So the Setback

I decided not to combine the one setback with the progress and achievement. No sense in a message getting lost. So, the setback is actually on the relationship side.

So, with the whole trying to change jobs and move to Miami thing I haven't had a huge focus on relationships. It just hasn't been a priority and I wasn't finding anyone I really found that interesting (Note: I have been dating but I rarely talk about it unless it's something pretty special). So, I've been maintaining a friendship with this girl who we had a fling together before. There were a lot of external reasons why we never got together but I didn't think there was anything wrong with our relationship.

I thought there were signs we were moving back towards a relationship. However, she didn't see it that way at all and the fact that I saw it a different way actually threatened our friendship. Well, what I'm wondering is "If it truly was a friendship and my friendship was valued, why was I doing all the work?"

Don't get me wrong. Let's try to forget the fact that there was a romantic interest there but I seem to be encountering a lot of friendships with the opposite sex where they expect me to do manly things like be the one to call, always the one to invite the other out, etc. I even had a different girl say let's get together sometime as friends...I told her, sounds great, why don't you call me and let me know...even though it was her suggestion, she responded immediately, why don't you call me? Ummm...didn't I just say that? Do you want to get together or not?

Anyway, I just want to say take a close look at your friendships. Are they mutual? Granted some of our friends may have busier lives than we do and sometimes there is merit in being the one to reach out 90% of the time. But, do we (or you!) make sure we're doing proactive reaching out a significant portion of the time? If you or me or they are never making an effort, maybe we're a bad friend, they're a bad friend or there's some area of improvement. Just a thought.

Again, this isn't to say this only happens with girl-guy friendships (although that is definitely an interesting dynamic). This is also to say...are you working too hard at friendships that are not being returned? and/or are there any friendships you value where you let the other friend do all the work?

Thoughts? Opinions?

Progress and Setbacks

So, this has really been an amazing month for me on so many levels. I have been progressing in my health, losing weight, and a huge uptick in my career. I've been interviewing for my dream job. It was questionable whether I was even qualified and whether I should even apply at first.

But, as I have always said I believe in the pursuit of ones dreams...especially my own ;-)

So, I did some research and reached out to some people that I thought might be knowledgeable about the position. Turned out they were familiar with the group and that they might appreciate my background. I also did some research and blindly reached out to the guy that I thought might have had the position before. Awesome idea! Then I followed up with e-mails and resumes outside of the traditional application process and they thanked me for it. We got the ball rolling and it seemed to be looking very good through 7 interviews! Then all of a sudden things went flat and I wasn't hearing from anyone. I took it within my own hands and said what can I do to move this forward? So, I scheduled a trip to Miami on my own dime and told the key contacts that I was going to be there and I'd be happy to meet with them if they were free on any of the days. I wasn't sure it was going to work at first, but I ended up getting meetings with 3 people, 2 of which were probably the biggest decision makers. So, 10 interviews and I'm possibly done. I get a call from the hiring director and he says that I had a good day and those guys are not easy to impress. He wanted me to meet with one more guy a VP. I spoke with the VP and he's talking like I have the job and he says he has no concerns...BUT, he says he thinks I should speak with one more VP before accepting the job. Unfortunately, that VP has been traveling internationally and now I am. So...I'm in wait mode for a little bit longer.

What I am hoping is that even if I don't get it, it shows I'm in the ballpark, maybe even have a chance to get on the field and play. If I don't get this one, I'll get the next one. Because I'm going to work my ass off to achieve my dreams because it really does pay off.