Monday Musings

I didn't sleep well last night. There is a lot riding on today, and I woke up thinking about the possibilities.

On July 31 I submitted an application online for an Innovation Grant sponsored by Whirlpool. I learned about it two days before the deadline through a post on Jamie's blog JPD [where she writes about the how's & why's and the ups & downs of having a small business]. Today is the day the winners will be notified. Any prize would be an amazing boost because each winner is invited to the Whirlpool plant in Michigan to meet with experts who know about business plans, production, and marketing. It has been fun to dream about winning a prize. After today, I will know the reality.

Today is also the day that one of the most active and influential nonprofits in the state will review resumes for a position in their office. I read the announcement for the position weeks ago and imagined what it would be like to get the job. I had to decide if I wanted to merely think about what it would mean to work there or if I wanted to put myself out there and apply. I have been putting myself out there for over a year, and the results have been less than stellar, as in few interviews and no offers. This position in this nonprofit is the cream of the crop for someone who wants to do what I want to do. So on Friday I went by their office and dropped off a cover letter, resume, and writing sample. Today I woke up thinking about this job and how long it will take to hear one way or the other about an interview.

I have always been a planner, so these last-minute applications are really out of character for me. I am also surprised at how I give each opportunity my best shot. I don't know which contact or application may lead to a job or business opportunity.

So today is a big day, and while I was musing about the possibilities this morning, the phone rang. Now I believe in positive thinking, and I really do think the universe is paying attention, but I jumped when the phone rang. I collected myself, sure that it was too early for an answer to either opportunity.

I answered the phone, surprised to hear that it was someone I've been trying to contact for almost four weeks. I had filed this under "a good lead that is not going to develop." This was the person I called on the recommendation of someone who had filled a part-time position but thought I was qualified for a full-time position with the same project. Until today I have only been able to leave messages at the number I was given, and I have been unable to find an announcement of the position. On the phone, she explained the reasons for the way things have transpired, which are typical at the start of a new project. There will be just a week between the announcement and the calls for interviews, so she encouraged me to email her my resume soon. I can do that.

This day started with two possible opportunities on deck. With one phone call another possibility has been added to the list. I am grateful that the journey continues....