I’ve had a few compliments recently about how I link work challenges with home or everyday challenges when I write.  You may not see any obvious work challenges when I tell you about my new curio’ cupboard, although knowing me you’ll not be surprised as the story unfolds.  I’ve written previously about my decluttering ahead of our recent move.  Sadly, it’s time to also empty my mum’s apartment ready for sale completion.

In among all of mum’s bits (which included gran’s bits) and our last home full of stuff, there were and are some little gems.  This is the best time to own up to the things which made it from our house before last and still didn’t see the light of day at the last house.  Little precious souvenirs from my travels mostly or gifts I simply couldn’t part with from nieces or cousins and the like.  The good news is that these items have been waiting patiently to be remembered wrapped in tissue paper and tucked away in Jo Molone boxes (great for recycling).

So, as I carefully unpacked these little treasures yesterday, I was reminded of things I’ve done as well as the people involved.  A beautiful 1930s Wedgewood bowl Mum bought for ten shillings from a South London street market and several years later it was a steel at £5.  It was a fabulous container to show off my much-loved aspidistra until I discovered it was worth around £500.  I remembered its place (and the aspidistra – a cutting from my Gran’s) in a specific house a little over 40 years ago.  And yes, you’ve guessed that got me thinking about my Gran’s aspidistra and Grandad’s Christmas cactus.  I had cuttings from both.

Bit by bit I was unlocking mostly positive memories of my life.  I’ve always seen the beauty in Moorcroft pottery, and I guess some of that pleasure comes from the rich botanical designs.  There was a little vase my Dad bought me in Harrods sale and a slightly larger one from my Mum’s collection (along with a little open dish which sits on our desk).  And then I remembered a lecture I’d attended on Moorcroft and the excitement of meeting Eric Knowles from the Antiques Roadshow.

Have you guessed how I came to write this piece for my website and Linked In yet?  Well, it’s connected to the experiences we have at work and the things which we’ve forgotten we did.  How often have you missed an opportunity to write or chat about a project you delivered?  I worked in HR generalist roles before specialising in Resourcing, yet I seldom talk about pay deals I’ve led and negotiated with TUs.  I doubt I’ve ever mentioned the GMB shop steward who bought me the biggest bunch of flowers for dismissing him on medical grounds.  Overnight they went from unpaid “long term sick” to “medically retired” with a pension.

Earlier this week I wrote about the benefits of a blank sheet of paper (a bit like turning over a new page or leaf as the saying goes).  This morning I’m suggesting you dig deep and think about all of your achievements and skills, especially those transferrable skills.  Remind yourself of just how fabulous you are.  Remember, try not to hold back although the longer you’ve been working there’s definitely more you can say.

Once you’ve got this all out there on the page, it’s all about grouping related topics and avoiding repetition.  A bit like my curio cupboard shelf and the section given over to silver bits and bobs.  A little silver pepper pot that was never used for pepper, but one Grandad used to hold sugar flowers on all of the family wedding cakes (another memory unlocked).  Not valuable on the open market but valuable to me.  And this is the next clue, once you’ve grouped your achievements, it’s time to evaluate which are your most powerful tools in the current market.

Now it’s time to step back (just as I did with my cupboard shelves) and hover over your career on the page.  Consider “communication” as a thread and ask yourself the following questions.  Move through the different aspects of your skill set:

·       Where did I surprise myself with the most influential [communications]?

·       Who else was involved?

·       What was the outcome?

·       How did I use that experience?

It’s a glorious summer’s day and the blackbirds are singing.  Mr. Watt is scrambling some eggs for a late breakfast and then it’s time to review three outline plans for our new garden – all so exciting!  What are you planning for the weekend?  If you are finding it difficult to find a new role or prepare yourself for the market, I’m here to help you Let’s chat