Article from Discussion forum
Success is creating what you want the way you want it to be.
It is, in fact, a journey. And, like all journeys, your ship will sail through calm waters and buck in storms. If you stay on course, continually upgrading your navigational instruments and adjusting to feedback, you will reach your port of dreams.
Everyone has had the experience of shipwreck. Their most cherished dreams collapsed despite their best efforts.
The difference between those who succeed in life and those who fail are neither the number of shipwrecks nor the severity of the storms. The difference is in their persistence. It takes persistence to complete the journey. Some people choose to build one ship after another until they reach their port of call. Others abandon the journey as soon as they run into a reef.
Success, then, is a process. It is an incessant refinement of strategy until something finally works.
Success starts with goal setting, and then goal setting is followed by action. Neither your goal setting theory nor your actions have to be perfect. A key to success is to start anywhere; over time, your vision will clear and your actions improve.
Here is a simple but effective strategy. 1. Begin where you are with what you have right now. 2. Notice what is working and what is not working. 3. Keep trying out new things until you have better results. 4. Keep on adding what works and discarding what does not work. 5. Arrive at your goal.
Another name for success is mastery. When you attain mastery over something you know what to do to get the results that you want. And you can repeat this method over and over again to ensure a stream of rewards.
Mastery is persistence over time. Those who profit from persistence appreciate ongoing self improvement and motivation. In fact, intrinsic motivation will allow you to do anything, overcome any obstacle, and surmount any hesitation. Furthermore, the more intense your motivation, the better your chances of success when you embark on any new enterprise.
In the Middle Ages, mastery of a profession was done through a guild. A person learned directly under a master. At first, he was an apprentice. Then, he became a journeyman. At last, he became a master in his own right.
Success is a continuous learning of strategy. This learning is both theoretical and practical. Eventually, when you do something long enough, you become very good at it. This process is accelerated when you follow someone who can guide you past common mistakes.
After you find a mentor, you have to stay consistent, refusing to get discouraged by challenges that will arise because of your lack of knowledge or resources.
Ideally, a mentor can be a person who is an expert. However, you can also attain mentorship through multimedia materials and educational associations. Every business success story is due to the presence of a mentor. And every other type of success can benefit from one too.
Wherever you are, begin the journey. We human beings are teleological. We need goals, a lofty ideal, and a compelling raison d'etre. Deny us meaning and we vegetate, feel empty, and even become self-destructive.
Success, ultimately, is about being fully YOU!
You are here on this planet to express your potential.
You are here to discover a life worth living and a purpose worth fulfilling. The entire universe will benefit from your success-because everything is interlinked. A goal oriented person is an evolutionary force in motion.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
The need for planning at work
An article from Shine.com
Most of us may think that it is time consuming and tedious to plan, not realizing that few minutes of daily planning can lead to an increase of over 20% in productivity. Here is how.
The merits of being well organized are too many to count. The argument that, “It’s too time consuming to plan” is flawed because the time saved is significantly more than the 5-10 minutes of time invested. In fact, research suggests that, if done right, these few minutes of daily planning can lead to an increase of over 20% in productivity!
Rest assured, a well planned schedule allows you to more efficiently manage your daily activities and time. This does not mean that you need to account for what to do for every minute of your day. In fact, experts recommend planning for just fifty percent of your time because you cannot expect to follow your precise schedule minute to minute. Instead, you should anticipate that there will naturally be delays and interruptions, and plan for them. When interruptions do occur, you will have the flexibility to work around them and if they don’t, you can add on other tasks to your to-do list for the day!
Putting aside those 10 minutes for planning as you commute to work, eat breakfast or wait for your car pool can be valuable. A trick to get into the ‘planning mode’ is to do your planning at this same time every day. Scientists claim that, unconsciously, your to-do list will play at the back of your head the rest of the day and encourage you to complete all the tasks. Reviewing past task lists and checking off items as you complete them will add to your sense of accomplishment.
Planning forces you to firstly, list everything that needs to be completed and secondly, to rank the relative importance of each activity, so that you can allocate your time accordingly. Instead of keeping a running tally of things to be done in your head, and then complaining, ‘My mind’s like a sieve these days’ when you forget something, planning will force you to keep writing down all activities/ tasks in your journal as and when you remember them. By evaluating the importance of alternate activities competing for your time, you can prioritize and improve productivity significantly. E.g. If you have been squandering your mornings checking routine emails rather setting up important meetings aimed at motivating the sales team bright and early, then this will be the wake-up call you need. This exercise encourages you to be more systematic.
Being committed to work is great, and planning will help you manage your workload better. But you must always strive for balance- and try to also plan for time with family and friends, for sport and recreation as well as social activities. These are equally important aspects of your life, and you should invest enough time to enjoy holistic well being.
Neha Didwania Garodia
Most of us may think that it is time consuming and tedious to plan, not realizing that few minutes of daily planning can lead to an increase of over 20% in productivity. Here is how.
The merits of being well organized are too many to count. The argument that, “It’s too time consuming to plan” is flawed because the time saved is significantly more than the 5-10 minutes of time invested. In fact, research suggests that, if done right, these few minutes of daily planning can lead to an increase of over 20% in productivity!
Rest assured, a well planned schedule allows you to more efficiently manage your daily activities and time. This does not mean that you need to account for what to do for every minute of your day. In fact, experts recommend planning for just fifty percent of your time because you cannot expect to follow your precise schedule minute to minute. Instead, you should anticipate that there will naturally be delays and interruptions, and plan for them. When interruptions do occur, you will have the flexibility to work around them and if they don’t, you can add on other tasks to your to-do list for the day!
Putting aside those 10 minutes for planning as you commute to work, eat breakfast or wait for your car pool can be valuable. A trick to get into the ‘planning mode’ is to do your planning at this same time every day. Scientists claim that, unconsciously, your to-do list will play at the back of your head the rest of the day and encourage you to complete all the tasks. Reviewing past task lists and checking off items as you complete them will add to your sense of accomplishment.
Planning forces you to firstly, list everything that needs to be completed and secondly, to rank the relative importance of each activity, so that you can allocate your time accordingly. Instead of keeping a running tally of things to be done in your head, and then complaining, ‘My mind’s like a sieve these days’ when you forget something, planning will force you to keep writing down all activities/ tasks in your journal as and when you remember them. By evaluating the importance of alternate activities competing for your time, you can prioritize and improve productivity significantly. E.g. If you have been squandering your mornings checking routine emails rather setting up important meetings aimed at motivating the sales team bright and early, then this will be the wake-up call you need. This exercise encourages you to be more systematic.
Being committed to work is great, and planning will help you manage your workload better. But you must always strive for balance- and try to also plan for time with family and friends, for sport and recreation as well as social activities. These are equally important aspects of your life, and you should invest enough time to enjoy holistic well being.
Neha Didwania Garodia
Is your attitude creating a hurdle in your job-search?
An article from Shine.com
Attitude plays an important role in job search. Employers are constantly looking out for positive, keen learners, who have a never-say-die attitude. So, if you hit a roadblock in job-hunt, introspect your attitude.
Have you ever given thought to the fact that your attitude is an important factor in your job-search? I have seen many job-seekers flaunt the “couldn’t care less” kind of attitude even during job-hunt. That can spell doom as inadvertently, you put yourself on sticky ground. A job seeker should neither be over-confident nor diffident and shouldn’t be overtly blatant about his/her feelings and expressions. The best way to tackle it is to put yourself in the hiring manager’s shoe and figure out what you would want from prospective candidates. (Also read: How to get interview calls) Here are 3 tips to help you convey the right attitude.
Be enthusiastic: You have to show genuine enthusiasm to land the job, as employers can detect a fake approach. Your attitude should show that you are willing to work with the company and you will love being there. Your resume too should state your keenness and your passion for the work should be evident during the interview. Present your key skills so as to match the company requirements. Portray yourself as a down-to-earth person and an eager learner. Make sure you follow up after the interview showing your desire to work with them.
Be positive: Your body language is an important element. During the interview, offer a firm but friendly handshake, sit straight and look the interviewer in the eye. Answer smartly without fumbling. If you don’t know something, acknowledge the fact with humility, without beating around the bush. Body language is important for creating a good impression. For more on it, check, managing your body language.
Try to gel well: Show your willingness to adjust in a team. Individual contribution is important but nothing is more important than the final product. You’re a part of a team is a better approach than you are above the team. The bottom line – people hire and want to work with those who have no hang ups and can easily get along in a group. Don’t appear to be a difficult person. Keep in mind that too much of candour and honesty can sometimes put you in trouble. Be careful of being overtly honest with your views and opinions, especially if they appear to clash with what the company seeks.
Jot down points from an interview and follow them in your job-hunt journey. While the frustration of a prolonged job search is understandable, it’s a grave mistake when you show negativity in your outlook. Rather, be positive as employers prefer employees who have an optimistic approach, are team players and can take setbacks in their stride.
For a clearer picture, seek opinion of friends and family. They might help you to figure out the problem and enhance your positivity as a job-search is daunting even under good market conditions. William James has said, “The greatest discovery of any generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitude.” So, portray the right attitude to get into the privileged league of an employed personnel.
Rajashree B Mustafi
Attitude plays an important role in job search. Employers are constantly looking out for positive, keen learners, who have a never-say-die attitude. So, if you hit a roadblock in job-hunt, introspect your attitude.
Have you ever given thought to the fact that your attitude is an important factor in your job-search? I have seen many job-seekers flaunt the “couldn’t care less” kind of attitude even during job-hunt. That can spell doom as inadvertently, you put yourself on sticky ground. A job seeker should neither be over-confident nor diffident and shouldn’t be overtly blatant about his/her feelings and expressions. The best way to tackle it is to put yourself in the hiring manager’s shoe and figure out what you would want from prospective candidates. (Also read: How to get interview calls) Here are 3 tips to help you convey the right attitude.
Be enthusiastic: You have to show genuine enthusiasm to land the job, as employers can detect a fake approach. Your attitude should show that you are willing to work with the company and you will love being there. Your resume too should state your keenness and your passion for the work should be evident during the interview. Present your key skills so as to match the company requirements. Portray yourself as a down-to-earth person and an eager learner. Make sure you follow up after the interview showing your desire to work with them.
Be positive: Your body language is an important element. During the interview, offer a firm but friendly handshake, sit straight and look the interviewer in the eye. Answer smartly without fumbling. If you don’t know something, acknowledge the fact with humility, without beating around the bush. Body language is important for creating a good impression. For more on it, check, managing your body language.
Try to gel well: Show your willingness to adjust in a team. Individual contribution is important but nothing is more important than the final product. You’re a part of a team is a better approach than you are above the team. The bottom line – people hire and want to work with those who have no hang ups and can easily get along in a group. Don’t appear to be a difficult person. Keep in mind that too much of candour and honesty can sometimes put you in trouble. Be careful of being overtly honest with your views and opinions, especially if they appear to clash with what the company seeks.
Jot down points from an interview and follow them in your job-hunt journey. While the frustration of a prolonged job search is understandable, it’s a grave mistake when you show negativity in your outlook. Rather, be positive as employers prefer employees who have an optimistic approach, are team players and can take setbacks in their stride.
For a clearer picture, seek opinion of friends and family. They might help you to figure out the problem and enhance your positivity as a job-search is daunting even under good market conditions. William James has said, “The greatest discovery of any generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitude.” So, portray the right attitude to get into the privileged league of an employed personnel.
Rajashree B Mustafi
5 Mistakes to avoid @work in 2010
An article from Shine.com
Here's a checklist of 5 mistakes we tend to commit in our approach to work, that negatively affects our career. Be aware of these and make sure you take the right approach in 2010 to see your career soar.
Research shows that even the smartest workers can err in their approach to work, thus negatively affecting their career. The fact of the matter is, people with the right approach usually emerge as winners, even though they may not always be the best or the most knowledgeable ones. What are the mistakes that can pull your career back, especially when things are looking good? Here's a checklist of 5-mistakes in your approach to work that you should be wary of.
Being an individual player: You may be good at your work as an individual, but it is important for you to be a team player, as doing things collectively in a team, promotes team-growth and harmony. Don’t beat your own drum at the cost of the team. Rather, work cohesively to make the whole team and the product a success. Ineffective delegation can lead to more work for you if you’re in a supervisory role. Best is to be a team player and work for the end-product.
Conservative approach to accepting mistakes: No one is infallible and all of us are prone to making mistakes. The faster you reconcile to this fact, the better for you. Keep in mind, if your supervisor/boss or even a team member points out a mistake; take it in the right spirit, unless there is an underlying tone which smacks of rudeness and is aimed at maligning you. Otherwise, accept your mistakes and try to correct yourself.
Being self complacent: Never be complacent - remember, you still have a lot to achieve. You may be good at a particular task(s), but there is a lot more you can learn and you can always improve on your work. Take your learning and the trainings at work seriously and try to improve your own work by setting your own previous best as benchmark. Thus, there's no room for complacency and your attitude to work will be appreciated.
Going for presentations and meetings unprepared: Keep yourself updated on all aspects of your work. Always be prepared and ready to answer questions raised by your supervisor in a meeting. If you’re unable to answer something, tell them you will find out and revert, and be sure to do that as this will reflect your involvement. You can, thus overcome your weaknesses by showing your commitment to work. Be thoroughly prepared if you have to do a presentation, as that highlights your confidence, leadership trait and oratory skills. (Also read: Powering up your presentation.)
Shrugging off responsibility: If you’ve been given a job or task, it’s your responsibility. Even if things have not worked out as expected, the onus is on you, so have the courage to own up and you will be appreciated for that. Obviously, you can’t control everything at work. So, take responsibility for the work you do and the mistakes too and give a serious assurance of doing better.
These are some of the basic issues and fairly common too, that can negatively effect your career. Avoid these malpractices at work to be a winner. A never-say-die approach will help you overcome all problems and shine this year.
Rajashree B Mustafi
Here's a checklist of 5 mistakes we tend to commit in our approach to work, that negatively affects our career. Be aware of these and make sure you take the right approach in 2010 to see your career soar.
Research shows that even the smartest workers can err in their approach to work, thus negatively affecting their career. The fact of the matter is, people with the right approach usually emerge as winners, even though they may not always be the best or the most knowledgeable ones. What are the mistakes that can pull your career back, especially when things are looking good? Here's a checklist of 5-mistakes in your approach to work that you should be wary of.
Being an individual player: You may be good at your work as an individual, but it is important for you to be a team player, as doing things collectively in a team, promotes team-growth and harmony. Don’t beat your own drum at the cost of the team. Rather, work cohesively to make the whole team and the product a success. Ineffective delegation can lead to more work for you if you’re in a supervisory role. Best is to be a team player and work for the end-product.
Conservative approach to accepting mistakes: No one is infallible and all of us are prone to making mistakes. The faster you reconcile to this fact, the better for you. Keep in mind, if your supervisor/boss or even a team member points out a mistake; take it in the right spirit, unless there is an underlying tone which smacks of rudeness and is aimed at maligning you. Otherwise, accept your mistakes and try to correct yourself.
Being self complacent: Never be complacent - remember, you still have a lot to achieve. You may be good at a particular task(s), but there is a lot more you can learn and you can always improve on your work. Take your learning and the trainings at work seriously and try to improve your own work by setting your own previous best as benchmark. Thus, there's no room for complacency and your attitude to work will be appreciated.
Going for presentations and meetings unprepared: Keep yourself updated on all aspects of your work. Always be prepared and ready to answer questions raised by your supervisor in a meeting. If you’re unable to answer something, tell them you will find out and revert, and be sure to do that as this will reflect your involvement. You can, thus overcome your weaknesses by showing your commitment to work. Be thoroughly prepared if you have to do a presentation, as that highlights your confidence, leadership trait and oratory skills. (Also read: Powering up your presentation.)
Shrugging off responsibility: If you’ve been given a job or task, it’s your responsibility. Even if things have not worked out as expected, the onus is on you, so have the courage to own up and you will be appreciated for that. Obviously, you can’t control everything at work. So, take responsibility for the work you do and the mistakes too and give a serious assurance of doing better.
These are some of the basic issues and fairly common too, that can negatively effect your career. Avoid these malpractices at work to be a winner. A never-say-die approach will help you overcome all problems and shine this year.
Rajashree B Mustafi
Don’t let fear get the better of you in your career
An article from Shine.com
It is a hard fact that many of us remain stuck in our careers, only out of fear. Fear of not getting any other job, fear of losing our job, fear of not getting our due. Here are 5 steps to help you get rid of baseless fears.
As the mother of a toddler, I go above and beyond to ensure that my son is not afraid of the world.
However as adults, we don't have many people in our lives telling us that things are going to be ok.
Instead, we are bombarded with scary news. The internet, while an amazingly useful tool, spreads scary news like wildfire uncovered from the largest to the smallest places on the globe. The world does not have to be a scary place; what we focus on is scary.
So, how do you not let fear get the best of you in your career? Follow these 5 steps below:
Recognize the harm that being scared does to your career.
We hear constantly that the job market is awful. (Or, in other words scary.) Unemployment is up and we should be happy to just have a job. The truth is many people are not happy, but fear keeps them from getting ready for their next job. Fear is paralyzing. It holds you back and prevents your creativity and energy, the real you, from emerging. Highly qualified, but less confident people lose job opportunities to the less qualified and more confident. (Also read: Is your attitude creating a hurdle in your job-search?)
Ask yourself what you would be doing next if you were not scared.
It's ok to think big and hope for the best. Having something positive and exciting to look forward to is wonderful. It gives your career purpose, passion, and direction. What do you want to do next in your career? Ask the question and let the answer come out. Don't worry about how you will do it yet. Allow your dream to surface, and then you can find a way to make it happen.
Research what's working in your industry.
Every industry has some aspect of it that's going right. Car companies might not be making as much money as they'd like, but car repair companies are doing well. In my former profession, which was marketing, sending out catalogs is no longer profitable, but social media is. Your goal is to look inside your industry to see where the opportunities are. Once you know what aspect of your industry IS making money, you can get yourself ready to learn more/train more/do more in that area. (Read: How do I further my career growth?)
Start planning now.
It's true that there are fewer jobs today. Outsourcing has taken some jobs away. But that is not your excuse to stand still and do nothing about your career. Markets go up and down and yes, we are in a downturn. The good news is there will be an up, and you can get ready for your "up" now. List your goals. What do you want and what are the specific steps you can take to get there? When the opportunities arise, and they will, you will be ready. (Read: The need for planning at work.)
Remind yourself that there is a lot of good in the world too.
Not everything is bad in the world. There are the family and friends you have in your life. There are seasons and beauty in nature. You have gifts and talents that are special to you. Focus on the positive in life and spread the word. People like, and need, to hear, see and read the good too.
Deborah Brown-Volkman
PCC Career, Life, Wellness, and Mentor Coach President, Surpass Your Dreams, Inc
It is a hard fact that many of us remain stuck in our careers, only out of fear. Fear of not getting any other job, fear of losing our job, fear of not getting our due. Here are 5 steps to help you get rid of baseless fears.
As the mother of a toddler, I go above and beyond to ensure that my son is not afraid of the world.
However as adults, we don't have many people in our lives telling us that things are going to be ok.
Instead, we are bombarded with scary news. The internet, while an amazingly useful tool, spreads scary news like wildfire uncovered from the largest to the smallest places on the globe. The world does not have to be a scary place; what we focus on is scary.
So, how do you not let fear get the best of you in your career? Follow these 5 steps below:
Recognize the harm that being scared does to your career.
We hear constantly that the job market is awful. (Or, in other words scary.) Unemployment is up and we should be happy to just have a job. The truth is many people are not happy, but fear keeps them from getting ready for their next job. Fear is paralyzing. It holds you back and prevents your creativity and energy, the real you, from emerging. Highly qualified, but less confident people lose job opportunities to the less qualified and more confident. (Also read: Is your attitude creating a hurdle in your job-search?)
Ask yourself what you would be doing next if you were not scared.
It's ok to think big and hope for the best. Having something positive and exciting to look forward to is wonderful. It gives your career purpose, passion, and direction. What do you want to do next in your career? Ask the question and let the answer come out. Don't worry about how you will do it yet. Allow your dream to surface, and then you can find a way to make it happen.
Research what's working in your industry.
Every industry has some aspect of it that's going right. Car companies might not be making as much money as they'd like, but car repair companies are doing well. In my former profession, which was marketing, sending out catalogs is no longer profitable, but social media is. Your goal is to look inside your industry to see where the opportunities are. Once you know what aspect of your industry IS making money, you can get yourself ready to learn more/train more/do more in that area. (Read: How do I further my career growth?)
Start planning now.
It's true that there are fewer jobs today. Outsourcing has taken some jobs away. But that is not your excuse to stand still and do nothing about your career. Markets go up and down and yes, we are in a downturn. The good news is there will be an up, and you can get ready for your "up" now. List your goals. What do you want and what are the specific steps you can take to get there? When the opportunities arise, and they will, you will be ready. (Read: The need for planning at work.)
Remind yourself that there is a lot of good in the world too.
Not everything is bad in the world. There are the family and friends you have in your life. There are seasons and beauty in nature. You have gifts and talents that are special to you. Focus on the positive in life and spread the word. People like, and need, to hear, see and read the good too.
Deborah Brown-Volkman
PCC Career, Life, Wellness, and Mentor Coach President, Surpass Your Dreams, Inc
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