It is time to break up with your boss!

Confucius said, “Find a job you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.”

I’m still looking for that job or career which I love. How about you? Are you in a career or job that you love?

I subscribe to Dan Miller’s newsletter.  He is today's leading authority and personality on careers and 'Work You Love^TM'. He is also the bestselling author of 48 Days to The Work You Love, and No More Mondays. I really like the idea of looking forward to a Monday for a change and that drew me to his writing. Check him out sometime. I promise you that you will gain some wisdom which will help to get you through the work day.

I want to share some insights from one of his post today. He spoke about if you disliked your job ‘fire yourself’ and then ask yourself the following questions.

·         What are my highest areas of competence?

·         How do those translate into marketable skills?

·         What companies, organizations, or industries would welcome those skills?

·         What kind of business could I create to capitalize on those skills?

·         Knowing what I know now, do I want to work for the same company tomorrow? If so, I recognize it’s a good fit; I’m grateful for it and will make my finest contribution there.

·         If not, how can I create a plan to begin a better life?

We spend 8+ hours of our day at work. If you dislike or hate your job it is going to be reflected in the way you feel everyday and how you treat internal and external customers.

He also admonishes us though before we quit or change our jobs to think ‘Is it the job that we would like to change or is it the boss?’

These days, most individuals are not staying with the same company for a lifetime. Therefore, I suggest that we all keep ourselves marketable and relevant by investing in our personal and professional development. That might be by volunteering for a non profit or taking a class or doing tasks outside of our job duties at work.

Therefore, when we are ready to make that change or seize that new job opportunity we will be completely ready. I am trying to take my own advice. What are you doing today to invest in your development and to prepare yourself for a job you will love?

Optimism!

Hi

Thanks for stopping by to read my blog!

About five years ago, I joined this wonderful international organisation called Optimist International (there is probably an Optimist Club near you J - Do Join). The Optimist Club is a service organisation whose motto is ‘friend of youth.’ It therefore strives to reach out and help young people in various ways. In Anguilla, I served as a member under some great leaders and now it is my time to lead. Am I excited, am I nervous? Yes to both!

  I feel confident however in my new team/board and in the commitment of my Optimist family. There are many persons on whom I can lean on and learn from.

I will strive to be a committed, compassionate, inclusive, decisive, visionary and ethically bound leader because those are the characteristics I admire most in leaders.

What do you admire most in a leader? What characteristics do you seek to emulate? Whatever you choose, try to start working on developing that characteristic in yourself and practice the skill or characteristic when interacting with others.

Each day should provide an opportunity to build on a positive skill or characteristic. For example, when I experience completely mundane, frustrating days at work – I try to build the characteristics of patience and optimismJ. Don't laugh..its true :).

 

If you get a chance, Google the Optimist Creed...these are words to live by. It’s not always easy but it does contain many things we should strive for, many things we should ‘Promise ourselves.’

The theme for the Optimist Caribbean District for 2011 is ‘The Power of One.’ I have the power to make a difference. Guess what – YOU CAN TOO.  I really liked the following words I found online:

One step must start each journey

One touch can show you care
One hope will raise our spirits
One word must start each prayer
One voice can speak with wisdom
One heart can know what is true
One life can make the difference
And that One is ‘You’

Think about it. What are YOU doing to make a difference in your life, our community or our world today?

Is Your Life an Open Book?

Hi Everyone

The school year has started. As I watch the students in their uniform from the preschoolers to the sixth formers, I can’t help but smile as I recall my school days. I really enjoyed school. I had wonderful friends many of whom I am still close to. I was very involved in extra-curricular activities and I did relatively well academically.

I must say congratulations to the students who topped Cape and CSEC. You continue to make your parents and Anguilla proud. To those who worked hard and did your best in your subject areas congratulations as well! Continue to do your best!

I attended a church service earlier this week for students who were starting or returning to school. The guest speaker for the students was very good and even as an older youth the message spoke to me.

The guest speaker tried to impress on the young people that their life is like a book. He noted that every action or decision they made or will make is written in that book for anyone to read so they should try to make good choices. He said that we should all try to live a life which we would be happy to share with anyone and that of course God should be at the centre.

As I sat there, I reflected on my life thus far. Is my life an open book? Do I lean too much on my own understanding?

These are questions we should always ask ourselves. So today, take a second to look back; don’t dwell on the past though. Use the reflection as an opportunity to move forward strategically, positively and faithfully.

I certainly am!

Entrepreneurship may be the right choice for You!

Happy Monday!



Entrepreneurs are usually characterized as risk-takers and creative types who are not afraid of challenges or hard work. To possess the entrepreneurial spirit is a wonderful thing.

Around me, I see many entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs. This is terrific. Unfortunately, many are opening very similar businesses and are not trying to differentiate themselves in any way. In such a small market, this is self-defeating behavior for an entrepreneur.

I remember sitting with my sister a couple of years ago as we tried to come up with ideas for a business based on our interest, skills and available capital. I will say at that point our prospects did not look very good.

This is normal for any aspiring entrepreneur…you will get ideas, you will think they are great ideas, you may realize at some point that your enthusiasm for the idea was misplaced or the environment is not supportive and then you get another idea and you try it and it may or may not work out but you took that chance and tried something…hopefully something new or made yourself stand out in some way. If it works, you will be your own boss (with hard work, long days and often sleepless nights of course)!

If you have always aspired to be an entrepreneur, start preparing today. Come up with a new idea or concept, do your research and write a business plan. Get the start-up capital required and go for it!

On the other hand, if you have never considered entrepreneurship, in these days of economic turmoil, job uncertainty and job losses – why not try your hand at a part-time or full-time entrepreneurial pursuit today.

How to avoid embarrassment in meetings

 Good morning!

My colleagues were at a seminar some time ago which they indicated was a very painful experience. Painful, because the expert person who had to speak did not prepare and was stuttering, unable to explain concepts and a generally poor communicator.

The embarrassment this person and the audience felt could have been avoided through simple preparation by the speaker.

Usually, if we are asked to make a presentation on a topic, it is because it is believed we are an expert or should have knowledge in that area. For example, I get asked questions about tourism and youth development quite often. I therefore strive to stay abreast of what is new in both fields. I thus feel relatively comfortable answering questions and giving opinions on these topics. 

Be prepared is an old adage for good reason.  When you are prepared you can give knowledgeable, well articulated and factual presentations. You thus come across as a true professional in your area or field. Today, ensure that no one walks s away from a conversation, meeting or seminar with you thinking- that truly was the most painful experience of my life.