Career hacks

My Favorite Not-So-Secret Networking Tips

February 24, 2011

Friends often tell me I’m good at networking. But the truth is, I don’t focus on it. The only effort I put into networking is attending in-person professional events or meet-ups where I don’t know anyone. I hate going to those, but I make myself do it every once in a while to meet new […]

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Even with baggage, you can still run

January 26, 2011

I love running in Arlington, my new home in northern Virginia. I love it because on super cold mornings, when I think I’m the only one who’s crazy enough to jog outside, when I’m cursing the fact that I can see my breath, a pack of Army guy will come running toward me, two by […]

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In which yours truly turns — gulp — 30

January 5, 2011

I never thought I’d be the type to freak out over turning 30, but apparently I am. Which is why I’m making goals for this coming year. Because it helps me focus my energy on something productive. I wish I had two decades of my 20s. Because right now, at this very moment, I’m right […]

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Why you should be psyched about 2011

January 1, 2011

When I tell people I used to go to a mega-church in Houston, they usually look shocked. And slightly horrified. (Admittedly, that’s why I don’t usually mention it.) I know what they’re thinking: I don’t seem like the type to belong to a mega-church. Am I one of those religious nuts? Not so much. Reciting […]

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Don’t wait for a brush with death to pursue what matters

December 20, 2010

One of my new favorite blogs is Chris Guillebeau’s The Art of Non-Conformity. Partly because I loved his book. Chris writes a lot about travel, but his main theme is living an unconventional life. Chris had a post a week or two ago that really resonated with me — so I’m figuring it will resonate […]

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If you’re bad at something, should you still do it?

September 13, 2010

I’ve never been good at running. Sure, I’m good at making myself run, at getting my butt out the door for a morning jog. That’s because running makes me feel good, keeps me healthy and helps me relieve stress. Plus, I do some of my best thinking while pounding the pavement or the trails. But […]

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Why feeling lost is the same as finding your way

September 1, 2010

I like to keep this blog upbeat. Optimistic. Positive. But the truth is, I feel lost. I’ve got a lot of great things going for me — I know that. I’ve got my book. My new business. A life of exciting things ahead. But I don’t know where I’m going — both literally and figuratively […]

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It's okay to be between things

April 8, 2010

Dani Shapiro wrote a blog post this week about being between things. Her latest book Devotion (it has my recommendation) hit the shelves recently, and since she’s just starting to write something new, she’s uncomfortable when people ask what she’s working on. She writes: It’s hard to promote a book and work on a new […]

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Chasing the dream

April 20, 2009

The New York Times ran a fabulous story yesterday about how the recession is causing people from all walks of life to reinvent themselves. Is This the Time to Chase a Career Dream? may not seem like it’s directly related to a blog on writing and publishing a book. But it is! Why? Because writing […]

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