Note: This is part of my new Follow Friday system where I I get a little more in depth with one follow friday each week. To learn more about what I am doing please click here.
Karla Porter
@karla_porter
Karla and I have known each other for too long. In all honesty I can’t remember where we met (Karla, can you?) but I do remember it was around 7-8 years ago, on a social network everybody has since forgotten about, back when I was running one of my earlier companies. I’ve watched her transition from a kick ass hr professional to a conference goer, intern marker, business leader and now public servant. Karla has been perhaps one of the most supportive people out there, not just to me but to my network (in a practical way, she’s edited resumes for many friends), so let me hand her over and try to give her some payback:
It is so wonderfully giving of Alex to feature contacts and friends on his blog. It’s a great way to optimize the use of blog space and help promote others at the same time, a lesson we can all learn from.
In November of last year, sitting around reflecting on the past, looking into the future and feeling fortunate that my own career was in very good order, I decided I was going to make a whopper of a goal for 2010 that would challenge me to be a public servant – without having to run for office. I mean a year of seriously selfless devotion to use my skills for the benefit of those who found themselves unemployed for one year – no holds barred.
On December 28, 2009 I published a post on my blog that laid it out there – 2010 is All About You! Most of the way through Q3 2010, I have to say it’s been a wild ride. I have met people I might not have, helped others I surely wouldn’t have known needed help, and tasked myself to accomplish things I wouldn’t have otherwise done. And, I am not done yet, I still have two-plus months to go.
My list of accomplishments is confidential; I’m not looking for credit. This challenge was a personal one with multiple tangible and intangible wonderful rewards that has been as good for me as it has been for anyone I have lent expertise or a hand to. I’m looking forward to the end of the year to reflect on what I want to achieve in 2011, how I’ll go about it and why I should do it (also to get back to sleeping more hours at night).
I’m recommending that you too start to think of what you are made of, what your real core values are, your weaknesses and strengths, and put them to the test in challenging waters in 2011 – not only for your own benefit but to help make the lives of others just a little better.
You will not regret this – trust me.
Karla Porter
