Friday: Motivation

“Only as high as I reach can I grow, only as far as I seek can I go, only as deep as I look can I see, only as much as I dream can I be.” ~Karen Ravn

Empowering... I choose to see this as a call to action. I am in control of my own destiny.

How high are you reaching? Are you working to make your dreams a reality? Do you have a plan?

While I firmly believe that I am exactly where I should be today… that does not mean at all that it is where I want to be tomorrow. And, I am responsible for my own future. Hold yourself accountable, or find someone to help hold you accountable, and go after what you want. You can get there if you believe you can get there.

As the wise Yoda said, “Do or do not. There is no try.”

Thursday: Goals

"By recording your dreams and goals on paper, you set in motion the process of becoming the person you most want to be. Put your future in good hands — your own." ~Mark Victor Hansen

As a career coach I find myself saying more often then I like, “I can only show you the way, but you actually have to do the work.” Or, “I’m here to provide you all help you want, but you have to a: want it, and b: do something with it.”

I found this quote when looking for something on setting goals, but what really spoke to me was the notion of taking control of your own future. It seems so easy to blame your current circumstances on some other set of external circumstances… You don’t have time; it’s too hard… But the reality is if you don’t like it, do something about it!

Only YOU can prevent forest fires… only YOU!

Tuesday: Focus

“Only one thing has to change for us to know happiness in our lives: where we focus our attention.” ~Greg Anderson

I’d like to add that it also matters HOW we focus our attention. Staying focused on the job hunt (or any work for that matter) amid all the distraction can actually be more difficult than it seems. For example, just this morning as I launched my browser to search for a quote regarding focus, and got sucked into Facebook instead… you get the point.

Social Media has changed the way many of us work, communicate, research, and play. It is the blurry line between wasting time and being productive that has caused much ado. But it’s not much ado about nothing.

STAY FOCUSSED on the job at hand, don’t get side tracked, set time aside for each task, including the task of applying social media, and stay on track. LinkedIn, Twitter, even Facebook, can all be very useful in your career campaign, but please use them appropriately. In job search, they should be just one tool on your tool belt and do not replace face-to-face interaction and networking! But that’s another post…

Monday: Preparation

“To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe.” ~Anatole France

My Sunday nights often consist of preparation and planning for the week that lies ahead. It helps me feel as though I’m productive immediately upon the start of my work day on Monday. Sometimes however, things like Game 6 get in the way of what I know to be the right thing to do. (GO YANKEES!) So be it. With enough preparation from the end of last week, and a little work over the weekend, I’m still ready to face this week with enthusiasm.

That being said, it is a challenge to figure out what to do first when there is just too much to do, and it can get overwhelming. So, here’s my advice today: Take it one step at a time. Make your To Do list, and cross things off as you go. It gives you a great sense of accomplishment at the end of the day/week.

And, here’s my word of caution: Don’t let MAKING your To Do List become a day-long task. Don’t get sucked in to having that list be perfect or even complete. You can always add to it or edit it anytime you want.

“It pays to plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark.” ~Author Unknown

Friday: Motivation

"Don't let life discourage you; everyone who got where he is had to begin where he was." ~Richard L. Evans

Perfect. For what may be the third time this week I remind myself that I am exactly where I am supposed to be today! I love it! By the way, that doesn’t mean it’s easy. That doesn’t mean I’m complacent. That doesn’t mean I’m not working hard to get somewhere else. It just means that I’m enjoying the process and that I know I am on the right path.

"In order to get from what was to what will be, you must go through what is." ~Anonymous

Thursday: Goals

"All successful people have a goal. No one can get anywhere unless he knows where he wants to go and what he wants to be or do." - Norman Vincent Peale

My quest for figuring out my direction continues, as I’m sure is true for many of you. At the HR Whine and Dine networking event in Norwalk, CT last night I spoke with no less than 5 people who are on a similar quest. Again, it seems to me that this economy has been a catalyst for change in more than just the financial part of our lives. The phrase, “physician heal thyself” came up more than once, and I will be seeking external guidance very soon! I need to decide where to focus my energy, set the goals, and go after them. I am actually really excited about the possibilities. Bring it on!

Wednesday: Positive Attitude

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

Last night I wrote about my clear lack of clarity regarding which direction I want to take my business. And I spent most of the evening thinking about all of the people I encounter who are at some sort of crossroads. I even spoke with one person this morning who is in a high-powered role, and now that she has two small children (and just returned to work after a maternity leave) she is questioning whether or not she wishes to continue in a role with such great responsibility.

It seems that in a time filled with uncertainty in many areas of our lives, we are revisiting what’s really important to us. That actually excites me. By altering how we look at things we can create a new reality. I have always known what’s most important to me; it’s why I started my own business. But I lost sight of that somewhere along the way and now it’s up to me to change the way I look at my role and get back to the reality I want.

In the past I have written about visualization and the importance of goal setting. I urge you to revisit your plan and make sure you’re really going in the direction you wish to travel. And remember, you are exactly where you are supposed to be today. Sometimes it takes setbacks and challenges to help us recognize when things are going the right way.

“Make your optimism come true.” ~Author Unknown

Tuesday: Focus

“The indispensable first step to getting the things you want out of life is this: decide what you want.” Ben Stein

You wouldn’t think this was so hard… but I spoke at two events (last night and today – and the reason that I did not blog this MORNING…) and I have encountered no less than 15 people (MYSLEF INCLUDED!!) who have no idea what they want to be “when they grow up”.

I share this with you because maybe you have the same or similar issues. I wear so many hats, and love everything that I do, that my focus is actually lacking. It’s not that I’m not focused, I am quite focused… on too many things! So much so that sometimes nothing gets accomplished.

I am a recruiter, a coach, a trainer, a speaker, and a strategist… and that’s just my professional life. I also have a personal one. So, I ask you – how did you identify what you wanted? Or, have you?

Monday: Preparation

“I am prepared to go anywhere, provided it be forward.” ~David Livingstone

Every Monday I write about preparation. I believe that preparation, whether it’s setting up a workspace, planning for quiet, distraction-free work time, or doing due diligence pre-interview, is so important. But I also know it is impossible to be prepared for every single potential happening. You just never know what’s coming! So, I’ve created a new set of affirmations for myself, and thought I’d share them with you.

I am prepared for whatever life has in store for me.
I am strong enough to overcome the challenges I am presented.
I learn something new every day.
…and my new favorite…
I am exactly where I am supposed to be today.

What affirmations work for you?

Friday: Motivation

“Life takes on meaning when you become motivated, set goals and charge after them in an unstoppable manner.” ~Les Brown

I’ve had no less than 6 conversations this week with people who seem to have lost their motivation; some because their work is no longer interesting and challenging, some because their frustrated with how long things are taking, and others who have been immobilized by fear of the unknown. I think it’s the weather. So, as a coach AND a cheerleader, I offer this. Don’t ever stop believing in yourself. You can do this, no matter what “this” is. Keep it up, keep going, and keep your eye on the prize. Remember Casey Kasem? "Keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars." YAY YOU!!!

Thursday: Goals

“Some of the world's greatest feats were accomplished by people not smart enough to know they were impossible.” ~Doug Larson

“Life's problems wouldn't be called ‘hurdles’ if there wasn't a way to get over them.” ~Author Unknown

“Life is full of obstacle illusions.” ~Grant Frazier

Are you picking up what I’m throwing down? It’s not hopeless. We’re not helpless. Anything is possible. We CAN do it!

I met a great group of people last night at the in-transition networking event at which I spoke. One of the people in attendance just actually landed in a new role, and she brought donuts to share with group. But she did so much more than that. She stated that while not having much money during her unemployment was certainly a challenge, she would not change her experience. She talked about how she has made so many new friends, and that she encountered so many helpful people, and how her life had been changed forever for the better. WOW! Talk about focusing on the positive! And she had been out for a while… The message I got was this – things will get better. Hurdles and obstacles will be overcome. And, everything happens for a reason.

Set your goals, and go after them!

Wednesday: Positive Attitude (and Affirmations)

“Constant repetition carries conviction.” ~Robert Collier

OK, so maybe not a powerful quote in itself, but the thought behind this one this morning comes from the power of affirmation. I have written in the past about some affirmations I use. Last night I went to sleep (powering through some insomnia and actually falling asleep was the first great success) repeating these words in my head,” I am focused, motivated, and positive.”

Here’s the story. I went to bed too late. It was about an hour and a half later than normal. And, I have a presentation I am giving tonight on “Social Media & Your Career Campaign” so I need to be “on”. And, I have a ton of work to do today. And, I have a bunch of personal stuff going on (who doesn’t?). And… And… And…

And, as I lay awake I realized (thankfully) that again, I can control this. I thought about how I needed to wake up alert, focused, and ready to go. And, I needed to sleep unstressed by the daunting morning ahead…

So, I started my affirmations, and let me tell you – I feel GREAT today. I am tired, but I have coffee for that. As far as being focused, motivated, and positive, well, this post should speak to that!
Remember... “If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing -- you're right.” ~Henry Ford

Tuesday: Focus

“Focus 90% of your time on solutions and only 10% of your time on problems.” ~Anthony J. D'Angelo

A subtle shift in where you put your efforts is sometimes all you need. Focusing on solving problems is still focusing on the problem, so I suggest even changing the way you look at this altogether. I prefer to focus on the possibilities.

Monday: Preparation

“Confidence is preparation. Everything else is beyond your control.” ~Richard Kline

As a control freak, this is a tough one for me. I don’t ever want to be a victim of circumstance (to quote my favorite singer) but there’s a fine line between being prepared and over-thinking, (a.k.a. over-stressing) about all the possible outcomes and how I can direct them. Sometimes you just have to let things happen and see how they turn out. I don’t prepare for the worst, because I don’t even want to put that out there – but as long as I believe that things happen for a reason, I’m ok. And, so far, I have to say that my life has turned out pretty well! Today, I celebrate my 7 year wedding anniversary! I can’t believe how far we’ve come, and am so looking forward to the rest of our journey – wherever it may take us.

Friday: Motivation

“All that we are is the result of what we have thought.” Buddha

I learned a great phrase yesterday from someone I coach. Coincidentally, this person is also a coach, but as I’ve said before, all great players need a coach, and those of us who strive to do our best, have one in some form or another.

Anyway, the phrase was “second creation”. We were talking about visualization and he used this term to describe the phenomenon of visualizing, which was the “first creation” to cause reality – the “second creation”. I love it!

I’ve written about the visualization techniques I use. What have you done to create your “second creation”?

Thursday: Goals

“How often I found where I should be going only by setting out for somewhere else.” ~Richard Buckminster Fuller

Sorry for the hiatus. I’ve missed writing. I was visiting family, and had a lot less time on the computer than I had anticipated. I had had a goal to create posts in advance for such occasions, and never did so. Frankly, I’m glad. When I write these posts every morning, they actually help me set the tone for my day. Not having them pre-drafted and not being able to draft them while I was away really showed me how much I enjoy this. So, I’ve changed that goal, and I’ve also given myself permission to not stress out over writing these posts. And, there’s a lesson in that.