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November 29, 2010
November 3, 2010
NURSE AIDE TRAINING CLASSES - DECEMBER 2010
HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT OF BECOMMING A NURSE AIDE?
CLASSES NOW FORMING FOR THE DECEMBER 2010 PROGRAM
CALL TODAY TO BEGIN YOUR NEW CAREER
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September 1, 2010
7 Interview Don'ts - Investopedia.com
Posted: March 19, 2010 9:04AM by Michael Deane
The job-hunting process can be difficult and time-consuming, and interviews are the most crucial - not to mention stressful - part of the process. These are some common mistakes that many interviewees make during an interview. Avoiding these behaviors won't necessarily land you the job, but they will put you in the upper class of interviewees. Check out the seven tips below to find out what you should not be doing during and prior to your job interview.
1. Show Up Late and/or Disheveled
This may seem unnecessary to mention, but it's one of the most important parts of the interview process. Showing up late, smelling like smoke, chewing gum or having messy hair/clothes can all give impressions of being disorganized, untrustworthy, irresponsible and incompetent. Just keep in mind that you're not the only person being interviewed, so little things like showing up on time might not have tremendous upside, but showing up late will make you stand out - in a bad way. Show up early to an interview and make sure you look (and smell) the part of the job for which you're interviewing.
2. Leave Your Cell Phone On
This may also seem obvious, but how many times have you been somewhere - at the movies, in a class, at work - and all of a sudden you hear the latest Black Eyed Peas song blaring out of someone's purse. It happens. And just like showing up late or unprepared, it'll be a small thing that says a lot: irresponsible, forgetful, unreliable. At worst it could show that you are not taking the interview seriously and are not that interested in the job. We won't even mention answering a phone call during the interview - hopefully that's too obvious.
3. Show Up Mentally Unprepared
Mental preparation will make a huge difference. One of the most important aspects is to ensure that you do research on the company and position. The last thing you want is to ask basic questions about the organization and your role. As well, you should research interview questions. Even if this is your first job interview, it doesn't have to seem like it. There are a number of sites that list common job interview questions. Think of answers to questions like: Why do you want this job? What value can you add to the company? What are your strongest skills? What are your biggest weaknesses?
Imagine that you are the person doing the hiring and think of what questions you would ask someone. Practicing and thinking about these questions will make you calmer and more confident during the interview. You don't have to have the answers memorized - it helps if you seem like you're thinking of them on the spot - so practicing them with a friend, or even just considering your answers will lead to a smoother interview process.
4. Show Up Physically Unprepared
Physically prepared means showing up with the correct physical objects; bring an extra copy of your CV and reference list; bring a pen and notebook to write down any pertinent information or phone numbers. This also means physically preparing for the interview: shaving, making sure your hair is neat and your clothes are clean and wrinkle free. (You may think you have a strong resume, but if you are including these surprising red-flag items, you may not even make it to an interview.)
5. Be a Wallflower
It's important to be involved and engaged in the interview process, so don't be a passive participant. Speak clearly and with confidence, and if there is a time when you are asked questions, don't ever answer questions with "I don't know." This is especially important when you're asked about your salary expectations. As well, when there is a chance for you to ask questions, don't stay silent; ask at least one question. It's best to come prepared with a question to ask - one that you think will not be answered during the interview process.
6. Get Too Personal
It's best to focus on ways in which you can be professionally helpful to the company. So don't talk about your personal life unless you're specifically asked; focus on measurable and work-related experiences. This is not to say that you should be impersonal - you can be warm and professional without going into details about outstanding debt or personal problems with former coworkers and family. If you decide to talk about personal experiences, make sure they are work appropriate.
7. Oversell
In an interview, it's not just "yes" and "no" questions. They can be open-ended and require anecdotes from past jobs, experiences that have prepared you for the prospective job and how your skills are applicable. It's important to answer the questions succinctly, and to then wait for the next question. If you can think of one strong example to back up a question, use just that one. Talking too much, and giving long and weaker answers are not going to help you - this is another advantage of preparing and practicing for the interview. Overselling can come across as desperate and possibly self-centered. Interviewers are doing a number of interviews, and will appreciate when an interviewee adequately answers the questions without taking all day. (Standing out from the crowd is a must, especially when high unemployment rates make competition fierce.)
The Bottom Line
Take these don'ts as a starting point for the important things to avoid during an interview. Overall, it's best to consider the job you're applying for, and put yourself in the position of the interviewer. Picture a nightmare interviewee and do the opposite.
August 30, 2010
NURSE AIDE TRAINING PROGRAM GRADUATING CLASS OF 2010
From left to right:
Front Row
Christie Kowalski - Graduate, Carol Denale, RN - Class Room Instructor, Leanne Griffith - Adult Education Supervisor, Veda Yoney - Graduate, Loraine Platko - Graduate
Back Row
Jason Gearhart - Graduate, Melissa Moore, LPN - Clinical Supervisor, Jennifer Pruett - Asst. Administrator of HR, Michael Best - Graduate, Jessica Rocco - Graduate
August 23, 2010
Making Your Cover Letter Sparkle
By BNET Editorial
published on BNET.com
When applying for jobs, you should always include a cover letter with your résumé. Your cover letter is your first impression, so it needs to be well-crafted. It should briefly but clearly communicate what job you are applying for, what skills qualify you for the position, and why you want to work for the company. The trick is making it interesting to read. If you’re applying for an existing vacancy, briefly describe the position, where you saw it advertised, what qualifies for the job, and why you want to work for that specific company. If you are approaching an agency to register your résumé, describe the type of job you’re looking for, the skills that qualify you for that job, your current salary, and whatever location preferences you may have. There are certain steps you need to follow to write a short, to-the-point email that stands out. People who sound both interesting and interested get noticed. And getting noticed is the first step toward getting interviewed and employed!
What You Need to Know
Do people still use cover letters these days? Job hunting has changed so much over the last few years.
Indeed, the methods used in the hunt for jobs has changed a great deal in years. Without question, the Internet has been the biggest thing to change, and has impacted both employers and job seekers. Jobs are advertised online, applied for online, and even some pre-interview culling is done online. However, nothing has changed the basic premise of the job hunt. Your objective is to make yourself stand out from a competitive throng, and online advertising, e-mail, and Internet search engines are merely new tools for an old process. And whether you send your cover letters by e-mail or the old-fashioned way, they are still your first chance to impress your reader. A cover letter is your chance to put a personal touch on your application, which may not come across in a résumé or application form. It is here that you can show how you write, how your view yourself,
and what you understand about the position and company you are applying to. As you write, think about the tone you are setting, the words you are using to describe yourself and your qualifications. Remember to include the results of any research you have done into the company or field of work you’re interested in.
What is the right length for a cover letter?
The best cover letters make a powerful impact while at the same time being short and to the point, two or three paragraphs at most. In fact, an overly long letter will likely bore or frustrate your reader.
What to Do
Be Clear About Your Objectives
Your cover letter is your first chance to stand out from the crowd. It must grab the reader’s attention, making the recruiter or manager want to read your résumé and meet you. Start by addressing your letter to the right person. Using salutations such as “Dear Sir/Madam” or “To Whom It May Concern” is a red flag to recruiters, showing them that you have not done your homework. Such letters are often simply discarded. Finding out the name of the individual you need to address your letter to can be as simple as calling the company. Failing that, look it up on the Internet or at a reference library. Another good place to look is the company’s catalog or annual report. Although perhaps the most typical reason for writing a cover letter and sending a résumé is to respond to an advertisement, there are a number of other, slightly different, purposes for a cover letter.
• If you want to inquire with a company about job openings you can send a cover letter to ask who to send your résumé to.
• After visiting an organization in person to fill out a job application, you can use a cover letter to follow up.
• When applying for a position online via an agency, you may be asked to provide only your résumé and your contact details, but some agencies ask for a brief supporting statement to accompany your résumé. When responding to an advertised job vacancy, a cover letter is the place to provide details requested in the advertisement, but which do not fit into a résumé format, such as:
• current salary;
• desired future salary;
• notice period;
• preferences for geographical location;
• dates you may be available for interview (you may want to include these if you are about to go on vacation).
Starting the Letter
Start by explaining the reason you are writing. If you are applying for an existing vacancy, begin your letter by describing the position in question, and that you are interested in it. For example:
• I am writing to express interest in the Senior Designer position advertised in the June 3 Times
supplement.
If you have received a recommendation from someone within, or known to, the company, begin your letter with a sentence like this:
• I have been given your name by Ms Annette Rastelli regarding the vacancy in your Credit Control Department.
Express Your Interest in the Job
The value of expressing your interest in the job cannot be underestimated. Before you begin writing, you need to do whatever research necessary to be sure you understand what the company does and what its goals are. Search on the Web, including the company’s own Web site if it has one, for any recent news articles. Read the company’s press releases, read business newspapers, read trade magazines. You should know what trends and issues the company faces. Utilize the resources of your local library. Take notes and make Photocopies of what you read if you cannot keep the article itself, and file them with anything relevant to your application with this company. Once you have completed your research, make sure it shows in your cover letter. Use descriptive terms to demonstrate your enthusiasm. Show that you thoroughly understand the job advertisement by matching the language used there. For example, if the job description mentions “superior communication skills,” work that phrase into your writing. It is important to include all the information requested in the advertisement. If the recruiters want to know your current salary and notice period, make sure you’ve mentioned them.
Describe Why You are the Best Candidate
Early in the letter lay out your qualifications for the job, using strong descriptive language to grab the interest of the recruiter or personnel officer. Explaining how you can help the organization achieve its goals shows that you have done your homework, that you know what your role with the company can be, and that you are genuinely interested in the position and the company. For example:
• I understand that your company is planning on creating a Web presence to support your sales.
In my current position as Senior Web Designer for Athena’s Sportswear, an online women’s
sportswear retailer, I have worked with our team to increase our market share by 13% in the past year. The best cover letters describe how you and you alone can help the company successfully manage the challenges it faces.
Request the Interview
Although you might feel uncomfortable asking for an interview, preferring to let the company contact you, taking a more proactive approach makes a stronger impact. Asking for an interview can be as simple as writing something like “I look forward to the Opportunity to discuss how my background and experience can contribute to the success of your organization.” You could also write that you will be in their area on a particular date and would be available for an interview.
Remember the Basics
Now that you have completed your planning and research, put the pieces together into a powerful whole.
• Be yourself. Your résumé is a somewhat bare bones list of your experiences and skills, but your cover letter is a chance to express your personality, perhaps even a little flair so that you stand out from the crowd of other applicants. Maintain a professional tone, but share your enthusiasm and your interest in the position.
• A cover letter that does not look professional will not get past the first review. Formatting and typeface should follow standard guidelines, and there is no excuse for errors in grammar or spelling. Read it carefully before you send it off and have a friend do the same. Do not rely on just your computer spellchecker!
• Most cover letters and résumés are submitted by e-mail these days, but if you are submitting by mail, use high quality résumé paper.
• Use a large envelope to mail the cover letter and résumé, to avoid folding them. Consider sending two copies in case the recruiter needs to show your letter and résumé to different people.
• When e-mailing, do not hit the send button until you check that your files are attached! In the body of your message, specify what type of file you have attached. Be prepared to send it in another format if they are unable to open it.
What to Avoid
You Use a Cover Letter Template Reviewing the sample cover letters in business reference works can guide you on formatting, typeface, tone, and what to include for different kinds of letters. Do not make the mistake of copying these samples word for word. Remember that recruiters, managers, and interviewers read many, many cover letters. They will have heard the clichés and hackneyed phrases. Personalize each of your cover letters and target them to a specific position. Do your best to convey your own uniqueness. Some may try to use a template, “customizing” it with a few phrases and the correct recipient’s name This method is not likely to fool anyone. You Recycle the Same Cover Letter Taking the time to write a personal cover letter targeted to a particular company will show that you really want to work for that company. Also, when you recycle the same cover letter over and over again, you run the risk of making mistakes, such as inadvertently mentioning the wrong company in the body of your letter. Tailoring your letter to the company you’re applying to may be more time-consuming, but your cover letter is your one chance to impress your reader that you are the best person for the job.
Where to Learn More
Book:
Bolles, Richard. What Color is Your Parachute? A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and
Career-Changers. Revised ed. Ten Speed Press, 2007.
published on BNET.com
When applying for jobs, you should always include a cover letter with your résumé. Your cover letter is your first impression, so it needs to be well-crafted. It should briefly but clearly communicate what job you are applying for, what skills qualify you for the position, and why you want to work for the company. The trick is making it interesting to read. If you’re applying for an existing vacancy, briefly describe the position, where you saw it advertised, what qualifies for the job, and why you want to work for that specific company. If you are approaching an agency to register your résumé, describe the type of job you’re looking for, the skills that qualify you for that job, your current salary, and whatever location preferences you may have. There are certain steps you need to follow to write a short, to-the-point email that stands out. People who sound both interesting and interested get noticed. And getting noticed is the first step toward getting interviewed and employed!
What You Need to Know
Do people still use cover letters these days? Job hunting has changed so much over the last few years.
Indeed, the methods used in the hunt for jobs has changed a great deal in years. Without question, the Internet has been the biggest thing to change, and has impacted both employers and job seekers. Jobs are advertised online, applied for online, and even some pre-interview culling is done online. However, nothing has changed the basic premise of the job hunt. Your objective is to make yourself stand out from a competitive throng, and online advertising, e-mail, and Internet search engines are merely new tools for an old process. And whether you send your cover letters by e-mail or the old-fashioned way, they are still your first chance to impress your reader. A cover letter is your chance to put a personal touch on your application, which may not come across in a résumé or application form. It is here that you can show how you write, how your view yourself,
and what you understand about the position and company you are applying to. As you write, think about the tone you are setting, the words you are using to describe yourself and your qualifications. Remember to include the results of any research you have done into the company or field of work you’re interested in.
What is the right length for a cover letter?
The best cover letters make a powerful impact while at the same time being short and to the point, two or three paragraphs at most. In fact, an overly long letter will likely bore or frustrate your reader.
What to Do
Be Clear About Your Objectives
Your cover letter is your first chance to stand out from the crowd. It must grab the reader’s attention, making the recruiter or manager want to read your résumé and meet you. Start by addressing your letter to the right person. Using salutations such as “Dear Sir/Madam” or “To Whom It May Concern” is a red flag to recruiters, showing them that you have not done your homework. Such letters are often simply discarded. Finding out the name of the individual you need to address your letter to can be as simple as calling the company. Failing that, look it up on the Internet or at a reference library. Another good place to look is the company’s catalog or annual report. Although perhaps the most typical reason for writing a cover letter and sending a résumé is to respond to an advertisement, there are a number of other, slightly different, purposes for a cover letter.
• If you want to inquire with a company about job openings you can send a cover letter to ask who to send your résumé to.
• After visiting an organization in person to fill out a job application, you can use a cover letter to follow up.
• When applying for a position online via an agency, you may be asked to provide only your résumé and your contact details, but some agencies ask for a brief supporting statement to accompany your résumé. When responding to an advertised job vacancy, a cover letter is the place to provide details requested in the advertisement, but which do not fit into a résumé format, such as:
• current salary;
• desired future salary;
• notice period;
• preferences for geographical location;
• dates you may be available for interview (you may want to include these if you are about to go on vacation).
Starting the Letter
Start by explaining the reason you are writing. If you are applying for an existing vacancy, begin your letter by describing the position in question, and that you are interested in it. For example:
• I am writing to express interest in the Senior Designer position advertised in the June 3 Times
supplement.
If you have received a recommendation from someone within, or known to, the company, begin your letter with a sentence like this:
• I have been given your name by Ms Annette Rastelli regarding the vacancy in your Credit Control Department.
Express Your Interest in the Job
The value of expressing your interest in the job cannot be underestimated. Before you begin writing, you need to do whatever research necessary to be sure you understand what the company does and what its goals are. Search on the Web, including the company’s own Web site if it has one, for any recent news articles. Read the company’s press releases, read business newspapers, read trade magazines. You should know what trends and issues the company faces. Utilize the resources of your local library. Take notes and make Photocopies of what you read if you cannot keep the article itself, and file them with anything relevant to your application with this company. Once you have completed your research, make sure it shows in your cover letter. Use descriptive terms to demonstrate your enthusiasm. Show that you thoroughly understand the job advertisement by matching the language used there. For example, if the job description mentions “superior communication skills,” work that phrase into your writing. It is important to include all the information requested in the advertisement. If the recruiters want to know your current salary and notice period, make sure you’ve mentioned them.
Describe Why You are the Best Candidate
Early in the letter lay out your qualifications for the job, using strong descriptive language to grab the interest of the recruiter or personnel officer. Explaining how you can help the organization achieve its goals shows that you have done your homework, that you know what your role with the company can be, and that you are genuinely interested in the position and the company. For example:
• I understand that your company is planning on creating a Web presence to support your sales.
In my current position as Senior Web Designer for Athena’s Sportswear, an online women’s
sportswear retailer, I have worked with our team to increase our market share by 13% in the past year. The best cover letters describe how you and you alone can help the company successfully manage the challenges it faces.
Request the Interview
Although you might feel uncomfortable asking for an interview, preferring to let the company contact you, taking a more proactive approach makes a stronger impact. Asking for an interview can be as simple as writing something like “I look forward to the Opportunity to discuss how my background and experience can contribute to the success of your organization.” You could also write that you will be in their area on a particular date and would be available for an interview.
Remember the Basics
Now that you have completed your planning and research, put the pieces together into a powerful whole.
• Be yourself. Your résumé is a somewhat bare bones list of your experiences and skills, but your cover letter is a chance to express your personality, perhaps even a little flair so that you stand out from the crowd of other applicants. Maintain a professional tone, but share your enthusiasm and your interest in the position.
• A cover letter that does not look professional will not get past the first review. Formatting and typeface should follow standard guidelines, and there is no excuse for errors in grammar or spelling. Read it carefully before you send it off and have a friend do the same. Do not rely on just your computer spellchecker!
• Most cover letters and résumés are submitted by e-mail these days, but if you are submitting by mail, use high quality résumé paper.
• Use a large envelope to mail the cover letter and résumé, to avoid folding them. Consider sending two copies in case the recruiter needs to show your letter and résumé to different people.
• When e-mailing, do not hit the send button until you check that your files are attached! In the body of your message, specify what type of file you have attached. Be prepared to send it in another format if they are unable to open it.
What to Avoid
You Use a Cover Letter Template Reviewing the sample cover letters in business reference works can guide you on formatting, typeface, tone, and what to include for different kinds of letters. Do not make the mistake of copying these samples word for word. Remember that recruiters, managers, and interviewers read many, many cover letters. They will have heard the clichés and hackneyed phrases. Personalize each of your cover letters and target them to a specific position. Do your best to convey your own uniqueness. Some may try to use a template, “customizing” it with a few phrases and the correct recipient’s name This method is not likely to fool anyone. You Recycle the Same Cover Letter Taking the time to write a personal cover letter targeted to a particular company will show that you really want to work for that company. Also, when you recycle the same cover letter over and over again, you run the risk of making mistakes, such as inadvertently mentioning the wrong company in the body of your letter. Tailoring your letter to the company you’re applying to may be more time-consuming, but your cover letter is your one chance to impress your reader that you are the best person for the job.
Where to Learn More
Book:
Bolles, Richard. What Color is Your Parachute? A Practical Manual for Job-Hunters and
Career-Changers. Revised ed. Ten Speed Press, 2007.
July 21, 2010
June 22, 2010
NURSE AIDE TRAINING PROGRAM - BEGINNING SUMMER OF 2010
- 14 – Day, fast-paced course
- Learn the skills necessary to take National Nurse Aide Assessment Program Exam
- After passing the exam, you will be on the Pennsylvania Nurse Aide Registry and may apply to work in many different settings
- Classes are held at the Quest Building (beside the William Penn Care Center) in Penn Township
- Call for complete details and start dates
- Due to the short-term training, this program is NOT FAFSA eligible
April 21, 2010
BEING MORE PRODUCTIVE
If you're busier than you like to be, but feeling less productive, then read on.
I have a question for you? How busy are you these days? Now, here's another question: How productive are you? As most of us know, the two just aren't the same. All too often, being busy may have nothing at all to do with the results we get and what we achieve.
We spend our days, often very long days, in a flurry of activity. But, when the day or week is over, we're disappointed at the level of our accomplishment. Our disappointment creates stress and we push ourselves even harder to "get more done." But pushing hard isn't the answer.
What is? Well, in my experience, a sense of priorities based on a clear purpose and well-defined short- and long-term goals are what one needs. The world is full of individuals who are definitely in motion, but they're not exactly sure where they're going and they don't know why, either. Maybe they get going so fast that they never take the time to figure it out. If that is your situation, I strongly urge you to set aside some time for personal reflection, some personal values clarification and goal-setting.
There's nothing like a strong sense of purpose, based on clearly spelled out values, to keep you moving. But more than that, it keeps you moving in the right direction. Without it, you can climb the ladder of success all right, but when you get to the top, you may find that it's leaning against the wrong building!
Excerpts from - Best Practices Forums -> Winner's Circle with Lou Tice - Monday, April 19, 2010
February 17, 2010
TURNING WANTS INTO GOALS
Today, take one of your Balance Wheel sections. One that is always important to me is Family. So, one of my goals is to spend time with each member of my family, and for them to know that I am always available.
Now, it is important to understand the difference between "want to" and "do." "Wants" set up the "do's" in your life, and your goals will need to be written to reflect the "do." So, when my goal is to spend time with each child, I write the goal like this: "I spend quality time with each of my children. They all know how important they are to me."
Suppose that you are a single mother, trying to balance work and home and family. It is a difficult road to travel, one filled with many choices. You want to spend as much time with your family, but you have to work. Guilt kicks in as you attempt to do it all. Now, thinking of work as a "have to" causes additional stress, which can shadow your work and home time. To remove the "have to" from work would help a lot, so your goal would be written as, "I love the work I do, because it affords me what I need to spend time with my kids."
One final tip: When you write out your "wants" and goals, make sure you write them in the present tense - the future as now. Take out the "going to" and replace it with "I am." You are seeing your future as if it has already happened.
Take each of your Balance Wheel "wants" and turn them into goals for the future, written in the present tense.
You have come a long way in the last few days, and have started on the path to a successful 2010!
Excerpts from - Best Practices Forums -> Winner's Circle with Lou Tice - Tuesday, January 26, 2010
February 8, 2010
GOAL SETTING FOR A WELL-BALANCED LIFE
Now that you have your list of “wants” or “goals” in your different areas, it’s time to check and see how they fit together. Let’s talk about goal setting for a well-balanced life.
When you think about growing as a person, there are many distinct areas you can consider. Do you want to grow as a spouse or parent, in your social relationships, in your job or career? What about your physical and mental health, your intellectual pursuits, your spiritual life? You can also grow in the things you do for fun or in your involvement with your community.
Have you ever known anyone who puts so much energy into growth in one or two areas that they ignore or neglect the others? This is what you want to avoid. A good way to stay both one track and in balance is to write out goals for every distinct area in your life. While you are at it, check to be sure that your goals fit together in a consistent manner.
For example, you have a goal to become a better father, However, if your career and personal goals take you away from home a great deal, or leave you too preoccupied to function well when you are at home, you might want to take another look at your priorities and adjust your balance.
This is a good way to help you clarify your values too. Make a list of your values and match them to you list of goals. Do they match or is there unbalance? What is most important to your life? Why? Is that where most of your time, energy, and attention are going? Do you feel that your goals are helping you become a well-balanced person?
In the next blog, we will discuss turning your wants into goals.
Excerpts from - Best Practices Forums -> Winner's Circle with Lou Tice - Friday, January 25, 2010
February 3, 2010
BALANCING MY WANTS
Today, we need to organize your “wants”. One tool you can use is a “Balance Wheel”. Draw a circle and then divide it into segments. The number of segments depends on the number of “wants” you came up with from my last blog. Label each section.
Next, starting from the center, with the number 1, run a gauge out to 10 at the outer circle. With each section decide how satisfied you are with that particular area of your life. Circle that number. This will give you a good idea of what areas of your life you might want to work on in order to have a well-balanced life.
Now, each of these sections can have a Balance Wheel of it’s own as you delve deeper into the different aspects of what you want in each area of your life.
You may already begin to notice that some areas of your life are not in too bad of shape while others need a lot of attention.
The next blog will take a look at creating balance in your approach to achieving your goals.
Excerpts from - Best Practices Forums -> Winner's Circle with Lou Tice - January 22,2010.
February 1, 2010
WHAT DO YOU WANT?
Here is one question VERY IMPORTANT that begins to surface for many of us as we find ourselves at the beginning of a new year or facing a major change in our life's path: “WHAT DO I WANT?”
If you follow your current direction, or continue to do what you have always done, where will you be in a year? In five years? In ten? Is that where you really want to be? BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF.
Some on once said that the best way to predict the future is to get a very clear idea of what is happening now.
Once you have honestly figured out where you are going, it’s time to decide if this is what you “want”. Let’s face it, sometimes life gets in the way, and we loose contact with those things that we know will fulfill us. I am not talking about material things hers, but letting loose of those talents and abilities that have been locked up inside us.
So, when you have a few moments of quiet, let your mind “out for a walk” and spend some time thinking
Excerpts from - Best Practices Forums -> Winner's Circle with Lou Tice Success and Failure by Lou Tice - January 18, 2010
January 25, 2010
ARE YOU AFRAID OF SUCCESS?
We all know that people can be afraid of failure, but did you know that many people are afraid of success?
No one likes to fail. But some folks are so focused on the possibility of failure that they become over-anxious and unable to perform. Their fear of failure actually creates failure.
There are people who manage to sabotage their own efforts, often unconsciously, not because they are afraid of failure, but because they are afraid of success.
You see, we all carry around a mental picture of ourselves, and if success is not a part of that picture, we are in trouble. While a part of us wants success and all that goes with it, another part is silently saying, "That is not like me. I am not comfortable with this kind of responsibility," or something along those lines.
We may be perfectly capable of success in other ways, and we may have all the necessary skills and abilities. But it is like growing a pumpkin inside a jug. You can slip a flowering pumpkin vine inside a jug, and the pumpkin will grow to be jug-shaped. Later, you break the glass and you have a jug-shaped pumpkin.
You see, your picture of yourself, your self-concept, is like the glass jug. It tells you where your limits are. Techniques like affirmation and visualization are used to help when you want to get a bigger jug or, in other words, when you want to comfortably stretch your idea of who you are and what you are capable of.
With practice, you can get to the place where neither failure nor success will upset you.
Excerpts from - Best Practices Forums -> Winner's Circle with Lou Tice - Friday, January 15, 2010
No one likes to fail. But some folks are so focused on the possibility of failure that they become over-anxious and unable to perform. Their fear of failure actually creates failure.
There are people who manage to sabotage their own efforts, often unconsciously, not because they are afraid of failure, but because they are afraid of success.
You see, we all carry around a mental picture of ourselves, and if success is not a part of that picture, we are in trouble. While a part of us wants success and all that goes with it, another part is silently saying, "That is not like me. I am not comfortable with this kind of responsibility," or something along those lines.
We may be perfectly capable of success in other ways, and we may have all the necessary skills and abilities. But it is like growing a pumpkin inside a jug. You can slip a flowering pumpkin vine inside a jug, and the pumpkin will grow to be jug-shaped. Later, you break the glass and you have a jug-shaped pumpkin.
You see, your picture of yourself, your self-concept, is like the glass jug. It tells you where your limits are. Techniques like affirmation and visualization are used to help when you want to get a bigger jug or, in other words, when you want to comfortably stretch your idea of who you are and what you are capable of.
With practice, you can get to the place where neither failure nor success will upset you.
Excerpts from - Best Practices Forums -> Winner's Circle with Lou Tice - Friday, January 15, 2010
January 20, 2010
January 4, 2010
MAKING YOURSELF PROMOTABLE
LEARN THE BUSINESS
One of the best ways to not only hang onto your new job, but to make yourself promotable into a better one is to learn about more than one area of the business. This is easier done in smaller companies, but it can be done with a little extra effort in large corporations as well. Let’s suppose you are working in the finance department but are also interested in marketing. The first step is to try to meet your coworkers. There is bound to be someone who can introduce you to someone in that department. Don’t discount the value of the secretaries and receptionists – they often have their fingers on the pulse of their departments better than their managers do.
Next, talk to them about what they do, what their department does, and what kinds of opportunities they might have for you to become involved with their work. You may be able to participate on a project that involves both your current department and the marketing department also. Or ask if marketing has a use for a part-time intern or after-hours worker.
Once you find an opportunity in the other department, as your boss about the possibility of becoming involved in it – getting assigned to the cross department project team or spending one day or half-day per week in the other department, or even one whole week per month.
Don’t try to force your boss into agreeing, but try to demonstrate how you will be more valuable to the company once you learn about the various other departments and can contribute to them.
SHARPEN YOUR COMMUNICATIONS SKILLS
Never underestimate the value of good writing and presentation skills. They can carry you a long way in your career.
If you practice presentation skills, volunteer to make project or department presentations or even take a night class in public speaking.
It may seem intimidating at first, but once you get reasonably comfortable making presentations and writing, those skills could potentially save your job somewhere down the road.
BE A PROBLEM SOLVER
When on the job, always look for ways of researching then distributing valuable information offering solutions to problems, and providing ideas.
NEVER STOP UPGRADING YOUR SKILLS
Technical as well as communications skills must be constantly updated and improved in order to keep yourself marketable and promotable. If you ever start feeling like you’ve learned all you need to know to succeed in your job, a warning flag should go up – get out there and upgrade your skills before it is too late.
This could mean taking a night class (see if your employer will pay for it) or self-study course (try the library or internet for the resources), do volunteer work which challenges you in an area where your skills are weak, or volunteer for projects at work where you can learn or improve a valued skill.
FOLLOW THE UNWRITTEN RULES
Keep your eyes and ears open for clues as to how the employers are expecting you to act at your office. Follow it to a “T”. If you rub someone the wrong way, you lessen your chances of being picked for promotion.
LEARN A LANGUAGE
With so many companies going global these days, becoming comfortable in at least one language other than English can open doors of opportunity for you.
NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK
The greater number of people who know about you and your capabilities, the better opportunity you have to get the assignments, promotions, and new jobs that you want. By volunteering with your professional association, for instance, you can demonstrate to future potential employers your skills and commitment to your field.
Don’t leave any source of contact untouched – professional associations, volunteer work, the company lunch room, your parents’ friends, your friends parents, school alumni, etc.
(Excerpts of information came from the “Dose of Reality” Series.)
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