Tag Archives: Work

Mar16

A Great Tool for Embracing Change: The 90 Second Rule

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A Great Tool for Embracing Change: The 90 Second Rule

I’ve been listening to an audio program in my car that I find really helpful, presented a coach named Jim Fannin.  Take a 7-minute break to listen to this YouTube video that explains the technique as it can be applied to family relationships.

This is just an introduction to a program with several other simple, effective techniques that Jim teaches.  These are techniques that can be used in just about any situation, whether you are being cut off in traffic (grrrr), relating to others at home or at work, improving health and losing weight, or managing people and running a business.

One of the key points he makes on the first CD of this series is that the average person has 2500 or more thoughts each day, while peak performers have fewer thoughts, maybe 1000 or 1500.  That seems paradoxical, doesn’t it?  But in reality we are bombarded with a constant flow of interruptions and distractions: traffic noise, the ping from email, text messages, phone calls, knocks on the office door, and the biggest distraction of all – our own wayward thoughts, many of them dwelling on the negative.  If we can take 90-second breaks to “breathe like a baby” and to “re-boot our minds” as Jim suggests, we are then able to control our emotions and focus our efforts more effectively.

Try it – it works.  It slows down the merry-go-round of contemporary life and thus prevents the mental and emotional “dizziness” that can accompany coping with constant change.

You can find the 90 Second Rule Audio Program on Jim’s website, at the Nightingale Conant website, or on Amazon.  I find Jim a compelling teacher, perhaps similar to Jim Rohn, a great teacher and one of my all-time favorite business philosophers.

Rohn said, “Either you run the day or the day runs you. “  Jim Fannin’s program provides you with a handy toolbox of techniques to manage your daily life more effectively.

Feb22

Resistance is Futile

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Resistance is Futile

The title of this post is the oft-quoted phrase from Star Trek, and it is also an appropriate mantra for dealing with change. Whether we like it or not, we live in turbulent times with a great deal of change facing us daily.  I see in those around me and even in myself, a weariness with this aspect of modern life.  For example, I’m a big LinkedIn fan, and often tout its virtues to others,but a friend recently responded to my encouragement to set up a profile, “I just don’t want to have to learn something new.”  I understand his feelings.  I’m having to face that issue with my own attitude toward Facebook, which I use with trepidation because it feels so very automated.  I feel like I’m not “in control” of a tool that is supposed to serve me, and I know I’ll need to spend some of my precious time learning more in order to feel comfortable with it. 

But the purpose of life is not always to be in control.  That would be an impossible goal, wouldn’t it?  As human beings we definitely need to impose a degree of structure upon our lives, but rigid control actually works against us.  We need some balance between the logical, analytical, scheduled times and the creative, freedom-loving, playful times.  As a person with a natural resistance to change, I’ve had to come up with some new attitudes to encourage myself to “roll with it” and adapt to new things.  I hope sharing these ideas will be helpful to you when change is staring you in the face and you’re wondering whether to dig in your heels and resist, run screaming in the opposite direction, or smile while accepting it gracefully.

1.  Change is not inherently bad.  It’s hard to know when something new comes along if it will be bad or good.  The truth is, it will be both.  To those who did radio dramatization, TV was a bad thing.  To Apple, the PC was a bad thing.  But radio has evolved and so has Apple.  The changes from competitors moved them in new directions, and those new directions made them better and stronger.  So when I’m faced with change, I make a concerted effort to remain neutral rather than negative, and to think of the change as something that will make me stronger in the long run.  (Okay, I’ll acknowledge that the short run might be hell…..but keep your eye on the long term good.)

2.  Change is inevitable.  We have limited amounts of energy, and fighting a change that we have no control over is a waste of energy.  If management is upgrading your computer, adding a new CRM, or altering work processes, you may have no choice but to accept the changes gracefully.  Here’s the plus side:  new pathways will develop in your brain as you learn and make those changes.  You are exercising your brain and that is good for you!  You don’t want to have a hidebound, crusty, creaky old brain, do you?  And speaking of exercising the brain, check out Lumosity.  It’s an amazing and scientifically-researched way to play games and improve your brainpower at the same time.

3. Change is filled with opportunity.  What we see now in the marketing world shows us this.  There are opportunities due to the internet, social media, economic changes, and demographics that can lead us in exciting new directions.  I feel like an explorer, and that is exciting.  Every day brings something new to consider.  If you view yourself as a life-long learner, this makes every day an educational opportunity.  And yes, even though change brings problems – problems are opportunities to provide solutions, services, and training on how to overcome them.

My last observation on change is that it prevents stagnation.  I truly believe that we’re either moving forward or losing ground.  Stagnant water is stale and foul-smelling and full of bacteria.  Change, and the forward movement it brings, keeps us as individuals and as a society, fresh.  As Benjamin Franklin said:  “When you’re finished changing, you’re finished.”

Jan25

Shifting Gears: From Employee to Entrepreneur

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Shifting Gears: From Employee to Entrepreneur

In her January 5 post, Unemployed or Underemployed, Natalia said:  ”I fully believe that the next big thing will be cottage industries – especially with the trend to buy locally to alleviate dependence on oil, help conserve resources, and to be greener. People who find ways to help others be green, upcycle old items, organize recycling where it really makes sense – those are the folks who will help re-establish small businesses and therefore create jobs.”

Shifting gears and viewing oneself as an entrepreneur can enrich you.  It will change the way you view your job, if you are employed, and the way you perform your job.  It will also help you to understand that there are many options available to you.  You can write a business plan and use your own funds or secure funding.  You can work a full time job and start something part time in the evenings, thanks to the power of the internet, which can attract a global audience.  You can  experiment inexpensively with blogging, an Etsy store,  a Zazzle store, an ebay store, a part-time service, writing skills, cooking skills, handiwork skills, volunteer work – the ideas are unlimited, you just have to find one that works for you.  Ideally, you may find several oppportunities that can work for you.

Really — you are never stuck.  Stuckness (I know, I’m making up a word) is an illusion.  But I do believe that you need to follow your dreams in some fashion, if not in your 9 to 5 job — do something in your spare time that feeds your spirit.  Whatever you do that feeds your spirit can only lead you to a better, fuller, happier life.

My background is in recruiting, research and writing – those are key skill areas for me, but like Natalia, I enjoy art, crafts, cooking and other hands-on activities.  My daytime work in the non-profit world provides a great deal of satisfaction for me, but I view it as my “base” and use my spare time to explore other areas.  Currently I’m editing articles for a national magazine; writing web copy for a client; writing recruitment ads for another client; writing fiction, non-fiction and poetry; and I run an ebay store.  I’m toying with the idea of opening an etsy store.

I’m turning my dining room into a factory of sorts.  It will be a writing factory, an ebay shipping center, and an etsy crafting room.  Thinking about it makes my eyes light up with joy.

In 2009 I took Profiting From Your Passions  (PFYP) coaching training from Valerie Young, author of  The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women, so I could help people turn their passions — the things they love to do — into profit streams.  The reason I did that was because as a recruiter, I could only help a limited number of people find work.  I talked to many people who didn’t want to face the truth that their line of work was gone, or diminished to the point that finding a job like the one they once had was going to be an uphill struggle.  Some of those people were using up all or most of their savings in a quest to find a job that was turning into long-term unemployment.  Things have gotten worse since 2009.  I’m not being doom-and-gloom-ish here, I’m just stating the reality that too many bright and talented people are facing.

So, maybe you think this doesn’t apply to you — you’re working right now.  Even if you have all the right skills, and you are highly employable — can you depend upon your employer?  Will your employer make good decisions? If your company markets globally, will some event halfway across the world like a tsunami, an earthquake, or a war shut down their foreign facilities?  Will your work be outsourced?  Will you be replaced by a new, disruptive technology that makes your job obsolete?  Or — worse yet — do you dislike your work?  Do you dread going to work every day?

Americans have always taken pride in being independent.  Yet we also know that we are interdependent, not just on each other, but on the rest of the world.  America is not isolated from Europe, China, Africa or the Middle East.  I think part of thriving in this century will involve taking a good, hard look at your situation — whatever it is — and making adjustments to fit the times.  Whether it involves getting rid of debt, saving more, setting up a part-time or full-time business, following your passionate love of a hobby or pastime — if you think about it, you’ll figure out the right direction for you.  And when you’re ready — the path will appear, a teacher or mentor will come into your life, you’ll read the right article or see something on television – and you’ll have what you need to start shifting gears.

In future posts I plan to highlight innovative ideas to help stimulate your thinking and help you move forward with your dreams.  Some will involve people I know; others will involve business ideas I’ve seen on the web, in the paper, in books I’m reading, or in the news.  My goal will be to stimulate your own creative ideas and encourage you to make changes, and I would appreciate your feedback.

Jun23

Looking for work

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Looking for work

Several friends and acquaintances are looking for work at the moment.  And because I have staffing experience and hiring manager experience, they have been asking me for advice.  There are all the standard bits of advice that everyone in the industry (and out of it) gives; but I was surprised that some folks are unaware of a few tidbits that I will share here:

  1. Google your name before you send out your resume and really check out what comes up!  You may discover that there are many folks with your name out there – be aware of who they are and what they do – so you are not caught unawares if a Recruiter asks you about a subject that seems to be a non sequitor, chances are they are trying to figure out if you are that (insert your name) who skydived in a youtube video or not… You will be surprised at how much “surface” level research is done through googling, and how many folks are mistaken for someone else.  At least if you have looked already, and if the Recruiter or Hiring Manager says “tell me about your skydiving video” you can chuckle and explain that it isn’t you, but someone else with your name.  This is good, because you demonstrate you are aware of your web presence and that you are comfortable with the fact that someone tried to check on you.
  2. If you have a Facebook or Myspace page, edit your comments and pictures before sending out your resume. I know, I know, that is your “personal” space, but believe me – Recruiters and Hiring Managers will go and look to see what they can find out about you (and if anyone they know, knows you).  Rather than having to explain something that is iffy or unprofessional or just embarassing – remove it.
  3. Update your Linkedin page and if you don’t have one, set one up.  Many HR folks will check a resume against the Linkedin.com profile and if there are mismatches, or questionable items – use it to screen the resume out.  Likewise, some HR departments will screen a resume out that doesn’t have a Linkedin.com account – dependent upon your career area.  If you are in Technology, Sales, or Management – you should have a Linkedin.com profile.  And it should be up to date.
  4. The absolutely best way to get a job is through a referral from someone you know, who knows someone in the Company you are trying to get a job in.  This requires work – and let’s face it – finding a job is a job all by itself.  The job seeker should be actively researching where they are most likely to find a job that matches their skills and/or career goals, and networking to see who they know who can get them through all the standard resume filtering that happens.

I hope this was helpful to you if you are looking for work.  Let me know – leave a comment!

May27

The Beauty of a Start Up

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The Beauty of a Start Up

The beauty of working at a Start Up company, is that you get to wear a lot of hats.  And when I say “a lot” I am thinking of that children’s story with Curious George and all those hats towering and swaying in the wind.  If you are a person who likes to do a lot of different things and who bores easily in any endeavor that is repetitious and routine, then find a start up and throw yourself into it.  Be sure you have a passion for some aspect of it, though or when you start to get tired, it will sorely test your ability to add one more item in the mighty juggling act you will be involved in.

Consider a Start Up company as the “Cirque du Soleil” of the business world. 

I happen to be lucky enough to work in one of these for a serial entrepreneur who is already halfway towards solidifying his next great idea.  I watch in a kind of awe because this level of “making it happen” has eluded me up until now, and I hope to learn the ropes while keeping the business grinding along.  I am the Director of Operations, which means I do less directing and more operating at the moment, and I am dancing as fast as I can to the music of the clients.  I hope I am adding value, and that’s the other side to the Start Up coin, and that is – you have to be patient to see where you will end up at the end of the performance. You have to keep going until it is time for the applause and then with as much grace and dignity, take your bow in front of the crowds while hoping for applause rather than rotten fruit.  Not everyone is cut out for this bit. 

And it is this bit, this pushing through a bit of discomfort and unknowable outcome – because in business as in the rest of life it is possible to do everything the “right” way and still fail – it is this ability to risk and walk forward willing to take what you get after your investment of blood, sweat, tears, money or whatever else you may have sacrificed.  And it is not the same as simply tightening your belt or eating macaroni for a year to save up for something you want - it is putting your whole self, your ego as well as your position on the line.  And those with grand aplomb, might even add a 007 witticism, and arch an eyebrow in defiance when the final curtain is drawn and they face the business audience.

And so with all things of Beauty, if you look at all angles you find that the viewer is as much a part of the definition of beauty as is the thing itself.  Beauty and Start Ups – all in the eye of the beholder.