Work, success, and meaning at every stage of your career
If your job search is going to extend into the new year, here’s a resolution that will make a difference: look for a meaningful volunteer job. Volunteering always makes a difference, of course, in the community and for the people nonprofits serve. It’s good to know that you can make a difference to others and make a difference in your job search at the same time.
If you’re working, (or looking) do you know the mission and vision of the company? Does it resonate with your personal values? Do you feel that the work you’re doing makes a difference? If you can’t answer yes to any of these questions, you may be in the wrong place, even if you’re doing a good job.
So I wondered: what would happen if she focused on job search techniques? What would the woman who once wrote a whole blog post on cleaning your handbag (and sewing a labeled drawstring bag to store it properly in your closet) and who penned the immortal words: “Group table linens by size — all tablecloths together, all napkins together. You can further group them by season (all holiday items together) or formality (casual linens on top, formal linens underneath).” This was from her “simple tips” list. You don’t want to see the “advanced tips” list. Trust me.
One of the characteristics that set humans apart from most other creatures is our ability to see into the future; to travel ahead in time. It’s what helps us plan. We can for instance, make a decision to go grocery shopping even though we just eaten a big meal; we know we’ll be hungry later, and we’re out of eggs, so we shop.
The Relativity Theory was first identified by Ernst Heinrich Weber (June 24, 1795 – January 26, 1878) a German physician who is considered to be one of the founders of experimental psychology. His work measured our ability to perceive differences in weight (that is lifted or held) and found that your ability to perceive change is relative to what you start with.
Cottle has been featured in motivational books, and her GUTS formula for success is a popular topic for her presentations to groups. I caught up with her by phone to ask about her coaching process. She says it took her about ten years of observing successful people to come up with the formula. She has worked with people all over the world (she’s currently coaching clients via Skype from as far away as Hong Kong and Belgium) and sees a pattern in the way they manage their lives and careers.
It’s not all about you. Really. Sometimes, it’s not even a little about you. Yet taking things personally is one of the most frequent causes of conflict in the workplace – and in life. It’s easy to fly off the handle when someone gives you a hard time. After all, you fume, it’s not like I haven’t had a bad day / bad year / bad life myself. Who is she to snap at me when I ask a simple question? Before you give her a piece of your mind, take a deep breath and ask yourself these questions.
The DISC model of behavior and personality types divides personalities into two categories: those who focus on people, and those who focus on tasks or systems. You may intuitively know which type you are. The question is, do you know how to use it effectively in an interview?
The Theory of Social Proof states that people assume the actions of others reflect correct behavior for a given situation. When in doubt, look around you and do what the people at the next table are doing. Most of us do it, and it works most of the time. You probably won’t make a monkey of yourself in any given situation. But you’re not locked into it. What would happen if you became the social leader?
Monday Night Football’s game was a Green Bay Packers blowout over the Minnesota Vikings (45 – 7.) Like most of Packer Nation, I enjoyed watching the team do their jobs so expertly. It got me thinking: What if you were as good at your job as Aaron Rodgers and his teammates? You might be the defending Super Bowl champion of your profession. Here are some lessons you can take from the Green Bay Packers.
Your Work, Your Way 