FGB’ers, we're so grateful for your positivity, kindness, thoughts and advice you’ve continued to share with other community members! Your continuous support is what makes this community so strong -- and we cannot thank you enough.
And with your help, we’d love to end 2020 on a great note by celebrating each other and answering this question:
What’s your good news—big or small, professional or personal, from this week, month or year?
I’ll start: My good news is that I've returned from MAT leave and had a happy, healthy baby in the interim! I'm looking forward to reconnecting with the FGB Community and hope all is well with each and every one of you!
Your turn! What’s your good news??
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40 Comments
40 Comments
Rebecca Yousif
28
12/23/20 at 5:52PM UTC
My good news is that with as challenging as 2020 has been, it has provided some much needed time for self reflection and to better understand what my priorities are in my home and work life. It's allowed me to better understand what I really value most and what changes need to be made to make life more fulfulling.
"Have more faith than fear" - Unknown
Wishing everyone Happy Holidays and much gratitude in your lives!
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1 Reply
Megan Smolen
3.54k
Director of Community at Fairygodboss
12/23/20 at 6:13PM UTC
So great you've been able to self-reflect and move around your work/life priorities!
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Audra Koopmann
20
12/23/20 at 6:08PM UTC
Congratulations on the baby!
It's hard to say what my good news would be, even though 2020 has been a challenge, I have had my fair share of positive things. Professionally, I would say learning a lot. My work tends to give me the tasks no one else wants or can't do and I all I see is an opportunity to add it to my knowledge and skill set.
Personal good news, would be I got a kitty. I had been wanting one but not a kitten, though I ended up with a little ball of fluff that stole the heart of everyone in the house.
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1 Reply
Megan Smolen
3.54k
Director of Community at Fairygodboss
12/23/20 at 6:14PM UTC
Thank you! And congrats on your new kitty and work growth!
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Estar Upia
217
Business Ops & Comm Guru, Solopreneur
12/23/20 at 6:29PM UTC
I've had some hiccups with starting my online business this year and really nailing down what I want to offer my clients. I'm happy to report that although I've had some unexpected delays and interruptions, I did not give up and I'll be launching soon!
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1 Reply
Megan Smolen
3.54k
Director of Community at Fairygodboss
12/23/20 at 9:16PM UTC
Amazing -- congrats on the launch!
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Reply
Clydene Horrigan
374
Process improvement is my game
12/23/20 at 6:40PM UTC
In April I was asked to take over two software implementation projects that had been going on since December of 2017. Both customers were on our senior management’s escalations list for months because the projects were going nowhere. These were existing customers who purchased additional products to integrate with their current products. We basically switched all the team members and the new team I lead reversed engineered the project to understand what was done, documented it, presented the document to the customer with recommendations, got buy in, and implemented the project. One customer went live and transitioned to our support group this month. The other customer is finishing some development on their side to integrated with their financial application and is slated to go live next month. As of this Monday, both customers have been removed from the senior management’s escalation list!
I’ve now been asked to take on another project for our highest-revenue customer next month.
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1 Reply
Megan Smolen
3.54k
Director of Community at Fairygodboss
12/24/20 at 12:27PM UTC
Wow, lots of changes. Congrats on the latest project you were asked to do and best of luck with it!
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Anonymous
12/23/20 at 7:57PM UTC
An unexpected year to say the least but as has been mentioned...self reflection has been my theme this year too. I have been forced to slow way down and be more thoughtful in my approach to work, relationships and life in general. I have slowed my pace, incorporated more meditation and yoga during my daily routine and made it a point to isten to my body for rest and self-care. I have scheduled more me time than ever and considered preparing for retirement by revisiting my finances, where I'd like to retire and how my time will be spent when that time comes (a couple of years will come quickly.
). My garden is thriving, my relationships are solid and I'm spending more time @ my potter's wheel. I have cleaned out my closets, cabinets and garage. I have cleared the clutter and feel lighter and freer than I have in a long time. My life is less filled with activities and I feel far less chaotic. I've embraced home delivery of groceries and cleaning supplies, special meals and amazon is my friend. My home is filled with music, candles and soft throws and pillows. I make a conscious efforts to live more peacefully and quietly. With a slower life, my sleep is deeper and longer, I've lost those stubborn pounds, the lines on my face are not as deep and I've been told I glow brighter. My dogs are calmer, my work is delivered unrushed and with deliberate pride. I smile easier and longer and I feel more centered and confident and looking forward while trying to remain in the moment.
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1 Reply
Megan Smolen
3.54k
Director of Community at Fairygodboss
12/24/20 at 12:30PM UTC
Love this so much. Smiling easier and glowing brighter is easier said than done. It sounds like you’ve made a lot of smart moves to be a happier you! Thanks for sharing.
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Anonymous
12/23/20 at 7:59PM UTC
Thank you all for sharing! My good news is that I was able to use my position to get substantial funding to nonprofits in need and regularly extended myself as a resource to job seekers.
This year taught me that we are ultimately blessed to bless others and I look forward to living that out in bigger ways.
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1 Reply
Megan Smolen
3.54k
Director of Community at Fairygodboss
12/28/20 at 8:24PM UTC
Awesome update!
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Arlene Gottardo
23
New-Age Homemaker in Chicago
12/23/20 at 10:37PM UTC
My good news is that I’m settling into retirement & baking knockout lemon biscotti cookies. I’ve pitched this home-baked product to several restaurants and got positive feedback. I’ve also donated baked goods to our local police department and that makes me really happy!
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1 Reply
Megan Smolen
3.54k
Director of Community at Fairygodboss
12/24/20 at 12:32PM UTC
What a great way to bring joy to others! And I’m officially craving lemon biscotti. ;) Did you create the recipe yourself??
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1 Reply
Arlene Gottardo
23
New-Age Homemaker in Chicago
12/25/20 at 2:17AM UTC
It was my mother’s recipe- it’s very old- yellowed from a newspaper...
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Georgene Huang
2.89k
CEO & Co-founder of Fairygodboss
12/24/20 at 1:34AM UTC
Congratulations to everyone -- and it's wonderful to have you back with us on the team, Megan! I would say my good news is that I've learned a lot about adaptability and gratitude this year. I'm relatively impatient as a personality matter, but there were so many things that happened this year that were just totally out of left field (home schooling, an economic wipeout, health tragedies, etc) that I learned to be more patient and flexibility just by living and going through the daily motions.
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1 Reply
Megan Smolen
3.54k
Director of Community at Fairygodboss
12/24/20 at 12:35PM UTC
I know many of us are very thankful for your adaptability and perseverance!
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Danielle Simon
87
Ecommerce Specialist
12/24/20 at 2:57AM UTC
My good news is I landed a really good job in October and started in November. $13,000 more per year, the best benefits I've ever had by far, a great boss, the ability to work from home whenever I want. They ask me if I'm happy and to make sure I talk to them if I'm ever not happy, and they ask me in what direction I'd like my job role to go/evolve over time. I have a history of ending up in extremely awful jobs or absolutely horrendous job environments (or both), so I was worried about leaving my previous job (where my boss loved me but my co-workers hated me because of it, and the job was far beneath my skill set/intelligence level and was ridiculously boring with absolutely no benefits and crappy pay--but the job was also very easy and very secure) and was hesitant about the company initially. But it has turned out amazingly well. It's the first place I can see myself staying for a long time.
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1 Reply
Megan Smolen
3.54k
Director of Community at Fairygodboss
12/24/20 at 12:38PM UTC
So glad to hear you’ve landed such a wonderful job with coworkers who care about your happiness and passions! How did you find your latest job??
Huge congrats!
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1 Reply
Danielle Simon
87
Ecommerce Specialist
12/24/20 at 4:05PM UTC
Thanks, Megan. I actually found it through Indeed, which was shocking! I had never had any luck whatsoever through Indeed.
Thanks again, and thanks for starting a wonderful post.
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Sheena T
12
Associated Product Manager in Utah
12/24/20 at 3:49PM UTC
Congrats on a healthy baby, how exciting!
My position went through a reorganization 2 times this year, and while I was initially puzzled and frustrated by it, I now have the position I really wanted, with the manager I loved working with in other departments. I've been slowly working on getting to this role for the last 3 years, there's not a lot of turnover in the department, but patience and persistence paid off.
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1 Reply
Megan Smolen
3.54k
Director of Community at Fairygodboss
12/28/20 at 8:25PM UTC
Thanks so much! Congrats on your new position -- how exciting!
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Lesa Edwards
847
THE career expert for high achievers
12/24/20 at 3:56PM UTC
So exciting to see the positivity in this thread! Here's mine: Best October and November in my business's 10+ year history; December is already the best month my business has ever had!
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1 Reply
Megan Smolen
3.54k
Director of Community at Fairygodboss
12/28/20 at 8:25PM UTC
Awesome, Lesa. Congrats!
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Anonymous
12/24/20 at 9:16PM UTC
I have had a tremendous 2020. I sold 1/2 my company in June. Then, the 1/2 I kept blew up with business and we had to hire another person. Such a good year for us.
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1 Reply
Megan Smolen
3.54k
Director of Community at Fairygodboss
12/28/20 at 8:26PM UTC
Such a great update, Anon. Congratulations on your successes!
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Anonymous
12/24/20 at 9:22PM UTC
My workplace of 20 years turned toxic, so I got my feet under me and left - with the upmost care and professionalism. I look forward to finding an inclusive workplace and thriving in 2021!
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1 Reply
Megan Smolen
3.54k
Director of Community at Fairygodboss
12/28/20 at 8:26PM UTC
Cheers to a new year and thriving!
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Anonymous
12/25/20 at 10:59AM UTC
My light for 2020 was the birth of my second daughter. She is healthy and happy at home with us and she is a joy in our days. I also have to say that I have enjoyed the pause that COVID has created. Yes, this pandemic has been tough, but it has been nice to not be running around all the time to different events, social obligations etc. Sometimes a break is nice
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1 Reply
Megan Smolen
3.54k
Director of Community at Fairygodboss
12/28/20 at 8:26PM UTC
Awww, congratulations on your newest addition to the fam!
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Anonymous
12/25/20 at 2:50PM UTC
I was promoted, despite my boss not liking me!
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1 Reply
Megan Smolen
3.54k
Director of Community at Fairygodboss
12/28/20 at 8:26PM UTC
Congrats on your promotion!
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Anonymous
12/25/20 at 4:07PM UTC
After being laid off from my job earlier this year, I've been able to take this time to think, explore, learn new skills, and move my career toward a new path that I'm more passionate about (and find more fulfilling and enjoyable).
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1 Reply
Megan Smolen
3.54k
Director of Community at Fairygodboss
12/28/20 at 8:27PM UTC
Cheers to a new path forward!
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Anonymous
12/25/20 at 5:36PM UTC
My good news is that I have a great contract job lined up for January and some unexpected freelance work! (I’m a serial contractor in tech.) I’m also grateful that 2020 helped me see what’s important and caused me to shift some priorities toward better and healthier things. :)
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1 Reply
Megan Smolen
3.54k
Director of Community at Fairygodboss
12/28/20 at 8:27PM UTC
Wonderful update!
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Alexis Davis
16
12/26/20 at 8:56PM UTC
Although I was laid off several weeks ago for the first time, I am and feel so incredibly fortunate. I joined LinkedIn and this group recently and have connected with so many folks from year’s past as well as from my last position (two companies over the last 21 years). I am in awe and grateful for those that have offered to help and find myself starting to emerge as a butterfly as I’ve rediscovered my passion of learning and people.
I haven’t found my next perfect position and not sure how long this journey will take but my outlook is brilliantly bright!
For those of you in my same position and currently unemployed, please be sure to check your misery at the door while speaking with friends, family and co-workers and ask them how you can help them during these tough times, I can assure you, it’ll brighten both of your days.
A special thank you to Katherine St. Peter who suggested I stop by this board, it truly is a magical place. My last few weeks at my last position was all about me. I’ve now learned it’s all about us.
Here’s to 2021, optimism no matter how old you are, and the power of asking how you can help!
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1 Reply
Megan Smolen
3.54k
Director of Community at Fairygodboss
12/28/20 at 8:28PM UTC
Optimism is key! Best of luck with finding your next position!
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Crystal Rhineberger
2.09k
professional rofl nevermind lets just wing it
12/28/20 at 2:07PM UTC
The good news here is Im seeing light at the end of the debt tunnel, my student is getting high a’s and b’s with virtual learning, and the stinulus package coming in will help me take care of a few overhead bills that were making the budget iffy
1
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Zoe Kaplan
3.42k
Community Coordinator at Fairygodboss
12/28/20 at 10:16PM UTC
Love reading everyone's good news! Congratulations to everyone finding bright spots during a tough year. So excited to have you back, Megan :)
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