thanks – Going with the Flo

Friendship

December 16, 2012

Reverb is a 31 day writing exercise where daily prompts allow people to reflect on closing the year.

[Friendship: What was it like for you to be a friend to others this year? Did you rekindle an old friendship? Strengthen a current friendship? Make friends with someone you didn’t think was “your type?”]

As I considered these questions all I could think about were the thank yous. I’ve experienced a lot of change over the last year and the friendships in my life have been my rock.

To the friends I’ve made in New York City: Thank you for helping me to create a second home – where I’m still trying to find myself, but I know you’re along for the ride. I will take away from my first year here the dance parties, struts, brunches and all the laughter.

To the friends back home: Thank you for filling me in while I’m away and for picking up things like I never left while I’m home. I can remember my first trip home and getting ready to meet you – I had to remind myself I no longer lived in Chicago, because it felt so natural. Each visit has followed suit.

To the friends I’ve met through social media: Thank you for the daily reminder we are never alone. Regardless of location, job or any sort of status we connect through our passion for meeting people. We don’t check in every day, but the network is there – open for conversation, advice and collective motivation.

To the family I consider my best friends: Thank you for letting me take this leap and supporting me the entire way down. Maybe because we spend less time together, but I find myself paying attention to the little things – each joke, each hug and each smile that seems to last just a bit longer.

Which friends are you thanking today?

Sending a big thank you

January 5, 2012

Dear Jenny,

I started this letter while you were well under way with the first installment of Make Sh*t Happen. Because a lot of my life was “in progress,” I’ve had to hold back on my excitement. Finally, I can share all. Here goes…

I couldn’t be more proud of you, Jenny. Most importantly, I have been busting at the seams wanting to thank you publicly for all the guidance, high fives and inner motivation you have given me.

Guess what? Because of you I made sh*it happen. And you weren’t even trying. We connected more than a year ago via Twitter and you were gracious enough to give up time for regular calls with me. During our first call you asked me about my big, hairy, scary goal. I can remember telling you, “I can’t say it out loud” and you pushing me that much harder. With complete nerves, I explained that I wanted to do public relations in New York City.

And here I am. Making my dream a reality. This month, I move to a new city and will start a dream job – at Edelman in New York!! I look back at the girl who told you her dream and I can see the doubt she exuded even when voicing her dream. She knew she wanted this, but was 97% sure it was impossible. Over time, you changed that doubter into a believer.

You went through the motions of Make Sh*t Happen with me. And you said the scarier the goal, the bigger the opportunity. When it comes to PR (and my current life leap), I don’t know how much bigger I can get.

Because of your willingness to help, I strive to do the same with students interested in the PR industry. Students who are passionate, but need that little push to know they can do it – that they can take on any goal.

And somehow you found an even tradeoff with my doing a little PR on your behalf. Again, you helped me without even trying. Turns out when you tell people you’re in talks with the TODAY Show thanks to your side hustle, they listen. When I discussed helping you on top of my regular workload and that whole job search, people asked where I found time for sleep. I explained how PR for you didn’t feel like added work. I believe in your book and I believe in the story you have to share. Oh, and I believe we’ll all be watching you on the TODAY Show in the near future.

As I continue the series of highlighting how I got my new gig… from networking to resume QR codes to the interview prep, my thoughts will always start with what got me to this point. Turns out all you need is a little confidence and someone rooting for you along the way.

Always grateful,
Stephanie

To enjoy Jenny Blake in all her awesome-ness, check her out on Twitter as @jenny_blake, dive into her site LifeAfterCollege.org, pick up a copy of the “Life After College” book or consider Making Sh*t Happen for yourself and participate in the next round of the course!