Wow! Almost a full work day.

It feels good to be working again. A little pressured, since my consulting project, though it seems finalized, has not yet officially been signed off -- budget wise, that is. And we know how those things go. That's just it, sometimes they just "go" -- away. Hopefully, this won't be the case. I spent most of the day researching how I can accomplish this project, since I haven't done it before - conducting a PR agency search on behalf of a client. It's an interesting, challenging project and has already provided an education and intellectual stimulation.

I wrote up my suggested approach to the search, along with some questions, needs and issues -- and budget and emailed it off to my client. I added an additional "ask" in the budget, suggesting that I'm available for a three-day work week at a lesser rate than my general hourly rate. It's worth a shot and if she goes for it, I'll be in good shape for the next few months. If she doesn't, my compensation on this project will be about half what I'd receive for the three-day alternative, but I'll still be in good shape - if she approves my budget.

I was a bit anxious about the project, since I'd never done it before, but all it took was a little research to begin feeling more confident about my process. Even though I "have" this project, I need to continue to reach out and find other opportunities or potentials for a full-time opportunity, I think. Often, when I get a nicely compensated project like this, the yearning for a full-time engagement diminishes. I don't want to keep finding myself in the place where I've just been - unemployed - in another few months.

Gotta keep something or several things in the hopper at all times. I went to a job search seminar on Saturday and learned that my attempts to find work on internet job sites like Monster is pretty much a futile effort. Apparently only 1-3% of people find work that way and only 20% of available jobs are listed online anyway. It helps to gather this type of intelligence, because it will help me to work smarter and not waste time on unfruitful endeavors. Apparently, the best way to find work is through networking. That's the way I got my current consulting opportunity and my experience tells me the same.

Looks like Spring arrived today - for a while anyway. It would have been nice to be out kayaking on the river, as I saw my neighbors doing; but I'm very grateful that I have work to do. It hasn't been the norm for a while. I think I'll go out now and get some fresh air.