Happy New Years Eve.

Here we are again, the end of another 12 months, 365 days or a year. Yet we are about to embark upon a new year. Fresh, a new decade with all kinds of excitement.
What? You don't see the excitement? You must be looking in all the wrong places or reading the wrong books or papers.

Look for what is right, as hard as it may seem sometimes. Be careful of your daily periodicals and TV. They broadcast what sells and unfortunately that's not usually positive. Mix and network with folks that are positive. If you find negative people just be positive with them too, it will help them.

Enjoy your evening and ring in the New Year with "What's Right".

"How is Life Treating You?"

Or is it? If you are like me you have to pay for everything. Isn't that life though. Like they say though "The best things in life are free". Life can be as good as you want and make it. Attitude plays a large part in this mix.

See yourself being successful and it is amazing how the world changes for you. When you run into a wall just find ways to get around it. The fun part is expanding your mind to overcome adversity. It makes you a better and smarter person.

Go out there and have fun with life.

Almost here

That time of the year is almost upon us. When I write next Christmas day will have passed, presents will have been opened and you'll be wondering what's next. You still have News Years and your goal setting, if you do such things.
The numbers tell us that we are growing, ever so slowly. Numbers don't always tell the whole story. Why don't you write your own numbers, find companies needing your talents then presenting them in a business plan way. You have plenty of time to be planning your strategy. Now get with it.....

Is the tree trimmed?

Have you cut your tree? Is it trimmed yet? Now is a great time to get in the mood for giving. You can also give to your fellow opportunity seekers and not cost you a dime. As you do your travels, interviews and networking you may hear of a contact for someone else. Make note of it and pass it along.

Remember, it is the season for giving.

It's cold outside

Is it cold out to you? Do you ever give thought to just staying in today and maybe go out another day when it warms a little? Nothing wrong with thinking along those lines but it certainly isn't too productive.
First you won't get much done and second you'll be upset with yourself later. You do need to set up your plan and work it. If you are staying in to stay warm then at least be reading something. Do your blog or update your social media for you.
You now have the ability to communicate via the internet and social networking. Make it fun.

Have you ever sold anything by running an ad in the paper or on or Craigslist? I hate it.

A recent note to me of late:

"Have you ever sold anything by running an ad in the paper or on or Craigslist? I hate it.

I recently had a set of snow tires and wheels to sell. A few weeks ago, I posted an ad on Craigslist for $325 for a set of 4 snow tires and wheels, I had 1 inquiry, but it turns out the wheels apparently would not fit the callers car. A pilot would probably call that a near-miss.

I posted an ad on Craigslist again last week. I had at least 3 responses and I thought I’d be showing the tires Wednesday evening, but no one called back to get directions. How frustrating. Will I ever get these things sold?

On Sunday, I posted the ad on Craigslist for the third time. I sure hope they sell soon. I don’t have time to sit around waiting for the phone to ring; I have other things to do. Since I had interest last week, even though no one actually showed up to see the tires, I raised the asking price to $350. If one of Wednesday’s callers called-back, sorry, the price has gone up. At my new, higher asking price of $350, I had one caller, and the person actually showed up and paid what I was asking, without trying to negotiate a better deal!

What did I learn?

I can influence the process, but not necessarily control it.

Remain persistent, even when I’m not seeing concrete results.

People wanted what I had to sell. There was a market for my goods.

I can’t control or predict the process. Sometimes there are buyers; sometimes just tire-kickers.

Ask for what you want. You might just get it!

I only need 1 buyer to say yes!

Selling my snow tires kinda reminded me of looking for a job! Just like when selling my tires, my job-search persistence eventually paid off when I found a buyer (job offer)."

Craig

Making a List

Are you making your list and checking it twice? Well Santa is because Christmas is moving in on us. Just as Santa checks his list you need to be doing the same thing. Be sure sure that resume if letter perfect in all forms. Your shoes are shined and clothes pressed and clean.

Are your contacts current and do you have the latest info on your target companies? Is there some late breaking news you need to know. The more you know the more interested you sound. Are you sharing information on other companies with your fellow searchers? Remember that as you research your target companies you are bound to run across more info on other companies. Share the wealth.

Job fairs

A few weeks ago there was the Engineers Employment Symposia. A well put together and handled event.

While walking about and chatting with folks it was good to see and hear the upbeat attitudes. That is one of the first steps to becoming re-employed if that is your goal. If you are contemplating your own business that may take a little longer as there is a little more work to do.

When you are feeling down be sure and seek out larger groups of people, ie: Job fairs, Chamber events, Business shows and be with others.