The Positive Pathfinder

Really thought that I lost my mojo to write. Ideas for writing a post dried up. It wasn’t so much that I lost my passion to write, but that I was focused on something else. I was immersed in an interview process for the last 6 weeks. Getting this job was all I thought about. Today I can announce that I got a job with the YMCA and start next week. I’ll be working in the HR department and advising on health and safety and HR matters. I’ve always been passionate about health and safety. I’ve had the good fortune to co-chair Joint Health and Safety Committee meetings at CCH and Combined Insurance for 11 years.  I administered workers’ compensation claims at CCH. I graduated from the Occupational Health and Safety Certificate Program at Ryerson University with an “A” average.  I adapted a CCH health and safety book that was written by an American author. I am a certified Joint Health and Safety Committee member.  Recently I subscribed to Thomson Reuters’

My friend and I went on an outing to the Butterfly Conservatory in Niagara Falls yesterday. 2000 live butterflies call this place home. You experience butterflies in a natural setting amongst a backdrop of lush greenery, a gentle waterfall and moist temps.         Earlier this year I attended an art exhibition at the Art Gallery of Ontario called Mystical Landscapes: Masterpieces from Monet, Van Gogh and More. It seems to me that the Butterfly Conservatory shares certain similarities with an art exhibition. They both feature works of beauty . The butterflies are beautiful and colourful. They are natural works of beauty. They are like living art. I stood mesmerized looking at the butterflies for an hour-and-a-half. Several paintings at Mystical Landscapes were enthralling. One painting in particular that I enjoyed was Van Gogh’s “Starry Night Over the Rhone.” I stood mesmerized looking at this painting for minutes on end. I marvelled at how Van Gogh dep

We all have hidden talents and given the right circumstances these hidden talents can come out and shine. The Terry Fox Run brings out the fundraiser in me. I ask everybody I know.   I ask people I haven’t met. One time in the 1990’s I took a bold and dare I say saucy(!) approach with a co-worker.  Instead of asking “Will you sponsor me for the Terry Fox Run?” I asked “How much are you sponsoring me for this year” thereby hoping that it would be harder for him to turn me down. Pretty sure he sponsored me that year. This year (2017) marks the 22 nd time that I will be fundraising (and walking) in The Terry Fox Run. I find Terry Fox extremely inspirational and heroic. He embodied hope, positivity and determination. I am proud to participate in this annual fundraising initiative that bears his name and legacy. You can read about Terry Fox here . The Terry Fox Run gives me a sense of purpose. I like helping people. What I can do

I am a ubiquitous networker.   I look at LinkedIn as soon as I get up in the morning. Yesterday morning at 6:30 a.m. a friend of mine (“John”) sent me a LinkedIn message. He said that there’s a tech job fair at the MaRS Discovery District and that it starts at 12 noon.  I thought to myself that I didn’t have anything planned, and so I said “yes” to the job fair. My friend was being very prescient when he said that I could write a post about my job fair experience. And that the theme could be on how I stepped out of my comfort zone. When I arrived at the job fair, I surveyed the companies that were there. I headed straight to a particular booth, because another friend (“Tom”) recently applied for a job at that company. I followed-up on Tom’s behalf. I went up to four other booths and introduced myself. “Hi, my name is Jamie.  I’m an HR professional.  I’m looking to work at a company as a culture specialist.  It could be part-time or contra

When I was at university, I checked out the array of activities that I could participate in like ballroom dancing, squash, yoga and fencing. I never did the fencing, but while at university I took ballroom dancing lessons.  I have since hung up my dancing shoes, but I do enjoy watching “Dancing with the Stars.” Years after I left university, I kept up my Hart House membership and I took squash lessons.  Squash is fun and I played squash a couple of times.   I recently read a terrific article by Kendra Wright called “ 4 Things I Learned by Stepping Out of My Comfort Zone 850 Times in a Row .”  This is an inspirational article.  Ms. Wright did something cool by doing 850 things that made her step out of her comfort zone.  At the end of Ms. Wright’s article, check out the list that she compiled of 100 things that you could do to step out of your comfort zone.  After looking over the list, I immediately thought to myself that I need to do something that I had put off do

Yesterday I read an inspiring article by Kendra Wright called “ 4 Things I Learned by Stepping Out of My Comfort Zone 850 Times in aRow. ”  Ms. Wright’s article inspired me to write this post. “Stepping out of your comfort zone” is different for everyone. For example, you may consider speaking up at a meeting at work as stepping out of your comfort zone and overcoming a fear. For me I recently stepped out of my comfort zone by overcoming personal inertia.    I was debating whether to volunteer in a Conversation Circle program where I would help newcomers to practise their English.  The benefits?  It would get me out of the house and meet new people.  I get to do something that I enjoy which is helping people.   The place where I would volunteer is within walking distance -- just 10-15 minutes to get there.  No real downside except I just needed to overcome my internal inertia.  Two weeks ago, I made a move and sent my resume to the volunteer coordinator.  A return messa

Last Friday I had a coffee with my high school friend who has since retired. We inevitably came around to the topic of my job search.  My friend had one employer for his entire career. He reminded me that when he was looking for a job, he knocked on the doors of a few companies and asked to fill out an employment application form.    He found his one and only employer by going directly to the company and submitting an application form. I wonder if there are many companies left where you can go and ask to fill out an application form?       When I was working at Combined Insurance in Human Resources (2005 – 2013), application forms were available with the receptionist.   Candidates could come in, fill one out and talk to the receptionist.  Does the Ontario Human Rights Code still reference application forms?  Yes, they are referenced in Section 23(2) of the Code. When I was recently at the Ontario Society of Senior Citizens Organizations (OSSCO), we

Last Monday I attempted to re-connect (via e-mail) with 75 members of my LinkedIn network.  First to let them know that I was looking for a job and second to let them know what kind of job I was looking for.  I attached my Talents profile (from Plum.io) as an added incentive to look at my e-mail.     One of my friends e-mailed back to sympathize that I have to go through a job search again and that it must be frustrating to have to repeat the process.   I was challenged (in a good way) by this response. Yes, I definitely have my up’s and down’s during this job search, but I don’t want to be known as a frustrated job searcher. Instead I would like to be known as an optimistic job searcher. As as result of my campaign to re-connect with members of my LinkedIn network, I received over 25 responses. Friends gave me a “thumbs-up” or “thanks for sharing” or “I’ll keep my eyes open for you.”  I appreciate everyone’s responses one and all!    Four in particular

Last Friday I completed Plum.io’s free online Talent Assessment.  You receive feedback immediately about your Top 3 Talents.  I learned that I had a talent that I wasn’t aware that I had!  You can access the Plum Talent Assessment here. The following day I met up with a friend for a coffee at the mall. I showed my Talents profile to my friend. My friend was very encouraging.  He suggested that I could attach my Talents profile to my application when I apply for a job. When you complete the Talent Assessment, Plum.io suggests that you could share your profile on social media. I combined my friend’s and Plum.io’s ideas and came up with something that I haven’t done before. I decided to send the following message and attach my Talents profile to select members of my LinkedIn network. “I share my Talents Profile with you (via Plum.io) and let you know that I'm looking for a part-time role in HR or job search mentoring in Toronto!” This message was a

Yesterday I came across an excellent job search article by John Feldmann called “ How to Avoid the Job Search Rut .” I fall into an emotional (but temporary) rut now and then, but I know that tomorrow will be another day and I will feel better the following day. Anytime we experience a challenge in life (like a job search), we need to be mindful about self-care and caring about our health.  You know the drill – get enough sleep, eat right, get adequate exercise, etc.  As well as doing these basic things, it’s engaging in activities that help us feel centred like spending time with friends and family, meditating, yoga, engaging in hobbies  – whatever feels right for you.    I remind myself that “Rome wasn’t built in a day.”  Sometimes I expect immediate results when immediate results are not to be had. I am reminded by what a former colleague told me about “planting a seed.”  This has so many applications in our daily lives.  In a job search, we plant a seed anytime

A little spontaneity is good for the soul. Two days ago it was Canada Day 150 (July 1, 2017). I was listening to the radio at around 8:30 a.m. I was reminded that the annual Canada Day Parade would start at 10:00 a.m. and would wind its way around East York and disband near Stan Wadlow Park at 12 noon. This parade has been taking place for 57 years. And I’ve never attended this parade. This year was a special year however – Canada Day 150. What better way to mark the occasion than to attend this parade. And so I up and went. I left at 9:50 a.m. and walked over to near where the parade started. I arrived at 10:15 a.m. During the parade I received a miniature Canadian flag from one of the young marchers.  The parade ended from where I was standing at 10:35 a.m.  I missed half the parade. I walked over to Stan Wadlow Park to check out the Canada Day festivities. It was only 11:00 a.m. and someone confirmed that the fes

I had a coffee with an old friend last Friday. We met for 4-1/2 hours.   We went to the same high school. We didn’t run in the same social circle. We knew each other just to say “hello.” After high school, we drifted apart. We re-connected in January 2017 after 40 years. We go to regular coffees now. At this last coffee, my friend was telling me about all the people he hung around with after school. I didn’t hang around with people after school. I was the studious type.    At the time I was motivated with getting high marks rather than getting social.      Times changed.   I went into Human Resources.    I was good at HR.   My mindset was that whoever I was talking to, they were the most important person in the world at that moment.  I am still of this mindset.   In 2013, I lost my job in HR. That was a pivotal point. Connecting with people became highly important to me. I connect with people in differe

Ann DeLuca is a Coach.  She came to the Ontario Society of Senior Citizens Organizations (OSSCO) on June 13 th and conducted a workshop called “Getting Clear on What’s Next.”  Everyone (including me) was in transition.  We were invited to come with an open mind and try some new and different exercises (like visualization exercises).  I was reminded that it’s good to be in a relaxed state of mind to help identify possibilities for ourselves.  When we’re stressed we focus on the stress and less on seeing possibilities.   As I mentioned in an earlier post, we can engage in reflective activities to help put us in a relaxed state of mind like yoga, meditation, walking, painting, writing, etc.  I realized that seeking the services of a coach could be an option to pursue. Rakesh Kana tried something different in his job search.  When traditional job search methods weren’t producing the desired result, he and his wife tried something new by putting on sandwich boards and handing out

I’ve been thinking about “relationship building” lately. Relationship building is my best strength. I changed my LinkedIn headline to reflect this belief.   This is my new headline: “HR Professional | Relationship Builder | Respect, Curiosity & Kindness are a way of life for me.” Yesterday I had a conversation with someone who happened to be a Life Coach. I mentioned to her that I don’t think that relationship building is valued by employers. She begged to differ. Later during the same day I came across a LinkedIn post by Joe D’Cruz. “Every interaction is never a waste! What do you look for in every interaction?” The relationship builder in me thought this was an intriguing and provocative question. I commented on this post and said: “Joe, I look to cultivate a relationship with every interaction!” To which he kindly said: “Looking forward to know you more :)” You may be wondering how you might cultivate a relation

My contract at the Ontario Society of Senior Citizens Organizations (OSSCO) ends at the end of June. I’ve been connecting the dots and thinking about my next employment gig. I am a Human Resources Professional. I have always had a welcoming demeanour. At Combined Insurance whenever an employee dropped into the HR department, I would drop what I was doing and tend to the employee’s enquiry.  I always wanted an employee to feel that they are the most important person in the world in the moment.  I listened and always made eye contact. When I am talking to two or more people, I shift my gaze from one speaker to the next, so that no person feels excluded. When I facilitated Committee meetings, I made sure that everyone felt they had a voice.  We had an unspoken rule about 1 person holding the floor at any one time and staying on topic.  Most times Committee members felt comfortable to share their perspective.  Occasionally if we didn’t hear from a member, we’d

I received an e-mail from a friend today. He told me that a friend of his recently lost his brother and nephew and that he and his friend haven’t talked in two weeks. It sounded like his friend is grieving at the moment.   I’ve been in a “spin cycle” for the past couple of days. I’ve been thinking about my aunt who died recently. I attended her funeral yesterday. One of the hardest parts was the reception. I met relatives who I haven’t seen in a couple of years. It felt hard to “catch up” under the circumstances. The best we could muster is “are you working” or “how is work”? Lately at work, the office has been very, very cold as if the air conditioning is on full blast. I put on a sweater and a coat, and I’m still cold. It’s stressful to work in a cold office. A couple of things I’ve realized about myself. It’s important to acknowledge and process what I’m feeling (which I have). I also want to feel like my old self again

I’ve been thinking about “stories” lately. I named my last two posts “ Curious Story ” and “ Wonder Story” and now this, “storybook life.” Everyone has a story to tell. And everyone has an interesting story.    At work we asked people to fill out an “intake questionnaire” for a project they participated in called “Enhancing Economic Opportunities for Older Workers 50-70.” I don’t know all the people who participated in the project, but I find myself trying to create a narrative (story) about the “typical” person who participated in the project.  I have a lot of empathy for everyone who participated in our project – they don’t have an easy life.   In “real” life I like to arrange coffee meet-ups with friends.  We share stories.  We tell something about ourselves.   I learn something new about them every time.  With each story told, I am getting to know them.  Each of us has an evolving story. I have online relationships with friends.  We regularly send s