You’ve heard that networking leads to landing a coveted job. What else leads to landing a job? Or getting asked to complete a project? Or having your work supported? Answer: Doing your work well. Nothing beats a good reputation supported by excellence in what you do. Do good work.
When I was introduced last week before a presentation for the Ohio Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics it struck me that I was standing there because the person introducing me, Sharon Doughten, RDN, LD, MS, believed in my work. She had served on the conference planning committee and insisted on inviting me to speak. It turns out we go way back. Way, way, back…
The first time Sharon heard me speak was in 1985. She was an intern in Indianapolis and I was a new RD. I was active in my local and state dietetic associations and volunteered to give presentations every chance I got. I had written my first nutrition song to promote National Nutrition Month and was encouraging my fellow RDs to have fun teaching nutrition to audiences of all ages.
Fast forward to 1994. Sharon is now working for the Cuyahoga County WIC Program in Cleveland, Ohio and has invited me to speak about teaching young children using my new Kid’s Club program (see resources:
https://www.nutritioncommunicator.com/kids-club-lessons-and-songs ). I remember meeting Sharon, because she picked me up at the airport and served as my host. That presentation was the 10th out of more than 50 that I presented between 1993 and 2013 about teaching nutrition to young children. My 51st on that topic is featured on my speaking video here: (https://www.nutritioncommunicator.com/what-do-i-speak-about).
The next “encounter” comes in 2015, when my newly published book, Nutrition for Everyone, is released. Sharon is now an Assistant Professor of Dietetic Technology at Cuyahoga Community College and needs a consumer-level book for her class. She had to “row her boat upstream” to adopt a different book than the other entry-level course in her department, but she persevered. She believed in my work. To check out this book, see: https://www.vitalsource.com/products/nutrition-for-everyone-barbara-j-mayfield-v9781621783398.
She must have liked the way the book was written since the topic she chose from the ones listed on my speaking page (https://www.nutritioncommunicator.com/what-do-i-speak-about) was “Your writing can make you or break you.” I had been told when I was invited to speak that I had an advocate on the board, but until I arrived in Ohio I did not know who it was. Thanks, Sharon. I’m thankful that you believed in my work.
Who supports your work? Ask them to spread the word. Similar to a good review of your favorite restaurant, the testimony of someone who has benefited from what you do can lead to more work, more clients, and greater impact. Do good work and you will never run out of work.
“The best preparation for good work tomorrow is to do good work today.” ~ Elbert Hubbard
