October 31, 2011
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How to stand out from a crowd

In a job search (or any search for that matter), it can be tempting to target every possible job that one could possibly apply for. It can be very easy to get caught up in the thinking that every opportunity is suitable, every job opening is one that should be applied for, listing every skill on one’s resume is a good idea…

The best way to stand out in any search is to target a specific result. Stand out by saying “I’m looking for a management position in logistics only.” Stand out by removing anything on the resume that doesn’t have to do with precisely what you are looking for. Make your target known and watch how others line up to help you find the specific and precise outcome.

The tricky part to any search is wondering how it will turn out. Make that outcome what you want by eliminating what you don’t want. When given the option between going left and right, it can be tempting to say “I could go either.” Instead, choose one or the other.

Choosing and specifying can be scary when we’ve been taught to keep contingency plans open. However, it’s the only way to get what you really want.

Stand out by eliminating, choosing, and ultimately doing what makes you happiest.

Filed Under: Job Search
October 14, 2011
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Big Spiders

I am afraid of spiders.
I’m getting over my fear of spiders.
I used to be afraid of spiders.

All of these are valid statements for me.
The first is sort of definitive and prison-ish, though, don’t you think? “I am afraid of spiders” traps me in that fear.

I like the last two statements because they allow for the possibility of a future where I don’t have to gingerly approach every dark floor or worry when I camp outside or feel a high level of anxiety at the cabin or, or, or…

Particularly the last statement. I can say that right now, even though I still feel fear. I can say that in this moment, I used to be afraid of spiders because it’s true. I did used to be afraid of spiders. And right now, I’m working on that fear. It’s still valid, even though I’m playing a little with the time.

(I’m taking a deep breath right now.)

Some other good, small changes:

  1. I used to be so afraid of spiders, I could not even approach one. Now, I feel that fear once in awhile.
  2. You know how I used to be frozen with terror anytime a spider was in the room? Yeah, now I just scream a lot while pointing at it so someone else will kill it.
  3. If a spider is in the room and another person is there who is afraid of spiders, I can muster the courage to mash it.
  4. I’m no longer afraid of small spiders, and big ones are still fear-inducing right now.
Note the language: “right now”, “If… then”, “Used to be… now”
Want to conquer that fear (or sadness, or depression, or terror, or anxiety….)?
Try changing what you’re saying and labeling the fear, first.
Filed Under: Inspire, Job Search, Starting Out
October 13, 2011
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Make It So

I used to look at guys like this and think “Well, it was easy for him: he knew what his passion was.” But did he? Did he really know before he started actually doing the work that it was his passion? How could he have possibly known that before he took any action?

Sometimes ya gotta do before you know.

This video is pretty inspiring for a lot of reasons, but the most important question to ask yourself while watching is: am I waiting until I ‘know for sure’ before I act on behalf of my dreams?

The million dollar question: what suffering in the world could have been prevented while you waited to ‘know for sure’ before taking action?

Filed Under: Inspire, Starting Out
October 10, 2011
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Magic

Don’t you just love going to a restaurant and having someone else do the cooking and serving and cleaning?

I sure do.

We went to Olive Garden the other night because we were tired and needed a break from a couple of bad days. While there, we had a fantastic server – a true talent in her field.

At the end of the meal, she left our bill with a couple of yummy mints and this:

On the flip side, it said “It was my pleasure serving you.” From the experience we’d just had with her, I believed every word. The card may have been provided/mandated by her company, but her talent made it believable.

When was the last time you validated someone else’s experience with your work? With your service? With your talent?
When was the last time you made someone believe your words?

Filed Under: Inspire
October 9, 2011
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Precious

“But there’s an alchemy in time
transforms each grief and loss and scar
into the precious stuff of who we are”
–Stephen Schwartz

When you think of the word “precious”, what do you think of? And how does that correlate to what you contribute to the world?

I suspect you may be calculating and tracking the hard work you’ve put in, the love you’ve invested, the hardships you’ve suffered, the betrayals you’ve endured, the pain it all caused…

And yet – are you valuing the person it made you? Do you like what you’ve become? Do you truly see the outcome of all your difficult times as “precious”?

I suspect you devalue that outcome because it seems like a betrayal of your pain.
Perhaps it’s time to change that?
Time to truly see the results of your suffering as worthy of joy?
Time to begin calculating your incredible contributions?

You’re the only one who can make that call.

Filed Under: Inspire, Job Search
October 6, 2011
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Talent

I was chatting with a friend today about the word “talent”. She said that she had always associated the word “talent” with things like singing and acting onstage.

I insisted that talent can relate to anything. She responded “I know that, but do you really want people to think that what you do is help them with singing and stuff?”

Yes. Yes I do.

What I do is help people figure out what they love doing and then help them figure out how to do it. What I hope to do is change the meaning of the word ‘talent’ so that it reverberates within each person as a sign of their worth. Talent doesn’t only happen on a stage or in an interaction. Talent is finding what makes you move forward. Talent is what you see in the mirror. Talent is your particular brand of uniqueness. Talent is you.

I intend to re-brand the meaning of talent, it’s gotten a bad rep in these difficult times of “economic fear”. I intend to elevate talent back to where it belongs: something to aspire to, something to hope for and work for.

My definition?
Talent is liking yourself.

Filed Under: Inspire, Job Search