What a coincidence that I saw this post around the same time I was told this: "Look for environments that feel like "Kitchens"—places where things are being created, mixed, or transformed (studios, workspaces, or vibrant cafes)." 😄

One excuse that showed up for me was the feeling that I was 'invisible'—that my applications were just sitting unnoticed. I decided to gently let that go. Instead, I shifted into a much more aggressive outreach strategy across multiple platforms. The results are already speaking: I had an interview today that went exceptionally well. Next week, I start a full-time, intensive credentialing and training program. Even if I’m not hired from their specific pool, that credential stays with me for other organizations. Simultaneously, I’ve had someone reach out from a different company’s AI department, and I'm now being recommended to large firms. Making myself available and active is producing real, documented results.

@Belinda Dovey I’ve found there is a tricky balance there. While we shouldn't let the fear of judgment hold us back, what others think does matter when we are building a professional brand or a positive image. The key is knowing whose feedback to value. I try to listen to constructive input that helps me grow, but take the 'noise' from critics or enemies with a grain of salt. It’s about caring about your impact, but not letting other people's limitations become your own!

@James Gardner I love Audible... at the rate AI is progressing it's hard to keep up, even when I dedicate 100 percent of my free time to it. I should keep some space open for things like this.

Asked "What can I learn from this?" amid job rejections filtering my self-employed background. Key takeaway: Strict "X years experience" requirements are often volume filters, not ability gates—my entrepreneurial grit maps perfectly to AI innovation needs when I reframe achievements with job-specific keywords and outcomes. Each "no" sharpens my strategy and builds unbreakable persistence.

Growth really does begin with curiosity! Today I leaned into that by digging deeper into something that's been on my mind as I pursue one of my big Amazing 3D Goals: transitioning from 10+ years of self-employment into a corporate AI role. What I learned: Job boards and corporate hiring often run through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)—algorithms that scan resumes for exact keyword matches, like "5-6 years experience in [specific tool/tech]." If your background doesn't hit those phrases word-for-word (even if your real-world skills from running your own business crush the actual requirements), the system can auto-filter you out before a human ever sees it. The bigger insight? A lot of these "strict" experience requirements are more about filtering volume than hard barriers. My self-employed journey has given me deep, hands-on expertise in problem-solving, adapting fast, managing full projects end-to-end, and delivering results under uncertainty—skills that map incredibly well to AI roles (data handling, experimentation, scaling solutions). But on paper, without the "corporate ladder" progression, it doesn't always translate automatically.