Experiencing On-The-Job Nightmares? 5 Ways To Ditch It…

Hate your job? Feel sick just getting up in the morning to go (virtual or in-person)? We certainly understand. Many have been there. Just don’t jump ship yet. Here are 5 Strategies to do it right when you are at that crossroad and wondering what to do.

5 Strategies To Do It Right

  1. Don’t leave (yet)
  2. Start your search to see the job options available in the market place
    • Like your current career? Stay with it
    • Hate your current career? Plan an escape
    • Take into consideration your current skills, qualification and experience.
    • Upgrade skills if needed to suit your new role
  3. Update your Resume to match the job you’re looking for and review your social media profiles to make sure nothing unprofessional exist
  4. It’s time to begin your search to Ditch it for the ideal career you want
  5. Keep Motivated. Prepare yourself psychologically. The going can get rough especially while you are still in the same miserable job. So plan an escape while you wait. This can be:
    • Bathroom run (to breathe while on the job)
    • Mental escape to your happy place (vacation getaway, home reno, time with family, time alone, time with your favorite hobby)

Above all, be flexible. Sometimes you may need to take an interim role to get to where want to go. This may come with lower pay, entry level path or internship to get on your new career path. It’s the sacrifice you must take to get to where you want to go.

Good Luck and Happy hunting!

Need help? Lets connect.

Cheers!

Job Hunting? 7 Ways To Prepare For Your Next Career Move…

The greatest thing in this world is not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving.

Oliver Wendell Holmes

A colleague in the industry asked me to address concerns about the unemployment situation during the pandemic. So what do we recommend to people who are job hunting? To those who live from pay check to pay check and now feel frustrated because they have hit rock bottom? Here are 7 Ways:

1. Build Mental Capacity

Build your mental capacity. Be honest about your circumstances. Keep yourself motivated when the going gets rough.

2. Ditch that Miserable Job

Go for that change. Need a career change? The best time is now. Interested in starting a business? It the right time. Go ahead and do it.

3. Do your Market Research

Consider the job you like

Be flexible, take what you can get (for now). It might be lower pay and benefits. But build it as part of your strategy. Just don’t let it be a permanent thing like a lot of people do. Then later they look around and realize years have passed. What should have been temporary slowly became permanent in the rat race of time.

4. Clean up your Public Profile

Recruiters and Hiring managers will check you out. So lead them to what you want them to see. Clean up that LinkedIn, Facebook and any other social media profile that you are active on.

5. Prepare

Prepare your Resume. This should be tailored to the job you are looking for and not the job that you had before. Get professional help from a coach if needed or get tips from the book: Your Career: Ditch It. Creative careers in media and entertainment industry such as artists and content-creators need a professional website. Simple will do. Just get it done

Do contact your references. Ditch the surprize. Nothing worse than one of your referees receiving a phone call for someone they haven’t heard from in 5-10 years or more. I know because that’s what happens to me time and again. Then you are expected to provide a good reference. No surprizes guys.

6. Upgrade Skills

What skills will you need in your new career? Will you need to upgrade? If so, go do it. Take advantage of Free training that has become available during the Pandemic. This includes the government’s re-employment assistance. They offer Free training for many career options. All you need to do is register.

7.Avoid Toxic Friends

Align yourself with a network who is going in the direction that you would like to go. Avoid toxicity.

Apply these 7 tips and have fun while you do it.

Cheers!

5 Things To Give Up For The Love Of Success…

Dr. Shelly's avatarSuccess Strategies

Renowned author Arianna Huffington announced her top 13 Things To Give Up for success. From her list, I’ve selected my top 5. Here I share:

  1. Give up on playing it Small
  2. Give up on Excuses
  3. Give up on Perfectionism  
  4. Give up on saying YES to things that don’t support your goals
  5. Give up on Toxic People

So those are mine, what’s yours? My intention is to set up an Allergic reaction every time I deviate to keep me on track. Accountability partner, I know you’ve got my back.

Remember to be successful in life you must be willing to do more, think more, and go beyond the call of duty.

Cheers!

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The 25 Challenges Of Writing…

Writing is a joy. Being a first time publisher is exhilarating! But what’s difficult is some parts of the writing journey. In a Public forum authors were asked what was the hardest part of writing. Many eagerly chimed in with top issues such as marketing and editing. Here I share the top 25:

The Hardest Part Of Writing

  1. Marketing
  2. Building and attracting an audience
  3. A blank page
  4. Convincing people to read your book
  5. Being confident that you write for yourself first, then the secondary audience – the public
  6. Promoting
  7. Nothing really
  8. Editing because of perfectionist mentally
  9. Letting go…let the editing go to the editor
  10. Staying on track
  11. Not giving up
  12. Patience. Writing the book is the easy part
  13. Getting readers to write a review
  14. Staying on track
  15. Selling
  16. Being original
  17. Self Promotion
  18. Believing in yourself
  19. Starting
  20. Mindset challenges that keeps you stuck
  21. Prepping self for bad reviews
  22. Hoping people like your book
  23. Freedom from distraction and clean concentration
  24. Formatting is a pain if you try to do it yourself
  25. Time, space, peace and quiet

Lots said in the 25 points extracted from writers thoughts and opinions on writing. Each point we can dig deeper. But this gives an good grasp of the opportunities that exist in the book writing industry and for those who love their craft. Get an accountability partner. Collaborate with an experienced writer or coach who can help you ride the waves as you progress along the journey. Personally, I have helped many. But Whatever you do, just don’t give up.

Need help? Let’s connect.

Cheers!

St. Augustine Among Preferred Top 5 European Destinations You Can Find In The USA…

St. Augustine pops on the list that Travel and leisure shared their list of destinations for those longing to travel and must stay home. Road-trip getaways offer an alternative. World travelers only hope. Adrenaline pumping, I was Incredibly excited to dive into the the list of European destinations that can be enjoyed in the USA. Here are my topic 5 favs:

Getaway Vacays Instead Of:

Madrid Spain, St. Augustine, FL

Tuscany Italy, Napa California

The French Alps: Mount Hood Oregon

Nice Fance, Newport Rhode Island

Rome, New York City

Stwitzerland, New Glarus, Wisconsin

Take a close look at the list and start planning your getaway. If there are other US destinations that can be added to the list that makes you feel like you’re on a European vacay, do share, we would love to hear.

Cheers!

Can’t Get Your Child To Read? 13 Ways To Spark That Fire…

Books are knowledge. Books are reflection. Books change your mind,

-Toni Morrison

How do you get your child to read? Popular question 21st century parents ask. It can also be extended to adults. Booklovers find themselves lost in books facing curiosity for the reason many defy reading as avidly as a decade ago. Too many distractions most say. Parents have it the hardest especially during the era of virtual games. But as far back as my own family’s history, I can think of my uncle who was a school principal, I received books on birthdays and holidays. Didn’t like it at the time but appreciate it in the years that ensued.

So, parents there’s hope. Here are 13 ways booklovers shared to spark that fire.

  1. Don’t be a nag
  2. Read more yourself. Children live what they learn
  3. Limit screen time from early
  4. Read stories to them
  5. Make bookstore visit a habit
  6. Let them pick books of their choice
  7. Dramatize characters. Make them come alive
  8. Watch movies on books of real life events then let them decide which is better – book or movie
  9. Display books around the house – Easy access.
  10. Make reading a habit
  11. Read books with exciting stories, then visit museums for visual effect
  12. Share amazing stories and when they ask what’s next, let them read the book for themselves
  13. Lead by example

Any points missing that you would like to add? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

Cicely Tyson. Pioneer

I could not miss the launch of Pioneer and Award Winning Actress Cicely Tyson’s New Book titled “Just As I Am” tonight. Two hours later the news broke that she had passed.

She had marked the occasion with an inspiring discussion led by fellow award winning actress Whoopi Goldberg.

I enjoyed the soul-searching private virtual share between both …as Miss Tyson shared her mission which was to make a difference in how women, especially women of color, were portrayed on screen.

Cicely’s life mission depicts how to recognize when to Ditch a career and switch into one of purpose.

The book is definite Read.

Cheers!

HBR’s What Happens When Your Career Becomes Your Identity?

Is Your Career your identity?

What happens when your career becomes your identity? This Happens to so many of us? Here are 3 of the Questions HBR’s contributor Janna Koretz suggest asking yourself.

1. How do you think about your job outside the office?

2. How do you describe yourself? How much of this description is tied to your job, title, or company?

3.How would you feel if you could no longer continue in your profession?

Great questions. Read the article for the full analysis.

You may also listen to tips as I chat with Patricia Reid-Waugh or get a copy of my book ‘Your Career’ Ditch It? Switch it?’ Both provide a deeper dive into how you can ditch it and gain the identity that brings lasting satisfaction.

Cheers!

Dreams Come Through When Writers Write …

Such a delight to see the Dreams of winters come through especially when you played a part in it. Yes, thrilled I am! I met Miss Pat in 2016 in Washington DC after coordinating the recognition of her son as Honoree. I serve as member of the Honorary Host Committee for the Caribbean American Heritage Awards (CARAH). We hit it off immediately. She shared her dream to write her biography and over the years I encouraged, reviewed the development of the title, manuscript and chatted monthly during the book’s 3-4 year publishing journey.

It’s now a delight to hold the long awaited dream book titled ‘The Reggae Music Journey in hand. The book shares the journey of a 4ft tall Miss Pat who worked hard, persevered and brought Reggae Music to the streets of New York. Despite the difficulties of being a woman in business, she persevered. Now 40 years later, she shares the journey of hubby Vincent (deceased) and Pat. A journey that has made Reggae Music a Globally loved phenomenon.

In exchange for this great resource on the evolution of Reggae Music, she takes contributions to the Vincent and Pat Foundation in honor of the Alpha Boys Home. You will have no regrets. Ask singer Shaggy of the acclaimed song “it wasn’t me” and Marion Hall they will tell you the same.

So what are you waiting for? Go get it!

Cheers

Quiet Isn’t Always Peace…

Deep thought. Articulate she was as she shared her soul searching work to a global audience captivated by her eloquence during the historic inauguration As a writer and lover of words like she is, how could I resist the opportunity to share the work of a Quiet Storm, Amanda Gorman.

The Hill We Climb
by Amanda Gorman, USA Youth Poet Laureate

When day comes, we ask ourselves where can we find light in this never-ending shade?

The loss we carry, a sea we must wade.
We’ve braved the belly of the beast.
We’ve learned that quiet isn’t always peace, and the norms and notions of what “just” is isn’t always justice.

And yet, the dawn is ours before we knew it.
Somehow we do it.
Somehow we’ve weathered and witnessed a nation that isn’t broken,
but simply unfinished.

We, the successors of a country and a time where a skinny Black girl descended from slaves and raised by a single mother can dream of becoming president, only to find herself reciting for one.

‘This is our historic moment of crisis and challenge’: Joe Biden calls for unity in first speech as president – live

And yes, we are far from polished, far from pristine, but that doesn’t mean we are striving to form a union that is perfect.
We are striving to forge our union with purpose.

To compose a country committed to all cultures, colors, characters, and conditions of man.

And so we lift our gazes not to what stands between us, but what stands before us.

We close the divide because we know, to put our future first, we must first put our differences aside.

We lay down our arms so we can reach out our arms to one another.
We seek harm to none and harmony for all.
Let the globe, if nothing else, say this is true:
That even as we grieved, we grew.
That even as we hurt, we hoped.
That even as we tired, we tried.
That we’ll forever be tied together, victorious.
Not because we will never again know defeat, but because we will never again sow division.

Goals: Killing Me Softly…

Dr. Shelly's avatarSuccess Strategies

Goals…There’s no telling what you can do when you get inspired by them. There’s no telling what you can do when you believe in them. And there’s no telling what will happen when you act upon them. —Jim Rohn

Over the past few months we had lots of birthdays at the office. So we could all enjoy,  I bought candies! More specifically M&M’s with all the nuts and stuff. Yum! Staff was thrilled. Another liked to chew on pens when thinking. Don’t we all know someone like that? Anyway, I bought a pack of pencils in her favorite style and gave to her as a precursor appetizer to a group lunch. She found it hilarious!

Then as she was about to consume the M&Ms, she cried out omgeeee it has nuts! I’m allergic to nuts! The pencils were a trip but then she exclaimed ‘ you want me to die? I…

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