#careerchange – Success Strategies

People Who Found Success Despite Failure…

The difference between who you are and who you want to be is what you do. ~Unknown

Stephen was blindsided. He lost his job. Had nothing to do with him. His employer decided to cut staff. Despite having a wife and two children to care for, he was sent home without notice to face his mortgage, bills, and cover life’s basic needs.

Maria left high school, got her first job and now after 3 years feels lost as she sets her eye on the supervisor position that just opened up. She asked herself should she apply? Would she qualify? Faced with the daunting fact that she has no certification or formal education, she felt depressed. She had delayed formal training after high school to make ’em dollars. Now what?

Lidia and Bill became engaged 2 years ago and want to take the next step to get married but feel scared to make the decision. Questions bothered them. Will they be able to afford a house? Should they…

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Writer To Entrepreneur: Top 11 Steps To Success…

You can make anything by writing.”
–C.S. Lewis

Developing your writing craft is not easy. As authors we stick to it because it’s our passion. The zeal with which we are connected is likened to a web but one in which we wish not to escape.

Many are the traditional thinking that authors hardly make money, let alone survive while working on their craft. But what do you say to the likes of Stephen King, Poet Maya Angelou, Harry Potter’s J.K. Rowling and countless others. You may say that they are successful because they are well known. Banish that thought and delve into the story of Stephen King who was rejected so many times that he actually threw in the trash his best selling novel. Were it not for his wife, the world would not have enjoyed this story’s amazing work.

So here I share excerpts of my presentation on the topic of “From Books to Bucks”, held at the South Florida’s Writers Book Festival.

Books 2 Bucks

Write Quality Work
Books can have babies. Think of workbooks, series, and so much more
Convert your book to Audio
Create an audience through tapping into Podcast listener-ship
Translate your Book into a different language. Oh the new audience it brings
Convert your book to film, movie, documentary
Written non-fiction? Immense business opportunities exists. Think of workshops, Spoken-Word, how-to events and more
In the arts? Use your book as the stepping stone to fashion and design
Want to develop and grow your passion? Stick with the right people
Become a Conference Speaker. Share your expertise
Don’t sit on it, enter your book for an Award

Want to go from Books to Bucks, Select from the list, focus your craft on the point(s) you believe you will get best win, then promote, promote, promote. Marketing your work is the key to success and it does not have to cost you a ton. Use social media wisely. It can help you grow into something you never thought you could be.

I end with encouraging you to Be Serious about your craft. SHOW UP and promote, promote, promote.

Cheers!

Life. Take. Another. Shot.

Life is like a camera. Just focus on what’s important. Capture the good times. Develop from the negatives and if things don’t turn out – just take another shot.

The Reason Behind The Write…

The reason behind the write.

It’s all about you.

Your Success. Personal Development. Growth. Inspire. Encourage.

Select one. Connect. Take the leap

Cheers!

You’ve Got A Dream. Keep It To Yourself–For Now…

Dream. Yep dream but don’t share it. Dream but don’t tell it. Dream but follow the path that lights the way.

Joseph the young lad dreamed, but through ignorance he shared with his brothers. They fought, connived, and buried him to rid him of his dream. Buried him they did but he grew to heights above. Twas exactly as he dreamed that they’d bow down to him.

Dream

So let this be your reminder to dream but keep it safe in that quiet place in your heart. At the right time, it will be revealed.

Keep dreaming. Work it and bring it to life.

Cheers!

Comfort Zone Is Beautiful But Nothing Grows There…

Don’t we just love our comfort zone? In our comfort zone we are assured of things working the way we want it. We can predict it. There are no surprizes. But…

Success Strategies

Comfort zone is a beautiful place but nothing ever grows there.

Comfort zones…, don’t you just love ’em? I have always taken pride in the care of my skin, especially my face. I just hate it when it looks neglected. When I was 18 years old, I discovered a skincare product that worked. Many years after i moved away, I would import the product because…it worked. When it became increasingly difficult for me to access the product, I embarked on a research to find a replacement product that would work as well.

In so doing I found one. Yea! Me happy! Then years later, I discovered that I couldn’t find that product!!! What the heck?! I searched Amazon (they have everything right)? Sure enough, I still couldn’t find it. Now what am I going to do? Implement the same ritual? Research to find a replacement? Just hate that!

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Where Are They Now? Here’s One Word Used To Describe Their Journey…

Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.”
― Søren Kierkegaard

A sprint. A jog. A run. A walk. I sat on a bench in the park stretching. I watched health and fitness enthusiasts do what they love. I stretched more, then reflected on life. Where are we now? The tethered years fly by …up close slowly; looking back, it’s a flash. I then began scrolling, and there popped the question from a social media forum:

Describe Your Life in ONE Word

Curious, I scrolled through the list of responses. Some were positive, some nonchalant, while others were filled with a bask of the negatives. Here I share a few of the comments:

Surprising
Destined
Stuck
Perfect
Open Book
Confused
Determined
Focused
Blessed
Challenging
Change
Sucks
Fortunate
Tears
Observant
Progressive
Persistence
Purposeful
Growth
Making
Incredible
Awesome
Evolutionary
Adventurous
Waiting
Meaningful
Beautiful

Does any of the above responses resonate with your life right now? Can you add any that’s missing? Do share. We would love to hear!

Cheers!

4 Strategies To Beat The Over-Qualified Syndrome…

The fear they seek becomes their own

The Qualified are haunted and hunted by the overqualified syndrome. One recruiter even went so far as to say she would not hire someone who she believes is ‘over-qualified’ for the job. But has that recruiter examined the reason the so-called over-qualified applicant is searching? It could be for a career change. It could be to start a family and the person chooses to take a step back. It could also be an empty nester with a desire to simply slow down.

Give the Peeps a Chance

Here’s where it becomes necessary for the well-experienced candidate to use strategies to convince recruiters that you have no intention to come in to wreak havoc. Your desire is to join forces and work hard for the organization and/or department’s benefit.

Be warned Recruiter, one day you may be get there and then you will understand…when you’re misunderstood.

4 Strategies to Overcome

In her Wall Street Journal article the overqualified trap can hit you at any time, Sue Shellenbarger shared several strategies to combat the syndrome. Here I share my top 4 favs:

Explain upfront why you’re applying for a position that seems beneath you
Be consistent in explaining your reasons for applying throughout all interviews for the job
Line up references who will vouch for your commitment
Network with contacts who also know insiders at the target company

As a HR practitioner myself, I tend to be open to diverse applicants and our society certainly expects it. However, not all organization’s search process is without idiosyncrasies. So if you are an experienced job searcher as The power of Resilience when things go wrong in this depiction, the strategies listed before will help.

If you are on the hunt and find that there’s something that works for you, do share, we would love to hear.

Cheers!

When It’s Time For Something New… You Will Feel It.

When it’s time for something new, you will feel it. You will feel a desire to let go, to shed layers, to move, to re-create. You will know because there will be subtle shifts all around you. You will release the old because you are really clearing the path for what’s ahead. Trust the process. Know that life does not take from us anything unless there is something else imminently awaiting its replacement. ~Brianna Wiest

5 Things To Do When Rejection Shatters Your Dream Opportunity…

Years ago I stepped out of my comfort zone. Having not been in the job market for a long time I began my search for a new and meaningful opportunity. With great elation a dream company reached out to me. It was always a goal to work with them. It had great salary, great benefits, and most important – meaningful work. But I would have had to relocate. No problem for me as I didn’t have a chick nor child (as the saying goes…hint kid in college). I could hardly wait to get started.

A senior level position, I had to go through a 5-level-interview process with different senior level teams. Nailed the toughest two. Then the onto the third. Nailed it! Or so I thought. The interviewer thought otherwise. They replied thanking me for my time but they decided to move on. This after being interviewed for almost a month. I was confident that with my qualifications and experience I was sure to get the job. I didn’t. Though an interviewer myself, I was very disappointed. I questioned myself… what did I do wrong? How could I have done better?

Not Every Opportunity Is For You

Then came the reassurance from a quiet inner voice. Not every opportunity is for you. What seems ideal may not be for you. Keep looking. The right change is in store. Learn to wait. And while you’re waiting, keep strong.

Here I share things to do to bounce back after any kind of rejection, be it job, entrepreneurship or relationship.

5 Things To Do To Overcome Rejection

Learn from the Experience
Talk to a trusted mentor, coach, or friend. Share your disappointment.
Don’t dwell on the situation. Affirm it. Accept it and move on.
Acknowledge it as evidence that you’re trying. You are pushing your limit.
Keep going

Have you had a disappointing experience during a job hunt, or a key contract for your entrepreneurship endeavor? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

Living In The Past. Looking Through The Rear View Mirror…

Living in the past. Just looking in the Rear view mirror. What good does that do? It seems 5, 10, 15 years after leaving one of the best careers ever you end up just existing. Just stuck. Thinking about the big job that you had in the past. The relationship ended 5, 10, 15 years ago, yet you’re still holding on. Face it darling…it’s over. Stop reflecting. Stop pining way. It’s unhealthy.

It’s Time To Move On

It’s time to move on. It’s time to make a change. It’s time to forge full speed ahead. Start living. Start being who you would like to be. How do you do that? If you want a new career, then apply to jobs in that field. Something will rise up for you.

If you want to be an entrepreneur then do what you need to do. Do what it takes to get your business out there to let others know what product or service you are selling. If you don’t like what you’re doing now, make plans to stop. Set a date and stick to it. Stick to it no matter what.

Sometimes You Will Fail

Know that sometimes you will fail. Yes that happens. Life is a risk. You win some, you lose some. But it means you are trying. Just being stuck in the past is not going to help you to forge ahead so you must start doing something different. Start today. Just start doing something different today. Make a move. Stop resisting. Stop living in the past. Stop worrying about what was.

The Stops

Stop worrying about what was.

Stop wishing

Stop living in a wish list ….

Wish I was this, wish I was that

Wish I could do this

Wish I could that

Stop wishing and just do it

Omgeee…

This Time Next Year

This time next year where do you hope to be? This time next year what would you like to see? To experience? This time next year what do you want to be doing? Take the steps so that this time next year you will be doing what you want to do … and you would be where you want to be. Seek the help of others if needed. Ask a friend who has your best interest at heart to hold you accountable. You could also enlist the services of a mentor or coach to be your guide. Now go out and do it. Get it done.

Need help? Let’s connect.

Cheers!

Leadership Is Foresight…

Being a leader is 24-7 job, and educational opportunities to improve yourself are everywhere. Learn from your friends and family and sometimes complete strangers, and you’ll find opportunities at every turn

– Byron Scott and Charles Norris

Leader

Where are you now and where do you want to be? In the book Slam Dunk Success, Magic Johnson articulated in the Forward that most people think you win then you become a leader. But it’s the other way around. You’re a leader first, then you win.

Leaders Are Everywhere

Leaders are everywhere and so are leadership opportunities. Punctured or not, Magic urged that you may be an entry-level employee or a middle manager, but not to worry. Every department is looking for a leader. To have the courage to stand up and take the lead, you will become successful.

Leadership is Innate

Leaders are constantly changing the world around them. They may be involved in business or in the community. Opportunities abound.

Leadership Is Foresight

Manage yourself. Think of where you are now and where you want to be. Then take the steps ….one at a time. Try. Learn. Fail. Get back up and do it again. You will succeed with hard work and persistence. As always, don’t give up.

Cheers!