New career change!

Things are looking up!! My new challenging sales career started earlier this week, with training in Indianapolis. I am now selling steel in the Chicago and NW Indiana markets for Westfield Steel and am very excited about this big change in my life. Everything happens for a reason and now I know why I made this move to Illinois last fall. I was having doubts, but this week I know why I made this move!

Next week I will out and about, doing what I do best - calling on new potential customers, opening new doors... new opportunities! Selling steel! HR, CR, lots of processing & value-added, and new to me will be rebar & imbeds for the concrete customers. Lots of opportunity in unchartered territory...

For the first time in the career, I am working for a smaller, family owned business - away from the large corporate structure and am LOVING it! Yes, the sales will grow, the company will grow, but I will feel an important part of all this growth. It's nice to feel appreciated and be able to contribute to the team.

What happened to the late nights?!

Whatever happened to the long days and nights... staying out til wee hours of the morning, drinking... partying... people watching... more drinking, then a little sleep & up and at it early the next morning...
Gone are those late nites, or should I say early mornings to bed! Here I sit at 11:30pm on a Saturday nite in my PJs, on the couch at home with the TV on & typing away on my laptop!! And already dreading the thought of going to work on Monday morning! : )
I remember when New Years Eve used to be a very special evening - I looked forward to this exciting evening every year - dressing up, makeup, hair & nails done up, and off to a hotel party, drinking and dancing and having the time of my life. There was always a group of us... friends, family, new friends... and then NYs day was a day to relax and unwind from the long night out. Now what's happened? Over the past few years there is not the same excitement on New Years Eve... is this what happens after 40?! I still enjoy the evening, but with all the problems with drinking & driving, it seems not many people celebrate the way they used to.
This NY eve, we took the train to Chicago and did a lot of walking, window-shopping, eating, and a few cocktails. We stopped at various hotel bars for a drink at each one. And by 10pm I was tired! Sitting in the Westin bar people watching from my barstool... seeing gals dressed like they were only 18 again, some drunk, some flirting foolishly with guys at the bar, a few couples eating and hardly speaking to each other... I hope this was never me! I had a nice night, but realized how life changes the older we get. Maybe it' called maturity. Next year I think I will stay home... play cards, drink some cocktails in the comfort of my own home, enjoy the fireplace with the company of my lovable cats and boyfriend, and go to sleep whenever I want and not care about what anyone else thinks!

Life's Changes

What are life's major stresses? Selling a home? Moving? 2 house payments? Leaving a job? New job? Not liking your new job as much as you'd hoped? THEN I MUST BE STRESSED TO THE MAX due to all the above!

I moved from Grand Rapids, Michigan & put my condo on the market... and yes, 4 months later it's still on the market - surprise, in this economy! I did buy a beautiful home an hour west of Chicago on a small 77 acre lake & I love it! So there is some positive! I redorated, which I love doing... repainted the entire house (got rid of the ugly aqua color on all the walls & most ceilings!), and am now looking forward to spring so I can landscape & plant beautiful flowers, another hobby of mine.
New hot tub on the patio this week... learned one lesson - never get in the hot tub when temperatures are below zero... my hair turned to icicles within 5 minutes... my face & ears were frozen!!

I left my sales job in Michigan because I needed a challenge, more $$, and my manager did not like women, at least not intelligent go-getter women like me! So an opportunity presented itself, $$ - Chicago - new challenge... and I went for it. I'm already bored... stuck in the office most of the time and that's not me... I need to be out meeting people - potential and existing customers. I don't see this lasting long term. I will find my niche someday! I have been selling steel for 2 decades now and maybe I need a change. Sell something different... maybe something fun, something I can get excited about - it's hard to get excited about selling a piece of steel - it all looks the same (to most peoples eyes!!)... Maybe I can sell advertising, something creative, something to do with the arts... or work with animals... It's not all about $$ as I am finding out!

I miss my friends - friends from years past and friends from work (in Michigan). I know it will take time to meet new friends. I've been so busy with the move, the new home, the new job... & the cold weather makes it tough to get out and about - so in time it will all come around!

New Years Eve was fun. My boyfriend & I took the train to Chicago and stayed at the Westin on the North end of the Magnificent Mile. Lots of walking, shopping (okay... I bought one thing - an umbrella to keep me from melting due to the heavy snow!), eating (best filet ever at Rosebuds), a few cocktails, and cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory - yummmm!

So now off to a NEW YEAR - new beginnings, new adventures, new challenges... it can only get better from here!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE - New friends, old friends & people I will never meet!!

xo