Happiness CCCXXVIII
Learning something about myself: I’m not an IT guy anymore.
Happiness CCCX
Finishing one chapter of a career, about to start another.
Pressure… it doesn’t work
I have to take a minute and talk about the atmosphere that I’ve been working in as a consultant for the last eight months. It’s been an unbelievable stressful environment. Why have I stuck with it? Guess I’ve fallen into that rut of feeling like I need to be “responsible†and keep the nose to the grindstone – or something like that.
The reality, of course, is that this particular contract has taken more of my time, energy, and attention to participate in this environment. More than I would like to admit to friends and family – though they can probably tell from my blogging tempo at the very least.
That’s the rub too isn’t it? Coworkers who’ve been in their particular pressure cooker don’t see it for what it really is. Or is it easier from an outside perspective to criticize what you perceive is wrong and how it contributes the behaviors you observe?
At any rate, I’m finding the pressure of my current contract to be more than I desire to maintain. There are options to follow up on, and directions to pursue. Despite the news you hear from the mainstream media, there just seems to be an avalanche of opportunities out there if you’re watching for them.
So instead of stewing here in the juices of an unhappy circumstance, I’m off to change the future once again. Why don’t you join me?
Photo credit: Scribblings of Light
Change And The Generational Gap
We had an interesting discussion around the lunch table the other day regarding many aspects of the current economy. From the mounting job purges of too many large companies and what it all means to us the average person.
Really the discussion came around to how the traditional exercise of searching for a job is changing. There were three of us at lunch today and, not surprisingly, there were three different perspectives and understanding of the process in an environment that we all find ourselves in.
Here is where the differences in age come into play. Among the three of us around the table, there was about a decade from the youngest to oldest. The perception of how best to position oneself in today’s market was probably best understood by the younger two of the group, with the oldest standing fairly firm to the notion that job search and how you go about it hasn’t changed much.
Really, the truth is that it depends on the job you’re looking to get. Calling it a job to begin with is part of the problem, as anyone looking for the next job should really believe that they are looking for the next step in their career. Following the old, tried and true methods of mass mailings, cold-calls, and relying on a headhunter finding you may still work, but one wonders for how long?
Instead, following the example of many an enterprising young millennial may actually be your best bet. Maybe everyone doesn’t feel up to posting videos of themselves on YouTube, or spending hours on Twitter, or the many other social networks. However, at least a full LinkedIn profile, and even a Facebook page, so folks are able to find you, may be in order.
The point I suppose I’m trying to get to is that change has already taken place in the area of job search & career placement; and the sooner you understand that the easier it’ll be to prepare for the next phase of your career. This is as true for seasoned corporate veterans as it is for the new college grad looking to jump into the fray.
It’s time to manage yourself into the next career change rather than falling into it.
Photo credit: ChrisB in SEA
Personal Branding Magazine Issue 7 | Discover Your Brand
Yep, it’s time for the next issue of the magazine that can change your career: Personal Branding Magazine. I’m quite proud of the work that I’ve contributed to the magazine, and want to send a personal thank-you to publisher Dan Schawbel for putting together a great magazine in every issue. So please check out the latest issue – I hope you purchase a subscription as a large portion of the proceeds go to the American Cancer Society.
Personal Branding Magazine Volume 2, Issue 3 focuses on the first step of the personal branding process, brand discovery. Many people rush into personal branding, without first taking precious time to discover who they are and what they want to do for the rest of their lives. In this issue, we expose how to unlock your true potential, unearth your passion, acquire the necessary skills and how to set achievable goals. We’ve interviewed some of the leading businessmen, such as Marcus Buckingham, to help you with your own personal development.
Features:
- Focus on Discovering Your Brand
- Interviews with Marcus Buckingham, Marshall Goldsmith, John Assaraf, Tim Sanders, and Gurbaksh Chahal
- Full paid issue (available February 1st) with 24 articles covering personal discovery and related topics
- Free sample issue with 6 articles, including how to Use The Internet To Discover Yourself, and SEO for Brand Discovery
- Join us on Facebook!
Video note from publisher Dan Schawbel:
@MAC_Arms Pay taxes when you make your money, pay taxes when you spend your money, pay taxes when you successfully invest your money, pay taxes when you save enough taxed money to afford a house, pay taxes to live in your house, pay taxes when you sell the house that you paid taxes on to
Yup, taxes are criminal and we need serious reforms. I've always said that if you want to see a tax revolt, make withholdings illegal and have Americans write a tax check every payday. They'll revolt for sure. You don't miss what you never had.
I think it’s safe to say that @GovEvers should stop blocking audits in Wisconsin and open the books…
“Only AMERICAN citizens should vote.”
Sen. @berniemoreno says voter ID and proof of citizenship are simply common sense.
“We’re talking about a very low threshold — identify who you are and prove you’re a U.S. citizen when you register to vote. I think we’re getting closer to
Wrong. Democrats are solely responsible for hours-long airport lines.
They voted to defund TSA three times and won’t even entertain a conversation about reopening it. Why?
They’re using it as leverage to stop enforcing immigration laws.