So it’s been a while since I’ve posted anything around here! I was just at a marketing forum called “Warrior Forum,” where I occasionally visit to get some advice or to see what people think about various products. I get inspired there, too at times.
Today was one of them. I found a forum thread that was talking about a guy named Greg Morrison, and a product that he had launched a few months ago called “One Man Gang Machines” or “OMG” – which I still chuckle over, because “OMG” always comes across as “Oh My God!” to me. (Maybe that is intentional? I’ve never asked Greg about that!) Rather than talk about that here, I’ve made a totally different article about my journey in marketing HERE. I’ve also put in the video I just made for the “men in my life.” Hope you enjoy that!
Anyway, I mention this because it got me thinking about the path I’ve been on professionally over the last 5 or 6 years, and how it has wandered, changed direction, hit some obstacles like trees falling over and blocking the trail in the woods…
A Bit of a “Back Story”
Back in 2006 or 2007 (it’s hard to remember, actually), I walked out of a place where I had been working on a grant-funded project. The grant was coming to an end, and I – along with the executive director of the program at the time – had written what I felt was a compelling case for continued funding of what we were doing. Then, this particular director left the program, and was replaced by someone new. This fella was jovial enough, and I thought, pretty up-front, and had the agency’s best interests at heart.
So, this one day, I left – there wasn’t any more money there to pay me – but I kept popping back in to see what developments there were regarding the grant. Every day, I got the same response: “We haven’t heard anything back yet…”
This went on for a few weeks. THEN, something very odd happened… I stopped into the office and he said the same thing: “No word yet…” So I went into the adjacent office to see one of my co-workers to say hello. She had a funny look on her face, and sort of an “eye over my shoulder” type of look… I turned around to see the director … well, “lurking” is the best word I can come up with. He was standing outside the door, looking in on us with a weird little smile on his face.
So, I went downstairs to say hi to a couple of other co-workers, and what do you know? This same director was in the doorway – looking at the others, with that same odd “smile.” I felt very uncomfortable, and said goodbye.
I don’t recall if it was later that day or the next day, but my assistant on the project came to my house and said, “I cannot keep this quiet anymore Kathy! You didn’t get the grant!” I was completely floored and astonished! She continued, “We were all told by (director) not to tell you!” Incredulously, I asked, “Why on earth not? It’s ok if we didn’t get the funding, but why not tell me?” She had no explanation.
To tell you I was utterly devastated by hearing this in such a way – with my co-workers being told not to mention anything to me for no good reason – well… it’s beyond anything I had ever felt.
That’s a long way around explaining why John & I decided that I would begin building an online business. All the work I had in that area had been grant-funded. Grant funds run out. That’s just the nature of the beast.
But the way that particular director treated the situation was unacceptable to me. I hear he’s no longer with that agency, by the way. At the time, I honestly did not know what to do, or who do go to. So I never went anywhere or told anyone officially. Frankly, I don’t even think I had a formal “last day on the job” with them.
It was just downright weird.
It was around then that I was just really ramping up my self development knowledge. Because of my job situation and other things going on in my life, I really wanted to make some improvements.
That’s when I was watching “The Secret…” I was re-reading Autobiography of a Yogi. I was reading Napoleon Hill, Deepak Chopra, Eckert Tolle, etc… One thing lead to another.
Career-wise, I really got into Internet Marketing. I think that THAT particular “reflection” might be better posted HERE, under my “Internet Marketing Education” page.
Finally, I ran across the teachings of Ernest Holmes (of Science of Mind fame), and one of his students, Joseph Murphy (Power of Your Subconscious Mind), and Esther Hicks (Abraham).
There is so much wisdom in these books, that as I write this post from my current winter quarters in North Myrtle Beach, SC (this winter, anyway), those self-development tools are the only things I have with me. Well… except for anything new I pick up at yard sales!
My entire method of thinking has changed. I’m also extremely blessed to have a husband who is into it, as well as a really good friend, Martin, who I do some work with and who is also on this path.
It brings me to this very interesting place. I love this place. My life is quite good, and I also realize that had certain events – such as that kind-of-bizarre ending to my last job not happened, I don’t know where I would be spiritually.
Anyway, I just wanted to shout all this out – and it’s all because I got spurred on by Greg! LOL!