Embracing Opportunity when It Appears

 . . . and knowing when to make a move.

I so try to believe the sentiment every. single. day. (And this is my SaTC moment!!)

About a year ago, I got an interesting job offer. Okay, you may know one, but this other came out of the blue. It happened in late 2023 when my hairstylist wanted to know if I could be available so she could do my hair and someone else could do my make-up and a third person take studio photos of me?? Umm, sure?! Why not? What's it for?? So I could be one of their hair models for a bus campaign. OMG, CRAZY. It was so fun to do the 'work' but it is even MORE fun to see my image - which is not one I think of as typical me - drive by at random times. And why is this important when talking about working in museums (or anywhere)? Because opportunity is kinda-sorta all around us in very interesting places and ya have to be ready to say yes if it comes up! And the opportunity may or may not work out, but you should try it out when it sits down next to you and says hello.

My other opportunity from 2023, the museum job I worked very hard to get, just came up on its first anniversary. Going back to the place I had worked before to the position I held for 6.5 years had lots of ups and a couple of downs. I tell people that I am okay 95% of the time with what happened in July 2022 and have come to terms with the ego hit of not-quite clearing that hurdle to a manager level. That 5% of frustration does come up once in a while and I deal with it in that I acknowledge wanting a little more for my career at this institution; I say hello, feel all the feels for a short time and then I shoo it along. I do not dwell there, and it does not define me or my work.

The position I hold now is my current opportunity, and I lead from where I am. I have also learned to let go of what is not my purview by telling myself what I am responsible for is doing excellent work in my department. There are two associate registrars who report to me and I do my best to mentor them AND learn from the newer generation coming into museum work. I support and I guide and I oversee the responsibilities of what needs to get done for the permanent collection, exhibitions, loans in and out of the museum as well as play a pretty decent role in getting the collection ready to move to the new research centre. The days can be so tiring but my spirit is restored doing this work, and I get joy in a full day, especially if there's hi-viz involved on the loading dock. (What can I say? I think it's a fun part! And something I missed when I was a manager!!) I am busy and engaged and so when the 5% of yuck comes up . . . I realize that every job would have that little bit of wariness, and I let go. 

I have also come to the realization - and I don't think this is a negative thing at all, I think it shows growth - that the extra energy I have for museum work perhaps could be spent elsewhere. I am working on diversifying my deep need to be of service; I am not sure where that may lead me, and that is sort of exciting. I am also avoiding narrowly defining what has to come my way . . .  but also mindful of what I really, really want to do. For example, I didn't follow up on how badly I wanted to see a concert (I am pretty sure you can guess who!) and I only realized how much this annoyed me right as it was happening. I ignored the fact that I would have to spend some real $$ to go and I was pretty down and not wanting to hear anything about anyone else attending. But then something happened - I acknowledged the thought, and on the weekend it was all going on, I went with a friend to the city just to enjoy the vibe of all the other people who liked the same artist as me. Of course I tried - like many, many others - to see if I could get tickets without spending thousands of dollars and failed . . . missed opportunity, perhaps . . . but I fed my soul by just sharing in the excitement of others going. Partial win, for sure, and I gladly take it.

Swiftcouver, December 2024

So on the note of being open to new opportunities and knowing when to make a move, I am wrapping up this blog musing about museum work, the last show of my museum eras experience. Oh I have loved it so, and have learned a lot by exploring and writing on how to find ways to work with collections and what museums can do for their communities. I absolutely intend to find another place to keep writing and thinking aloud my ideas and passionate calls-to-service. It excites me to open up to all sorts of opportunities to engage, to have fun, to join the party however new adventures may arise. I look forward to the future and all that comes my way. 

And of course I wish you the best too, whether it's museum work-related or not. 😊 As ever, feel free to drop me a line at MsCarolineDavies@gmail.com if you'd like to connect!

Feelin' pretty swish at the Museum party this year!

What is Old is New

What is New is Old Again!

Also known as . . .  I have just started in the role of . . . 

Senior Registrar at the Royal BC Museum (Caroline Davies version)

(compare to the 2015 version!)

Yes, after 510 days on the hunt for my next position, after 18 applications and 16 interviews for local non-museum jobs and distant senior museum gigs, I rejoined the orbit of the RBCM, in my dream job. As of December, I am now a part of the team of registrars who will be actively processing new acquisitions and accessions (on a new database!), installing and taking down exhibitions, working with loans coming in and out of the institution, and planning and moving the collections to a new facility. It's going to be insanely busy. The RBCM is also working to reframe its core being, decolonizing and engaging with community to find out how the museum can best serve British Columbians. This is a lot of work and I will be participating in many of these discussions. Bottom line, I am beyond thrilled to be a part of the organization again, and looking forward to meeting challenges together.

I am not sure it is typical to return to a workplace but I am finding out it is not totally uncommon. I have seen people who retire and return. And it is not without precedent, either, for staff to spend some time in acting or permanent management roles and then return to a unionized job, the one that got them to fall in love with the work in the first place. So there may be questions for me as to WHY I would return . . . the foundation is that I am really good at the work I am privileged to do in museums and I want to do more of it. I have confirmed to myself that I need to be in a large institution, as complex and difficult as they may be in this day and age, to help bring forward change. I wish to be part of the 'buzz' of it all and, honestly, I want to stay in the city I am established in, one that I adore. Part of me wonders why it took so long to get back and another says I had lessons to learn and work to do to make really, really sure that this is what I want. And yes, yes it is. So I am going to give it my all and, when time allows, write about this next chapter in museum work. Stay tuned and stay in touch!

Also me, once I found out
99 days after I applied for RBCM Senior Registrar!

 Lessons Learned & Next Steps

This plaque was given to me by a friend who had it in her house for years. She said she had placed it on many different walls, in different rooms so she could see it and have it remind her to 'keep the faith' in challenging times. She said she had recently moved it but hadn't figured out its next home . . . but when I came to visit, ah-ha! she knew I needed to have it. So now it is up on my dining room wall . . .

I am not going to lie, it has been a very VERY challenging year or so on my museum career journey after my last work experience at the big museum. I have had the opportunity, though, to really work through some tough thoughts, and come to the other side. In no particular order, they are:

• I am Caroline, a kind human who does good work and makes meaningful connections. I am more than any title, where I work, where I live, how much money I make, even who I love. I have learned to be first to see my own worth, and not to need to have someone else show me my value.
• My superpower is organizing thoughts, ideas and information. I have the capacity to easily see the fine details of a project and then zoom out to the bird's eye view and then go back into another detailed project. And then I can weave it all together, like magic.
• Primarily through writing this last blog series and my notebooks, I have rediscovered just how much work experience I have and that yes, I have transferred my museum-based skills in other areas of work, and can do so again.
• I matter and my ideas are meaningful, museum-y stuff and otherwise.
• My job is to bring the best of me to whatever I do. Some days my 'best' needs help, and so I find support and that's okay. But other times my best is AMAZING and I really need to make time and energy to celebrate that. I need to believe in myself and to take it with me into the greater world. In a way, this blog has shown me that I have learned a lot of lessons over the years, and I need to remind myself of those lessons from time to time. (It's kind of like thinking I am Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz . . . the answers are already within me, I just have to click my blog!)
• I am curious and my heart is open. I believe in trust and vulnerability; fundamentally, these values need to be earned and reciprocated for any relationship to grow.
• I have / am learning to surrender to the moment. And no, I don't mean giving up! But I have learned that if I can be still and be present, I am right where I am supposed to be. The Universe, in fact, has my back and has organized some incredible things for me. I am learning to be comfortable not knowing all the details and that everything will happen as it should. 
• I am tough. My new mantra is "Even if _______ happens, I am going to be okay". Cuz it's true!
• There's a lesson in every experience and yes, some are REALLY hard. But in choosing to be stronger, I only make myself better in getting through the challenging times. And for this, I am ever-grateful.

This entry marks the end of my own personal Eras Tour (oh how I love Taylor Swift and how she has rerecorded her albums!) in reviewing where I am going on my career. I am not sure right now where that may lead me, and that is both exciting and daunting. But I hope to pop back in to write about a museum issue from time to time, and to update you to where I am. In the meantime, you'll find me continuing my journey, running in my new 'race day' shoes which I call my swifties cuz a. they are springy, help me run fast and b. they are pink and sparkly. What a fun way to take my next steps!

Making Connections

Visiting UBC Library retrieving during an archives event

Okay, all vulnerable here: this was a hard post to write regarding my career journey. 

I really enjoyed my time at Government House. I was there for over four years, and it was good, the longest I had ever worked anywhere. Great, even, with the experience I received and the work I imagined I could do there to bring heritage alive. I thought it was more of a forever thing; but honestly, and you know this, no job is. I was sad when it ended, and a little worried for the future.

My pain was confirmed in my journals - I was certain that I would struggle to ever work again. It feels painfully familiar now, which sorta sucks. It was also not true, which is inspiring! The Universe is not miserly, it just has its own pace of doing things and providing lessons.

So what happened after the Government House job ended? I continued networking. I went to conferences for archives and for heritage. I also considered (again) what work aligns with making history, heritage, collections, stories more accessible to everyone. With this energy in me, I looked all around. I saw that there was a one-year position as on-site Program Coordinator in the Cultural Resource Management Program at the University of Victoria. Hmmmm . . . sounds interesting. And so I applied . . . and then got it!

Shoot, what a good hair day I had that day!! At least for the 2010s-ish and me! :)

I spent the year working with museum and heritage planning professionals to organize and deliver their on campus courses, with all their advance material and syllabus support. I organized their field trips and prepared the classroom. I also worked with students to find out what courses would work best with their professional goals and timeline. And, personally, I learned a huge amount of information on heritage planning, and how the work of preserving buildings and neighbourhoods is so important in where we live.

At a Heritage Planning workshop

I also remember really connecting with people. There was one student who honestly did not see herself worthy of being in the group, and although this was her final class, that she didn't deserve to graduate. This broke my heart. It also made me brave, and I counselled her that she WAS important, and that her group needed her, and she WAS worthy. She was so willing to walk away . . . until she understood that she made a difference, that her part of the presentation mattered, and she had a voice, a perspective. And ya, so that she could graduate. She eventually went into the classroom and joined her group and delivered her piece. If this was the only true connection that I made in that year, it was all worth it. 

This was not a full time position, which meant I could continue to work on other projects that I had lined up. I was excited to start the planning for a conference of the BC Museums Association (as a volunteer, which I blogged about here) and I knew I could make the space to do this outside of the responsibilities of the work, which was really important to me. It also helped me align my thoughts about my career, and where I wanted to go next, including the birth of this blog and work as a contractor. 

Change is hard, and making all the connections that these tough challenges bring helps me grow and makes me stronger, ready for the next adventure. Stay tuned!

Life as Heritage Officer for British Columbia's Government House . . .

Heritage Officer Caroline, circa 2005

After such an amazing time in California, my next museum career chapter began in a new city (for me) back in Canada: Victoria. We moved in 2003, and I spent the first while getting the kids settled in elementary school as well as really joining a community of parent/teacher groups, hockey teams and softball fun. I was lucky enough to have this time as I was not the primary family income earner. But it wasn't long until collection work called me . . .

I began my search as I always have - networking with other professionals, researching local organizations and finding out if there were any open opportunities out there. I also dug pretty deep into what it is I needed and/or could do at this time in my career and family life, this was that I wanted part-time work and any sort of long commute was going to affect childcare needs so I had best stay local. Additionally, I investigated volunteer opportunities to sort of test-drive places that I thought might be interesting to work. And I really really looked at my museum studies degree in collections management - were there non-museum places that needed their treasures organized? How could I find them if I was not able to work in a museum, specifically?

Well, as you may have guessed, I did happen to hear of one place that needed help with, of all things, a landau, and found out that it was smack in the middle of Victoria at Government House, the Office and Residence of the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, the representative for the Crown in the province. With all my gumption, I sent a letter, saying I would love to help. To my surprise, there was a response, with an additional ask of how to care for their collection of artwork and antique furniture, which was either on loan from local museums and galleries, or had been presented by the public after the a fire had burned the (second!) Government House to the ground. Oh my goodness, yes, I could absolutely help them out with that!

I created a proposal that described what I would do to photograph and inventory the collections they had, and to put it all on a database. I knew it would be a big job, and so I asked them what they wanted most: a couple of completely inventoried rooms (as in a 'piece of the cake') or all the inventory done of one kind of object - say their loans (a 'layer of the cake'). Well, it turns out the wanted the whole cake, but first they would try me out on a four month contract. I was thrilled.

Much like what's described in my inventory post, I first walked through the whole building and saw what was ahead of me. I found out about the objects on loan, the furniture with the donation stickers still on them as well as closets full of gifts presented to the Lieutenant Governor during official events. The building is four storeys which included a very large dining room, a ballroom - both for large, official celebratory events - a sitting room, staff offices (some converted from old servants' rooms!), of course the official residence of the Lieutenant Governor as well as the suites that are made available for visiting dignitaries. It's a big place, and very interesting, filled with artwork by British Columbia artists as well as portraits of former Lieutenant Governors (LGs) and, of course, the monarch.

After the visual review, I set out to understand the documentation available and reviewed the government files they had on the donations and loaned works as well as any commissioned paintings of the LGs. I thought the best way to set up the information on the collection should be readily accessible to any staff, and decided to work with Microsoft Office Access. It's not a perfect manner, but, at the time, other areas were using the database to track events and people, and so I designed what fields were required and another staff member worked with me to make it happen. I also lucked out and was able to use code to be able to add images so I could upload a photo for each object. I created a worksheet for each object and gathered materials to photograph, measure and document and number them in a system I devised. I was set!

I mapped out a logical way to inventory, choosing to go room by room. I worked with a Government House summer student, which was very lucky as an inventory project is exponentially faster when there is more than one person working - one writes up information, the other can set up a photograph and its numbers (I always like to put the number right in the photo, with the object!). We had a make-shift 'photo studio', using a white tablecloth over a collapsable table, and a whiteboard background. We set that up in a corner of each room we were inventorying. And when the intern was not available, I entered the data into Access and uploaded the photographs. We had a good system going!

I was keen to show my worth, and how the collection information could be used for the tour guides and others. And so when I was able to get the photographs to reproduce in Access reports, I cartwheeled down the hall in excitement. Well, no I didn't, but I sure would have if I could have! It meant so much to be able to provide these details in any sorted manner - by lender, by object type, by room, by artist. If you don't know what you have, you can't share that knowledge, right? 

With the inventory under control, I was brought in on a project to rehabilitate an 1872 building onsite as a teahouse with an area for information on the site. The building, known when I was there as the Butterworth Cottage, was once used as a home by the head gardener. There was also evidence that animals were kept there, as written on the walls there were notations of pigs born, with a date. Pretty cool, for sure.

Butterworth Cottage, south side

My job was to write the interpretive panels on the House and site, and use photographs from both the Government House archives as well as from other sources (with permission, of course). I wrote up a timeline of LGs as well as mentioned the house history, who had visited and of course information on the gardens. I worked with a designer to get the best layouts. This whole project ended up with a Hallmark Society award, and it was a great experience. Find time to visit if you haven't already! 

Inside Butterworth Cottage, with interpretive panels

Well, what else can I say? I have gone on a lot longer than I thought I would about this experience as Heritage Officer at Government House. I was fortunate enough to work there four years and four months, which is pretty good for just having pitched an idea too them! And I do need to also describe what it was like to work at such an important place, and how hard the Lieutenant Governor works for the province. There's a lot to celebrate in BC, and this institution and the position is all about that. The LG visits all over the province, attending large events and small, and gets to know a lot of people. I cannot tell you how much of an honour it was when the Lieutenant Governor would drop in at staff coffee time in the servery on the main floor (complete with a really long table). I said to a colleague outside of Government House that it was like talking to a historical figure; I was corrected to say, no I *AM* talking to a historical figure!  The people in this role - while I was there, Honourable Iona Capagnolo and Honourable Stephen Point - are truly remarkable British Columbians. 

Oh, and I DID get to meet a prince, who said he wished he had someone like me on staff, one who could look after collections and the items presented to him on official visits (I wrote a policy on gifts to the LG during my time there). Maybe I should follow up, and that's where my next adventure could take me . . . ?!

What can I do with a History degree?

Waaaayyyy back in 2011, I wrote For the Love of History. I am almost surprised how much the post resonates with me still - it actually might be my favourite. I especially like this part:

Ever since I can remember, I have been obsessed with history. Or maybe a better way to say it is story - his story, her story, their story, your story, our story. I have always wanted to know all the details of how we live our lives, from where your family is from to if you love your community down to what you had for breakfast (and if you ate it with your kin, or if you just grabbed a cup of coffee — no sugar — as you ran out the door). I believe I get a true connection with others through these vignettes, and I understand people better, as I get to see life through someone else's eyes.

Oh, and how I still love history. And although when I was growing up, it might seem more obvious that I should have liked English class in order to find and share these stories, it was actually Social Studies / History that drew me in. I wanted to understand how people have experienced life around them, especially people in the past. Needing to know more about this lead me to pursue an undergraduate degree in (primarily) Canadian History.

Pragmatist that I was though, I wanted to figure out how to use this degree. I had not considered a a graduate degree yet because I was really eager to get out and travel as soon as I finished my studies. I also knew pretty early on - and I am not sure why - but I did not want to teach in schools. So I started to look for examples of where this degree could be useful. I thought maybe a historical researcher for a movie? I could see in credits that this could be a thing. Or maybe for a book? How could I get into that? I had gone to the Provincial Archives and used primary resources to write a paper on muskeg and homesteading in northern Alberta . . . I also heard that yes, an undergrad degree like this could be a stepping stone for later, maybe getting a law degree or even furthering it so I could get into the diplomatic corp and REALLY see the world. But alas nothing quite fit . . . until it dawned on me: museums and collections, and the stories they hold. What would it be like to use my degree and work in a place like that? As so, as the second part of the quote above reveals . . . 

My love for museums and collections care grew from this love of history because, for me, it is objects that bring a tangible reminder of what has gone before, and how people have related to events, as the stories associated with those objects brings meaning to their experiences.

I decided I would use my history degree to tell stories - and history - through things. I would use this skill to help learn about and understand the world and our experiences around us and (hopefully) provide some relatable, common ground to meet and share our lives. And so in 1990 (ah, showing my history now, for sure!) I decided would take my history degree and find me a museum to serve. The adventure had begun!

Some real-live textbooks I used all those years ago . . .

. . . and a bonus grad photo. Oh boi!

Memory Lane

As I begin to write the next chapter in my career, I have been thinking and researching how I should update documenting my skills, my resume, and my LinkedIn profile. I have completed a LinkedIn course, and am working with a coach. One idea that I am beginning to understand is there are different ways of expressing my work. For instance, a LinkedIn profile isn't a resume (which should be tailored to each application) and so documenting all experience - even the really early stuff - can count. Every moment is an opportunity to connect in unexpected ways, ways I may never have recognized previously. And so naturally, this got me musing once again . . .  how did I get here in my museum career journey? What is my story? How have I / how may I in the future connect with people? 

I started breaking down my story, going through my memories, thinking about adventures and even bringing out photographs (with all 'dem crazy hair dos / don'ts!). I do see how everything has built on the last experience to make me better, more prepared for the next career step. I am also beginning to understand, in hindsight, where I could have slowed down a little, and how I can still learn from those experiences. I am now taking the time to explore my privilege, uncover what I found out along the way, what took me to the next phase . . . This review is all very therapeutic for me right now, helping me see how everything changes. It may seem self-indulgent, but this realization is giving me an understanding that these transitions are what makes life interesting, and is how I learn and grow.

So, briefly put (ha!), my steps and stops along this road have included . . . 

 1.  What can I do with a History degree?
 2.  Canadian Forces Reserve adventure (in music!) There's No Life Like It
 3. (Tower of) London: Dream / Reality (My Time at the Tower)
 4.  Finding Home: Edmonton volunteer & work experience (Coming Home, Part 1)
 5.  California: Volunteering, Grad school, museum work (A California Dream)
 6.  Return to Canada: Heritage Officer at BC's Government House
 7.  Making Connections: Cultural Program Coordinator at a University
 8.  Museum Consultant: Work & Challenges
 9. Being an Archivist in a Library at a University in a National Historic Site
10. Senior Registrar at a large museum & Daring to Lead: Director of Collections at a large museum 

12. Lessons learned (so far!)

I will come back to this post and link to the above when I have written a 'chapter'.  I may also bunch/group posts - write a couple before I send out a link to my Twitter account @Owl_ (rather than flood my LinkedIn feed with this written therapy). 

A couple of caveats here: I have written about a few of these experiences already in this blogspace, and will be linking back to a couple of posts (and review all hyperlinks -- ouch, many don't work any more!). Also, these may be my memories, but I share them with a lot of people. If you are reading this and you recognize that you were there in that chapter with me, please jump into the comments below and add in what I may have missed. 

A laneway in Wales,
visited with my dad, mum and daughter in 2013

The Ka-Ching File

Ha. I have actually been musing about museum work . . .  go figure my blog title actually makes sense . . .

Yes, I have been reviewing my work experiences, figuring out ways to highlight and categorize and document project accomplishments and goals met and all that. I have been struggling with what to focus on, and if I should categorize my work by specific museum projects, or should I focus on more general management skills. Or is it maybe more about how I connect with a specific position, and with the people there? How do I tell the world I have really enjoyed the experiences and connections I have made, and how I would bring that enthusiasm to future opportunities, with all my heart?

I have not been sure on how to process all of this, so I thought I could start with my most recent work. I have been wrestling on how to write a blog post about my experience as a senior registrar in a large institution, and wondering why it has been difficult to document, as I loved the work so much. I picked up a couple of work notebooks and went through them . . . holy moly, I was *smokin'* BUSY. Non-stop, so many projects, so many deadlines, so many responsibilities. Notes to myself, scheduling, timelines checked off, highlighted, moved forward, resolved and, ya, sometimes abandoned / set aside for another day. Notes of extra hours put in whenever they were required, getting those high priority issues resolved. Through all of this, though, I neglected to properly document what I was doing because the pace was so fast. Sound familiar to anyone else?

So here I am, trying to rebuild and write down what I did and how I got it done, taking stock of all the amazing experiences thus far. And although the past 8 years have been in a museum, I have had some recent reminders that a good amount of my career has been spent as a lone ambassador of history / collections care-giver / heritage person / interpretation specialist in organizations with other purposes. In fact, I even recently interviewed for a director role in a place I had worked previously. Although they ended up hiring the incumbent, it was a great experience to go through, for a number of reasons. One is that I updated my resume to a more general one, focussing on management tasks and guiding people more than collections-based projects. Another is getting an interview is intimidating but exciting, and I need practice using my energy to properly highlight all I can do. But the best part was reviewing what I did there 15 years ago, and finding out all the programs I developed -- the database I designed, the tour guide documents I pulled together and the interpretive panels I wrote -- they are all still being used today.  And I was told how much they appreciated what I created while I was there, and how it added to the site.

How could I have 'forgotten' all that work? Why isn't it top of mind and why was I surprised to hear it made a difference, had longevity? I cannot be that humble, can I?

This got me thinking . . . and I then found further evidence that I need to really polish up how I self-assess my work and highlight it for others. You see, I was in an old email account and found a file called "Ka-ching". Here I had placed emails from people who said they enjoyed my work from ten years plus ago. There were over 40 emails! FORTY EMAILS OF HOW I MADE A DIFFERENCE?!! Some highlights, if I may be so bold:

Oh my goodness, I am overwhelmed! Thank you so much for taking the time to send those pictures to me. I am so grateful and touched at your kindness. I love them so much and I will forward them on to his sisters who are in Ontario. I am sure that they will appreciate your generosity as well.

Thank you so much for including me on all those E mails and most importantly facilitating this whole process. Your knowledge of procedures, contacts and dedication to this project has been absolutely fabulous and has gone a long way to solidifying  great donor relationships and I know will be appreciated by the whole family who as you know were instrumental in establishing and significantly funding here.

Caroline has accomplished a heck of a lot since she started and has earned my heartfelt appreciation for her enthusiasm, her professionalism, and her ability to move plans to completion. 

We thought it would be a great idea to chat to Caroline Posynick* to see if she could give us a “Short History Lesson” with some notes that we could be able to convey to our inquisitive guests, before suggesting that they continue on with an actual tour. Caroline was amazing. Not only did she jump at the opportunity to share, but she also spent some time, ‘sprucing up her Power Point’. And she didn’t bat an eye, when it was suggested that we also include our Tour Guide teammates, so the group became bigger. I organized a laptop, and with the help of AV Services, we were set up in a break out room with a flat screen. Caroline met us on Thursday morning, and gave us a truly fabulous and informative session. She brought some of the books out of the Archives, and had lots of notes to share, along with a couple of presentations. She even had a copy of a Census form from 1911 that was amazing to see, and try and figure out! It is easy to see that she is passionate about her work. (*Posynick was my last name until 2019.)

I am so, so glad that I thought to save these emails, as they are a reminder of just how many projects I have worked on, and these notes show how I got things done, and how I connected with people. For me to find my next work adventure, I need to be able to confidently and unabashedly state what I have accomplished in the past so that they can clearly envision what I could do for them in the future.

I know that days are fast-paced, and it is difficult to find time to take stock. It is vital though, and I am clearly seeing that now. I read just recently about a recommendation on how having an open document on your desktop that is regularly updated with accomplishments goes a long way to making you feel like you're making a difference. It also can provide energy when you need a boost, or when you know it is time to make a change. At least that is what I am finding... the ka-ching moments are most definitely golden. Keep them, re-read them, believe them and remember them!

Where my day-to-day work magic has been documented through the years, and will soon be revisited!