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Step One - Plan:

Most people spend more time planning a one to two week vacation than they do planning their lifetime career. When planning for a vacation, you look at where you want to go, what your reason is for wanting to go to that particular place, how long it will take to get there, whether or not you want to take any side trips, what type of budget you will need, and what type of clothes you will need to take. You may also speak with people who have been there to find out a little more about the destination and activities or do some research on the internet or at the library or a travel agency.

It is important to do the same type of planning for a career. You need to take a look at where you want to go and how you are going to get there. You will need to look at: whether or not you need post-secondary education or some type of training. How long will it take you to get the skills you need? What is the best way to get these skills? What kind of money do you require for the life style you want? Think about whether or not you know anyone who is currently working in this field or if you know anyone who knows anyone working in this field. Where else can you go to find out more information?

If you are still in school, speak to a guidance counsellor and ask for information. You can also do informational interviews with people working in the field you are interested in. Another option is speaking with a career counsellor or doing some career tests.

If you are out of school, contact an employment agency to speak with a counsellor or do some personal research at the library as well as networking and making good use of your contacts.

Step Two - Prepare:

Preparing for your job search involves doing a thorough personal inventory to determine your transferable and adaptive skills. Learning more about your skills prepares you so that you will be able to tell an employer the skills you have that match the job that you would like to have. This takes time. It may involve completing a questionnaire or sitting and writing down all the things you have done over the years. This is not simply listing your job description, as most people do more than what is listed on the job description, it also involves activities that you do at home.

Most of us take our skills for granted. We are so used to doing certain tasks that we do not recognize that not everyone can do what we are doing. We also do not always recognize the skills we are using in our daily activities problem solving, decision making, driving, fixing appliances, preparing food, personal counseling. People may express amazement or be impressed by something that we take for granted. Listen to what they are saying. This is a strong skill for you and may be developed into a career goal.

Once you have reviewed your skills, you can work on developing a 30-second summary of these skills, also known as an elevator speech, which can be used during a telephone contact, in your cover letter, in an interview, or when talking to friends about your job search.

Preparing also means doing research on companies you might like to work for. This research may be done at the library, through personal contact, informational interviews, reading newspaper articles, or an informal visit or tour.

The development of a targeted resume is another crucial step. A targeted resume is one which highlights specific skills to demonstrate your suitability to an employer. It provides details of your work experiences which match the skills they might require. A cover letter should also be prepared for a targeted employer.

Another part of preparation is reviewing potential interview questions and determining the type of information you want to provide or you may be expected to provide to an employer. Following this, you need to practice speaking about yourself in order to be comfortable in presenting yourself to an employer.

People often think about getting a resume prepared, and maybe a cover letter in response to a job ad, but then they forget about preparing for the interview. Although a good resume and cover letter can get you in the door, the interview is what gets you the job.

Step Three - Practice:

Practice!! How many people would step on the ice in an NHL game without having practiced? How many people would step on stage to sing or act without several rehearsals? How many Olympic athletes would compete without any preparation? Very few, if any - and yet, when we fail to practice our interview techniques, it is comparable to doing one of the above.

Practicing can take place with a friend, family member or a counsellor. There are many books available that provide sample questions and sample answers. Feedback on your interview skills may involve peers, general comments, and/or videotape. Here are some sample questions for you to use:

Tell me about yourself.
What do you look for in a job?
How long would it take for you to make a meaningful contribution?
Why are you looking for a new career?
How would your boss describe you?
How would your colleagues describe you?
What were the five most significant accomplishments in your last position?
What are your strong points?
What are your weak points?

A videotape is an excellent way for you to see yourself as an employer would see you. You can dress as you would for an interview and have someone you know act as the interviewer. You will then be able to notice how you handle yourself, how you sit, and how you respond to questions. For instance, did you give enough information or too much information. You can also note if you have any habits you are unaware of. This will help you become comfortable in presenting your skills to an employer.

When you think of the years of training it takes a hockey player to reach the skill level of an NHL player, or the years a ballerina spends in practicing before she performs at the NAC, a few hours of practicing your interview/presentation techniques isnt asking too much.

Step Four - Perform:

Think of your interview as a performance. You must prepare for it (research the employer, practice interview questions), dress appropriately (dress for the job you are applying for), and have the proper equipment (copy of resume, references, portfolio, and pen) to show that you are ready to do the job.

The first two to three minutes of your interview are the most important. An employer usually makes a decision based on your appearance and your opening presentation. It is important that you make the most of these precious minutes.

A smile is a big part of your wardrobe. If smiling doesnt come naturally to you, practice in front of a mirror until it feels comfortable. Ensure that your body language doesnt send the wrong message. Dont cross your arms across your chest, or keep checking the clock. Check your appearance, both standing and seated, in a mirror. It is important to try to relax, but do not slouch in your chair. Dont chew gum during your interview, and if you are a smoker, try to have your last cigarette at least 10 minutes before your interview and freshen your breath with a breath mint.

Another important point is to never say anything negative about your previous employer. It may make the employer wonder what you would say about them, and you never know who is related to whom.

Make sure that you have some questions to ask the employer. Not how much money will I make and how long do I get for vacation?, but questions that show you have researched the employer and have some knowledge of their company. Make a list of potential questions to ask. If the interviewer has been very thorough and you cant think of any questions, at least find out when they will be making a decision and ask if it is ok to follow up.

Here are some sample questions you can ask.

Why is this position open?
What are some of the more difficult problems one would have to face in this position?
What significant changes do you forsee in the near future?
What are some of the objectives you would like to see accomplished in this job?
What are some of the long-term objectives you would like to see completed?
How is one evaluated in this position?
What accounts for success within the company?

Step Five - Post-Mortem:

Once your interview is over, review it in your mind. Was there anything you should have said that you didnt, or anything that you said that you shouldnt have? Make a mental note, or write down how you felt about the interview. By reviewing your interview, you can prepare for the next one.

Once you get home, its time to prepare a thank you letter. In this letter you thank the interviewer(s) for their time and the opportunity to find out more about the company. Express appreciation for the way they handled the interview, the information provided, etc., as well as expressing your desire to work for the company. If there was anything you forgot to tell them about your skills during the interview, or any information you said you would provide them with, now is your opportunity to do so.

Dont forget to follow up one to two weeks after your interview to indicate that you are still interested in being considered for the position and to check on whether or not a decision has been made. If they have hired, and you are not the successful candidate, ask permission to call back in case there are any other openings in the future and let them know that you would like to be considered.

Remember that you usually have to go through about 200 "no's" before you get to a "yes". Try to keep positive about your job search by sticking with a routine and talking with as many people as possible about looking for work. Let everyone know that you are currently unemployed and tell them the type of work you are looking for. Attend workshops on Job Search or consider joining a Job Finding Club for extra support during your job search.

// posted by voip40591 @ 11:43 PM 0 comments

David Walker completes his review of the January transfer window and how the moves will impact each teams success, or survival at the end of the 2005/06 season.

Portsmouth

If ever there was a manager who enjoyed a bit of business during the January transfer window it was Harry Redknapp. He is running out of time to form a team capable of keeping Pompey in the top flight after 34 players have come and gone this season.

He has brought in 4.1 million Auxerre striker Benjamin Mwaruwari to try and fill the void left by Yakubu while midfield steel and creativity should come in the form of Tottenham trio Pedro Mendes, Sean Davies and Wayne Routledge. Noe Pamarot, also of Spurs, Ognjen Koroman and goalkeeper Dean Kiely will assist defensive duties.

The most intriguing of Redknapps dealings is the loan capture of Andres DAllesandro, once tipped to be the next big thing out of South America. However, his career stalled following a move to Wolfsburg two and a half years ago.

Pompey are second from bottom in the table and lie five points from safety. The bookmakers dont fancy their chances of survival and quote 4/9 on relegation and 13/8 on staying up.

Sunderland

Sunderland are rooted firmly to the bottom of the table with just nine points from 23 matches and nine points adrift of nearest rivals Portsmouth.

The Black Cats are without a home win all season and have won just twice in their last 44 Premiership matches stretching back to a previous stint. Such dire form has made Mick McCarthys side a relegation certainty with odds of 1/1000 being offered.

However, if you believe in miracles, Sunderland are 100/1 to stage the comeback of all comebacks and remain in the Premiership for next season.

Tottenham Hotspur

Spurs have been the surprise package of the season thus far and maintain their fourth place position in the Premiership despite a run of three matches without victory and an FA Cup exit at the hands of Leicester City.

Manager Martin Jol signed Egyptian midfielder Hossam Ghali from Feyenoord and Charlton Athletics Danny Murphy. Even though Spurs are four points and two places above North London rivals Arsenal the bookmakers do not rate them as highly in the without Chelsea market, pricing the White Hart Lane outfit up at 66/1.

West Bromwich Albion

West Brom are staring at a fight against relegation for the second successive season but have proved they have the stomach for the battle once before. Out of the bottom seven sides in the Premiership the Baggies have won the most home matches which will give manager Bryan Robson optimism.

Nigel Quashie arrived in a 1.5 million deal from Southampton while Jan Kozak and Williams Martinez joined on loan from Artmedia Bratislava and Defensor respectively. Last seasons top goalscorer Robert Earnshaw was allowed to leave for Norwich in a 3.5 million deal. The Baggies are available at 4/5 for relegation but a better bet may be for them to stay up at Evens.

West Ham United

The largest deal of the transfer window was Dean Ashtons 7.25 million arrival from Norwich City. Following his seven goals last season for the Canaries, then fighting a losing battle against Premiership relegation, Ashton is seen as the man who can fire West Ham into Europe this term.

Another striker, Yaniv Katan, joined from Maccabi Haifa for 100,000 while Deportivo defender Lionel Scaloni has signed a loan deal with the club. If you are fond of speculative punts, striker Marlon Harewood, with six goals in his last 12 Premiership matches, is available at 40/1 to top the Premiership goal scoring charts at the end of the season.

Wigan Athletic

Wigan have had a remarkable first season in the Premiership. They are fifth in the table, one place above former Champions Arsenal, just three points adrift of a Champions League spot and a place in the Carling Cup final secured.

Paul Jewell has worked wonders at the JJB Stadium and it is not surprising chairman Dave Whelan has sanctioned a 2 million move for Brann defender Paul Scharner, the free transfer of midfielder David Thompson and loan arrivals for Liverpools Neil Mellor and Tottenham Hotspurs Reto Ziegler.

It would be foolish to bet against the Latics qualifying for Europe next season but at present they are the only side in the top 10 with a minus goal difference. They are 300/1 outsiders to win the Premiership in the without Chelsea market.

// posted by voip40591 @ 11:33 PM 0 comments

It doesnt matter what stage of life you are in, everyone has the same basic needs. These needs are physical, emotional, social, intellectual, spiritual, and creative. When all of these needs are satisfied, youll discover that your life is brimming with joy and good feelings. Youll find your self-esteem at its highest peak whenever you are fulfilled within your daily life and activities.

Physical Needs: These needs are the basics. The need for air, water, sleep, exercise, and sex.

Emotional Needs: This is the need for praise, love, trust, security, feeling OK inside, and self-fulfilled.

Social Needs: This is the need for companionship and friendship. This is usually gained from a peer group.

Intellectual Needs: This is the need for challenging thoughts, reading, learning something new, and mind stimulation.

Spiritual Needs: This is the quiet need inside that wants to know and believe in a higher spiritual power than ourselves. This need increases our awareness and sensitivity to the greater aspects of life.

Creative Needs: This is the need to express yourself in any manner you desire. This can include the arts, dancing, acting, and writing - almost anything that allows you to feel imaginative and inspired.

All of the above needs are usually a part of every humans life. All of us want to have these needs met in life. Having these needs met increases our enjoyment of living and creates a healthy body and soul. So how do parents fulfill these needs in their growing children? The first way is to become aware that the needs of a child are the same as yours. Being empathetic to your child at all times creates a bond that nurtures the needs of your child. For example, whenever your child wants to create or make something, allow your attention to center on your child and give him whatever you think will help to inspire your childs creativity.

My children loved to create drawings on large pieces of paper. I helped them do this by supplying them with the all the paper, crayons, paint, brushes, etc. necessary to stimulate their minds. Then I let them go to it! It was exciting to watch my child create a masterpiece of their imagination. Their artwork was sweet, beautiful and full of ingenuity. I then posted the artwork all around the house to show to their siblings and guests. As a parent, it was my goal to communicate with my child that I truly understood and valued his desires and feelings to be creative. I empowered my child to become all that he can be at that moment. This process immediately shows your child that his opinions and thoughts are valued.

By empowering your child, you are allowing your child to take ownership of their feelings, take responsibility for their behavior, make decisions that help them grow, follow through with commitments and most importantly, to become aware of the needs and feelings of others. You are giving your child the chance to experience success and understand his own uniqueness. Its rewarding for a child, adolescent and adult to have recognition and respect. By empowering yourself, as well as your child, you are fostering basic needs that truly make you glow inside and out.

At different times in our lives, we are capable of doing certain things. Stay tuned to where your childs capabilities are during his childhood and supply the above needs according to his stage in life. In fact, developmental stages continue right into old age. When a childs needs are met, his discomforts and fears are quickly removed and he finds that his life is truly a safe and fun place to be. This feeling leads to a child that learns to trust his environment and each successive stage of development.

Know that meeting these six needs in your childs life is not hard to do at any stage. Getting involved in your childs exploration of his life doesnt take money, but it does take thoughtfulness and time. Providing these needs throughout your childs lifetime allows your child to go through his stages of life with a healthy regard for himself and for society. It encourages your childs autonomy and capacity to do more with is his lifetime. Who can ask for more?

Copyright 2006 by Linda Milo and Empowering Parents Now. All rights reserved.

// posted by voip40591 @ 11:25 PM 0 comments

What is anemia? It is a serious condition caused by red blood cell loss. Lack of iron in the diet is usually the culprit. However with animals, anemia is usually caused by parasitic worms or fleas that feed on blood and tissues. On occasion, it can also be caused by a toxicity from exposure to certain drugs.

Find The Cause First

Is it possible that your dog has anemia? Symptoms to watch for are pale or white gums, signs of weakness and a fast pulse.

The first step in reversing this condition is to remove the cause. If your dog has fleas or intestinal parasites, start on a program to rid your pet of these pests as soon as possible.

Is your dog on any medications? Just like people, certain drugs can cause side-effects, such as anemia. If you suspect that this may be the cause of your dog's anemia, you will need to consult your veterinarian about switching your pet to a new medication.

Treatment For Canine Anemia

The good news is that anemia is a condition that can easily be treated by providing your dog with a diet rich in iron, protein and vitamin B12. Here are some especially iron-rich foods and supplements that should boost the growth of his red blood cells:

1. Beef liver is rich in iron, protein, B complex, and B12. It's one of the best ways of supplementing your pet's diet with iron.

2. Kelp powder is another good choice to add to your dog's food, as it contains iodine and other trace minerals.

3. Dark green vegetables contain a good source of iron as well. Just be careful about feeding too much gassy vegetables such as broccoli.

4. Vitamin B12 along with nutritional yeast can offer many of the same benefits as liver, although a natural food source is always a better pick. However, if you just can't stand the thought of cutting up liver chunks for your pet, this is a good alternative.

5. Providing Vitamin C (between 500 mgs to 2000 mgs per day, depending on your dog's size) along with 200 mg to 400 mg of Vitamin E helps with the absorption of iron within the intestinal tract. This combination is also a very good antioxidant. Give one Vitamin E a day, but divide up the dosage of Vitamin C to 3 times a day. Vitamin C is water soluble which means that it is quickly absorbed by the body. It needs to be replenished throughout the day to be most effective.

Be sure to check with your veterinarian if you believe your pooch has the signs of anemia. Get proper blood tests done to rule out any other possible problems or causes as well. Following the above dietary recommendations should help get your dog back to replenishing and increasing his or her red blood cells once more.

// posted by voip40591 @ 11:11 PM 0 comments

Tea has been consumed in China for centuries, but other cultures are rich in history of this popular beverage as well. Two of those countries, Russia and England have developed decidedly different traditions over the years.

It is said that drinking tea began in China where over 5000 years ago, leaves from the plant accidentally fell into water being boiled for drinking. Needless to say, it was found to be very refreshing and it's use became widespread. Tea was introduced to Europe through the Portuguese in the early 1500s and it didnt take long for this beverage to become popular in many countries and traditions for English tea parties and Russian tea were formed.

This drink became so popular in both countries the each developed certain traditions as well as pots, vessels and cups to drink it from. Although the introduction of tea is centuries old, the popularity of it and the traditions associated with it remain in these cultures to this day.

In the early 1600s, tea made its way to Russia. Of course, it was only the wealthy that could afford tea at first but by the end of the 1700's the price was dropping and it's popularity was spreading throughout the country.

In Russia, tea is never taken with meals. Traditionally it is taken after the meal or as a mid afternoon snack. For centuries, Russians have used a device called a Samovar to make tea. The samovar is usually put in the center of the table after dinner and everyone gathers round and takes tea which they can dilute or sweeten as they like. Russians traditionally sip tea in glasses set in silver holders and favor their tea as strong and highly sweetened some recipes even call for tang or lemonade added to tea!

Tea was introducted to England in the mid 1600's and it's popularity spread so quickly that it was soon as popular a drink as ale! In the late 1700s to well known tradition of afternoon tea was started by the Duchess of Bedford.

Prior to that, the English enjoyed only 2 meals a breakfast and a dinner. The dinner was served at the end of the day and by mid afternoon you can imagine how hungry and energy depleted many felt. So, the tradition of afternoon tea was begun where tea would be served along with little cakes and sandwiches. Of course, this proved to be immensely popular and still is today!

One of the great benefits of the afternoon tea was that it necessitated fancy pieces to for service and drinking. The main pot that heated the water was usually made of silver (still a very popular item today) and this was kept over a flame so that it would be hot at all times. In addition, small porcelain tea pots were used to pour at the table and they were refreshed with the hot water from the silver pot when needed. Of course the tradition included fancy porcelain tea cups to drink from as well. These pieces are still made and used today, and the antiques are highly collectible.

// posted by voip40591 @ 7:00 PM 0 comments

How do you measure success? Is it by financial security, career growth, community involvement, quality of relationships, spiritual centeredness or the legacy you leave? Whichever measure you choose, your attitude is the single most important factor in achieving success.

The topic of attitude can be conceptual and confusing. In fact, as we go through life we often hear phrases like: keep your chin up, look on the bright side or you need a winning attitude. Unfortunately, we seldom know how to convert these soft sayings into hard results.

This book translates the incomprehensible into the actionable. It is intended to provide you with inspiration and application so you can orchestrate your attitude.. and your success.

The great news is that even in the worst situations a victim of a natural disaster, prisoner of war, target of abuse or when hit by a string of unfortunate circumstances - your attitude is something you can always control!

When we control our attitude we influence how our body responds and performs. Where our thoughts and attitudes go, our bodies follow. For example, blushing is a physical reaction to a mere thought. If we have this kind of reaction to a thought, is it such a leap of faith to believe that we can orchestrate our attitudes to affect our bodies in beneficial ways?

In fact, a positive attitude can buffer us against some adverse health effects and depression. Researchers who studied 839 patients over a 30-year period found a link between optimism and lower risk of early death. Specifically, optimism early in life predicts good health later in life.

Additionally, a landmark study shed light on the ultimate benefit of a positive attitude. In this particular study, participants who were more positive lived an average of 10 years longer than the other participants. Considering that smoking has been shown to reduce life expectancy by 5.5 years for men and 7 years for women, your attitude might be a health risk factor worth paying real attention to.

The choice of attitude is yours. Tomorrow you will become what you choose today.

Attitude: Concept or Concrete?

Have you ever thought about what makes you say things like: that guy has a great attitude, or boy, her attitude is really killing the team? How do you know if someones attitude is great or crummy? When most of us hear the word attitude we think of a fuzzy concept that somehow makes us happy, sad, content or frustrated.

It is difficult to measure and manage a concept. However, its easier to manage and measure behavior. Thats why I will use a broad definition of attitude: a relatively stable and enduring way to behave. This definition and the following explanation are designed to help you get your mind around the concept of attitude. If we can translate a concept like attitude into concrete behaviors, then we can more easily manage and measure - orchestrate - our attitudes.

How Do Attitudes Develop?

Our attitudes develop from repeatedly thinking, speaking and acting the same way, over and over, until it becomes a stable and enduring way we behave a habit. Although we can hear and see our attitudes in the words and actions we choose, attitudes start developing with our thoughts.

Our minds are our ultimate personal computers! What we program into them determines how they will function. The most powerful computer ever made, programmed with the wrong software or with bad data, will never function to its capacity. For instance, just as we have viruses (bad data) in todays cyber world that cause computer malfunctions, our mental computers are also susceptible to the data we put into them. If we choose to load them with bad data, it will limit how effective or successful we will be.

Our attitude is our personal boomerang to the world whatever we throw out will come back to us. Express enthusiasm and it comes back. Offer a smile and it is returned. Start to gossip and thats what we will hear. Get frustrated about a team member and thats what we will see. Help a colleague and we will find a helping hand. This boomerang effect holds true for our thoughts about money, relationships, self-worth, a performance goal, team building, a problem colleague or customer, a new project or career.

So, once we develop a habit of choosing a positive or negative attitude, that is exactly what we will send to and receive from the world.

Choice: Reaction or Response?

The power of choice is one of the greatest gifts we are given. In fact, it is so important that the privilege of choice is removed from prison inmates as a form of punishment. Although we make many choices every hour of the day, we rarely make neutral choices. Each choice has a positive or negative consequence for us at some level.

Our attitude toward life is the most important choice we make! Lets look at why such a simple choice embracing a positive or negative attitude is more challenging than it appears for many people. The bottom line is that we often forget that we have the power to choose. We relinquish it subconsciously, because we make thousands of decisions daily - about 95% of them are subconscious.

Just think of the last time you were in deep thought about your plans for the evening while driving home from work. As you pull into your driveway you wonder to yourself, How did I get home? The car seemed to practically drive itself home. Driving is a relatively complex task, requiring many choices along the way turn right, turn left, slow down, stop and change lanes. Still, driving home can be successfully performed almost subconsciously. So, consider the multitude of much smaller choices we make each day that we dont really think about: waking up, brushing our teeth, saying good morning to a colleague, eating our lunch, performing a repetitive job duty and so on. Subconscious actions are useful most of the time, but we must also consciously choose our attitude in order to control our results.

Our ability to choose is a gift, but it is also a huge responsibility. No matter what todays its not my fault culture encourages, we are all ultimately responsible for our own choices. In fact, I like to write the word responsibility as response ability. As humans, we have the unique ability to respond. It is a choice we make, although many times an instantaneous or subconscious choice.

Heres a scenario repeated daily. Family dinners are important at the Smith house. Jim and Jane Smith and their two children (Jonnie, age 3 and Janie, age 4) have just seated themselves at the table. Before the first bite of dinner is enjoyed, Jonnie spills his milk and it goes everywhere.

A reaction to this event: Not again, Jonnie! Every time we eat, this happens. Think, son, think! Do you want to eat in your room from now on?

A response to this event: Uh Oh, Jonnie. Lets get a sponge and clean this up so you can eat your dinner.

When you react, you make a purely emotional and subconscious decision. Often, because of how your experiences and prior choices have programmed your subconscious mind, your reactions do not help you achieve the best results.

On the other hand, when you respond to a situation, you make a constructive and conscious decision. That's why there are Emergency Response Teams not Emergency Reaction Teams:

- When you simply react, your emotional instinct is in control, with little thought of the long-range consequences.

- When you respond, your brain is fully engaged and your self-awareness is high. You have the long-term consequences in mind.

We all experience plenty of negative situations and people. The key is to be prepared to consciously respond to these negative inputs. Choosing to respond instead of react helps us to positively orchestrate our attitudes.and our lives.

A Script for Orchestrating Attitude

There are three aspects of the script that work in concert: thoughts, words and actions. By orchestrating each aspect with conscious responses, we positively influence our beliefs, commitments and results.

Orchestrate your THOUGHTS to nfluence BELIEFS.....

Orchestrate your WORDS to influence your COMMITMENTS

Orchestrate your ACTIONS to influence your RESULTS

The script plays out like this:

- Thoughts, the way we choose to interpret our world, directly influence our beliefs.

- Beliefs directly influence the words we choose to peak to others, and more importantly, to ourselves.

- Words reflect our commitments to ourselves and others.

- Commitments influence our choice of actions.

- Finally, our actions directly influence the results we achieve.

This script is self-reinforcing, for better or for worse. The results we achieve reinforce our thoughts and the same script is played out again. So, it all starts with our thoughts. Our thoughts today influence our results tomorrow.

The left side of the script is the side of choice. Each of us chooses our thoughts, words and actions either consciously or subconsciously. Therefore, we influence the right side of the script the side of responsibility. We must take responsibility for our beliefs, commitments and results. We are each responsible for the choices we make and the results we ultimately achieve. The ultimate choice is ours - victim or victor?

To illustrate how this script plays out, lets say I am given a new project to lead. I am confident that the prospects for this project are positive. Therefore, I start thinking about how to ensure its success and how I can measure the benefits of the project deliverables. I also think about my talented project team, knowing they will need to go above and beyond to achieve success on this project. My kick-off e-mail contains words like excited, opportunity, talented team, creative solutions and positive impact. My team members speak and react in kind, boomeranging my winning attitude back to me. Meetings are crisp, roles are clearly defined and decisions are made collaboratively, yet quickly.

The expected challenges, even the seemingly big ones, are handled professionally and swiftly because the team knows that failure is not an option, and there are many pathways to success. My thoughts and words have already predisposed the team to acting in alignment with my expectation of success. And our eventual success predisposes me to the same thoughts, words and actions on the next project. This is when the powerful, self-reinforcing script will be played again.

Orchestrating attitude creates a beautiful human symphony. The result is a person of integrity who gets the best from himself and others!

// posted by voip40591 @ 2:50 PM 0 comments

Step One - Plan:

Most people spend more time planning a one to two week vacation than they do planning their lifetime career. When planning for a vacation, you look at where you want to go, what your reason is for wanting to go to that particular place, how long it will take to get there, whether or not you want to take any side trips, what type of budget you will need, and what type of clothes you will need to take. You may also speak with people who have been there to find out a little more about the destination and activities or do some research on the internet or at the library or a travel agency.

It is important to do the same type of planning for a career. You need to take a look at where you want to go and how you are going to get there. You will need to look at: whether or not you need post-secondary education or some type of training. How long will it take you to get the skills you need? What is the best way to get these skills? What kind of money do you require for the life style you want? Think about whether or not you know anyone who is currently working in this field or if you know anyone who knows anyone working in this field. Where else can you go to find out more information?

If you are still in school, speak to a guidance counsellor and ask for information. You can also do informational interviews with people working in the field you are interested in. Another option is speaking with a career counsellor or doing some career tests.

If you are out of school, contact an employment agency to speak with a counsellor or do some personal research at the library as well as networking and making good use of your contacts.

Step Two - Prepare:

Preparing for your job search involves doing a thorough personal inventory to determine your transferable and adaptive skills. Learning more about your skills prepares you so that you will be able to tell an employer the skills you have that match the job that you would like to have. This takes time. It may involve completing a questionnaire or sitting and writing down all the things you have done over the years. This is not simply listing your job description, as most people do more than what is listed on the job description, it also involves activities that you do at home.

Most of us take our skills for granted. We are so used to doing certain tasks that we do not recognize that not everyone can do what we are doing. We also do not always recognize the skills we are using in our daily activities problem solving, decision making, driving, fixing appliances, preparing food, personal counseling. People may express amazement or be impressed by something that we take for granted. Listen to what they are saying. This is a strong skill for you and may be developed into a career goal.

Once you have reviewed your skills, you can work on developing a 30-second summary of these skills, also known as an elevator speech, which can be used during a telephone contact, in your cover letter, in an interview, or when talking to friends about your job search.

Preparing also means doing research on companies you might like to work for. This research may be done at the library, through personal contact, informational interviews, reading newspaper articles, or an informal visit or tour.

The development of a targeted resume is another crucial step. A targeted resume is one which highlights specific skills to demonstrate your suitability to an employer. It provides details of your work experiences which match the skills they might require. A cover letter should also be prepared for a targeted employer.

Another part of preparation is reviewing potential interview questions and determining the type of information you want to provide or you may be expected to provide to an employer. Following this, you need to practice speaking about yourself in order to be comfortable in presenting yourself to an employer.

People often think about getting a resume prepared, and maybe a cover letter in response to a job ad, but then they forget about preparing for the interview. Although a good resume and cover letter can get you in the door, the interview is what gets you the job.

Step Three - Practice:

Practice!! How many people would step on the ice in an NHL game without having practiced? How many people would step on stage to sing or act without several rehearsals? How many Olympic athletes would compete without any preparation? Very few, if any - and yet, when we fail to practice our interview techniques, it is comparable to doing one of the above.

Practicing can take place with a friend, family member or a counsellor. There are many books available that provide sample questions and sample answers. Feedback on your interview skills may involve peers, general comments, and/or videotape. Here are some sample questions for you to use:

Tell me about yourself.
What do you look for in a job?
How long would it take for you to make a meaningful contribution?
Why are you looking for a new career?
How would your boss describe you?
How would your colleagues describe you?
What were the five most significant accomplishments in your last position?
What are your strong points?
What are your weak points?

A videotape is an excellent way for you to see yourself as an employer would see you. You can dress as you would for an interview and have someone you know act as the interviewer. You will then be able to notice how you handle yourself, how you sit, and how you respond to questions. For instance, did you give enough information or too much information. You can also note if you have any habits you are unaware of. This will help you become comfortable in presenting your skills to an employer.

When you think of the years of training it takes a hockey player to reach the skill level of an NHL player, or the years a ballerina spends in practicing before she performs at the NAC, a few hours of practicing your interview/presentation techniques isnt asking too much.

Step Four - Perform:

Think of your interview as a performance. You must prepare for it (research the employer, practice interview questions), dress appropriately (dress for the job you are applying for), and have the proper equipment (copy of resume, references, portfolio, and pen) to show that you are ready to do the job.

The first two to three minutes of your interview are the most important. An employer usually makes a decision based on your appearance and your opening presentation. It is important that you make the most of these precious minutes.

A smile is a big part of your wardrobe. If smiling doesnt come naturally to you, practice in front of a mirror until it feels comfortable. Ensure that your body language doesnt send the wrong message. Dont cross your arms across your chest, or keep checking the clock. Check your appearance, both standing and seated, in a mirror. It is important to try to relax, but do not slouch in your chair. Dont chew gum during your interview, and if you are a smoker, try to have your last cigarette at least 10 minutes before your interview and freshen your breath with a breath mint.

Another important point is to never say anything negative about your previous employer. It may make the employer wonder what you would say about them, and you never know who is related to whom.

Make sure that you have some questions to ask the employer. Not how much money will I make and how long do I get for vacation?, but questions that show you have researched the employer and have some knowledge of their company. Make a list of potential questions to ask. If the interviewer has been very thorough and you cant think of any questions, at least find out when they will be making a decision and ask if it is ok to follow up.

Here are some sample questions you can ask.

Why is this position open?
What are some of the more difficult problems one would have to face in this position?
What significant changes do you forsee in the near future?
What are some of the objectives you would like to see accomplished in this job?
What are some of the long-term objectives you would like to see completed?
How is one evaluated in this position?
What accounts for success within the company?

Step Five - Post-Mortem:

Once your interview is over, review it in your mind. Was there anything you should have said that you didnt, or anything that you said that you shouldnt have? Make a mental note, or write down how you felt about the interview. By reviewing your interview, you can prepare for the next one.

Once you get home, its time to prepare a thank you letter. In this letter you thank the interviewer(s) for their time and the opportunity to find out more about the company. Express appreciation for the way they handled the interview, the information provided, etc., as well as expressing your desire to work for the company. If there was anything you forgot to tell them about your skills during the interview, or any information you said you would provide them with, now is your opportunity to do so.

Dont forget to follow up one to two weeks after your interview to indicate that you are still interested in being considered for the position and to check on whether or not a decision has been made. If they have hired, and you are not the successful candidate, ask permission to call back in case there are any other openings in the future and let them know that you would like to be considered.

Remember that you usually have to go through about 200 "no's" before you get to a "yes". Try to keep positive about your job search by sticking with a routine and talking with as many people as possible about looking for work. Let everyone know that you are currently unemployed and tell them the type of work you are looking for. Attend workshops on Job Search or consider joining a Job Finding Club for extra support during your job search.

// posted by voip40591 @ 3:35 AM 0 comments

An example of creative real estate investment? When I was young, I had a job that paid $3.40 an hour, and I somehow saved enough to buy my first piece of real estate - 2 acres near where I lived. It cost $3,500.

I spent a few hours removing brush, outlined a driveway with logs, and hand painted a sign. Two weeks after I bought it I sold the land for $4,750, with $250 down, $100 per month, at 11% interest. With the capital gain, my annual return on investment was over 20%. This was my first real estate investment.

Creative Real Estate Investment - The Key

I bought the land cheap, because the seller needed fast cash. I solved his problem. I sold the land higher than the market value because the buyer needed easy terms. Second problem solved. Solving problems is the key to creative real estate investment.

Cell phone companies, radio stations, police departments and others need hill tops for their towers. The problem is that they can't tie up their capital buying them. One creative investor found a way to solve their problem.

He got six month options on hill top properties for a few hundred dollars. Then, when he found those who needed them, he would get a long term lease signed. They built the tower themselves, of course. With a lease in hand, it was easy to get financing to exercise the option and buy the properties. He invested a few hundred dollars to create years of income.

Trees are needed by lumber mills. A friend of mine solved this problem by letting a company cut half the trees on his small property. They paid $4,500, and I couldn't see the difference when they were done. The property was worth as much the day after the cut as the day before. My friend lived there, but a creative investor could buy property like his, sell half the trees, maybe clay or gravel too, and then re-sell the land.

To solve problems, you have to figure out what they are. Do people need easy terms? Cleared lots? Lumber? Better access to a piece of property? Smaller pieces of land? Condos instead of apartments? The list could go on. Just remember that solving problems is the key to creative real estate investment.

// posted by voip40591 @ 3:26 AM 0 comments