"Somneone who hates details is not a good candidate for being taught how to scrutinize contracts. Somone who loves details is not a great trainee for sales. Being people-oriented is a characteristic that rarely goes hand-in-hand with being detail-oriented. It's not uncommon for companies to deal with the arduous task of training sales people to pay more attention. Telling a client to hire someone else is difficult, since detail-oriented people-persons simply don't exist. It may be a hard pill for HR to swallow, but accountants don't usually relish selling. What to do?" -- Roger C. Schank, President and CEO of Socratic Arts
*************************
Test Your Career Health by Jim Clemmer
Many of us invest time once a year for an annual checkup of our physical health. But what about a regular career checkup?
Canadian author and literary icon, Robertson Davies, once wrote, "Weigh up your life once a year. If you find you are getting short weight, change your life. You will usually find that the solution lies in your own hands."
Here are six questions to help you discover whether your career is healthy — and, if it isn't, to help put it back on track.
Can I be real at work?
I am all for professionalism. I also like the assurance that whether I am working with colleagues in my field or buying professional services, I am dealing with a true pro that really knows his or her "stuff." But too often "professional" is another name for impersonal. We often equate professionalism with being unemotional or not showing our true selves.
While few people want us to throw a temper tantrum or break down in tears when we might really feel like doing just that, if we can't be real and bring our true selves to work we may be selling our soul (or at least our mental health) for a few bucks every two weeks.
When we can be open, transparent, and not put on a "professional" act, is often when we're the healthiest and most balanced.
A key element of "knowing thyself" is sorting out what's really important to you. Through study, meditation, contemplation, talking with close and trusted friends, consultation with your spouse, keeping a journal, taking a personal development workshop, or whatever works for you, develop a written list of your four to five top principles.
Reputation is what people think I am. Personality is what I seem to be. Character is what I really am. Our goal should be to break down the barriers between the three until they are one.
Am I growing with change?
The popular goals of security, stability and predictability can be deadly. They can lead to stunted growth and reduced learning. In today's fast-changing world, if we fail to change, it is we who will likely be changed. If we don't control our own future, someone else will.
Only a mediocre person is always at his or her best. If you are getting very comfortable with your expertise and skill levels, your learning may have leveled out.
You may not be stretching and challenging yourself enough. Your comfort zone could be fossilizing into a complacency zone. Are your personal habits stepping stones or stumbling blocks?
Use Benjamin Franklin's "method for progressing." He identified 13 virtues he wanted to develop. Each week he worked on one of the virtues for a total of "four courses (cycles) in a year." Each night before retiring, Mr. Franklin reflected on and recorded his progress on that week's virtue.
Join the Daily Reflect and Plan Club. You need at least 15 minutes and ideally 30 to 45 minutes each work day.
Use this time to read or listen to spiritual, inspiring, or educational material, write in your journal, day dream, review the previous day, set your priorities for the next day to sort out the urgent from the truly important, pray and meditate, continue developing your vision, values, and purpose, etc.
Experiment with many of these activities until you find the ones most meaningful for you.
Develop or join a network of colleagues who are as interested in personal learning and development as you are.
This can be a powerful source of learning from other people's experiences. It's also a great place for you to reflect on your own experiences and articulate your improvement plans.
Stretch outside your comfort zone a bit at a time. It will never go back to its original size.
You might try analyzing a problem in a new way, developing a new skill, meeting new people who operate at the performance level you're aspiring to, watching or listening to an educational television or radio program, or making that tough phone call right off the top. Daily or even just weekly small stretches accumulate into powerful new habits and ever stronger discipline muscles.
Skill building starts with assessment. Develop your skills performance gap by identifying what skills you need to fulfill your vision. Then get feedback on your current skill levels.
Have I become a victim?
It's so easy to get stuck in Pity City. Since misery loves company, Pity Parties become popular as everyone points fingers at their favorite targets on the other side of the we-they gap found in many organizations. Problems, setbacks, and disappointments are often wailed about in a rousing game of blame storming: "They're doing it to us again."
We can't choose the sometimes disastrous changes that whack us on the side of the head. But we do choose how to respond. We can try to change or influence the environment to navigate difficult changes. Or we can try to work around the situation and succeed despite "them."
Take the initiative to keep communication channels open with your boss or other colleagues. Outline your roles and responsibilities. Set your top three to five goals. Get your boss' input and adjust accordingly. Meet periodically to review progress and reset priorities.
Try to better understand the bigger picture that "they" are operating within. Do you know what keeps them awake at night? What their key goals and priorities are? How can we align our efforts?
Learn how your organizational game is played. Any organization of five people or more is political. Politics involve relationships, trust, power, persuasion, and influence.
Don't succumb to the "Victimitis Virus" by allowing more senior managers to disempower you. Leadership is action, not position. Be a leader. Make things happen. If you know it's right for your team and the organization, learn how to play the system to get done what needs to be done. Remember the Jesuit's Rule — It's always easier to get forgiveness than permission.
Is there a moose-on-the-table?
Imagine a team meeting around a conference room table. They are reviewing progress and making plans. Charts are reviewed, slides are projected, documents are handed out, and calculations are made. Now imagine that standing in the middle of the conference room table is a great big moose. No one says a word about the moose. Everyone carries on polite conversation as if this situation is very normal. Meanwhile the moose is eating papers at one end of the table while plopping out moose pies at the other end of the table.
The moose is a problem that everyone knows about but won't address. People are trying to carry on as if things are normal. Meanwhile, the problem is blocking progress and has caused some team members to tune out of conversations. By failing to confront the problem, they empower it. The moose grows bigger.
In some organizations, identifying the moose-on-the-table can be a career limiting — or ending — move. The most effective teams regularly ask such questions as: What should we keep doing? What should we stop doing? What should we start doing? These questions identify the moose and move the team forward.
Play with the moose-on-the-table concept. It's a powerful and fun way to get serious issues out in the open. You could get team members at a meeting to write down and hand in a few of the biggest moose they feel are present. Cluster the similar issues and hold a secret ballot on the top clusters. If you suspect people aren't being open during a discussion, ask: "Is there a moose-on-the-table we need to talk about?" Or if you see a potential issue emerging you might say: "I'd like to put a little moose-on-the-table."
Contribute to authentic conversations in an authentic workplace. Speak the truth as you see it. Obviously the time and place needs to be appropriate. Diplomacy and tact are also critical. Help others (especially your peers and those above you) to see the moose-on-the-table.
Is work a four-letter word?
Years ago, I worked in a company with an emotionally intelligent CEO. A favorite motto of his was: "If you love what you're doing, you never have to work again."
We all have our doubt days, when we're not sure we're in the right job. But our jobs aren't work unless those doubt days become as routine as getting up in the morning. If your work has become work, you've lost the passion. Meaningful work goes well beyond what you do for a living; it joyfully expresses what you do with your living.
Identify your strengths and passions. Assess how often and in what ways your current job is aligned with these. If the gap is large, look for ways to make changes in your work, change the work you're doing in your organization, or leave and find work that is in stronger alignment with your strengths and passions.
Our passion for what we do — or our lack of it — tells us if we're in the right place. To be passionate about our work, that work has to keep moving us ever closer to expressing who we truly are. The more closely "who we are" is aligned with "what we do," the deeper is our passion and commitment.
Flight attendants instruct passengers traveling with young children that should the oxygen mask ever drop from the panel above, put the mask on yourself first, and then help your child. Our parental instinct is to do the reverse. Assess whether you're so busy attending to everyone else's needs that you're failing to oxygenate yourself.
Ensure you plan and hold sacred the time to do those activities that recharge and revitalize you. It's the only way you'll have to maintain the energy for your work and to help others in your personal or professional life.
Do I have a job, career or calling?
In the movie "City Slickers," Billy Crystal plays Mitch, a middle-aged man in crisis who has lost his direction. He and his friends go to a dude ranch to participate in a real cattle drive and search for the meaning of life. Jack Palance plays Curly, a crusty old cowhand whose job it is to babysit the city slickers along the dusty trail.
In one memorable piece of dialogue, Curly asks Mitch: "You know what the secret of life is?"
"No, what?" Mitch responds.
Curly holds up his index finger. "This." Mitch looks confused. "Your finger?"
"One thing. Just one thing," Curly growls. "You stick to that and everything else don't mean sh-t."
"That's great," Mitch replies, "but what's the one thing?"
Curly smiles. "That's what you've got to figure out."
In typical movie fashion, of course, Mitch solves his problems by gaining new perspective on his life and knowing what changes he has to make. He learns that "it" — the one thing — varies for each of us. As Mitch tells one of his fellow searchers, "It's something different for everybody. It's whatever is the most important for you."
At least once a year, spend a quiet evening of uninterrupted time "daydreaming" with your spouse or life partner. Take turns fantasizing, seeing, and describing an ideal life together while the other person takes notes. Look at family, house or home, your careers, your physical health, your financial health, community involvement, spiritual growth, and social life. Now start setting goals and improvement plans to turn your fantasies into reality.
To find the core of your deepest and truest inner desires and vision, you may need to keep a running "dream list" for awhile. Record every dream, desire, or goal that pops into your mind. Once the list is complete and exhaustive, start sifting through it to look for patterns or clusters. Begin to group and prioritize your dreams until they're narrowed down to a manageable number. This is your personal source of energy and passion. The next step is unleashing that incredible power through visualization or imagery.
Build your confidence and reinforce your vision by keeping a private "blessings and brag list." It should contain every accomplishment, strength, or success you've ever had along with all the blessings you've enjoyed — no matter how small. Keep adding to it. Review it frequently, but especially when you're doubting or down on yourself.
Balance is a popular and elusive goal for many of us today. Well-balanced people pause periodically to review their progress. They know how easy it is to confuse busyness with effectiveness.
Jim Clemmer’s practical leadership books, keynote presentations, workshops, and team retreats have helped hundreds of thousands of people worldwide improve personal, team, and organizational leadership. Visit his web site, http://www.jimclemmer.com/, for a huge selection of free practical resources including nearly 300 articles, dozens of video clips, team assessments, leadership newsletter, Improvement Points service, and popular leadership blog. Jim's five international bestselling books include The VIP Strategy, Firing on All Cylinders, Pathways to Performance, Growing the Distance, and The Leader's Digest. His latest book is Moose on the Table: A Novel Approach to Communications @ Work.
Showing posts with label self-growth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label self-growth. Show all posts
Thursday, October 01, 2009
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Finding Energy
How to Find Energy for Your Dream When You Work Full-Timeby Suzanne Falter-Barns
www.getknownnow.com
A recent Canadian study of 1,100 employees, polled across North America, found that one-third loathe their jobs. That’s loathe, as in detest, hate and otherwise despise. So here’s the good news: it’s entirely possible for these folks to overcome the usual obstacles, and actually find a more suitable line of work. The key is in managing energy – one of the key things people say keeps them from actively pursuing their dreams in life.
Here are some energy-saving tricks to help that process.
Dedicate your peak time of day to your dream. Are you a lark or an owl? Do you tend to spring out of bed or hug your pillow when the alarm goes off. Get clear on this key fact, then add an extra hour in this time zone for work on your dream. In other words, get up an hour earlier if you’re a morning person – or stay up an hour later if you thrive at night. Write it into your schedule and stick with it.
Indulge in a Four o’clock protein bar or shake. Replace the guilty candy bar in your desk drawer with a snack that’s actually got enough protein to tide you well into the evening hours. Protein bars, such as Balance, Clif, Luna and Power Bars have only slightly less sugar than conventional candy bars, but they’re loaded with soy protein that metabolizes more slowly for an even energy burn. (Ideally, the bars shouldn’t have more than 13 grams of sugar, say experts.) Shakes made with soyprotein powders available at health food stores work even better, and last longer.
Keep a lean office/work space. Nothing drains energy faster than clutter, especially that which accumulates on desktops. Jeffrey Mayer, author of the e-book, How to Win the Fight Between You and Your Desk, says that our energy is literally bogged down every time we see a pile of papers we have to deal with. So he advises parking everything out of sight in appropriate files. Then he suggests keeping a running to-do list on a pad, with items to check off each day as accomplished. This sense of order and accomplishment can breath new life into dreams that feel long in the tooth.
Stop working at least an hour before bed. Even if you’re a night owl who loves to create deep into the night, give yourself some true down time at least an hour before bed. Experts say this is critical unwinding time that will help you sleep better, and hence renew your energy for the next day’s tasks. Use the time to reconnect with your family or spouse, peruse some fun, non-work related reading, or sit in a room with low light simply listening to relaxing music. This is critical energy recharging time.
Avoid junk food; drink water instead. It’s an old saw, but it bears repeating. Nothing depletes your system quite like junk food. The excess sugars speed up your system so it eventually crashes; the excess salts just drive your thirst. They’re fun, but have not substance. Your body craves the good stuff: carrots, salads, light proteins, whole grains, because digestion of such is so much easier on the system.
Add large amounts of water, and you’ll be running at peak. Take your iron. Grains and vegetables provide us with only about seven per cent of their iron, while meat gives us close to 30 per cent. Added to that is the fact that drinking tea and coffee interferes with iron absorption. So, all in all, you're best off with a supplement, preferably about 18 milligrams per day. Author and nutritionist Elizabeth Somers says you'll see improvements in energy and mental clarity within three weeks.
Refresh your mind. On a regular basis, try to offer it something stimulating, fun and not work or dream-related. Consider playing an instrument, or going to a weekly dance or yoga class. Or taking a walk in an entirely new place. Museum exhibitions, browses through bookstores, hang outs in cafes and uninhibited strolls through the Web are all good for this purpose.
Take brainstorming walks. This is a daily exercise walk in which you clear your mind, and use the time for either a little reflection on what you’re creating, or for possible spiritual connection. As the exercise causes your brain to release feel-good endorphins, you can relax enough to really let your mind wander as your stroll. So this becomes a great time to work out little problems that crop up in your dream work. Be sure to bring along a small notepad, or electronic ‘instant messager’ for recording your ideas. If time’s tight, use this time to walk to or from the office, even if you have to park the car a few miles away.
Eat your lunch at your desk. It’s a simple solution, and remarkably effective. The simple act of bringing a sandwich to work, pulling it out, closing the door, and doing a little work on your dream mid-day can deeply increase your commitment to your dream. And that in turn can really fuel your dream, so making time for it becomes easier, not harder. If it’s hard to work at your desk, take your sandwich and dream work to a nearby café, your parked car, a public library carrel, or any public space where you can work.
Long to lead your own creativity workshops? You can with Suzanne’s Joy
Facilitator’s Training – the turnkey program that helps you create, book, fill and lead your own creativity workshops! Based on her best-selling creativity books, from Ballantine.
©2005 Suzanne Falter-Barns.. www.howmuchjoy.com & www.getknownnow.com
For information on how to find the time, energy, money to live your purpose in life, download Suzanne’s free workbook, The Living Your Joy Companion Workbook And get a daily blast of joyful tips from the Blast o’ Joy blog at www.blastojoy.com.
********************************
Keep your energy at its peak to get the best out of life
Fran
www.getknownnow.com
A recent Canadian study of 1,100 employees, polled across North America, found that one-third loathe their jobs. That’s loathe, as in detest, hate and otherwise despise. So here’s the good news: it’s entirely possible for these folks to overcome the usual obstacles, and actually find a more suitable line of work. The key is in managing energy – one of the key things people say keeps them from actively pursuing their dreams in life.
Here are some energy-saving tricks to help that process.
Dedicate your peak time of day to your dream. Are you a lark or an owl? Do you tend to spring out of bed or hug your pillow when the alarm goes off. Get clear on this key fact, then add an extra hour in this time zone for work on your dream. In other words, get up an hour earlier if you’re a morning person – or stay up an hour later if you thrive at night. Write it into your schedule and stick with it.
Indulge in a Four o’clock protein bar or shake. Replace the guilty candy bar in your desk drawer with a snack that’s actually got enough protein to tide you well into the evening hours. Protein bars, such as Balance, Clif, Luna and Power Bars have only slightly less sugar than conventional candy bars, but they’re loaded with soy protein that metabolizes more slowly for an even energy burn. (Ideally, the bars shouldn’t have more than 13 grams of sugar, say experts.) Shakes made with soyprotein powders available at health food stores work even better, and last longer.
Keep a lean office/work space. Nothing drains energy faster than clutter, especially that which accumulates on desktops. Jeffrey Mayer, author of the e-book, How to Win the Fight Between You and Your Desk, says that our energy is literally bogged down every time we see a pile of papers we have to deal with. So he advises parking everything out of sight in appropriate files. Then he suggests keeping a running to-do list on a pad, with items to check off each day as accomplished. This sense of order and accomplishment can breath new life into dreams that feel long in the tooth.
Stop working at least an hour before bed. Even if you’re a night owl who loves to create deep into the night, give yourself some true down time at least an hour before bed. Experts say this is critical unwinding time that will help you sleep better, and hence renew your energy for the next day’s tasks. Use the time to reconnect with your family or spouse, peruse some fun, non-work related reading, or sit in a room with low light simply listening to relaxing music. This is critical energy recharging time.
Avoid junk food; drink water instead. It’s an old saw, but it bears repeating. Nothing depletes your system quite like junk food. The excess sugars speed up your system so it eventually crashes; the excess salts just drive your thirst. They’re fun, but have not substance. Your body craves the good stuff: carrots, salads, light proteins, whole grains, because digestion of such is so much easier on the system.
Add large amounts of water, and you’ll be running at peak. Take your iron. Grains and vegetables provide us with only about seven per cent of their iron, while meat gives us close to 30 per cent. Added to that is the fact that drinking tea and coffee interferes with iron absorption. So, all in all, you're best off with a supplement, preferably about 18 milligrams per day. Author and nutritionist Elizabeth Somers says you'll see improvements in energy and mental clarity within three weeks.
Refresh your mind. On a regular basis, try to offer it something stimulating, fun and not work or dream-related. Consider playing an instrument, or going to a weekly dance or yoga class. Or taking a walk in an entirely new place. Museum exhibitions, browses through bookstores, hang outs in cafes and uninhibited strolls through the Web are all good for this purpose.
Take brainstorming walks. This is a daily exercise walk in which you clear your mind, and use the time for either a little reflection on what you’re creating, or for possible spiritual connection. As the exercise causes your brain to release feel-good endorphins, you can relax enough to really let your mind wander as your stroll. So this becomes a great time to work out little problems that crop up in your dream work. Be sure to bring along a small notepad, or electronic ‘instant messager’ for recording your ideas. If time’s tight, use this time to walk to or from the office, even if you have to park the car a few miles away.
Eat your lunch at your desk. It’s a simple solution, and remarkably effective. The simple act of bringing a sandwich to work, pulling it out, closing the door, and doing a little work on your dream mid-day can deeply increase your commitment to your dream. And that in turn can really fuel your dream, so making time for it becomes easier, not harder. If it’s hard to work at your desk, take your sandwich and dream work to a nearby café, your parked car, a public library carrel, or any public space where you can work.
Long to lead your own creativity workshops? You can with Suzanne’s Joy
Facilitator’s Training – the turnkey program that helps you create, book, fill and lead your own creativity workshops! Based on her best-selling creativity books, from Ballantine.
©2005 Suzanne Falter-Barns.. www.howmuchjoy.com & www.getknownnow.com
For information on how to find the time, energy, money to live your purpose in life, download Suzanne’s free workbook, The Living Your Joy Companion Workbook And get a daily blast of joyful tips from the Blast o’ Joy blog at www.blastojoy.com.
********************************
Keep your energy at its peak to get the best out of life
Fran
Should You Quit Your Job For Your Dreams?
Should You Quit Your Job for Your Dream?
A Questionnaire by Suzanne Falter-Barns
The next time you’re moodily sitting in your office, wishing you were living your dream instead, answer the following questions… or answer them now! They’ll give you a sense of whether or not now’s the time to make the break.
1.My job is making me crazy; so crazy I’d do anything to quit.
a) Highly agree
b) Mildly agree
c) Don’t really agree
d) Strongly disagree
2.If I left my job for my dream, I’m not sure what I’d do first, or even
how I’d begin it.
a) Highly agree
b) Mildly agree
c) Don’t really agree
d) Strongly disagree
3.My boss runs my life … or ruins it. I feel completely misunderstood and trapped by this job. I don’t even know if I could quit – how would I survive? Who would even hire me?
a) Highly agree
b) Mildly agree
c) Don’t really agree
d) Strongly disagree
4.I hate this job but I really need the money. I don’t see any other viable alternative.
a) Highly agree
b) Mildly agree
c) Don’t really agree
d) Strongly disagree
5.If I stay at my work just a little longer, I stand a good chance of getting a promotion and a raise. Then I could find my way clear to saving a little money for my dream.
a) Highly agree
b) Mildly agree
c) Don’t really agree
d) Strongly disagree
6.Yeah, I could quit my job for my dream, but I could run off to Tahiti, too. That’s way too much risk for my taste.
a) Highly agree
b) Mildly agree
c) Don’t really agree
d) Strongly disagree
7.My spouse/partner is okay with the thought of me quitting my job for my dream. We’ve talked it through and he/she sees it as the next thing I need to do.
a) Highly agree
b) Mildly agree
c) Don’t really agree
d) Strongly disagree
8.My spouse/partner fully understands what life will be like when I make the leap to begin my dream. He/she will be there for me, emotionally and even financially if necessary.
a) Highly agree
b) Mildly agree
c) Don’t really agree
d) Strongly disagree
9.I have a business plan for my dream all organized and ready to go. I’ve even scoped out sources for capital, and necessary space and materials to get to work.
a) Highly agree
b) Mildly agree
c) Don’t really agree
d) Strongly disagree
10.I have a savings account for my dream with enough to get started, plus an emergency savings account worth 6 months of my general living expenses. I’ve also scoped out alternatives to my current health care and insurance.
a) Highly agree
b) Mildly agree
c) Don’t really agree
d) Strongly disagree
11.I’ve been developing a systematic plan for leaving my job for a while now … I feel I’m almost ready to go.
a) Highly agree
b) Mildly agree
c) Don’t really agree
d) Strongly disagree
12.I have an adequate support system in place to really help me move ahead with my dream. It includes good friends and advisors, adequate child or elder care, a supportive spouse, and even a coach or mentor.
a) Highly agree
b) Mildly agree
d) Don’t really agree
d) Strongly disagree
If you answered mostly a) and b) to questions 1-4, you’re stuck. Your job has forced you to forget about essential pieces of yourself – it’s time to get some career coaching now.
If you answered mostly a) and b) to questions 5 and 6, you’re a borderline case. You haven’t yet decided whether your dream is all that important to the quality of your life. Just an experiment, you might want to sit with a blank piece of paper and really brainstorm what it would be like to live your dream.
If you answered mostly a) and b) to questions 7-11 … what are you waiting for? You’ve got a plan, you’ve set up the necessary support and you’re good to go; you should be able to weather the inevitable ups and downs. Be sure to allow your company enough notice to make the transition smoothly, so you can leave with glowing reviews. Congratulations!
Long to lead your own creativity workshops? You can with Suzanne’s Joy Facilitator’s Training – the turnkey program that helps you create, book, fill and lead your own creativity workshops! Based on her best-selling creativity books, from Ballantine.
©2005 Suzanne Falter-Barns.. www.howmuchjoy.com & www.getknownnow.com
For information on how to find the time, energy, money to live your purpose in life, download Suzanne’s free workbook, The Living Your Joy Companion Workbook And get a daily blast of joyful tips from the Blast o’ Joy blog at www.blastojoy.com.
***********************************
So, is it time for you to move on? Do you need some help? Contact me
Have a great week!
Fran
A Questionnaire by Suzanne Falter-Barns
The next time you’re moodily sitting in your office, wishing you were living your dream instead, answer the following questions… or answer them now! They’ll give you a sense of whether or not now’s the time to make the break.
1.My job is making me crazy; so crazy I’d do anything to quit.
a) Highly agree
b) Mildly agree
c) Don’t really agree
d) Strongly disagree
2.If I left my job for my dream, I’m not sure what I’d do first, or even
how I’d begin it.
a) Highly agree
b) Mildly agree
c) Don’t really agree
d) Strongly disagree
3.My boss runs my life … or ruins it. I feel completely misunderstood and trapped by this job. I don’t even know if I could quit – how would I survive? Who would even hire me?
a) Highly agree
b) Mildly agree
c) Don’t really agree
d) Strongly disagree
4.I hate this job but I really need the money. I don’t see any other viable alternative.
a) Highly agree
b) Mildly agree
c) Don’t really agree
d) Strongly disagree
5.If I stay at my work just a little longer, I stand a good chance of getting a promotion and a raise. Then I could find my way clear to saving a little money for my dream.
a) Highly agree
b) Mildly agree
c) Don’t really agree
d) Strongly disagree
6.Yeah, I could quit my job for my dream, but I could run off to Tahiti, too. That’s way too much risk for my taste.
a) Highly agree
b) Mildly agree
c) Don’t really agree
d) Strongly disagree
7.My spouse/partner is okay with the thought of me quitting my job for my dream. We’ve talked it through and he/she sees it as the next thing I need to do.
a) Highly agree
b) Mildly agree
c) Don’t really agree
d) Strongly disagree
8.My spouse/partner fully understands what life will be like when I make the leap to begin my dream. He/she will be there for me, emotionally and even financially if necessary.
a) Highly agree
b) Mildly agree
c) Don’t really agree
d) Strongly disagree
9.I have a business plan for my dream all organized and ready to go. I’ve even scoped out sources for capital, and necessary space and materials to get to work.
a) Highly agree
b) Mildly agree
c) Don’t really agree
d) Strongly disagree
10.I have a savings account for my dream with enough to get started, plus an emergency savings account worth 6 months of my general living expenses. I’ve also scoped out alternatives to my current health care and insurance.
a) Highly agree
b) Mildly agree
c) Don’t really agree
d) Strongly disagree
11.I’ve been developing a systematic plan for leaving my job for a while now … I feel I’m almost ready to go.
a) Highly agree
b) Mildly agree
c) Don’t really agree
d) Strongly disagree
12.I have an adequate support system in place to really help me move ahead with my dream. It includes good friends and advisors, adequate child or elder care, a supportive spouse, and even a coach or mentor.
a) Highly agree
b) Mildly agree
d) Don’t really agree
d) Strongly disagree
If you answered mostly a) and b) to questions 1-4, you’re stuck. Your job has forced you to forget about essential pieces of yourself – it’s time to get some career coaching now.
If you answered mostly a) and b) to questions 5 and 6, you’re a borderline case. You haven’t yet decided whether your dream is all that important to the quality of your life. Just an experiment, you might want to sit with a blank piece of paper and really brainstorm what it would be like to live your dream.
If you answered mostly a) and b) to questions 7-11 … what are you waiting for? You’ve got a plan, you’ve set up the necessary support and you’re good to go; you should be able to weather the inevitable ups and downs. Be sure to allow your company enough notice to make the transition smoothly, so you can leave with glowing reviews. Congratulations!
Long to lead your own creativity workshops? You can with Suzanne’s Joy Facilitator’s Training – the turnkey program that helps you create, book, fill and lead your own creativity workshops! Based on her best-selling creativity books, from Ballantine.
©2005 Suzanne Falter-Barns.. www.howmuchjoy.com & www.getknownnow.com
For information on how to find the time, energy, money to live your purpose in life, download Suzanne’s free workbook, The Living Your Joy Companion Workbook And get a daily blast of joyful tips from the Blast o’ Joy blog at www.blastojoy.com.
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So, is it time for you to move on? Do you need some help? Contact me
Have a great week!
Fran
Monday, August 10, 2009
Procrastination
If you suffer from procrastination a good time management strategy for you is to make procrastination enemy number one in your life. Procrastination deprives you of satisfaction, success, and happiness. It causes unnecessary stress, frustration, and pressure in your life. Procrastination is the biggest unnecessary and controllable time waster that exists. So how do you know if you are a procrastinator, and what do you do about it if you are?
If you are a procrastinator, you have probably made procrastination a life-long habit. Your time management strategy is never do today what you can put off until tomorrow. You don’t even start something until it’s almost impossible to complete the project by the deadline. When you finally make the commitment to take action you are a whirl of activity and you don’t allow anyone or anything to interrupt you because you have a deadline to meet. If your time management strategy was to approach all your projects with that level of fury and commitment from the moment you were first aware of the project you would have it done far in advance of the deadline and could move on to other things without having to deal with all that unnecessary stress.
Your negative attitude may be the cause or source of your procrastination. Your attitudes drive your behaviors and your behaviors drive your results, so if a negative attitude is fueling your procrastination including affirmations in your time management strategy is a good plan. Affirmations are positive statements about your ability to do the task at hand, the value of the project, the speed with which you can complete the project etc. All re-enforcing the positive impact of successfully completing the project on time or even ahead of time in your life.
Have you ever found that sometimes you procrastinate because of your fear of failure? This one may not be one that you openly admit to yourself, but if you start thinking back to the times you didn’t follow up with a potential client or didn’t submit your work so it could be considered for an award or whatever you have put off in the past you may realize that part of you didn’t want to get things completed because of your fear of what might happen if you failed. A time management strategy for you is to ask yourself what the potential outcomes are when you take the action you are supposed to take, and then make sure you are comfortable with those outcomes.
The opposite of fear of failure is fear of success. Your fear of success can be another reason for your procrastination. You may worry what others will think of your new found success. As part of your time management strategy you may want to explore the impact of succeeding and prepare yourself for the consequences.
Do you find that its hard to complete things because they’re just never quite good enough? Perfectionism can really get in your way. Recognize that perfectionism can never be achieved and that you can only do your best. It is a better time management strategy to just do something than to just keep putting it off. Zig Zigglar is frequently quoted as having said, “anything worth doing is worth doing poorly”. Perhaps his advice is something for you to take to heart.
Do you ever find yourself just stuck because you aren’t quite sure how to handle the task at hand? Yet, as you think about when you were in those situations in the past, when you finally got started did you find that it wasn’t as hard as you thought it would be? Whether you think it will be hard or if you get stuck working on the project a good time management strategy is to reach out quickly and get the help you need rather than just hoping you will somehow be able to work through it on your own.
Would you like to learn more about your time behaviors? Try this Time Management Analysis and find out where your opportunities for improvement are. When you absolutely must have measurable results to consistently and predictably get where you want to go for Superior Success...visit CoachingMegaAgents to start on your journey for superior success.
Let's get started!!
Fran Watson
If you are a procrastinator, you have probably made procrastination a life-long habit. Your time management strategy is never do today what you can put off until tomorrow. You don’t even start something until it’s almost impossible to complete the project by the deadline. When you finally make the commitment to take action you are a whirl of activity and you don’t allow anyone or anything to interrupt you because you have a deadline to meet. If your time management strategy was to approach all your projects with that level of fury and commitment from the moment you were first aware of the project you would have it done far in advance of the deadline and could move on to other things without having to deal with all that unnecessary stress.
Your negative attitude may be the cause or source of your procrastination. Your attitudes drive your behaviors and your behaviors drive your results, so if a negative attitude is fueling your procrastination including affirmations in your time management strategy is a good plan. Affirmations are positive statements about your ability to do the task at hand, the value of the project, the speed with which you can complete the project etc. All re-enforcing the positive impact of successfully completing the project on time or even ahead of time in your life.
Have you ever found that sometimes you procrastinate because of your fear of failure? This one may not be one that you openly admit to yourself, but if you start thinking back to the times you didn’t follow up with a potential client or didn’t submit your work so it could be considered for an award or whatever you have put off in the past you may realize that part of you didn’t want to get things completed because of your fear of what might happen if you failed. A time management strategy for you is to ask yourself what the potential outcomes are when you take the action you are supposed to take, and then make sure you are comfortable with those outcomes.
The opposite of fear of failure is fear of success. Your fear of success can be another reason for your procrastination. You may worry what others will think of your new found success. As part of your time management strategy you may want to explore the impact of succeeding and prepare yourself for the consequences.
Do you find that its hard to complete things because they’re just never quite good enough? Perfectionism can really get in your way. Recognize that perfectionism can never be achieved and that you can only do your best. It is a better time management strategy to just do something than to just keep putting it off. Zig Zigglar is frequently quoted as having said, “anything worth doing is worth doing poorly”. Perhaps his advice is something for you to take to heart.
Do you ever find yourself just stuck because you aren’t quite sure how to handle the task at hand? Yet, as you think about when you were in those situations in the past, when you finally got started did you find that it wasn’t as hard as you thought it would be? Whether you think it will be hard or if you get stuck working on the project a good time management strategy is to reach out quickly and get the help you need rather than just hoping you will somehow be able to work through it on your own.
Would you like to learn more about your time behaviors? Try this Time Management Analysis and find out where your opportunities for improvement are. When you absolutely must have measurable results to consistently and predictably get where you want to go for Superior Success...visit CoachingMegaAgents to start on your journey for superior success.
Let's get started!!
Fran Watson
Thursday, April 02, 2009
Comfort Zones...
I am currently reading some books I purchased from simple truths. I have discovered some fabulous information and I would like to share some of it with you. The following article is by Mac Anderson from his book Charging the Human Battery. These books are only available from simple truths. The books are hardcover with beautiful illustrations and they are easy to read in an evening.
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Comfort zones put padlocks on doors to growth, discovery and adventure. As painful as it may feel, change almost always comes bearing gifts. As nerve-wracking as it can seem, it's "in the winds of change we find our true direction."
Change is not easy, but it is simple. Things will always change. We don't have a choice about that. But we do have a choice about how we react to change. It really boils down to this...eitehr we manage change, or it will manage us.
In the long run, however, sameness is the fast track to mediocrity. To grow, to get closer to your goals, you must get off the path of least resistance. Lace up your running shoes, tie a double knowt, and discover all the advantages you can uncover on a new trail.
Remember: To get what you've never had, you must do what you've never done.
To your positive changes!!!
Fran Watson
www.franwatson.ca/Counselling.html
P.S. That website again is simple truths Check it out, they have amazing videos, CDs, books, etc.
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"Change comes bearing gifts." - Price Pritchett
Comfort zones put padlocks on doors to growth, discovery and adventure. As painful as it may feel, change almost always comes bearing gifts. As nerve-wracking as it can seem, it's "in the winds of change we find our true direction."
Change is not easy, but it is simple. Things will always change. We don't have a choice about that. But we do have a choice about how we react to change. It really boils down to this...eitehr we manage change, or it will manage us.
In the long run, however, sameness is the fast track to mediocrity. To grow, to get closer to your goals, you must get off the path of least resistance. Lace up your running shoes, tie a double knowt, and discover all the advantages you can uncover on a new trail.
Remember: To get what you've never had, you must do what you've never done.
To your positive changes!!!
Fran Watson
www.franwatson.ca/Counselling.html
P.S. That website again is simple truths Check it out, they have amazing videos, CDs, books, etc.
Sunday, March 08, 2009
How To Be A Leader At Work
Most organizations have at least one person who is a natural leader. When it is announced she will be leading a new team, employees line up to join. When he asks for a volunteer for an assignment, people jump at the chance. Employees turn to her as a mentor, or look to him as a role model.
Meanwhile, others in the organization are struggling to do their job with too few human resources. So how do natural leaders do it? What is their secret to getting people to go the extra mile for them?
Although many effective leaders are naturally charismatic, there are a number of leadership behaviours that can be adopted by anyone who wants to have greater support from other people. While some leadership techniques may sound manipulative, a wise leader knows the best results come from having people provide their support willingly.
People naturally want to follow a good leader. After meeting with an effective leader it is not unusual to feel uplifted, inspired and motivated to work towards a common goal.
Effective leaders make others feel good about themselves as well as the work they are doing. The leader has a vision of what she wants to achieve and can communicate that vision to others in a way that makes people want to be part of it.
One thing a good leader typically does is to communicate the big picture, so that each employee can see how the particular role he plays makes a contribution to the final result.
In a recent study of employees at all levels in companies of all sizes, Beverly Kaye and Sharon Jordan-Evans, authors of Love ‘Em or Lose ‘Em, found that “meaningful work, making a difference and a contribution” was one of the top three reasons given by 90% of employees when asked why they remain at a company. (The other reasons cited among the top three were “career growth, learning and development” and “exciting work and challenge.”)
When someone understands why a job that might otherwise be considered menial is important, that person is likely to be both more committed and more productive.
People are also likely to follow leaders they see as positive role models. If a leader demonstrates a strong belief in something, it inspires others to work towards the leader’s vision, even when a situation might appear to be almost hopeless. An excellent example of a leader who faced this type of situation is Lee Iacocca. When Chrysler’s fortunes reached a low in the 1980s, he cut his salary to $1 per year to prove his conviction that things would get better. They did. Under his leadership, the company flourished.
Good leaders not only “walk the walk”, they “talk the talk”. When they speak about the future, they are positive and upbeat. Mark Victor Hansen, a successful motivational speaker and co-author of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books, said that even in the early days of his career, if someone asked how he was doing he always responded that he was doing fabulously. His enthusiasm won him plenty of supporters who helped make his vision a reality.
Yet some people feel the way to get support from others is by telling them how grim a situation is, hoping that will make them want to help turn things around. On the contrary, Eeyores (those who sound like the gloomy Winnie the Pooh character) may inspire people to start looking for another job, rather than work to improve the situation they are in.
If you have a tendency to be negative, but want to inspire others to support you in achieving a goal, resolve to focus on solutions rather than problems. If Plan A isn’t working, avoid bemoaning the situation and instead come up with a Plan B. If necessary, have Plan C waiting in the wings. Maintain a can-do attitude and you are likely to attract people who will support you in achieving your goals.
As well as communicating their vision, good leaders know they need to communicate “what’s in it for you” in order to have employees go the extra mile.
They also understand that different people are motivated by different things. For employees motivated by a need for achievement, a leader explains how the task offers an opportunity to take on a challenging but achievable goal. Those with a desire for power are told how their participation can bring them prestige and lead to greater opportunities. While employees who are motivated by affiliation need to hear how they will be part of a team of people working together.
Effective leaders also use techniques to communicate their belief that each team member is important, including remembering and using people’s preferred names (e.g. not "Rick" if someone prefers to be called "Richard"). As Dale Carnegie observed, “the average person is more interested in his or her own name than in all the other names on earth put together.” Keys to remembering names include paying attention when introduced to someone, mentally repeating the name and using it in conversation.
Good leaders will introduce employees by name first, rather than job title. They refer to employees as team members, associates, or colleagues – never as "subordinates" – and make no distinction between "essential" and "non-essential" staff or "professional" and "non-professional" staff. Words have power, including the power to make people feel whether or not they are important to the success of an organization.
Good leaders believe that every team member matters and foster an environment that makes everyone feel important. It is no wonder they attract all the support they need to help them achieve their goals.
Tag Goulet is CEO of Fabjob.com, a company that publishes e-books on how to break into a "fab" job. Visit www.fabjob.com for information
*********************
Lead On!!
Fran Watson
www.franwatson.ca
Meanwhile, others in the organization are struggling to do their job with too few human resources. So how do natural leaders do it? What is their secret to getting people to go the extra mile for them?
Although many effective leaders are naturally charismatic, there are a number of leadership behaviours that can be adopted by anyone who wants to have greater support from other people. While some leadership techniques may sound manipulative, a wise leader knows the best results come from having people provide their support willingly.
As U.S. President and General Dwight D. Eisenhower defined it:
Leadership is the art of getting someone to do something you want done because he wants to do it. -- Dwight D. Eisenhower
People naturally want to follow a good leader. After meeting with an effective leader it is not unusual to feel uplifted, inspired and motivated to work towards a common goal.
Effective leaders make others feel good about themselves as well as the work they are doing. The leader has a vision of what she wants to achieve and can communicate that vision to others in a way that makes people want to be part of it.
One thing a good leader typically does is to communicate the big picture, so that each employee can see how the particular role he plays makes a contribution to the final result.
In a recent study of employees at all levels in companies of all sizes, Beverly Kaye and Sharon Jordan-Evans, authors of Love ‘Em or Lose ‘Em, found that “meaningful work, making a difference and a contribution” was one of the top three reasons given by 90% of employees when asked why they remain at a company. (The other reasons cited among the top three were “career growth, learning and development” and “exciting work and challenge.”)
When someone understands why a job that might otherwise be considered menial is important, that person is likely to be both more committed and more productive.
People are also likely to follow leaders they see as positive role models. If a leader demonstrates a strong belief in something, it inspires others to work towards the leader’s vision, even when a situation might appear to be almost hopeless. An excellent example of a leader who faced this type of situation is Lee Iacocca. When Chrysler’s fortunes reached a low in the 1980s, he cut his salary to $1 per year to prove his conviction that things would get better. They did. Under his leadership, the company flourished.
Good leaders not only “walk the walk”, they “talk the talk”. When they speak about the future, they are positive and upbeat. Mark Victor Hansen, a successful motivational speaker and co-author of the Chicken Soup for the Soul books, said that even in the early days of his career, if someone asked how he was doing he always responded that he was doing fabulously. His enthusiasm won him plenty of supporters who helped make his vision a reality.
Yet some people feel the way to get support from others is by telling them how grim a situation is, hoping that will make them want to help turn things around. On the contrary, Eeyores (those who sound like the gloomy Winnie the Pooh character) may inspire people to start looking for another job, rather than work to improve the situation they are in.
If you have a tendency to be negative, but want to inspire others to support you in achieving a goal, resolve to focus on solutions rather than problems. If Plan A isn’t working, avoid bemoaning the situation and instead come up with a Plan B. If necessary, have Plan C waiting in the wings. Maintain a can-do attitude and you are likely to attract people who will support you in achieving your goals.
As well as communicating their vision, good leaders know they need to communicate “what’s in it for you” in order to have employees go the extra mile.
They also understand that different people are motivated by different things. For employees motivated by a need for achievement, a leader explains how the task offers an opportunity to take on a challenging but achievable goal. Those with a desire for power are told how their participation can bring them prestige and lead to greater opportunities. While employees who are motivated by affiliation need to hear how they will be part of a team of people working together.
Effective leaders also use techniques to communicate their belief that each team member is important, including remembering and using people’s preferred names (e.g. not "Rick" if someone prefers to be called "Richard"). As Dale Carnegie observed, “the average person is more interested in his or her own name than in all the other names on earth put together.” Keys to remembering names include paying attention when introduced to someone, mentally repeating the name and using it in conversation.
Good leaders will introduce employees by name first, rather than job title. They refer to employees as team members, associates, or colleagues – never as "subordinates" – and make no distinction between "essential" and "non-essential" staff or "professional" and "non-professional" staff. Words have power, including the power to make people feel whether or not they are important to the success of an organization.
Good leaders believe that every team member matters and foster an environment that makes everyone feel important. It is no wonder they attract all the support they need to help them achieve their goals.
Tag Goulet is CEO of Fabjob.com, a company that publishes e-books on how to break into a "fab" job. Visit www.fabjob.com for information
*********************
Lead On!!
Fran Watson
www.franwatson.ca
Monday, March 02, 2009
Be Careful What You Say
You Are What You Say
by Carole Martin
The words you use to express yourself send a strong message about the person you are and what you know. Your vocabulary and how well you use it can say more about you than the message you're trying to communicate.
In the job search, the right words are essential to your success. Whether you're creating your resume or preparing interview answers, being aware of and using industry jargon is important. Industries use keywords or lingo. You will sound more knowledgeable and in-the-know if you use these words.
Wendy Enelow, who has written books to help job searchers as well as articles for Monster, has a passion for words and appreciates the power of keywords. In Best Keywords for Resumes, Cover Letters and Interviews, Enelow says, “Keywords are used to explain what is required by the employer. They are the buzzwords -- the hot words associated with a specific industry, profession or job function.”
Enelow gives four good reasons why you should use keywords:
1. To get noticed -- with electronic resumes, they're critical.
2. To demonstrate your knowledge of the industry and profession.
3. To talk the talk; be able to use the words with your interviewer.
4. To make interviewers' jobs easier. They can extrapolate information from the words you use.
“Most searchers don't know the keywords, how to use them or where to find them,” says Enelow.
Which Words Are Key?
Each industry uses common words to describe what's required for a job. Descriptions are a list of qualities and skills employers are looking for in a candidate -- the wish list. By using this information and keywords, you can reveal yourself as the ideal candidate.
Lingo differs from industry to industry. In the sales industry, words such as “territories” and “quotas” are used. In healthcare, the words are medically directed: diagnostic tests, therapeutic procedures, patient management plans, etc. Use the industry's lingo in your cover letters, resumes and interviews.
Where Are These Words?
A good place to start is with job postings. Print out and review multiple job postings for a specific position, and you will begin to see the keywords repeated over and over.
The Occupational Information Network -- O*NET OnLine -- is a complete list of occupation keywords along with related positions. This site also lists skills requirements and could give you a feel for a field's specific lingo.
Don't Be a Showoff
Researching words will pay off when you begin to write your resume or prepare your interview script. Of course, don't use a word solely to impress your interviewer. Fitting keywords in at appropriate times in the conversation is what will help your cause. Knowing the definition behind words is what will convince the interviewer that you know what you're talking about.
***************
Work with words wisely, while whispering, wailing, whimpering, or watching wonderful women wonder and wander wilfully with wistful writings :)
Fran Watson
www.franwatson.ca
by Carole Martin
The words you use to express yourself send a strong message about the person you are and what you know. Your vocabulary and how well you use it can say more about you than the message you're trying to communicate.
In the job search, the right words are essential to your success. Whether you're creating your resume or preparing interview answers, being aware of and using industry jargon is important. Industries use keywords or lingo. You will sound more knowledgeable and in-the-know if you use these words.
Wendy Enelow, who has written books to help job searchers as well as articles for Monster, has a passion for words and appreciates the power of keywords. In Best Keywords for Resumes, Cover Letters and Interviews, Enelow says, “Keywords are used to explain what is required by the employer. They are the buzzwords -- the hot words associated with a specific industry, profession or job function.”
Enelow gives four good reasons why you should use keywords:
1. To get noticed -- with electronic resumes, they're critical.
2. To demonstrate your knowledge of the industry and profession.
3. To talk the talk; be able to use the words with your interviewer.
4. To make interviewers' jobs easier. They can extrapolate information from the words you use.
“Most searchers don't know the keywords, how to use them or where to find them,” says Enelow.
Which Words Are Key?
Each industry uses common words to describe what's required for a job. Descriptions are a list of qualities and skills employers are looking for in a candidate -- the wish list. By using this information and keywords, you can reveal yourself as the ideal candidate.
Lingo differs from industry to industry. In the sales industry, words such as “territories” and “quotas” are used. In healthcare, the words are medically directed: diagnostic tests, therapeutic procedures, patient management plans, etc. Use the industry's lingo in your cover letters, resumes and interviews.
Where Are These Words?
A good place to start is with job postings. Print out and review multiple job postings for a specific position, and you will begin to see the keywords repeated over and over.
The Occupational Information Network -- O*NET OnLine -- is a complete list of occupation keywords along with related positions. This site also lists skills requirements and could give you a feel for a field's specific lingo.
Don't Be a Showoff
Researching words will pay off when you begin to write your resume or prepare your interview script. Of course, don't use a word solely to impress your interviewer. Fitting keywords in at appropriate times in the conversation is what will help your cause. Knowing the definition behind words is what will convince the interviewer that you know what you're talking about.
***************
Work with words wisely, while whispering, wailing, whimpering, or watching wonderful women wonder and wander wilfully with wistful writings :)
Fran Watson
www.franwatson.ca
Commit To Lifelong Learning for Personal Success
Commit to Lifelong Learning to Achieve Professional Success
by Debra Pestrak
Being the best in anything requires long hours of practice and a commitment to lifelong learning. From the greatest athletes to the most talented musicians to the world’s prolific writers, these people dedicate themselves to their chosen profession and continually strive to improve themselves. They know that self-improvement is the key to success, and they make a daily effort to hone their talents.
Success in business is no different. In order to be an expert in your field, you must continually improve your business skills and stay on top of business trends. The more you commit to self-improvement and learning, the better you will become and the faster your career will excel.
In order to stress the important correlation between learning and business success, several Fortune 500® executives recently explained how self-improvement paved the way for their rise to the top. Their insights and advice go beyond traditional business school teachings and encompass vital learning's that all workers at any level should heed.
Learn From Those Around You
After spending anywhere from 12 to 18 years in school, many people embark into the business world believing they have all the knowledge under their belt that they’ll need. In reality, quite the opposite is often true. Real business learning begins your first day on the job and it continues until retirement. Those people who accept this fact master business trends and advance their careers faster.
One of your most vital learning resources will be your senior co-workers. They have experience you can learn from and can guide you to correct decisions. Jean Hamilton, Chief Executive Office, Prudential Institutional, cites her mentors and co-workers as her greatest teachers. She says, “I’ve been lucky to work with a number of people from whom I’ve been able to learn. I’ve used them as role models, carefully watching to see things they do well and thinking about how I can emulate them in what I do…. Listening to what others have to say, observing success, and then finding a way to personally incorporate that into your own set of goals and standards—all of that is critical.” By following the lead of these people, Hamilton was able to push past her limits and hone her business judgment.
Similarly, Ellen Hancock, former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Exodus Communications, reveals that she acquired most of her communication, leadership, and influencing skills through on-the-job training. When she began her career, she made it a point to meet with her mentors monthly.
She believes having a mentor is vital to success because the learning “becomes more of a personal experience rather than just an assignment.”
To adequately learn from others, look around your current organization and find someone who represents your values. Align yourself with that person so you can continually learn how to best do your job and how to improve your business skills. As you discover the type of support you need to advance your career, you can build a support network of those people who can best assist you with attaining your goals.
Learn From Your Own Mistakes
While mistakes and failures are often painful experiences, they are wonderful learning opportunities that can guide your career and self-development. Too often, people are afraid to make mistakes. They prefer to take the safe route and don’t challenge themselves to achieve more. Those at the top of their field are not afraid of mistakes. They know the importance of risking and learning from their mistakes and are able to move on to achieve greater things with the lessons their mistakes teach them.
Anne Sweeney, President, Disney/ABC Cable Networks and President, Disney Channel, agrees that mistakes are vital to career success. As she says, “I believe that if you stay in jobs where you know you cannot fail, you will never grow. Along the way, you must be prepared to take risks and make mistakes. I mean big mistakes. Mistakes that people know about. Mistakes that people may even write about. Mistakes that will make you question whether you have in fact chosen the right path. This sort of risk-taking constitutes an act of faith in yourself.”
Learn From Training Opportunities
In order to advance your career, you must also take advantage of every training opportunity, whether it’s from your company or an outside source. Why? Within most organizations, knowing various areas of the business is a prerequisite for a move into the executive ranks. You may be able to move close to the top as a specialist, but most organizations will not give you a policy- or decision-making position without knowledge of other areas of the business. This is why you must expand your knowledge base and seek out new ways to gain useful information.
When it comes to learning, Shelley Broader, Senior Vice President, Hannaford Brothers, is a pro. Throughout her climb to the top, she took advantage of every training session she could. She now advises aspiring businesspeople to do the same. “Take advantage of cross-functional learning opportunities and don’t pigeonhole yourself with a single set of skills,” she says. “I’m not practicing what I learned in college by any means, technically. Yet, I have a marketable set of skills and I can learn any tactical function. I can manage people and manage process. I can learn the tactical function that I’m managing.”
To gain hands-on learning, volunteer for new teams and task forces. Read your company’s annual report. Also, look to outside sources, such as trade journals and industry newsletters, for up-to-date market information. The more you know about your company and your industry, the higher you’ll go in your organization.
Learn Something New Today
Career advancement is possible when you make lifelong learning one of your top priorities. As you gain new knowledge and insights, you can continually evaluate the path you’ve chosen to be sure you’re on the right track. By committing yourself to be an eternal student of business, you can rise to the top of any organization.
Read Only © Copyright 2002 Debra Pestrak Used with permission of copyright holder
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Debra Pestrak is an expert at helping people unleash their success, allowing people to be more productive and getting what they want out of life. She is an award-winning speaker, author, business consultant, educator and coach. Pestrak is founder and CEO of Success UNleashed, Inc.®, a company dedicated to delivering high-impact and empowering programs. Visit www.debrapestrak.com for more information on Debra and her programs.
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Article courtesy of Bob ‘Idea Man’ Hooey & Ideas At Work! Visit our webiste: http://www.ideaman.net/ for more downloadable Business Enhancement Success Thinking series of articles by some of North America’s top speakers and experts. If you’ve enjoyed this article, please let the author know, and tell them you read it on http://www.ideaman.net/ Bookmark this site as we add new articles as they are received.
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Bob has lots of great articles, check them out!!
Fran Watson
www.franwatson.ca
by Debra Pestrak
Being the best in anything requires long hours of practice and a commitment to lifelong learning. From the greatest athletes to the most talented musicians to the world’s prolific writers, these people dedicate themselves to their chosen profession and continually strive to improve themselves. They know that self-improvement is the key to success, and they make a daily effort to hone their talents.
Success in business is no different. In order to be an expert in your field, you must continually improve your business skills and stay on top of business trends. The more you commit to self-improvement and learning, the better you will become and the faster your career will excel.
In order to stress the important correlation between learning and business success, several Fortune 500® executives recently explained how self-improvement paved the way for their rise to the top. Their insights and advice go beyond traditional business school teachings and encompass vital learning's that all workers at any level should heed.
Learn From Those Around You
After spending anywhere from 12 to 18 years in school, many people embark into the business world believing they have all the knowledge under their belt that they’ll need. In reality, quite the opposite is often true. Real business learning begins your first day on the job and it continues until retirement. Those people who accept this fact master business trends and advance their careers faster.
One of your most vital learning resources will be your senior co-workers. They have experience you can learn from and can guide you to correct decisions. Jean Hamilton, Chief Executive Office, Prudential Institutional, cites her mentors and co-workers as her greatest teachers. She says, “I’ve been lucky to work with a number of people from whom I’ve been able to learn. I’ve used them as role models, carefully watching to see things they do well and thinking about how I can emulate them in what I do…. Listening to what others have to say, observing success, and then finding a way to personally incorporate that into your own set of goals and standards—all of that is critical.” By following the lead of these people, Hamilton was able to push past her limits and hone her business judgment.
Similarly, Ellen Hancock, former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Exodus Communications, reveals that she acquired most of her communication, leadership, and influencing skills through on-the-job training. When she began her career, she made it a point to meet with her mentors monthly.
She believes having a mentor is vital to success because the learning “becomes more of a personal experience rather than just an assignment.”
To adequately learn from others, look around your current organization and find someone who represents your values. Align yourself with that person so you can continually learn how to best do your job and how to improve your business skills. As you discover the type of support you need to advance your career, you can build a support network of those people who can best assist you with attaining your goals.
Learn From Your Own Mistakes
While mistakes and failures are often painful experiences, they are wonderful learning opportunities that can guide your career and self-development. Too often, people are afraid to make mistakes. They prefer to take the safe route and don’t challenge themselves to achieve more. Those at the top of their field are not afraid of mistakes. They know the importance of risking and learning from their mistakes and are able to move on to achieve greater things with the lessons their mistakes teach them.
Anne Sweeney, President, Disney/ABC Cable Networks and President, Disney Channel, agrees that mistakes are vital to career success. As she says, “I believe that if you stay in jobs where you know you cannot fail, you will never grow. Along the way, you must be prepared to take risks and make mistakes. I mean big mistakes. Mistakes that people know about. Mistakes that people may even write about. Mistakes that will make you question whether you have in fact chosen the right path. This sort of risk-taking constitutes an act of faith in yourself.”
Learn From Training Opportunities
In order to advance your career, you must also take advantage of every training opportunity, whether it’s from your company or an outside source. Why? Within most organizations, knowing various areas of the business is a prerequisite for a move into the executive ranks. You may be able to move close to the top as a specialist, but most organizations will not give you a policy- or decision-making position without knowledge of other areas of the business. This is why you must expand your knowledge base and seek out new ways to gain useful information.
When it comes to learning, Shelley Broader, Senior Vice President, Hannaford Brothers, is a pro. Throughout her climb to the top, she took advantage of every training session she could. She now advises aspiring businesspeople to do the same. “Take advantage of cross-functional learning opportunities and don’t pigeonhole yourself with a single set of skills,” she says. “I’m not practicing what I learned in college by any means, technically. Yet, I have a marketable set of skills and I can learn any tactical function. I can manage people and manage process. I can learn the tactical function that I’m managing.”
To gain hands-on learning, volunteer for new teams and task forces. Read your company’s annual report. Also, look to outside sources, such as trade journals and industry newsletters, for up-to-date market information. The more you know about your company and your industry, the higher you’ll go in your organization.
Learn Something New Today
Career advancement is possible when you make lifelong learning one of your top priorities. As you gain new knowledge and insights, you can continually evaluate the path you’ve chosen to be sure you’re on the right track. By committing yourself to be an eternal student of business, you can rise to the top of any organization.
Read Only © Copyright 2002 Debra Pestrak Used with permission of copyright holder
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Debra Pestrak is an expert at helping people unleash their success, allowing people to be more productive and getting what they want out of life. She is an award-winning speaker, author, business consultant, educator and coach. Pestrak is founder and CEO of Success UNleashed, Inc.®, a company dedicated to delivering high-impact and empowering programs. Visit www.debrapestrak.com for more information on Debra and her programs.
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Article courtesy of Bob ‘Idea Man’ Hooey & Ideas At Work! Visit our webiste: http://www.ideaman.net/ for more downloadable Business Enhancement Success Thinking series of articles by some of North America’s top speakers and experts. If you’ve enjoyed this article, please let the author know, and tell them you read it on http://www.ideaman.net/ Bookmark this site as we add new articles as they are received.
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Bob has lots of great articles, check them out!!
Fran Watson
www.franwatson.ca
Friday, February 27, 2009
Expanding Your Horizons
It's important that you take risks when you are job searching, that you try something new and different instead of just sticking with what worked in the past. This poem is something I wrote about taking risks in Toastmasters, but it works no matter what you are doing. Be willing to try something new - a new taste sensation, a food you haven't tried before, a job that seems interesting, a book you haven't read... The possibilities are limitless and your personal growth will be tremendous if you try one new thing each and every day. By the end of the year you will have tried 365 new things. Some you will like, and some you won't, but you will have enhanced your capabilities.
You may not have heard about Toastmasters, but if you haven't, you should look it up at www.toastmasters.org and find the club nearest to you. Go and attend a ocuple of meetings. You will learn many new skills there which will help you in your job search. Toastmasters is all about communication - both speaking and listening. Members learn how to think on their feet and come up with answers to spontaneous questions. You will be amazed at how well this prepares you for interviews.
Trying Something New
Expand my horizons?
Oh no, I’m too scared,
I don’t think I’d know what to do.
I’ve grown used to the comfort
Of just coming and listening,
And maybe doing timing, or ah counting or quizzing.
But take on a role of Toastmaster, no way.
I might make mistakes. What would I say?
And table topics is frightening, people might boo,
When I introduce a topic or two.
Expand my horizons
Do you really think I could?
The thought just scares me to death.
Well, ok, not quite, but almost, but then,
That’s how I felt before I began
My weekly sessions at Toastmasters.
So maybe I can.
Ok, yes I’ll do it.
Sign me up.
I did it, I did it, and I did ok.
I really expanded my horizons today.
And it felt so good I’ll do it again,
Just give me that schedule
And I’ll put down my name.
Perhaps next week I’ll give my next speech
Or maybe even the word of the week.
My confidence grows with every new step,
And I look forward to things that I haven’t done yet.
I’m expanding my horizons and I’ll continue to soar,
As each week I’ll do something and then one thing more.
I want to say thank you to all of the group.
It’s because of you I was able to do it,
Because you supported me all the way through it.
Thank you for being there when I was afraid.
Thank you for helping me to be prepared.
Thank you for showing me how it is done.
Thank you for sharing and for having fun.
So expand your horizons and try something new.
Or you’ll never know just what you can do.
Here's to taking risks and facing challenges head on!!
Fran Watson
www.franwatson.ca/publicspeaking.html
You may not have heard about Toastmasters, but if you haven't, you should look it up at www.toastmasters.org and find the club nearest to you. Go and attend a ocuple of meetings. You will learn many new skills there which will help you in your job search. Toastmasters is all about communication - both speaking and listening. Members learn how to think on their feet and come up with answers to spontaneous questions. You will be amazed at how well this prepares you for interviews.
Trying Something New
Expand my horizons?
Oh no, I’m too scared,
I don’t think I’d know what to do.
I’ve grown used to the comfort
Of just coming and listening,
And maybe doing timing, or ah counting or quizzing.
But take on a role of Toastmaster, no way.
I might make mistakes. What would I say?
And table topics is frightening, people might boo,
When I introduce a topic or two.
Expand my horizons
Do you really think I could?
The thought just scares me to death.
Well, ok, not quite, but almost, but then,
That’s how I felt before I began
My weekly sessions at Toastmasters.
So maybe I can.
Ok, yes I’ll do it.
Sign me up.
I did it, I did it, and I did ok.
I really expanded my horizons today.
And it felt so good I’ll do it again,
Just give me that schedule
And I’ll put down my name.
Perhaps next week I’ll give my next speech
Or maybe even the word of the week.
My confidence grows with every new step,
And I look forward to things that I haven’t done yet.
I’m expanding my horizons and I’ll continue to soar,
As each week I’ll do something and then one thing more.
I want to say thank you to all of the group.
It’s because of you I was able to do it,
Because you supported me all the way through it.
Thank you for being there when I was afraid.
Thank you for helping me to be prepared.
Thank you for showing me how it is done.
Thank you for sharing and for having fun.
So expand your horizons and try something new.
Or you’ll never know just what you can do.
Here's to taking risks and facing challenges head on!!
Fran Watson
www.franwatson.ca/publicspeaking.html
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Are you Good Enough... or Better?
When we were in school, 50% was a pass and often many of us were content to just do enough to pass. many of us have carried this mentality on into our working lives. We do just enough to get by each day, to produce the minimum that we can get away with. If we make mistakes, we figure that someone else will pick up the slack. We never really think about what happens beyond our own doors. We forget that "no man is an island" and that every stone thrwon into a pond causes a ripple effect that affects everything around it.
You are the stone, you are cast into the waters and what you do affects everyone around you. What kind of an effort are you making in your job today. Are you content to be "just good enough", or are you striving to be better?
Consider the following:
If 99.9% is good enough, then...
12 newborns will be given to the wrong parents daily.
114,500 mismatched pairs of shoes will be shipped each year.
18,322 pieces of mail will be mishandled per hour.
2,000,000 documes will be lost by the IRS/Revenue Canada this year.
2.5 million books will be shipped with the wrong covers.
Two planes landing at Chicago's O'Hare airport will be unsafe every day.
315 entries in Webster's dictionary will be misspelled.
20,000 incorrect drug prescriptions will be written this year.
880,000 credit cards in circulation will turn out to have incorrect cardholder information on their magnetic strips.
103,260 income tax returns will be processed incorrectly during the year.
5.5 million cases of soft drinks produced will be flat.
291 pacemaker operations will be performed incorrectly.
3,056 copies of tomorrow's Wall Street Journal will be missing one of the three sections.
Think about the above as you go to work this week. Be the best you can be and do the best you can do. GIve all your effort to your work while you are at work, and all your effort to your family life when you are at home.
Have a wonderful year!
Fran Watson
You are the stone, you are cast into the waters and what you do affects everyone around you. What kind of an effort are you making in your job today. Are you content to be "just good enough", or are you striving to be better?
Consider the following:
If 99.9% is good enough, then...
12 newborns will be given to the wrong parents daily.
114,500 mismatched pairs of shoes will be shipped each year.
18,322 pieces of mail will be mishandled per hour.
2,000,000 documes will be lost by the IRS/Revenue Canada this year.
2.5 million books will be shipped with the wrong covers.
Two planes landing at Chicago's O'Hare airport will be unsafe every day.
315 entries in Webster's dictionary will be misspelled.
20,000 incorrect drug prescriptions will be written this year.
880,000 credit cards in circulation will turn out to have incorrect cardholder information on their magnetic strips.
103,260 income tax returns will be processed incorrectly during the year.
5.5 million cases of soft drinks produced will be flat.
291 pacemaker operations will be performed incorrectly.
3,056 copies of tomorrow's Wall Street Journal will be missing one of the three sections.
Think about the above as you go to work this week. Be the best you can be and do the best you can do. GIve all your effort to your work while you are at work, and all your effort to your family life when you are at home.
Have a wonderful year!
Fran Watson
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Saturday, August 09, 2008
Points to Ponder
What are three things you are doing regularly that don't serve or support you?
What can you do to change this?
What could you work on now that would make the biggest difference to your life?
What would be your ideal career - if you could do anything?
Fran
What can you do to change this?
What could you work on now that would make the biggest difference to your life?
What would be your ideal career - if you could do anything?
Fran
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Interview Tips
As a Career/Employment Counsellor and Workshop Developer/Facilitator who has been working in the employment field for the past 17 years, I can help you with some interview tips and techniques. What can you do for us that someone else can't do?
What qualifications do you have that relate to the position??
What new skills or capabilities have you developed recently?
Give me an example from a previous job where you've shown initiative.
What have been your greatest accomplishments recently?
What is important to you in a job?
What motivates you in your work?
What have you been doing since your last job?
What qualities do you find important in a coworker?
What would you like to be doing five years from now?
How will you judge yourself successful? How will you achieve success?
What type of position are you interested in?
How will this job fit in your career plans?
What do you expect from this job?
Do you have a location preference?
Can you travel?
What hours can you work?
When could you start?
What have you learned from your past jobs?
What were your biggest responsibilities?
What specific skills acquired or used in previous jobs relate to this position?
How does your previous experience relate to this position?
What did you like most / least about your last job?
Whom may we contact for references?
How do you think your education has prepared you for this position?
What were your favourite classes / activities at school?
Why did you choose your major?
Do you plan to continue your education?
Perhaps it has been some time since you have had an interview. Perhaps you think you can ace an interview. Whatever your current status, you may find these tips helpful.
Your resume is like an advertising flyer. It is what gets you in the door. If you have been job searching for a while and have not been having any luck, maybe it is your resume.
However if you have been getting interviews, but not the job, then it may be your interview techniques.
Common Job Interview Questions
By rehearsing interview questions, you'll become more familiar with your own qualifications and will be well prepared to demonstrate how you can benefit an employer. Some examples:
"Tell me about yourself."
Make a short, organized statement of your education and professional achievements and professional goals. Then, briefly describe your qualifications for the job and the contributions you could make to the organization.
"Why do you want to work here?" or "What about our company interests you?"
Few questions are more important than these, so it is important to answer them clearly and with enthusiasm. Show the interviewer your interest in the company. Share what you learned about the job, the company and the industry through your own research. Talk about how your professional skills will benefit the company. Unless you work in sales, your answer should never be simply: "money." The interviewer will wonder if you really care about the job.
"Why did you leave your last job?"
The interviewer may want to know if you had any problems on your last job. If you did not have any problems, simply give a reason, such as: relocated away from job; company went out of business; laid off; temporary job; no possibility of advancement; wanted a job better suited to your skills. If you did have problems, be honest. Show that you can accept responsibility and learn from your mistakes. You should explain any problems you had (or still have) with an employer, but don't describe that employer in negative terms. Demonstrate that it was a learning experience that will not affect your future work.
"What are your best skills?"
If you have sufficiently researched the organization, you should be able to imagine what skills the company values. List them, then give examples where you have demonstrated these skills.
"What is your major weakness?"
Be positive; turn a weakness into a strength. For example, you might say: "I often worry too much over my work. Sometimes I work late to make sure the job is done well."
"Do you prefer to work by yourself or with others?"
The ideal answer is one of flexibility. However, be honest. Give examples describing how you have worked in both situations.
"What are your career goals?" or "What are your future plans?"
The interviewer wants to know if your plans and the company's goals are compatible. Let him know that you are ambitious enough to plan ahead. Talk about your desire to learn more and improve your performance, and be specific as possible about how you will meet the goals you have set for yourself.
"What are your hobbies?" and "Do you play any sports?"
The interviewer may be looking for evidence of your job skills outside of your professional experience. For example, hobbies such as chess or bridge demonstrate analytical skills. Reading, music, and painting are creative hobbies. Individual sports show determination and stamina, while group sport activities may indicate you are comfortable working as part of a team. Also, the interviewer might simply be curious as to whether you have a life outside of work. Employees who have creative or athletic outlets for their stress are often healthier, happier and more productive.
"What salary are you expecting?"
You probably don't want to answer this one directly. Instead, deflect the question back to the interviewer by saying something like: "I don't know. What are you planning on paying the best candidate?" Let the employer make the first offer. However, it is still important to know what the current salary range is for the profession. Find salary surveys at the library or on the Internet, and check the classifieds to see what comparable jobs in your area are paying. This information can help you negotiate compensation once the employer makes an offer.
"What have I forgotten to ask?"
Use this as a chance to summarize your good characteristics and attributes and how they may be used to benefit the organization. Convince the interviewer that you understand the job requirements and that you can succeed.
Here are some other job interview questions you might want to rehearse.
Your Qualifications
Your Career Goals
Your Work Experience
Your Education
Websites with Interview INFO
http://www.careercc.com/interv3.shtml
http://www.job-interview.net/Bank/JobInterviewQuestions.htm
http://www.danenet.wicip.org/jets/jet-9407-p.html
Free Resume Information
http://www.umn.edu/ohr/ecep/resume
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/career/resume.html
http://www.rileyguide.com
http://jobstar.org/tools/resume.index.cfm
www.ersumes.com
www.damngood.com/introjobseeker.html
www.scu.edu/careercenter/resources/publications/resumes.pdf
Here is a FREE article on Killer Cover Letters by Jimmy Sweeney with my compliments
Come back and check for updates.
It's A Matter of Attitude
Some jobs can be very relaxed and some jobs can be very stressful, and sometimes your attitude is what can make the difference in whether you are content or discontent.
Our workplace, like many others, is going through some significant changes which have thrown the workers into a bit of a downturn with regard to morale. I have been one of those who has suffered some significant psychological distress over the situation, however this morning I remembered that the only one who can change my attitude is me.
I was thinking about a story that Zig Ziglar tells of a woman who hated everything about her job until he started asking her some questions such as, “Do you like getting a paycheck?” “Are you well paid for what you do?” and other questions which helped her to realize some of the benefits she had in her job. Now, some of the benefits that I had in my job have now disappeared and been replaced with tasks that must be performed, but I can either accept this and reduce my anxiety, or fight against it and suffer from increased blood pressure and more medication. My choice, which will it be???
What would you do??
Fran Watson
P.S. Looking for a job?
Our workplace, like many others, is going through some significant changes which have thrown the workers into a bit of a downturn with regard to morale. I have been one of those who has suffered some significant psychological distress over the situation, however this morning I remembered that the only one who can change my attitude is me.
I was thinking about a story that Zig Ziglar tells of a woman who hated everything about her job until he started asking her some questions such as, “Do you like getting a paycheck?” “Are you well paid for what you do?” and other questions which helped her to realize some of the benefits she had in her job. Now, some of the benefits that I had in my job have now disappeared and been replaced with tasks that must be performed, but I can either accept this and reduce my anxiety, or fight against it and suffer from increased blood pressure and more medication. My choice, which will it be???
What would you do??
Fran Watson
P.S. Looking for a job?
Personal Development
To attract attractive people, you must be attractive. To attract powerful people, you must be powerful. To attract committed people, you must be committed. Instead of going to work on them, you go to work on yourself. If you become, you can attract.
We can have more than we've got because we can become more than we are.
The big challenge is to become all that you have the possibility of becoming. You cannot believe what it does to the human spirit to maximize your human potential and stretch yourself to the limit.
Pity the man who inherits a million dollars and who isn't a millionaire. Here's what would be pitiful: If your income grew and you didn't.
The most important question to ask on the job is not "What am I getting?" The most important question to ask on the job is "What am I becoming?"
It is hard to keep that which has not been obtained through personal development.
After you become a millionaire, you can give all of your money away because what's important is not the million dollars; what's important is the person you have become in the process of becoming a millionaire.
Income seldom exceeds personal development.
What you become directly influences what you get.
Credit Statement to be included in Reprints:
These quotes are by Jim Rohn, America's Foremost Business Philosopher. To subscribe to the Free Jim Rohn Weekly E-zine, go to www.jimrohn.com or send a blank email to subscribe@jimrohn.com Excerpted from The Treasury of Quotes by Jim Rohn. Copyright © 1994-2005 Jim Rohn International. All rights reserved worldwide.
We can have more than we've got because we can become more than we are.
The big challenge is to become all that you have the possibility of becoming. You cannot believe what it does to the human spirit to maximize your human potential and stretch yourself to the limit.
Pity the man who inherits a million dollars and who isn't a millionaire. Here's what would be pitiful: If your income grew and you didn't.
The most important question to ask on the job is not "What am I getting?" The most important question to ask on the job is "What am I becoming?"
It is hard to keep that which has not been obtained through personal development.
After you become a millionaire, you can give all of your money away because what's important is not the million dollars; what's important is the person you have become in the process of becoming a millionaire.
Income seldom exceeds personal development.
What you become directly influences what you get.
Credit Statement to be included in Reprints:
These quotes are by Jim Rohn, America's Foremost Business Philosopher. To subscribe to the Free Jim Rohn Weekly E-zine, go to www.jimrohn.com or send a blank email to subscribe@jimrohn.com Excerpted from The Treasury of Quotes by Jim Rohn. Copyright © 1994-2005 Jim Rohn International. All rights reserved worldwide.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Lacking required skills?
Have you been looking for work only to find that there are some skills you are lacking? Perhaps your education needs to be updated, or perhaps your computer skills.
There are many places where you can obtain free upgrading or training, but first you need to take a close look at the reasons why you want or need the training. There may be government programs to help you once you decide, or you many have to foot the bill yourself. Either way, you need to take some time to evaluate just what it is you need.
If you need computer skills, there are places on the internet, such as www.hplearningcenter.com where you can get free training in software programs and webpage building as well as other items. You can also do a search for free computer training.
If you aren't sure what you want to do, you can search out some questionnaires to examine your personality and the type of work that might be enjoyable for your specific personality, such as this one.
Take some time to evaluate your skills and determine what it is you need to better succeed in your job search, then go and get what you need.
All the best
Fran
There are many places where you can obtain free upgrading or training, but first you need to take a close look at the reasons why you want or need the training. There may be government programs to help you once you decide, or you many have to foot the bill yourself. Either way, you need to take some time to evaluate just what it is you need.
If you need computer skills, there are places on the internet, such as www.hplearningcenter.com where you can get free training in software programs and webpage building as well as other items. You can also do a search for free computer training.
If you aren't sure what you want to do, you can search out some questionnaires to examine your personality and the type of work that might be enjoyable for your specific personality, such as this one.
Take some time to evaluate your skills and determine what it is you need to better succeed in your job search, then go and get what you need.
All the best
Fran
Thursday, November 22, 2007
Special Report
JUST $1.99- 'My Quick Money Ideas That Worked: What I Did To Pay Off A $1200 Loan in 36 Hours, Finance A $2700 Event In 3 Weeks and Earn $331 For 2 Hours of Work
I just finished reading Rob Toth's Special Report My Quick Money Ideas That Worked!
I got my copy for $1.99 and if you hurry, you might still be able to get yours for that price. Rob is increasing the price once he sells 2000 copies and he sold over 1000 the first day.
Check it out.
He's giving a GREAT chance to take a DETAILED look at how he's made some of his emergency money. Quick cash in just hours. And boy o boy is this detailed!! I couldn't put it down. Step by step instructions on how he pulled in some great money.
Hurry, go now
You won't regret it, I guarantee it!
Fran Watson
Thursday, October 18, 2007
What would you do??
IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck (Written after she found out she was dying from cancer.)
I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage. I would have talked less and listened more.
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.
I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.
I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner."
There would have been more "I love you's." More "I'm sorry's." But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute...look at it and really see it ... live it ... and never give it back.
Stop sweating the small stuff.
Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what. Instead, let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us.
Let's think about what God HAS blessed us with. And what we are doing each day to promote ourselves mentally, physically, emotionally, as well as spiritually. Life is too short to let it pass you by. We only have one shot at this and then it's gone.
*******
Take a few minutes today to tell someone you love them, call someone and tell them you were thinking about them, take some time for yourself - do something you like to do for at least 5 minutes.
BANABU - Building a New and Better Universe for each and every one of us!
Fran Watson
I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage. I would have talked less and listened more.
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.
I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.
I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner."
There would have been more "I love you's." More "I'm sorry's." But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute...look at it and really see it ... live it ... and never give it back.
Stop sweating the small stuff.
Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what. Instead, let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us.
Let's think about what God HAS blessed us with. And what we are doing each day to promote ourselves mentally, physically, emotionally, as well as spiritually. Life is too short to let it pass you by. We only have one shot at this and then it's gone.
*******
Take a few minutes today to tell someone you love them, call someone and tell them you were thinking about them, take some time for yourself - do something you like to do for at least 5 minutes.
BANABU - Building a New and Better Universe for each and every one of us!
Fran Watson
Monday, October 15, 2007
Job Related Questions to Consider
1. What do you like most about yourself?
2. In the past 10 years, what 5 things have given you the greatest pleasure?
3. If you were working a four day work week, what would you do on the other days? What would you prefer to do?
4. Who would you like to be if you weren’t yourself? Why?
5. If you could replace a friend or relative in his or her job for one year, which one would you choose? Why?
6. What things did you like about your last job? Why?
7. Do you prefer working: alone / with others, outside / indoors, with tools or equipment, detail work, physically active work, having responsibility / not having responsibility, knowing what you will be doing each day / variety, being busy, other
8. Are any of the following things particularly important to you? Hours, salary, access to transportation, close to home, learning something new, independence on the job, approval of others, social status on the job, other
9. Make a list of the things that you don’t want in your work situation, and then list its opposite. It is often easier to think of what you don’t want to do than what you do want to do. For example, “I don’t want to work with people”. This may suggest either not working with the public or working in a large enough office or factory so that you would have little interaction with co-workers.
10. List as many occupations as you can think of that you were ever interested in and think about what it is about them that you like.
Fran Watson
www.franwatson.ca
2. In the past 10 years, what 5 things have given you the greatest pleasure?
3. If you were working a four day work week, what would you do on the other days? What would you prefer to do?
4. Who would you like to be if you weren’t yourself? Why?
5. If you could replace a friend or relative in his or her job for one year, which one would you choose? Why?
6. What things did you like about your last job? Why?
7. Do you prefer working: alone / with others, outside / indoors, with tools or equipment, detail work, physically active work, having responsibility / not having responsibility, knowing what you will be doing each day / variety, being busy, other
8. Are any of the following things particularly important to you? Hours, salary, access to transportation, close to home, learning something new, independence on the job, approval of others, social status on the job, other
9. Make a list of the things that you don’t want in your work situation, and then list its opposite. It is often easier to think of what you don’t want to do than what you do want to do. For example, “I don’t want to work with people”. This may suggest either not working with the public or working in a large enough office or factory so that you would have little interaction with co-workers.
10. List as many occupations as you can think of that you were ever interested in and think about what it is about them that you like.
Fran Watson
www.franwatson.ca
Friday, October 05, 2007
Positive Attitude
These days, getting and keeping the work you want is not as easy as it has been in the past. Downsizing and cost-cutting have resulted in more people searching for work. As a result, it’s more important than ever to develop your positives. Whether you’re searching for work or hoping to hold on to your job, your positive attitudes, beliefs and skills can give you a competitive edge. Attitudes are ways of responding to the world around us. We develop our attitudes based on what we learn and what we experience. Attitudes affect the way we think, act and feel. Positive attitudes can make the difference between success and failure.
If you’re currently searching for work, you might want to take some time to examine your beliefs and attitudes about work search. Positive beliefs can energize you for the hard work of searching for work. Positive attitudes can make all the difference in a job interview. Positive beliefs, values and attitudes can help you increase:
* your effectiveness
* your value to the organization you work for
* the likelihood you’ll keep your work situation
* your satisfaction and success.
Don’t be misled by people telling you “there aren’t any jobs”, or by the fact that there aren’t a lot of jobs advertised. Over 80% of jobs are not advertised. Keep a positive attitude towards your job search and target an employer you would like to work for. If you require assistance with your job search skills, you can contact a local employment service agency or check out your local library for resource books.
Planning your career goals is an important part of creating a positive work situation. If you’re unhappy in your present situation, your career goals will help you decide on your next step. Even if you’re happy with your current work, it’s a good idea to create some career goals. Your work situation might change or your needs might change. And of course, if you’re searching for work, your career goals will help you to focus your search.
When considering your career goals, you may need to consider learning opportunities. Learning, more than ever before, is for life. The world is changing so fast, that in order to stay current, one must keep learning. The information available worldwide doubles every few years, technology is part of virtually every workplace, and employers value knowledgeable employees who can work “smart”. Successful learners have positive beliefs and attitudes towards learning. Knowledge is power.
Learning does not have to take place in a classroom. There are a number of ways to learn:
* at work
* on your own
* from mentors and role models
* from co-workers and friends
* through magazines, journals, books and newspapers
* on the internet
* by volunteering
* by teaching others what you know
* through seminars, workshops and courses
* by attending classes at an educational institution
For assistance in determining your career and learning goals, contact a local employment agency and arrange to take some tests or personal inventories.
Need help? Contact me.
Fran
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