Friday, July 31, 2009

Friday: Motivation

Sometimes staying motivated requires work. A conundrum?? Maybe. Working often requires motivation. I understand that. I started my vacation last night. But I made a commitment, and even though it would have been really easy to not actually work today…on my vacation… work I must.

I am grateful for this blog right now. Reminding myself to stay motivated as I remind you to stay motivated is a good thing for me. So, today, I leave you with this quote, “People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing - that's why we recommend it daily.” ~Zig Ziglar

Thursday, July 30, 2009

Thursday: Goals

One of my favorite “success” authors, Og Mandino said, “The victory of success is half won when one gains the habit of setting goals and achieving them. Even the most tedious chore will become endurable as you parade through each day convinced that every task, no matter how menial or boring, brings you closer to fulfilling your dreams.”

As I get through the administrative tasks of my day, getting ready to go on a much needed vacation, I am very happy to reflect on this quote. Not only does remembering the goal help me get through the monotony of some days, but it also helps me get through the rough patches, the stress, and the disappointments. I know they are all a part of the road that I must follow to get me where I want to go…

Even better, getting into the habit of setting small, achievable goals, and achieving them, helps me to stay positive and passionate about what I do. I love celebrating the small successes, and I love helping others do the same. Accomplishments feel good, even when they’re small. So today, set a few realistic goals, and go after them!

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Wednesday: Positive Attitude

“To be interested in the changing seasons is a happier state of mind than to be hopelessly in love with spring.” ~George Santayana

I had to think about think about this one for a few minutes… and then I realized how profoundly true it is for me. The only thing that is constant is change. We’ve all heard that. We all know that. But how many of us actually live accepting that? I am consistently reminded to choose a positive attitude, believe I CAN, not to underestimate myself, and roll with it. So, today I remind you to choose to be happy with the change.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Tuesday: Focus

“To think too long about doing a thing often becomes its undoing.” ~Eva Young

I live to procrastinate. I recently pondered the question, “Why can’t I procrastinate procrastinating?” I never did come up with an answer...

The one and only thing that helps me get out of this potential deadly deadline-missing spiral is FOCUS! Having a plan and focusing on the steps, however small each is, helps me to accomplish my goals. So, my goal today as I look at my TO DO list from yesterday… FOCUS! Head down, nose to the grindstone, and to quote a popular advertising campaign, JUST DO IT!

Monday, July 27, 2009

Monday: Preparation

Monday. Again. Already.

I am consistently reminded by my own “To Do” lists the importance (and the power) of being prepared. When I fail to prepare for the week ahead, I wake up Monday morning and instantly panic. “How will I have the time to get this all done? Can I really meet these deadlines? Can I really accomplish it all?” It’s not a good feeling! Much like this morning, unfortunately, I remember too late the importance of a good plan and proper preparation.

So, I leave you with this quote for the day, “Planning is bringing the future into the present so that you can do something about it now.” ~ Alan Lakein

And, I wish you all the power of a plan.

Friday, July 24, 2009

Friday: Motivation

Fridays can be tough. It's the "end" of the week. Maybe you're not as far along on your to do list as you would have liked to be. Maybe you *still* haven't heard from that recruiter... or any news about that job interview. Or, maybe you just want the weekend to start! Staying motivated, and letting that motivation carry you, or better yet, propel you forward is a good thing. So, Fridays I will post a quote, motivational or inspirational, to help you through, cheer you up, or help you celebrate. Remember those small successes?

“If we all did the things we are capable of, we would astound ourselves.” ~Thomas Edison

"I've always felt it was not up to anyone else to make me give my best." ~Hakeem Olajuwon

"Your greatest self has been waiting your whole life; don't make it wait any longer." ~Steve Maraboli

"When faced with a challenge, look for a way, not a way out." ~David Weatherford

And, for today: "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." ~Mark Twain

Thursday, July 23, 2009

Thursday: Goals

Goal setting can be overwhelming. Where do you start? Do you have a goal for the day? For the week? For the year? For the next ten years?

This topic reminds me of "Alice In Wonderland", when Alice is asking the Cheshire Cat for directions...
“Which road do I take?" (Alice)
"Where do you want to go?" (Cat)
"I don't know," Alice answered.
"Then, said the cat, it doesn't matter.”

I believe that goal setting, even setting small, achievable daily goals, helps us to stay on track, and maybe more importantly, gives us the opportunity to celebrate small successes. On Thursdays I will add quotes about goals.

"Most of us serve our ideals by fits and starts. The person who makes a success of living is one who sees his goal steadily and aims for it unswervingly. That's dedication." ~Cecil B. DeMille

“Goals are the fuel in the furnace of achievement.” ~Brian Tracy

"If you have a goal in life that takes a lot of energy, that requires a lot of work, that incurs a great deal of interest and that is a challenge to you, you will always look forward to waking up to see what the new day brings." ~Susan Polis Schultz

"You need a plan to build a house. To build a life, it is even more important to have a plan or goal." ~Zig Ziglar

"In life, as in football, you won't go far unless you know where the goalposts are." ~ Arnold H. Glasgow

I was speaking with a client yesterday about the fear of success. Yes, Success, not failure. It’s incredible to me how many people live in fear of actually succeeding. It’s as if they think that once they achieve their goal, there will be nothing left. So, today's quote: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” ~Winston Churchill

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Wednesday: Positive Attitude

Wednesday, "hump day", a great day to remember that we are in control of how we look at things. My dad has always reminded me that while we can't always control our circumstances, we certainly have control over how we think about about our circumstances. So, on Wednesdays I will post a quote about staying positive, and maintaining a positive outlook on life.

"Attitude is a little thing that makes a big difference." ~Winston Churchill

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

"The greatest discovery of my generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitudes." ~William James

From a great interview coach, colleague, and friend, "If you're not continually amused by your life, you're not doing it right" ~ Melanie Szlucha

And for today, one of my all-time favorites, "It is not your aptitude, but your attitude, that determines your altitude."~ Zig Ziglar

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Tuesday: Focus

So, you're prepared... You've set up your workspace effectively and you've minimized the risk for distraction. You've planned your schedule for the week. You know what you need to do.

Now, you need to focus; stay on track. Razor sharp, laser-like focus is required, especially when you're down. Tuesdays, I will add a quote about focus.

"Visualize this thing you want. See it, feel it, believe in it. Make your mental blueprint and begin." ~Robert Collier

"If a man does not know to what port he is steering, no wind is favorable to him." ~Seneca

"The shortest way to do many things is to do only one thing at a time." ~Sydney Smiles

"No life ever grows great until it is focused, dedicated and disciplined." Unknown Author

And the new one for today: "Our thoughts create our reality. Where we put our focus is the direction we tend to go.” ~Peter McWilliams

Monday, July 20, 2009

Monday: Preparation

I believe that one can only do one's best, when properly prepared.

On Mondays, I will post quotes here that will help to encourage preparation. I hope you find them useful.

"Confidence and courage come through preparation and practice." Unknown Author

“First ask yourself: What is the worst that can happen? Then prepare to accept it. Then proceed to improve on the worst.” ~Dale Carnegie

In preparing your week, your work space, your plan... keep an open mind! My cats may hate this thought, but "there is more than one way"...

"There is a saying in Baltimore that crabs may be prepared in fifty ways and that all of them are good." ~H. L. Mencken

“Organizing is what you do before you do something, so that when you do it, it is not all mixed up.” ~A. A. Milne

And the new one for today: "A strong, positive self-image is the best possible preparation for success. " ~Joyce Brothers

My thoughts: A little confidence goes a long way...

Prologue

The Reason behind the Quotes:

Quotes, and other motivational and inspirational thoughts, often help me through my day. When I first started posting quotes on Facebook, they were really for me. They helped me to set the tone for my day. When people started commenting on them, I realized that I had an opportunity to motivate and inspire others.

As a recruiter who has worked both agency-side and corporate HR, as a former job seeker who has been in transition in some very difficult times, and as an independent recruiter currently, I hope to offer motivation for job seekers, along with a few job seeking tips thrown in.

This "blog", called such only because I don't know what else to call it, will start off with some things I've previously posted in NOTES on the HireEffect Fan Page on Facebook. So, if you're a fan (THANKS!) sorry for the repetition. I will however, also post a new quote all this week, even though I'm "catching up".

I hope you find these posts useful and enjoyable!

Thanks! Happy Hunting!

Jennifer Scott