A sidenote

First, everything I write about really happened. I was laid off from my job in September of 2005. In 30 days I literally reinvented myself and started a new career.

After I started at my new job (I hate saying "job" as much as I hate the terms "supervisor", "wages", and "grievance"), I made it a point to get on a daily, weekly and monthly schedule of emails, phone calls and hand written notes to the contacts I have made and continue to make. I schedule at least two lunches a week with someone - a vendor, competitor, former co-worker, or person I would really like to get to know

Finally, winning the lottery is great. You get a big fat check (or several over the years) and you don't go to work any longer. (Un)fortunately, most of us will never go through this. We have to make our money one small check at a time and then carefully budget the proceeds.

Life and work are the same way.

We have to work at and plan all of our actions carefully and thoughtfully. And then wisely use the results of our work.