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Posts Tagged ‘goals’

  1. The Hunt: Why Employers Should Consider More Than My Resume

    October 11, 2011 by Blondette

    If you search “Katie Leas“ in Google you find me. In fact, you find this blog. *sweeping beauty queen arm gesture, aka, how I greet people who enter my office* WELCOME!

    First, I’m not committing social media faux paus. My boss knows I’m searching for a new job. In fact, everyone has been supportive about my decision to do something new. So, potential employer or potential employer HR representative, let me answer the question you are now dying to ask:  Why are you leaving your current job? I’m so glad you asked! As a child you never realize how much your parents or other adults “are” their job. The Katie that started at the company 6 years ago is not the Katie of late 2011 – and that’s okay. But in this case, it means Katie is looking for something different in her life. To get back into first person, I miss feeling passionate about my work.

    Lesson #1: I’m a learning nerd. I love to problem solve and I love to dig, analyze, and synthesize. I love to share information about which I am passionate. That can be language, nutrition, exercise, super-nerdy science stuff, software, how to build a website, or reality television.

    Lesson #2:  My career dream is to be a writer in the vein of Jen Lancaster or Bill Bryson. That’s right. I will likely someday want to leave your company – and that’s okay.

    Lesson #2.5:  I am strongly compelled to share my love of language and communication. I believe that a firm grasp on language can leapfrog your life. I believe in short answer and essay tests instead of multiple choice tests.

    What you can’t get from a piece of paper where I try to cram transferableskillsandachievementsandeducationandcareerobjectives in hopes of impressing you is my unbridled zeal. I think and feel with everything I’ve got – and it’s a lot.

    I blog as an outlet. I blog as an exercise. I blog because writing and communication is an essential component of Katie.

    I participate in social media. I am a person. I will not suppress that need to share and connect.

    Lesson #3:  I love lists! And outlines! Most of the time my thoughts are swirling around, fast and bouncy, and I have to force them into order. Lists and outlines create discrete tasks and keep information in a logical, natural order. So, here’s a list for you that won’t appear on a resume, but is every bit as much “me” as the transferableskillsandachievementsandeducationandcareerobjectives that fit on one page.

    Favorite Movies:

    Favorite TV Shows

    • The West Wing – all time favorite
    • Modern Family
    • How I Met Your Mother
    • Parenthood

    Favorite Sport

    • Currently, soccer. SportingKC games are really fun. And I *still* can’t get over the fact that there’s a player with the last name of Bunbury.

    Favorite Book

    • TRICK QUESTION! A Walk in the Woods, Les Miserables, Such a Pretty Fat, Harry Potter x 8 (again), The Book Thief, Firefly Summer

    Favorite Shoes

    • My rusty cowboy boots

    Hobbies:

    • trying to run, trying new things, reading, staring at my cats, the Internets, learning, writing, drinking coffee

     

    You will miss out if you do not try to hire me. I will work hard for you. I will work smart for you. I will be grateful every day that you took a chance on me.

    Category Life Lessons, You Might be Katie Leas | Tags: ,, | No Comments

  2. I Am Still Here

    May 14, 2011 by Blondette

    A week ago I thought about what I should write. And mainly it was because I haven’t written for so long. As I walked through Target on a Thursday night I thought, “how odd to eat dinner at the Target.” I was picking up antibiotics for my latest sinus infection and I looked over and saw a small family eating dinner at the food court area near the carts. The lone employee looked bored and downtrodden. Eating at the Target makes the meal less special to me. When I eat, I like to focus.

    By Saturday, I was thinking about the impending Mother’s Day deadline for which I was not prepared. I’d been sick since Tuesday of that week and all of my energy went to making it through work and breathing while propped up on my couch or in bed. I had an appointment with the dietitian and the exercise psychologist on Wednesday morning – I smiled and nodded and took notes even through all I wanted to do was drive straight home and crawl into my bed.

    I was anxious and excited for my latest weight, body fat, and fat free mass reading. It was my third and this time it was not “that week” where I was retaining water and I’d been eating so well and exercising – my home scale told me I was down 10 pounds in a little less than 2 months. I weighed in at 235 lbs – the scale at the doctor’s office was telling me the same thing my home scale said – YOU DID IT.  I thought I would be joyful but I was sort of depressed thinking about how 2 months is drop in the bucket compared to how much longer I have on my journey to getting rid of my excess weight and reaching my goal of being athletic and fit with a butt like the crossfit trainer who operates her gym at our office building. Seriously, this woman has the kind of body I would love – she’s lean, muscled, and shapely. But best of all – she’s strong and powerful. How could you not feel like you could take on anything in the world with a body like that? I don’t really want to do crossfit, but I would not mind finding out how to get a butt like hers. I’ve always had a sort of flat bottom. I know I probably won’t ever have an apple bottom, but there’s room for some improvement in my derriere.

    Saturday was also the day I was supposed to run my first 5k. The weekend before I did a practice run around my neighborhood, mixing running and walking for 50 minutes up and down the sidewalks.  It as raining when I woke up and took my medicine – and then crawled on the couch and stayed there until late afternoon. I missed the 5k, but I wasn’t even going to get a t-shirt and everyone knows the t-shirt is one of the best parts. It’s a badge of honor. A beacon of pride. A “hey, look at me. I’m one of them fit peoples.” I really wanted the bragging rights.

    This week when I hopped on the scale for my weekly check, I was up 2 pounds. The body is a pretty crazy and amazing thing. Even through I was sick, I was still tracking my food everyday and eating healthy. Unfortunately, I was not able to exercise. There is no way I ingested an extra 7000 calories over my BMR in order to gain weight. So how was I suddenly 2 pounds heavier?

    The rest of the week I tried not to think about my weigh in. I tried to focus on making good choices even though I was frustrated. I realized that this is what it’s going to be like for the next 2 years or so. I am going to get sick and not be able to work out. I am going to retain water one week out of the month. Sometimes, things will not go as planned. But I am still here.

    Category heart of the matter | Tags: , | 1 Comment

  3. My Butt Better Be Smaller

    April 12, 2010 by Blondette

    Stumbling up the stairs looking kind of like Frankenstein’s Creature lumbering awkwardly with arms outstretched- picture it. That’s me.

    Two Saturday’s ago I was lying on my couch trying to stay awake. I could have slept the day away. Instead, I put on my tennis shoes and moved it, moved it. (Yes, I quoted cartoon animals.) I sucked up the sunshine and moved my body into a state of awakeness.

    And Sunday came and I did it again.

    And Monday came and I did it again.

    Tuesday and Wednesday brought rain.

    Thursday and Friday brought illness.

    But Saturday…well, Saturday brought a goal. I decided I was going to walk at least 5 miles. A perfectly symmetrical forehead sunburn and 2 or so hours later, I’d walked 7-8 miles around my northland neighborhood. When I got home I realized that my bangs had been sticking out for more than half the walk because I’d moved my headband down to my hairline. (hence the symmetry of the burn.)

    I’ve learned a few things and I think my butt is tighter. Did you know that people put a lot of crap in their garages and leave the door open so you can see it all? Yep. Did you know there are a ton of cops in my neighborhood. Yep. (I live fairly close to a police station.) Did you know you’ll see natural prairie grass- right by my house? Oh, and there’s a random body of water just down the street? And there’s a little puppy who looks like a fox.

    But just so you know, there are hills here and you can pull muscles walking.

    Category blah blah, Life Lessons | Tags: ,, | 2 Comments

  4. How I Can Make a Difference

    January 30, 2010 by Blondette

    QBQ! The Question Behind the Question: Practicing Personal Accountability in Work and in Life QBQ! The Question Behind the Question: Practicing Personal Accountability in Work and in Life by John G. Miller

    My rating: 4 of 5 stars
    My company used to have a book club in which the entire staff participated. Prior to my becoming a full time employee with the company and being included in this activity, they read “QBQ!” The book continues to be referenced by executive management and our Account Service Department is reading the book together. Well, I couldn’t be left out, so I had to buy it and read it for myself. I learned a few of the principles in this book though my own failings earlier in life (okay, within the last 12 years) and truly believe in the power of personal accountability. I take away an even greater depth to some of the basics I’ve already embraced and something I can share as I coach my team at work. No, I can’t change them, but I can share this book. Favorites for me: you always have a choice (I’ve been saying this for years.) Stress is a choice. Think in “I” terms not them. Do not adopt victim mentality. It’s energizing to read a book and flip your thinking.

    View all my reviews >>

    Category Book Reviews | Tags: ,,,, | 2 Comments

  5. Worth a Thousand

    October 15, 2009 by Blondette

    Me with the key to my house. They aren't lying when they say you have to sign a lot of papers. And initial. I started misspelling my last name-- all FOUR letters of it. And Catherine is a kind of a long first name. But there I am with my key! My reward for not so awesome penmanship and a few thousand dollars. (or so) My hair looks great!

    Me with the key to my house. They aren't lying when they say you have to sign a lot of papers. And initial. I started misspelling my last name-- all FOUR letters of it. And Catherine is a kind of a long first name. But there I am with my key! My reward for not so awesome penmanship and a few thousand dollars. (or so) My hair looks great!

    Okay, well now I’m off to go play at Home Depot and Hobby Lobby. tee hee.

    Category Life Lessons | Tags: ,,,, | 2 Comments

  6. Call Me Cupcake

    June 27, 2009 by Blondette

    We all have alter egos. Last Thursday I called mine Cupcake. Here’s the backstory.

    Every quarter my company hosts an outing for the employees. It’s a nice way to get everyone out, moving, thinking, interacting, and destressed for an afternoon. One department takes the hosting and planning reigns. This quarter, for the first time ever, my department (yep, I have one) was given the hosting honor. Past outings have been to the Royals Home Opener, Powerplay KC, a KC Amazing Race (note to self: never wear cowboy boots on the day of an outing again), and a KC area scavenger hunt.

    I am now completely convinced of 2 things:  my department can make some cash on the side by opening a costume shop and we totally have the Halloween costume competition in the bag. Planning was fun and the ladies in my department totally took the initiative to get everything done, leaving me to “supervise.”

    Thus on Thursday, June 25th, we presented “Company X’s* Got Talent.” The ladies headed over to our venue early, leaving me to corral the troops. After two all pages on the intercom, I headed to the main conference room where I proceeded to stand on the conference room table and give direction. Once everyone was informed of the plan and numbered off, I lead them like little ducklings to the scene of our talent show. Let me just say, I was impressed with the creativity that came out of my fellow coworkers.

    We rewarded them with an afternoon of beverages and appetizers at the Marquee downtown. Oh yeah, and the winners got tickets to AMC.

    My role in the event was that of hostess, whereby I dubbed myself Cupcake. I was the unifying voice (ha!) My job was to be loud and funny.

    Here’s where this gets to be something I’d actually write about on my personal blog. I’m not an extrovert. I’m a performer. They are not the same thing. I still need down time, chill time, me time. I process everything at a highly internal level. I am more likely to turn inward and analyze and process than to express and seek outside contact. I still love being with just one or two people at a time. But, I got up in front of 40 people and stood on a table. I got up in front of 40 people and cracked jokes. I got up in front of 40 people and handed out awards. I worked the tables. Sober.

    And the week before, I was at a conference for 4 days where all I did was talk to people. Me.

    Of course, I left the outing around 5:30 (this is also when Michael Jackson died) and fell asleep by 7:30pm. Thus proving that it takes a lot of energy for me to be so outgoing and engaging.

    Anyway, I’m proud of myself and I’m not ashamed to say it. Where I am now, who I am now sort of blows my mind some days. I never thought I’d be here. And that gives me hope for all of the dreams that are yet unaccomplished.

    Your Hostess, Cupcake with the judges.

    Your Hostess, Cupcake with the judges.

    *you don’t need to know where I work

    Category blah blah, humor | Tags: ,, | No Comments

  7. Post When It’s Fresh

    April 25, 2009 by Blondette

    New goal: complete posts when the emotion and impetus is fresh. Often times I start a post and edit it several times before I publish it (because I’m a perfectionist.)

    Category blah blah | Tags: | No Comments