After much prompting from clients, colleagues, friends and family, I am finally ready to embrace this 'newfangled' technology of the Blog. (Okay, maybe not so newfangled, but hey, I'm over 40, not much of a techno guru, and the mother of children still too young to teach me!) 

In retrospect, I'd say that starting this blog was a gradual process, although I didn’t recognize it as such at the time. Kind of like how a young couple doesn't realize that bringing home a puppy is really just a precursor to having their first baby. So, here’s how it went:

A few years back, I set myself up with a Linkedin profile and started making connections. Next, I was cajoled by my cousin, Brian, to set up a Facebook page. Okay, not so bad. Pretty easy, in fact. It started with friends and family, has grown to include some clients and colleagues, but remains fairly contained. Most recently, I entered the 'miniblog' world of Twitter. I have to admit, this is one of my favorites. Takes just a few seconds to post, keeps me from getting too wordy (really, just try typing more than 140 characters and see for yourself the everything-turns-really-red reminder to get to the point), and is a great way to share some wisdom, link to a relevant article or blog (hint hint), and engage in dialogue with folks you otherwise would never have met.

Okay, so that’s the background. Now let’s get to the important stuff. Why we’re here. I can tell you why I’m here and, with hope, that’ll be clearly connected to why you’re here, too. I am writing this blog to share with you my experience, perspective, and practical advice for doing your best work, feeling your best at work, and having the career of your dreams. Caveat: The career of your dreams may not be the career of your childhood dreams, such as being a prima ballerina, fire fighter, or chief of police. (Then again, it may!) The career of your dreams is more likely something that brings you, as an adult in the working world, a sense of satisfaction, meaning, purpose, challenge, and just possibly some real financial reward. It may be a career that allows you plenty of flexibility, so that you can have the type of work-life balance you prefer. The career of your dreams may be an executive position in Corporate America, a key position in your favorite non-profit organization, or perhaps an entrepreneurial venture, in which you run your own show.

We’ll talk about finding the career of your dreams and we’ll look at making the most of the career you’ve got (so that it’s as dreamy as possible). We’ll discuss the things you need to think about and do in order to be most successful and gratified in your career. Here are a few of the topics we’ll be looking at in the coming weeks and months. All are designed to help you do your best work, feel great about the work you do, and meet with maximum success at work, home, and everywhere in between:

Communication Strategies that Work: How to Talk, Listen, and Converse for Maximum Impact

Finding Balance: Achieving Peace of Mind in a Demanding World
 
Practical Goal Setting: From Intent to Achievement

Leadership in Good Times and Bad: 5 Skills Every Leader Must Have

Managing for Excellence: How to Inspire, Motivate, and Maximize Employee Performance

Conflict Mastery: Harnessing the Power of Creative Conflict (and Avoiding Conflict Nightmares)

Stress Management for Work, Home, and Everywhere In Between

Now, you may be thinking that these topics sound a bit like the titles of my speeches and, well, you’re absolutely right. Although my posts may not ultimately have the same titles or precise content as my speeches, they will address several key elements for maximizing performance: communicating like a pro, leveraging relationships (in a positive way!), managing stress, and being an influential leader.

If this sounds like information you can use in reaching maximum career success, visit often and please engage in the conversation. I’d love to hear from you!

You can also visit me on the Web at www.bywaterconsultinggroup.com. While you're there, why not sign up for my free newsletter? It's filled with practical tips for improving individual, team, and organizational performance. 

Until next time...

Liz