Everything happens for a reason

Jori Lichtman

 

I didn’t even shed a tear. OK. A really tiny one that wasn’t even big enough to make it down my cheek and drip onto my shoulder. Seriously. Everyone reacts differently to life-changing news. And when the news was delivered to me that my services (along with the services of 59 other employees) were no longer needed at the organization I had, in many ways, grown up with for eight years, my reaction was, and still is, everything happens for a reason.

In fact, one of the 613 mitzvot, or commandments, is not to bear a grudge. I’m confidently upholding that one (along with the 612 others of course). I truly believe I will land where I’m supposed to land – at a great company, in a challenging marketing role that leverages my creative talents, leadership skills and go-getter attitude.

So why am I writing here today? Not because it pays the Hebrew day school bills (sure, every bit helps). But because I think there may be other young Jewish professionals in a similar situation who would benefit from hearing my story – my journey.

In fact, perhaps there are some readers out there who are also members of the Facebook group called The Tribe – Young Jewish Professionals Group, a group I stumbled upon, a “volunteer-driven group focused on fostering community engagement and building personal and professional relationships within Toronto’s young Jewish professional community.” Or perhaps you’re not in this situation today, but you may be one day.

In the three months since I received the fateful message in a jet-lagged state (it was the day after arriving back from an amazing 10-day trip to Israel with my husband), I have met numerous other talented professionals who have faced a similar challenge. This group includes an old colleague who is charting a new, exciting path as a life and executive coach using me to test her talents on. Yenta the Matchmaker could not have made a better match – she wants to practise her coaching skills, and I want someone smart to give me honest, constructive feedback and advice.

So, what exactly am I up to these days? What haven’t I been up to! I’m reading books and taking workshops to discover my greatest skills and what makes me happiest. I completed an online course in social media and received an industry-recognized certification. I joined an important industry association and developed a new mentor relationship with someone I clicked with at a networking event. I’m networking my tush off meeting dozens of professionals by phone, email, LinkedIn and personal introductions, and attending events through my Rotman MBA alumni network.

I’m leveraging my Jewish network to make connections and introductions – including telling all the moms and dads at my kids’ school that I’m actively looking for my next great role. I’m keeping track of all my contacts, coffee dates and thank-you notes, and conducting hours of research on many organizations, especially the ones that are at the top of my list.

And probably most importantly, I’ve created a list of my top 10 professional goals for 2014. It’s tacked to my bulletin board in my office at home, staring me in the face each day. They’re not complicated and they’re realistic. Of course, the first one is to land a great job I’m excited about.

Another goal is to attend four networking or professional development sessions this year. And another is to make one coffee date per month with a new connection or someone I want to re-connect with.

Speaking of coffee dates, I recently learned about the Canadian site www.tenthousandcoffees.com. It’s a forum that helps connect young professionals with industry leaders and experts. The industry leaders sign themselves up – they want to help. Let’s take them up on their generosity. Because as we all know, time is the most precious commodity.

Of course, as motivated as I am to get results, I don’t have it all figured out. I make mistakes. I sometimes get nervous for interviews. I sometimes cram too much in one day and forget to breathe. I should meditate. I will. I made a promise to myself. But my mom and dad still think I’m the best, of course. Not to mention my husband, my biggest supporter of all!

With all this going on, homemade chicken soup with matzah balls is on the stove every week, and I would never miss a Shabbat dinner with my family.

And even if I’ve had a rough day, or a meeting didn’t go as planned, I always remember God has given me so much to be thankful for – a loving and supportive husband, three beautiful and healthy children, and friends and family who are always there to lend an ear. I also have the amazing opportunity to be home when my kids get home from school, share their projects and artwork, and sing their beautiful Jewish songs.

Just the other week, I attended my son’s incredible senior kindergarten Shabbat celebration at Robbins Hebrew Academy where he and his classmates performed Hebrew songs along with choreographed dances recognizing God’s six days of creation and the seventh day of rest.

There, the tears came.

Lichtman can be reached at ­[email protected] or linkedin.com /in/jorilichtman.

Jori Lichtman lives in Toronto.