I Hate My Life. I Hate My Life…

I hate my life. I hate my life. I hate my life. That’s the chant I heard her saying as I approached her. Why would anyone say that? Such negative thought.

She had lost her husband. Her job. Her house. Her children. Her sense of independence. She felt she had nothing to live for. Beautiful. Smart. Educated professional she was, life had handed her difficulties. She thought she could never overcome life’s storms.

What were the right words to say to someone such as this?

There’s Hope

  • When life throws you lemons, make lemonade.
  • Only the strong survive.
  • Hold on, never give up.
  • The tide will change. Keep going.
  • Stay positive.
  • Meditate. Pray.
  • While there’s life there’s hope.

Will she find solace in any of these? I’m sure. Your thoughts? 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:

  1. Explain upfront why you’re applying for a position that seems beneath you
  2. Be consistent in explaining your reasons for applying throughout all interviews for the job
  3. Line up references who will vouch for your commitment
  4. 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!

 

The Writing Process…

Writing is usually done in a private space… as in a cave all by ourselves. We tell no one unless we choose to share with those close. Oft it can even be top secret or shouted from the mountain top as happens when some celebrities write. It’s entirely up to you.

It’s Your Prerogative

Writers commit a month, a year, 2, 3 or more to their Writing process. It’s your prerogative. It all depends on you. No need to attend a retreat, until or unless you’re ready and you can always remain silent in the background listening to others speak. At a writers Retreat, some talk. Some don’t.

Spend time doing what you want to do before, during and after the retreat.

Why Bother?

People approach me to share my knowledge and (writing) experience with them. That’s the whole point of doing a Retreat. Facilitators or Hosts often incur a loss or just barely meet the expense for meals and accommodation for a small group retreat when it’s done for aspiring local authors. Over the years, it becomes more profitable.

But it’s worth it because of the satisfaction it brings. Often though some aspiring authors who actually need the help tend to hesitate to go the extra mile to acquire the knowledge. For me, before I wrote my first book about my phenomenalogical study on leadership and success, I attended a writers event and it helped me a lot. I invested resources to attend and like a sponge was happy to hear from the facilitators on their experiences. Before that I attended many writing events held throughout the industry and on campus to boost my craft.

Personally, I tend… to attend both good and bad’ sessions. Essentially, I love to compare what’s happening in the marketplace. From the ‘bad’ I learn what NOT to do. From the good…well that’s self-explanatory. I want to do better than the best while helping others achieve their best potential, whatever that is.

All in all, Writers have to test what works. Each individual differs. What works for one person may not work for the other.

What works for you? Do share. We would love to hear!

Cheers!

Register now to attend Writers Retreat and boost your writing project

Life. It’s The Little Things…

Heal the World. Make it a Better Place. ~Michael Jackson

Save a Life. For my Birthday, I Donated. You should too.

7 Top Favs To Change Non-Readers Into Book-Lovers…

When they born we read to them. They played outside. We avoided tech toys. But as they grew my daughters 2 sons were introduced to …yep … tech toys. Beyblade, Fortnite, YouTube games, and more. It’s now proving difficult to get them back-to-the-books.

I decided to search for help. Here’s what I found and particularly liked Grade Power Learning 13 Strategies for them to change to reading love! Here I share those I like:

Back-To-The-Books

  1. Pick the right books
  2. Read aloud
  3. Choose books that he/she is interested in
  4. Encourage all forms of reading
  5. Listen to audio books
  6. Let your reader choose
  7. Start a Series

Those were my top favs to transition non-readers into book-lovers. Any resonate? Are there more you can add? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

5 Brain Power Boost. I Did 4…

The Entrepreneur business series shared Thai Nguyen’s 5 Daily activities that will boost your brain power. I tried a few of them and it got me…well thinking! Then I thought I’d share!

  1. Do Something with your less dominant hand. You could brush your teeth with your left hand, or do like me and try writing the alphabet with your left hand. And yes, it got me thinking!
  2. Look up in the sky and describe the cloud. It’s a childhood game but it was liberating like not a care in the world… except praise!
  3. To boost focus and concentration, close your eyes and take 10 breaths out, without a thought intercepting your breathing.
  4. Work on memorizing something. It could be your favorite quote, or poem. Memorize one line each day and you will be surprised at the result.
  5. Add a new word to your vocabulary each day.

Immediately, I did 4! How many can you do? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

Signup Now to attend Writers Retreat

Stop. Sharpen The Saw….

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Stop. Sharpen the saw. Then move ahead. What does it mean too sharpen the saw? The concept arose from celebrated Author Steven Covey who wrote the best selling book Seven Habits of Highly Effective People. He shared this story to clarify his point:

Suppose you were to come upon someone in the woods working feverishly to saw down a tree.

“What are you doing?” you ask.

“Can’t you see?” comes the impatient reply. “I’m sawing down this tree.”

“You look exhausted!” you exclaim. “How long have you been at it?”

“Over five hours,” he returns, “and I’m beat! This is hard work.”

“Well, why don’t you take a break for a few minutes and sharpen that saw?” you inquire. “I’m sure it would go a lot faster.”

“I don’t have time to sharpen the saw,” the man says emphatically. “I’m too busy sawing!”

 

So the concept to sharpen the saw highlights the point that when you have been going, going, going, and going …and you can’t seem to see any results. Acknowledge that it’s time to stop. It’s time to refresh. It’s time for a break to get the rest you need to start thinking so you can be productive again.

So stop. Sharpen the saw. So you can move ahead.

Cheers!

Must. Go. Faster…

 

You’ve got to work hard for your success and you’ve got to have a steady presence. That’s the secret. ~Kid Rock

Must. Go. Faster. So said the Ad. But in this case they were talking about getting away from a tyrannosaurus chasing themin the movie Jurassic Park.

But I’m thinking if it from life as we strive towards our goals. Must. Go. Faster.

The Difference

But there’s a difference. Seeking goals is not about speed but steadiness…as in studying to getting an education. Just stick to it. Speed create mistakes as in microwave marriages these days. Jump in before knowing the person. What of education? Would you like a surgeon to operate on you knowing he got his degree in a month? One would question that.

And even a stellar athlete /Olympian. It takes years of practice to achieve the success that lasts.

So today be mindful of your goals. Speed is not the real deal …unless you’re running to save your life from creatures like a tyrannosaurus.

Thoughts? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

Give Up The Thing That Weighs You Down…

You wanna fly, you got to give up the thing that weighs you down. ~Toni Morrison

The Rush For Time…

Nature never rushes, yet everything gets done.

“You’ve got to drive around ma’am. We have a time to customer service that we have to meet”, drawled the drive-through clerk.

Growing kids have appetites that sometimes seem never-ending. So auntie drove into Burger King. Ordered stuff for the boys amidst repeated requests “will that be all ma’am?” With each question, she felt rushed. She wanted something herself but not one for fast food, she decided to ask for help when she got to the drive-through window. While paying for the kids’ order she asked whether she could get a sandwich. That’s when she was told that she would have to join the line of traffic again to get another sandwich. What in the world? She thought she misunderstood so she sought clarification. That’s when she was told that the employees have a set-time-to-meet-each-order and she was affecting it. In disbelief she asked again. Seven minutes later same response then from supervisor, Patricia on duty. Out of consideration for the growing line of famished drivers waiting behind her, auntie drove away. Lose-lose situation for sure.

The Rush For Time Two

In another incident, the Fedex delivery guy tossed the package at the door. Without ringing the doorbell, he quickly made his getaway. This act repeatedly done over his 6 hour route as he tried to meet his targeted goals. Oh the haste to deliver packages door to door.

Where’s The Service?

There are many more situations that can be shared about the new focus on meeting deadlines to the detriment of Quality service. Dismantled packages. Incorrect orders. Broken pieces. All creates havoc for service departments. So goes the new trend on delivery, Uber-eats and all. Compliance divisions pay thousands of dollars to dissatisfied customers in their attempt to correct terrible behaviors.

Disconnect

There is a severe disconnect. Why not marry the two? Stress to employees and external contract service providers the importance of optimal Quality service while meeting delivery deadlines

Be assured that one cannot exist without the other.

Have you experienced the negatives of the Rush For Time? Do share. We would love to hear.

Cheers!

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

  1. Learn from the Experience
  2. Talk to a trusted mentor, coach, or friend. Share your disappointment.
  3. Don’t dwell on the situation. Affirm it. Accept it and move on.
  4. Acknowledge it as evidence that you’re trying. You are pushing your limit.
  5. 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!

The Challenge That Equipped Me…

I procrastinated. Year after year I’d say …I’ll do it next year. But then in my early 20s, during a heated conversation about salary increase my boss shouted “you don’t even have a degree!” That hit me like a ton of bricks. I promised myself that I’d never ever let anyone say that to me again. I was not only gonna get a first degree but also a second.

That’s How You Do It

Today, I have two Masters and a Doctorate.

That’s how you do it. I’m one for a challenge to not only achieve but also exceed. So even though at the time I had several diplomas, certifications and had never stopped studying, I fell short of that industry’s ultimate standard. I limited myself and did not go after the best.

My parents never thought of …nor encouraged me to get a degree. They never had it themselves. What’s more, while I studied those years, my dad kept saying “that godamn girl won’t stop studying”. He never understood my drive.

Do Not Let Anything Stop You

Today I encourage you to go after your dreams. Don’t let anything stop you from achieving.

  • Not financial.
  • Not the negatives from those who hate.
  • Not fear.

Do not let anything stop you from going after your dreams.

Remember where there’s a will, there’s a way.

Cheers!

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