Heya, people.

It’s been seven incredibly quick (and outrageously snowy) months since my last post. This winter has pummeled blessed us with SO much snow—Steve says he didn’t sign up for the mountains of snow outside—but alas, we’re making the best of it. (We have snow other choice.) But in all honesty, he can’t really complain. Conveniently enough, I’m usually the one who needs to use the car after yet another snowfall. [Insert Dig It Up song from Holes. I am Stanley.] So by the time Steve needs the car, it’s already cleaned off. Instead of getting annoyed at the never-ending snow (or in addition to getting annoyed), I try to appreciate the exercise it forces me to engage in.

***

I started 2019 with a sister trip to Stillwater, MN. Sarah and I rented a beautiful loft through Airbnb and coordinated a self-run, goal-planning retreat (for ourselves)! It was a blast—not to mention incredibly productive and affirming—so we plan to expand it into a multi-day retreat for other women in the future.

 

We spent time reflecting, setting intentions, analyzing and discussing core values, and developing both personal and professional goals for the year.  For each goal, we wrote a description, discussed why it’s important, aligned it with with a core value, brainstormed daily or weekly actions to achieve the goal, and described exactly what it will feel like once it’s accomplished. It’s a great thing to do with another person (or people!) and I’m grateful we set aside the time. Two months later, it’s proven to be a very effective goal-setting process and model. We’re excited to create the experience for other people!

Within that same vein, people often ask me how work is going. I rarely expand beyond, “It’s going well!” So if you’re interested, here are some more details!

• Nope, I do not write, review, or edit resumes or cover letters anymore.
• That said, I specialize in writing short-form articles (500-1000 words) about career-related things. This year I’ve ghostwritten these articles:
  • How to Help Your Employees Manage Through Burnout
  • How to Reward Young Employees When It’s Too Soon for a Raise
  • 4 Recruitment Strategies to Attract Top Talent in 2019
  • Crisis Communications at Work: What to Say and When to Say It
  • When Email Beats Chat: 4 Scenarios When You Should Use Internal Email Instead of Workplace Chat
  • How to Use Internal Communications to Promote Employee Wellness Programs
  • And I also wrote a longer digital guide on ‘How to Write Fair and Effective Multiple-Choice Assessments’

• I have five regular clients. My newest client came on board last November. My oldest client has been with me since November 2017—an early believer who I’m grateful for! I don’t lock clients into long-term contracts, but this group is loyal and we do consistent work together every month.
• Lastly, I provide more than just writing to my clients. I develop their content strategy (i.e. brainstorm topics to write about), edit copy, and depending on the client, I chat with them on a weekly basis.

In more work- and writing-related news, in January, I volunteered as a DECA judge. I was previously unfamiliar with the organization, but it’s pretty neat. DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for careers in marketing, finance, hospitality and management in high schools and colleges. Later in January, I participated in a five-session (in-person) writing class. It was called, “Write & Publish Captivating Narratives,” and it was coordinated by Elizabeth de Cleyre. I also attended my first writing retreat at the beginning of February, the Weekend Writers’ Retreat at The Oxbow coordinated by the Chippewa Valley Writers’ Guild. I met some wonderful local writers and at the conclusion of the retreat, I had the opportunity to share a piece of my writing at a live reading.

Most recently (yesterday), I spoke on a panel at UW-Eau Claire as part of their Management Workshop Series. The panel was titled, “Attracting Top Talent from the Generational Continuum.” I got to speak about some of my favorite topics: employee recruitment, retention, and hiring practices. If you couldn’t tell, the Chippewa Valley is the perfect place for me to live!

In non-work-related news, my cousins, Megan and Katie, along with our partners, Spencer, Dillon, and Steve, spent a weekend Up North at my grandparents’ place in January. The weekend was complete with good food, drinks, and competitive games, per usual. A week later, I got to catch up with a long-lost friend from SNC who lives in Minneapolis; Mary and I grabbed wood-fired pizza in the cities near her apartment. In early February, I also went bridesmaid dress shopping with my favorite crew for Nichole’s wedding this August. We were deemed one of the “most efficient” parties. Bam, bam, alakazam. With 10 ladies, we picked out a dress—that looks great on everyone—in like 60 minutes. Be impressed. And more recently, I was home in Fondy for a bit to dogsit some pupperoons. I got to finally take advantage of this snow and go snowmobiling with family. And to balance out the cold, per my request, I went swimming with my Grandma. Winter swimming is an underrated and underutilized activity. And last, but definitely not least, I’m in the midst of planning a return trip to Europe!

My bff, Taylor, and I are heading back to Europe this April for three weeks. And our friend, Hannah, is joining for the final week in Ireland. Over the course of the three weeks, we will return to the city where we studied abroad, Cork. Taylor already declared that when we arrive she will be a “blubbering mess.” As will I. We will also spend time near Barcelona and London. Last night we booked the last remaining (major) logistical things, like flights between countries and accommodations, so the next phase is making our ‘things-to-do-and-see’ priority list. Also, we will be traveling amidst ‘Brexit’; so we may or may not assume temporary roles as in-the-field reporters. Stay tuned.

And one last thing, my friends, Kate and Eric, are having a baby! They’re the first in our core group of St. Norbert friends to start a family (beyond pets, of course). Due in August, we’re so excited to welcome and love their little bundle of perfection.

Thanks for reading. You da best.

And here are some cat pics for good measure.