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Defining Success
Posted by: | CommentsWhat would it do for your life if you could define success and take steps to achieve it? If you are like me, you may have briefly thought about the concept but have never spent time really exploring it. Maybe it is out of fear and maybe it is because you have never had time to ponder what success is for you personally. What would happen if you did move through the fear and did take the time to fully define what a successful life is for you? Would a vision for your life emerge?
Examine Each Area Of Your Life - Defining your ideal life is difficult unless you break it down into manageable pieces. To accomplish this task, you can divide the areas of your life into the following: career, finances, environment/setting, fun factor, health, personal development, family/relationships, spouse/significant other and spirituality. In each of these areas, think about what a fully successful life would be for you personally. To aid in the process, mentally picture yourself as actually living out your ideal life. Note what you doing, who are you are interacting with, and how you look. You may find it helpful to journal about these mental pictures.
Take Steps To Your Goals – What is one thing you can do to move yourself closer to being successful? Start by setting one goal for yourself in every area of your life. Make the goals measurable and time sensitive. One tip is to write the goals as if you have already completed them. An example of a goal to exercise would be written as “I exercise six times a week”. After you have written down the goals, read them twice a day, once when you get up in the morning and once before you go to bed at night. Studies have proven that the brain fires the same impulses when you visualize the goal as it does when you actually complete the task. In this way, you are training the brain to support you in your goals.
Get Support – Now that you have your ideal life mapped out, get support in moving forward. Join a support group, talk to a friend, or hire a coach.
Celebrate Success – Reward yourself for sticking with your goals. Set up mile markers along the way and treat yourself when you have accomplished them. For example, when I finished a section of a long paper I needed to complete, I treated myself to a massage.
Re-evaluate Consistently - Revisit your goals and update them on a consistent basis. You may need to tweak them a little or you may decide that a different goal would serve you better. Your definition of personal success may change through the years.
Instead of letting yourself get into the rut of letting life happen to you, be deliberate, define success and start living it.
Stacy Harshman brings her experience as a recruiter for a Fortune 500 corporation to her work as a life and career coach. In addition to helping people discover their passions, she also provides clients with insight into the mind of a recruiter, unlocking the secrets of what employers look for in potential employees. Stacy offers individual and group coaching in person and by phone to those seeking positive change in their professional and personal lives.
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Finding A New Career In The New Year
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Does a new year inspire you to think about a new career? According to the employment projections from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, total employment is expected to increase by 15.6 million jobs during the 2006-2016 decade. More and more opportunities are now available so take the first step of finding your new career by exploring the numerous possibilities.
See what is new in your own organization. Many people don’t realize that new jobs are being created every year in their very own company until it is too late. Do your homework by asking about your company’s future plans. Ask your direct supervisor, human resources, and anyone who might be in the know. Your dream job may be right in your own back yard.
Research the top jobs. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts the three fastest growing jobs in the 2006-2016 decade will be Network Systems and Data Communications Analysts, Personal and Home Care Aides, and Home Health Aides. Take a look at the major job boards such as Hot Jobs, Monster, and Career Builder to see what is being posted on a weekly basis. I found that there were interesting jobs that I didn’t even knew existed.
Do some creative brainstorming. One way to do this is a through a system developed by Radcliffe Career Services. The first step in this method is to write down your skills, interests, and values. The second step is to take one interest and then match that interest with the skills that would be associated with that interest. The third step is to brainstorm careers that would be using both your interests and your skills. You can combine these elements any way you desire such as choosing the value first, and writing down your interests associated with that value. The goal is to brainstorm as many careers that fit with your particular interests, skills, and values.
The new year is a time of beginnings. Invest a little time in creating your new dream opportunity.
Stacy Harshman brings her experience as a recruiter for a Fortune 500 corporation to her work as a life and career coach. In addition to helping people discover their passions, she also provides clients with insight into the mind of a recruiter, unlocking the secrets of what employers look for in potential employees. Stacy offers individual and group coaching in person and by phone to those seeking positive change in their professional and personal lives.
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What Will 2008 Hold For You?
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If you could imagine a perfect year, what would that be? Think about yourself being fully successful in every aspect of your life – physical, mental, spiritual and professional. Mentally picture yourself living that perfect year. Now think about all the things that are within your power to make that perfect year become reality. Isn’t it amazing to think that it is within your grasp?
Imagining what you can accomplish is exciting but if you are like me, maintaining motivation is a huge barrier to following through on the dream. I know I can’t set a goal and work towards it consistently without accountability. I seem to drift off course and lose sight of my vision unless I know that someone else will be checking in with me.
This past year, I began to meet with a life coach weekly. It was wonderful to see the change that made for me. My success rate in accomplishing goals soared. My coach helped me become clear in what I wanted to do and helped me set out a game plan to accomplish my goals. She then checked on my progress on a consistent basis and encouraged me when the going was tough. Together we celebrated the small victories which helped me even more to want to continue on to the final goal. The progress became fun because I could share it with someone who deeply cared about my success.
If you want to accomplish goals in 2008, I would encourage you to dream big and incorporate accountability in your plan. I have to admit I was skeptical about hiring a coach at first. I wondered if I would be spending my money wisely. The payoff to that investment was big. I have to say that I received more back than I ever thought I would. This year I am going to continue to work with my coach to work to make 2008 the perfect year. Will you join me?
Stacy Harshman brings her experience as a recruiter for a Fortune 500 corporation to her work as a life and career coach. In addition to helping people discover their passions, she also provides clients with insight into the mind of a recruiter, unlocking the secrets of what employers look for in potential employees. Stacy offers individual and group coaching in person and by phone to those seeking positive change in their professional and personal lives.
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The ABC’s of Holiday Networking
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The motto of real estate is location, location, location. The motto of job seekers should be network, network, network. The holidays provide a unique opportunity to do just that. It is a perfect time to meet new people and reconnect with others through Christmas/holiday cards and parties. Tap into this ready made resource through what I call the ABC’s of holiday networking which are:
- Absorbing information on potential job leads
- Building relationships at parties
- Connecting with others by sending cards.
There is a great likelihood that you will be attending at least a couple of parties this holiday season. During these gatherings, absorb as much job related information as you can. Begin by seeking out people you have never met or don’t know well and asking them about their job. This will be an easy ice-breaker since most people love to talk about their professions – be it good or bad. If the person seems happy in their organization, ask if he knows of any upcoming job opportunities. He may also know of other openings in his industry which may prove to be very valuable in your search.
Another positive aspect of holiday gatherings is that you are exposed to a wider population which gives you opportunity to build relationships with people outside your network of acquaintances. For example, while at a recent party I attended, I met a lady who worked for a government organization involved in assisting job seekers. She was very interested in what I did and I was also eager to learn more about what she did. We exchanged business information and agreed to get together soon. I probably could have called this organization and received a contact name but being at the party allowed me an opportunity to build a relationship.
An often overlooked networking tool is the simple greeting card. You can reconnect with those you don’t have regular contact with by sending them a Christmas/holiday card. Mention in the card that you are looking for new job opportunities and ask them to contact you if they know of any. Be sure to include your phone number and email address in the card so that they can connect with you easily.
This holiday season, remember to mix a little networking in with your fun traditions. It may lead to a new job, and what a wonderful gift that is!
Stacy Harshman brings her experience as a recruiter for a Fortune 500 corporation to her work as a life and career coach. In addition to helping people discover their passions, she also provides clients with insight into the mind of a recruiter, unlocking the secrets of what employers look for in potential employees. Stacy offers individual and group coaching in person and by phone to those seeking positive change in their professional and personal lives.
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Should You Change Careers Over The Holidays?
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If you are like me, the holidays are a time of enjoyment but also a time of stress. The thought of thinking about your career during this time can be overwhelming. Is it worth your time to try to pursue new opportunities? My answer is a resounding “yes”. Am I nuts? Maybe a little, but I believe there are some definite advantages to seeking a career change during the season.
First, the holidays are a perfect time to network. Christmas parties and social activities make connecting with others very easy. You can take advantage of these opportunities to ask people about upcoming openings and to get your name out there. It is a well know fact that employers would rather hire candidates who are referred to them by people they know.
Second, I know personally from my experience a recruiter, that there are less job seekers in the applicant pool in December. A lot of potential applicants put their job search on hold until after the holidays. Less people applying means your odds automatically increase for landing a job interview.
Another advantage of the holiday season is that the business environment is more relaxed and therefore the interview process is likely to be more relaxed. Because many people take vacations at this time, there is likely to be fewer interviews than normal. Fewer interviewers mean less people you have to impress.
Perhaps the most important reason for pursuing a new career opportunity in December is that the employer will already have your resume when the new budget year positions open in January. Your resume will be reviewed before the “wait until the holidays are over” applicants even apply. So take full advantage of the benefits that the holiday season offer for job seekers and get a head start on pursuing a rewarding career.
Stacy Harshman brings her experience as a recruiter for a Fortune 500 corporation to her work as a life and career coach. In addition to helping people discover their passions, she also provides clients with insight into the mind of a recruiter, unlocking the secrets of what employers look for in potential employees. Stacy offers individual and group coaching in person and by phone to those seeking positive change in their professional and personal lives.
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Three Ways to Test Drive A New Career
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Does the thought of changing careers terrify you? What about the thought of test driving a career? That concept seems a lot less frightening and something that could be accomplished with little to no risk. It is like taking a tiny first step to finding something that is worth your commitment.
So how do you “test the waters” before actually diving in? The first method is to discover ways to do the work you desire on a volunteer basis. Susan Britton Whitcomb, author of the book 30 Day Job Promotion, gave a good example of that in a recent presentation I heard. She talked about a man who desired to do career coaching but his company did not have an opening for such a position. He decided to set up a program at his church and volunteered his services. The bonus came when his company posted an opening for a career coaching position. The man applied for the position along with hundreds of other applicants. He was selected and hired to be a career coach based on his volunteer experience.
The second way of testing out a new career is to take on projects at your current job that could give you the experience you desire. For example, I know of a person that wanted to be a supervisor but she had no supervision experience. She asked for an intern to help her on a special project and was able to gain experience supervising the intern. She then in turn was able to leverage that experience and was promoted.
The third way to test drive a career is to take a “Vocation Vacation” (www.vocationvacation.com). The Vocation Vacation organization offers you a chance to spend 1-3 days actually working in the job of your choice and pairs you with an expert mentor. They offer over 125 careers including TV producer, fishing outfitter, wine maker, etc. This method allows you to really see if the job you have in your mind is something that would be suitable for you.
The value of test driving a career is enormous. It gives you peace of mind in knowing that the career is something worth pursuing. It is, in essence, putting your idea in action. An added benefit of test driving a career is that it builds your confidence as you practice your new skills. So if the idea of jumping into a new career is scary to you, relax a little and work on testing it out in small steps.
Stacy Harshman brings her experience as a recruiter for a Fortune 500 corporation to her work as a life and career coach. In addition to helping people discover their passions, she also provides clients with insight into the mind of a recruiter, unlocking the secrets of what employers look for in potential employees. Stacy offers individual and group coaching in person and by phone to those seeking positive change in their professional and personal lives.
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I'm Just Not Good Enough: Overcoming Negative Self-Talk
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Have you ever thought to yourself, “I’m just not good enough”? I had the experience recently during a class presentation that didn’t turn out as I had anticipated. The experience caused me to reflect on how to overcome such self sabotage.
I believe that negative self talk is often more prominent when we are going through a time of transition. Often during a career change or a time of learning a new skill, the “Saboteur”, that negative internal voice, will appear. Knowing that the Saboteur will be at work during these times is the first step of battling its effects. Rather than being surprised that negative chatter is happening, be prepared for it. One method of preparation is to know how you are going to respond. As an example you could say, “Hello Saboteur. I knew you were going to show up. I’m ready for you but I’m not going to pay attention to you.”
Another method of dealing with negative self talk is to simply acknowledge it for what it is – thoughts that you have the power to overcome. Remember that the negativity is not based in reality and does not have relevance. The self destructive talk should be mentally tossed out and replaced by positive, affirming thoughts. One method of accomplishing this “tossing out” is to actually do just that. Write down the all of the negative thoughts on a piece of paper, wad up the paper and toss it out in the garbage.
Battling a few negative thoughts is one thing, but what happens when these thoughts are persistent? For those times, outside help is needed. This assistance could be in the form of a coach, counselor, or trusted friend. A call for help to a Divine Source may also be needed to connect us to the truth of our identity. For example, we need wisdom to recognize and utilize our God-given talents, strengths, and potential to accomplish big dreams.
Keeping negative self talk in check will be a life long endeavor; however, the next time you hear it, remember you were already expecting it. Mentally toss out the negative trash by replacing it with affirming thoughts. Think also of your connection to the Divine, remembering that you were created with talents, strengths, and great potential.
Stacy Harshman brings her experience as a recruiter for a Fortune 500 corporation to her work as a life and career coach. In addition to helping people discover their passions, she also provides clients with insight into the mind of a recruiter, unlocking the secrets of what employers look for in potential employees. Stacy offers individual and group coaching in person and by phone to those seeking positive change in their professional and personal lives.
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Can A Lay Off Be A Blessing In Disguise?
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What do you think of when you hear the term lay off? Most people think of a situation that is less than desirable. Loss of income, loss of security, and sometimes loss of identity are primary things that enter the mind of a person who has just heard the dreaded message of “you no longer will have a job here”.
How can you consider a lay off to be a good thing? Believe it or not, there is good that can come out this seemingly scary situation. First of all, it causes, rather forces, a person to stop and think. Too often, we live life on auto pilot, doing the same things over and over again without taking the time to pause and just think about our life. We don’t look to see where we are headed and don’t pause to ponder about our future. We get stuck in a rut and the sad part is, sometimes we don’t even realize that we are stuck.
When I was laid off a job, I was scared at first but then I realized that this was the very thing I needed to get me back on track to reach my career goals. I had been content doing a job that was comfortable for me but was no longer a challenge. Being laid off was the wake-up call that I needed. I took action by applying for positions that would be a challenge for me and in line with the future that I had planned. To make a long story short, I ended up in a position that gave me the experience I needed to move forward in my career.
Perhaps the best thing that can come from being laid off is landing a better job than you had previously. Judy Madden, a laid off employee from Micron, was interviewed by the Idaho Statesman newspaper recently. She said she is now working out of her home remotely for a nonprofit company making more money than she made at Micron. In my situation, I also landed a job that paid more than my previous job and was supported by a wonderful boss.
Are you guaranteed to receive a better paying job after a lay off? The answer is no; however, if the experience causes you to reflect on your situation, make new goals, or gets you back on track for the goals you already had, it is a blessing in disguise.
Stacy Harshman brings her experience as a recruiter for a Fortune 500 corporation to her work as a life and career coach. In addition to helping people discover their passions, she also provides clients with insight into the mind of a recruiter, unlocking the secrets of what employers look for in potential employees. Stacy offers individual and group coaching in person and by phone to those seeking positive change in their professional and personal lives.
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