Monday, October 25, 2010

Preparation

“It's not what if, it's what now.” ~~Author Unknown~~

What NOW is what’s important. Learn from your past; plan for your future; but live for today. Hmmm… maybe that one will become a quote *I* am known for!

Friday, October 22, 2010

Motivation

“Most of the shadows of this life are caused by our standing in our own sunshine.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson~~

Today I remind myself to get out of my own way!!

I had a great coaching session this morning. I had a client come in who was feeling a bit demoralized about her job search. She’s in what she called a holding pattern… She’s waiting to hear back from a final round of interviews and she was really struggling with moving forward with her search while she was waiting. We talked through some of this as much as we could, and then I started talking to her about her 10-year plan. She really does have a dream, and thinking about it kind of made her smile, but it has no real shape or form. She couldn’t really define it and as such has no idea what it will take to achieve. (I’ve already talked about the importance of a plan… here is a great “case in point”.) As we looked at her dream, talked about it in some detail, and put some thought around how to actually make it possible, she started to get excited again. We talked about what proficiencies she might need to acquire, what certifications she could get, what alliances she could build, and what she could be doing now in order to make that 10 year dream actually possible. ** I suggested she think more about this. I suggested she do some research. I suggested she talk with her husband and her kids to get their input on this plan. I suggested that she graph out what she can do between now and then to really help her get there. And then I suggested that she make it “look pretty” and hang it on her wall! Maybe she could even cut out pictures or take photos of what this could “look like” in 10 years, and remind herself why she is doing what she is doing now. This visual could be just the motivation she needs to stay ON in this job search…

Well, fast forward to one of my favorite sayings, “physician, heal thyself!’

I have a dream… in fact, I have several. And sometimes I lose sight of them. Sometimes I forget why I am working so hard, and I forget what I’m working for! So, today, I remind myself to get out of my own way because my dreams CAN be my reality, and I am worth it!

“Grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change, the courage to change the one I can, and the wisdom to know it's me. ~Author unknown, variation of an excerpt from "The Serenity Prayer" by Reinhold Neibuhr

** 10—year plan format credit goes to Linda VanValkenburgh at www.MyExecutiveCareerCoach.com. If you want to talk with a phenomenal career coach about developing an individualized career campaign, I highly recommend giving her a call!

Thursday, October 21, 2010

Goals

“Our goals can only be reached through a vehicle of a plan, in which we must fervently believe, and upon which we must vigorously act. There is no other route to success.” ~~Stephen A. Brennan

Back to Basics Part Three: The importance of a Plan! I was privileged to attend a breakfast this morning held by the Women’s Business Development Council, and honoring some very special and inspirational women in our local community. It was moving, and also rather timely. The theme of the breakfast was about accessing capital (really geared toward small business owners and entrepreneurs) but there was another point routinely made that I think is so critical… you need a plan! Whether it’s a business plan, a 10 year plan, a life plan, plans to build an addition or a deck… you need a plan. Whether you are running your business, running your job search, or running your life… you are in control, As it was said today and many times before, you need to be your own Chief Executive Officer. You need to run the business of being you. Totally empowering! And perfect for today’s “basic”.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Attitude and an Affirmation

“The only disability in life is a bad attitude.” ~~Scott Hamilton~~

I may have used this quote before, but think it’s so relevant to my “back to basics” concept from Monday. It really is all in how you look at things, and all in how you choose to react to your circumstances. I talk about this often. I remind myself frequently that it really is up to me how I react to things and it really is up to me to choose to be positive and optimistic. I tell myself (and anyone else who will listen) that staying upbeat, smiling, being kind and helping others really are the best ways to achieve success and happiness. And sometimes I forget. I won’t get a good night’s sleep, or I have a particularly crazy day, or my 4 year old acts like, well, like he’s 4, or…or…or…. And I forget. So, back to basics! Today I remember that I have the ability and the power and the desire to choose a positive attitude. My affirmation today: I choose to be happy, spread joy and exude confidence. I have a great mental attitude.

So, happy Wednesday everyone! Let’s make the most of it!

Monday, October 18, 2010

Goals

“The thing that is really hard, and really amazing, is giving up on being perfect and beginning the work of becoming yourself.” ~~Anna Quindlen~~

This week I am getting back to basics. I was inspired by a local Fall Festival we attended this weekend. They had simple games like a bean bag toss and some face painting. They had a clown making balloon animals. There were no fancy rides or crazy food vendors. It was simple. And it was awesome.

Work, the job search, raising a family, running a household, LIFE… things seem to have gotten complicated, and I’ve decided that they really don’t need to be. It seems the really simple things are the things that have the biggest impact. A smile, a helping hand, a kind word, a guiding light, a hug – these are my goals this week. I will offer at least one of these to all I encounter. And my life will be better for it.

Monday, October 11, 2010

Preparation

“If your work speaks for itself, don't interrupt.” ~~Henry J. Kaiser~~

PREPARE: transitive and intransitive verb make something ready: TO TAKE THE NECESSARY ACTION to put something into a state where it is fit for use or action, or for a particular event or purpose Synonyms: get ready, arrange, organize, plan, set up, practice, put in order*

I’m taking action! It’s Columbus Day. Public schools around here are closed, as are many businesses. Thankfully, my son’s daycare is open. I have decided to use today as an “administrative” day; a day to prepare for not only the week ahead, but the rest of the year. Today is a day to get organized (again), to plan, and to adjust previous plans. Lately I’ve been thinking that if I spent half as much time preparing my work trajectory as I have my upcoming Halloween Party, I’d be a very wealthy woman! So, today’s the day! Decisions will be made, coaches will be consulted, and my advisory board will be addressed. It’s a new day at HireEffect!

How else can YOU prepare?

*Content above provided by: http://www.bing.com/Dictionary/search?q=define+prepare&FORM=DTPDIA&qpvt=Synonyms+for+Prepare Encarta® World English Dictionary [North American Edition] © & (P) 2009 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Developed for Microsoft by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Goals

“It must be borne in mind that the tragedy of life does not lie in not reaching your goal. The tragedy of life lies in having no goal to reach.” ~~Benjamin E. Mays~~

Sometimes I lose sight of the goal. Sometimes I forget why I do what I do and I wallow in the self-pity that I create. Sometimes it takes just getting off my a$$ and doing “it” anyway to remind me of why I do what I do and how much I love doing it.

Today, I am grateful for the woman who called me yesterday, out of the blue, and asked for my help. She was referred to me by someone else she didn’t really know, and had the courage, strength and conviction to pick up the phone and ask a perfect stranger for assistance. I respect that tremendously. And, in offering her some basic job search advice and the names of some networking contacts, my mood changed. My attitude shifted. I love helping people! That’s why I do what I do. So, thank you person who shall remain nameless because I didn’t ask you if I could blog about you… Thank you, also, the person who gave you my name in the first place.

My goals, all of them, even the one in my long term 20-year plan, are about helping people and having fun while doing so! Sure, there‘s some level of selfishness in there… I deserve to have fun and to be happy.  So, here’s to my goals and to the journey of discovery along the path to reach them!