On the failure post:

How dumb were the company that laid you off, you who now works at a company as big as Dream Job and is seen as a true player in every sense of the word.

I know what it is to feel like a fraud Helen, I also know that every other senior person I've ever met hides the same feelings of inadequacy and past failure (oh except one guy who was a complete ego maniac, and lets face it we don't want to be like him do we...).

i know this won't help... I just wanted to put it on the radar. xx

One extra note on the failure post:

Almost every great achiever has failed spectacularly at some point in life— but I wonder about the causal relationship. Did they succeed despite failing, or because of it? Did they fail because they were the sort of people to take big chances, and you can't succeed without taking big chances, or did failure spur them to greater heights?

My words of comfort are these: if you were to meet the person in history you considered the biggest success, I'm sure that they would also have that deep sense of worry and stress. You're a bigger success because you can work through your fears.

Now, take a deep breath, and smile, and think of Angus. :)

RE: the most recent post about failure etc.

Harry Truman failed at pretty much everything he did before he became a Senator; many people said he wasn't much good at that either. He was a nothing as a Vice-President, so far out of the loop he didn't even know about the Manhattan Project.

He was a pretty darned good President, though. His critics made fun of him ("To err is Truman"), and they said Dewey would trounce him in the election. Dewey was the golden boy of US politics, the guy who never failed at anything.

Ever hear of President Dewey?

Helen,

There was no "comment" section on today's post, but I had something to say:) I hope you don't mind since I've been quiet lately. You wrote, "I can't be a role model-I got laid off. Role models don't get laid off." Some of the greatest role models in history have had to endure incredible setbacks and overcome adversity.

Sometimes it's the setbacks (and how we deal with them) that help make people great role models. They have to overcome and move forward...and you have. I've been laid off twice...big deal...I'm still Solomon. Sometimes God allows suffering and setbacks to help a person achieve something greater than they could have otherwise. This may be what He's done with you. If you were still at Company X, you may not be nearly as far along as you are now. Just let Karen know you have flaws, and she shouldn't emulate that aspect of you:)

Take care and God bless.

AW ..... I'm so sorry! Damn gerbils!

I'm sure that the board was impressed with you anyway.

Ok, have a another drink, and then get back in the saddle!

Big hugs!

Drink one for me Helen... And rest easy this evening.

Stupid jobs. Why must we work dammit!

Oy vey. Looking forward to the details. I hope it wasn't TOO TOO painful.

Can't wait to hear the details....I'm sure that you will land on your feet.

You didn't mention personal injuries, other than having to stand up and talk for 45 minutes, so I hope it's safe to assume you're okay?

I'm sure you wowwed 'em with your presentation. You seem to be wowing a lot of folks over there lately.

Dang, just dang! Funny how things can go smoothly, until you REALLY need them too!

Damn. Are you sure someone doesn't hold a voo-doo doll with your name on it?

You better check and be sure.

Just, damn.

Your rocket-riding gerbils appear to be very sneaky. Maybe someone should have done a background security check on them.

I hope that the Emergency Rodent Ejection Seat functioned properly!

Enjoy the hangover. ;-)

Note to self. Avoid rodents from UK for the near future.

Your 4 best tech guys couldn't get it to work? What's up with that? On the bright side (as Monty Python said, "Always look on the bright side of life...") at least it didn't blow up Tuesday morning. That would have been exponentially more devastating.

God bless.

darn rockets and gerbils!

((((hugs))))

Oh My Stars

I am drinking in sympathy. While I am sure as the stars above that you did brilliantly for the honor they bestowed on you....

Shit

Am drinking VOLUMES in sympathy. Feel the love.

Dammit. I knew those raisinets last night were no substitue for genuine M&M mojo. I won't let you down next time.

I bet you did just beautifully! I'm sure you captivated and charmed them. Did they ask any hard questions?

Helen, i am so sorry things didnt go to plan but i am sure the board were impressed with your stand up anyway.

abs x

ps, try Sambucca - no messing about :)

Bless your heart!! One of the bored members must have put a hex on the rocket. Silly boy!!