, virtual company retreats have become the new normal, but once things subside, retreats are always an easy way to make new connections and see new faces in the industry.

Gwen North, Lake Rabun Hotel

A Friend of a Friend

A friend of a friend is a powerful tool. Become acquainted with your friends’ coworkers and other friends to build a series of connections that you can reach out to if you ever need it. These connections become second degree, which means you don’t know them through your own experience but you have a common friend and get to know each other through them. These connections can be just as influential.

Ryan Nouis, TruPath

Don’t Be Afraid to Shoot Your Shot

Social networking sites are a fantastic way to meet new people! The key to finding success on them is to never be afraid to shoot your shot. If you come across someone interesting that you would like to connect with, send them a message. The worst-case scenario is that they don’t reply, but the best case is that you hit it off and develop a great connection that can open doors for you down the road.

Nikitha Lokareddy, Markitors

Offer a Consultation to Introduce Yourself

I have seen people offer a service for free such as a 15-minute consultation to introduce themselves. I think this way of connection is helpful for building trust. Others have asked who our clientele is, so they can refer them to us. I think that offering something without expecting anything in return is the key to good networking.

Sara Yusupov, iHeartRadio

Integrate Networking Into Your Business Plan

Make networking a regular part of your business plan, and spend time on this every week. Seek out colleagues in similar businesses, professional associations, community associations, and other networks for new connections, and ask your connections for suggestions. LinkedIn and other networks are great for this!

Colleen McManus, Senior Consultant

Networking…Evolved

October 24, 2018 by Linda Luman

networking gears Networking is often described as the most important factor in getting a job, landing a promotion or even holding on to a desirable position.

Yet, people often hear the term and think it means they must attend functions where they must introduce themselves and hand out business cards, and ask strangers for job leads. If that’s what you are thinking, think again.

Networking has evolved into a process of building solid professional relationships that involve exchanging communication, ideas and information. It’s about creating ongoing dialogue with peers, associates, individuals in positions you may aspire to, and those with knowledge and insight into your profession – or a profession in which you may have interest.

Building a network
To make networking work for you, start by identifying people you already know. Those who know you, your background and your skills represent a key network foundation. From there, you can expand and develop your network both online and off. Consider these avenues:

Online sources: Sites such as LinkedIn offer effective ways to get in touch with people with whom you have worked or know on a more casual or social basis. They, in turn, may be able to introduce you to other people you’d like to get to know. It pays to do more than just “connect” in these online groups. Take some time to learn how to use and leverage resources on the sites.
Career and leads groups: In many locations, you’ll find groups that exist to share job leads and opportunities. Beyond finding out about specific positions, these groups can help you get a better idea of what organizations are hiring in your area. They also can be excellent sources of tips and advice on how to improve your presence in other networking situations, online and off.
Professional groups: Almost every profession has an association or informal group, online or off, to further education and connections within the field. Do some research to identify the ones that best meet your goals, and become active in those.
Community organizations: Whether it’s a neighborhood association, church committee, volunteer opportunity, hiking group or your Spanish language class, you often can effectively expand your network close to home. General business groups, such as Toastmasters and the local Better Business Bureau, can also be good resources.

Getting started
Networking is far less intimidating when you realize it’s really not all about you. Take the approach of learning something interesting about others. Start by asking questions about the person with whom you are talking. Learn about his or her business, career path and interests outside the workplace. Even in social situations, good conversation can easily include the chance to ask someone about what they do in their work and about their company.

Learn by listening – carefully. A good two-way conversation will almost always lead into the other person taking an interest in what you do and what you’d like to do.

As you expand your network, you’ll find that you will continue to meet more people and make more connections, receive valuable career advice and learn of job opportunities – often before those positions are openly posted. This means you can come to a company through a referral, which can be positive for both you and your referral source.

Through developing a network, you’ll likely learn about companies and organizations – of all sizes and types – whose names you may not immediately recognize, but that could open the door to new opportunities. You’ll gain input on interview preparation and may meet important role models and mentors.

Remember, too, that networking is not just a one-time activity to do while job-hunting. Developing a professional network is an ongoing activity throughout your career that will help you improve the quality of your work and increase job satisfaction.

Looking through the employer lens
Understanding the benefits networking accrues to employers also can help you understand the benefits of career-long networking.

Companies frequently fill jobs through trusted referrals, without posting the positions. They frequently find that referral employees are better performers, and create more engagement in the business when hired. Employees hired through referrals typically have longer retention periods. Many human resource executives consider referrals the “secret weapons” in building performance-driven organizations.

It may be time to update your definition of networking, and view the process as an ongoing way to meet and learn from new, interesting people. You will find doors opening to opportunities that very well might otherwise stay closed.

10/11/17 – Lost My Job, Now What

October 17, 2017 by Susan Lamphiear

Written by Susan Lamphiear

When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it. Henry Ford

No doubt about it. Losing a job– being in career transition—takes its place right up there with some of life’s most difficult challenges. At times it can feel like it’s literally sucking the breath from you. But it helps to realize that others, having traveled this particular part of the storm, have not only lived to tell about it, but have come through this particular storm stronger and ready to tell their story. And ready to share what they’ve learned. Like the airplane, they’ve taken off against the wind.

Consider the message from the Broadway musical Wicked, Defying Gravity: “It’s time to try defying gravity. I think I’ll try defying gravity. And you can’t bring me down” as you consider our keynote’s personal story and her advice.

Keynote

Naomi Buckta has been in your shoes. She feels your pain. She, too, has experienced job loss. The good news is she came out stronger on the other side and shares her tips for getting through the storm.

Today she’s Vice President of sales & marketing for four related companies. Through her experiences she’s conducted seminars and workshops focusing on personal transition and social networking.

Naomi’s Tips After a Job Loss

Lost your job? Don’t panic. When you start to doubt yourself, make a list of your strengths. Go to your LinkedIn profile and read the great stuff people have written about you.

When Naomi Buckta was laid off in 2010, it caught her off guard even though she was part of the executive team. She had to remind herself what a rock star she is.

Assess yourself. Clean up your social profiles. Know what you really want and let your resume reflect that. Consider a career coach. And a mentor.
Don’t be resentful. Develop the habit of writing thank you notes. Don’t burn bridges.
Stay current in your field. This is the number one reason people lost their jobs in their organizations. Remember MOOCs. Say, what? You know MOOC–Massive Open Online Course. It’s those courses of study available on the internet and available without charge to large numbers of people. Make a section on your resume to document ones you’ve taken. It’s one more sign to potential employers that you’re staying current in your field.
Have a plan—Connect with people through NetworkingPhoenix.com, LinkedIn groups, church groups. Find out who knows who. Prepare your elevator speech.
Build your network whether you’re in job search or gainfully employed. Relationships matter. What do you know, what are your targeted companies, and what networking events are available to you? Find a mentor who among other things will be honest with you and even help you debrief after an interview.
Your resume—don’t sound like a zombie—aim to make your resume sound like a human voice. Make sure your resume reflects the exact job you’re looking for now. Put it on quality paper.
Is your portfolio up to date? Consider writing a 30/60/90 day plan and aim to work it into an interview.
The interview—Prepare questions to ask for every level of the organization. And be prepared to answer behavioral questions.
Speak positively about the company you just left NO MATTER WHAT.
Make your own opportunities while going through job transition. Consider contract work, consulting, teaching a class, working part-time to make ends meet. Or do something you’ve always wanted to do but never took time like planting an herb garden, organizing family photos, and taking a picnic lunch to the park.

Naomi summed up her thoughts, expressed in a quote, about getting through tough times like a job loss and career search.

Our finest moments are most likely to occur when we are feeling deeply uncomfortable, unhappy or unfulfilled. For it is only in such moments, propelled by our discomfort, that we are likely to step out of our ruts and start searching for different ways or truer answers.

M. Scott Peck, American psychiatrist