A Twist of Fate Like You Would Not Believe!

Woh… What a whirlwind!

The past two months have been far from predictable. In true spirit of the dictum, everything really does happen for a reason. The events of the last 8 weeks were a mix of good and bad, but I will just focus on the good and share that part of the story.

As you all know, I have asked myself many times if I was doing what I was truly meant to be doing. These reflexions have led me to set some pretty challenging goals for myself for the year and to subsequently create this blog but more importantly, I guess it also left me more open to possibility… I have worked in digital marketing for close to 10 years and I love it more today than I did back then but it finally occurred to me that I wasn’t channeling it properly. I was doing my work, in the wrong context. My good friend Dave Forde has been telling me for years that I needed to be doing my own thing, ie: mix together the things that I am most passionate about, namely digital marketing, giving back to people and community, the environment and volunteering. He could not have been more right!

At work, I’d been working on this account that was really close to my heart. My client was this amazing kindred spirit who shared many of the same views as me. We saw eye to eye on pretty much everything and I felt compelled to help her off hours too, in that if I found information that was relevant to her and her venture I would pass it along. From related articles to sources of funding or inspiration, I was constantly on the lookout for her. Within our professional relationship, the mandate she had given us was to create the branding and the interim microsite for her venture until the actual website was built, as well as to conduct a technical analysis that would detail how the site should be built. The first half of the mandate went off without a hitch but the second half, not so much…

This is where the story starts to twist. Most of my colleagues assumed that she now hated us and wanted nothing more to do with us, but what I tried to make everyone understand was that it simply wasn’t the case. She was very disappointed by the outcome of the analysis but she was overjoyed at the quality of the branding and microsite that we did deliver. It didn’t necessarily have to spell the end of the business relationship, but that was how it was interpreted internally. At this point my morale was pretty low and I felt disenchanted by the whole experience. The thought of leaving the agency did cross my mind but because I loved it there so much, I didn’t want to bail just because I was going through a rough patch… That’s not my style. But then again, I wasn’t sure if it was just a rough patch either… I had to decide between “fight or flight”. I hadn’t slept well since the problems we had on the second half of the mandate and I was walking on eggshells at work. I desperately needed to decompress and regroup. Thankfully, just when I thought I could not feel worse, my best friend and I split for South Beach, FL for a long weekend at this awesome boutique hotel 2 blocks from the beach. While there, my client sent me an email with a question about something work-related. She figured I’d be checking my emails (turned out, she knew me as well as I knew her). I answered her and we had a couple of back and forths until she added that even though she knew I was happy where I was, if ever I decide to go elsewhere, she hoped I would consider joining her. Little did she realize the headspace I was in… I wrote back and suggested we speak when I returned. Strangely, after that moment, I already felt lighter and was able to relax and thoroughly enjoy my time in SoBe.

To say that the next 3 weeks went by fast is an understatement. She and I met for lunch that week. We talked about everything that happened - good and bad and in spite of the bad she told me that in the grand scheme of things it didn’t matter. She never personally blamed me anyway. She and I both believe that everything happens for a reason and so we were quickly able to put the bad behind us and focus on the now and the future. The offer she made me was more than I could have hoped for. I felt like Diane Keaton in Baby Boom where when she was made an offer that blew her mind, her nerves would get the best of her and she would start to bang her knee against the underside of the tabletop… I still took the weekend to think about it but my mind was already made up.

I resigned that Wednesday and gave a 2 1/2 week notice. In between places, I took a week off.

As of May 20th, I officially started my role as Partner, responsible for Marketing and Business Development at BuyCanadianFirst.ca. I’ll write about it in a future post but if you are curious, the microsite explain very well who we are and what we are about. SOOO much more to come…

I can’t even begin to express how excited I am about this!

Two Days of Sun… Not a Moment Too Soon!

I’m 3 weeks into my level 2 Spanish classes at the YMCA Language School. Last week, my Spanish teacher Tomas told us that in most Latin American countries, a lot of time is spent talking about family. He explained how Family is a big thing for his people. Not that family isn’t important in here, I proposed that perhaps talk of family in Latin America is what talk of the weather is to Canadians… It is my contention that no other topic stirs as many opinions and emotions in Canada as the weather. Sure we talk about family, but I have a sneaky suspicion that weather trumps family gossip all the time.

As some of you saw this week, I Twittered about the weather… It actually snowed all day Friday APRIL 4th, yet on Wednesday it was 8 degrees outside. The trees on my street are starting to bud, but the snow banks are still a quarter of the height of their trunks. The contrast is no longer beautiful… it’s depressing (yes, I’m complaining). This is why my best friend and I are escaping to South Beach next weekend. Although it’s just a couple of days of sun and warmth, I’m really hoping that spring will officially kick start soon after our return… I’ve never complained more about this wacky weather we’ve continued to have (i.e.: +4 to -8 to +8 degrees in 2.5 days). This winter has completely kicked my Canadian butt.

Giving Back: Habitat for Humanity

Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1976 in Americus, Georgia by Millard and Linda Fuller (former US President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn became involved with the organization in 1984). In 32 years, Habitat has built over 250,000 affordable homes for low income families through 2,250 affiliates in 90 countries all over the world. The Canadian Habitat for Humanity movement began in 1985.

There are a few things about this non-profit organization that really touches me: I love that the selected families are also expected to help build the house. That it’s not just built by volunteers. To know that each family member physically contributed to the construction of the home where they will live, hopefully for a couple of decades, is to me just awesome. The pride they must have felt… I think it’s something we should all be so fortunate to experience in our own lives, regardless of income levels. Second, Habitat accept all kinds of volunteers, from those who have professional working experience, to those who have an understanding or interest in learning to do something new. They need volunteers to build the house, do the landscaping, manage the volunteers, do fundraising work and other clerical tasks. There is really something for everyone.

The building season is upon us and if you would like to get involved, many of the international affiliates are holding their information sessions for prospective volunteers in the next couple of weeks for builds happening over the summer. You can find your local affiliate here or if you are planning a vacation, this is also a great way to give back to the community while abroad though their Global Village program.

I have wanted to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity for a few years now but the Montreal affiliate has only done four builds since it was created in 1998. I’m feeling hopeful for this year.

For those of you in Montreal, the information sessions for Habitat for Humanity’s 2008 Builds are happening now:

Wednesday April 9 @ 7:00 PM and Saturday April 12 @ 10:00 AM.

The address is: 1444 Union Ave., 2nd Floor Montreal, QC H3A 2B8 (McGill Metro)

Not So Bad For 3 Months’ Work, Kid!

It’s funny how when I have setbacks in my personal life, I am thrown off and I have to remind myself that it’s not the end of the world and that it doesn’t mean I failed. This doesn’t happen to me in my professional life, only personal. I don’t know why that is.

Having to cancel my dinner last weekend really bummed me out but then I thought about my goals and after looking at the list again, I realized how much I’ve already accomplished in such a short amount of time. It’s only hit me now how posting my goals on my bulletin board at home and particularly, declaring them to the world on this blog, are such great ways to renew my motivation and inspiration when they lessen. People are holding me to them more so now, than ever before. For kicks, here’s an update (following the order of my list):

• Educate myself on Causes I believe in regarding the environment, women and children’s issues: This is an ongoing thing, but I definitely feel more knowledgeable now, than I did 2 months ago. Everyday I find new sources of information on these 3 areas of interest.
• Take action by writing to Government officials on issues close to my heart: I have not written direct letters yet, however I have shown my support by signing various petitions I come across that mean something to me.
• Select a local organization and volunteer with it: I am in the process of collecting letters of recommendations from peers and superiors for whom I have volunteered with or for. The organizations that interest me require such letters for the interview process.
• Train for and run the Montreal Marathon next September: I have started running, yes, but I’m not crazy about doing this for an hour on a treadmill but since I suffer from cold-induced asthma, running outdoors in glacial temperatures is not an option. So, while waiting for this crappy weather to abate, I’ve been running 30 minutes at the gym per workout. My goal is to do this 5 days per week until I can safely run outside.
• Choose one organization per month and host fundraiser dinner to raise awareness and money for the Cause: My March event was canceled but I will reschedule.
• Read at least one book per month for my personal growth: I have done well so far on this. This goal has actually helped me to decrease my TV watching time, which has been something that has annoyed me for so long but have been addicted to (sadly).
• Join Toastmasters Club: I attended my first meeting last week at the McGill University Toastmasters chapter and love it! Really great group of people. I’m allowed to attend for free 3 times before I must decide if I want to join but I have already made up my mind. This week, there will be 3 new members who will be doing their first presentation. I can’t wait to see how that goes!
• Speak publicly: This is going to happen very soon in fact. I joined this organization called Girl Geek Dinners where a group of girls (approx 25 of us) who work in the digital space (the common denominator of the members) meet once a month in a Montreal-area restaurant. Each dinner has a guest speaker (a girl) and she talks about something specific about the field she works in and we all exchange on that topic. It’s very empowering and a lot of fun. The organizer has asked me if I wanted to speak at one the events. I said yes, but I have not specified when.
• Continue to green my home and life as much as possible: I feel that I have done all that I can in my home for now. This Spring I will instate new green practices that I have already defined. I feel like I am so ahead on this goal that I am now working on greening the office for the company I work for ;) Greening my life is another thing however. I’m still looking for the perfect personal care products but it’s been quite the challenge. Some products may be all natural, but not necessarily biodegradable and others that are both just don’t give me the results I want. The quest goes on!
• Lose the weight I gained in the last 3 years: I don’t know how long this will take but I know if I deliver on my promise to myself and get my butt in the gym 5 days a week and watch what I eat, it won’t be long. It’s never taken me very long to lose weight. I am very optimistic that come mid-Spring I will be in top shape.
• Become fluent in Spanish: Just yesterday I started my Level 2 at the YMCA Language School. I finished Level 1 two weeks ago with a B- grade. I am so not fluent yet, but the sentences are coming slowly and I must confess that I have a wee-bit of a crush on my new teacher and so I’m sure that will help too ;) If all goes well, by the time my summer trip comes around, I will be half way through my Level 4, which is awesome!
• Plan a 1 week volunteer trip to Central America this summer: I have actually decided on South America in August. It will be an excursion that combines outdoor recreation and volunteer work.
• Plan a 3 week volunteer trip to either South America or Africa for next winter: I haven’t started on this yet.

7 Simple Things You Can Do To Make Your Office Greener

Last week I formed a Green Committee with colleagues where I work and we had our first meeting this week. At the end of an hour, we had an amazing list of simple things that not just our company but any company could do to foster environmentally friendly practices. Here’s the top 7 - according to me ;)

1. Make internal staff notepads: Rescue paper that has been printed on one side before it gets into the recycling bin (or worse: into the garbage) as well as old file folders. Using a paper cutter, cut sheets into 2 or 4 equal sized pieces. With a hole punch, make a hole (always) in the same corner. Do the same thing with the file folders as these will become front and back covers. You can purchase 1″ rings in bulk and use one to bind the notepad - You can find all these items at Staples. The creamer is having an embossing tool with the company logo (that’s what we are pushing for at work) so that you can brand the notepads. Once the pages are written on, only then should they make their way into the recycling bin. Keep a stack of refills that are already cut and punched in the same area and tell your colleagues where they could refill their notepad whenever they need to. I already created a prototype of this notepad that I use at home and I must say, I love it!
2. Rinse & Repeat: The first step is to get your company to invest in ceramic cups and glasses instead of disposable products. Once that is done, the next step is to train your colleagues to rinse and reuse instead of putting these in the dishwasher after only one use. Doing this saves a lot of water and energy.
3. Find green options for your office supplies and office cleaning products: I suggest starting with the easiest and most impactful. Paper. Domtar offers recycled papers that are also FSC certified (Forestry Stewardship Council). Look for this seal on the paper packages (Domtar papers or others). This means that the paper is sourced from pulp and paper mills that support and practice responsible forestry management.
4. Collective Library: To curb individual consumption, first encourage your colleagues to always read the news online and if you have corporate subscriptions to newspapers and magazines and other electronic subscriptions why not share them with the team? You could also form a Collective Company Library whereby all the employees who wish to take part in it, provides a list of books and DVDs that they own and that they wouldn’t mind lending. Each employee is responsible for tracking his or her own property but the Library inventory could be managed using an Excel file or even through your Wiki, if your company has one.
5. But if you really must print or copy for internal use: The least you could do is print 2 pages per sheet and if your printer or copier allows it, print front and back.
6. Bulk up: In the kitchen, replace sugar packets with a container. Get rid of the tiny plastic single servings of milk, cream and half & halfs with 1 liter cartons. For your guests, offer beverages in glass containers instead of plastic (recycle easier)
7. Lastly, I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t say something about giving back: Most companies have a bunch of obsolete computers and peripherals lying around. Do a Google search to find a non-profit organization in your city that collects, cleans up and gives them to people or schools in need. Your boss will be happy to know, that most organizations give out receipts for tax purposes too.

Of course beyond the above seven tips, there are so many other things that could be done to affect some change at the office but I wanted to share tips that are a little different than what I have seen in other blogs. Hope these help. I will no doubt post other ones in later posts.