Smart Career Moves

Do It Up Differently!

2009-11-02T13:28:00.001-08:00

I love hearing about people who are doing things differently in the job market these days and business world – positive things that get them noticed and called in for interviews, hired, promoted, or launched into business. They are proactive and creative and unafraid to get out there and take a chance that just might bring great reward.

What prompts this sort of activity? Some people I know were tired of waiting on others for job offers, others wanted to demonstrate their talents and desire for a particular job, and still others sought to rise above the mainstream norm and make themselves known. Read below for some ideas on doing it up differently!

With competition for jobs at high levels and job security still in question in many places, it’s crucial that you, too rise above it all and take a stand for what you want. Consider some of these real-life examples and then design your own:

If your department or position is being eliminated, proactively hand deliver resumes to other department heads, in addition to working with Human Resources, to let them know of your company experience and qualifications.

Have pre-addressed, stamped thank you cards in your car ready to mail immediately after interviews.

Personally deliver resumes to your target companies and ask to speak to the hiring manager.

When given a choice on how to respond to a job opening, do all of them – fax, phone, and email.

Put together a creative follow-up package with references and testimonials as to why you are the best person for the job.

Deliver cookies or snacks with your thank you note after interviews or informational meetings.

Turn your favorite past-time into a part-time business to ease full-time job uncertainty.

If a position you applied for continues to show up online as open, inquire about being a temporary fill-in while they are still looking for the right person.

Own up to mistakes or challenges you know will surface during your performance reviews anyway and show your enthusiasm for overcoming them and moving forward in your career.

After surviving a layoff, ask for a meeting with your manager to find out what you can do to help the company while making yourself a more valuable employee.

Send handwritten thank you notes to recruiters you meet at job fairs.

Bring interview or review conversations back around to where you can accentuate your strengths and talents.

Ask the next question that many are afraid to – “Why was I not your top choice for the job?”, “Do you have any suggestions for me as I continue my job search?”, “How can I improve my performance and contribute more to the company’s success?”

Anyone can send an email, post their resume online, wait to see what will happen or hear what the boss’ or client’s decision will be. Take back control of your job search or career path and decide what your own positive steps will be to get what you want.

Ask, “How do I want this to turn out?” and aim for that end result. Or as my husband frequently reminds me when pondering a decision, “What do you have to lose?” You and I have the power to create the life of our dreams. Let’s go for it!

Can We "Have It All"? - New Book Says Yes!

2009-10-19T15:43:00.000-07:00

Here’s a new book by Marcus Buckingham, Find Your Strongest Life; What the Happiest and Most Successful Women do Differently. Marcus is best known for his “Strengths Revolution” work, helping millions of people identify and benefit from their strengths. Read his ideas on how women can have it all and be happy. Take the Strong Life Test (see sidebar) and “discover the role you were born to play”.

Shop at Amazon.com!

Do You Know your USP??

2009-09-28T16:47:00.000-07:00

A marketing concept from the 1940’s, the Unique Selling Proposition, says that successful advertising campaigns make unique propositions to customers, thus causing them to switch brands. This term is used today in many fields to explain what differentiates one thing from another. Let’s apply this term to people:

What makes you memorable, incomparable, and causes you to stand out from the rest? These qualities, skills and abilities, your USP’s, are useful to know as you prepare for performance reviews, get acclimated to a new job, or for interviewing for that next position. Know and believe in yourself so that you can convince others to do the same and hire you, promote you, or build a valued relationship with you.

What better situation to identify USP’s than when building a resume? Here’s the document for touting your strengths and skills. You have only seconds to catch a reader’s attention, so use powerful words and phrases to describe yourself and what benefits you bring to a company. In today’s popular resume format, the summary paragraph - the first component at the top, is exactly where you would present these words. When you get to the interview, you will expand upon the words that piqued their interest in you and explain further why you’re the right person for the job!

What about when applying for a grant, submitting a proposal to a customer, or meeting with your boss to talk about that promotion? More situations where your USP will come in handy. Give yourself time to prepare and consider what makes your organization, company, department, or you, most deserve the prize ahead of all others.

To create your USP, start by listing adjectives and 2-3 word phrases that best describe you. Then go back through the list with your target audience in mind and pick out the top 5 that will most appeal to them. Use these in your summary paragraph or introduction of your presentation or proposal. Next, write out your accomplishments that pertain to the upcoming situation by utilizing the Challenge encountered-Actions taken-ensuing Results format. Note the most effective actions and outcomes for backing up your intention to win the prize. Help your readers and listeners understand clearly why you are the most deserving, the most qualified, and the best choice with a powerful Unique Selling Proposition!

Get Started! Begin that list of adjectives and phrases. Get other perspectives and ask friends and colleagues what words they would use to describe you. Begin forming your USP by thinking about what makes you unique, special and so deserving of what you want. You are one-of-a-kind. Define it, believe it, and be proud of it!

Visualize your Goals already Achieved

2009-08-10T08:54:00.000-07:00

I got some good advice from my mastermind group upon mentioning my jitters about an upcoming presentation to a group of professional women at a large San Diego company: “Visualize how you want it to turn out”. Simple and powerful words to apply to every single goal you have in your life and especially work. Read below for the how and why visualizing should be part of our everyday activities.

“Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions.”
--Albert Einstein

Athletes have been using their imaginations to achieve their goals for years. They visualize an upcoming event in their mind before it actually takes place. Jack Nicklaus, the legendary golfer said “I never hit a shot, not even in practice, without having a very sharp, in-focus picture of it in my head.” First he saw the ball sitting where he intended it to go, then saw how it got there – its path, trajectory and landing, and finally saw the type of swing needed to turn his vision into reality.

This can work for the rest of us just as effectively. First get very clear on exactly what you want, and then take 10-15 minutes each day to close your eyes and imagine that your goal is already complete. Envision your dream house, ideal career, having unlimited money and good health, a successful presentation, or whatever you choose. Even more powerful is to imagine the corresponding feelings and sounds. Researchers say that an image or scene in your mind, when accompanied by intense emotion, can stay in your memory forever.

There’s fascinating scientific reasoning for how this works: When you visualize your goal as already complete on a regular basis, it creates a conflict in your subconscious mind between what you currently have and what you are visualizing. Your mind then tries to resolve the conflict by 1) programming your brain to let you be more aware of things that will help achieve your goal; 2) activates your subconscious mind to create solutions; and 3) creates new levels of motivation.

We each have one of the most powerful tools known to man right between our ears – our imaginations! Put it to use right now – get a mental picture of each of your goals, think about and feel them daily, and see what happens. You become unstoppable in achieving the life you want for yourself.

This week: Find yourself a quiet spot and bring to mind one important goal you want to achieve. Close your eyes and see yourself enjoying the benefits of that achievement. Think about how every aspect of reaching that goal feels and sounds to you. See in your mind’s eye what you’re doing, who’s with you, and every detail of its positive outcome. This exercise may feel like the children’s game of “pretend” but go with it. Write down what you thought about and carry that paper with you to remind you of not only the target goal, but also its associated feelings and effects. You’ll have more confidence and soon begin taking steps needed to make it happen.

Got a Summer Vacation???

2009-08-05T14:32:00.000-07:00

Have you taken your summer vacation yet?
You’ve got another month or so before summer officially ends, so if not, get that break penned in on your calendar. Expedia’s annual survey indicates that we Americans do see the benefits of taking vacations with “39% reporting they feel more productive and better about their job upon returning from vacation and 52% claiming to feel rested, rejuvenated and reconnected to their personal lives”.

My friend, Elaine Masters, owner of Drivetime Yoga (www.DrivetimeYoga.com), offers some wonderful advice regarding vacations and her specialty, road trips, in this week’s article.

"It's Monday but summertime daydreams are tugging at my attention. I've been browsing expat websites, pouring over travel magazines and I just returned from a great trip! Oh, guilt is tempting but daydreaming this time of year is natural. A recent survey conducted by Huntress, a British staffing firm, found that over 68% of polled workers admitted that they spent a good portion of the day dreaming about impending vacations. Another 25% said they noticed their productivity drop in the summer.Forward thinking companies have harnessed this natural "summer slump" by giving their employees a little more time off. Studies show that they reap financial benefits in a few months with increased morale and productivity, especially during the busy times of the year. For those entrepreneurs amongst us, it's hard to justify time away, but you can manage your desire to get outside, still get things done and satisfy that wanderlust. Here are a few tips:
If you're on staff, write up a proposal to your boss that includes tele-commuting or flex-time so you can have 3-day weekends. Be specific & have alternatives.
Travel-commute: Again managing your time is key. Bring your laptop/smart phone with you and set up a few hours a day to work. Turn things off on schedule or you'll negate the positive effects by staying online too long.
Break out of your rut and change your routine. Take advantage of the great weather to do some Yoga on the patio, the beach or at the park. Make stretching a prelude to your picnic lunch!
If you work at home and the kids are there, get them stretching too.

Denying your natural desire to go out and play can lead to frustration or worse, depression. Find new ways to nourish yourself with mindfulness and a little discipline. You'll be happier for it.

Here are two simple Road Trip Yoga Tips:
Get Present:
To be more focused and fight the monotony of longer drives, try 'rolling' through each of your senses. Approach this with a beginners mind, as though it were the first time you felt each experience. Listen to the noises of the car and road. Feel your back and legs against the seat and the vibration in your feet. Sense the space around your car and the distance between you and other drivers.
Stretch breaks:
About every 20 minutes, check in and feel what's going on in your body while in the car. Add little stretches and adjustments based on what you discover. Stretch slowly and deeply at rest stops. By stopping every hour, for even a few minutes to stretch and move more, you'll arrive feeling better, with less stiffness and be more ready to play or work."

For more stress relief tips contact Elaine Masters, RYT, info@drivetimeyoga.com www.DrivetimeYoga.comCopyright 2009 Elaine Masters, RYT - www.DrivetimeYoga.com. Used by permission.

Thanks Elaine!

This week: Schedule that summer vacation trip and start making your arrangements for getting away from the office, or at a bare minimum, plan a day or two off for complete relaxation and rejuvenation. No doubt, the work will still be there when you return but you’ll find yourself more productive, refreshed and ready to tackle it.
Have a great week!

Being, Doing, Having

2009-07-13T15:31:00.000-07:00

"Often people attempt to live their lives backwards: they try to have more things, or more money, in order to do more what they want, so they will be happier.
The way it actually works is the reverse. You must first be who you really are, then, do what you need to do, in order to have what you want."
--Margaret Young, American entertainer, 1920's

Ever notice those among us who don’t seem to have to work that hard to do well in their jobs or to be good leaders or successful business owners? They appear comfortable in their own skin and pleasantly confident about the roles they’ve chosen in life. They aren’t struggling or trying. They’re simply caught up in the “being” instead of the “doing”.

Here’s what I’ve determined about them so far:
They know without a doubt what their chosen path is and take full responsibility for it.
They expect and plan for positive outcomes.
They speak with firm, affirmative language as if there is no other way.
They don’t make excuses or apologies – they don’t have to because they’re doing what they’re meant to do.
They are content with whatever they have right now. If they aspire to have something better, a job, car, house, etc., you don’t hear them talking about it – they’ve probably got a plan in place and know they’ll have whatever it is soon enough.
They have a good balance of work and play in their lives.
When they receive a complement, they are genuinely appreciative and somewhat surprised that there is anything out of the ordinary about them.

What I especially admire about these people is that they dwell in the present, not the past or the future. For example, no matter who they are talking with, that other person has their full attention. When they’re on a project, those related tasks have their complete energy. When they are on vacation, they’re really on vacation without any distractions. They are fully present.

Who do you know with these traits? Your boss, a co-worker, teacher or community leader? Take some time this week to notice what makes this remarkable group of people tick. Or pick one of my observations above and implement it into your life. Perhaps you are already one of these people who’s gotten off that treadmill of “doing” and spends more time “being”. Keep on being. The rest of us will watch, take notes, and eventually catch up.

Shakti Gawain, best-selling author and teacher, says it this way: “When I’m trusting and being myself, everything in my life reflects this by falling into place easily, often miraculously.”

Change: The Only Constant in Life

2009-06-06T18:44:00.000-07:00

June – can you believe it? Time is flying and the pace of our world seems to continue its increase. New technology, information, activities, choices, and decisions keep us on our toes and demand our attention in order to stay at the top of the workplace game. My friend and mentor, Barbara Eldridge contributed this issue’s article about what she calls the “2009 Dilemma” – planning and changing in order to keep up. Read below for her insight and suggestions.

Are you keeping up with the pace of change? The pace of technology? The pace of your industry? The pace of your competition? The 2009 Dilemma is how much do you have to change to keep pace? During these challenging times you need to have information at your finger tips that help you make the best decisions.
Planning is a hands on process. You might start by asking some tough questions:
Do you recognize the need for change?
Are you prepared to look reality in the face?
Are you willing to change yourself?
Will you turn a plan into action?
Do you have the guts to take yourself in new directions?
I would like to lay out a road map that will get you to view your career through a lens that eliminates the distortions of everyday business. Let me warn you, you may not like what you see. But if you are going to meet 2009 head on it is a necessary process. Let’s look at what a new strategy could do for you.

1. Develop a statement of purpose. What’s your purpose?Sometimes why we started in a career is not the same as why we continue to work it. One of my long time clients over the years has added staff, and possibly her successor, so that now she can travel more. The business was started so she could support her family.
2. Conduct a SWOT analysis. This will help you evaluate your internal strengths and weaknesses, along with the opportunities and threats you face in your career market place. It will give you a basis for developing a plan.
3. Crystallize your thinking - Determine what specific long range goals you want for yourself. It is never enough to just want more money. They should cover all aspects of your life.
4. Create benchmarks, with specific results for meeting those goals. It is easier to make adjustments along the way without losing sight of the long range goals.
5. Brainstorm strategies for reaching each of the results. There is more than one way to achieve a result, ask others for ideas.
6. Develop a Plan of Action. Plan the progressive steps, along with when you want to accomplish them. Nothing ever happens without action, but there is a world of difference between mere action and constructive action.
7. Be confident in yourself and your own abilities. Be determined to follow through on your plan, because without determination the plan will deteriorate.
The 8th step is to track your progress. Write out your numbers (yes I said write), the steps you have taken. It is a sure way of staying focused.

Barbara Eldridge is President and Founder of Mind Masters a membership organization for business owners. Her advisory experience includes leading businesses into growth, reengineering business systems and processes to accommodate the changing market place, and refocusing businesses that needed to change to survive. Contact her at Barbara@MindMasters.com or www.mindmasters.com. © 2009 Mind Masters, Used by permission.

June is a perfect time to re-evaluate your career path and progress you’ve made to date. This week, follow Barbara’s advice and steps. Revisit your 2009 goals and congratulate yourself on achievements or make some adjustments to get yourself back on track.

Springtime Brainstorms

2009-05-13T09:32:00.000-07:00

I attended a Career Management Alliance conference in San Antonio, Texas a couple of weeks ago and came back with so many great ideas to implement. One especially stands out – that of Brainstorming – and its value in opening up new possibilities, creating bonds within a group, and providing focus. Read below for more on this powerful creativity tool.

Brainstorming is defined by Webster’s as “the unrestrained offering of ideas by all members of a group to seek solutions to problems”. In the session I attended on business development, the group of 15 attendees contributed ideas on topics such as time management, maximizing productivity, branding, prioritizing marketing efforts, sales, and so on. Scribes were assigned to document the ideas and then commit to the ones they would personally focus on for improvement. When all was said and done, we had a list of at least 12 ideas for each of the 8 topics, providing us with possible actions we would not have come up with on our own. Some really resonated and made sense to me; others could work in the future.

And to make Brainstorming really effective, there are rules to abide by*:
1. Go for Quantity – produce a large number of ideas
2. Postpone Judgment – save evaluation until after all ideas are out
3. Encourage off-the-wall ideas – use imagination to list all possibilities
4. Welcome and record all ideas – record the actual words people use
5. Write all ideas where people can see them – write legibly
6. Eight to Evaluate rule – generate a minimum of 8 ideas before moving on

(*Special thanks to Louise Kursmark and Wendy Enelow of Resume Writing Academy for this enlightening session)

See how you can use this tool to come up with creative solutions to nagging problems at work, define your next ideal job, or re-energize a business? How about even at home when deciding how to tackle the next home improvement project or vacation destination? Get a group of co-workers, friends, family or associates together. Pose the problem, review the Rules of Brainstorming, and let ‘em go! At the end of your session, prioritize the ideas and create an action plan to propel you forward.

This week: think of an issue where Brainstorming may be the perfect tool for finding the right solution. Follow the method outlined above and have some fun with your group!

Share the results here - we'd love to see your success stories!

Balance and Goals...Goals and Balance

2009-04-21T07:46:00.000-07:00

Here are a few words on one of my favorite topics, Goals and its sidekick, Balance. As you know, my focus is on work and career related goals; those in others areas oftentimes take a backseat to things I want to accomplish in business. When overwhelm creeps in, along with that creepy procrastination, it’s a good time to re-evaluate where I’m spending my time. It brings up that phrase we’ve heard over the years – “Life-Work Balance”, which not surprisingly, I’ve not yet mastered. You?

What to do? Write these goal categories on a piece of paper: Career, Financial, Family, Personal, and Spiritual. List what you want to achieve in each of these areas in the coming months or by the end of the year. This helps remind you what else matters to you besides work and realign how you spend your time – doing things that are most important to you in all areas of life. And then, each day, and definitely each week, spend time taking steps toward those goals in those areas.

Wise words from the Mayo Clinic website: “Remember, striking a work-life balance isn't a one-shot deal. Creating balance in your life is a continuous process. Demands on your time change as your family, interests and work life change. Assess your situation every few months to make sure you're keeping on track.” (read here for their article on work-life balance: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/work-life-balance/WL00056) Goal setting is imperative to succeeding in life…all areas of life. Don’t forget to balance out your goals among them.

How do you achieve balance while working toward your goals? Please post a comment!

Stress Relief in Job Search and Job Security

2009-04-13T17:10:00.000-07:00

I ran across a good internet article last week when researching “job search stress”. It discusses primary causes and ways to decrease anxiety. I think the information applies to not only people stressing about being out of work, but also the numerous others stressing over job security. It all boils down to one’s thoughts about a situation – we create our experiences by what we think. Read on and be sure to pass it along to someone who can use some de-stressing tips right about now...

The author, a resume-writing specialist, says that by avoiding these 5 things, more peace of mind is possible. I agree and have added some of my own thoughts:
Perfectionism – creating an outstanding resume is important, but don’t obsess about it. I’d add that focusing about the possibility of losing a job or going way over the top with overzealous performance in order to keep it are also forms of perfectionism and detrimental in the long run. Do your best. That’s good enough.
Procrastination – letting things pile up during a job search simply add more stress to the mindset of joblessness. Same goes for job security – putting things off at work and home adds more worry to the situation. Focus on what’s right in front of you rather than projecting into the future. I like the author’s two mottos: Touch it once and Do it now.
Powerlessness Feelings – thinking that others are in control of our destinies with regard to hiring and firing decisions wears a person down, no doubt. Instead, focus on what you do well, concentrate on strengths and accomplishments. Keep a positive attitude and recognize that you are in charge of your life and most definitely are not helpless.
Problem People – Avoid them. Plain and simple. Others’ negative attitudes do you no good so protect yourself especially while in a sensitive situation. When they start talking about the bad economy, unemployment statistics, and who’s laying off, walk the other way or change the subject.
Pessimism – staying positive may be easier said than done when in uncomfortable employment circumstances, so it’s very important to take a break and pull your mind away from this one overwhelming area of life on a regular basis. Schedule time to exercise, garden, chat with positive friends, work your hobby. Volunteer and help others reach their goals. Find those spots of enthusiasm and optimism – let them grow and enter into to your work life.

Whether in job search mode, worrying about possible lay offs, or even business building in a tight economy, I believe these are indeed good things to keep in mind. Protect yourself, take a break from burdensome tasks, optimistically forge ahead with a solid plan for building your future, and create the live you’ve imagined.

This week: Take it easy on yourself, Do it now, Know you are in control, Avoid the naysayers, Build on your optimism and pass it along to others in need.

Got some other stress busters while in job search mode or overcoming job security worries? Post them here!

So What do You Say to Yourself...at Work??

2009-04-01T20:03:00.000-07:00

I just received this book, first published 20 years ago, in the mail and find it to be so timely and still relevant – What to Say When You Talk to Your Self by Shad Helmstetter, Ph.D. He says “Self-Talk is a way to override our past negative programming by erasing or replacing it with conscious, positive new directions. It is a practical way to live our lives by active intent rather than by passive acceptance.” I love that. Read on to learn about 4 levels of Self-Talk and how to move through them:

Level I – Negative Acceptance (“I can’t…”)
This is the lowest, least beneficial, and most harmful mode of Self-Talk. Not only do we say bad things about ourselves, we go on to accept them as truth. Unfortunately it is the most frequently used. Be aware of your “I can’t’s” and move toward replacing them.

Level II - Recognition and Need to Change (“I need to…I should…”)
This level recognizes the problem but offers no solution, instead it recognizes that you need to make a change but are stuck in that place of recognition without any action steps, creating guilt and disappointment in ourselves. “I really should get up earlier”, “I need to enroll in that training class”.

Level III - Decision to Change (“I never…I no longer…”)
The first level that begins moving you in the right direction – you know the need for change and also make the decision to do something about it. You are beginning to rephrase the old “can’t’s” into more positive, present-tense statements. “I no longer argue with my coworker about our responsibilities” “I never speak crossly with my employees”.

Level IV - The Better You (“I am…”)
The most effective level that is used the least and is needed the most. Here you are creating a new picture of how you want to be and giving the words to your subconscious mind as its new program, replacing old “cannots” with “Yes I can’s”. These messages inspires us, encourages us, excites and pushes us forward. “I am organized and efficiently get things done easily and effortlessly”, “I am worthy of promotions and recognition.” “I believe in and respect myself.”

This process helps break down the years of negative programming that our brains are used to and begins feeding it new directions. He says that the “subconscious mind will believe anything you tell it if you tell it long enough and strongly enough. It will simply go to work to carry out its new directives.”

Helmstetter adds, “just listen to anything you may be saying to yourself that could be working against you, turn it around, and start using the Self-Talk that works for you.”

This is only the tip of the Self-Talk iceberg. Pick up a copy of the book and see for yourself. It’s an easy, beneficial read guaranteed to make you look closer at what you say to yourself.

What we say to ourselves sets us up for success or failure, creates possibility or shuts us down in the face of choices. This applies to perfectly to our work lives as well as personal. The messages you give yourself during the day affect your interactions with customers and colleagues, your ability to get things done, and ultimately to be doing the work you absolutely love to do.

This week: catch what you’re telling yourself and eliminate and replace that negative Self-Talk. Write it down and consciously work through the levels above. Put a positive message on a stickie note and place it where you’ll see it daily. (“I approve of myself” was in my car for many years) Begin reprogramming your brain to think highly of yourself and that you are capable of achieving your goals. Live the life you have imagined.

Drop me a line about what you say to yourself during the workday!

What are you telling yourself?

2009-03-23T11:27:00.000-07:00

In my work helping people make successful career transitions after being laid off or making their own decision to do so, I hear many excuses: “I’m too old”, I’m too young”, "I don’t have a degree”, “My dream is too unrealistic”, “I’ll never be able to do it”, “In this bad economy…”. These are typical reactions to change, ways we humans adapt, or don’t, to the unfamiliar. So there begins my work with clients – helping them take a look at what they’re telling themselves and realizing there are always ways around perceived obstacles. In matters related to you making that change you’ve got in mind, what are you telling yourself?

Undoing our Excuses
Here are some different ways of looking at excuses, which are really self-imposed limitations that hold us back from realizing our own potential:

“Too old” – consider the years of accumulated experience learning ways of the business world or an industry, knowing how to get things done, having established a reputation and good work habits.

“Too young” – there is a lot of energy and freshness associated with youth, new ideas and an understanding of how today’s technology can help existing processes, and a hunger for learning from more experienced colleagues.

“I don’t have a degree” – experience speaks volumes in most cases and what is gained from actually doing the thing can overshadow having the piece of paper; a degree can be completed while learning the job.

“Too unrealistic” – wisdom throughout the ages says that if you have the idea to begin with, you have the ability to make it happen; asking tough questions and building a business plan around an idea will shed light on its viability.

“I’ll never be able to do it …” – you get what you think, so your attitude must be open and willing; setting goals, creating action plans, monitoring progress, and appreciating any size of step taken is how many a dream is realized.

“In this bad economy…” – there are still people thriving and businesses having their best months ever – we just don’t hear about them much. Yes, careful consideration is in order along with a reality check on finances, but nothing says you can’t start making moves now.

“I won’t make as much money” – that remains to be seen – with a goal and a good marketing plan, whether self-employed or not, there may be more money available than you think.

“I don’t have the skills” – related skills may just be buried in years of experience; if you’ve learned new things before, you can do so once again; volunteer, take classes and show your enthusiasm for getting the skills you need.

By the way, here’s my own overused excuse, “I don’t have enough time” – maybe my schedule is filled with tasks better left for later (or in my case, too many details that don’t really warrant doing) and events that won’t help me reach my goal. Time to re-evaluate and reprioritize.

The point is, we all have excuses for not taking action on something that could lead us to more success, more happiness, peace of mind, self belief and confidence than we can imagine possible.

If we really want something and make the commitment to get it, we will find the ways to overcome our excuses and make it happen. As Henry Ford, that great American industrialist said, “Whether you think that you can, or that you can’t, you are usually right.”

So what's holding you back from reaching your dreams? Identify that old excuse and counter it with what you can do, even a baby step, to get past it.

Back to "Old School" in the Workplace

2009-03-18T12:01:00.000-07:00

A lot of my time is spent these days helping people individually and in groups get back to work. In my Career Transition Clubs, we cover a variety of topics including social networking’s role in job searching, recommended resume styles, and doing work we love. Twice a month, I conduct job search workshops at Interfaith Community Services where topics include basics such as interviewing skills, goal setting, and networking. One thing has become very clear – to succeed in today’s job market and workplace, one must stand above the crowd, or as a Club member recently put it, "we need to use old-school techniques”.

“Old School” Tips & Techniques
From the Urban Dictionary, “old school” is defined as “anything that is from an earlier era and looked upon with high regard or respect”. Some of these old-school workplace tips are seemingly common sense, though I’m sorry to say, not frequently put into common practice.

* Sending hand-written thank you notes after interviews and meetings
* Hand-delivering requested materials, such as resumes, and enclosing them in a larger
envelope so no folding of the document is required
* Doing follow up by placing a phone call rather than emailing or texting
* Taking care to dress professionally and neatly for interviews and presentations
* Taking the time to arrange for face-to-face interaction vs. phone or email
* Going back to clarify when you feel miscommunication may have occurred
* Paying attention to detail, especially spelling or abbreviations others may not understand
* Being an attentive listener and “being present” with the person speaking
* Initiating a handshake, saying “thank you”, and making eye contact
* Acting on something personal about a colleague, manager or client – their birthday, favorite
foods, children’s names, things you have in common.
* Sharing the credit when things go well and accolades are flowing
* Apologizing when you’ve erred, in person whenever possible

Yes, it’s true - by ensuring you do these “old school” things as often possible, you will actually stand out from the crowd. All are common courtesies, yet not commonly practiced. Today’s fast pace and technology laden workplaces can prevent us from getting back to these basics. Nothing can ever take the place of the human touch in our high tech world.

To Do this Week: Check yourself on the list above and make sure you’re covered. Focus on one you might improve upon and put it into play. Work on it consistently, make it a habit and enhance your reputation. Then pass this list along to someone who’s in the job market so they can really make an impact on potential employers.
Have a great week!

Please post a comment or another "old school" idea that you'd like to see become more common practice!

How do YOU define Success???

2009-03-03T17:03:00.000-08:00

Recent news has got me thinking about the definition of "Success" and I wonder if many people are changing theirs in light of our changing times. Personally, and up to now, mine has been more focused on the achievement of that “big hairy goal”. Now, however, I’m paying attention to the small steps and realizing it’s not an all or nothing kind of thing. Maybe that end result won’t or can’t look exactly like what I have in mind, but I can sure learn to enjoy the journey!
Take a look at others’ thoughts on success:

"Success is found in the journey, not the destination." - Arthur Ashe

"Try not to be a man of success, but rather to be a man of value." - Albert Einstein

"If your success is not on your own terms, if it looks good to the world but does not feel good in your heart, it is not success at all." -Anna Quindlen

"The man of virtue makes the difficulty to be overcome his first business, and success only a subsequent consideration." - Confucius

"Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it." -Henry David Thoreau

"The temptation to quit is greatest right before you succeed." -Chinese saying

This week: Revisit your personal definition of success and see if it still holds true. If not, use one of the above quotes to inspire what resonates more with you. That’s the beauty of Success. We get to choose its definition and change it whenever we want.
Here’s one more I especially like:
“Success is simple. Do what’s right, the right way, at the right time.” -Arnold H. Glasgow

Please share your definition of success by posting a comment now!

Expect What You Want - especially when Job Hunting!

2009-02-24T17:04:00.000-08:00

Remember that old childhood story about Chicken Little convincing her friends that the sky was falling? Well, if you watch the news and read the papers on a consistent basis these days, it’s easy to begin believing that our sky is indeed falling. I just caught myself on this a couple of weeks ago. Time to take control of the only thing we can – ourselves and our thoughts. Read on…

From Jack Canfield’s Success Principles, principle #4 talks about the “expectancy theory”, yet another powerful example of how our brains work. Scientists say our brains expect certain outcomes because of our life-long conditioning. Through events and education, we believe things will turn out a certain way, whether they actually do or not. However, it is possible to replace negative expectations with positive ones. So when you begin to believe that the outcome you want truly is possible, your brain will start working on making that happen.

Now, let’s relate this to a real-life story about a job search from a former client of mine:
The first thing that struck me about Terry when we began working together a few months ago, was his confidence and absolute belief that he would find the type of job he desired. He never wavered from this and after getting clear on his wants & needs, brushing up his resume and getting the word out to his network, he started interviewing. Fast forward to last week: he accepted a job offer doing the type of work he had in mind for a growing exciting company, and still has two pending offers coming through from other possible employers. His advice to other job seekers: Get clear on what you want and believe that your vision is possible. Terry expected to achieve what he set out to do, rolled up his sleeves, took action, ignored the naysayers, and now is enjoying the reality of his vision, dare I say – even in “this economy”!

Your Challenge This Week: Pick a goal or dream you’ve put aside because of an expectation that it’s not possible at this time. Perhaps a promotion, a new project, new clients, bigger sales, new job, or…you fill in the blank. Think it through in very specific detail so that you can easily see it happening. Get past obstacles by asking “why not?” and “what if?” Try acting as if it is possible to have this thing you want. Choose to believe that you really can have it and expect to see it show up in your life. Believe in yourself and go for it!

Please post your success stories about how what you wanted showed up in your life. This stuff works! Tell us about it.

Passion at Work - Real Life Stories

2009-02-16T16:52:00.000-08:00

Many of you, I’m sure, celebrated Valentine’s Day this past weekend and recognized that much acclaimed passion in your significant relationship. That emotion that takes hold of us and makes everything else seem less of a priority can and does happen in the workplace, as I’ve been discussing this month. Read on for some real-life stories about people who absolutely LOVE what they do for a living.

*A dynamic grandma and former real estate professional is now heading a thriving non-profit business based on the concept of teaching kids the importance of self worth and appreciation of themselves and others on a world-wide scale.
*A woman who for 10 years worked in her family’s construction business and thought she’d found her niche. Then she realized that her new church activities were taking up lots of her time and found she didn’t mind that a bit. After analysis of the possibilities over a 6 month period, she is now happily entrenched in seminary school so she can build a career on helping people in a spiritual sense.
*An entrepreneur at heart whose career in selling business planning and management tools to small business owners developed into her own company for helping small businesses flourish and reach their goals with the aid of her experience and passion for other entrepreneurs.
*A former marketing executive in corporate and non-profit America had health issues which caused rethinking of his future. A lifelong passion for a healthy environment paved the way to opportunities in using his skills and expertise for the benefit of a large utility company and their ventures with the construction industry.
*A woman who thought her ideal career as a business coach would take her into retirement eventually realized that her true passion and talents were better suited to helping women transform their personal and professional lives. She now has her own successful coaching practice.
*A small business owner whose labor-intensive company was zapping his time and energy so much so that there was not much left after hours for his young family. He successfully made the switch to becoming a full time employee elsewhere so he could be more a part of his wife and kids’ lives on a daily basis.
*A professional man passionate about mentoring young adults in their careers, now leads a team of young engineers and is considered one of the most successful departments in a manufacturing company and looked to as the example to follow.

What do all these stories have in common? They identified their passions, persevered in integrating them, and held the desire to live life full out thus creating more meaning and satisfaction. Proof that it can be done and is happening right in front of us to people we see everyday. How about you?

To Do this Week: Review this month’s messages about passion and pick one activity that will help incorporate yours into your work life. Talk to someone who’s living their work dream and learn their story. Figure out how you can have some of that! Then write your own passion story and feel the reward and satisfaction. It’s well worth the effort.

Putting Passion into Practice, part 2

2009-02-09T23:03:00.000-08:00

Last week I mentioned some ways to identify your passions or even clarify those you are already aware of. A really good book on the topic, The Passion Test, gives much more information and in-depth exercises for identifying them. It’s definitely a process. The passions I started with last year when I read the book have been reworked and refined until they are much more specific. For instance, I started with “inspire and encourage others to reach higher to discover their potential”. Now it reads “leading and facilitating groups where new ideas and methods are discussed, thus getting each person closer to doing what they love”. Here’s the next step in connecting the dots between work and passion: integrating them into your work life.

Putting that Passion into Practice
The best way I know for making a change (like integrating your now identified passions into your life) is to make a goal of it and create a realistic action plan. I’ve mentioned many times that studies show the most successful people set goals, and not only that, they write their goals down, keep them visible, and review them often. Next, think of ways to achieve this goal by creating an action plan, step by step activities that answer the question, “how can I do more of that?” And last but not least, hold yourself accountable for achieving them.

Let’s take an example of someone who is passionate about teaching and training. Their goal becomes “Spend more time each week in a training/teaching role until it becomes my primary function.” Their action plan may include such steps as “determine training needs in my department”, “find or develop appropriate classes for my employees, clients and colleagues”, “attend ASTD (American Society for Training & Development) monthly meetings for exposure to the field”, and “volunteer at xyz organization to teach xyz class”. These can be broken down into even smaller steps if needed – whatever it takes to make them feel realistic and achievable. The next step is to assign a date that each step will be completed by and put it on the calendar and weekly to-do lists to ensure activity. Regular review of progress, realigning with other priorities when needed, and noting accomplishments toward reaching the goal are all critical parts of the process.

Need some help getting started? I have a very simple worksheet for identifying and integrating Passions into your work life that I’ll be happy share with you. Please add a comment to this post and I'll send it to you.

To-Do this Week: Write down at least one goal that will add more passion to your life. Next, determine the action steps required which help you “do more of that”. Write these down and assign a due date – add to your calendar and hold yourself accountable. Even better, share this process with a friend and hold each other accountable. Celebrate your accomplishments and progress toward making your work more fulfilling and exciting, step by step.

“Success isn't a result of spontaneous combustion. You must set yourself on fire.”
~Arnold H. Glasow, American humorist and author, 1905-1998

Putting Passion into Practice!

2009-02-02T22:27:00.000-08:00

I had the great pleasure of being the speaker at the monthly meeting of the Good Ol’ Gals networking group last week in North San Diego County where close to 60 dynamic, creative women were in attendance. The topic was one of my favorites and very appropriate for the month of February: Putting Passion into our Work. Before making a career transition into my own career services business almost 4 years ago, I had made no connection between “work” and “passion”. Now I get it. I hope you do, or will, too.

What’s the Connection?
Passion is that powerful emotion that drives us to act or behave in certain ways. We can all relate to the romantic, February 14th type of passion; how and why does this emotion relate to work? Most of us spend an incredible amount of time working, usually more than just 8 hours per day. When you factor in morning preparation and 2-way commute time, you’re looking at 10 hours or more. That’s not even counting “mind time” when you’re still mulling over work issues without even being there!

What if you were doing work you absolutely love, work you feel “called” to do? What a difference that feeling, that passion, would make in those work hours. Imagine feeling fulfilled, completely engaged, and satisfied that you are making a contribution to others’ lives. Studies prove that people who do what they love for a living are happier and healthier – mentally and physically. They focus on the positive, less on negative, and therefore are less stressed. Family and friends find them more fun to be with, interesting to talk to, positive and expressive.

Ready to put some passion in your work? First you need to identify what your passions are by taking the time to answer the following questions:
1. What is it about your work that gets you out of bed in the morning?
2. What are you doing during the workday when time flies by?
3. What are you doing when, upon completion, you say “I can’t wait to do that again!”?
4. Complete this sentence: When my work life is ideal, I am…

This starts the process of putting more passion in your work. Your answers are clues to what you are happiest doing and get you closer to doing work you love.

To-Do this Week: Get a blank piece of paper and write answers to the 4 questions above If you already feel passionate about your work, maybe you can add a little more. If you have a good job but aren’t necessarily excited about it or able to leave just yet, here’s a way to make it more interesting. And if you’re in transition, actively looking for work, definitely take the time to do this exercise so your next job will include your passions from the get-go.

"Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive."
Howard Thurman, theologian and writer

Are you passionate about your work? Drop me a comment and let me know how you made that happen!

Stay on the Upswing during this Downturn - Show Your Value

2009-01-27T23:59:00.000-08:00

Attitude is everything and is important everywhere, I think you will agree. No better place to start than at work, especially now, in light of widespread job market and company layoff news. The closer these things hit to home, the more we need to step up and be ready for whatever may happen next. Rather than joining the masses who sit in worry and stress, take action and create a secure future for yourself. The following series of posts present ideas to help keep yourself on the upswing during this downturn:

1. Show your Value: Step up your involvement and present solutions and ideas that can cut costs or even create a low-cost revenue stream for the company. Take on new projects and offer to assist others with theirs. Show initiative by attending training classes to improve your skills and set your sights on the next position you want within the company and do the things needed to get there. Stay in constant contact with your boss and make sure s/he knows you are eager, ready and willing to do your part to help the company reach its goals. Speak positively about the company and your colleagues. Do whatever it takes to stand above the crowd. Be that productive, resourceful employee that people enjoy working with.

How else might you show your value at work during tough economic times and make your job more secure? Please post your ideas here!
Stay tuned for Idea #2 - Be a Model Employee

What did you want to be when you grew up?

2009-01-21T15:49:00.000-08:00

I had the opportunity last week to be a workshop leader at a teen girls’ conference where I introduced them to exercises for finding their right career path. I told them of the advantage they have right now at their age to become aware of clues to their “right livelihood” before adult responsibilities and experiences begin covering them up. They found it very interesting and somewhat unbelievable when I told them that the question they get tired of hearing now is the very one I ask my mid-life, mid-career clients who are so unhappy in their jobs: “What did you want to be when you grew up?”

How would you respond to these questions and statements?

I am naturally good at:
In my spare time, I like to:
My favorite school subject is/was:
I got the best grades in:
I feel passionate about the issue of:
I like to read books about:
A person I know (identify who), has an interesting job, which is:
I think the most interesting sites on the internet are:
My friends and colleagues have said that I’m really good at:
My favorite places to go are:
Businesses that are interesting to me are:

Clues to your natural abilities, strengths and talents can truly go all the way back to your childhood. Reviewing some of your favorite things from back then may point you in the direction of what you really could be doing for a living that would be more fulfilling and meaningful to you. Check yourself with what you’re doing now and see how close you are. Feel free to pass this along to a friend who’s been wondering what they want to be when they grow up.

I started working with a new client last summer who found herself in this dilemma. After a long successful and exciting career, it was time to move on and she wasn’t clear where to go. She actually inspired my Career Discovery Journal, which was created just for the purpose of figuring out what kind of work you’re better suited for. If you or someone you know is dedicated to making a career change this year and has no idea as to what that new career looks like, please visit this site: www.dowhatyoulove.net and order a Journal today.

For more information on our Career Services, including one-on-one coaching, group Outplacement workshops and Career Transition Clubs, please visit www.LousbergUnlimited.com.

7 Steps to Simple, Powerful Goals

2009-01-13T18:24:00.000-08:00

Over the years, I have (and am sure you have too) run across numerous strategies, products, and workshops for New Year goal setting. Over time, I developed my own method, a hybrid of the most popular, and one that works best for me… and one that works well of my ’09 intention of keeping things simple. I share these 7 steps to encourage you to create your own 2009 roadmap to success in an easy, realistic way:

1. Write them down in detail – studies prove that those who write down what they want have much more success than those who do not. Be specific – vague goals create vague results. Include answers to the questions “how much?” and “by when?

2. Chunk each one down – create action steps and include in your to-do list so you can move toward achieving your goals every day

3. Visualize – see yourself actually doing, being, having each goal; find related pictures and create a vision board. envision your life with them already accomplished and then add emotion to the vision – what will it feel like to have accomplished each of your goals?

4. Set goals for all areas of your life – Spiritual, Physical, Personal Development, Relationships, Financial, Community - and of course - Career.

5. Review regularly – once in the morning and once in the evening; keep them visible, such as in your day planner or calendar; put your top priority goal on a card and carry with you

6. Track progress and accomplishments throughout the year; reset and revise goals where necessary. Keep the momentum rolling – if progress is interrupted, pick up where you left off and keep moving forward.

7. Be accountable – ask someone to help hold you responsible by checking in and reminding you of your intentions for this year. You do the same for them.

Taking the time to plot out what you want to accomplish this year is like gathering up maps before taking a road trip or writing a business plan before launching a business. Being clear on what you want and determining what action steps to take puts you fully in charge of your activities this year. Constantly remind yourself of what you want and make note of your progress. And as life is constantly changing, so are our goals. If you see the need to drop one from the list or re-prioritize all of them, do so without looking back. You are in charge of this journey.

“The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex, overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one.”
Mark Twain, American author and humorist

“If you are bored with life, if you don’t get up every morning with a burning desire to do things – you don’t have enough goals.”
Lou Holtz, NCAA award-winning Football coach

Keeping Things Simple

2009-01-06T19:45:00.000-08:00

Ever feel like things have gotten too complicated and all the joy is gone from previously enjoyable tasks? One of my own personal goals this year is to simplify various activities, one of which is writing and sending out my Monday Morning Stretch weekly emails. It has gone through some transitions this year and by the way, thank you to my subscribers for your patience and positive comments as I’ve tried out different styles. While it may have looked more professionally constructed with its catchy format, good graphics and photos, it became more of a hassle and something I did not look forward to doing. Back to simple and what worked before – short paragraphs filled with helpful workplace information (and maybe a graphic here and there). The acronym, K.I.S.S, is a great reminder – Keep It Short & Simple.

Think of one of your own work related tasks that has become too complicated and is perhaps now your least favorite thing to do. Too many forms, numerous levels of required approvals, and an over-the-top amount of reports to generate are all causes for overwhelm. In my case, too much space requiring too much text for a weekly message was the culprit. Take that one task and think about how it could be simpler and what you can do today to break it down into something easier to accomplish. Delegate a piece of it, ask for a reprieve on reporting, or combine 2 or 3 forms into one. Get creative and simplify what’s become too much to handle.

This week, see where you can apply that K.I.S.S. rule and make your life simpler and better. As famed American Poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow said,

“In character, in manner, in style, in all things, the supreme excellence is simplicity.”

The Power of Master Minding for Job Seekers

2008-12-17T00:23:00.001-08:00

The power of just what masterminding can do really came through with a recent comment from a member of my Career Transition Club. She’s been out of work for several months and just joined this group of mid-level professionals looking for positive change in their work lives. She said during her introduction that she looks forward to coming to the meetings because before now, she was so isolated and cut off from anyone in the same situation that could really understand her predicament. Now she comes to the weekly meetings knowing she’ll be surrounded by fellow job seekers who can relate to her, offer sound advice, and have her best interests at heart. Just knowing that others are cheering her on and want her to succeed makes all the difference to her.

Wow. When I formed this group, I knew that bringing people together to talk about the challenges of being unemployed, overqualified, and having to search for work in a tough job market would at least benefit by hearing what others are going through at the same time. What I continue to realize each week is that the benefits go even deeper than that. There’s solace in being with people, perhaps strangers at first, who have a common bond of living with the same set of circumstances. There’s a powerful camaraderie that comes from connecting with others outside of our usual circle of family and friends - objective outsiders looking in on us with fresh eyes seeing things we may not.

What I witness each week that far outweighs my original intention is the spirit of masterminding at its finest. A group of people otherwise feeling isolated and without resources while in the uncomfortable place of seeking work walk out of the meeting chatting, laughing, and sharing ideas with each other about what they might do next. I watch in quiet admiration at the evolution of these individuals as they develop into that supportive uplifting cohesive group that accomplishes so much together because they were drawn out of their isolation into a much better place.

Please comment on how group support has helped you during a job search.

Whys and Hows of Passion in Work

2008-12-02T12:14:00.000-08:00

“My highest calling is that which animates me”
The topic of discussion at recent Career Transition Club meetings has been about integrating our passions into our work, but first comes the tough job of figuring out what they are. This quote from some work I did last year through the Noble Purpose program offers a simple reminder and way to identify those passions.

The question often comes up about following a passion that requires leaving a stable income- generating job. Where does passion fit into that scenario? My answer is that determining what facets of your current job feed your passions is where you should focus and spend more time doing those activities. That’s where you are lit up, excited, and fully engaged; in another word- animated.

So, what specifically are you doing at work when you’re having fun, not watching the clock, and completely focused on the task at hand? Pay attention to those things. That’s where your passions lie.

Why passion at work? Imagine being happier, fully utilizing your skills and strengths (which are often directly connected to passions), and actually looking forward to doing what you do for a living! And further, imagine the by-products of that – more energy and positive outlook shared with friends and family, even strangers when you're on your own time. As we prepare to enter into a new year, spend some time focusing on your passions, those places where you are animated and living life to its fullest.

Have a story to share about how you're living and working your passions? Drop me a comment.

Gratitude at Work

2008-11-24T00:35:00.000-08:00

“Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.” --author Melody Beattie

During those times when a particular situation at work (or elsewhere for that matter) is causing stress and strain, take out pen and paper and make yourself list 5 things you are grateful for in that situation. A friend of mine says sometimes when it feels especially tough, that may mean the only 2 things she can think of are “the pen and paper I have to write this list with”! At least that’s a place to start and it does get easier after that. By giving thanks for even the smallest thing, we force ourselves into “gratitude mode” and feel the stress and strain lessen. You begin to focus on what you do have and not what you don’t. Then a feeling of abundance kicks in and that whole bad mood feels less overwhelming. As like attracts like, this feeling grows and we make room for more things to be grateful for.

If you’re not all that happy with work right now or feeling insecure about your job, it might feel difficult to find that one thing to be grateful for, but there’s something there. Whatever it is, it deserves your gratitude and attention so that it can grow and make your work life more fulfilling and meaningful to you. Do some thinking over the next few days – you might realize more to be thankful for than you thought.