This resonated today, James. What brought me joy was an unexpected visitor—a cat showed up at my place. I’ve started taking care of it, and there’s something incredibly grounding about that immediate connection. It definitely makes the 'journey' feel a lot more meaningful when you're looking after another life along the way. Here are some pics of Tiger Kitty:

I notice I make progress, three steps forward but then sometimes one step back. Setbacks happen, Keep your eye on the goal!

I had a small treat, a chocolate one, and it has a message for us inside the wrapper 😆

What a coincidence that I saw this post around the same time I was told this: "Look for environments that feel like "Kitchens"—places where things are being created, mixed, or transformed (studios, workspaces, or vibrant cafes)." 😄

One excuse that showed up for me was the feeling that I was 'invisible'—that my applications were just sitting unnoticed. I decided to gently let that go. Instead, I shifted into a much more aggressive outreach strategy across multiple platforms. The results are already speaking: I had an interview today that went exceptionally well. Next week, I start a full-time, intensive credentialing and training program. Even if I’m not hired from their specific pool, that credential stays with me for other organizations. Simultaneously, I’ve had someone reach out from a different company’s AI department, and I'm now being recommended to large firms. Making myself available and active is producing real, documented results.

@Belinda Dovey I’ve found there is a tricky balance there. While we shouldn't let the fear of judgment hold us back, what others think does matter when we are building a professional brand or a positive image. The key is knowing whose feedback to value. I try to listen to constructive input that helps me grow, but take the 'noise' from critics or enemies with a grain of salt. It’s about caring about your impact, but not letting other people's limitations become your own!