Accelerate Your Search™ Now

At the end of the week we, in the United States, will celebrate July 4th — our Declaration of Independence in 1776.

What will you celebrate on July 4th?

Will it be freedom, independence, awareness or . . .

How will you celebrate?  A concert, parade, picnic or . . .

Have you given thought on how to really enjoy this day?

Will you be reviewing the past, reflecting on history and past experiences?  Or, will you be looking to the future, perhaps to a July vacation or your next amazing position?

I will be present and celebrate the freedom I have as a citizen of the USA and of the world.  I am grateful to be an American and to also celebrate an “Independence Day” of my own journey of freedom.

July marks when I first realized the power and freedom of being present — intentionally being attuned to the current moment. I recognized that the past holds history, experiences, and memories and that the uncertainty of the future will never arrive.

Awareness of NOW guarantees freedom, choice, joy, and much more.  Whatever and however you celebrate at the end of the week, may you have the blessings of celebrating each minute in the present.

Have an amazing 4th of July!

Hope is a powerful tool.

Hope is defined as:  “to expect with confidence, or to trust with anticipation.”  Do you have hope?

I often interact with professionals who share they have lost hope.  When I hear someone say, “I have no hope” or “My hope is gone” —  for whatever reason — it breaks my heart.

The loss of hope can take one to a dark and lonely place.  It can create despair even when the world offers abundance.

To me the loss of hope means you have stopped trusting yourself, your creator, and maybe, all the blessings of this world.  Loss of hope may also mean you have stopped seeking support.  You may believe no one can, or will, help you.  It may also mean you have bought into the myth that successful people don’t struggle.

When I witness that level of lost hope in a job search or a career situation, I want to cry.  That single shift  in thinking may lead one into a downward spiral.  Or it may end a valuable career.  The result is the world misses out on the value you have to offer.

Many in my field don’t want to discuss the issues related to loss of hope.  I believe it is time to start talking about this issue in a truthful manner.

Professionals know, yet sometimes forget, our careers and lives are journeys.  These journeys are not made alone.  Years ago, a mentor taught me:  “You don’t come into this world alone, you don’t succeed alone, and you don’t exit this world alone, unless that is your choice.”

Building a career, searching for your next position, and serving and leading organizations will have tough spots.  Yet, there are always those who will help and support you.

Yes, organizations, systems, individuals and sometimes you, create barriers to truthful communication, honestly and support.  It does exist.  It is part of the world and our current system.  However, we can change this if we speak the truth.

On Wednesday evening October 1, several delightful, confident and successful businesswomen (lead by Michelle Tenzyk, a Human Resource Professional I admire) will begin a conversation and launch a movement.  This is a movement I believe every professional should know about and watch.  The movement has been titled, “The Truth Behind Our Titles™.”

Why should all professionals know about it?

“The Truth Behind Our Titles™” begins a real conversation about the truth behind successful professionals.  I believe it will set the stage for new and different business conversations.  Conversations with the potential to shift the belief that professional success requires you to hide or disguise your inner struggles and difficulties.

This movement will not only create shifts that will impact professionals and relationships at the executive level, but at all levels.  It will impact not only individuals, but also organizations and systems, as well.

The October 1 event will open a forum for conversation about professionals as whole people.  Please plan to attend this event if you are in the NYC area. Learn more here and watch for events in your area in 2015.

It is not possible to build our personal brands on a solid foundation if we cannot truthfully communicate who we are.  When leaders and other high achievers willingly speak out about their own ups and downs, I believe many organizations and the people within them will have the courage to follow suit.

As the world hears the message in “The Truth Behind Our Titles™” movement, I do believe it will create a shift.  A shift that allows for hope and a powerful model for how professionals can share the truth in a positive manner.

In Michelle Tenzyk’s words, “Hope, once found, is one of the most powerful tools.”  All of us struggle at one time or another.  Isn’t it time to share the truth without fear of unintended consequences?

Tickets for the NYC October 1 event are on sale now. You can register here: http://thetruthbehindtitles.com.  Go if you are able.

Stay tuned for more from me on this movement.  Here is a post with additional insights.  Please share your comments and thoughts below.

“Be thankful for what you have; you’ll end up having more.  If you concentrate on what you don’t have, you will never, ever have enough.” ~ Oprah Winfrey

In the U.S., many are making plans for Thanksgiving Day.  May your week and celebration be special for you and your family.

My wish for you this week is time for quiet reflection, gratitude for your blessings and simple moments of appreciation for all you have been given.  I am thankful for each of you.

Happy Thanksgiving Week!

Nine Actions – 9 Week Challenge – Week 6

It is week 6 of the Accelerate Your Job Search Results & Create a Life You Love challenge.  The challenge is to take action and transform your search and life in nine weeks.

Did you try something you “hate?”  If not, revisit last week’s action.  If you did, you are ready to move on to the next assignment.

Action #6:  Jazz it Up

“Variety is the spice of life.”

What does this saying mean to you?  I believe it is about being creative and can easily be achieved by:

• changing your patterns of behavior, or
• driving to the store using a different route, or even
• buying a pen with green or purple ink if you always use black.

Breaking a pattern or changing a habit allows you to see things in a different light.  Eat a new type of food or take a walk in a new park.  You will add new and memorable experiences to your world.

A client of mine drove to the grocery store via a different route, saw a sign, explored the company and landed a job she loves earning 25% more.  WOW!  This happened when she added simple variety.   She changed up her drive to the store by going to the stop light in lieu of the stop sign.  Add a little or a lot of spice to your life.  Create variety.

Take action. Post a note, share your thoughts and how you implemented the action of the week and your results.

I wish you and your family a very special day.  As a Christian, this is a wonderful day of the year — full of hope and promise.   Whether you celebrate this holiday or not, I wish you all the best today and always.

My day and celebration began just before midnight last night and it will continue as a quiet, peaceful day.

No travel for us this year — just my husband and me at home.  A few friends will gather for an early morning tradition — breakfast with hot coffee, sweet rolls, juice and stories of years past.

Later in the day, depending on the weather and the surprises under our tree, a walk, a nap or a game might be in order.   You can bet it will be low key.

Sometimes I do wish, for just a minute or two, for those days when I was younger and celebrated Christmas Day at my parents’ home.  The house was so loud and crazy that after a few hours you needed to grab a jacket and go out outside to have a break from the noise.  Imagine five kids, their spouses and families, extra dogs, a cat or two, grandchildren, neighbors, friends and maybe one or two people you only just met filling the house!  The floor would be covered in used holiday wrapping paper and lots of new stuff.  It was always fun, crazy and loud.

Merry Christmas.  May your day be filled with joy and love!

Memorial Day is just around the corner and for those of us in the US in marks both a holiday and the beginning of summer.  Your summer may be filled with travel, different activities or schedules or much of the same.

For me summer is a time of the year with great memories, a time to create new memories and a time to find at least a little down time. I will unplug over the upcoming weekend and hope you have a chance to do the same.

I must confess that for years I did not unplug often, in fact it was not until I read Napoleon Hill’s book ‘Think and Grow Rich’ for the second time, that I did try scheduling time to think.  The results were amazing.  So over time I came to have a new understanding of the value of down time, thinking time, and fun time.  I work to add all of these activities into my schedule and I hope you do too.

For years I have worked in a 24-7-365 world, as that world has also become more connected, just I am such your world is more connected than ever by devices, and demands on time.  I have found that being unplugged also delivers some amazing results.  Do you unplug from your job search?  I hope so.

Recently I watched the TEDx – Sydney presentation by Genevieve Bell on ‘The Value of Boredom.  The clip was recorded last year in May.  In her presentation Genevieve Bell speaks about bringing boredom back, the benefits of boredom and the value of boredom. Check it out and let me know what you think.

I found clip interesting, exciting and valuable.  Genevieve Bell is an Intel Fellow and Director of the Interaction and Experience Research Group within the Intel Labs.  Her points and engaging presentation sold me all over again on the power of unplugging.  If you are thinking maybe you should not unplug during the Memorial Day weekend at least watch the video clip before you decide.  Deal?

My wish for you during the upcoming weekend is ‘may your brain light up’, may you have down time, some boredom, and some time to just unplug. May you also enjoy some BBQ, whatever you elect to eat, do or take pleasure in this weekend!

In honor and with great respect this weekend I will not only unplug and have some down time, I will pay my respects to the men and women who have died in wars or in service of the United States of America, for me this is also time of personal remembrance, reflection and will be a time to show respect for those who have served and serve our Nation now in many ways both small and great.  I am grateful and thankful for all the members of the Armed Forces and their families, for Veterans and their families, and all those who serve or have served in a role of support to both of these important groups of people.  May you have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend!

Mother’s Day in the US is almost here.  Since 1915, the second Sunday in May has been set aside to honor mothers, celebrate mothers and the role mothers have on our lives and in society.

Most of us have many mentors and coaches in our lives. Often our parents are the first coaches we experience.  

My mother without any formal training as a coach or mentor is a good coach and mentor.  Not always of course, did I listen, or want to hear what she had to say.  Yes, we have over the years had the intense mother vs. daughter discussions, disagreements and major differences in opinion.  Maybe that is our relationship or the norm.  I don’t know the answer to that question.

Actually, my mother is a good coach and connector.  She is also a good role model.  Connections from my mother helped me get many of my early jobs. From early babysitting engagements, project work typing insurance policies and what I view as my first ‘real’ job. 

When I look back over the years, especially when I was in high school some of the best career advice I ever received came from my mother.  That career advice had a positive and lasting impact on my career.

Did you receive career advice from your mother?   What was that advice?  Will you share your favorite career advice from your mother below?

Here is some of the advice I received from my mother:

Relationships count.  Building and nurturing relationships in your life and in your career matter.  My mother often encouraged me to see and understand the point of view of others, to learn about other people, what they liked and disliked, then to find a way to make a connection and build a relationship.  A skill that when honed is valuable to your career.

Service matters and when done gladly all the better.  Don’t just do the minimum, always do your best and then something extra.  My mother always adds the extra thing. It is part of her personal branding. Delivery of expected service and doing the job you are paid to do just covers the basics.  The skill of grateful service and adding value does set you apart from the crowd.  Something extra of significance to the person or organization you are serving adds instant value, gains favorable attention, encourages referrals, and repeat business, items critical to your career. 

I hope you will share some of the career advice you received from your mother, or someone special to that you will celebrate on Mother’s Day.  I thought it would be a cool way to honor my mother this year on Mother’s Day.  Join me in this honor if you wish. 

Sharing the advice your mother shared with you seems like a great way to say thank you and honor that advice.  Mothers you are also welcome to share the career advice you have given to your children if you wish.  Thanks for sharing your treasured advice.

Enjoy Mother’s Day on Sunday as you celebrate in whatever special way fits you!

Mother, Happy Mother’s Day – thank you for being a coach, a mentor, a role model, a friend and a wonderful mother.  See you soon.  Cindy

If you are not turned in and aware of  SOPA maybe it is time to learn about it …

It can impact you, small companies, large companies, it might impact what you pay for any service or product you access online and it might well impact your job search.

Learn more:

http://thenextweb.com/lifehacks/2011/12/21/confused-by-the-stop-online-piracy-act-heres-sopa-for-dummies/

I hope you will learn, be informed, and share your views whatever they my be with those in Congress.  Congress will decide on this matter.

My view is mine alone, I don’t think SOPA will stop piracy.   I do think it will increase costs for small business and non-profits, slow job grow in those areas, limit some options and have a huge impact on the structure of the internet which currently allows the free exchange of information.  Including access to key people and hiring managers. 

If you enjoy and use the internet to exchange and share information today with a minimul cost, like your connection and access tools, get informed.  Share your view with Congress.

Today I am sharing a in my post a great piece from Valerie Sokolosky.  Valerie shared this last week in her newsletter, Valerie’s Voice and I asked her if I could share it with a group I belong to and she graciously agreed.  It was so well received I wanted to share it with you too. 

It is a great message for November or anytime about the choice of staying positive.  Enjoy!  Thanks Valerie Sokolosky for allowing me to share this message.

Staying Positive is a Choice

By Valerie Sokolosky

Negative messages are everywhere. According to research, 77% of the messages we get every day are negative. No wonder! Just turn on the TV, read the newspaper, get on the web—and you’ll see it. There are even sites now that are for the sole purpose of putting in negative remarks. Yuk.

 So how can we stay “up” when things seem so “down?”

 First, recognize what we can’t afford to do…sticking our head in the sand and not looking at the news is not an option. As professionals, we simply must stay attune to the world’s happenings. So here’s one thing I’ve started doing…and it works!

 Every morning before I get out of bed, I think of five things I’m grateful for—usually one is simply getting up in the morning.

 Seriously, that sets the tone for my thinking more positive through the day. Then when something negative comes along, I can much more readily say “Oh well,” or at least I can keep from letting it get me into a negative mind set. 

 This seems appropriate for this time of year with Thanksgiving right around the corner. Try it…you’ll like it…along with the turkey!

Steven Wade Smith tackled three of the myths about hiring the unemployed in the weekly edition of the HR Examiner.  It is a great read.  I hope you will take time to read “Three Myths About Hiring the Unemployed” and share your thoughts and comments below.

Believe it or not, many are passionate about helping others find the job they want, and building teams of talented people to achieve goals.  Recruiters, HR professionals, workforce development professionals, hiring managers, those who have been unemployed and yes, those who right now find themselves unemployed are just some of the titles these passionate people engaged in this worthy work use.  I am proud, as a career strategist to share this passion with so many wonderful and dedicated people.

Myths as I understand them are traditional stories explaining some natural or social phenomenon.  Myths are stories – powerful stories. 

What is your career story?

Are you telling your story in a powerful manner?