If you’re like me, you beat yourself up for every mid-step, mistake you make, big or small. I played softball yesterday and made a ton of good plays, ran for first to be safe like a jet, scored at home plate twice by out running the throw, but also was thrown out once at second base, bobbled a ground ball and didn’t get the runner. I remember the mistakes more than the good stuff.
The same goes for my golf game. I hit the ball straight most of the time, but a lot of the time I don’t hit it very far, or get “air” on it. The ball rolls down the fairway pretty far at least and is competitive. But, if I’m swinging over water I choke. If I swing out of a bunker or high grass, I chip like a champ. My tee shot is terrible, my short game is awesome. I love chipping and putting. I practice driving on the range into the water, and I hit equally good and bad shots. Putting and chipping, I’d say I do what I want to do and am successful 90% of the time.
On the driving range
What do I remember most? The misses. It’s time to change that. Especially after all my lofty (pun intended) plans in January. They weren’t resolutions, they were plans.
I also wanted to write everyday. I’ve written some, so I’ve attained that. But, I haven’t written everyday and posted it like I planned to.
I wanted to improve my running time, I hurt my ankle and had to take downtime, so now I started over again last week – slowly.
The Swimming – ankle support
I swim, I’m trying to improve my lap time, but my ankle kept torquing there too, I had to get a swim ankle brace, but I’ve been able to swim regularly again now, and my lap time has improved, and I now do over a mile 5-6 days a week. Days that I feel tired, I have a slower lap time, I beat myself up for going so slow all the way home, but try to shake it off while making dinner.
At work, I can do every right. Cross all I need off my list, and I feel accomplished. Then I realize I forget to get an essential ingredient(s) for dinner at the store. What do you think I think of? Not the accomplishments, but then I pivot on the dinner, and make something else, most of the time it turns out better than I thought it would.
Improvising works!
So, my point it, it’s time to reset. Reset your thinking if you’re like me. Remember the good, the great, the lucky break even. Yes, I’d rather be great or even good than lucky, but I’ll take the luck, any day.
We all need some encouragement sometimes, so hopefully this has helped someone recalibrate their mindset to remember the good or great things you’ve done and accomplished up to now. And, if you’ve taken mid-steps or not even started your plans for 2023, reset now.
There are 24 hours in a day. You can restart your 24 hours at any time, whether it’s 10am, 2pm, or Midnight. It’s YOUR 24 hours. Let go of any regret of not even starting what you set out to do – YET. You can start your 24 hours now, or anytime you choose.
Love Yourself First, the rest Will come. Act and think like “it’s on its way”, and it will come. You need to think that it’s coming first, then it will. Be patient, be persistent, be courageous, be humble, be grateful.
Love yourself like you’re the last YOU on earth, because you are.
I’ve learned to Face Everything And Recover (facing one’s fears)
When I was young we had a couple of golf irons (I just called them clubs back then) among a garage bin-full of other sporting equipment. One day my brother and sisters decided to try “golfing” in our front yard for the first time.
I couldn’t tell you the brand of the 2-3 irons, or the golf balls we had acquired from a garage sale, but since it was something we were “trying out” for fun, they did the job for a group of kids ages 7-19 years old just trying something out.
Our corner property was long and large enough to play many sports on. We didn’t have an actual hole or pin, just a target we competed to get within range of. We did this with many activities and sports, it was a lot of fun.
At 7 years old (I was the youngest), I didn’t know anything about golf, but I had watched Wide World of Sports on TV, so I tried to emulate what I saw. Big swing, aim for the ball, and off it went – in at least the smallest of coincidences – it did so in the right direction. But, not for everyone in the group of course.
Here’s where a massive problem arose. It was my third turn up to swing (we started each “round” in order of oldest to youngest at the same place in the yard from the target at the end of the property). I blithely set-up the ball and positioned the shared club (fearless, and unaware at that time). Started on my BIG back-swing. Aaaaaand Whammm – my sister was sneaking up behind me to break my concentration. She succeeded. Aaaaaaand, I accidentally hit her hard with the club just above her left eyebrow. It was a gash, (lucky it wasn’t her eye), but with that back swing, I had given her not just a welt, but a bloody gash, aaaand turns out – a concussion.
She was rushed to the hospital. It took decades for the guilt to go away, and seeing the scar to this day, brings the whole episode to the forefront of my memory. Yes, I do realize that it wasn’t my fault, but I was involved, I was holding the club, I still hold myself responsible even though ultimately my sister was and is ok.
But, I was so traumatized, I didn’t pick up a golf club again until last year. I still to this day look around me before ever thinking of striking a ball (whether a softball, or golf ball, a good idea no matter what).
Later in life, I worked at ABC’s Wide World of Sports – in fact I told my mom earlier that same summer when I was 7, yes 7 that I was going to “work there someday”, and I did. Out of the mouths of children comes truth. I didn’t know what that meant at the time, luckily I do now.
I never was told that was a big dream back then, I wasn’t told it wouldn’t be attainable, I just received the gift reply of “ok honey”. My parents had no idea what it meant either, so there was no reason to not believe it was true.
I worked on many different sporting events including golf – I studied the players for each event I worked so I could recognize them if and when needed. From Golf, College & Monday Night Football, Horse Racing, Auto Racing, Bowling, Ice Skating, and Gymnastics. It was a great time. Thing is, I worked out all the, but stopped playing sports. I didn’t really even realize that until right this moment when I wrote that.
I played sports, did running events, did gymnastics, and dance class in grade & middle school, then went to performing arts high school for dance, but with that stopped “competitive sports”.
After college, I took to physical volunteering for different causes: cycling events, running events, swimming events, then began triathlons, just last year I participated in tough mudders too (and I love doing all of them).
Last year I started playing softball again. I’m relearning everything, I also have set aside my predisposition regarding golf, have taken lessons, and love the entire process. I regret not getting out of my own way mentally about the game. I’m still cognizant of my surroundings, where people, animals, and things are in relation to what I’m doing, not just in golf, but in life as well.
My Personal Take Away:
It’s wise to always know my surroundings, the fear has left, but the good practice of ensuring my and others safety prior to taking any swing (in sports, personally, and business opportunity), is just good sense. Don’t let fear stop you, let it inform you to be careful, but not hinder you action.
You’ve worked and worked. Shown up, gone above and beyond at work, with friends and family too. You’ve volunteered for the food bank, and local toy drive, helped neighbors with packages, and driven them to appointments they forgot about, and they didn’t want to take a car service.
You’ve gone to holiday gatherings for over a month for work and with friends. You’ve networked with your business contacts, sent notes, emails, well wishes done everything possible to bring good will to others.
Work is great, your friends and family are great, you’ve taken care of your significant other. Now what ?
It’s YOU time, that’s what!
Don’t forget about Yourself. I learned 12 years ago (on my yoga mat) that taking time for yourself is Not selfish, it’s actually one of many self-less things you can do for yourself and others. Ummm hmhmmm – it’s true.
Say what now?
Take one hour for yourself Today in anyway you’d like. A walk, meditate, if you want movement involved – work out (today I worked out, then did yoga, later I’ll play a little golf), listen to music, take a bath, swim, read, write, play an instrument, play /practice a sport, but do it. Yes Today!
You should set aside time everyday for yourself. It doesn’t always need to be an hour, just set aside some “boundary time” (time you will not be disturbed). No kids, no family, no friends, no texting, no social media – just where you’re doing You, unplugged to reset. No bills, no cooking, no cleaning, no kids (even for 5 minutes), breathe…..
This brings you back to you, the best version of you gets to emerge from this practice because not only your wants are met, an intrinsic Need of Re-connecting with yourself occurs.
You don’t know what to pick? It doesn’t HAVE to be any one thing. Pick one thing a day to try. Try something new. I chose yoga, it was the single greatest thing I did, because I didn’t even know at that moment how much I needed it yet. I just wanted to get out of the house, be with people – and try a class at my new gym. This year, learning golf and its process has me in the same zone. It’s amazing.
After the new year I’m taking a 4 day completely unplugged break. No phone, no email, no phone calls (except for emergencies only). I haven’t had a break since COVID began. Working and living at home has crossed some serious time boundaries, every day seemed to run into the next until I set some boundaries.
Exception: In an emergency, “me” time can be interrupted – but the house better be on fire! Ok, maybe not literally on fire, but I think I’ve made my point.
And, if I haven’t made my point. My point is take a break before you do!
Everyone needs even a quick reset, make it a 5 minute a day practice to start (and build from there), I guarantee others will see a positive change in you before you do. You’ll be healthier and much happier.
You’re worth it, believe it, own it, be it. You have permission to just think of yourself for at least 5 minutes a day – for the rest of your life. Then, you can return to your job, following up on tasks, the carpool, doing the dishes, grocery shopping, cleaning up after your pets and loved ones.
This is not a New Year’s resolution. Leave all your worries and things to do outside a virtual or physical door. When I step onto my yoga mat or write, nothing else exists at that moment in time. I can compartmentalize with such focus that nothing else exists, it’s almost like being in a trance. There are hours I’ve easily written through, and stepped onto my yoga mat hundreds of times, hearing just the voice of the instructor, going through the entire class, moving through each Asana, and found myself at the end not even realizing that someone else was in the room with me. It’s transcendent. It’s transformative.
It’s what I didn’t even know that I needed. Permission. Permission to think of just that for that moment in time.
You have permission to break from the task filled universe and be selfish for yourself, then you can be of service and more of yourself with the world.
I’ve been fortunate throughout my 33 year career to have found many mentors. I now happily find myself still working, but also mentoring the next generations of broadcast employees. Not only to have had such a diverse career So Far – it’s certainly far from over, but a female engineer in the world of broadcasting I have been termed a Unicorn. Who me? Yup!
Indeed, for many many years I have found myself to be the only female in the room. The only adult in the room, but that’s another story. I’d be promoted into a full room of men and me. If there was another women, she was an assistant or secretary, so I’d do my best to be inclusive and share insight. Paying back the kindness that was so graciously bestowed upon me along the way.
Although, I have to say, I was underestimated along the way as well. I didn’t spout or boast my knowledge, pat myself on the back for a job well done, I just kept my mouth shut and did my job, and did everything I could think of to “move the needle forward” for women in broadcasting.
Unfortunately, back then the loudest person in the room was thought to be “right” or the most knowledgeable, I certainly wasn’t loud, so I took the brunt of a lot of wrongs. Should I have spoken up? Looking back, absolutely yes, I just didn’t have those tools in my toolkit – YET.
Finally one day, I started a new job in the control room. I had not only one woman boss, I had two! I felt lucky. I was in certain respects, in other respects – uh, not so much.
I won’t distinguish which was which, but one superior was never satisfied. If I took care of every single aspect of my job, went beyond what was expected, took initiative to do more, it still wasn’t enough. More was thrown at me (sometimes literally) and I would scramble to “figure it out”. I could ask the other superior clarifying questions, but mostly I was on my own, they were both busy, and that’s why I was there right? Sometimes yes, sometimes no.
Finally about 3 months in, the superior who was never satisfied went on a 2 week vacation. I was elated, and for good reason. The other “boss”, would check in with me, and on my 2nd day with just her in-charge, she physically came into the control room. I showed her all I did, what I was watching for, what I still needed to finish, and of course asked if I could help her with anything. A simple “Nope, I’ll be in my office, if you need anything, call. You’re smart, I trust you, and I know you won’t wait until you get into trouble to call me”. Then she left. Wow! What a feeling of empowerment.
To this day I do not know that that boss knows what she gave me. Autonomy for one thing, but also confidence. She gave me an example of how I wanted to be when I was in a position like that, respectful, inclusive, giving, everything I needed summed up in a short sentence. Not only did I learn what I wanted to be like, I learned something even more important, what I didn’t want to be like. I didn’t want to create/rule by fear every time I walked into a room, I didn’t want to make anyone feel less than, no matter who they were, I didn’t want to make anyone feel like they were only as good as their last mistake. And so, I’ve taken that goal and hopefully not only successfully achieved it, but surpassed it.
I knew what I wanted, so then I sought out through positive leaders/achievers in and outside of the company. Learned from their vast historical knowledge and applied it to new ways of developing standards. All the men and women of my past have made me who I am today.
Have I made mistakes? Absolutely. Really big ones? That’s an even bigger Absolutely. Have I learned and grown from them? Absolutely. Do I regret some? Absolutely. I don’t regret learning from my mistakes, I regret how I handled my failures sometimes. We all fail sometimes, or a lot of the time, but it’s how we get back up, how we recover that matters. It’s not how you start, it’s how you finish.
I cannot change the past though, I can only move forward with integrity and perseverance in the future. I can pass on my knowledge to usher in the new generations. And, I do.
In 2019 I took a seasonal broadcast streaming engineer position at MLB Advanced Media. I was fortunate to work with a newly assembled group of engineers. All men and me (a Re-occurring theme throughout my career). Not only was I the only woman, I was also the oldest person in the room by far. The youngest wasn’t even born when I graduated college, he wasn’t even of drinking age yet. But he was/is brilliant. The takeaway is to remain open, accepting, giving, and teachable. And, check your ego at the door.
It was a new system that we all rolled out in only 3 months, so we All were learning something literally brand new together. It was extraordinary. I had as much to learn, and unlearn as they did, but we did it all together. To this day it was hands down one of the best teams I was ever a part of. We all worked together in this small closet of a room, and we successfully streamed out 32 minor league team’s games for the season, ending in an all time high of adding in some major league games too. We all helped each other through processes and SOPs, it was amazing.
The season ended, some found other full time jobs, the rest of us stayed on part-time to work on Major League ballpark infrastructure upgrades in the off-season. Another great experience. But we did it together. I’ve gone back as a part-time employee season after season with great anticipation and openness to learning all the new tech forward innovation each year. I am truly grateful to have found MLB, and many others along my Broadcasting journey. I was asked once, “What will you do when or if they hire another girl/ woman for this office?”, my response was simple, “I’d throw a parade first, then make sure you all treated her with the same respect you’ve shown me (which was a lot, and it never waivered), or you’ll have to answer to me!” That was said with a somewhat joking lilt, but it was true then, and true now. That was verbatim comment recollection. Very smart, accomplished women were hired, and the respect was given, I was proud of this group of fine men and now women.
It’s not over yet – not by a long shot!
If you’d like to chat please feel free to contact me. I can learn just as much from you as you can hopefully from me.
#OfferingHelp: Career Coaching, Volunteer Work, Business Email Writing
As website visitors, we are constantly bombarded with calls to action (CTAs). Some of these CTAs are more effective than others, but one that always grabs our attention is the “learn more” CTA.
Why is the “learn more” CTA so effective? There are a few reasons. First, it implies that there is more information to be had on the topic at hand. This can be appealing to curious visitors who want to know more about what they’re reading about.
Second, the “learn more” CTA doesn’t ask for much from the visitor. All it asks is that you click a button or link to learn more. It doesn’t require any commitment on the part of the visitor, which can be important when trying to convert someone into a customer or client.
If you want your CTAs to be effective, make sure you include a “learn more” option!
High impact emails can help businesses in a number of ways. They can improve communication, increase efficiency, and build relationships with customers and clients.
“All roads in the copywriting world lead back to emails…. “
This quote is from famous copywriter and marketer, Neil Patel. And it’s true! Email marketing is one of the most important tools in a copywriter’s toolkit.
Email marketing allows you to stay in touch with your audience, build relationships, and sell your products or services. It’s a powerful tool that can help you achieve your business goals.
So if you’re feeling stuck or lost in the world of copywriting, remember this quote and keep emailing!
For every $1 you spends on email marketing — you’ll gain $38 back.
The demand has been created from the standpoint that the most effective emails make real connections with real people — by offering to take them to information they’ve asked to see that’s relevant to their needs, wants, and desires.
Spam, clickbait, and other unethical email practices will never work to create personal connections or offer information that is relevant to customers.
Emails that are effective establish a link between what the company has to offer and what the customer needs in order to improve their life. They bridge the gap between businesses and consumers in a way that is mutually beneficial.
If you need help with writing, I would be more than happy to assist you. I offer high-quality writing services and can work with you to create the perfect piece of writing for your needs. Contact me if you’re interested in learning more or if you have any questions. You can contact me @ Nicole.Gabriel@gmail.com, or on LinkedIn.
If you want to be successful in job hunting, you need to be persistent and never give up. You need to believe in yourself and your ability to find the right job for you. The universe is full of opportunities, and it’s up to you to find them.
I started a great new position this week. After years of seasonal, and short contract work at various places, I wanted to find something full-time, and permanent. Permanent is a relative term to me. One can be “let-go” at any time these days, because there was a restructuring, not because one wasn’t doing well, for cause, or just lay-offs. It can be disheartening.
When I was offered my current job, I literally had gotten another offer the very same day, and a third offer the next day. I asked each possible new employer further clarifying questions so I could make an informed decision. That doesn’t give me any guarantees, but gives me the best chance at what I want and need. Note: I also only applied to jobs I really wanted, but was still looking because nothing was “final” until I, and the company have finished the on-boarding process. But, more on that another day.
FINDING THE OPPORTUNITY
Fear not, there are many opportunities out there, one just has to find them. Make looking for a job, a full time job in itself. Let me break it down a bit with some specifics. Set-up job parameters with automated Daily alerts on multiple sites, visit specific company sites daily (there are jobs there that are not posted publicly), filter for job keywords, position, desired location, (or on-site,remote/hybrid), and then of course latest or newest listings. This cut down on how “far” back anyone will have to cull through a seemingly endless list of jobs (most of which that wouldn’t fit one’s skill-set, or ones that aren’t of interest, or titled oddly). I only applied to jobs I wanted, and that I was at least 80%+ qualified for. My resume was updated nearly weekly to tweak it, and so was my cover letter.
BOTS
I’m sure job-seekers already know about HR bots: ATS system: Applicant Tracking System. It’s designed to automatically find keywords from the job description and find those skills in your resume automatically. If your resume doesn’t match up to a certain percent, then it automatically gets rejected, and the hiring manager, or HR person never gets to see your resume at all. So weave the keywords from the job description into your resume (assuming you truly have those skills), and your resume will actually get a human’s eyeballs to look at it.
Otherwise you’ll more than like get the dreaded automated response of, “while we are so excited that you’ve spent time applying for this position, and you’re highly skilled, we are not moving forward with your candidacy, and moving forward with other candidates that are more closely aligned with this position.” Even worse, you may have now been put into their system in an automatic reject for X amount of time. It’s true, so always try to present yourself in the best light, your effort upfront has big pay-off.
Now, keep in mind, every company must legally post a position even if they already know the candidate they Will be hiring. I’ve gone to job listings that were only a few hours old, saw there were no other applicants, but also was removed or “no longer available” almost as soon as it was posted. “Whatttt!!!??” The company legally did what they had to do, they posted the job, then removed it as soon as legally possible. I found this annoying at first, then took a different purview of the action, “at least I didn’t waste my time going through the entire application process”. It all depends on how you look at it. I chose the latter – be positive.
CONNECTION IS KEY
If you have a connection at a company you’re applying to, reach out to them. This is not just to ask them to recommend you, it’s also exploratory to find out more about the company, and if you want to work there too. It’s equally important for YOU to interview the interviewer about the company, culture, company and job challenges, who had the position prior to this, where did they move up or onto, and why. There are many other questions, but that’s a good starting point.
Next, there is the “quick apply” tactic. Job sites that offer a seemingly “one-click” application process, followed usually by a couple of generic questions like: Are you a US citizen?, Will you now or ever need sponsorship?, and are you at least 18 years old? I would advise if you decide to apply this way that you should also write a cover letter if the app provides the option. If not, note who the hiring manager or job poster is, and contact them through email if provided, or LinkedIn (In-mail).
DUE DILIGENCE
Don’t underestimate the cover letter. Many Recruiters and Hiring Managers automatically reject resumes from highly qualified applicants simply because there was no cover letter. Why? It shows interest, and a level of effort. Even if you don’t have the name of the job poster, or hiring manager, simply start with Dear Hiring Manager, then in the body of the cover letter say why you’d be great in the position, something that’s NOT in your resume and be positive.
Finally end with something like, “I look forward to hearing from you”. Then your signature. Boom! You’ve written a few short sentences and “Submit”. You’ve just upped your chances of being contacted by a Recruiter (whether in-house or not) by approximately 80%.
FOLLOW THROUGH
Lastly, if you haven’t heard anything for over a week, follow-up with a “checking in” email. Don’t ask for a response, the hiring manager and recruiter are very busy people. Just let them know you’re still interested in the position (you didn’t just one-click apply). A little effort goes a long way. If you’re willing to put the effort in before you have the job, you’re a good candidate to actually DO the job.
If you’d like more tips please leave questions in the comment section, or email me directly (it’s in the contact area of this site).
Good luck in your search. I look forward to hearing feedback from you!
After a full summer of PGA Tour Golf, Horse Racing, Auto Racing, and Bowling, so many events I don’t think I could list all of them. It was time to head back to the University for my second year. It was also the start of Football season, a whole new sport that I hadn’t worked on – YET. It was the first in-season game the Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles @ Veterans Stadium.
I finished my last class on Friday at 2pm, I had already packed my car, and was Ready To Go. I now had a Chevy Cavalier that my brother fixed up for me to drive. So, off I went from Northern NJ, to Pennsylvania just a few hours to drive. My first football game, the cabling was basically set, but the skill set for Football, is vastly different than for Golf, Horse & Auto Racing. But, what I did know, and always brought with me was the willingness to learn and grow from each experience and to build upon each one. The Field Production and Technical Managers were more than willing to show anyone with the curiosity to learn what they knew too. It was an amazing time in life. The possibilities were endless, as long as I was open to them. That remains true today too.
“Our intention creates our reality.” – Wayne Dyer
I had made a Co-Op for my major out of this freelance job, and I was also getting paid to do it (I was “promoted”, and now made $75/day instead of just $50/day), Incredible opportunity. To ensure I didn’t miss many classes I was able to make all of my classes start on Tuesday and run to Friday.
I got to Veteran’s stadium a few hours later, parked in the designated area, and checked in with my PM. They were working with the blimp guy at the time, so I listened and took notes just to understand what he needed and when. Old school style still, pen and small notepad. Ok, we printed out the crew schedule, I posted it, made sure everyone knew their call times, made sure everyone had turned in their paperwork to onboard, and we were set to go. It was late, so off to a nearby hotel we went. Simple digs, but comfortable, but also no other young women were working the event so I was alone. I didn’t go to the gym that night, I went to sleep!
The next 2 days, I was raring to go, I got to the site early and opened up the production trucks and got everything ready for the PMs and TMs. Because, if I was on-time, I was already late! We spent the day planning and setting up telecom, and other technical aspects of the broadcast. We gave updates to the SVPs that were going to come to the game, ensured that we had badges for all, and knew exactly where they would be seated. I know that doesn’t sound exciting, but I thought it was because I wanted to not just a good job, I wanted to do a great job. I enlarged travel directions to fax to all the execs, and received confirmation that they had gotten them. I think we’re set.
Monday, here it is – game day. Later than expected, I was asked to go pick up some other supplies that the blimp guy had asked for at the last minute. It was getting dark out, but – No Problem. They usually sent us out in pairs, but everyone else was busy, so I was told to take one of the rental cars, pick up the gear at a local store, and come right back. Again, no problem. I called the store, they had the items ready, so off I went. But, I made a wrong turn, I had no idea where I was, and it wasn’t good.
There were abandoned cars, and heaps of garbage everywhere, I kept driving thinking I’d get to a street on my printed map. I didn’t. Suddenly there were 2 cars that blew passed me on each side, I slowed down to nearly a stop.
“Whew”, I stopped at the top of the block, that was crazy! I’m not done… At the end of the block there were a few cars facing each other and suddenly the men jumped out of the cars, pulled out guns, and started to shoot at each other! I saw the whole thing. I saw people get shot! It was like a movie, almost not real, except it was, and again I saw the whole thing! I didn’t know what to do. I put the rental car in reverse to back up, and went down a side street shaking, terrified, discombobulated, numb, those were real people, that was real…..
Finally, I saw a police car and drove straight to it. I rambled nonsensically on and on and on to the officers about what I saw, not even sure what it was that went on, and even though I wasn’t sure of the name of the street it all happened on.
I knew nothing. Ok, I knew the color of the cars and makes and models since I used to be a “helper” to my brother when he fixed cars, but other than that, I couldn’t give a good description of the people involved, it all happened very quickly. They took my statement, and where I was staying, I even gave them the pay-phone for my dorm floor if they needed to reach me after I went back to NJ.
Shakily, I asked the officers how to get to the store I was looking for, it wasn’t far, I picked up the supplies and returned to the production area dazed, worn-out, and still shaking a bit, but I DID feel safe with the crew. I never went out alone again btw. Focusing on work, and getting everything ready helped after a minor break, everything was done.
The PM had me sit with him for the remainder of the game, someone else would take the execs to their seats. We broke down in 3 hours what it took 3 days to build up, which always amazed me, and I decided to goto the hotel, check out right away and go back to the University. I didn’t want to be alone in the hotel room, I wanted to be back at school as soon as possible. Not my greatest idea, I was tired, still stunned, and then I had to walk to the dorm from the far dark parking lot alone at 6am. I got back safe and sound, my roommate was asleep, I quietly took a shower and tried to sleep.
Now what? I didn’t know, thoughts were racing through my mind, they undermined my confidence, it was shot (no pun intended) for the moment. But this too shall pass, won’t it? “Should I continue this life?”, “this was a fluke”, “what just happened”, “should I tell me parents?”, “should I tell anyone?” The sound of the live gunfire still perfectly resonated in my mind. Those men are probably dead – OMG!
I never did hear from the Philadelphia police, I DID tell my parents, I DID go on to do the entire season of MNF. I left school every Friday (even the following Friday after the shooting) after my 2pm class ended, whether I drove or hopped on a plane, I’d get to the site, set-up, break-down, go back to the University and made most of my classes. I continued to study on the plane – no matter what.
Lessons Learned: Don’t let fear stop you ever. Fear doesn’t stop death, it stops life. Face Everything And Recover, it does get better. The memory is still here as I am writing this – it’s palpable even now, but I know I have the tools to handle it. Friends, family, therapists, there’s no shame in admitting you need it. It is what it is. Not to be cliché, but I cannot change the past, nor was anything my fault, I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Keep moving forward No Matter What.
That was the first time I ever saw anyone get shot, but it wasn’t the last.
The 5th Green at Mission Hills Country Club, Rancho Mirage, CA
“I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.“ – Albert Einstein
If you read my post on “How it all started: My First Unpaid Production Runner Experience in Sports Broadcasting”, this is my first paid job for sports broadcasting. I was directly asked “Do you want to do golf”? Of course I did! But, I had no real idea what that really meant yet, but there was travel and adventure ahead! I kept in touch with the Senior Production Manager at the alphabet company via a pay phone for the entire floor in my dorm, not easy when my peers would tie it up for hours talking to family, friends, boyfriends and girlfriends. I didn’t have email yet, no in-room phone, much less a cell phone (brick) yet. I called between classes during business hours to check in about every week. Most of the time I was leaving voicemails because I didn’t realize at that time that the SPM would be traveling to remote sites, and not at his desk most of the time. So I just kept checking in. Hmmmm, maybe I’ve been forgotten already. I didn’t even hear back from the more junior PM.
Then finally one afternoon, someone picked up the phone. The secretary to the Sports team, she put me through to the junior PM (who is now the VP of Operations at a Giant Baseball network). We spoke for a few minutes setting up a plan of action, and what was expected of me, and how I could plan to “make this work”. I was booked to fly to California to the Nabisco Dinah Shore Golf Tournament during my spring break. I would miss some classes because of it, so I approached all my professors and let them know I wouldn’t be in class the days after spring break and why. All where just fine with it, except for my chemistry teacher since one was a lab day. I made it up though. So, off I went, excited, nervous, what do I pack? OK, a White collared shirt and khakis, no jeans. Pens, paper, and an old school personal handwritten phone book with my family, friend’s, and now business contacts information in it.
My first time on an airplane. A friend drove me to the airport, Trembling with enthusiasm I checked in, checked my bag, I was going to be there for 12 days after all not really knowing most of the 60 person crew. Hours later I landed in California, right on time. As instructed, I picked up a rental car that was set aside for me, and off I went to check into the hotel. Wow! What a beautiful place sunny, warm, expansive, then I looked up at the nearby mountains and there was snow, yes snow on their caps, it was unreal. I got to stay in a five star hotel in Indian Wells, CA! I shared the suite with 4 other young women production assistants. There were 2 beds, a roll-away bed, and a sleeper sofa. Hmmm, that’s 4, since the hotel only allowed 1 roll-away bed, and I was the newest member of this crew, so I just put the cushions from the sleeper sofa on the floor and slept there. I did just that every night, and even when I was a more senior member of the crew in the coming years, I still slept on the sofa cushions on the floor. All was set, we all unpacked and went to the work site.
What a beautiful worksite it was in Rancho Mirage, CA. I GET to “work” here for almost 2 weeks, this is a dream I thought. And, it was.
We took care of the golf carts, helped the tech managers track equipment and cabling, learned more about wiring from some of the Tech Managers, and then the tech records folks came in to onboard the crew and track hours. My first paid Sports Broadcasting job, I was paid $50/day and worked about 16 hours a day, no overtime but I didn’t care. It wasn’t hard work, I started to learn the union rules, and was told to make sure I knew about meal breaks, what was required for them, and to ensure every piece of the contract was fulfilled. The SPM left that to me, and luckily the junior PM was the same one from the NYC marathon so I knew how they operated, at least a little bit by then. I poured over the rules, showed up early, stayed late to ensure all the rules were followed including driving back to 2 other hotels to make sure the crew schedules were posted in-time for the next day.
Socializing. I didn’t go out with the crew of other production assistants after work, they were all a couple years older than me, they went to the bar, I went to the luxurious hotel gym. They did that every night, and so did I. I wasn’t old enough to drink legally, and I didn’t wish to either, but that didn’t win me any friends with some of the staff.
A few days into prepping the event, one of the young female production assistants accused me of stealing her favorite T-Shirts. She went to the SPM and JPM with her accusation. She made sure I was in the production truck when the accusation was announced, I had no idea what she was talking about. But, by this time, I had already proven myself to both managers, and both began to laugh at the statements being made against me. They both said “You don’t know who you’re talking about, she wouldn’t even take a pencil off-site”. Absolutely true.
Later that evening after we all returned to the hotel. The young woman who accused me of stealing from her found her favorite T-Shirt in a drawer she forgot she used. She never actually apologized, but we were on ok terms again. I let the whole thing go knowing I did nothing wrong, and also knowing holding onto that kind of grudge would never create a fluid working environment. I never even worried about the accusation, because I knew I didn’t do anything wrong. So, instead of insisting on an apology, and knowing I was “in the right”, I decided to be happy instead. I didn’t need to be right, I knew I was, the bosses knew I was, and all was well in my first dream Golf-tastic job.
Yes, $50/day wasn’t much but, they paid my airfare, car rental, we had gas cards, they fed us meals, we were trusted with petty cash, turning in receipts and change, charging the golf carts, making hundreds of copies (sorry trees), and then making sure all the union rules were followed so work would start and continue on-time throughout the day.
We had one day off during the event, so we went to the pool, ate free apples from the spa, and went to the gym. I was finally really hanging out with all the other production assistants, yes All of them including my accuser, and we had a great, fun, and relaxing day together. It was back to work as usual the next day, but no matter what we had that day together. Thank you Universe!
When it was tournament time we faxed directions to the Execs coming, greeted them at the airport, and made sure everything they needed was in-place when they arrived, and it was. We got to the final day and wrapped, bringing in thousands of yards of tri-ax cable, packed up trailers, then we all departed the next day. “Until the next one, see you soon” was heard over and over again. It was an amazing experience with an amazing group of people. I had already learned so much, and I was thirsty for more. More was to come in many other golf and a multitude of other sporting events which I will share in future posts.
I returned to the University, studying all they way back on the plane so I could make up that chemistry lab, which I got a 98 on, so all was well in the world. I told my broadcasting professors about the experience, and low and behold I made a co-op out of it. By graduation I had gotten paid to work in the industry I wanted to work in and gained 16 credits as well for the experience and writing it all up in a few papers. A win-win!
So, anyone looking to break into broadcasting, I say go for it! Be persistent but not stalker, don’t give up on your dream. Be curious, honest, humble, and willing to take on tasks outside of your “job description”. To this day, I will still be the first one in, last one out, sweep the floor, and take out the garbage whenever I need to, I will never be so “big” that something is below me.
That's News To Me 