Hmmmm where should I start! - Life Lesson 1, Get Noticed at Work

So many decisions have led me here, where i am. Director of Marketing at a Major medical manufacturer, new mom, wife and new home owner. I majored in Political Science, started in sales and am now in marketing. How does that happen? Like it happens to alot of young people who major in something ridiculous like political science! You get out of college, no idea what to do with the obscure degree you obtained (could be that you majored in a language or just general business!) and you get a first job when the graduation money runs out and your parents drive you insane with lectures. Oh yeah, and you need health benefits! So then you get a job, any job.....mine was with a medical distribution company because my friend worked there......and then there is this ahaaa moment when you love or hate what you are doing and make a move. I didn't mind the telesales (very different than telemarketing) some call it inside sales. I knew it was not what I wanted to do long term but I was intrigued by the business itself . How could I make it better how could I improve what was given to me? This leads me to life lesson 1 - GET NOTICED! this will require of course you not being complacent and just clocking in. Figure out who can make your life better - your immediate boss, your coworkers and of course your bosses boss. In my case I knew my immediate boss was herself a complacent chick so I made sure her boss also knew if I was doing well and what I was coming up with. It was as simple as taking a fax page with specials on it and reformatting it with pictures and an up to date header. Looked SOO much better , took me no time at all and showed i had initiative...Now i needed buy in, get my coworkers on my side......your want em to love you and not be jealous.....that will lead to compliments on your work and the all mighty buy in. I made friends like it was my job. not life long lasting friendships (except 2 it turned out) but work friends. People that liked being around me everyday. again SOOO easy. Say hi to everyone, always offer to help, show an interest in what people are saying and listen to them and of course compliment the heck out of them....when you make others feel good they like to be around you. not rocket science folks. so now i got noticed, got buy in and my playing field was set. I had honest conversations with the 2 boss figures like: I really love the company but I want to contribute in a different way, maybe transition out of sales and try marketing. I made them believe that I wanted to grow with the company and I would continue in sales until such time as they thought i was ready. So many people want to grow in their jobs but here's a little reality check.......you won't unless management knows you want to! Again, not rocket science. People cant read your mind. I let them know what i wanted and guess what.......less than a year after joining the company I was promoted to marketing coordinator. So go to work tomorrow and GET NOTICED by your boss, his/her boss and your peers. Get on the radar. All i had to do was pretty up a fax, but it showed SO much more than that. The most important part of that story is No one told me to pretty up the fax...........that's what made the difference. You can do what they tell you to all day long and kick butt at it ........ you will not get noticed for that though, it is those who go outside the box of what they are expected to do who really shine. Well its late and i just have about 6 hours until my little one gets up so i am going to finish my wine and smile that i just finished my first Blog :-P