Useless. Doing Something Efficiently That Should Not Be Done At All…

Dr. Shelly's avatarSuccess Strategies

Across from her I stood. Watching as she carefully arranged the papers for delivery. Unknown to her was the intrepid fact that her department would be cut the next day. No amount of hard work could Criticizeor change that fact. Decades ago who would ever have thought that society would change. Newspapers were no longer being read by the mass and the company had to cut back. Sad as it was the staff had to be reduced to save what little of the company that could be salvaged to its new online medium.

Peter Drucker was wise when he said there is nothing quite so useless as doing with great efficiency, something that should not be done at all. Tempted? Let’s examine our lives today. What are we doing so well that should not be…

View original post 80 more words

Fear Of Dying With Unaccomplished Dreams…

My greatest fear is dying without accomplishing my own dreams.

A middle-aged woman was deeply depressed. She had helped her children succeed in life. When they bought their first house, she was there. When they had their kids, she was there. A child needed to be picked up, she was there. However through a series of events, she began reflecting. She got stuck and locked herself away from others. When we finally spoke, she shared that she loves her kids and was happy with their success, but her greatest fear was dying without accomplishing her own dreams.

The Selfish Few

Aren’t we like that at times? We are always there for others to the detriment of our own dreams. Those who step out and go after their dreams without considering others are termed selfish. The challenge is for us to find the right balance. The balance to remember our own goals, dreams and aspirations while assisting those we care about with achieving their own.

Dream Home

Lets take for example buying your dream home. Consider what it would take. Search the requirements for you to qualify for a mortgage with a lending institution. Start searching. What location would you like to buy your dream home? Does it need to be close to your job or are you willing to relocate and move to a different area? Out of state or instate? Out of the county or within the county? Next, consider what would you like to have? Two, three or four bedrooms? How many bathrooms? Do you work from home and therefore need an office? Questions, questions, questions. You’re right. Answer them all. The progress will enlighten.

Dream Job

Is it that you would like to change careers? If so, start researching careers that interest you. Do you need to get an education or certification to get into that field? If so, what education do you need? How will you afford the training? Will you need to get a part-time job to help boost your finances? Will your company cover the training expense? And if they do, will they expect you to stick around after you graduate? There is also the option of scholarship or student loan if you qualify.

Aspiring Author

What about a hobby? I’ll use writing because I love to write. Have you dreamed of becoming an author? What will you write about? What are you interested in? Fiction, non-fiction? Biography? If so, where do you start?

The point of these examples is to emphasize that there is always hope for those who dream. They can still come through despite your age, finances, and anything else that you consider a stumbling block. Simply start with clarifying the dream, the goal. Create a timeline. It will help you track your progress and boost your psych as you accomplish each step. Once done, dig deep into making them real. Disregard anything negative that will distract you. Many have accomplished dreams no matter their age. There is always hope. George Foreman regained the heavyweight title at age 45. Colonel Sanders franchised Kentucky Fried Chicken at age 62. The media recently shared a 99 year-old woman who decided to get a tattoo and a daredevil bike ride simply to cross it off her bucket-centennial-list. She is definitely still dreaming.

Today, I encourage you to go after your dreams. Whether you are young or more mature, don’t let age stop you. After all, age is just a number.

Need help? Lets connect.

Cheers!

Have You Ever Been Afraid?

One of the greatest discoveries a man makes, is to find he can do what he was afraid he couldn’t do.”

— Henry Ford

Ever been afraid? I have. I lived with my grandmother in a nice house when I was growing up. When I was 10 years old, I passed the entrance exam to attend a prestigious high school. It was located close to where my parents lived so I moved to live with them instead. The only problem was… the house was old and antiquated. Being close to school I did not want the students to see where I lived because I feared they would tease me. So for all my high school years, I hid from them. Only close friends knew. The other challenge was that I was well known at school because I was active on the track team as well as other extracurricular activities which made it worse. I ‘really’ had to hide.

At the end of high school, we were evicted when the house was condemned which as it turned out was kind of a good thing. People love to stay in their comfort zone. My parents had no choice but to move.

Since then there were many other times when I was afraid. Such as having my first child, making my first presentation to a big audience at work both locally and internationally. Not to mention the time I jumped out of a plane doing a sky dive! So as most of you know, I have never let fear stop me from doing anything I want to do. I do things even when afraid. Fear is my driver. I guess I owe that to that old house.

Over 20 years later and after a career dedicated to managing people in organizations, I now spend my time

  • Helping organizational leaders giving them advice and solutions on how to manage their people problems
  • Helping individuals who wish to make a career change but are afraid to take the leap
  • Helping aspiring authors write their first book

Essentially, if you are stuck in fear and afraid to do what you want to do for many reasons, lets connect. I can help you get pass your fear because I have been there.

Cheers!

Just Because You’re Good At Something…

Just because you’re Good at something doesn’t mean you have to do it forever.

Emily P. Freeman

So many of us get up each day and do the things we are good at even though we are miserable and no longer enjoy what we are doing.

Why not Try something new today? Maybe you will have to learn it. Maybe it will challenge you. But in learning something different you get that thrill, that drive that stimulates. Who knows… your passion may take a turn for the better and drive you to new heights of joy as your life unfolds differently

Something to think about.

Cheers!

5 Things To Do When Rejection Shatters Your Dream Opportunity…

Dr. Shelly's avatarSuccess Strategies

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…

View original post 183 more words

Success At Any Age. 7 People Who Achieved Success….

It’s what you do, not when you do it that counts

Often many as they age feel afraid that they have not accomplished their purpose and plans for their life. Here are seven examples of people who achieved success at different ages:

  1. At age 8 Mozart wrote his first symphony
  2. At age 25 J.K. Rowling came up with the idea for Harry Potter
  3. At 45 George Foreman regained the world heavyweight title
  4. At 14 Country singer LeAnn Rimes won her first two Grammy awards
  5. At 17 Joan of Arc led an army in defense of France
  6. At 35 Martin Luther King Jr. received the Nobel Peace Prize
  7. At 62 Colonel Sanders franchised his Kentucky Fried Chicken business

So there is hope. If you have a dream, go get it.

Cheers!

 

Writing Inspirations From The Beach

Footsteps

Inspirations come alive at the beach. Writers write. Children play.  Musicians compose. The depressed are relieved. The sick can be healed.

A person can listen to the waves, cry, laugh, read, yawn, sleep. Such lazy waves forces peace, quiet, and welcomed relaxation.

The beach… a place where moments come alive. Steal away and bask in the sun, sand, and sea.

Swoosh….

Why Do You Do What You Do? Here’s How To Find Out…

What’s that one word that encourages you to do everything you do?

Evan Carmichael

Here are Questions Carmichael proposed to get you started to find your own One Word that will help define everything you do in life.

5 Core Questions To Ask Yourself

  1. What makes you happy?
  2. What connects your happiness?
  3. What trait do you hate?
  4. What’s your constant?
  5. Is this really who you are?

Limiting Beliefs

  1. It’s too Hard
  2. What do you think?
  3. Someone else is doing it
  4. It’s too Simple

Take a moment and find your one word. Trust me, you won’t regret it. Already know what drives you, do share, we would love to hear!

Cheers!

Goals. Every Move Must Be Strategic…

The essence of strategy is choosing what not to do.

Michael Porter

When I started Playing the Word game I usually just think of a word and simply moved. For me it was just to play my turn whether it was a solo game or playing with a family member. My purpose was to simply keep connected. However I found that my sister (though I know she loves me), played defensively. Every move she made was strategic. So I began doing the same. Losing cannot always be the end result. I began to play with the end in mind. I asked myself… what do I want to achieve? It turned out to be 1) learning or being exposed to new words which extended my vocabulary; 2) keep connected to my family virtually; and finally 3) to win. With those goals in mind, every move I now make was for a purpose. Not only did I want to remain connected, but I also wanted to win.

Every Move Is For A Purpose

As I reflected, I began applying this to life. How can we apply that same strategy to achieve our lifelong dreams and goals to make sense? How can we ensure that every decision we make impacts our desire to achieve? Is it career selection, job change, entrepreneurship endeavor, business investment, relationships or starting a family? How can we ensure every decision is strategic?

There have been many household names who made major business decisions to form a partnership such as the McDonald’s Fast Food chain, or as Steve Jobs did with Apple. It may even be as simple as keeping connected with our kids or elderly parents. Whatever we do, it should be for a purpose.

Think About It

My personal charge is for you to think about it. Think about every decision you make. Think about the little things. Think about the big things. How can each move you make in life lead to your desired goal?

Need help? Lets connect.

Cheers!

Ditch It. Switch It. 8 Steps To Relaunch It…

Ditch it. Switch it. Relaunch it. Ditch? Switch What? Your career! That’s what.

A recent article shared Goalcast 8 steps to a successful career change. I reflected on which were more important, but coming from a place of experience in HR Leadership. I must agree that all is important. No step can be omitted if you want to do what you love.

Need a job to survive? Get one. You’ve gotta survive but once that’s done, don’t take your mind off where you want to go. Don’t settle. Each step is a journey to success. Here I share the 8 points with my own twists to get you moving.

1.Reflect on Why You Want to Change Your Job

Been doing the same thing for many years. Want a change. Got married. Started a family and you want to be available for the initial growth of your kids. Empty-nester who wants to go on a different path. To try a new thing. To go on a different direction. Or you need personal growth.

Whatever the situation, reflect on why you want to change.

2.Think about what you would like to do instead

What do you really like to do? What brings you the most satisfaction? What drives you to jump out of bed in the mornings? When do you feel like you’re working hard but not feeling it? Not realizing that time is passing by? Think about it. Then do that.

3.Think How you Can Achieve It

What can you Do to achieve it? Think about it. Is there a gap in the skills that you have and the skills that you’ll need to get into the new career that you want? If you don’t know go to the next step.

4.Research

Go do your research.

If it’s a new career then find out what you need to be successful. Do you have the skills? Certifications?

Don’t know what you want to do? Search. Do assessments to get to know you.

5.Investigate the Job Market

Are there jobs available for your desired career? Are you relocating …or do you need to consider relocating? How much does the job pay? Will it meet your desired standard of living? Investigate things like that.

6.NarrowDown your Options

Gather the data you researched about your career. Reflect on it. Analyze it. Picture yourself doing it, then make your decision. Select a path.

7.Create a plan

When will you be able to make the switch? Do you have enough money to make the change. If not plan it.

8.Create a Resume

Now it’s to time to create your resume to suit the job you want. Need help there are lot of resource out their from career counselors, google, resume writers to templates online.

Consider your skills. Pull together those skills relevant to the job you want. Tailor your resume to match the job You want.

Need help to make the leap? Let’s Connect or do it yourself through gleaning through my new book Ditch It. Switch It.

Cheers!

Resignation. Knowing When It’s Time…

The Royal couple’s resignation and their desire to make a huge change, has turned the world upside down. So many questions. What will happen next?

Knowing when it’s time.

It’s no secret that resignation from anything is hard. Be it resignations from public office, volunteer roles, relationships (yikes) or other.

A few years ago I wrote about the process of resignation. It’s a serious thing and one that has been thrown into the spotlight again with that Royal Resignation.

The Way To Turn It In

But is there a right way to resign? Having managed the Human Resource role for over 25 years, I have seen many. Besides the common letter, I have seen post-it notes from recent grads to their supervisor, text messages, and a call to say “I’m out”.

Reflecting on the Royal couple’s resignation or their desire to make a huge change, its as though the world has been turned upside down. So many questions. What will happen next? How will they function? Where will they live? How will they perform their various roles? So many questions.

But there are correct ways to resign. Most companies have formal procedures to be followed including putting the resignation in writing (not on post it …smile). Companies often advise employees of the pertinent notice to be given to the employer if and when they intend to leave. This varies from company to company and may be anywhere from a day’s notice for new hires still on probation, two weeks or a month depending on state laws. Again this all depends on the capacity that the incumbent holds.

A Sigh Of Relief?

When it’s finally done employers may decide to have the employee leave the company immediately or stay until they hire a replacement for training and handover should they do desire. It might very well be a time to shake things up a bit, negating handover to replacement.

Reports are that the royal couple announced their resignation on social media…more specifically, Instagram. This has alarmed the Queen as well as members of the royal family.

The Divide

There’s now a divide about whether it should have been done and how. Oprah’s name has been called and she has denied providing advice or her opinion on this very royal matter.

I’ll only conclude with encouraging you to do it the ‘proper’ way. That means, give the required notice to the powers that be. But then again Millennials consider the decision to be the couple’s because of the bureaucracy involved, while older generations support to follow the traditional route.

It’s your decision. But whatever route you take, be prepared for the next steps as the receivers of the resignation respond.

Good luck to you as you make your own changes this year. If you need help, don’t hesitate to ask me how either through my newest book Your Career: Ditch It or Switch It or simply contacting me here.

Cheers!

Keep Pushing…

Keep pushing

Steve Harvey was teaching his little grandson to ride a bike for the first time. He kept repeating the words “keep pushing“. As I watched the short clip that his wife Marjorie posted, I reflected on the lesson in that clip.

Life’s Challenging Quests

In life we need to keep pushing. Sometimes we don’t push hard enough and want to give up when the going gets tough or rough (whatever word you want to add to those grueling times). But then it’s at those very times that we need to keep pushing.

We achieve success one push at a time.

Cheers!

Travel with Intent

A photographer's view of the world - words and images to inspire your travels and your dreams

Answering daily prompts

In this blog I'm attempting to answer wordpress daily prompts

Alex Tafur

Property Maintenance

Poesy Perspectives

embrace the magic

GREENLiGHT

When God Says Go

HEALTH | INSPIRATION

Health, Reflection, and Poetry for the Journey of Life

My Sister My Friend

Family. Youth. Parenting

Kamileon Photography

Your Focus. Our Lens.