Calendar of The Blog
Vibing and Tribe-ing
Building a strong professional network is essential for career growth, and testimonials from colleagues can be a powerful way to showcase expertise and credibility. In this post, I share some of the kind words I’ve received from industry peers, along with key insights from the book Linked while job searching and building unique networking strategies. I have included a quick tip or two, helping professionals enhance their LinkedIn profile and job seeker strategy. Whether you are job seeking, growing your personal brand, or strengthening your professional connections, these insights can help you stand out. Read more and swipe through the testimonials!
Linking up with colleagues can be a reminder of how much growth, gratitude, and camaraderie have shaped your journey!
“Why testimonials are powerful & how they work for you:They validate your skills.
”
They reflect your work ethics.
They build trust with future employers & clients.
They capture your impact.
They strengthen your brand.
Over the past few weeks, I have had time to reflect on the incredible experiences and relationships I have built throughout my career. One of the most rewarding aspects of my work has been collaborating with teams and peers who continually inspire, challenge, and bring out the best in each other. We have delivered magnificent products, solved problems in elegant form, mastered managing from afar, and journeyed together (literally) across the world to create experiences that elevated industry expectations and delighted top-tier customers.
I’m incredibly grateful for the kind words shared by colleagues and industry leaders—words that reinforce the passion I bring to my work every day. Their support not only fuels my drive to keep exploring but also reminds me why I love what I do.
A strong professional network isn’t just about connections—it’s about proof. Testimonials serve as tangible evidence of not just your expertise, but also your character. Here’s why they matter:
They validate your skills – A well-crafted testimonial highlights real-world examples of your abilities in action, from problem-solving to leadership.
They reflect your work ethic – What people say about you speaks volumes about your reliability, collaboration style, and dedication.
They build trust with future employers and clients – Social proof is powerful. Whether you are job hunting or growing your business, endorsements provide a third-party perspective on your strengths.
They capture your impact – Sometimes, it’s hard to articulate our own accomplishments. Testimonials showcase the influence you’ve had on teams, projects, and company culture.
They strengthen your brand – Beyond resumes and portfolios, testimonials add a personal touch that differentiates you from others in your field.
“Building a strong professional network is essential for career growth, and testimonials from colleagues can be a powerful way to showcase your expertise and credibility.
”
As I look toward my next opportunity, I remain committed to strategic storytelling, brand elevation, and impactful communication—delivering results with creativity, precision, and a people-first approach.
To those who have supported me along the way—thank you! If you or someone in your network is looking for a seasoned creative director, brand strategist, or communications expert, let’s connect. I’d love to bring my expertise to a team that values vision, clarity, collaboration, and innovation.
Have you received or given a great testimonial recently? Drop a comment—I’d love to hear how testimonials have helped you!
📕Book nook corner: Lately, I have been reading the book ‘Linked: Conquer LinkedIn. Get your dream job. Own your future.’ and picking up valuable insights on job searching, networking, and building authentic professional relationships. One key takeaway? Your next opportunity often comes from the strength of your network—not just who you know, but how well you engage and nurture those connections. Think about it, who knows you better than the gal sitting next to you for 8 hours a day!
Connecting and Reflecting
Connecting & reflecting on my career transition | Immersing myself in a whirlwind of connections left me reflecting on the past two weeks... how much value do we place on those around us, and are we effectively taking the opportunities and paths led by others with a willingness to grow into “the next big thing”?
Discovering your strength through shared experiences
Immersing myself in a whirlwind of connections left me reflecting on the past two weeks...
Over that time, I gathered with brilliant minds to solve for stories that resonated with the audience, explored vulnerabilities within (literally) personal space, and melded versatile tools and strategies to tackle deep-diving issues! 🤿
Yes, I feared the unstructured chaos at the start of my career transition, calculating my necessities in a tenuous way. Ultimately, I needed to jump right in, and boy did I! With little chance for reflection on difficulties to come, I attended a virtual event called Integrated Life Program (thank you Rachelle Aspan) that focused on how you decide what to pursue, giving items and issues personal meaning derived from your life. This definition would allow you to propose and build out your sense of purpose through an action plan based on characteristics of success that would be uniquely important to you.
Out of serendipity, luck or another fortuitous word, I was invited to attend an AMA luncheon where all of a sudden, I did not feel alone on the mountain, but I felt strength in camaraderie.
This was all by, again, good fortune as an acquaintance had wanted to introduce me to a colleague looking for someone with my professional background. It just so happened that I had received concerning news that morning about my job transition. I quickly mentioned it was great timing (for all the reasons you already know), and my connection instantly let me know there was a free ticket available for an event the next week. Opportunities kept appearing, and I’ve been seizing each one! At the luncheon, speaker April Roberts really gave me some strong nuggets to chew on (it was a luncheon after all). She spoke on her theory of building structure into your life, allowing yourself space to realize success, freedom and creativity. You can find good resources to her Vixen CEO Calendar to get you motivated and organized with thoughtful tips about your time management.
The best things in life come in threes
If you can believe it, within one week, I attended a third activity! I was serendipitously placed in front of a communications leader in the local area who had asked if I would consider a breakfast discussion with peers across various industries. I quickly accepted the relevant invitation, a bit nervously to be honest. And with all my 'introvert' showing, I showed up and led with freedom and vulnerability. I gathered key insights from the H-Town collective communications leadership at Savage Brands.
Here are some emerging themes that were explored during the breakfast:
Empathy and authenticity—Understanding that the best communications are rooted in human connection.
More than a meeting—It was a think tank for modern leadership. We delved into themes that transcended industries but are deeply rooted in effective storytelling, audience engagement, and personal growth.
Boundaries and personal energy management—We each shared healthy hobbies and habits to create sustainable work environments while maintaining creativity and innovation.
These discussions reinforced that strong communication is built on intentional strategy and a deep understanding of people.
Small hinges swing big doors
I wanted to share some of my learning that might be helpful for you in your job search. The best ideas don’t live in isolation; they grow through your own unique connections that you choose to maintain. I decided to lean into the collectives and spontaneity of my network's reactions. I’ve been reminded that growth happens best in community and makes life a little sweeter. Moving forward isn’t just about taking the next step—it’s about recognizing your transitional value. The experiences, relationships, and unexpected moments that arise during challenge and change all contribute to what you carry forward. Reflect on what’s emerging in your journey, then consider: How do you translate your focused strengths into actions?
So here’s my challenge for you (and for me!):
What’s one small change you can make this week that will have a big impact within your professional space?
What’s one learning you’ve been considering that deserves taking action to begin moving the dial?
🔎 Discovery isn’t just about finding new places—it’s about uncovering the best parts of yourself.
In life, we often look through different lenses …
Searching for meaning, purpose, and the pieces of ourselves that lead us down unique paths…
Image generated by #Dall_E
In life, we often look through different lenses …
Searching for meaning, purpose, and the pieces of ourselves that lead us down unique paths. Like an explorer navigating uncharted waters, every experience, every challenge, and every triumph brings us closer to the best versions of ourselves.
The journey of self-discovery isn’t always straightforward. It’s a process of magnifying the aspects of our character that make us unique, and sometimes, we need to view things from a different perspective to see what truly matters.
As we navigate our careers and personal lives, let’s embrace the joy of discovery. Let’s laugh at the unexpected, wink at challenging moments, and keep searching for those hidden treasures within us that have led us to right now. Because it’s those pieces—the ones that come together over time—that create the full picture and beauty of who we are.
Here’s to the continuous journey of self-discovery and celebrating the moments that define us.
How to make a line break, remove orphans
Learn how to make a soft return, or line break, in a text or paragraph block in less than one minute.
Press SHIFT + ENTER/RETURN to insert a soft break.
In less than one minute, you will learn how to make a soft return, or line break, in a text or paragraph block.
SHIFT + ENTER/RETURN makes a nice line jump, allowing you to knock hanging text to the next line and find a friend (no orphans or fix hanging words), make a line jump without adding extra space that paragraph style sometimes has embedded and would otherwise add, or just decide where you want to break your paragraph or line of text.
Here are five examples on how to use this trick:
⭕️ Make a nice line jump, without adding extra space that a paragraph style might add.
⭕️ Knock hanging text to the next line.
⭕️ Reduce orphans or send a ‘friend’ to the next line.
⭕️ Fix hanging words.
⭕️ Decide where you want to break your paragraph or text block, and build a shape such as a Christmas tree out of text in your emails.
⭐️
Thanks
for reading. I
am sure I will use
this trick next year.🎄
Be one of the best editors with this trick
Quickly change sentence case in your Microsoft WORD document with this quick key.
Press Shift + F3 on a PC, or Option + Command + C on a Mac to quickly change the case of your selected text.
Quickly change sentence case in your Microsoft WORD document with this quick key. Press Shift + F3 on a PC, or Option + Command + C on a Mac to quickly change the case of your selected text.
Quickly change the case of your text selection in #Microsoft #WORD by clicking
1️⃣ Shift + F3 on a PC, or
2️⃣ Option + Command + C on a Mac.
Rotate through Sentence, Upper or Lower case by clicking F3 key or C key again, and again.
Use this trick to:
⭕️ Quickly toggle through case options.
⭕️ No need to search for the #ChangeCase icon in WORD.
⭕️ #BE_A_PRO by efficiently blowing other people's minds with your quick fingers and speedy amends.
Be one of the great PowerPoint presenters
Press W while presenting in PowerPoint to make your screen bright white.
Wake up your audience and bring attention back to you. Use this trick to emphasis a lofty concept, illustrate energy, or bring the focus back to you. White out your slide and encourage people to focus on the bigger picture.
Press W while presenting in PowerPoint to make your screen bright white. Wake up your audience and bring attention back to you.
Use this trick to emphasis a lofty concept, illustrate energy, or bring the focus back to you. White out your slide and encourage people to focus on the bigger picture.
All sorts of #distractions can overcome your amazing presence, now you have one more tool in your tool kit that will continue to make you look brilliant. Bring the focus back to you and save yourself.
Use this trick to:
⭕️ Create contrast and dynamics in your presentation.
⭕️ Add a quiet pause.
⭕️ Use this tool to bring to life a larger idea or concept such as infinity.
⭕️ #Be_A_Pro and build excitement - bring your #audience back to the main subject, which is YOU.
One minute on how to make animation easy in PowerPoint
In less than one minute you will know where to find the Morph slide transition and see examples of how to utilize this amazing tool in your presentation.
Microsoft PowerPoint’s Morph transition allows you to add animation features and dynamics to your slide presentation without having to worry about timings. This #shorts explainer video is a simple example of how to utilize this transition option in a variety of ways including:
⭕️ a subtle change in background color,
⭕️ emphasizing objects or text animation, and
⭕️ animating shapes through thoughtful object placement.
In less than one minute you will know where to find the Morph slide transition and see examples of how to utilize this amazing tool in your presentation.
Microsoft PowerPoint’s Morph transition allows you to add animation features and dynamics to your slide presentation without having to worry about timings. This #shorts explainer video is a simple example of how to utilize this transition option in a variety of ways.
Use this trick to:
⭕️ A subtle change in background color
⭕️ Emphasizing objects or text animation
⭕️ Animating shapes through thoughtful object placement.
How to create beautiful links in Microsoft Word
Press Ctrl + K to quickly make a hyperlink within your selected text.
Ever want to make a pretty link but it seems so complicated? I have #simplified this tutorial so that you can be the most efficient you. In seconds you will learn the quick key to make beautiful links within Microsoft Office 365 Outlook and Word.
You can use this trick to:
⭕️ link an email address,
⭕️ shorten a link,
⭕️ add more context around a weblink, or
⭕️ just make grandpa look good.
This tip will make your content look more professional, enhancing your own personal brand.
Ever want to make a pretty link but it seems so complicated?
In Word or Outlook press Ctrl + K to quickly make a hyperlink within your selected text.
I have simplified this tutorial so that you can be the most efficient you. In seconds you will learn the quick key to make beautiful links within Microsoft Office 365 Outlook and Word. Don't forget to subscribe to receive your #onemintuts tip of the week.
Use this trick to:
⭕️ Link an email address.
⭕️ Shorten a messy link.
⭕️ Add more context around a weblink.
⭕️ Just make grandpa look good.
This tip will make your content look more professional, enhancing your own personal brand.
PowerPoint presentation tip
Have you ever presented in PowerPoint with the horrifying realization that you were losing your audience?
Press B to make your screen go black.
Be cool and calm with this simple trick: Press the letter B key and your screen will go black. This allows you to emphasis a point, either with your voice or simply by bring the audiences focus back to you. Press B again and the slide you stopped on will reappear allowing you to continue your #presentation without missing a beat.
You can also use this trick to:
⭕️ create #dynamics in your presentation
⭕️ add a quiet stop
⭕️ use this tool to bring to life a larger idea or concept such as infinity.
⭕️ you can even use it to interject humor such as faking a presentation or screen malfunction, doing the same thing as above - building up dynamics and bringing your audience back to the main subject, YOU.
All sorts of distractions can overcome your amazing presence, now you have one more tool in your tool kit that will continue to make you a rockstar.
Bring the focus back to you and save yourself.
Have you ever presented in PowerPoint with the realization that you were losing your audience?
Press the letter B key and your screen will go black.
Stay calm with this simple trick allowing you to emphasis a point, either with your voice or simply by bring the audiences focus back to you. Press B again and the slide you stopped on will reappear allowing you to continue your presentation without missing a beat.
Use this trick to:
⭕️ Create contrast and dynamics in your presentation.
⭕️ Add a quiet stop.
⭕️ Use this tool to bring to life a larger idea or concept such as infinity.
⭕️ You can even use it to interject humor such as faking a presentation screen malfunction.
All sorts of distractions can overcome your amazing presence, now you have one more tool in your tool kit that will continue to make you a rockstar.
Bring the focus back to you and save yourself.
