Smart Career Moves

Group Think

2010-07-26T10:37:00.000-07:00

I've had the opportunity to facilitate a Master Mind group over the last few months and saw first hand, once again, the power that "group think" has. Amazing results in members' personal and professional lives were had, along with great fun and new friendships.

We met every other week in person, each briefly reviewed our last 2 week's activities toward the goals we'd set at the beginning of our program, brainstormed any hot issues, then set the next 2 week's action items. Email follow up with the accountability reminders were sent during the in-between-meetings weeks. Most importantly, we encouraged, affirmed, and supported each other along the way.

So, why not consider gathering a group for one of my coaching programs? Do you have some friends who are thinking of making a career transition? Some co-workers who want to improve their performance? Some colleagues who want to move ahead in their lives personally and professionally?

If you are willing to share with others and gain the benefit of hearing what they think about your common situations, let's put the power of groups to work in your life!

Contact me and let's talk about what location, frequency of meetings, and content would help your group make headway and move forward!

760-941-5166 Debbie@LousbergUnlimited.com

Weekly Workplace Wisdom, May 10th

2010-05-12T17:32:00.000-07:00

“People are as happy as they make up their minds to be” –Abraham Lincoln

Step Into It!
Choose today to be happy, to be successful, to be a leader. You have the power to make each day of your life the best it can possibly be. Hold your goals and values dear to your heart and always move in their direction. It all starts with the power of choice. Choose the best for yourself today.

Weekly Workplace Wisdom, May 3rd

2010-05-06T17:31:00.000-07:00

“You can’t succeed by yourself. There are no rich hermits.”
(as seen on local company marquis)

Step Into It!
Something about work got you baffled? Reach out for help. There’s someone with just the right expertise with exactly the advice you need. There’s nothing like an objective opinion to open our eyes and see things in a new light. Don’t forget the people who’ve helped you get to this point and send a thank you their way.

Weekly Workplace Wisdom, April 28th

2010-04-28T16:45:00.000-07:00

“Success isn't a result of spontaneous combustion. You must set yourself on fire.”
~Arnold H. Glasow

Step Into It!
What motivates you? What cause or passion ignites that fire within? Can you integrate these things into your work? Think of the activities currently in your work life that empower you and figure out how to do more of them. Set yourself on fire and head toward success!

Not Just any Job, the RIGHT Job!

2010-04-25T22:13:00.000-07:00

Most job seekers jump right to updating their resume as their first step in the search process. Most employees and entrepreneurs get engrossed in their day-to-day activities and have time for little else. There’s an important piece of your professional life that needs to be performed regularly in order to ensure that your work will keep you satisfied and successful for the long term: Take time to assess your current career path or your potential new job, and its match to what makes you happy.

For Job Seekers: Jumping into the first opportunity that comes along without evaluating your own strengths, preferences, wants and needs can lead to discontent and disillusionment at work. Take control of your search, own some power in the job search process and find a position that excites you, uses your best attributes, and provides you with meaning and satisfaction. Even if you feel that you must accept the next offer, you can ensure that at least you’ll be a few steps closer to your ideal job by self assessing.

For Employees and Entrepreneurs: It’s so easy to get on that treadmill day after day and not take time to step back to see the big picture of your work life. Take a long break or a personal retreat afternoon and evaluate where you are professionally and where you’re heading. Make sure you’re getting your needs met – gratification, acknowledgement, support, positive challenge, and rewards. Make some adjustments where needed and put yourself on the track of a meaningful career.

Get out pen and paper and answer these questions:

What work-related activities are you naturally good at doing?
What tasks have you been recognized for by co-workers and supervisors?
What types of things do you learn quickly?
What are some of your greatest career accomplishments?
List your favorite aspects of your last job which you’d like to experience again.
Define your hard and soft skills; prioritize them in order of preference.
What adjectives and phrases best describe you? How would your colleagues describe you?
What were outcomes of any formal career assessments you’ve taken?
What did you want to be when you were in school?
What interests and hobbies do you have now?
List your work-related values – those things that matter most to you on the job.
What are your personal requirements around factors such as salary, benefits, commute time, size of company, work hours, management style, company culture, and dress code?

Write your answers down. There’s something very powerful about getting an idea out of your head and onto paper. This tangible document, like a Job Search Journal, creates a road map and plan for creating the kind of work life you desire. Take time to get to the bottom of these questions and see what patterns emerge. Your answers are all keys to your strengths, passions, times and places where you are happiest. There is where your work should be centered.

For even more insight, take a formal assessment, such as the Myers Briggs Type Indicator, and add the results to your own self-discoveries for more clarity about your right and perfect work.

Self assessment provides you with information easily overlooked or forgotten once we get into our daily routines. Reminding yourself of when you are at your best and performing at your highest will boost your confidence and focus your job search or job performance. Spend some time on the most important person in your life – YOU – and make sure you’re in not just any job, but the RIGHT job!

Weekly Workplace Wisdom, April 12

2010-04-12T10:42:00.000-07:00

"Take the attitude of a student, never be too big to ask questions, never know too much to learn something new."
--Og Mandino, Author

Step Into It!
Set out to learn something new this week. Find out about training classes to improve your skills, ask someone in the know to explain those mysterious technology features on your phone, read a biography of an interesting person in history. Learning is easy, fun, good for your health and career, and causes you to grow in so many ways. Never stop learning!

Building a Foundation of Self Confidence

2010-03-06T23:56:00.000-08:00

Think about the times when you feel most confident at work. Is it when you’re running a staff meeting, analyzing reports, or talking with your customers? These situations are where your strengths and talents shine through and you handle them easily and effortlessly. Now think of the times when you are uncomfortable – making a formal presentation, meeting with a prospective customer, or interviewing job candidates, for instance. Drawing on self confidence in these situations can calm our nerves and give us the ability to face new things head-on. Others’ perception of us is their reality, so do all you can to influence them positively! Napoleon Hill says in Step 3 of his Self Confidence Formula (see below) to devote 10 minutes a day on developing it. Here are some ideas on how to do so:

Vocabulary: Listen to the words you use and how you speak of yourself, especially when nervous. Downplaying successes and pooh-poohing compliments send messages about our confidence level to others. Stay positive, self-supportive, and remember your previous achievements.

Self-Talk: What do you say to yourself when you make a mistake or are faced with a new challenge? Feeding your mind positive, loving thoughts about yourself are just as important as feeding your body with good food and exercise. Create some affirmations to help you through tough spots – “I am capable and confident”…”I handle new situations easily”. Appreciate your own best qualities and strengths.

Be Present: Put away distractions, especially all things that light up, beep and buzz. Be present with the person you’re meeting with – listen, interact, and make them your priority at that moment. Being fully present with them is truly a foundation for solid business relationships.

Posture: Pay attention to how you sit and stand when doing something unfamiliar. Take a stance that tells people you’re open to receiving information and input, while keeping in mind what accomplishments and benefits you already bring to the table.

Voice: In addition to words, pay attention to how you sound. Speaking calmly and confidently at a steady volume conveys trustworthiness and competence. Record yourself speaking before you enter into new territory.

Appearance: Be comfortable in your professional attire. Fidgeting with a stiff collar or itchy fabric will detract from your verbal message. Sometimes that tried and true older garment is better than something expensive and new. Dry clean, mend, iron and polish it up to make a great first impression.

Eye contact: Look people in the eye even when you’re uncomfortable. Making a connection via the eyes settles everyone’s uneasiness and helps express sincerity, openness, and interest.

Accomplishments: Remind yourself of what you’ve done successfully in the past. Chances are that you’ll pull from that previous experience to help you push through any new unfamiliar ones. Keep a running list of monthly successes and review it often and definitely before stepping into a new event.

Visualize: Close your eyes and imagine the task ahead already successfully accomplished. Do what the athletes do – play it out in your mind over and over again, so when the actual time comes, you’re comfortable and exude confidence.

Forgive & Forget: Get over any past mistakes that may hold you back as you encounter this new challenge. Think about it one last time, talk it out, forgive the parties involved, and let it go. Don’t carry it into what can be an exciting future.

Practice all these things and your confidence will soar. People will want to do business with you, have you handle their accounts, make referrals to you – all because of the way you come across and make them feel.

Having confidence helps us grow personally and professionally, and create dynamic exciting lives with new challenges and positive outcomes. By building confidence, you will carry yourself with respect and dignity, better connect with employees, customers and colleagues, and build a life of integrity.

Visioning 2010 - Stepping Into It

2010-02-18T13:42:00.000-08:00

I’ll be honest – 2009 was a little foggy for me. Ninety-nine percent of the time, I’m one of those eternal optimists always looking for the silver lining, but the year had some tough spots that slowed me down. It did finally begin to shift in October with a wonderful 10-week class I took called “Prosperity Plus, a New Way of Living”. Not only did I have to look at myself and my beliefs under a microscope, I had to commit to listening to audios, doing written exercises in the workbook, and generally changing my approach to things, at least for the length of the class. Four months later, I find myself still incorporating many of these things into my daily activities.

Here’s one of the biggest “take-aways” for me. It had to do with envisioning my future, deciding exactly what I wanted in 4 areas: Financial, Health, Relationships, and Creative Expression (which includes career), writing that out and reading it each day. Like many of you, I’ve done this before – set goals at the beginning of the year, visualized in my mind the desired outcomes, and even created vision boards to place around my office. After awhile, their impact faded and I slipped back into my old ways. Here’s what worked this time: “Stepping Into It”. This added component of pretending my vision was already true and telling someone about it made all the difference. The facilitator had us get with a partner and during our turn, take 4 steps in a clockwise direction as if we were actually stepping into our desired life. When we turned around to face our partner, we acted as if we hadn’t seen them in a year and told them all about our life – what it felt like, what we’ve seen, done, bought, where we’ve been and so on. The energy in the room afterward was incredible! I led a different class in doing this same thing last week and the result was the same. It’s exciting, it’s fun, and it makes one feel that anything is really possible.

Outside of class and without a partner, I now ask myself “how would I solve this/approach that situation/ behave, what would I say/wear/do if I were living that life now? This engages me more than any vision board or the many affirmations on sticky notes around my desk. Where they become just words and pretty pictures after awhile, “stepping into it” changes my mindset and my attitude. I stand up straighter and become more confident. It’s simply pretending I’m the person I want to be, living the life I want and paving the way and trying it out in my mind for that to become reality.

As Albert Einstein said, “Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.”
Pretend it’s already happened and step into the life you are imagining.

Stress Relief for the Work and Job Search Weary

2010-02-07T17:12:00.000-08:00

A New Year with new opportunities and adventures awaits us! Let’s start it out right with some reminders on how to take care of ourselves and ward off stress, which is oftentimes the cause of emotional discomfort and physical illness – the last things we need when responsibilities continue to build and rest on our shoulders.

Regina Roark, Doctor of Chiropractic, in practice for 16 years and located in San Marcos, CA, offers advice for managing the inevitable stress experienced from job searching and overworking. We recently asked her advice especially related to work issues.

What do you advise your patients who are looking for a job or worrying about job security these days?
My #1 piece of advice is to take time to take care of yourself on a daily basis, even if it’s only 5 minutes!

That certainly sounds do-able. How would someone effectively use 5 minutes for self care?
First with breathing exercises. Sit comfortably in a quiet place where there will be no interruptions. Consciously breathe in slowly through the nose, preferably, counting to 5 or 10 or 20, whichever length is most comfortable. Then breathe out through the nose at the same pace. Do this several times for a calming effect. Be sure to return to your normal breathing if you have any difficulty, such as getting light-headed.
Another technique I advocate is visualizing. Again, find that quiet place where you’ll be undisturbed. Close your eyes and think of a real or imagined place where you would go to spend time alone. Picture it clearly in your mind. Using the beach as an example, think of the color of the water, the foam of the waves, the sand, rocks, and clouds. After a few days of practice with thinking about what this place looks like, add another sensation to the picture like the sounds – waves crashing, wind blowing, birds singing. Then add the senses of touch and smell to the picture. Whether someone is sitting behind a computer, dropping off resumes, or managing people, this technique works wonders in clearing the mind and improving moods. And it can easily be done on a 5 or 10 minute break!

What kinds of situations are you hearing about from patients who are stressed out?
Not only are people looking for jobs, but many of my patients are overworked. They have to cover more hours at less pay or have had to get second jobs to help ends meet. With all this extra responsibility, they tend to let themselves and their self care go first.

What are some steps people could take to get back on track, especially here at the beginning of a New Year?
I recommend a 5-step process:
Step 1 – Be aware that whatever situation is creating stress, it will not last forever. Change is inevitable and things will get better.
Step 2 – Delegate whenever possible. Ask friends, family, and your support system for help. Reach out to those closest to you, explain what’s happening, and seek their assistance, if only temporarily.
Step 3 – Have a sounding board, a person whom you trust and will honor confidentiality, that will listen to your complaints. It’s important to talk things out and vent your frustrations, but not just to anyone.
Step 4 – Exercise if only for 5 minutes. Take a short walk, do stretches, use your lunch hour to get fresh air and move your muscles. Find a walking buddy, which will encourage you to be more consistent.
Step 5 – After identifying the stressor, follow this “3 A’s” system, in this order:
Avoid – physically remove yourself from the stressor, be it a person, place or thing. Put some distance between you and the cause of that stress. If that isn’t possible, then…
Alter –change your own thought or action about the stressor. Make the situation better in some way – learn more about it to create a deeper understanding, take a class to improve your own skills, think objectively about it and consciously respond differently than you have before. Again, if this doesn’t remove the stressor, then…
Accept – realizing that you can only change yourself, accept the stressor for a certain time period giving it a chance to improve, then be ready to move on if that doesn’t occur.

Using that 3A idea, what if the stressor is a person like a co-worker or boss?
Avoid the person in order to give yourself space and time to think about your responses and reactions to them. For instance, if your boss is the problem, take time to think through your next interaction with him or her and what the discussion may be like. Prepare your words and responses carefully, keeping in mind hot buttons that you can also avoid. This avoidance step is not running away – it’s giving yourself the gift of time to prepare. By approaching a hot topic or conversation in a different way, you are altering the scenario for the purpose of causing a different, more positive outcome. By researching an issue that causes stress or honing your skills in an area that makes your boss tense, you are taking control and mixing things up differently. After following the first 2 A’s, it’s time to accept that you’ve done what you can and realize the person may not ever change. Set a timeline for deciding on and making your next move – a new job, another department, or a heart-to-heart conversation. The 3A’s help you gain more control of the stressful situation and level the playing field.

Any other helpful advice for our readers who may be looking for work or contemplating a career change and feeling the stress?
Get up from your computer. Every 20 minutes (set a timer), stand up and stretch. Walk to a different room or down the hall. Change positions or switch chairs. Your body needs to move and your muscles need stretching.
Notice what your body is telling you and seek professional advice. Talk to your chiropractor about your workstation which could be contributing to back, neck or wrist pain. An improper chair can lead to headaches or numbness, which in turn affects sleep and your ability to exercise or even grocery shop.
Finally, really try to look on the bright side. A lay-off or job unhappiness can be an opportunity for change to more rewarding work or the chance to follow a dream.

This article appeared in the San Diego Job Giant on January 7, 2010.
Got a comment or other stress-relief tips? Please post your comment here!

Tried & True Tips for Managing your Time

2009-11-30T16:48:00.000-08:00

What a great time of year for some refreshers on that old favorite subject of Time Management, one I’ve not yet come close to mastering! End of year activities and deadlines, holiday gatherings and obligations, as well as New Year planning are filling the calendar, so you may find a few reminders helpful about now. Throughout the years, I’ve embraced as many tips as I have ignored others, and am aware of the many more I “should” implement. Below are some of my favorites, along with a few from my friends and colleagues. Enjoy!

Let’s start with one of my hotspots – Email! If your job allows it, check for new messages only 2 or 3 times per day and never first thing in the morning! Get your to-do list started, and then check messages mid-morning. Reply or take action as needed, and turn off your email program. Repeat mid afternoon or before leaving for the day. This lessens distractions immensely and you’ll feel that you had a very productive work day.

"Touching a paper (action) once". I read or heard this somewhere and I have applied this rule to my daily routine. As I get an action, I act on it right then and there OR I file it to follow up on it another day. That avoids unnecessarily shuffling of paper. It does not seem like much, but let me tell you ... it keeps you organized and focused on those actions you can take care of that day.
Maria, Contracts Administrator

My favorite time management technique is to create a “six most important list” the night before so I can walk into my office and get started right away. This is a staple Mary Kay training tool on time management.
Cynthia, Future Director, Mary Kay Cosmetics

My best time management tip is to be sure and schedule fun time for myself, just like I schedule doctor's appointments and meetings. I have started scheduling myself an entire fun day each week: no work, no chores, no tasks. Giving myself this time has enabled me to be much more focused and productive the other days of the week, and I don't feel so stressed out and frantic.
Sharon, Seminary Student

First, I use a timer (either a kitchen timer or a travel alarm clock by my desk). I allot myself a certain amount of time per project and setting the alarm helps me to stay focused on my task rather than any distractions. Second, I always calculate the time I need to leave to arrive at an appointment on time and place that into my calendar prior to my appt. time. I have less stress because I’m more aware of how much time I actually have for the day – and I’m not late for any appointments!
Suzan, Author and Coach

Other favorites from www.mayoclinic.com:
Say no to nonessential tasks. Consider your goals and schedule before agreeing to take on additional work.
Delegate. Take a look at your to-do list and consider what you can pass on to someone else.
Take the time you need to do a quality job. Doing work right the first time may take more time upfront, but errors usually result in time spent making corrections, which takes more time overall.
Break large, time-consuming tasks into smaller tasks. Work on them a few minutes at a time until you get them all done.
Practice the 10-minute rule. Work on a dreaded task for 10 minutes each day. Once you get started, you may find you can finish it.

By the way, my favorite time management tool for the past 3 years has been my Planner Pad, a spiral bound (also available in binder format) calendar/to-do list/appointment book all in one. I used a Palm PDA for many years after my trusty DayTimer no longer served me but now I’m back to a manual system and loving it. If you are so inclined, check them out here: www.plannerpads.com.

Job Security and Job Search - It Really Is About Who You Know

2009-11-26T21:59:00.000-08:00

The single best thing you can do for yourself during times of uncertainty, especially if job security is in question, is to plug into your network. If you think you don't have one, yes, you really do. It starts with your family, friends, neighbors and colleagues. After you touch base with each of those people, you find out who they know that you should know and build from there. Many job seekers I've worked with discount this powerful tool, lose track of their past contacts, then find themselves at square one when they're jobless and desperate for help. It's important to keep your network active and stay in touch with those outside your day-to-day activities. You may find yourself in need of help one day and with an active network, you'll know just who to call. Another value to getting from behind the computer and out to meetings is that you'll find the support you need for solving business problems, finding employees, developing relationships, and even identifying your next job.

Harvey Mackay, inspirational business speaker and author of "Dig Your Well before you're Thirsty" says, "Networking is a lifelong practice that provides you with new knowledge and experiences, job security, expanded financial reach, and the strength of the group. The secret to maintaining a great network is, above all, knowing the value of the personal touch."

As for the virtual type of networking so popular today, if you have already or plan to join Linked In, Facebook or any of the numerous others, spend time learning about the site and maximize its benefits. Decide what you want from it and then diligently update your profile and respond to people and make connections regularly. And remember - if you should ever find yourself in the job market, recruiters and human resource folks are "googling" candidates. Make sure what they find online about you will help you get your next job or opportunity!

Do It Up Differently!

2009-11-02T13:28:00.001-08:00

I love hearing about people who are doing things differently in the job market these days and business world – positive things that get them noticed and called in for interviews, hired, promoted, or launched into business. They are proactive and creative and unafraid to get out there and take a chance that just might bring great reward.

What prompts this sort of activity? Some people I know were tired of waiting on others for job offers, others wanted to demonstrate their talents and desire for a particular job, and still others sought to rise above the mainstream norm and make themselves known. Read below for some ideas on doing it up differently!

With competition for jobs at high levels and job security still in question in many places, it’s crucial that you, too rise above it all and take a stand for what you want. Consider some of these real-life examples and then design your own:

If your department or position is being eliminated, proactively hand deliver resumes to other department heads, in addition to working with Human Resources, to let them know of your company experience and qualifications.

Have pre-addressed, stamped thank you cards in your car ready to mail immediately after interviews.

Personally deliver resumes to your target companies and ask to speak to the hiring manager.

When given a choice on how to respond to a job opening, do all of them – fax, phone, and email.

Put together a creative follow-up package with references and testimonials as to why you are the best person for the job.

Deliver cookies or snacks with your thank you note after interviews or informational meetings.

Turn your favorite past-time into a part-time business to ease full-time job uncertainty.

If a position you applied for continues to show up online as open, inquire about being a temporary fill-in while they are still looking for the right person.

Own up to mistakes or challenges you know will surface during your performance reviews anyway and show your enthusiasm for overcoming them and moving forward in your career.

After surviving a layoff, ask for a meeting with your manager to find out what you can do to help the company while making yourself a more valuable employee.

Send handwritten thank you notes to recruiters you meet at job fairs.

Bring interview or review conversations back around to where you can accentuate your strengths and talents.

Ask the next question that many are afraid to – “Why was I not your top choice for the job?”, “Do you have any suggestions for me as I continue my job search?”, “How can I improve my performance and contribute more to the company’s success?”

Anyone can send an email, post their resume online, wait to see what will happen or hear what the boss’ or client’s decision will be. Take back control of your job search or career path and decide what your own positive steps will be to get what you want.

Ask, “How do I want this to turn out?” and aim for that end result. Or as my husband frequently reminds me when pondering a decision, “What do you have to lose?” You and I have the power to create the life of our dreams. Let’s go for it!

Can We "Have It All"? - New Book Says Yes!

2009-10-19T15:43:00.000-07:00

Here’s a new book by Marcus Buckingham, Find Your Strongest Life; What the Happiest and Most Successful Women do Differently. Marcus is best known for his “Strengths Revolution” work, helping millions of people identify and benefit from their strengths. Read his ideas on how women can have it all and be happy. Take the Strong Life Test (see sidebar) and “discover the role you were born to play”.

Shop at Amazon.com!

Do You Know your USP??

2009-09-28T16:47:00.000-07:00

A marketing concept from the 1940’s, the Unique Selling Proposition, says that successful advertising campaigns make unique propositions to customers, thus causing them to switch brands. This term is used today in many fields to explain what differentiates one thing from another. Let’s apply this term to people:

What makes you memorable, incomparable, and causes you to stand out from the rest? These qualities, skills and abilities, your USP’s, are useful to know as you prepare for performance reviews, get acclimated to a new job, or for interviewing for that next position. Know and believe in yourself so that you can convince others to do the same and hire you, promote you, or build a valued relationship with you.

What better situation to identify USP’s than when building a resume? Here’s the document for touting your strengths and skills. You have only seconds to catch a reader’s attention, so use powerful words and phrases to describe yourself and what benefits you bring to a company. In today’s popular resume format, the summary paragraph - the first component at the top, is exactly where you would present these words. When you get to the interview, you will expand upon the words that piqued their interest in you and explain further why you’re the right person for the job!

What about when applying for a grant, submitting a proposal to a customer, or meeting with your boss to talk about that promotion? More situations where your USP will come in handy. Give yourself time to prepare and consider what makes your organization, company, department, or you, most deserve the prize ahead of all others.

To create your USP, start by listing adjectives and 2-3 word phrases that best describe you. Then go back through the list with your target audience in mind and pick out the top 5 that will most appeal to them. Use these in your summary paragraph or introduction of your presentation or proposal. Next, write out your accomplishments that pertain to the upcoming situation by utilizing the Challenge encountered-Actions taken-ensuing Results format. Note the most effective actions and outcomes for backing up your intention to win the prize. Help your readers and listeners understand clearly why you are the most deserving, the most qualified, and the best choice with a powerful Unique Selling Proposition!

Get Started! Begin that list of adjectives and phrases. Get other perspectives and ask friends and colleagues what words they would use to describe you. Begin forming your USP by thinking about what makes you unique, special and so deserving of what you want. You are one-of-a-kind. Define it, believe it, and be proud of it!

Visualize your Goals already Achieved

2009-08-10T08:54:00.000-07:00

I got some good advice from my mastermind group upon mentioning my jitters about an upcoming presentation to a group of professional women at a large San Diego company: “Visualize how you want it to turn out”. Simple and powerful words to apply to every single goal you have in your life and especially work. Read below for the how and why visualizing should be part of our everyday activities.

“Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions.”
--Albert Einstein

Athletes have been using their imaginations to achieve their goals for years. They visualize an upcoming event in their mind before it actually takes place. Jack Nicklaus, the legendary golfer said “I never hit a shot, not even in practice, without having a very sharp, in-focus picture of it in my head.” First he saw the ball sitting where he intended it to go, then saw how it got there – its path, trajectory and landing, and finally saw the type of swing needed to turn his vision into reality.

This can work for the rest of us just as effectively. First get very clear on exactly what you want, and then take 10-15 minutes each day to close your eyes and imagine that your goal is already complete. Envision your dream house, ideal career, having unlimited money and good health, a successful presentation, or whatever you choose. Even more powerful is to imagine the corresponding feelings and sounds. Researchers say that an image or scene in your mind, when accompanied by intense emotion, can stay in your memory forever.

There’s fascinating scientific reasoning for how this works: When you visualize your goal as already complete on a regular basis, it creates a conflict in your subconscious mind between what you currently have and what you are visualizing. Your mind then tries to resolve the conflict by 1) programming your brain to let you be more aware of things that will help achieve your goal; 2) activates your subconscious mind to create solutions; and 3) creates new levels of motivation.

We each have one of the most powerful tools known to man right between our ears – our imaginations! Put it to use right now – get a mental picture of each of your goals, think about and feel them daily, and see what happens. You become unstoppable in achieving the life you want for yourself.

This week: Find yourself a quiet spot and bring to mind one important goal you want to achieve. Close your eyes and see yourself enjoying the benefits of that achievement. Think about how every aspect of reaching that goal feels and sounds to you. See in your mind’s eye what you’re doing, who’s with you, and every detail of its positive outcome. This exercise may feel like the children’s game of “pretend” but go with it. Write down what you thought about and carry that paper with you to remind you of not only the target goal, but also its associated feelings and effects. You’ll have more confidence and soon begin taking steps needed to make it happen.

Got a Summer Vacation???

2009-08-05T14:32:00.000-07:00

Have you taken your summer vacation yet?
You’ve got another month or so before summer officially ends, so if not, get that break penned in on your calendar. Expedia’s annual survey indicates that we Americans do see the benefits of taking vacations with “39% reporting they feel more productive and better about their job upon returning from vacation and 52% claiming to feel rested, rejuvenated and reconnected to their personal lives”.

My friend, Elaine Masters, owner of Drivetime Yoga (www.DrivetimeYoga.com), offers some wonderful advice regarding vacations and her specialty, road trips, in this week’s article.

"It's Monday but summertime daydreams are tugging at my attention. I've been browsing expat websites, pouring over travel magazines and I just returned from a great trip! Oh, guilt is tempting but daydreaming this time of year is natural. A recent survey conducted by Huntress, a British staffing firm, found that over 68% of polled workers admitted that they spent a good portion of the day dreaming about impending vacations. Another 25% said they noticed their productivity drop in the summer.Forward thinking companies have harnessed this natural "summer slump" by giving their employees a little more time off. Studies show that they reap financial benefits in a few months with increased morale and productivity, especially during the busy times of the year. For those entrepreneurs amongst us, it's hard to justify time away, but you can manage your desire to get outside, still get things done and satisfy that wanderlust. Here are a few tips:
If you're on staff, write up a proposal to your boss that includes tele-commuting or flex-time so you can have 3-day weekends. Be specific & have alternatives.
Travel-commute: Again managing your time is key. Bring your laptop/smart phone with you and set up a few hours a day to work. Turn things off on schedule or you'll negate the positive effects by staying online too long.
Break out of your rut and change your routine. Take advantage of the great weather to do some Yoga on the patio, the beach or at the park. Make stretching a prelude to your picnic lunch!
If you work at home and the kids are there, get them stretching too.

Denying your natural desire to go out and play can lead to frustration or worse, depression. Find new ways to nourish yourself with mindfulness and a little discipline. You'll be happier for it.

Here are two simple Road Trip Yoga Tips:
Get Present:
To be more focused and fight the monotony of longer drives, try 'rolling' through each of your senses. Approach this with a beginners mind, as though it were the first time you felt each experience. Listen to the noises of the car and road. Feel your back and legs against the seat and the vibration in your feet. Sense the space around your car and the distance between you and other drivers.
Stretch breaks:
About every 20 minutes, check in and feel what's going on in your body while in the car. Add little stretches and adjustments based on what you discover. Stretch slowly and deeply at rest stops. By stopping every hour, for even a few minutes to stretch and move more, you'll arrive feeling better, with less stiffness and be more ready to play or work."

For more stress relief tips contact Elaine Masters, RYT, info@drivetimeyoga.com www.DrivetimeYoga.comCopyright 2009 Elaine Masters, RYT - www.DrivetimeYoga.com. Used by permission.

Thanks Elaine!

This week: Schedule that summer vacation trip and start making your arrangements for getting away from the office, or at a bare minimum, plan a day or two off for complete relaxation and rejuvenation. No doubt, the work will still be there when you return but you’ll find yourself more productive, refreshed and ready to tackle it.
Have a great week!

Being, Doing, Having

2009-07-13T15:31:00.000-07:00

"Often people attempt to live their lives backwards: they try to have more things, or more money, in order to do more what they want, so they will be happier.
The way it actually works is the reverse. You must first be who you really are, then, do what you need to do, in order to have what you want."
--Margaret Young, American entertainer, 1920's

Ever notice those among us who don’t seem to have to work that hard to do well in their jobs or to be good leaders or successful business owners? They appear comfortable in their own skin and pleasantly confident about the roles they’ve chosen in life. They aren’t struggling or trying. They’re simply caught up in the “being” instead of the “doing”.

Here’s what I’ve determined about them so far:
They know without a doubt what their chosen path is and take full responsibility for it.
They expect and plan for positive outcomes.
They speak with firm, affirmative language as if there is no other way.
They don’t make excuses or apologies – they don’t have to because they’re doing what they’re meant to do.
They are content with whatever they have right now. If they aspire to have something better, a job, car, house, etc., you don’t hear them talking about it – they’ve probably got a plan in place and know they’ll have whatever it is soon enough.
They have a good balance of work and play in their lives.
When they receive a complement, they are genuinely appreciative and somewhat surprised that there is anything out of the ordinary about them.

What I especially admire about these people is that they dwell in the present, not the past or the future. For example, no matter who they are talking with, that other person has their full attention. When they’re on a project, those related tasks have their complete energy. When they are on vacation, they’re really on vacation without any distractions. They are fully present.

Who do you know with these traits? Your boss, a co-worker, teacher or community leader? Take some time this week to notice what makes this remarkable group of people tick. Or pick one of my observations above and implement it into your life. Perhaps you are already one of these people who’s gotten off that treadmill of “doing” and spends more time “being”. Keep on being. The rest of us will watch, take notes, and eventually catch up.

Shakti Gawain, best-selling author and teacher, says it this way: “When I’m trusting and being myself, everything in my life reflects this by falling into place easily, often miraculously.”

Change: The Only Constant in Life

2009-06-06T18:44:00.000-07:00

June – can you believe it? Time is flying and the pace of our world seems to continue its increase. New technology, information, activities, choices, and decisions keep us on our toes and demand our attention in order to stay at the top of the workplace game. My friend and mentor, Barbara Eldridge contributed this issue’s article about what she calls the “2009 Dilemma” – planning and changing in order to keep up. Read below for her insight and suggestions.

Are you keeping up with the pace of change? The pace of technology? The pace of your industry? The pace of your competition? The 2009 Dilemma is how much do you have to change to keep pace? During these challenging times you need to have information at your finger tips that help you make the best decisions.
Planning is a hands on process. You might start by asking some tough questions:
Do you recognize the need for change?
Are you prepared to look reality in the face?
Are you willing to change yourself?
Will you turn a plan into action?
Do you have the guts to take yourself in new directions?
I would like to lay out a road map that will get you to view your career through a lens that eliminates the distortions of everyday business. Let me warn you, you may not like what you see. But if you are going to meet 2009 head on it is a necessary process. Let’s look at what a new strategy could do for you.

1. Develop a statement of purpose. What’s your purpose?Sometimes why we started in a career is not the same as why we continue to work it. One of my long time clients over the years has added staff, and possibly her successor, so that now she can travel more. The business was started so she could support her family.
2. Conduct a SWOT analysis. This will help you evaluate your internal strengths and weaknesses, along with the opportunities and threats you face in your career market place. It will give you a basis for developing a plan.
3. Crystallize your thinking - Determine what specific long range goals you want for yourself. It is never enough to just want more money. They should cover all aspects of your life.
4. Create benchmarks, with specific results for meeting those goals. It is easier to make adjustments along the way without losing sight of the long range goals.
5. Brainstorm strategies for reaching each of the results. There is more than one way to achieve a result, ask others for ideas.
6. Develop a Plan of Action. Plan the progressive steps, along with when you want to accomplish them. Nothing ever happens without action, but there is a world of difference between mere action and constructive action.
7. Be confident in yourself and your own abilities. Be determined to follow through on your plan, because without determination the plan will deteriorate.
The 8th step is to track your progress. Write out your numbers (yes I said write), the steps you have taken. It is a sure way of staying focused.

Barbara Eldridge is President and Founder of Mind Masters a membership organization for business owners. Her advisory experience includes leading businesses into growth, reengineering business systems and processes to accommodate the changing market place, and refocusing businesses that needed to change to survive. Contact her at Barbara@MindMasters.com or www.mindmasters.com. © 2009 Mind Masters, Used by permission.

June is a perfect time to re-evaluate your career path and progress you’ve made to date. This week, follow Barbara’s advice and steps. Revisit your 2009 goals and congratulate yourself on achievements or make some adjustments to get yourself back on track.

Springtime Brainstorms

2009-05-13T09:32:00.000-07:00

I attended a Career Management Alliance conference in San Antonio, Texas a couple of weeks ago and came back with so many great ideas to implement. One especially stands out – that of Brainstorming – and its value in opening up new possibilities, creating bonds within a group, and providing focus. Read below for more on this powerful creativity tool.

Brainstorming is defined by Webster’s as “the unrestrained offering of ideas by all members of a group to seek solutions to problems”. In the session I attended on business development, the group of 15 attendees contributed ideas on topics such as time management, maximizing productivity, branding, prioritizing marketing efforts, sales, and so on. Scribes were assigned to document the ideas and then commit to the ones they would personally focus on for improvement. When all was said and done, we had a list of at least 12 ideas for each of the 8 topics, providing us with possible actions we would not have come up with on our own. Some really resonated and made sense to me; others could work in the future.

And to make Brainstorming really effective, there are rules to abide by*:
1. Go for Quantity – produce a large number of ideas
2. Postpone Judgment – save evaluation until after all ideas are out
3. Encourage off-the-wall ideas – use imagination to list all possibilities
4. Welcome and record all ideas – record the actual words people use
5. Write all ideas where people can see them – write legibly
6. Eight to Evaluate rule – generate a minimum of 8 ideas before moving on

(*Special thanks to Louise Kursmark and Wendy Enelow of Resume Writing Academy for this enlightening session)

See how you can use this tool to come up with creative solutions to nagging problems at work, define your next ideal job, or re-energize a business? How about even at home when deciding how to tackle the next home improvement project or vacation destination? Get a group of co-workers, friends, family or associates together. Pose the problem, review the Rules of Brainstorming, and let ‘em go! At the end of your session, prioritize the ideas and create an action plan to propel you forward.

This week: think of an issue where Brainstorming may be the perfect tool for finding the right solution. Follow the method outlined above and have some fun with your group!

Share the results here - we'd love to see your success stories!

Balance and Goals...Goals and Balance

2009-04-21T07:46:00.000-07:00

Here are a few words on one of my favorite topics, Goals and its sidekick, Balance. As you know, my focus is on work and career related goals; those in others areas oftentimes take a backseat to things I want to accomplish in business. When overwhelm creeps in, along with that creepy procrastination, it’s a good time to re-evaluate where I’m spending my time. It brings up that phrase we’ve heard over the years – “Life-Work Balance”, which not surprisingly, I’ve not yet mastered. You?

What to do? Write these goal categories on a piece of paper: Career, Financial, Family, Personal, and Spiritual. List what you want to achieve in each of these areas in the coming months or by the end of the year. This helps remind you what else matters to you besides work and realign how you spend your time – doing things that are most important to you in all areas of life. And then, each day, and definitely each week, spend time taking steps toward those goals in those areas.

Wise words from the Mayo Clinic website: “Remember, striking a work-life balance isn't a one-shot deal. Creating balance in your life is a continuous process. Demands on your time change as your family, interests and work life change. Assess your situation every few months to make sure you're keeping on track.” (read here for their article on work-life balance: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/work-life-balance/WL00056) Goal setting is imperative to succeeding in life…all areas of life. Don’t forget to balance out your goals among them.

How do you achieve balance while working toward your goals? Please post a comment!

Stress Relief in Job Search and Job Security

2009-04-13T17:10:00.000-07:00

I ran across a good internet article last week when researching “job search stress”. It discusses primary causes and ways to decrease anxiety. I think the information applies to not only people stressing about being out of work, but also the numerous others stressing over job security. It all boils down to one’s thoughts about a situation – we create our experiences by what we think. Read on and be sure to pass it along to someone who can use some de-stressing tips right about now...

The author, a resume-writing specialist, says that by avoiding these 5 things, more peace of mind is possible. I agree and have added some of my own thoughts:
Perfectionism – creating an outstanding resume is important, but don’t obsess about it. I’d add that focusing about the possibility of losing a job or going way over the top with overzealous performance in order to keep it are also forms of perfectionism and detrimental in the long run. Do your best. That’s good enough.
Procrastination – letting things pile up during a job search simply add more stress to the mindset of joblessness. Same goes for job security – putting things off at work and home adds more worry to the situation. Focus on what’s right in front of you rather than projecting into the future. I like the author’s two mottos: Touch it once and Do it now.
Powerlessness Feelings – thinking that others are in control of our destinies with regard to hiring and firing decisions wears a person down, no doubt. Instead, focus on what you do well, concentrate on strengths and accomplishments. Keep a positive attitude and recognize that you are in charge of your life and most definitely are not helpless.
Problem People – Avoid them. Plain and simple. Others’ negative attitudes do you no good so protect yourself especially while in a sensitive situation. When they start talking about the bad economy, unemployment statistics, and who’s laying off, walk the other way or change the subject.
Pessimism – staying positive may be easier said than done when in uncomfortable employment circumstances, so it’s very important to take a break and pull your mind away from this one overwhelming area of life on a regular basis. Schedule time to exercise, garden, chat with positive friends, work your hobby. Volunteer and help others reach their goals. Find those spots of enthusiasm and optimism – let them grow and enter into to your work life.

Whether in job search mode, worrying about possible lay offs, or even business building in a tight economy, I believe these are indeed good things to keep in mind. Protect yourself, take a break from burdensome tasks, optimistically forge ahead with a solid plan for building your future, and create the live you’ve imagined.

This week: Take it easy on yourself, Do it now, Know you are in control, Avoid the naysayers, Build on your optimism and pass it along to others in need.

Got some other stress busters while in job search mode or overcoming job security worries? Post them here!

So What do You Say to Yourself...at Work??

2009-04-01T20:03:00.000-07:00

I just received this book, first published 20 years ago, in the mail and find it to be so timely and still relevant – What to Say When You Talk to Your Self by Shad Helmstetter, Ph.D. He says “Self-Talk is a way to override our past negative programming by erasing or replacing it with conscious, positive new directions. It is a practical way to live our lives by active intent rather than by passive acceptance.” I love that. Read on to learn about 4 levels of Self-Talk and how to move through them:

Level I – Negative Acceptance (“I can’t…”)
This is the lowest, least beneficial, and most harmful mode of Self-Talk. Not only do we say bad things about ourselves, we go on to accept them as truth. Unfortunately it is the most frequently used. Be aware of your “I can’t’s” and move toward replacing them.

Level II - Recognition and Need to Change (“I need to…I should…”)
This level recognizes the problem but offers no solution, instead it recognizes that you need to make a change but are stuck in that place of recognition without any action steps, creating guilt and disappointment in ourselves. “I really should get up earlier”, “I need to enroll in that training class”.

Level III - Decision to Change (“I never…I no longer…”)
The first level that begins moving you in the right direction – you know the need for change and also make the decision to do something about it. You are beginning to rephrase the old “can’t’s” into more positive, present-tense statements. “I no longer argue with my coworker about our responsibilities” “I never speak crossly with my employees”.

Level IV - The Better You (“I am…”)
The most effective level that is used the least and is needed the most. Here you are creating a new picture of how you want to be and giving the words to your subconscious mind as its new program, replacing old “cannots” with “Yes I can’s”. These messages inspires us, encourages us, excites and pushes us forward. “I am organized and efficiently get things done easily and effortlessly”, “I am worthy of promotions and recognition.” “I believe in and respect myself.”

This process helps break down the years of negative programming that our brains are used to and begins feeding it new directions. He says that the “subconscious mind will believe anything you tell it if you tell it long enough and strongly enough. It will simply go to work to carry out its new directives.”

Helmstetter adds, “just listen to anything you may be saying to yourself that could be working against you, turn it around, and start using the Self-Talk that works for you.”

This is only the tip of the Self-Talk iceberg. Pick up a copy of the book and see for yourself. It’s an easy, beneficial read guaranteed to make you look closer at what you say to yourself.

What we say to ourselves sets us up for success or failure, creates possibility or shuts us down in the face of choices. This applies to perfectly to our work lives as well as personal. The messages you give yourself during the day affect your interactions with customers and colleagues, your ability to get things done, and ultimately to be doing the work you absolutely love to do.

This week: catch what you’re telling yourself and eliminate and replace that negative Self-Talk. Write it down and consciously work through the levels above. Put a positive message on a stickie note and place it where you’ll see it daily. (“I approve of myself” was in my car for many years) Begin reprogramming your brain to think highly of yourself and that you are capable of achieving your goals. Live the life you have imagined.

Drop me a line about what you say to yourself during the workday!

What are you telling yourself?

2009-03-23T11:27:00.000-07:00

In my work helping people make successful career transitions after being laid off or making their own decision to do so, I hear many excuses: “I’m too old”, I’m too young”, "I don’t have a degree”, “My dream is too unrealistic”, “I’ll never be able to do it”, “In this bad economy…”. These are typical reactions to change, ways we humans adapt, or don’t, to the unfamiliar. So there begins my work with clients – helping them take a look at what they’re telling themselves and realizing there are always ways around perceived obstacles. In matters related to you making that change you’ve got in mind, what are you telling yourself?

Undoing our Excuses
Here are some different ways of looking at excuses, which are really self-imposed limitations that hold us back from realizing our own potential:

“Too old” – consider the years of accumulated experience learning ways of the business world or an industry, knowing how to get things done, having established a reputation and good work habits.

“Too young” – there is a lot of energy and freshness associated with youth, new ideas and an understanding of how today’s technology can help existing processes, and a hunger for learning from more experienced colleagues.

“I don’t have a degree” – experience speaks volumes in most cases and what is gained from actually doing the thing can overshadow having the piece of paper; a degree can be completed while learning the job.

“Too unrealistic” – wisdom throughout the ages says that if you have the idea to begin with, you have the ability to make it happen; asking tough questions and building a business plan around an idea will shed light on its viability.

“I’ll never be able to do it …” – you get what you think, so your attitude must be open and willing; setting goals, creating action plans, monitoring progress, and appreciating any size of step taken is how many a dream is realized.

“In this bad economy…” – there are still people thriving and businesses having their best months ever – we just don’t hear about them much. Yes, careful consideration is in order along with a reality check on finances, but nothing says you can’t start making moves now.

“I won’t make as much money” – that remains to be seen – with a goal and a good marketing plan, whether self-employed or not, there may be more money available than you think.

“I don’t have the skills” – related skills may just be buried in years of experience; if you’ve learned new things before, you can do so once again; volunteer, take classes and show your enthusiasm for getting the skills you need.

By the way, here’s my own overused excuse, “I don’t have enough time” – maybe my schedule is filled with tasks better left for later (or in my case, too many details that don’t really warrant doing) and events that won’t help me reach my goal. Time to re-evaluate and reprioritize.

The point is, we all have excuses for not taking action on something that could lead us to more success, more happiness, peace of mind, self belief and confidence than we can imagine possible.

If we really want something and make the commitment to get it, we will find the ways to overcome our excuses and make it happen. As Henry Ford, that great American industrialist said, “Whether you think that you can, or that you can’t, you are usually right.”

So what's holding you back from reaching your dreams? Identify that old excuse and counter it with what you can do, even a baby step, to get past it.

Back to "Old School" in the Workplace

2009-03-18T12:01:00.000-07:00

A lot of my time is spent these days helping people individually and in groups get back to work. In my Career Transition Clubs, we cover a variety of topics including social networking’s role in job searching, recommended resume styles, and doing work we love. Twice a month, I conduct job search workshops at Interfaith Community Services where topics include basics such as interviewing skills, goal setting, and networking. One thing has become very clear – to succeed in today’s job market and workplace, one must stand above the crowd, or as a Club member recently put it, "we need to use old-school techniques”.

“Old School” Tips & Techniques
From the Urban Dictionary, “old school” is defined as “anything that is from an earlier era and looked upon with high regard or respect”. Some of these old-school workplace tips are seemingly common sense, though I’m sorry to say, not frequently put into common practice.

* Sending hand-written thank you notes after interviews and meetings
* Hand-delivering requested materials, such as resumes, and enclosing them in a larger
envelope so no folding of the document is required
* Doing follow up by placing a phone call rather than emailing or texting
* Taking care to dress professionally and neatly for interviews and presentations
* Taking the time to arrange for face-to-face interaction vs. phone or email
* Going back to clarify when you feel miscommunication may have occurred
* Paying attention to detail, especially spelling or abbreviations others may not understand
* Being an attentive listener and “being present” with the person speaking
* Initiating a handshake, saying “thank you”, and making eye contact
* Acting on something personal about a colleague, manager or client – their birthday, favorite
foods, children’s names, things you have in common.
* Sharing the credit when things go well and accolades are flowing
* Apologizing when you’ve erred, in person whenever possible

Yes, it’s true - by ensuring you do these “old school” things as often possible, you will actually stand out from the crowd. All are common courtesies, yet not commonly practiced. Today’s fast pace and technology laden workplaces can prevent us from getting back to these basics. Nothing can ever take the place of the human touch in our high tech world.

To Do this Week: Check yourself on the list above and make sure you’re covered. Focus on one you might improve upon and put it into play. Work on it consistently, make it a habit and enhance your reputation. Then pass this list along to someone who’s in the job market so they can really make an impact on potential employers.
Have a great week!

Please post a comment or another "old school" idea that you'd like to see become more common practice!