Networking Forum

I am very much into organizing. Much of my important information is recorded on Excel spreadsheets. For example, I use them for appointments, keeping track of future action items, and bills . I also use them in party planning and regular food shopping.

To send notes to myself I use my Email. It is great when you are talking on the phone and taking down data. Then you have a record and you can put it in a folder.

I am an avid computer user, and I like to write myself notes either in Braille using my Braille writer, or on the computer either in Microsoft Word or via email. I also use Jamal Mazrui's program TextPal a lot, which is a .pdf reader and much more. I have an accordion folder to organize any print material I get. For my medications, I use one of those Braille and large-print pill containers.

One of the absolute best sources of Career Development aide is the Sr. Core of Retired Executives (SCORE).The organization has chapters in nearly every metro area and, Canada metro areas as well. Each time I've sought the next level of pursuit, I've sat down with a SCORE Member over lunch to discuss a logical progression path; steps he/she believes will produce the most significant results and, how best to implement. SCORE Members are a great networking resource as they have a significant Executive/Sr. Management work history and, have a focus to bring the next generation of Executives to the forefront. Each of my last three positions, all paying about $100K I found because of the SCORE Members I've networked with. I'm now discussing strategies to transfer my 28 years of progressively Executive/Sr. Management skills with a SCORE Member and, investigating alternatives to Human/Social Services where, due to State/Federal Budgets, advancement in the next 18-24 months will be extremely limited. To keep track of the myriad of information received; filed for reference and documentation for a "Work Plan", I find using my PDA for notes and quick reminders is best--always remembering to download it and, incorporate the information into appropriate files on my Home Office PC. I've also found "Off-Site" storage extremely beneficial and cost effective for my "Employment History" documents, i.e. work samples, diagrams, etc. With the ever increasing options to store "Off Site", I'm assured of always having access to materials whether Home or on travel through these services. The service used has been a Lifesaver when a hard drive or other media has failed. It takes but a few moments to retrieve the material from the Off Site and, restore it to either a Notebook or Home Office PC. Time/resources well spent as, if I lost a significant part of my 28 year Work History, I could not muster-up the time/resources to recreate every critical item.

I use a Janus slate and 3 x 5 index cards to keep short notes when in meetings and classes. My Braille is limited and I use this method to keep me working at it in a useful manner and expand my skill level.