The last week has felt like I have been in a movie - specifically The Twilight Zone.

I had to turn the news notifications off on my phone - it was becoming too much to wake up to every morning. 

Instead I have tried to "set my mind on things above not on earthly things". Colossians 3:2

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I will be honest, when this first started I refused to feed into the fear and the hype, but over the last couple of weeks I came to realize that it was going to have be just more than just faith, love, and prayer - but also OBEDIENCE if we are going to see the other side of these challenging times.

I have appreciated the gesture of our Canadian government to try and assist almost all population groups with their ​Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan: Support for Canadians and Businesses. Although the emergency aid has not perfected, I am not disappointed because they have at least stepped up and try to control what they are able.

On the other hand, other individuals have decided that it is more important to completely disregard and disrespect their own community members by continuing to book non-essential travel, ignore social distancing, disregard isolation upon returning from travel, and congregating in crowds larger then the provincial governments clearly have stated is unacceptable, et al.

​As most of us approach our second official week of social distancing and isolation, I am praying for more wisdom and compassion.  Even when COVID-19 ends, we are still going to have more work to do in order to rebuild our economy and literally our lives.

There is power in numbers , so the faster we unite, the sooner we can get to rebuilding. God bless!

First and foremost, if you are reading this I want to say thank you to the Most High for me bringing me into this new year and new decade. I have never experienced a year as I did in 2019.

I watched so many friends and family experience loss of loved ones. Even when you expect it – it does not make it hurt any less. Even as time goes on - it still hurts, but you do your best to be comforted by the memories and remember how blessed you were to have them as part of our life when they were here.
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Not only in death, but loss was experienced in relationships and friendships - and this is where I want to elaborate on the significance of the title. In 2019, L.O.S.S. represented for me:

Liberation - This was my realization word for 2019. I didn't fully accomplish this, but surprisingly enough my car accident was the catalyst that forced me to really face how important freedom is to your mindset and your well being. 

Outgrowing - I very much value forgiveness and redemption, so in most instances I have let people overstay their welcome in my life. It has taken me literally more than 1/2 of my life to realize how unhealthy this has been. I understand now that not every person is meant to stay in your life. It doesn't mean you don't wish them well, it just has to be from a distance.

Seeking - I had been on a search to reconnect with the My Lord and Saviour. The deficiency of this relationship left me feeling like I was truly in the desert, but as the strongholds (fear, shame guilt, anxiety, depression) diminish, I started to feel his presence more and more with me. 

Self - Awareness. Care. Love. Compassion. Discovery. This is where my 2019 ended for me, so what's in store for this new year, new decade?

An elevated me - as a coach, friend, woman, mother, daughter, sister, and boss. 

I am ready.

I am ready to choose that, from 2020 and beyond, I am personally and professionally living an abundant life of W.I.N.S.:
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• Wellness
• Insight
• Next Level
• Serving

What are your wins for 2020 and beyond? I want to hear from you, share your comments here with the hashtag (#allidoiswin). God bless!

 2019 was supposed to be the year that I would be finally free.

Free of all the enemy's lies, fear, and unhealthy relationships that have hindered me from childhood until 42 years old. I thought I really was on a roll.

From January to June 2019, life was happening as usual, but July 2019 came along and the shift began. What was supposed to be my year of breaking free from bondage instead turned into pushing through.

In grief, it feels like joy, peace, and light will never be things that you will feel again.

I came to realize that time does not really heal all things, the pain just goes from feeling unbearable to manageable. You get to a place where you maybe only cry only 10 hours of the day instead of 18. 

With every special occasion it does not feel like your heart is being ripped out of your chest because there is no one to call to wish Happy Birthday, Merry Christmas, or say I Love You -  just because. You can give a half smile without your lip trembling when people ask "How Are You Doing?".

Come August there were more home-goings, diagnoses of terminal illnesses, mental health issues, wayward children....I think you get the point. Nothing prepared me though for how August 26, 2019 would (and still) bring the shift full circle.

My house has become the only place I feel safe. The usual Tovey Blake Bounce Back has not happened.
I initially was so angry - felt like such a failure in both my professional and personal life.

I have been counting down to see January 1, 2020 for some time. If you are reading this, this means -  made it (literally took my hands off the laptop to put both them up in victory). My first thoughts of 2020:

• I AM feeling loved, blessed, bold, hopeful, grateful that I will make a difference in someone's life that is reading this and throughout all of 2020.
• I AM aligning my thoughts to match my desires that I am more than worthy of receiving in my personal and professional life.
• I AM walking into the best year of my life of healing, success, love, safety, trust, and healthy relationships.

​Thank you Jesus for showing your continued mercy and loving me beyond measure. 

Happy New Year and God bless everyone. Let's get it!

​I really cannot believe that we are in the second last month of 2019.

​I hope everyone enjoyed the summer season with family, friends, traveling - really just doing things that you enjoyed and allowed you to #pauseandreset.

Last month in a Tovey Talks first, I decided to do a part 2-part blog series on interview mistakes & recommendations.

Although I wrote this with employees/employer in mind, for my freelancers these same recommendations should be considered when trying to secure that deal with a potential client. Here are the remaining 2. Enjoy!

​Mistake #4
Speaking Negatively About An Employer

​Ephesians 4:29 (ESV)
"Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear."
 
Out of all the mistakes & recommendations, I know this one can be the most challenging especially when you sincerely have had nightmare employer and/or employment experiences, but I promise you have nothing to gain professionally or personally by going down the route of negativity.

​Fast Company shared 5 level-headed recommendations on how to bring up a nightmare boss during an interview.
 
1. Be Honest (Within Reason)
When asked about a bad employer, you should be honest, but not go overboard. No one can realistically have the expectation that a potential candidate will only have positive employer experiences and there is nothing wrong with talking about it in an objective, non-emotional way.
 
2. Avoid Giving Unnecessary Information
When you find yourself in a situation where you feel you were overlooked for a promotion, an immediate reaction could be to criticize the successful candidate. Instead of looking bitter and immature, focus on the fact that you are seeking to find a new challenge that may exist elsewhere.
 
3. Turn the Negative Into a Positive
I have a saying “it is only a mistake if you don’t learn from it”. Although at the time it may not’ feel like it, every bad job experience led me to me making the decision in 2015 to start building my own virtual empire. The convenience of building my life around work and not the other way around, has allowed me to be with elderly mother on the other side of Canada, that has limited mobility due to Osteoarthritis. anytime I want. #blessed
 
4. Remember What You Enjoyed
The reasons why I stayed in positions that were not fulfilling and/or with disreputable companies as long as I did was because I genuinely enjoyed my co-workers and the transferable knowledge I was gaining. Although there was many days I did not feel valued, I just focused on developing mutually beneficial working relationships and positively contributing to the work environment. It was this attitude that I have been able to have the opportunity to call on the same references when needed for over 10+ years now.
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5. Say What You’re Looking for Instead
Rarely are people only looking for the exact same job with a new boss. Instead of saying what you are looking for express what you hope to get out of a new job. For example, mentioning, a desire for more responsibility, a structured schedule, or a better opportunity for advancement. These are all ways to mention negative problems, but show you are looking for solutions.

If you enjoyed this series and want to see more, send me a Facebook post on my page and share with me some other topics you would like to me to do a series on.

I would love the opportunity to fellowship with you.  For a free consultation to discuss your career needs, please book your appointment here.

No one likes failure or rejection, but the reality for most of us is that we have to work hard to get what we or get to where you want to go professionally and personally.

In a Tovey Talks FIRST, this will be a 2-part blog series.

So on that note let us get into the reason I am here: to encourage you to put in the work to get the job you want by highlighting the 4 top interview mistakes & recommendations. So the first two on my list.

When you interview for a job, it is imperative to look professional and polished, no matter what the company. Always do your best to match their corporate culture so you look like you will fit in.

​Here are some simple Do’s and Don’ts:

Here are Key clothing items you should have your in your closet for interviews.

• 1-Blazer
• 1-Cardigan
• 1-Blouse (Solid Color or White)
• 1-Pant
• 1-Skirt (knee length)
• 1-Dress
• 1-Pair of Dress Shoes (Dark, 1-2 inch flats)

I hope you have found Part 1: One Chance to Make a First Impression: 4 Top Interview Mistakes & Recommendations useful.

​Please join me next month  as I share the rest of my interview mistakes and recommendations.

In the meantime, I would love the opportunity to fellowship with you. For a free consultation to discuss your career needs, please book your appointment here.