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Road Rules on the Road of Life – A Book Review

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“Pay careful attention to the road signs of your life”, says Andrew J Sherman, author of Road Rules: Be the Truck. Not the Squirrel. Learn the 12 Essential Rules for Navigating the Road of Life.
This book presents a very interesting analogy on the road rules and signs and how the author compares to our daily lives and career. There are signs all around us (much like the road signs) prompting us to walk on certain paths; it all depends on how we decipher these signs and pave our paths to a successful and satisfying life.

Some inspiring points and quotes that we have come across now and then are put together with simple wittiness in this interesting read. The ideas may not be new but the concept is novel and I will for sure look at the road signs along the way on my next trip and smile as I put together the analogy of life and the road signs as the author puts them beautifully together. Sherman says: “Most road signs have basic insights to guide you along the highway of life“.
An excerpt from the book:
YIELD
We all need to yield to others more often – to other’s actions, to others thoughts and to other’s beliefs. Be open to their suggestions and alternative pathways.

LANE ENDS MERGE LEFT
Pay careful attention to changes in your roadway of life that are truly inevitable. You may be cruising along in your lane of choice, only to learn that you will be out of the runway sooner than you expected.

SLOW: Children At Play
Is an important message to slow down and watch out for young children, but it is also an important reminder to take your foot off the accelerator long enough to spend time with your children and your family.

It is seldom that we get to reflect on what is going on around us because most of the time we are busy driving to and back from work and the only time we ‘live’ our lives is on the weekends . We keep doing what we are doing because it is so much integral to our routine; take time off from the routine and see how different the world can look and feel when just pausing and evaluating the path before us can make all the difference to our perspectives. “Some intersections in life require a full stop, an examination of the situation before moving forward. Others are more of a yield. They remind you to slow down a bit and take notice of what is around you before you proceed at full speed, but it’s usually okay to glide through with caution.”

Living a life dedicated to attaining one’s goals means developing the speed, attitude, skills, and ability to take action when life’s challenges arise. Sherman’s insights prove that every person is in control of shaping his or her destiny, that everyone can influence life-defining variables on the highway of life

Be the truck, not the squirrel. Sherman explains that forty-one million squirrels get run over every year because they scamper back and forth across the road, dodging traffic, with no strategy or plan – the sole mission being to find nuts. A truck, on the other hand, is big and powerful. Trucks, or more precisely, truck drivers, carry valuable cargo. They need to have a plan, a destination, a road map, and an understanding of basic rules and laws so as not to cause accidents, or get lost. Sherman identifies the eight critical concepts that are essential to being the truck, from knowing where the road leads (the clarity of one’s path) to having a full tank of gas (energy, passion, and enthusiasm). Sherman’s insights will help readers understand how to define their life goals. Being the truck and not the squirrel is a wise choice.

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3 Essential Tips on How to get Recognition at Work

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Document your Achievements
If your efforts at the workplace have resulted in increased revenue for the company or just great salutations from the customers and clients you have every reason to be the on the list of those recognized for their contribution to the organization. But if you have no record and have not reached out to your manager informing him/her about your success don’t blame anyone if you fail to be recognized or do not get that much deserved compensation or bonus this year. Religiously (weekly or monthly) update your personal work records document. Document the new skills you learn at work and document your achievements.

Bring Value to your Company and also to your Co-Workers
The more you give the more you shall receive. If you have mentored juniors or trained your colleagues or customers; you are already in the good books of the management.
If your co-workers have good things to say for you, the more popular you would be and popularity is a very important step towards valued recognition in a company. And also don’t forget to appreciate your co-workers and managers too.
If you have not gotten any references so far, go with lunches with your customers or co-workers, ask for their feedback and listen what they have to say and if they have to say something good about you, send them an email first to get a written testimonial and see the first tip (above) again.
Bring value to your organization by presenting ideas on your current or new projects, or present a case on how your contribution can lead to an increase in revenue for the company.

Be Visible
If you wish to be recognized, then do not be a lone worker. Stand out and also ask for what you desire. You get what you ask for. Do not feel awkward when you “toot your own horn” for the value you bring to your company. In fact toot the horn loud and clear. If you seek accolades you will have to make an effort to stand out and be visible. It is all the more important to be visible in today’s workplace. Those with a brilliant track record and often recognized in the company have a higher chance of being retained when the layoff cycles begin.

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Filed Under: Career Self-Help, Career Woman, Work Smarter Tagged With: , , , ,

Goal Setting is Bad for you? uh!

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“– Goals that are too specific often lead employees to develop such a narrow focus that they fail to recognize obvious problems unrelated to the target.
– Likewise, too many goals have what the authors consider an inappropriate time horizon.
– Workers with highly specific and ambitious targets will engage in risky practices in order to meet them (goals).
– Unethical behavior is one of the more obvious pitfalls of overly ambitious goal setting, with potentially some of the most catastrophic consequences.”

This is an excerpt from a article in Knowledge at Wharton. It had me thinking for a long time, whatever happened to the good old saying that you plan to fail if you fail to plan. That is a direct mention to setting goals in life. Though setting goals has been an integral part of our personal and work life, this article does present interesting thoughts on how to be reasonable while setting goals.
WE all have goals in our lives which motivate us to do something to get closer to them and that is what excites us to begin our day with enthusiasm and fervor. Some goals are reachable and make us content however some fall flat and those we might discard as bad ideas or unrealistic goals that were beyond our capabilities. Whatever the case may be, it is very important for us to revisit our goals often and revise them. To thrive in whatever we do we must adapt and change; and so must our goals.

Whatever their take on setting goals may be, I loved professor Maurice Schweitzer’s explanation and reference to “hedonic treadmill”; quoting from the article:
“The notion of a hedonic treadmill, says Schweitzer, “is that people never ‘get’ to where they are going. For example, people constantly pursue happiness, but don’t get there. They keep thinking that the next promotion, the new car, the salary raise, etc. will make them happy. They get the promotion, and that makes them happy for a time. Then they adapt and mistakenly think that it’s the next promotion that will make them happy.
“People may be motivated by goals. But these goals can crowd out intrinsic motivation, so they will need more goals to motivate them in the future.”

How often are you just in the wild race to attain your goals and have felt that you have never had the satisfaction of “being there”?

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Filed Under: Career Self-Help, Communication@Work, Work Smarter Tagged With: , ,

NFL Director of Fandemonium Search Contest

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In a nod to cubicle daydreams everywhere, Monster.com launched the kick-off of an unprecedented NFL Director of Fandemonium search contest. The search is underway, with Monster accepting applications into a pool that will be narrowed down to 32 candidates who will vie for this once-in-a-lifetime position; a role that will offer a signing bonus of $100,000 and unique roles in the 2009 NFL Draft, 2009 NFL Kickoff and Super Bowl XLIV.

Some background on this position:
On Super Bowl Sunday, Monster launched the all-new Monster.com with a brand new ad and launch of the unprecedented NFL Director of Fandemonium search contest. Now the search begins, with Monster accepting applications into a pool that will be narrowed down to 32 candidates who will vie for this once-in-a-lifetime chance. The NFL Director of Fandemonium will serve as goodwill ambassador for Monster and the NFL at some of the biggest events of the 2009 NFL season (see below), and will get a cool $100,000 signing bonus, to boot. Sound like something you could handle? Get your application in order!

Fans can apply at nfl.monster.com – but hurry as the entry deadline is 2/15/09!

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Sure a different post this one; when everywhere you see layoffs and pay cuts a different news (6 figure sign in bonus!) sure excites interest. Are you applying?

Careerbright – Career Article and Information for Professionals and Working Women
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How to Generate Income and stay Positive when you have no Job – Part 2

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In part 1 of this article you have read about how to remain positive in these negative economic times; here I carry on the next step –towards generating income when you have no job.
Here are some ideas: (Your ideas are also welcome to supplement the following list)

Temporary Placements and Part-time Jobs
It is the best time to find some freelancing work since you know that full-time jobs might not be coming your way easily this year.

Read some tips at: Alternatives to a Permanent Full Time Job

Career in Sales
Some of the jobs that might pay off your bills and also give you the recently lost self-worth might be in the life-insurance and other financial products. The positive aspects of such jobs are that the company hiring you provides you complete training, benefits and options to work part-time or full time. You could explore job possibilities at the reputed insurance giants as New York Life and MetLife or explore those in your local area.

 

Your Hobbies Your Passion Your New Business
People may not have lots of money to spend on new clothes or eat out at a restaurant, but when it comes to spending on their kids skills development, education and even recreation or for that matter in just keeping them busy; they would be willing to spare a few bucks by cutting on other non-essential expenses. Now what that means towards generating an income for you depends on your current skills and experience.
No not necessarily your professional skills but your non-academic may come to use if you are passionate enough. Explore the possibilities of a home based business and it can very well be taken to a multi-million dollar business with proper planning and insight. Alright, here we are not talking about multi-million dollars flowing in anyone’s pocket right now but having a long-term vision pays off eventually. There is an interesting article you might enjoy reading on CNN Money titled: 6 companies born during downturns.

Some ideas here:
Do you play the piano well, or the guitar, or know a special dance form, or good at tutoring – Maths, Science etc., do you know a language that people in your area might be interested in learning, or how about cooking, sewing, or soccer – are you good at it?
The point is first know what you are best at and what you love doing? If you can teach something interesting or in demand – you have a home business up and running at the same time.
Think about how can you turn your passion/hobby into a new home based business?
Always remember the three “P”s that can help you succeed: Passion, Perspective, Persistence, Plan and Patience. 

  • “Nothing great in the world has been accomplished without passion”
  • There has never been a short cut to success – be persistent.
  • Always have a broader perspective on your idea and where you want to go; expand your outlook and find out how viable or in demand are your ideas.
  • Plan your actions; plan your day; prepare a plan on revenue generation. “If you fail to plan you plan to fail”.
  • “He that can have Patience, can have what he will”

For more information on how to set up a home business covering all legal issues check out these websites (some are country specific, you might want to first check on what support your government provides in setting up a small or home-based business):

 

 

Have a Well kept House and a Good Location? Why not Start a Bed n’ Breakfast
Of course this is a big job too; one of your best bets is to start with reading something like “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Running a Bed and Breakfast”, you might get an idea if it is a viable solution and whether this is what you want to do.

 

Online Cash
There is money in internet business and other web based jobs if you have the skills to harness this exciting frontier. People make money blogging, filling surveys, selling stuff or running an eBay business, selling your own products or someone else’s online etc. and can diversify quickly into multiple stream of income. But howsoever exciting and easy it may sound, you still have to put in a lot of time and effort and also the income that you generate might not be enough to sustain your financial needs. But again if you have spousal help and expertise towards technical knowhow then this could be a good source of so called ‘passive’ income, but again, do not assume that the return would be instant or you shall see good profits in 3-6 months. Read and research before spending a lot of time on any one particular income generation stream.

 

Get Ready to Explore the New Industries
The job market condition is deplorable and very few companies are hiring nationwide. What does it mean to you? Some new industries are thriving in the current economic downturn and perhaps more federal funds may be diverted to the ‘clean tech’ or ‘green jobs’ try out the new industries and see how you can reapply your skills in these industries. Also this could be a good time to start honing your skills towards the new jobs of the future.

 

Network to Explore Possibilities
Often new ideas come to us when we discuss with other like-minded or sometimes even completely opposite-minded people. It is not the time to hole yourself in the house and double your stress level, make sure that you step out, meet with friends and find other opportunities to network with others, for example career seminars and job fairs in your city and other workshops that the employment agencies are coming up with.
And another piece of advice – be ready to recreate and diversify and, if possible relocate where the jobs are.

 

What has been your experience, would appreciate if you can also pitch in some ideas to supplement the following list, please add your ideas and suggestions to the comments below.

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Filed Under: Career Self-Help, Entrepreneurship, Job Search, Layoff Tagged With: , , , , ,