Struggling with trying to network with professionals

Struggling with trying to network with professionals We got an email from user L last week with two issues I want to address one today. He says: I am struggling with trying to network with professionals. Not a whole lot of information in the email what kind of struggling? They arent responding to your calls or emails? Or, you dont know how to approach them in the first place? Or, you actually get to have meetings with them but then nothing happens from there? When I started my job search 12 years ago I learned that networking was the way to go and applying online was a waste of time. So, I tried to figure out how to network. The problem was that, as an introvert and a technologist, Id much rather sit at home and do my job search efficiently than take hours and hours out of my day and routine to go to a network event, or meet someone at a restaurant. The hours and hours came from drive time, getting ready time, and arriving early and/or staying late. Did I mention introvert? The whole process could be exhausting, with a healthy dose of concern about whether this would be a fruitful meeting or if people would just think I was an idiot (second guessing myself has been one of my top skills). Sitting in front of a computer was much easier, much more comfortable, and seemed a lot more productive. But everyone knew, and said, that you had to network. What if it just wasnt working? Maybe, I figured, it wasnt that networking wasnt working, but that I wasnt understanding it and doing it right. The turning point in my networking journey came when I read Never Eat Alone. I cant recommend that book enough. This was THE book that changed my mindset on networking. It wasnt something to do so I could benefit, rather it was something to do so everyone could benefit. I went into networking opportunities with a completely different attitude and goals. It had now become fun and exciting. Instead of getting to network events late and skipping out early, I was anxious to be one of the first ones there and one of the last to leave. What because of this? I remember one conversation where I pretty much had a job offer in the bag, and at a networking event told this guy about it and said he should interview, because he was definitely a better candidate than I was. He got the job, and I got immense satisfaction knowing that I had a small part in that. Seriously, it was thrilling to give that away to him. That was a manifestation of my change in attitude. I wasnt in it for ME, I was in it for WE. I helped and I gave. I went from What can I get to what can I give you, which was great. But the next transition was huge. It was: Hey, I heard you mention this you need to talk to so-and-so. Ill send you an introduction today. Heres what that looks like: I started at: What can I get?  Im in this for me and this is why a lot of networking feels sleezy. Then, I transitioned to: What can I give you? This is a question youll hear from networkers, and it shows they are helpful, and ready to invest some capital into the networking bank maybe hoping to draw on it later. Nothing wrong with being here. But then, something magical happened when I didnt ask that question, and didnt wait for them to know what they wanted (heck, I didnt know what I why expect everyone else to know?): I heard you say this you need to talk to my friend, Ill do the introduction today. This goes into really listening and caring, and then opening up your network (risking, to a degree, your own reputation) and proactively making an introduction. #3 is why I was so excited to go to network meetings. I couldnt wait to connect people, and really, really help them. This went way beyond the superficial smile and handshake and we should do lunch (the lunch that never happens). This was meaningful, and it was fun. Along the way my relationships with individuals grew and strengthened, my reach expanded, and I was fulfilled. It was AWESOME. In summary, to a very vague question I give you two suggestions: First, get Never Eat Alone. I hope you absorb it the way I did. Second, transition from a what can I get goal/attitude to a Im going to give something to you today not sure what, but Im listening for where I can add value, and will give it attitude. This gamifies networking, makes it fun, and puts you in a much different position. Have a more specific networking question? Im all ears. Leave a comment or email me. Struggling with trying to network with professionals We got an email from user L last week with two issues I want to address one today. He says: I am struggling with trying to network with professionals. Not a whole lot of information in the email what kind of struggling? They arent responding to your calls or emails? Or, you dont know how to approach them in the first place? Or, you actually get to have meetings with them but then nothing happens from there? When I started my job search 12 years ago I learned that networking was the way to go and applying online was a waste of time. So, I tried to figure out how to network. The problem was that, as an introvert and a technologist, Id much rather sit at home and do my job search efficiently than take hours and hours out of my day and routine to go to a network event, or meet someone at a restaurant. The hours and hours came from drive time, getting ready time, and arriving early and/or staying late. Did I mention introvert? The whole process could be exhausting, with a healthy dose of concern about whether this would be a fruitful meeting or if people would just think I was an idiot (second guessing myself has been one of my top skills). Sitting in front of a computer was much easier, much more comfortable, and seemed a lot more productive. But everyone knew, and said, that you had to network. What if it just wasnt working? Maybe, I figured, it wasnt that networking wasnt working, but that I wasnt understanding it and doing it right. The turning point in my networking journey came when I read Never Eat Alone. I cant recommend that book enough. This was THE book that changed my mindset on networking. It wasnt something to do so I could benefit, rather it was something to do so everyone could benefit. I went into networking opportunities with a completely different attitude and goals. It had now become fun and exciting. Instead of getting to network events late and skipping out early, I was anxious to be one of the first ones there and one of the last to leave. What because of this? I remember one conversation where I pretty much had a job offer in the bag, and at a networking event told this guy about it and said he should interview, because he was definitely a better candidate than I was. He got the job, and I got immense satisfaction knowing that I had a small part in that. Seriously, it was thrilling to give that away to him. That was a manifestation of my change in attitude. I wasnt in it for ME, I was in it for WE. I helped and I gave. I went from What can I get to what can I give you, which was great. But the next transition was huge. It was: Hey, I heard you mention this you need to talk to so-and-so. Ill send you an introduction today. Heres what that looks like: I started at: What can I get?  Im in this for me and this is why a lot of networking feels sleezy. Then, I transitioned to: What can I give you? This is a question youll hear from networkers, and it shows they are helpful, and ready to invest some capital into the networking bank maybe hoping to draw on it later. Nothing wrong with being here. But then, something magical happened when I didnt ask that question, and didnt wait for them to know what they wanted (heck, I didnt know what I why expect everyone else to know?): I heard you say this you need to talk to my friend, Ill do the introduction today. This goes into really listening and caring, and then opening up your network (risking, to a degree, your own reputation) and proactively making an introduction. #3 is why I was so excited to go to network meetings. I couldnt wait to connect people, and really, really help them. This went way beyond the superficial smile and handshake and we should do lunch (the lunch that never happens). This was meaningful, and it was fun. Along the way my relationships with individuals grew and strengthened, my reach expanded, and I was fulfilled. It was AWESOME. In summary, to a very vague question I give you two suggestions: First, get Never Eat Alone. I hope you absorb it the way I did. Second, transition from a what can I get goal/attitude to a Im going to give something to you today not sure what, but Im listening for where I can add value, and will give it attitude. This gamifies networking, makes it fun, and puts you in a much different position. Have a more specific networking question? Im all ears. Leave a comment or email me.

Free Resume Writing For Vets

Free Resume Writing For Vet'sFree resume writing for vets is a new venture for many of the vets we have heard about. The idea that one can get ahead of the competition by simply taking up a freebie from an online business model, or to create a portfolio on the internet, is completely inaccurate.The first mistake, and probably the biggest, are going with the available free materials. When you are thinking about how to write a resume for a vet, you will find that there are a number of free resume writing programs that can help you create a quality professional looking CV that will show your ability to work in a competitive environment. However, free resume writing for vets is not a new concept, nor is it a new venture.If you need to hire a top notch resume writer, they will be able to help you make sure that you have a perfect set of skills, in order to get you ahead of the competition. They can work with you, in order to make sure that you are using the right skills, in order to get t he most out of a resume writing for vets. It will take time, but there is nothing stopping you from receiving the kind of assistance you are seeking, today.You may find that if you want to create a portfolio, that is something that is included for free, and can be created for free as well. There are free resume writing for vets websites, where there are some websites, that offer free services that are worthwhile. Using the services offered on these sites, it will be possible to have a great resume, without the expense of hiring a professional.The reason why these websites are free, is because they have to find a way to make money. For example, the website needs to earn some sort of income in order to continue to offer these services. They will sometimes offer some sort of membership as well, that will allow you to gain access to unlimited services, so that you can benefit even more from these free services.One of the greatest things about using these free services is that they allow you to become a member, without having to put forth any sort of financial investment. With these free services, you can get these services in a variety of formats, and you can be sure that you will be able to choose the format that will best benefit you. You can also use some of these free services to create your portfolio, too.In fact, in many cases, you can create a portfolio as part of your free resume writing for vets services. In order to provide you with the best services possible, the web master is able to work with the people who are creating the free resume writing for vet's website, in order to ensure that they are able to create an impressive portfolio, for you.When you are going to begin looking for a free resume writing for vets service, you will notice that there are a number of websites out there that are offering these services. You will also notice that each of these sites are focusing on different areas. It is a good idea to keep this in mind, when you are looking for a free resume writing for vets service, in order to get the best service, and avoid spending a lot of money.

The Anatomy of the Counter Offer

The Anatomy of the Counter Offer The subject of the counter offer is a very highly debated topic. If you are in a job search while currently employed and in fact entertain a new offer, it is a safe assumption that your current employer will do what it takes to keep you. And while having two companies fighting over your professional services can feel flattering, it is incumbent on you to fully understand the situation and not just take the highest offer. This article is not written to persuade candidates to not take counter offers. To make that claim would assume I know every detail of every position for every candidate. And here is a secret: I don’t.  So as far as I am concerned maybe that counter offer is the best thing for you. However the point of this article is to make sure that regardless of your situation that you are making the most informed decision for your career. If you are just looking at the dollar signs and making a decision from there you are sacrificing your long-term career goals for quick results. What is a counter offer? So my attempt in this article is to break down the anatomy of what makes a counter offer. By better understanding a counter offer, it will hopefully lead to more enlightened conversations, and in turn making the best decision for your career long-term. First we need to understand that counter offers are typically made from a reactionary position and not of what is in your best interest. Meaning, a counter offer is only being made because they are reacting to keep you; whereas if they really wanted to reward you for your performance, these conversations would occur without you having to threaten to leave. So while offering you more money may seem like having your best interest in mind, what your employer is really doing is just buying your loyalty for a little longer. Are you really that cheap? Now let’s dive into the counter offer conversation itself. There are a plethora of questions to ask when the topic of a counter offer arises. If you’re not asking informed questions during that discussion, beyond “how much money can you offer”, than you are only hurting yourself. Below I highlight some of those important questions you should be asking. You just got a salary increase. Where is this money coming from? Since you are getting this money now, will you be eligible for any scheduled bonuses in the future? Why are you only receiving an increased compensation now? Why weren’t you worth this money before telling them you were leaving? With an increase in money, are there now greater responsibilities being placed on you? Are you expected to perform at a level above you even though you may not be ready? Occasionally it’s not just money, sometimes you may ask for an increased level of responsibility. Would these increased responsibilities be available if you didn’t threaten to leave? How does this affect the working relationship? Will you now be the first one let go if the company starts experiencing layoffs? Does management no longer trust you? If your employer cannot confidently answer these questions, the red flags should be waving frantically. Remember, counter offers are made from reactionary points of view, so if they are really just trying to buy your loyalty, than that’s all it is, they are just purchasing you. You aren’t necessarily looked at as an asset as much as you are holding a seat they cannot afford to be empty. If they really do not want to lose you and would like you to be a valuable member of the team, these questions should be easy to answer. And in those cases I cannot fully say the counter offer is a bad thing. There are many statistics out there about how long employees last with their employer once a counter offer is made. The majority of the time people do not last 6 months to a year after a counter offer because the trust is gone and they have already began looking for a replacement. The reasons vary on why this is the case, but the root cause is because trust is broken. So it is important that you have a well thought out conversation to determine your future rather than take whatever money is being thrown at the higher number. As I mentioned earlier this article isn’t to tell you to take the offer or not. It is merely informing you of what you need to be asking if the subject comes up. Because ultimately this is your career, which by normal standards should last a few decades, so you should not be looking at the quick fix as much as what makes sense in the long run. RELATED: How to Avoid Candidates Dropping Out or Accepting Counter Offers

What can I do with a degree in history

What can I do with a degree in history If this is a question you have asked yourself during your degree, the good news is that history produces individuals who are well equipped with a multitude of skills and are able to enter a diverse number of careers. Post-history professional achievement is about a combination of factors, from degree classification and making informed career choices, to a professional curriculum vitae detailing work experience, volunteering and participation in extra-curricular activities. Career decisions Most students start history degrees knowing they have a passion for the subject, but with little or no definite career ambitions. This is not a cause for concern as the duration of the course allows for the formation of career decisions. It is critical to think about what your interests are, consider what you are good at, what you enjoy doing and find out what different careers actually involve. Careers consultants on campus are well placed to provide support and guidance. In addition, aim to carry research  on specific roles and talk to the many employers who visit universities about the job roles they offer to graduates. Work experience Undertaking work experience and volunteering during your degree can provide useful insights into jobs and opportunities to build networks in specific occupational sectors. In addition, work experience can form a vital component in CVs and in securing employment post study. According to the graduate website Target Jobs: Whatever your academic record, its essential that you demonstrate to recruiters that youve got the competencies or qualities the firm is looking for. Relate any skills youve developed during work experience or from your time at university to the role thats on offer.   High Fliers, the annual graduate labour market survey also consistently reports on the value of work experience which for many employers, is as important a requirement as academic achievement. Networking Networking is another critical factor for history graduates considering entry into more hidden sectors and roles, such as those within culture and heritage. Openings in smaller organisations can be more limited and vacancies not always openly advertised. A diligent approach to networking provides valuable opportunities for building and maintaining that network. Explore forums such as Linkedln for example and be proactive during work experience, voluntary work and employers events on campus. Skills History graduates develop a range of transferable skills, making   them highly employable. These typically include the following: Excellent written and communication skills and an  ability to assimilate and analyse large amounts of data Intellectual rigour and independence in presenting findings and  ability to construct arguments and communicate findings Competent research skills Capability to work independently and as part of a team Proficiency to deliver work to agreed deadlines Capacity to solve problems, think creatively and approach issues with an open mind Knowledge and understanding of different factors that impact on individuals and groups in society A 2014 article published on the Top University website reported that history graduates have the ability to apply an analytical mind-set to all kinds of situations and challenges. These problem-solving and analytical skills are relevant in just about any industry which has a focus on current societies and future developments, particularly in the fields of business, politics and academia. Employers value the research, analytical teamwork and communication skills that are developed by history students throughout their degree. David Nicollss  2011 study ,  The employment of history graduates concludes that a truly remarkable number of history graduates have gone on to become the movers-and-shakers of modern Britain.  High-profile graduates such as Gordon Brown and George Osborne (politics), Anne Fine (author) and Michael Mansfield (barrister) illustrate this point. Jobs Careers directly applicable to history graduates include teaching, research, archiving and heritage. As noted above, history graduates are also considered to be suitable for a variety of different careers given the transferable skill sets they possess over 70% of graduate employers in the UK do not specify degree disciplines which means that history graduates can also consider less obvious careers, ranging from publishing and retail to accountancy and management consultancy. Further study A sizeable number of history graduates choose to go on to further study. Some decide to delve further into history and develop their expertise in themes they have found stimulating at degree level. Others find that history has provided them with a sound base for entry to postgraduate courses in teaching, law, journalism or accountancy to name but a few. There is no definitive guide to careers for history graduates. The career prospects are as wide and varied as one can imagine, from the more conventional such as research, teaching, culture and heritage to careers in areas such as law, finance, business and politics. Whatever your job aspirations or political persuasion, remember that a degree in history wont hold you back.

Responsible For Writing Prosals Resume

Responsible For Writing Prosals ResumeYou are a writer who is responsible for writing proposals resume. It is your job to offer the employer with information that would make them hire you. The first thing you need to consider is how you can write your resume.Information: During this time, you should always provide as much information as possible. Tell them about your past employment, accomplishments, achievements, experiences and anything else that might have influenced you. People love to know about themselves. The more you will be remembered, the better you will get.Experience: Another good way to be considered as a good candidate is if you already have experience in your present job. Your resume will only say that you are good at this job. However, most employers will want to see more than just the qualifications for the job. Be specific and explain how you can be an asset for the company and why they should hire you.Educational Background: You must always mention your education t o show that you have the knowledge on the subject. Of course, it is vital that you write your resume well to catch the attention of the reader. In addition, it is important to state your academic qualifications if you are planning to apply for scholarships. If you have been accepted, you must mention that.Hobbies: Make sure that you include your hobbies in your resume. Make a list and talk about what you enjoy doing in life. Most employers love people who have hobbies and passions. This shows that you are a positive person who would be great for a new challenge.Accomplishments: Show them the accomplishments you have made in your life. You can mention your projects, awards and other accomplishments that you have made. They are most likely looking for a person who has achieved something in their life. The best thing you can do is to demonstrate your abilities in any field that you can so that you can become one of the most wanted candidates in the future.In order to be considered for a new job, you may need to focus on those who have recently graduated and are in the process of obtaining their degrees. Those who have just started their career may not feel confident to make a resume. When writing resumes, they will simply start looking for one-liners that may not be very good. This is where you need to stand out. Write a resume that is full of your best qualities and highlight your strengths.Remember that when writing proposals resume, you should always focus on what you can do for the company and highlight your strengths. You can also express your feelings about what you have accomplished or how your project was successful.

5 Ideas to Turn Your Hobby into a Lucrative Career CareerMetis.com

5 Ideas to Turn Your Hobby into a Lucrative Career â€" CareerMetis.com People hangout together at coffee shopSome people love to paint, to draw, to cook and to DIY stuff â€" we all have different unique interests and hobbies. All of us have this specific thing we love to do and spend our time with.Sometimes, they do these things to complement boredom or to simply entertain themselves; others have allotted time to do these as it could bring them great joy and helps them to relieve stress.Though you may think that it’s only appropriate as a hobby, there’s a chance you can monetize it and turn your special skill into a profitable career or a business venture.evalIf you are having a difficult time right now in finding a job that is right and suitable to you, why don’t you try to turn your hobby into a lucrative career?That rushing adrenaline every time you do what interests you the most, the inner piece it gives you â€" yes, that thing could mark the start path of your career! What else can you ask for?You with a lucrative career, doing the thing you are good at and creating money out of your hobby that interests you the most.Yes, your hobbies don’t just have to be free time activities anymore. You can generate a purposeful business out of it and it could be branded as an honorable and great calling.However, it does take some work to establish a career as there are a lot of things and steps to embark on. But once you have set the right pace, you could potentially find yourself making enough to do it full-time.Now get up and turn your hobbies into a profitable career or a business venture that you can explore and learn with.This article will help and guide you on transitioning your hobby into a full-time or part-time lucrative career. 1. Here’s How to Monetize Your HobbyevalevalThere is a long list of hobbies that you can earn money with, like traveling, food, arts, web design, fitness the likes, baking cooking, entertainment, DIY crafts and others. But you, what interest you the most?Hobbies are the fun stuff you love and never get tired of doing. If you love painting, for example, think all the possibilities of you painting all day… expressing yourself and sharing them a part of you and your talent as well. This may sound tiring, but how could you get tired of doing something your heart desired?Set your mind and start thinking all the advantages that you can get and profit from your hobbies.In this article, you’ll get ideas and tips on how to monetize those hobbies just don’t be afraid to give it a try because you are not just doing it by your hands but with your heart as well. What could go wrong in doing something with a touch of your heart in it?2. Coming up with an idea and create your planevalTo come up with an idea, stop for a while and think of what you usually do. If you love taking pictures or writing short stories, why don’t you try photography as a career or start writing books or start your freelance writing career?Isn’t it fun, writing or taking pictures because it is what you ’ve been dreaming of?At first, we must know how good we are in doing our hobby and evaluate if it has the potential in the market.For example, knowing how to bake or cook have no assurance that we can market our end product that is because anyone can cook or we can cook especially if we try to get some help and does online, but the big question that makes your hobby different from others is… is it delicious and appealing to your target clients?3. See and Listen to the feedback, even negative or positiveCriticism is everywhere. Don’t take it as if it’s a bad thing, but use it to grow instead. Be wise enough to use criticism to make yourself and your business a new version every day and an improved businessman.Always remember that if you receive a negative criticism, instead of being angry or feeling depressed, don’t take it personally; make use of it and out of a negative opinion, make a positive outcome that you would be proud of someday.On the other hand, if you receive a positive outcome, do not settle for it thinking you already achieve your goal, remember that your goal doesn’t stop it is limitless and always go beyond the limit, do not be afraid.4. Don’t over-complicate things keep it simpleTo be a success in making a lucrative career out of your passion and interest, it is necessary to make an impact by letting people know what exactly your goal is and what your real focus is.If you want to do it online and be a blogger, you have to keep it simple and do not over-complicate things like if you go for crafts making and DIY-ing, you don’t have to add another thing like your cooking, painting, or writing etc. Stick to one and carry on.evalSo what is the advantage of setting one goal and a simple career? If you set one goal like excelling in craft making and DIY-ing you are able to focus on it.Remember that no one can master different things at the same time. You have to do it gradually.eval5. Treat it like a job and stick with your brandIf yo u are determined to use your hobby as a lucrative career and a primary source of necessities, you have to treat it like a job.Give it the time, the attention it deserves, and learn more about marketing and sales to achieve a steady and sustainable improvement.The industry is under great pressure. Competition and comparison with other businesses are everywhere… so you have to stay true and stick with your brand.evalKeep your mind on track with your goal and always follow your chosen pathway. Because if you yourself can’t stay true with your brand, how can your clients be loyal to you?

10 seeeeeriously cool workplaces - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

10 seeeeeriously cool workplaces - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog Physical space matters. Its easier to be productive, creative and happy at work in a colourful, organic, playful environment than in a grey, linear, boring one. And Im not talking about the outside of the building. Many companies have buildings that are sleek, modern, architectural glass-steel-and-cement sculptures on the outside and cubicle wastelands on the inside. These companies need to remember that most employees tend to work inside the building. With that in mind, heres some eye candy from 10 different innovative, well-designed workplaces. (Also check out my post on 12 Ways to Pimp Your Office). Pixar Could you sit in grey cubicles and come up with stuff like The Incredibles and Finding Nemo? Naaaaah And thats why Pixars offices look more like this: The last picture shows a row of little huts, each of which is an office. The pictures are from this cool photo tour of the Pixar HQ. Kathy Sierras trailer Kathy Sierra, who writes one of the best blogs in existence, created her home office in a vintage trailer. What a great way to create a fun, different home office. Kathy talks about it here. Red Bull London Here are some pictures from Red Bulls London office. Shiny! The last picture shows a slide that people can use to go between floors. Yee-hah! There are many more pictures here. Mindlab Who says government offices must be boring. Mindlab at the Ministry of Economic and Business Affairs in Copenhagen, Denmark is a meeting facility available to all employees. The heart of it is an egg-shaped meeting room inside which all the walls are whiteboards you can write on any surface in there. This was designed by Bosch Fjord. The Happy At Work Project We (=The Happy At Work Project) wanted something simple, fun, flexible and practical for our office. The central piece is a high desk where three people can comfortably work side by side. You can stand or sit on high office chairs. Up to 8 people can meet around it. Everything you see there is from IKEA, and setting up the whole office with workspaces for 3 people cost us about 1000 euros. While its not as fancy as some of the other offices shown here, it works great and it shows how much you can do for almost no money In just one room we have workplaces, meeting space and plenty of floor space for workshop exercises or plain old fun. Conference bike This has got to be the coolest idea in a long time. 7 people pedal along, one steers. Its the conference bike and I want one!! While its not a workplace, it would make a great meeting room!! Menlo Innovations Menlo Innovations is a software development company in Ann Arbor Michigan. They do all their programming work using eXtreme Programming, and while their offices arent particularly fancy to look at, they are ideally suited to the work they do. Being situated in a nice area of town, they can even take meetings outside on the sidewalk. Again, this shows that creating a fun, innovaticve office environment doesnt require a huge budget just a little common sense, creativity and a willingness to risk doing something different. What If? Innovation What If? Innovation were celebrated as the UKs happiest workplace in both 2004 and 2005. I visited their London HQ last week for a grand tour, and here are some of the highlights: Looking in the window on the combined reception and meeting space. A great idea that creates a hub for everyone in the company. Praise for employees is written across the walls and ceiling in the hub area. Spider cow and a meeting room. VW Phaeton plant But what about industry? You could never create, say, a really cool car assembly plant could you? Sure you could. Check out the Volkswagen Phaeton plant in Dresden, Germany: Who says a factory has to be ugly and dirty? That plant is simply beautiful! The photos were taken from this photo tour where you can see many more cool pictures. Theres also more at the plants website. Google Yes, yes, I know using Google here is almost too predictable. But they get it, dammit! Their HQ, the Googleplex is seriously cool and creative. The upshot The physical workspace is one of the most ignored, yet most important factors in creating good workplaces. None of the ideas shown here will apply to every company, but most companies could stand to improve a little. It doesnt have to cost a lot of money but it does take a little creativity and courage. What could your workplace learn from some of the designs shown here? UPDATE: Having this post on reddit, digg and lifehacker at the same time was too much for my server and mysql crashed I apologize. Ill look into fixing this, so it wont be a problem in the future. Ive also created a flickr set with all the images of cool workplaces. If you enjoyed this post Im pretty sure youll also like these: 12 Ways to Pimp Your Office Top 5 reasons why The Customer Is Always Right is wrong Top 5 business maxims that need to go Part I Part II Why Motivation By Pizza doesnt work Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related

The Recession is Bullhonkey Kris Story - When I Grow Up

The Recession is Bullhonkey Kris Story - When I Grow Up This is part of The Recession is Bullhonkey series, where I share stories of those who have gotten hired and/or started their own businesses (or sometimes both!) since 2008. This is Kris Story, and youll soon find out why she called it The Long and Winding Road to Myself. Sunflower Girl Walking on Winding Road by Paula Goodbar Photography The Long and Winding Road to Myself “There is only one way to learn. Its through action. Everything you need to know you have learned through your journey.” ? Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist Every life is a story with its own plot, characters, settings, conflicts and themes. In the circle of Campbellians (the bliss followers who love the work of Joseph Campbell and everything mythological) that I belong to, our stories are the lifeblood of our personal mythologies. We make meaning from the stories, myths, cultural behaviors and psychologies that weave throughout our lives in the guise of recurring events and themes. The theme that weaves throughout my many career lives is FLOW. The manifestation of “flow” in my life has many masksâ€"â€"abundance or lack, freedom or bondage (not the good kind of bondage, unfortunately), fullness or emptiness. I’m grateful for every experience because it has brought me to where I am now at 44. I’ve reinvented myself and my career many times over and this trend continues to flow. I’m a scholar at heart. I love learning and have spent many years educating myself in a variety of schools: I’ve gone through massage certifications, a music degree, post-graduate degrees in mythology and depth psychology, and even a correspondence program to study Western Esoteric magical practices, rituals and mythology. All of these scholarly endeavors expanded my perspective and juiced up my creativity. However, my real education was not forged in a university library: I’ve spent my life trying out a multitude of professions. I’ve been a drummer, writer, tarot reader, palm reader, psychic/intuitive, web developer, chiropractic assistant, massage therapist, reiki practitioner, secretary, executive assistant, TV producer, marketing coordinator, email marketing programs manager and a sewer bomber. Yes, you read that right. I used to drop smoke bombs down into sewers to test them for the cities of Carpinteria and Ojai. And, I have always been entrepreneurial. Whether I happen to work for a company or for myself, I love coming up with new ways to help bring in more revenue and customers. I love to experiment. And I need to work in a massively creative, fast and dynamic atmosphere to feel happy and challenged. Until discovering Michelle Ward and her online group coaching circle known as the Clubhouse, I never gave a second thought to the incredible twists, turns and 360s that practically litter the terrain of my life. Until that moment of joining the group, I believed I was forever doomed to be unsuccessful, broke and restless. People like me actually belong to a category and it wasn’t Flake or Jack of All Trades. We’re from a tribe known as Renaissance Souls. Ive struggled my entire life to define my own way of working in the world. I’ve spent countless years beating myself up for not sticking with one thing, as my family wished I would.  And then the epiphany arrived: Danielle LaPorte.  I purchased her Spark Kit on a pay-what-you-can day in January 2012.  I devoured it in 3 days. I implemented what I learned from that gem of an eBook right away. Huge difference in how I perceived myself and my story. I went from $50/hr to $100/hr and didnt lose any clients and actually gained 5 new ones! I figured out how to take what people were asking me for and created a livelihood based on the premise of my desires and strengths. Danielle calls this the “metrics of ease;” doing those things that you are naturally good at. I’m really good at listening to people and to inspiration that seems to flow from the invisible realms. Many of my friends and colleagues have called me an Idea Whisperer: I often go through periods where I dream up ideas for myself and people around me at 4am. The Muses wake me up and I always obey. I’m a Marketing Muse and a Creativity Midwife. For now. A student of life. Always. Another gem of wisdom from Danielle’s book The Fire Starter Sessions is found in the chapter, “The Strategy of Desire.” Every great adventure begins when the hero or heroine feels a longing to move into the unknown. The call to enter the dark forest or the labyrinth or the underworld comes after they realize what they are wishing for. A desire is the beginning of the call to adventure. What do you desire in this very moment? Connect with your heart and you will see that you’ve been traveling your Royal Road to bliss all along. Every experience, every U-Turn has brought you to your own magnificent self. Celebrate that no one could ever remotely walk your path. Kris Oster is a Creativity Midwife + Marketing Muse who helps people get their shit together so they can birth their gorgeous offerings out into the world. Rummaging through her life, both physically and mentally, Kris is writing her first fantasy memoir, My Life as a Mermaid: The Tale of a Rockstar’s Daughter, which will be published in 2013. Come hell or high water. Hoping for high water, which is good for mermaids, and lots of pages completed by October 2012. Kris’ latest offering is the Goddess Guide to Business Bliss, A Digital Sanctuary for Women. With her own material composed during the past 9 months and over 20 contributors, including Michelle Ward, Danielle LaPorte, Tanya Geisler, Alexandra Franzen, Shenee Howard and Francesca Marano, The Goddess Guide to Business Bliss is written entirely by women for women. Pre-order your copy (for only $9) before August 20th and save $41! $4 of each copy sold is going to the charity Yoga Gives Back that supports women and children in India by providing much needed micro loans. You can connect with Kris on her website, www.mythicrhythm.com and on Twitter and Facebook.