Finding your voice

What is finding your voice? It isn't taking a lozenge to soothe a sore throat. It is more in finding out what you stand for then voicing it in a manner that others will understand. Ergo the value in interviewing so others get to know you and your value to them.

Your knowledge and work ethics are wonderful assets. Yet if you are unable to sound confident in your delivery of these they may go unnoticed. Finding ones voice can take time to develop so it is a smart idea to work on that skill. Yes, Toastmasters will assist you most in this endeavor.

Happy Thanks Giving

Today is a day of rest and refill. Be with family and/or friends. It is more than food as food is merely the conduit. It is of enjoying those close to us or those that cherish friendship.
Happy Thanks Giving to all.

Second opinion

Have you ever gotten a second opinion? From your doctor or dentist? What about an interest rate or auto insurance? Normally it is smart to get three bids for contractual work before you buy.

Why would you not get opinions from others about companies you have in mind. You are ultimately responsible for the final decision but why not ask others. Besides, you may have some tidbit for them too. You won't know until you meet.

Second opinions are not required but if available why wouldn't you utilize it?

Contact cards

Do you have contact cards, business cards or calling cards? If you don't it is highly recommended that you get some. Your first batch should be a minimum of 500 as the first 250 go very fast. You have many uses for them: Fish bowls at restaurants, business shows, job fairs and even people in line at the grocery store.

You need your name, E-mail and phone number. Talk with your friends about titles but usually my recommendation is to leave them generic, no title. Let the other person write what caught their attention.

It is far easier for people to retain a business card than a resume. They are much simpler for you to carry around. Most of all never leave home without them.

Is this what I went to school for?

After the frustrations of being unemployed have settled in many folks have asked the question "Is this what I went to school for?" A legitimate question for sure. Then of course there is always the ability to go on for another degree. In addition to all the social reasons to go to college one must also remember that like a carpenters tool box we need to sharpen and clean our tools. Having been a mechanic/welder once I found some tools needed to be sharpened or even replaced. When new and better tools come out they may be more useful.

Your education can be like that. It is a fantastic tool to have in your toolbox and you have to keep adding newer tools or sharpening old ones. There are many ways to learn and a college setting isn't always the only one.

Reading is great along with seminars, associations, networking etc.

Never question the value of your education, just keep adding to it.

Where are those opportunities ?

A very common question for so many folks. The common place to look are the newspapers, state employment department and friends. Yet so many times these lead to a dead end. So the question once again is where are the opportunities.

They are right under your nose, but many times not in the format you are looking for. Not in the color you thought they would be or at the locations you thought of. Being creative can be most helpful to you in your quest. You do need to search and research and find out what people need. Then see where you would fit in. Next you need to sell that point to them.

It isn't an easy task to learn new ideas, yet if take the time to make changes in yourself, then transition and on to a transformation of yourself you will a new beginning for you.

"To Do" list

Do you have one? A to do list. If not why not? Your brain can handle it but why clog your mind with items that can be delegated to a piece of paper or on your smart phone? You'll find you have more items to do than you can keep track of.

Besides, the holidays are fastly approaching and there will be even more to do. It was once said that a high level executive paid a consultant $10,000 to tell him that if he made a to do list everyday he'd accomplish more every day. It worked.

Your list should include those small incidentals such as haircuts/hairdo's, present buying, important phone calls etc. Seven has been considered a fair number and they normally shouldn't be carried forward.

"I never promised you a rose garden"

That was an awful book in my opinion. A very good friend and work associate suggested I read it since she had just finished it. I began reading the book and would have put it away as I found it most depressing and not very good. But, since my friend suggested it I presumed that it would get better. It didn't and once done I asked my friend what she liked about the book. She then revealed that she didn't like it at all. We both had a great laugh and went on with life.



The upshot of this lessen is sometimes even friends may give you some advice that isn't always the best. They had the best of intentions and sometimes it doesn't pan out. You will find you did learn something new and you'll be more careful next time.