Listen to Lena

Perfecting the Art of Conversuasion

2014: New Beginnings. And Hats.

By

Back in my corporate days, I seldom appreciated the expression, “He wears a lot of hats”. Like, what exactly does that mean? Surely the employee was hired to do one job – so why bother taking on one, two or even three more roles? I couldn’t fathom why someone would want to wear another hat, so to speak. I couldn’t understand the need to constantly be busy… working a deadline… juggling balls in the air. Or as we like to call it on resumes: multitasking. 

“Job incumbent XYZ has a keen ability to multitask and take on new responsibilities.”

And so, I was happy to fly under the radar; being outwardly ambitious while biding my time, knowing it was time for a change. And that change came in the form of maternity leave – in addition to being awarded a sweet little baby, I had twelve long months to care for him… and reinvent myself.

For a while, I wore two hats: mommy, and blogger.

Then, slowly but surely, I began to gain a new respect for multitasking. I began to look at my new hobby as a career, and my new career as a challenge. And I acknowledged that I didn’t graduate with a Bachelor of Commerce, and I didn’t toil in an office cubicle for nearly a decade, to simply wear one hat. For the first time in my life, I was ready – and excited – to take on more.

And then it clicked! All the times I’d regarded managers with disdain – all those times I’d rolled my eyes at those directors who wore “hats” – perhaps it wasn’t because they were overworked. Perhaps they weren’t taking on more work for the same pay. Perhaps they were simply ambitious individuals who loved their jobs. Who loved their contributions. Who loved life.

I’ve realized that you all know me at www.listentolena.com, but you may not know about some of my “side jobs”.

This year, I will wear the following hats:

1. Mother: Employed since 2008, I will always have this role. It is the “job” that brings me the most joy, the most stress, and certainly the most fulfillment. Although I would never want to be subjected to a performance evaluation.

2. Spouse: Employed since 2007, one of the easiest jobs I’ve ever had – I could actually do it with my eyes closed. But that may have something to do with the fact that I married my perfect match.

3. Writer: The truth is, I used to refer to myself as a “blogger”. I mean, this is a blog post I’m publishing, no? But as the years went by (employed since 2008), I realized that with the high caliber of my writing, professionalism and ability to consistently produce stellar content, I was actually selling myself short. Hence, I’ve now embraced my new job description: writer.

(Of course, as my blog – and writing – provide a vehicle for online influence, you may also find me as a Brand Ambassador/ Spokesperson for many of the products I love.)

4. Social Strategist: This year, I’ll continue working with Chatelaine to develop their Tasters and Testers panel. Cultivating the influence of bloggers across Canada, we’ll build a group of ambassadors that are passionate about food, fashion and lifestyle.

5. Social Outreach: In 2014, I’ll be heading up the #HBSocialKitchen blogger panel for Hamilton Beach Canada. Working closely with a talented group of online influencers, I’ll lead the discussion and manage the monthly campaigns.

6. Social Outreach: I’ll also be managing the blogger outreach for Werther’s Original, a new (and decidedly delicious) client. With tasty new offerings this year, it’s a treat (pun intended) to work with them.

7. Social Media Consultant: Once again, I’ll be partnering with PR companies and brands to develop best practices for working with bloggers. (This is a continued role since last March, when I was asked to speak on a panel at the Canadian Public Relations Society’s #PRBootcamp.)

8. Twitter Party Host: After hosting / moderating over 50 Twitter Parties in 2013, it’s safe to say that I may have a party (or two) on the radar this year. And, this year I have an exciting new collaboration: I’ll be co-hosting a monthly #FamilyTravelCA chat to discuss all things related to family vacations. Tune in on the last Tuesday of each month!

Okay, so eight hats. But you know what? It doesn’t feel like multitasking. It doesn’t feel like work. It feels awesome.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Marissa

    Awesome post Lena and congrats on your many multitasking hats! You’ve earned them with all of your hard work, professionalism and your great talent for writing!

  3. Michelle

    So happy you went from “blogger” to “writer,” and agree with all your reasons. It’s why I’ve stuck with you… Looking forward to more of the same!

    • Lena

      Thank you Michelle, that is so sweet of you to say. And I’m glad you’ve stuck with me! Thanks for being an amazing supporter.

  4. Judy C (Judy Cowan)

    Great post Lena! Looking forward to following your journey for 2014, sounds like it is going to be a fun year!

  5. nicolthepickle

    I don’t want to have a performance evaluation as a mom too. I don’t think it would go so well.

    Social Strategist sounds like a wonderful hat to wear. Food and fashion is a lovely combination and I know that yours will be a very stylish hat.

  10. Alex

    Very happy for you, Lena! You’re absolutely the best at what you do, and every client you work with is so lucky to have such a true talent on the team.

  11. Ladena

    Great post Lena. You absolutely wear a lot of hats but you do it so well! I always love following you and seeing what you’ll do next. Thanks for everything you do. Happy New Year!

  12. Athena

    What a great post! You truly are a Writer and have a definite voice that involves the reader and is a joy to read.

    • Lena

      Thank you so much Athena, and thank you for your support in 2013! Wishing you all the best this year!

    • Lena

      Ha! You were one of the few people who made corporate life bearable for me, so thank you for that! xoxo Happy New Year!

  14. Heidi C.

    Now, that’s a lot of hats! It is definitely going to be an exciting, challenging year for you!

  15. Nicole W.

    Congrats! I’m glad you have become so successful doing something you clearly enjoy. 2014 sounds like a busy year for you!

    • Lena

      Thank you Nicole, and thank you so much for your support over the past few years! It’s always a pleasure to chat with you online. Happy New Year!

  17. sarah sar

    A feel good post! You’ve inspired me….it’s wonderful to see you happy and busy doing what you love to do.

    • Lena

      Thank you Sarah! Not a post I usually write, but I decided to start off 2014 by celebrating my accomplishments. Have a wonderful year, and best wishes!

  18. Janet W.

    You really do wear a lot of “hats”! I can see why you handle it well because you’re highly intelligent and very professional!

  19. Chandra Christine O'Connor

    The amazing part is you look beautiful in every hat you wear, you seem calm in the hats, like they are extensions to you that you seem to be able to flow with ease.

    • Lena

      Aw, what did I do to deserve such great readers like you, Chandra? Thank you so much, and Happy New Year to you and your family! All the best!

  20. Jason

    Wow, you’re like superwoman taking on so many roles! Congrats on your amazing accomplishments and on your new roles, very happy for you Lena :)

    • Lena

      Thank you so much Jason, and thanks for being a great support on Twitter! It’s always so nice to tweet with you. Wishing you and your family the very best in 2014!

  23. AC

    You have a good perspective on things Lena. Whichever hat you wear, you wear it well!

    P.S.: I still think you would’ve made a great lawyer. ;)

    • Lena

      LOL I think we’ve had this discussion once before. Nope, while I’m great on cross-examination, I’d rather sleep at night!

  24. Flora M

    You always have a wonderful way of putting things into perspective :) I never thought about “wearing hats” in that way before – my “Mom” hat, now my “Nana” hat, my “Computer Doc” hat, a “Dr. Mom” hat and so on… I should see how many hats I have worn at the same time through different times of my life :). This has certainly given me food for thought,

  25. Victoria Ess

    You totally fit all of those hats — you are one impressive lady, that’s for sure! I definitely agree with your self-promotion from blogger to writer. Well-deserved, and you earned it a long time ago :)

  26. Florence C

    I enjoy your blog and will be continue to follow you in 2014. That is a lot of hats and I am sure you wear them all extremely well.

  27. Melinda L.

    Wow that’s a lot of hats! You definitely wear them very well. Can’t wait to see what’s coming for 2014 =)

  28. Rosie

    I make hats, so this post caught my eye. Then I realized it is about the other kind of hats – wow, you are amazing!!!! I’m sure you do a great job at enjoying all those responsibilities! You deserve some pampering, too!

    • Lena

      Aw, thank you Rosie! I think we all wear more hats than we realize. And kudos for having a hat-making talent!

  30. NT

    Hey Lena, I’m sure you wear a lot more than 8 hats. Just being a mother means you wear 10 different hats already! (nurse, cook, teacher, driver…) And you didn’t put down friend, daughter, sister, aunt etc. You definitely deserve the ‘writer’ hat over ‘blogger’.

  33. YashY

    I hope each hat is a different colour! haha.. lame jokes aside… Congrats on all the hard work lady! Being a hat lover (the figurative and literal kind) I will remind you to slice in some YOU time coz that’s the one that tends to be stuck at the back of the hat rack.

    Cheers to a fantabulous 2014 lady and I hope we get to connect IRL more often!

  34. Sophia

    Happy New Year, Lena, and greetings from Hong Kong! Love this post! It is giving me hope that I too can find a role this year where I can make meaningful contributions and where work doesn’t feel like “work”! :)

    • Lena

      Greetings Sophia!! Have a wonderful time (in the warmth) and looking forward to chatting when you return!

  35. @sweetkeet

    Loved this post!! It’s so upbeat, and it made me smile and realize this year IS filled with promise, though it did get off to a rocky start for me and my family. May it be an awesome year for you and your family!

  36. Julia

    Congrats on all your new hats. I have no doubt that you will rock each and every one of them. I feel you on adopting the title of writer though. When does one make the transition from blogger to writer? Some would say by writing brand messaging we aren’t “real writers”, but there is a creativity and story telling element even to that and the good ones definitely do “write”.

    • Lena

      I agree Julia – it’s the creativity and story-telling element that sets apart writers. It’s easy to post a press release and your “review”, but it’s when you weave in a story that makes it special. Proud to call you a fellow writer.

  37. Matthew Tully

    So I’m curious… your a little over a month into the year. How do the hats feel? Are they tight, a good fit or are they on the desk as you are not quite sure? You always come across as being very composed and you get the job done…just curious. Have a good one!

  38. Lynda Cook

    Hi Lena! just wanted to say I love your blog and your such a busy lady, how do you manage to get everything done and still manage to take time out of your busy schedule to please us your readers, which I’m glad you do because it’s not just the contests that have me coming here everyday, it’s to see what’s new and I love reading your posts, you make them fun to read and there is quite a few that bring a smile to my face even when I’m grumpy..lol….