Posts Tagged ‘job opportunities’
“Opportunity is missed by most people
because it is dressed in overalls
and looks like hard work.”
~ Thomas Alva Edison
Thomas Alva Edison put it so elegantly that we overlook many opportunities because we have to be the action force behind every opportunity.
Sometimes it is okay to let the Universe provide instead of constantly running after our dreams.
Let me tell you a little story… Sandy (name changed) was running a non-profit organization, constantly networking and applying for grants. She believed you had to push yourself to the limit before receiving any compensation for your hard work. So every day she was working 10 to 12 hour days and did not have any type of personal life.
Sandy’s outlook on life was dismal because she was working all the time and not enjoying the other aspects of her life. One day she complained to her sister that she had to work all the time and would never have time to relax and enjoy herself again.
Her sister understood exactly what she was saying and suggested she start working with a coach. Feeling overwhelmed she called me.
We started working together and explored her beliefs. Sandy strongly felt that hard work was her mission in life.
We started looking at other options. Eventually, Sandy became aware of opportunities that were just presenting themselves. She had a very creative and dedicated staff and gave them the freedom to succeed.
Sandy at first was shocked that she did not have to be the driving force behind the non-profit. Gradually, she gave herself permission to start looking at ways to enjoy her life. Today she is just a member of the team and enjoys the other aspects of her life.
Giving up control and letting other opportunities present themselves is freeing.
What aspect of your life is holding you back?
Below is an exercise that will enable you to create more freedom in your life.
- Take out your journal and write about the aspect of your life you would like to change. Example: I have to work 10 to 12 hours a day in order for my business to be successful.
- Reread what you have written.
- Start punching holes through your ideas by continually asking yourself, “What is the truth?” Example: Idea – my employees might make mistakes and everything will fall apart.
What is the truth? Others are just as creative and sometimes have better ideas than I do.
- Pick one idea you would like to change. Example: I have to stay in the office until 7:00pm in case anyone calls.
- Chose an action step to change your idea. Example: Survey for a week how many calls are received after 5:00pm. Then decided if you have to change the receptionist hours or just let the voicemail take messages.
- Continue taking action steps to change your thinking.
Remember…Once we become aware of what is happening, decide to take a risk and then action steps, everything slowly changes. Enjoy the journey!
Please partner with the Love Yourself – It Matters! Community by sharing your ideas and challenges. Together we will make a difference in our businesses and lives.
I would like to introduce you to my new social media partner Joanna Carides, Brand New Day Media, LLC.
Below is an article written by Joanna.
Become More Social in 2010!
You may be thinking, “What is she talking about? I have enough on my plate and really can’t add anything else.” You’ve got a lot going on. Everyone does these days.
Still, you can make your customer/client relationships that much stronger by using social media in a smart, efficient way.
Here are a few tips to help you out:
- For 20 minutes, before you start your workday
- Draft an email to 1 or 2 contacts you’d like to (re)connect with via your facebook fan page. Be sure to include your facebook fan page URL. Tell them why you want them to join you on facebook (info, tips, strategy, events). Save the email drafts.
- Review your Twitter followers and decide whom you want to follow back. Remember, you don’t have to follow everyone that follows you.
- Post a morning Tweet. Greet your followers with a positive quote or share what inspires you today.
- For 15 minutes, at the end of your workday
- Review, tweak, and send out those 1 or 2 emails (see above) inviting key contacts to join you on facebook. Note: personalize each email to the individual recipient.
- Post a closing Tweet. Share with your followers something special that happened today. Or pose a question to your group. The number of people who respond by the next morning will surprise you. This is a great way to organize your Twitter topics and keep people on point.
By the way, another benefit of using my tips is gaining free time for you to actually get out and meet some of the terrific people with whom you’ve been electronically communicating. Now, wouldn’t that be nice for a change?
Social Media Basic Training – How to use Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter for your Coaching Business
You can learn more about how to efficiently use social media for your business by registering for Social Media Basic Training – How to use Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter for your Coaching Business. This is a social media webinar series for professional coaches, coming in March, April and May 2010. I’m honored and thrilled to be partnering with Helen Burton to bring you this educational, hands-on workshop. More details to follow shortly. Stay tuned.
We haven’t failed.
We now know a thousand things
that won’t work,
so we’re that much closer
to finding what will.
~ Thomas Edison
Running your business sometimes feels like you are always climbing a mountain and never reaching the top. Then all of a sudden you are taking the right steps and getting closer to the peak of the mountain.
Like Thomas Edison said, we are not failing when are new advertising program is not working we are discovering what techniques to change.
I decided my new niche would be working with the Unemployed to find work. Created a website, ordered business cards and started advertising this new service. As time went on I realized that the unemployed were afraid to spend money and hire Love Yourself Coaching. My saving grace was that the clients I did work with each one of them found a job.
At first I kept trying with very little success to find new clients. It finally hit me that I needed to change my focus. Reading Thomas Edison’s quote, realized I did not fail and was closer to finding what will work.
Please share your experiences as a business owner so we can all work together in finding what will work instead of just climbing that mountain with little success.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Helen
“Positive Thinking Is…
…not always the easiest course of action
when confronting difficulties.
If, however, we can remain focused
on keeping hope strong and
not succumbing to negative influences,
we will meet with success
in dealing with anything
life may throw in our path.”
~ Hiram Rogers Lloyd
Truer words have not been spoken, staying positive is not the easiest thing to do. The feelings of fear and sadness overwhelm us in a flash.
What are we to do?
My old stand-by is to let them come and know the feelings are temporary moments. You will make it through and the feelings will fade.
The other day I was writing an article and all of a sudden the pain of loss returned in such intensity that I could not breathe. My initial reaction was to do something that would make me feel better.
I ran out to my car and went to the local Duncan Donuts for coffee. To my surprise the pain remained. Coming home the tears started flowing and I was once again consumed by my sadness and fears.
I then tried affirmations and wrapped myself in a blanket. Nothing worked. Just sitting there with my coffee and not moving the pain started to lessen. Within time I was starting to feel better.
What I learned from this experience was not to fight my emotions, be with them and within time my mood brightened. I was then able to function again and complete the article.
Nothing in this world will take our feelings of fear and sadness away. Our only line of defense is to experience the moment and have hope things will get better.
Please share with the Unemployed Community what fears and sadness you are experiencing. Letting others know your true feelings will take the pain away and together we will create a positive journey for us all.
I am looking forward to hearing from you.
Helen
“Expect to have hope rekindled.
Expect your prayers to be answered in
wondrous ways.
The dry seasons in life do not last.
The spring rains will come again.”
~ Sarah Ban Breathnach
Tomorrow in the United States we will be celebrating Thanksgiving. It is a day for family, friends, lots and lots of food and a time to be grateful.
I am sure you are thinking, “Get real Helen, what do I have to be grateful for I am unemployed and will probably never find a job again.”
I am not going to debate you, it is a very hard time in your life right now. The one thing you do have is hope. It is up to you to believe things will be different.
As Sarah Ban Breathnach quotes, “The dry seasons in life do not last. The spring rains will come again.”
So pick yourself up and let’s turn your thinking around. It is just as easy to focus on what really happened instead of blaming yourself.
You might ask how can I change my thinking in an instant? Take the following small steps:
- Negative thought pops up, “I cannot face my family tomorrow.” Say out loud what really happened. Example: It was not my fault the company closed.”
- Take a few sheets of paper and keep writing what really happened until you start believing it.
We sometimes become drama queens and kings and find ourselves falling down a deep hole. It is our responsibility to change things around as quickly as possible.
One thing that scares others is to see us stay in that dark hole. When we are positive it gives us strength and others hope that things will change.
Go out there and be either Superman or Superwoman and make your life and others brighter.
If you are going to a Thanksgiving Dinner with family and friends remember you are the same person you have always been.
One trick I have learned from a client is when someone asks you about your job situation, always smile and say, “Thanks for asking I have a lot of possibilities,” and then ask them a question about themselves.
People love to talk about themselves.
Enjoy your life and expect your prayers to be answered in wondrous ways.
Wishing everyone a Thanksgiving Day that is sprinkled with happiness, love and abundance!
Please share with the Love Yourself – It Matters Community what you are grateful for and your experiences during Thanksgiving. I look forward to hearing from you.
Helen
“Faith is much better than belief.
Belief is when someone else
does the thinking.”
~ R. Buckmender
YEAH!!! We are in control and do not have to depend solely on anyone else while journeying along this unemployed path.
My interpretation of R. Buckmender’s quote is that we have the ability to make our own choices instead of waiting for someone else to tell us what to do.
This does not mean we should not seek support, learn from other’s experiences or be open to possibilities. What it does mean we should do our own thinking, research, and take action steps.
In the long run the task of finding another job is in our own hands.
Let me tell you a little story.
Jane’s last job was an office manager for a large non-profit organization. She worked there for over 15 years and always felt this was her last job before retiring.
Surprise, surprise things did not go as planned. The non-profit was losing funding for awhile and one day a decision was made to reorganize. Unfortunately, Jane’s division was effected and she was one of the 20 people laid-off.
At first she was in denial and could not believe what was happening. Then reality set in, she was off and running to find a new job.
Jane contacted many people, they told her they would look around and see what was happening. She truly believed that someone would find another job for her. Jane waited patiently for someone to call her back with a job interview. As time past nothing happened.
Instead of doing her research, taking action steps Jane was hoping others would do the work for her. Unfortunately, in most cases finding a job does not work out this way. You have to be proactive even though you have the belief someone will help you find a job.
One of the key ingredients for finding a job is have faith you will be employed again and at the same time keep working diligently even though you have a possibility. As we have all learned things fall through and why put your eggs in one basket.
Remember…we all will be working again it is only a matter of time.
Are you playing our game?
Monday is Smile Day
- Walk out your front door and go to the nearest coffee shop.
- Walking into the coffee shop put a smile on your face. You don’t have to mean it just use those smile muscles. It is a scientific fact when you use your smile muscles your body has no clue whether you are smiling.
- Make eye contact with the first person you see with that smile on your face.
- Continue playing this game.
Eventually your smile will become natural, people will start talking to each other and YOU will feel better.
A smile costs you nothing and lightens up the world.
Looking forward to hearing about your experiences regarding belief vs. faith while on your unemployed journey.
Enjoy your day and smile often. Love to hear what attitude shifts are happening while playing our little game.
Helen
“Lots of people
want to ride with you
in the limo,
but what you want
is someone who will take the bus
with you
when the limo breaks down.”
~ Oprah Wifrey
Does this situation sound familiar, when you lost your job everyone was your friend for awhile and as time went on they slowly disappeared? Your true friends stayed along for the ride.
I had one friend who always said, “If you could count your friends on one hand you were very lucky.” We have remained friends for years.
Think back about your different friendships and what beautiful gifts you received.
We travel through many different phases in our lives. As a child you had many school and neighborhood friends and as your life changed new relationships were formed. Take a moment and think about the friends who supported you and you encouraged through the years. These are your true friends.
Reach out to an old friend you have not had contact with during the past three months.
It will give you the opportunity to relive old times and support each other.
One of my close friends I met when we were both pregnant with our daughters. Whenever we reach out to each other it seems like I spoke to her the day before. We reminisce about the days when we were young mothers and the different happenings in our lives.
It is a great feeling to know that someone really knows you and it will be okay to share whatever is happening in your life and they will understand.
Let’s made Saturday, Friendship Day.
Rules for our little game:
- Monday is Smile Day. Go to a local coffee shop, smile and have eye contact with the different people you meet.
- Tuesday is Dancing Day. Blast your music, dance around the house and have fun.
- Wednesday is Miracle Awareness Day. Look for miracles, write them down as they are happening and say them out loud.
- Thursday is Feeling Like a Winner Day. Constantly remind yourself during the day, you are a winner and repeat the affirmation, “I am a winner and the same person I have always been.”
- Friday is Acknowledging your Strengths Day. Put a smile on your face, call yourself on the phone and list your strengths. Also, leave a comment on the Love Yourself – It Matters Blog telling us all about your different strengths.
- Saturday is Friendship Day. Reach out to an old friend you have not had contact with during the past three months.
Continue playing the game and let the Love Yourself – It Matters Community know about your different experiences.
I am looking forward to hearing from you.
Helen
“Thinking as a
One-Hundred-Percent-of the-Time
Winner”
~ Dr. Wayne W. Dyer
Thinking like a winner
means not always
having to defeat someone else.
It means being able
to grow from a situation in which
you fail to reach your goal.
It involves not demanding
perfection from yourself
in every single thing you do, but,
instead, thinking of yourself as perfect
and thus capable of growing.
It means reminding yourself that
perfection doesn’t mean
staying the same;
it means being able to allow yourself to grow.
Thinking as a winner means
not coming down on yourself;
it means refusing to allow
self-repudiating thoughts into your head.
It involves pushing out the inclination
to evaluate yourself in comparison with others,
and giving yourself permission
to be the unique person you are.”
Today is a new day and let’s practice being a winner while on the unemployed journey.
Remember…you are a winner just the way you are with all your knocks and bruises.
Life takes us on different paths. Some times we are happy, other times we are sad and other times we feel frustrated. You are the same person you have always been even though your feelings are changing constantly.
It is our job to constantly remind ourselves we are winners. As Dr. Wayne Dyer says, “We have to feel good about ourselves, learn from our situations and give yourself permission to be the unique person you are.
One small step you can take when you are feeling sad or frustrated about your situation STOP and take a deep breath. Then say out loud, “I am the same person I have always been and am a winner.”
Even though thinking the words are false by repeating them often in time you will start believing they are true.
Let’s make Thursday, Feeling Like a Winner Day.
Remember…Monday was Smile Day. What experiences did you have while smiling and having eye contact with different people you met?
Tuesday was Dance Day. Your job was to spend time dancing today and having fun.
Wednesday is a day for Miracle Awareness. During the day look for miracles, write them down and repeat them out loud.
Thursday is Feeling Like a Winner Day. Constantly remind yourself during the day, you are a winner and repeat the affirmation, “I am the same person I have always been and am a winner.”
Let’s make a promise to each other we will take time each day to enjoy our day playing our little game. Smiling on Monday, dancing on Tuesday, looking for miracles on Wednesday and acting like a winner on Thursday.
I am looking forward to hearing from you about the new opportunities that are surfacing while playing the role of a winner.
Helen
“Remember, if you ever need a helping hand,
you’ll find one at the end of your arm…”
Audrey Hepburn
It is so easy to forget the most powerful person you have supporting you while on the unemployed journey is YOURSELF. We are constantly looking for others to help. Even though there are others who encourage us, when you come down to the basic truth we are the ones who daily reassure ourselves to continue on the path.
Reassuring yourself can be a difficult task when things are quiet and you have exhausted all your ideas. The important thing to remember while traveling on this journey you will have ups and downs. Some days will be very active with interviews, networking, contacting different leads, etc. and others will be slow.
When you are busy the energy is flowing and hope is running through your veins. On the slow days you have to work extra hard to keep your emotional well being in check.
During the quiet days you can look at them as a special gift instead of losing faith and starting to worry. I know it is hard to turn the feelings around.
Some easy steps you can take are below:
• List all the things that made you happy the last few days. Example: Taking the kids to the park, watching them laugh and have fun.
• Review your successes over the last few weeks. Example: Met two new members at the Networking Event last week and we are having coffee tomorrow.
• Take one small step today that you never tried. Example: Research one of the companies you would like to work for and call to schedule an informational interview. This type of interview is to speak with someone in the same field you are pursuing to see how they got started and if they can offer any advice. Remember people love to talk about themselves.
You are never alone you have yourself and others who love and care about you.
One of the simplest ways of receiving support is to leave a comment on the Love Yourself – It Matters Blog. We are all on this journey together.
I am looking forward to hearing from you.
Helen
“Achievement is largely
the product of steadily raising
one’s level of
aspiration and expectation.”
Jack Nicklaus (golfer)
How are you doing today?
As your Fairy God Mother, I give you permission to forget your troubles and enjoy the day. Tomorrow is another day and you can start looking for a job again.
Reading Jack Nicklaus’s quote made me think our achievement is simply not losing hope and belief that we will find another job.
I know some days can be harder than others. We have to dig deep into our reserves to pick ourselves up and put that smile on our face.
Once the smile appears and we start to feel lighter often times miracles start happening.
I would like to share a story with you.
Jenny was laid-off from the job she had for 15 years. At first there was no talking to her and as the days went by she fell deeper and deeper into that black hole of misery.
One Sunday morning she was listening to a preacher on television. He was talking about hope and belief in ourselves. Jenny listened and thought about how she had lost hope and belief in finding a job.
During the day, Jenny kept thinking how she could regain her hope and the belief there was another job. As miracles happen, Mary an unemployed friend, called and they both decided to work together.
They devised a very simple plan which included the following steps:
1. Exercise every morning. This gave them energy for the day ahead and to feel good about their bodies.
2. Plan two to three small action steps you would take that day and email them to each other. Example: Research companies you would like to work for, attend a networking event, etc. By planning two to three small steps does not seem overwhelming and makes life easier. Also, by emailing the plan to each other you became accountable.
3. Eat a healthy breakfast, lunch and take 10 minute rest periods during the day. Taking the time for yourself renews your energy.
4. Write down your daily accomplishments. Seeing what you have accomplished raises your self-esteem and makes you feel good.
3. Call each other at 5:00pm each day to discuss your wins and challenges. Acknowledge each other for their accomplishments and brainstorm solutions for challenges. Supporting each other will help you get through this period in your life.
Jenny and Mary supported each other through this difficult time and became great friends. Their support helped each other to stay hopeful and believe they would be working again.
Remember as Jack Nicklaus said, “Achievement is largely the product of steadily raising one’s level of aspiration and expectation.”
Now It Is Your Turn
Share with the Love Yourself – It Matters! Community what steps you have taken to restore your hope and faith and keep it flowing.
I am looking forward to hearing from you.
Helen
“What three things do you
want to accomplish this year?
Write them down and place them
on your refrigerator
for inspiration all year long.”
Anonymous
What three things do you want to accomplish this year? Find a job!!
Being unemployed the only thing on your mind is finding a job. Just hold on a second, there are other things in your life which are just as important. How about exercising, eating healthy, spending more time as a family unit, buying that special watch or learning how to draw.
When you were working did you do other things in your life, go to the movies, talk long walks with your partner, enter marathons, etc… Being unemployed you don’t stop living.
So what does a person have to do to restore their faith and think of things they want to accomplish?
As I always say, “Start by taking baby steps and make the process fun instead of a burden.
Some small steps you can take to start the process:
• Write a list of everything you always wanted to accomplish. Examples: take piano lessons, run a marathon, learn quilting, read books on a particular subject, etc…
• Choose one item. Example: take piano lessons.
• Plan what steps you have to take to accomplish your goal. Example: research the name of a good teacher.
• Start by taking one action step a day until you dream is accomplished.
The important thing to keep in mind is always breakdown every plan into little steps. That way you do not feel overwhelmed and with each step accomplished you feel motivated.
Now It Is Your Turn
After completing the exercise above, write down on a fresh piece of paper three goals you would like to accomplish this year. Now put them on the refrigerator door and look at them everyday. Let the Love Yourself – It Matters what is happening.
Remember…the Love Yourself – It Matters community is your support system. Just leave a comment and I will get back to you.
Keep In Touch,
Helen
“The world is but canvas
to our imagination.”
Henry David Thoreau
Keeping yourself on track while looking for a job is the secret for succeeding.
Most people like structure in their lives. While working we had structure, getting up at a certain time, rushing around and leaving at the same moment each day. We are creatures of habit.
Now times have changed. We can look at this period as a time of hardship or wonder and excitement.
Hold on I have not lost my mind!
I know sometimes it is hard to motivate yourself each day. Let’s try something new and just for a second think this could be an exciting time. It will bring a smile to your face and you will have a new perspective.
As Henry David Thoreau said, “The world is but canvas to our imagination” you have the chance to think and create whatever you want.
Here are some simple steps we can take to start thinking in this new positive way:
• Follow the same routine each day. Putting structure in our lives gives us a sense of security.
• Create a list of jobs that would light your fire. Thinking about these different possibilities creates an energy that is exciting.
• Take time each day to relax. Taking time for ourselves reminds us that we are important.
Now It Is Your Turn!
Try the little experiment above and let the Love Yourself – It Matters Community know what happens.
We are all in this together and the best part is you are not alone. Giving yourself the opportunity to receive support is the greatest gift you can give yourself.
Helen
“I think these difficult times have helped me
to understand better than before
how infinitely rich and beautiful life is
in every way, and that so many things
one goes around worrying about
are of no importance whatsoever.”
Isak Dinesen (Danish writer)
If you are an unemployed worker who has been laid-off, why would you think this is a beautiful time? I would like to reassure you, circumstances happen and we can still find happiness during our journey.
Helen what are you taking about…Find happiness Now? Everyday I wake up with the same realization, I don’t have a job and need one right away. There is no time for happiness in my life right now. When I get a job, I will be happy again.
Let’s take a step back and think about your twenty four (24) hours in a day. For argument sake, you spend about twenty (20) hours a day sleeping, eating, exercising, job searching and other responsibilities. There are approximately four (4) hours left for you to focus on other opportunities. Isn’t this a good time to bring a little happiness into your life.
What is happiness? “Resulting unexpectedly in something pleasant or welcome. A happy coincidence.”
Let’s explore different ideas that would make you happy.
• Your daughter running into the house yelling, “Mom, Tracy, my best friend, and I will be in the same classroom next year. Seeing joy in your daughter’s face brings you happiness.
• You are the 25th person to buy a cup of coffee that day and receive a free cup.You suddenly think, “This is nice, I am so lucky.”
• After exercising sitting down with a cold bottle of water. While sweating nothing tastes better than cold water.
The list can go on and on. Bringing joy into your day can change your prospective. It has been proven over and over again that positive thinking makes life easier and creates miracles at the same time.
So give it a try, put a smile on your face and yell, “ I am one step closer to finding that new job.” What do you have to lose? NOTHING!
Now it is your turn!
Share with the Love Yourself – It Matters Community what makes you happy. I am looking forward to hearing from you.
Helen
