Dear ,

First and foremost, I hope you had a great holiday and had the opportunity to spend time with family and friends. I and my family sure did. Due to my accident, I got the chance to relax this holiday season and let others do all that goes with the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, and guess what?? It was kinda nice!!

As we bid farewell to the past year and embrace the opportunities that lie ahead, my team and I wanted to take a moment to extend our heartfelt wishes for a joyous and prosperous New Year. We hope that 2024 brings you abundant success, good health, and fulfillment in all your career and/or business endeavors.

iRock Updates

📣 Update on my health

As many of you know, I had a major fall down the stairs of my home over the Labor Day weekend (September 2nd). This fall broke several bones in my lower right leg including dislocating my foot, broken tibia, fractured fibula, fractured ankle (in 3 places) and other minor fractures including my knee. I now have a rod in my leg and three screws in my ankle.

The seriousness of my injuries landed in the hospital and trauma unit for 9 days. I left in a wheelchair and had to use it for almost 2 months. I have since graduated with the help of intensive in-home and outpatient Physical Therapy to the stable walker, then to the glide walker, and now to a rollator walker. My next milestone is to graduate to a supported cane and then eventually walk and drive on my own without any assistance.

This fall halted my working my corporate job and my business - and I mean halted. It's funny how one misstep can really alter your life in an instant. Believe it or not, I am still bruised and have swelling in my foot and ankle all these months later. After complaining to my doctor thinking something was still wrong, he told me it's normal and that it will take a full year before all my injuries fully heal. Geeshh....... 🤦🏽‍♀️, oh well....

Hence, I have been quiet as I had been focusing on my health and getting better. During this time, I had a lot to think about my "next" now that I have more time on this earth. I have made the formal decision to retire from my corporate 9-5 later this year. I turned the "double nickel" (55) this past November and will have 30 years at State Farm at the end of May. I have enjoyed a great corporate career. It's now time to walk into my own career transition - that of working iRock full-time as CEO and Chief Certified Career Practitioner. Life is short....and I am thankful to be alive. I was told numerous times it was a miracle I didn't hit my head during my fall.

I will be journaling about my last year in corporate as a way to process what I am doing and maybe even share with you all and a wider audience. I'm still figuring out the "how" to do that.

I want to thank you all for your well wishes, patience as I work through my healing journey, and your continued support of iRock by way of trusting us with your personal career journey and referring us to your dear friends and relative.

🚀 iRock is launching a Facebook Ad Campaign

Yes, we are so excited about it! It should launch sometime in January so just in case you see it, say hello, and pass it on!

We created a new W-I-N! Framework. It will focus on helping career professionals/job seekers land a high-paying job. Stay tune for more info in the coming weeks.

📺 The "Get Hired!" Strategist on iRock.tv.: Date and Time Change

For 2024, I will go live every 2nd and 4th Thursdays at 7:05 pm CST which is a change from 2023. Check out the schedule. Stop by to say hello and learn something new.

Have a topic you are interested in? Email me.

News You Can Use

📰 What Workers Should Know About The Job Market In The New Year

The labor market in 2023 faced challenges such as prolonged inflation, recession fears, and mass layoffs. However, experts anticipate stabilization in 2024 as the economy shows signs of a soft landing. Wage growth is expected to slow, returning to pre-pandemic levels, and merit increases may decrease. Hiring is predicted to slow, with companies aiming for leaner operations, but some still plan to increase permanent roles. Layoffs, while currently lower than in 2022, are expected to remain relatively low in 2024, though there is a potential risk of an increase if the economy enters a downturn. Overall, there is cautious optimism among employers for the year ahead. Read the entire Forbes article.

Just in Case You Missed It

Check out my latest LinkedIn post re-introducing myself. Leave a comment to let me know you read and watched the video which was done by Fixed Focus Productions who also did my latest photos early 2023. And, if you are not active on LinkedIn, my question is, why not? If strategy is what you need, book a coaching call here so we can chat about enhancing your LI game.

As always, thanks for letting me visit you via your inbox.

Sending you virtual hugs! 🤗