Action and Adaptation

Last month, I focused on adaptation and audience. Today, I would like to focus on action and adaptation as it relates to the world of writing. As a recent college graduate, I find that I am doing a lot of adapting. I have taken time to regroup and reassess—vital to the adaptation process. As I regroup, I ask myself:?

Why is no one reading my resume?

If they are reading it, why is no one calling me for an interview?

What can I do to create success?

How am I defining success, anyway?

What am I trying to accomplish?

How do I define success?

What obstacles might be impeding success?

Are these obstacles mutable?

While your answers to these questions will surely be different from mine as will be your actionable adaptations, I think it might be helpful to share my own recent experience as it relates to this topic. It is my blog after all. 😊

I Create New Stuff

While some obstacles require ballet maneuvers to circumvent, there are a lot of obstacles that can be eliminated. For example, employers want Word Press knowledge. So, I created my own Word Press site. If you are reading this blog, you are on my site now. 😊 Employers want to see work samples, so I created a portfolio on the writers.work web site, which I then linked to this blog. When creating my portfolio, I found that I really did have a nice assortment of professional work that I could highlight. This also helped to keep me motivated. Creating new stuff has the benefit of creating positive energy. Let’s be real, rejection can be a drag. Additionally, I have identified a few, yet to be written, documents that can help round out my portfolio, and I offered to write a few pro bono pieces for a friend who is in the process of launching her own business. Helping others is an undiscussed part of the adaptation process—but it is a critical one. I find that so often in life you get what you give. Also, by creating this website, I expanded my employment definition to include the world of freelance writing.

I Seek Feedback

I value feedback and I seek it out wherever and whenever I can. Fortunately, as an alum, I can continue to take advantage of FGCU’s career center—and I do! I also splurged for a coaching session on my writers.work site: money well spent! Coaching and feedback is always helpful when repositioning.

I Recognize Unmovable Obstacles

Since I have a pretty hefty resume, I am seeking, at least, mid-level positions. I recognize that this might be part of the problem as my previous professional experience is a bit outdated. Additionally, my previous experiences are in complimentary fields, and not 100pct matchy-matchy with my current career aspirations. For now, I choose to chug along, but I keep this obstacle as a known obstacle. I have taken great pains to craft my cover letter and resume accordingly. I hope that by understanding this obstacle that I can minimize the impact it has over me getting that next gig—let’s hope!

I Redefine Success

 I am thinking hard right now about what defines success FOR ME. I have always had the spirit of an entrepreneur. Therefore, I might find the greatest success in NOT being hired—well, not in the traditional sense anyway. Would freelance writing be the best fit for me? Do I want to be employed in a traditional brick and mortar environment? At the end of the day, I know that I want to make a difference in the world around me, and I want to use writing as a tool to achieve that end. That is my one constant. Everything else around it is changeable. Being willing to redefine what success looks like might well be the key to achieving this allusive beast.

I Acknowledge What is Working

As important as it is to critically analyze areas for improvement, it is also important to analyze what is working. For me, one of the best things that I did after graduating was to join a writing group. This group consists of writers at all levels, and this helps to remind me that writing is a process. Every month, I critique, I listen, and I revise. We share in each other’s successes and each other’s missteps. I listen to Writing Class Radio. I write every week (even if it is small piece). Also, sharing what I learn with others via this blog is another. Even just the willingness to take a step back and regroup is a vital part of the process. Come to think of it—I am doing great!

In Conclusion

One thing that is certain, writing is not easy and that includes finding a writing career. If you are in a similar boat, hang in there. Steer your boat according to where you want to go. Don’t be afraid to try a new fishing hole, and don’t forget to take a break once in a while. But, above all else, take a look around from time to time to enjoy the scenery. I suspect that a beautiful sunset may be just over the horizon. In fact, I think I can see one now!

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ideate123

I have long believed that it's never too late to achieve your dreams. Indeed, I have lived this mindset. After nearly two decades in sales (the first decade spent in the travel industry, and the second decade spent in the food and beverage industry), I reentered the university system. As a result, I have collected an AA degree, a BA degree, and, finally, a MA degree. During this reboot phase, I have published in two consecutive issues of the Mangrove Review, won several FGCU writing awards, and presented at two international academic conferences. I was also honored with Graduate Student of the Year in conjunction with the College of Arts and Sciences in the 2020-2021 academic year. Thankfully, I now have the confidence to write for a living—or at least I think I do. When I am not writing, I enjoy paddling around the Florida mangroves in my little yellow kayak.

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