Stay on the Upswing during this Downturn - Show Your Value

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

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

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

What did you want to be when you grew up?

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

How would you respond to these questions and statements?

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

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

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

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

7 Steps to Simple, Powerful Goals

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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Keeping Things Simple

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

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

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

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