Why People Fail at Goal Setting

It is my desire to make sure you get the type of information that will propel you forward to reaching your goals, whatever they may be.

I read an article (5 Reasons Most People Fail at Goal Setting, Dennis A. Kelly, 2008) that explained why people fail at goal setting. There are some “experts” who propose that goal setting doesn’t work.

Well, its not that goal setting does not work, but the fact that individuals do not know how or they make mistakes in setting them. Hopefully, this month’s article will offer some insight to what NOT to do.

“The reason goal setting fails is because the goal setter has not followed the steps necessary to establish clear, focused goals that create a roadmap for success” (Kelley, 2008).

Here are the main reasons why goal setting does not “work.”

1. Generic goals. These type of goals do not give you a clear picture of what you are trying to accomplish.

For example, “I want to buy a car” is too basic. Now, “I want to buy a BMW 700 series, with metallic blue exterior with beige interior, a navigation system, etc.” allows you to actually SEE what you are trying to attain. In short, it is SPECIFIC.

2. Inability to measure results. How will you know you are getting closer to your goal if you cannot measure your progress?

Being specific allows you to measure how close you are to reaching your goal. So if you make your goals measurable, they will be more powerful.

3. Setting unachievable goals. Goals that are out of reach will leave you frustrated and discouraged, which is why you’ll probably give up thus not achieving them at all.

Instead, make goals that make you learn, grow and challenge you to reach them.

4. Setting irrelevant goals. Goals that you set should be connected to your long term plans for your career and life.

There should be a point to the goals you are setting. Why waste your time chasing unimportant goals?

5. No timeframe for achievement. If you don’t set a timeframe by which to reach your goal, that makes it too easy to not take action to complete.

By setting a timeframe you, not only, create accountability to take action but also allows you to make adjustments and corrections along the way. This will also give you a good measuring stick (#2) towards your progress.

Other than not setting goals at all, these five lead the pack of reasons why people often fail at setting goals. Of course, now that you know why people do fail there is no reason why YOU should fail.

One final note worth mentioning is to put your goals in writing. Doing so will allow you to take your goal from a thought to action steps to commitment and eventually to accomplishment.

With a little discipline, time and a lot of commitment, reaching your goals will bring you a sense of accomplishment and not to mention, confidence that you can do anything you set your mind to.

5 Steps to Thinking Big and Living Grand

I came across this article that I wish to share with you. Many of you probably aspire to (or aspired to) doing greater things than your parents of which there is nothing wrong with that. This article by Ali Brown, an online entrepreneur outlines how to "think big and live grand." Let me know what you think by clicking the comments link below. Enjoy.

"5 Steps to Thinking Big and Living Grand" by Ali Brown

I know what it's like to think that the lifestyle I want is out of reach. Just 10 years ago, I would lie on my bed in my tiny 400-square-foot studio apartment and flip through magazines, wishing I could have the luxurious lifestyles I read about.

Despite that negative, nagging voice in my head that reminded me I could barely afford rent, I'm now living a beautiful life I created for myself from scratch. Instead of moping around an apartment I can barely afford, I now have the means to travel and to inspire others. Last year I took a solo retreat to Maui, and this year I vacationed at an exclusive beach resort in Cabo San Lucas.

How'd I do it? By deciding not to settle for being average and thinking BIG. Changing your mindset can be a challenge, but the rewards are well worth the cost. Here's how you can get started...

1. Eliminate negativity. This includes negative self-talk, too. Why would the universe bring you a better life if you don't appreciate what you already have? Show gratitude for everything in your life now. Those seemingly bad days happen for a reason, so whenever you find yourself thinking, "I can't do this" or "that's impossible," reframe it as the opposite. "I can do that, that is possible..." You owe it to yourself to give yourself the love and support you need to succeed.

2. Document your dreams. Earlier this year, I wanted to manifest a new house, so I listed all of the qualities in my dream home: a 3-car garage, workout room, walk-in closets... (Don't censor yourself! Anything is possible, even if it seems silly now.) I also bought some real estate magazines, cut out pictures of homes I love, and created a collage. I'm constantly updating my "dream board," which is now proudly displayed in my new house!

3. Surround yourself ONLY with supportive people. I only shared my house dream with friends and family I knew would support my decision. (NOT those prone to phrases like "Are you crazy? Who do you think you are? Ms. Trump?") Your true friends and family will be happy to share in your dream. If you don't have anyone else to support you, then it's time to make new friends - join a networking group or a mastermind.

4. Decide, believe, and watch for clues. It's not enough to make a decision to work towards your dreams. You must also truly believe in them! Don't worry about HOW your dreams will manifest themselves. Watch for clues, and the HOW will find you, perhaps in the form of a new business partner or a new client. But remember that the dream comes before the HOW.

5. ACT on opportunities when they appear. Action involves risk. You might have to hire more people to help with a new client. You'll need time to research that prospective business partner. Or figure out how to hire that amazing new mentor. But it's up to YOU to take action when the path is revealed. The universe is supporting you, and each step will bring you closer to your dreams.

© 2009 Alexandria Brown International Inc.

Online entrepreneur Ali Brown publishes the award-winning 'Highlights on Marketing & Success' weekly e-zine with 36,000+ subscribers. If you're ready to jump-start your marketing, make more money, and have more fun in your small business, get your FREE tips now at www.AliBrown.com

Things Don't Always Stay the Same

I can hear my mother saying this to me as if she were still alive. That's just how powerful these words are, at least to me. They can be powerful for you as well if you truly focus on what it is these words are saying to you.

A couple of days ago, I was speaking to a classroom of students discussing my F.O.C.U.S. principles and I, somehow, go on this subject. Many of us have probably, at one time or another, gone through something terrible in our lives. Heaven knows, I have. So I shared with the class a few personal "things" that occurred in my life that were not so positive. I won't share them in this forum, but my point to them was that those "things" are now gone.

Sure, there will be some residual effects of what has happened but the situation has changed. Furthermore, it is in the past. Remember a few months ago we had gas prices at $4.00/gallon (and higher in some places) and people were losing their minds almost.

Fast forward - are they still the same?

What we must realize is that even those things we have no control over don't always stay the same. So why do we panic when "things" happen? Because we do not trust that they won't stay the same; or maybe it is that we, deep down inside, want something to complain about or to have self-pity. Guess what? That won't change nothing.

Sometimes we will just have to ride it out or if it is within our control - create the change you desire. Many times "things" will take care of themselves. From my experience, I have found this to be the case. Eventually all that "stuff" will be behind you.

How many of you have quoted the 'Serenity Prayer'? You might even have it up on your mantel, wall or in your office. Well, you probably only have part of it - the most familiar part that goes like this:

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to to change the things I can;
And wisdom to know the difference.

As the commercial says, "but wait, there's more":

Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
as it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
if I surrender to His Will;
That I may be reasonably happy in this life
and supremely happy with Him
Forever in the next.
Amen.

Remember, it is a prayer. So the next time you experience "things" not going so well that "they don't always stay the same" and that the Serenity Prayer tells (and shows) us why.

3 Steps to Expecting Your Best

Do you ever find yourself getting stuck in negative thought patterns and expecting the worst possible outcome in every (or most) situation? It’s a common mindset that proves difficult to change when you finally decide you’ve had enough. Unfortunately, negative thoughts tend to breed and multiply on their own – even when you’re not consciously trying to think negatively.

The good news is that turning a negative outlook into a positive one just takes a bit of patience and persistence until the positive thoughts begin to take over.

Below you’ll find three simple steps to begin forming positive expectations on a daily basis:

1) Develop self-awareness to recognize negative expectations. One problem with negative thoughts is that they often form below your conscious level of awareness; and you get so used to them being in your head that you hardly notice them anymore. To turn the tide of negativity, you’ll have to develop a stronger level of self-awareness. One good way to start is by performing self-checks several times a day. Pay attention first to how you feel. If you’re feeling positive and productive, most likely you’ve been thinking positive thoughts.

However, if you notice that you’re feeling irritable, pessimistic or stressed, you’re probably focusing more on negative thoughts. When that happens…

2) Challenge and change the negative thoughts. Believe it or not, it’s fairly easy to challenge and change negative thoughts with a little willpower and concentration. For example, if you find yourself feeling doubtful about your ability to finish your work on time, you might engage in a bit of self-talk like this: “Okay, so I’m feeling a bit worried right now, but really everything is okay. I’m strong, I’m smart and I’m capable of finishing my work on time. I’ll do my best and everything will work out fine.” Even though nothing has changed in your outer circumstances, this type of self-talk can get you thinking and feeling more positive.

3) At the same time, while you’re changing negative thoughts to positive, work daily on developing a general positive expectation habit. Each day when you wake up, affirm confidently, “Today is going to be a great day! Everything will go my way and I’ll enjoy plenty of lucrative opportunities and fun!”

When you encounter obstacles or problems, see them as opportunities to learn, grow and strengthen yourself. Perception is 99% of the game! If you simply work on shifting the way you look at the experiences of your life, you can easily conquer your negative thought habits.

The more you focus on changing your perspective to emphasize the positive, you’ll empower yourself to create better circumstances in your life. Before you know it, you’ll be enjoying better and more frequent opportunities and attracting other like-minded, successful people to connect with.

Free Yourself From Job or Career Dissatisfaction - Part 2

In part 1, I introduced the notion of declaring independence from job dissatisfaction among other information.

Now I want to discuss a few things that can be of assistance for you if you are pondering declaring independence from job or career dissatisfaction. First, I must make mention that everyone’s situation is different and there are unique elements to each one. Given that, take the information that follows only as a guide to how you can free yourself and not as an absolute. Look at YOUR situation and see how this information can set you on the road to job or career satisfaction.

1. What you think about most creates that reality because your resulting emotions cause you to act accordingly with those thoughts. When you have dissatisfying thoughts about what you don’t have or are not getting you create a sense of doubt and procrastination, thus opposing what you really want. In simple terms, your dissatisfied thoughts cancel any thoughts of how to rectify the situation. Because you live in response to what you think and feel, by your imagination and ability to reason you can control or inspire your emotions whenever you like.

2. Satisfaction is not found, it’s a state of mind that you bring into existence by control of your thoughts and reasoning, and you recognize it as the agreeable middle ground. In situations where you are not satisfied, you can choose to or not to continue feeling this way. Your satisfaction, in this case, is not dependent on other people, material things or the fulfillment of conditions or expectations (e.g. a promotion).

3. Job or career dissatisfaction wouldn’t exist if it were not for something the employer owned and offered to attract, motivate and keep you satisfied. You have no control over what the employer owns, offers or takes away except by the effectiveness of your performance or your choice of jobs and employers. You are most inclined to recognize your dissatisfaction when your job or career lacks meaning. So when you are in the wrong job or prohibited from using your talents to fulfill your calling, only you can fix this by changing your thinking, performance, talents, jobs or employers.

With all of these options, why choose to remain dissatisfied? Free yourself from that which is causing you to be dissatisfied.

If it’s your thinking - FREE YOURSELF! If it’s your performance - IMPROVE IT! If it’s your job - CHANGE IT!

Don’t ever feel as if you have no options. You do and its just a matter of which one you choose. However, before you make a choice, make sure you have made an accurate and fair assessment of the situation.

If needed, seek the advice of an objective party (a career coach) who can help you determine your next move.

Free Yourself From Job or Career Dissatisfaction - Part 1

Independence Day marks when the United States declared independence from Great Britain. It is also a day celebrated by fireworks displays, cook-outs, family reunions and parades. In a similar vain, how can you declare independence from job or career dissatisfaction? How will you celebrate your independence?

“Because of work’s central role in many people’s lives, satisfaction with one’s job is an important component in overall well-being” (Job Satisfaction, 2007)

I often ask the questions, “are you working to live or are you living to work?” Unfortunately, many people are “working to live.” Don’t misconstrue what’s being said here. Of course individuals must meet his/her needs and this is usually accomplished through work. However, many of these same individuals are held captive by “working to live” in jobs that are dissatisfying to them just for a paycheck.

Are you one of those individuals? If so, how can you free yourself from job or career dissatisfaction?

The short answer is to simply quit and do something else (this may also factor into the long answer as well). Some of you may be saying winners never quit; quitters never win. If that is what YOU believe then it is true for YOU.

Many people jump from job to job never actualizing their potential in any job they begin. In cases such as this, the winners-quitters ideology may be of some merit. Nonetheless, quitting without addressing the dissatisfaction can lead to a déjà vu experience in the next job.

Before I explain how to “free yourself,” allow me to share with you some food for thought:

In general, job satisfaction increases with the prestige or social standing of occupations. The most satisfying jobs are mostly professions, especially those involving caring for, teaching, and protecting others and creative pursuits. The least satisfying...jobs are mostly low-skill, manual and service occupations. The occupation with the highest job satisfaction: clergy (a calling maybe?)

Chew on this food for thought and take note of where your current job/career fits (if at all) in all this.

In Part 2, I offer some ideas/suggestions of “How to Free Yourself From Job/Career Dissatisfaction.”

Positive Thinking in Just 7 Days!

I'm sure you have a bright idea hidden somewhere in the back of your mind that you just can't wait to test out. Of course you're not the only one with the bright idea. So what motivates you to churn those creative or even inspiring juices to its utmost flavor?

It's always best to set up a personal goal where you can accomplish the most in record time, maybe like mowing the lawn in an hour before the big game on TV. A correct and positive attitude in whatever you do will make things easier, and even enjoyable.

Here are some tips to make it through the week even if you're just sitting on your favorite couch. An idea takes time to form in your mind and is always at work while you are busy sitting.
Positive thinking can help you realize things that are never thought possible. Thinking big is indeed the American Way and that's what made our country prosperous and will once again.

When we are on prescription medication, the instructions usually asks to "take one each day." Below, take one each day to begin cultivating positive thinking.

1. Take passionate action towards living your life by design. Talk is cheap. Action = deposits in the bank of a passionately authentic future. Without it, passion is void.

This is a perfect example where dreams are made of where you start by tinkering with your mind, then with your hands. And if the idea weakens, you can always go back to it later until you finish it.

2. Commit to yourself as well as those you love to create, powerfully, a life you can love. Instead of reacting, commit to creating from your heart and soul, out of love rather than fear. The American Dream will always be there, but a dream will still be a dream without motion. Be amazed as the transformation begins.

3. Recognize and embrace the thought that each moment is perfect regardless of its outcome. Every time you hit on something that may appear too extreme, why not give it a shot and see if it WILL work. You will be surprised to see if there are other ways to get the task done in time. If you are not pleased with the outcome, decide to use that moment to learn from and make the appropriate shift.

4. Dwell completely in a place of gratitude. Learn to utilize what you have in your hands and make use of it in the most constructive way. Slipping into neediness will become less of a habit when you repeatedly shift towards gratitude, away from poverty consciousness.

5. Use a Passion Formula of Recognize/Reevaluate/Restore in place of the Shoulda/Woulda/Coulda whirlwind. The former is based in increased knowledge and abundance while the latter focuses on scarcity and lack. As you face people or tasks that may seem harder than scaling the summit of the Himalayas, allow yourself to realize that the task is just as important as giving out orders to your subordinates. You would rather be richly passionate!

6. Keep humor at the forefront of thought, laughing at and with yourself when possible. You may find yourself quite entertaining when you loosen up! I am yet to see a comedian ever go hungry even though his jokes are as 'old as great-grandma'. Life has so much to offer than for you to mope around in self pity. Humor is very attractive, very passionate: life-giving.

7. Believe that you are the architect of your destiny. No one can take your passionate future from you except for YOU! Create your life authentically. As long as there's still breath in your body, there is no end to how much you can accomplish in a lifetime. The concept of thinking big is all about enjoying your work, which would lead to celebrating a discovery that is born within you. Watch everything flow into place with perfect, passionate precision.

It's interesting how people get wallowed up by something trivial as learning to use a computer, when nowadays those top computer companies are manufacturing software that even the kids can use it. I don't mean to be condescending, but that's the idea of not having any positive thinking in your life - you'll just end up as a dim bulb in a dark corner.

So instead of subjecting yourself to what you will be doomed for, make your path by taking the first step with a positive attitude.

Impossible Is Just A Word - Part 2

Are you ready to make the impossible possible? Of course you are. So without further ado, let's get to it.

Try this exercise. Take a piece of paper and write down some goals in your life. Under one header, list down things ‘you know you can do’. Under another header, write the things ‘you might be able to do.’ And under one more, list the things that that are ‘impossible for you to do.’

Now look at all the headers and strive every day to accomplish the goals that are under things ‘you know you can do’. Check them when you are able to accomplish them. As you slowly are able to check all of your goals under that heading, try accomplishing the goals under the other header-the one that reads ‘you might be able to do.’

As of the items you wrote under things I could do are accomplished, you can move the goals that are under things that are ‘impossible for you to do’ to the list of things ‘you might be able to do.’

As you iterate through this process, you will find out that the goals you thought were impossible become easier to accomplish. And the impossible begin to seem possible after all.

You see, the technique here is not to limit your imagination. It is to aim high, and start working towards that goal little by little. However, it also is unwise to set a goal that is truly unrealistic.

Those who just dream towards a goal without working hard end up disappointed and disillusioned.

On the other hand, if you told someone a hundred years ago that it was possible for man to be on the moon, they would laugh at you. If you had told them that you could send mail from here to the other side of the world in a few seconds, they would say you were out of your mind. But, through sheer desire and perseverance, these impossible dreams are now realities.

Thomas Edison once said that genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration. Nothing could be truer. For one to accomplish his or her dreams, there has to be had work and discipline. But take note that that 1% has to be a think-big dream, and not some easily accomplished one.

Ask any gym rat and he or she will tell you that there can be no gains unless you are put out of your comfort zone. Remember the saying, “No pain, no gain”? That is as true as it can be.

So dream on, my friend! Don’t get caught up with your perceived limitations. Think big and work hard to attain those dreams. As you step up the ladder of progress, you will just about find out that the impossible has just become a little bit more possible.

Impossible Is Just A Word - Part 1

Everyone, at some point of his or her life, has dreamed of being somebody special, somebody big. Who hasn't fantasized about being the one who hits the game-winning homer? Who hasn't dreamed of being the homecoming queen? And how many times have we dreamed of being rich, or successful, or happy with our relationships?

Often, we dream big dreams and have great aspirations. Unfortunately, our dreams remain just that – dreams. And our aspirations easily collect dust in our attic.

This is a sad turn of events in our life. Instead of experiencing exciting adventures in self actualization, we get caught up in the humdrum of living from day-to-day just barely existing.

But you know what? Life could be so much better, if only we learned to aim higher.

The most common problem to setting goals is the word impossible. Most people get hung up thinking I can't do this. It's too hard. It's too impossible. No one can do this.

However, if everyone thought that, there would be no inventions, no innovations, and no breakthroughs in human accomplishment.

Remember that scientists were baffled when they took a look at the humble bumblebee. Theoretically, they said, it was impossible for the bumblebee to fly. Unfortunately for the bumble, bee no one has told it so. So fly it does.

On the other hand, some people suffer from dreaming totally outrageous dreams and not acting on them. The result? Broken dreams, and tattered aspirations.

If you limit yourself with self-doubt, and self-limiting assumptions, you will never be able to break past what you deem impossible. If you reach too far out into the sky without working towards your goal, you will find yourself clinging on to the impossible dream. In part 2, I'll show you how to make the possible out of the impossible.

Beginning With The End

Here we are, nearly through the first quarter of 2009. Are you where you thought you’d be? Have you accomplished what you set out to accomplish one year ago? Are you content with where you are?

These questions, among others, may have crossed your mind since the beginning of the year. Nevertheless, take a serious look at yourself in relation to these questions. Use your answers to begin the building process for this year (if you haven't already).

I want you to make a few commitments - serious commitments - that when you look back at 2009, you can say that you have made progress from the previous year.

The areas in which you choose are those where you want to see change: marriage, employment, finances, health, etc. Of course this is a short list but you know best where you want (and need) change.

One of the “7 Habits of Highly Effective People” is ‘Begin with the End.’ In short, this habit posits that if you know how you wish the end of your life to turn out, you can create the necessary steps to get you there. In other words, where would you like to be one year from now?

Set a few commitments (translated, goals) that will put you in a position to hit the targets you (and significant others) have established. Will you reach them all? That depends on how much you commit to your commitments and the action you take to reach them. Can you visualize yourself in your ideal job one year from now? How about with less debt?

Remember, without vision the people perish. A step further is, a vision without action is just a picture - begin with the end for new beginnings.

Change Is A Good Thing

We have all heard the old adage, change is constant. That means we and the world in which we exist are always in a constant state of changing. Though this may be the case, we only have control of change as it relates to us. We can’t change other people nor can we change other people’s minds.

There may be things we say or do and the end result is them “changing” their mind, however we didn’t change it - they had to consciously and actively do it themselves. So as you think about your current academic, vocational or personal situation, what are you consciously and actively doing to change the situation if it is not what you desire at this moment in time? Change that is planned has far more benefits than change resulting from a reaction. By reaction, for example, I mean quitting your job without seriously considering the consequences.

You should be preparing yourself daily for change. Something I ask my students is when opportunity knocks, will you be prepared to answer?

Even though there are some things you may not have control over (e.g. company closing), you do have control over how you respond to them. Here are a few suggestions to help you make change a “good thing.”

• Never allow yourself to become stagnant.
  
• Don’t let complacency stunt your growth.
  
• Seek out personal and professional development opportunities

Remember, still water freezes faster than moving water. If you are frozen in your current job or life situation, take a close look at what needs to move - i.e. what needs to change and what are you doing about it?

From The Inside Out

[Editor's Note: Repost from May '08]

If you are not where you want to be or should be, how are you looking at the situation? A friend of mine recently sent me a text message that really resonated with me. He said:

"Sight is what you see with your eyes; vision is what you see with your mind. What do you see?"

I want to take it a step further, are you looking at where you are with your natural eyes or can you visualize (in your mind) what you really want or should be doing? Whether it is a better job, wealth or a happy family, what is your ideal vision of it? The manifestation of all these things, among others, are usually created inside of us first. For example, anything that you say begins, first, as a thought - i.e. from the inside. Every action or behavior that we perform also begins, first, from the inside.

Hopefully you are beginning to "see" what I'm talking about. If not, let me break it down for you.

• If you want a better job, you have to see it first from the inside.


• If you want a better relationship with your spouse or significant other, you have to see it first from the inside.


• If you want to create and develop wealth you must first see it from the inside.


• If you want...you have to see it first from the inside.

Individuals like Walt Disney, Michael Jordan, Thomas Edison and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. saw things from the inside out. What do you see on the inside? Once you can see this, then take the necessary steps towards the manifestation of your vision. If you have no vision, then that's another story.

To help you begin the process, my book, F.O.C.U.S. On Your Future: 5 Simple Principles to Reach Your Goals will get you started. It will provide a foundation from which to build. If you can't see yourself doing what you want to do, from the inside, then you won't be doing what you want to do on the outside.

Remember, "sight is what you see with your eyes; vision is what you see with your mind."

Can You See Opportunity?

[Note: This is a re-post from May '08-I believe it still has some relevance.]

Look at the following and notice what you see:

opportunitynowhere

What you see depends a lot on your current mindset. If you are oriented towards excellence, you probably saw "opportunity now here"; however, if you have a very negative outlook (as many people today have), you probably saw "opportunity nowhere." I read about this little 'test' in a book titled, No More Mondays by Dan Miller. An excellent book should you desire no more Mondays in your life. (Use the Amazon search box below to find)

Back to this mindset thing. Another way of looking at this example is best explained by, "it's not what you see but how you look at it." Often times we - you and I - have a tendency to look at the negative side of things. Do we see the inherent good in others or do we see them as evildoers out to get us? Do we see high gas prices as more than we can bear or do we see it as a temporary condition that we have no control over?

If you are not where you want to be, take inventory about how you see yourself. A step further, look at what caused you to be where you are. When you really examine this, you will discover that it is no accident that you are at the place where you are right now. It may have been a decision or choice you made years ago. It may be because of "stinkin' thinkin'" Nonetheless, you are here.

In my new book F.O.C.U.S. On Your Future, I hit upon how to "Create a New Mindset." If all you hear and read is negativity, guess what you will focus (no pun, I promise) on primarily. It is very difficult for you see "opportunity now here" when all you keep hearing is "opportunity nowhere."

Those who personally know me have heard me say, "once you find your ideal job, you will never have to work another day in your life." That is my mindset. I don't see it as work (out of necessity) but instead, as something I enjoy doing every day. What is your mindset? How do you view where you are at this moment in time? Do you like where you are at this moment? Just a few questions to ask yourself. When you can answer them honestly, you are on the road to creating a new mindset where you can begin seeing OPPORTUNITY NOW HERE.

In All Things Give Thanks

You woke up today and saw the sun shine. Give thanks!

You experienced history in the making on Election Day. Give thanks!

You have clothes. Give thanks!

The above mentioned statements are simplistic for a reason. Regardless of what you hear in the news, read in the newspaper or hear at the “water cooler,” you have a lot to be thankful for. We may not have everything we want; we may have even loss someone or something - but at the end of the day we should say thank you for being able to experience another day in the best country in the world.

I say best country in the world because where else can you have access to the opportunities that we have. An African-American can become President (Barack Obama); a woman can become a CEO (Meg Whitman-Ebay); and a first-generation college student from the inner city can become an author and start his own business (yours truly).

Yes, we are experiencing some trying times locally, statewide and on a national level. If I know my history, nearly 80 years ago, this country experienced similar economic trials. I believe it was called the Great Depression. Even through that “dark” period in our history, this country was able to move on and prosper though not without other trials:

-WWII
-Korean War
-Civil Rights Movement
-Assassinations
-Vietnam War
-70’s Oil Crisis

When going through a valley experience - i.e. trial - don’t pitch a tent. Go THROUGH it and make the necessary adjustments or changes within your control; and when you come out on the other side…GIVE THANKS!

How Do You Recession-Proof Yourself?

Extreme job loss. The devaluing dollar. High foreclosure rates. A recession. An unstable stock market. Just a few of the issues facing our economy.

The above mentioned items don’t leave one to believe in or have faith in finding a job, let alone a career. It may even lead to individuals settling for less than what they deserve and missing out on their purpose in life. This is an unfortunate reality for many people, especially those affected by the aforementioned issues.

What can you do to survive, much less find your ideal job or career?

I read an article recently that referenced another article that asked, “Are Career Paths the Best for Professional Advancement?” You know, climbing the “corporate ladder.” For our purposes here, don’t look at “corporate” and “professional” as white collar, paper pushing executives carrying designer briefcases who drive expensive luxury sedans. Instead, look at it as working in a job or career that fully maximizes your skill set where you thoroughly enjoy what you do day in and day out.

Believe it or not, it is possible. How?

Back to the article. It is possible by building a career portfolio. A what? Yes, a career portfolio. I know, “how do I do that?” I’m glad you asked. Here are three things you can do to begin building your career portfolio:

1. YOU diversify. You will be less dependent on the company or the economy for security with the more options you have. This can be done by number 2.

2. Knowing your “most profitable skills.” The more transferable your skills are, the better you can make yourself attractive to potential employers as well as your present employer. An important key is “knowing” what those skills are.

3. Staying current on the trends in the economy and in your field or industry. Knowledge is power - only if you use it. Putting this knowledge to use should allow you to make wise decisions as it relates to finding your ideal job or career.

Regardless of your current situation take action by making yourself recession-proof.

When you truly know what your strongest competencies (i.e. skills) are and you strengthen them so that you are the best at what you do, you become recession-proof.

Of course this isn’t the only action you can take to walk into your ideal job or career. If you aren’t there yet, here is a good place to start. DO NOT allow your state (or condition) to determine your fate!

When you take action and follow the above strategy you, too, will be able to create success today for tomorrow.

FEAR NOT! Despite Economic Woes

Smell that? It's fear. Fear of losing jobs. Fear of losing money. Fear of...(fill in the blank).

The media is doing a wonderful job painting a “ghoulish” picture of recent events. Regardless of what you read in the newspaper or watch on television, there are jobs out there. The questions to ask yourself are, “am I marketable enough to find a job/career that is available? or what am I willing to accept?”

If you are resting on your “outdated” skills and have not developed new skills, then you are taking yourself out of the competition for the jobs that do exist.

I attended a conference in Washington D.C. sponsored by the Council for Opportunities in Education. One of the sessions I attended was titled, “Preparing Our Students for a Global Economy.” Whether you are a student or not, the information was clear - employers are looking for individuals who possess a plethora of skills.

Being a personal development coach, the information was not surprising. Skills that were mentioned as valuable to competing in this global economy included:

• 
  
  Ability to communicate (written & verbal)
• Being creative
• Working as part of a team
• Multi-tasking
• Openness to new ideas/processes

This is, by no means, the complete list of skills “global” employers are looking for.
Yes, it is unfortunate that many people have lost their jobs; it is a shame that big businesses are folding; and even more jobs being outsourced overseas.

FEAR NOT!

If you are currently employed, seek any opportunity (on the job or not) that allows you to develop or enhance the skills you already possess; and if you are currently unemployed, look for professional development opportunities at 2-year colleges or local community centers.

The better prepared you are for “ghoulish” news the easier it is to walk into new territory.