Never Give Up!

There is a song with the lyrics “Sometimes the roads seem all uphill … “, and the sentiment is that you should never give up. There is also a song from Shaggy called “Hope” with that same sentiment. In fact I mentioned Shaggy’s song in a blog entry in September 2006 about Entrepreneurship, Success and Perseverance.

You don’t need to be an entrepreneur or super successful to overcome challenges, it just feels good to battle through! The reality is that we all face challenges (big and small) and we can grow and become better people by overcoming those hurdles … and by not giving in to adversity!

My friend Kit Grant’s newsletter addressed this subject today … check it out!

"My concern is not whether you have failed but whether you are content with your failure." ... Abraham Lincoln

It's just so easy to quit, isn't it? I mean, if things don't work out, just give up. I have discovered more than once that with only a minimum of extra effort, the success rate in most endeavours always goes up. Why then, do we find it so easy to e content with failure?

Well, one big reason is that the best way to avoid failing again and experiencing the same or greater pain is to just do nothing and walk away. Just the other day I was playing (golf) so poorly on the front nine that I quit and went home. The next day on the 10th tee, one of my playing partners from the previous day asked if I was going to be so bold as to play a whole game this time. Ouch! It's easy to forget you're supposed to be out there having fun and getting some exercise when you get your head so wrapped up in how you're doing. Who knows? I could have had a great back nine the first day but never gave that opportunity a chance to happen. How content are you with your failures and what opportunities might you be shutting out by giving up too easily?

Focus

I was talking to an entrepreneur recently who is in the midst of getting his new business venture going. As always, it is a tough journey, the road seems all uphill … and there are many distractions on the way. A distriction for him was another opportunity that came along with the promise of some much needed revenues in the short term, but it will mean a loss of focus on the real goal.

It is always a tough decision to turn down a business opportunity ... the “bird in the hand” for the promise of something bigger and better “in the bush”. I pulled out the old story about the Eagle hunting and spotting two rabbits … if she focuses on one then the promise of a kill is high, but if she tries to get both then it is very likely she will get none. Easy for me to say and definitely a challenge for my friend.

For me focus is a key component of success whatever you are doing. When I played soccer I was at my best when I was totally focused on the game, and not distracted with other things going on in my life. When I ride my motorbike I have to be focused because there is no margin for error if my mind wanders. In business the competitive landscape is tougher every day and we succeed by being great at what we do … which only comes with focus.

I did write a blog entry about focusing on the important stuff ... so focus can apply at a strategic level, as with my friend's business dilemma or in our every day lives. There is a old quote, "He who aims at nothing is sure to hit it"!

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff

One of my coworkers actually requested that I write this blog entry … she was having “one of those days” yesterday where it seemed that everything she touched went wrong! She was letting it all “get to her” and she needed a little boost to remind her “not to sweat the small stuff”.

The basis of that phrase is for exactly this kind of situation … every day we have new challenges, old challenges or repeat challenges. It is very easy to let them get us down ... but what we really need is perspective. We need to think about all the positives in our lives and remind ourselves of the things for which we should be grateful. If we can choose to be happy then we “let those little challenges go” before they become larger issues in our mind.

I wrote a blog about how being positive helps you to live longer, which is good motivation to not “sweat the small stuff”.

I wrote a blog entry titled What Kind of Mood are you in which again talked about our ability to take control of our own emotions and not let ourselves be “dragged down” by issues or the minutia of life.

If you ever need a musical reminder of the need to remain positive it could be What a Wonderful World which I blogged about in December last year. Louis Armstrong’s song is a great reminder that we have much to be grateful for in this world of ours.

In April this year I mused about the little things that can Make You Smile, and the power of smiling particularly when you are feeling a little down.

(Note: There is a book called Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff that is a quick read and worth checking out.)

There are SO many reasons for anyone who can read this blog to be in a positive mood that letting the day to day “little things” get us down is just crazy. Focus on the positive and let the small stuff “wash off”!

Build Good Habits!

I recently wrote a bog entry called "Do It Now" which addressed the issue of procrastination. Some time ago I wrote another bog entry called "Habits - Tools for Success" which suggested that in the same way that we can have bad habits, which are hard to fix, we can create good habits which become our "norm".

I want to build on those blog entries because I think they could actually be the basis for any success that people have, both in their personal and in the professional lives.

Let me give you some examples ...

1. If you adopt the mindset that you will start work a half hour earlier and leave a half hour later then that becomes your norm and you don't think about it again.

After reading that statement you might think ... why would I do that? or I don't get paid to work longer hours; or maybe you will think how could I use that extra hour for my own career goals?

If you can create a habit that meets your own goals then you are more likely to keep it up. In this case the reality is that the better you do your job the more personal satisfaction you will get AND you are building for the future. It is just a side benefit that your employer gets a more productive employee ... and hopefully that leads to rewards for you too!

2. If you decide to devote some time to charitable work and build it into your schedule then it becomes your norm.

3. If you decide to add exercise to your life then you need to build it into your life until it becomes the norm.

You can decide to do anything you like ... add further education, take dance lessons, wash your car weekly etc. ... but in order to make them habits you need to build them into your routine.

It is always easy to find excuses NOT to do things, but if they become habits then you will find it easier to keep them going.

Here are a couple of tips:

Make them tangible. eg. Having a cleaner house is not a habit, but cleaning the house every Saturday morning from 10 till Noon is a habit (or getting a cleaning service to do it for you)!
Don't think about it ... just do it.
Make sure you REALLY WANT this new habit.
Don't bite off more than you can chew ... start slowly and build.

What good habit could you start NOW ... not tomorrow, not Monday, not next month because procrastination is not a habit you want to build on!

Do it Now

I receive a regular "Coaching Tip" from Paquin & Associates. Often they are just a sound bite, but generally they are "on the mark" and right in line with my own views.

The latest one suggests that, despite what you may have been told as a child, NOTHING comes to those who wait. Which is right in line with previous blog entries I have written about procrastination.

Here is Michael Paquin's latest message ... and if you want to subscribe to them you can do so at his website. I like the reminders ... because they make me think about these things, which are easy to let slide!


Nothing Comes To Those Who Wait

Coaching

Stop waiting and get moving. You don't have to know how it will all work. I like to say that the how is none of your business. All you have to know is the what. Once you are clear on what you want the how will reveal itself, one step at a time. And that is the good news. You also don't have to take action all at once. You just need to take one step at a time and over time you will achieve your desired result.

Coaching Question

What are you waiting for?

Daily Action

Today, take action on something you have been "waiting" to do something about until the perfect time. Right now is the perfect time - it will never get better than this.

Vacation over … Time for a Restart!

For the first time in my professional career I took a month away from the office, and was lucky enough to enjoy a trip to Europe. For the last couple of days I have been “getting back into the job”, and trying to implement those “time management” ideas that I have blogged about so often!

In May of last year I blogged about the “First Day Back in the Office”, after having been away for a one week vacation. It was good to review my thoughts from that time, because they are certainly relevant having been away for a month.

I think the biggest difference in being “out of the loop” for a month is that all of my various “roles”, both inside Eagle and working with charities and associations, have moved along substantially in four weeks. It is therefore critical to be sure I not only get up to speed quickly, but also that I understand the most time sensitive items to address.

This is also a good time to step back and re-evaluate my role, am I focused in the right areas, is my time being maximized to the best extent possible? Should I be making changes in what I do, or how I do it or even should it be done at all?

It is a little like solving a big puzzle … except in many ways it is several puzzles, inter-related into one large puzzle. For each role that I perform there is the puzzle of understanding the priorities and what needs to happen. Then each of the roles come together to form the larger puzzle that defines the priorities for those roles.

I am lucky in that the Eagle management team have once again shown that they are well capable of operating in my absence … but that then creates the question about whether I am needed in all of the areas in which I was operating? I wonder how many people reading this blog ask themselves whether they are really relevant in their job … it is a little disconcerting to think you might not be as important as you think!

All of the above will shake itself out in the next little while … the most critical component of getting up to speed is to prioritise well, and to use good time management techniques to ensure that you are maximizing your productivity.

I have a number of blog entries on this subject that is near and dear to my heart …

In September 2006 I wrote 10 Practical Tips to Manage Time.
In September 2007 I referenced a Colleen Francis article about Time Management for Sales People.
In January 2008 I wrote 10 Tips for Effective “To Do Lists”.

Scattered throughout my 500 plus blog entries there are many references to the power of effective time management. Personal productivity is one of the most important aspect of career success, and people who can get a lot of “things” done WILL be successful … all I have to do now is follow my own advice and get on with it!

Time to get back to my catch up activities!

The Best of Series: Miserable People

I hate miserable people … they really drain positive energy out of those around them. Can you imagine what it must be like to go through life being so miserable … it must be awful.

We see them every day … rude, arrogant, ignorant, selfish and they NEVER smile!

Please reference Kevin’s “Walk Fast and Smile” theory, or check out my blog entry about how contagious a smile is!

You can meet miserable people everywhere … on the subway or the bus, driving a taxi or a delivery truck, serving coffee at your local Tim Hortons or the receptionist at the doctor’s office. They might even live in your house!

• How much better would the world be if people were generally friendly?
• What does it take say “Good Morning”?
• What is the cost of a smile?
• How tough is it to hold a door for a stranger?
• What if we all took it upon ourselves to cheer someone up tomorrow?

I think we could change the world!

I have some blog entries that I have written over the last year or so that relate to this subject if you want to take time to check them out.

1. One of my earliest blogs was about Attitude!
2. Later on I wrote about Attitude and what the answer might be.
3. I had a different approach to Negative people last July.
4. I also wrote about the Bad Apple.

Obviously this is a subject that I have an opinion on! I think that we all have our lives to live and we can choose to be miserable or not … but why would you want to live with yourself in a miserable state? I certainly would not live with a miserable person!

The Best of Series: The Grass Is Not Always Greener

Some years ago, I made a significant mistake in job choice. I was at a vulnerable point in my current role due to a change in circumstances, and I was approached about an “exciting” opportunity. The new job came with a great title, good “potential” income and it was by all accounts a successful company. As you can probably guess, things did not go so well … three months later I walked out. The bottom line was that their corporate culture was not a good fit and I was never going to be happy there. I had some good sales success in a short period of time and could likely have done well financially … but I was miserable.

Mistakes are easy to make as we pursue our careers. Here are some lessons that I would share with anyone thinking of changing their situation:

Some facts:

1. If you have been in your current job for a while and are doing well, then you have some status with your current company. That can be important.
2. When you start at the new company, then as the new kid on the block you will be under scrutiny.
3. You know the “warts” in your current organization … nowhere is perfect, you just don’t know the "warts” where you are going yet.
4. Most people don’t fully explore the opportunities in their current organization before they leap … remember what happens when you “ass-u-me”!

Some things to do:

1. Develop a career plan … one that takes you along your chosen path (or paths) as far as you can envisage (it might just mean visualizing your ideal next situation).
2. Give everything you can to your current job … the experience will be yours forever, the reference will be invaluable and that is what you are paid to do.
3. Be very clinical in weighing up your options. The new company is on its best behavior, the warts will come later so make sure you understand what they are likely to be.
4. Develop a list of criteria for your new job that will tell you if it is “good enough” to make a move. Things to consider might include:
   
   (a) Is the income real … or are there lots of promises? Compare it with your real income today (T4) not what you “perceive” is your income.
   (b) Does the new role give you the advancement in your career you need?
   (c) Does it have room for growth?
   (d) Is the location going to work? An awkward commute wears thin with time!
   (e) Do I like the people?
   (f) Have I met enough of the people? Arrange to talk with peers.
   (g) What is the culture like? Does it come through in their actions … or is it just words?
   (h) Am I going to be able to be successful in this role?
   (i) Have I checked references? Lots of them.
   (j) If I had the same interview with my current company what would be different? Is it enough?
   (k) Is there enough time off? Is the new employer going to be accomodating to my needs?
   (l) Are the hours going to work ... with my commute, my family, my other needs?

A new job can be one of life’s most exciting times, but it can also be a disaster. Do your due diligence before going to a new job and don’t give up on the old one too early! Done the right way, that grass can actually be greener … but it is definitely not always the case!

The Best of Series: Focus on the Important Stuff

The modern world is full of distractions ... we are bombarded with "stuff" that will take our attention away from what we should be doing. Whether you are at work and trying to be productive or at home doing the bills or at the gym working out ... if you are totally focused on your activity, then you will get the best results.

Distractions will have a serious impact on your productivity. Some of the common ones in the office might be ...

• Focusing on the stuff you want to do rather than the "maybe tougher" but "higher return" activities;
• The co-worker who likes to chat/gossip/complain;
• Surfing the internet ... reading news, shopping etc;
• Instant message;
• Personal email;
• Wandering to the water cooler/coffee shop etc.

Obviously some distractions are welcome when we are relaxing but if you want to achieve something with your day, then you need to give it your undivided attention. There is a great deal of satisfaction that comes from being efficient at your job ... it sets you up for success in your career, it establishes your credentials with your employers and it just feels good.

So ... write down some goals for the day, create your to do list and plough through it! Plan to take breaks, possibly to reward yourself at various points through the day ... but don't get interrupted or distracted from your tasks. Try it ... you might surprise yourself!

The Best of Series: Career in the 21st Century - A Different View

Over the last couple of decades corporations have spent a great deal of effort in “reducing cost”, “improving productivity” and generally competing in an ever more competitive world. Just one of the changes that has resulted from this effort has been the creation of ever more “flat” organizations, with less “middle management”. This means that for most people in the workforce today there are less management positions to “shoot for” than there were 20 or 30 years ago, and yet still many people aspire to become managers.

There have been a number of different trends that have also happened during this time:

• The “cost reductions” meant that people who had thought they were “employees for life” lost their jobs, from even the most prestigious of companies.
• New generations have entered the workforce, with a different outlook on life. Much has been written about the differences between boomers, Gen X etc.
• Wages have risen, so the cost of labour is the largest cost for most companies.
• There has been an increased interest in the concept of independent contracting for many reasons.

So ... should a career be a defined path consisting of ever increasing managerial responsibility (and presumably more remuneration) … or should a career be the way that you want to spend your working hours?

I would contend that most people would be far happier if their working hours were being spent focused on the type of work that they can excel at, rather than being responsible for other people, budgets and the associated headaches.

I would also contend that if a person spent a career honing skills in specific roles and perhaps changing roles several times, then they would be a very valuable resource. In addition, they would be a very satisfied person.

None of this limits a person from taking management roles should that fit the “career” but the idea that management is a natural progression and that everybody should strive for that goal is outdated.

The 21st Century should see the rise of the worker who is technically excellent at their chosen profession, their job security will be their personal capability and their ability in the workplace … not their position on the rung of a corporate ladder. These workers will have better balanced lives than “us boomers”, will have a better perspective on what is really important and they will enjoy the rewards appropriately.

Pre-cursors to these type of workers can be seen today in the independent contractor world where skilled IT contractors can earn more money than the CEO of this staffing company and yet have only technical responsibility on a project … not all bad!

The Best of Series: Importance of Rest and Recuperation

A little while ago, I wrote a series of blog entries about the need to stay healthy if you are to be successful in business. I had subsequent entries about diet, exercise and sleep all of which are critical to keeping yourself as sharp as possible in this hyper-competitive world in which we all operate.

Tomorrow I head out for a couple of days vacation, tagged onto a weekend to give a nice mini-break. I think that perhaps one piece that was missing from the previous series of blog entries was the need to get away periodically and “recharge the batteries”.

I am probably not a good role model, and I need to try harder! I will have my blackberry and will probably check email for some time each day, but to actually take a long weekend at this time of year is new for me ... so it is progress! I also subscribe to the theory that you can’t change bad habits over night, it takes time and a plan to move towards a new model, coupled with a commitment to get there.

Maybe I’m mellowing (OK, anyone who knows me understands that isn’t happening!) or perhaps I am beginning to learn from life. Whatever, I am happy to be heading out and this may even mean no blog entries for a day or two … unless there is easy access to a computer in Nassau!

I do recognize the importance of reducing the stress levels for a few days, and letting the brain rest from the constant decision making and problem wrestling. I will likely get some answers just by not thinking about them for a couple of days!

Athletes promote the need to rest muscles to allow them to repair and I have to believe that the same is true for the brain … I’ll let you know if it works!

The Best of Series: First Impressions - Grooming

We probably have all had advice about first impressions, the need to create a good first impression at one end of the spectrum and perhaps not judging a book by its cover at the other end.

I think that in the workplace first impressions can certainly play a big factor in a person’s chance of success. Certainly it is extremely important for a sales person to create the right first impression if they are going to gain credibility with a client or prospect.

Today I want to focus in on grooming. Here are some observations:

• If a sales person comes to see me and they have scuffed shoes … I notice.
• If someone comes to see me and their clothes are rumpled … I notice.
• If a sales person looks successful then I assume that they are successful.
• If a person does not look well groomed then they immediately drop in my estimation and they have to build up their credibility again.

Am I the only one that thinks this way? I would bet that at the very least 75% of clients would feel the same way, whether consciously or subconsciously. As salespeople we need to work hard to gain credibility, why would we want to handicap ourselves by our dress?

Here are some other observations:

• When I wear a new suit I feel good.
• When I polish my shoes up and they sparkle, it lifts my spirits.
• If I wear a new shirt and tie, it makes me feel good about myself.
• When I have a client presentation to give, or an important meeting, I pay particular attention to my dress … I wear a suit I love, one of my best shirt and tie combinations and I make sure my shoes are polished!

It is a fact that if you feel good about yourself then that is felt by those around you. You will feel more confident if you are dressed the part and if you feel more confident then you will create a better total impression.

I did some digging around “the net” to see what I could find on this subject.

Ray and Berndtson are a noted executive search firm and I found this article on their website. Harcourt Associates is a successful boutique Canadian company (and ACSESS member) and I found a good article on their website. Washington State University even had picture showing the different options of dress, which I thought was pretty cool. There are a number of companies that specialize in business etiquette and dress is just one of their areas of specialty.

So, do yourself a favour and pay attention to the little details when you get dressed in the morning, it might help your cause if you make sure that you look professional! Not to mention that you will feel better about yourself … might even help you to smile!

The Best of Series: Communicating With Different Personalities

In sales it is important to understand that there are many different types of people that you will be dealing with and if you treat them all in the same way you will have some issues.

One school of thought on the subject classifies people into four distinct “Social Styles”. The “labels” for these types are Analytical, Driver, Amiable and Expressive.

These types were determined by certain characteristics in their personality comprised of a combination of assertiveness and responsiveness. Thus the following shows what characteristics those types have.

1. Analytical: Low assertive; Low responsive.
2. Driver: High assertive; Low responsive
3. Amiable: Low assertive; High responsive
4. Expressive: High assertive; High responsive

What do these assertive/responsive things mean?

A LOW RESPONSIVE person may have many of the following characteristics: Reserved or poker faced; Is cautious/careful with actions; Wants facts and figure; Will make eye contact infrequently; Will likely have a severe look; Is not animated with their hands might even clasp them; Will spend little time on personal details; Can seem preoccupied.

A HIGH RESPONSIVE person may have many of the following characteristics: Animated, good use of facial expressions – smiles, nods, frowns etc; Will appear open and eager; Does not push for a lot of detail; Frequent eye contact; Friendly appearance; Lots of hand gestures; Shares personal feelings; Is attentive and obviously enjoys people.

A LOW ASSERTIVE person may have many of the following characteristics: Will seldom voice ideas; quiet and submissive posture; Very deliberate and sometimes a little slower when speaking; Indifferent handshake; Asks questions more than makes statements; Can be vague and unclear about needs; Tends to lean backwards.

A HIGH ASSERTIVE person may have many of the following characteristics: Very emphatic in discussions; Can be aggressive in their “look”; Quick, clear and fast paced; Firm handshake; Makes statements more than asks questions; Clear in what they want; Will often lean forward when making a point.

The following are some strategies when dealing with the various personality types:

1. Analytical people want RESPECT. Recognize them as an expert; provide solid data; be very systematic; give them things in writing; demonstrate stability.
2. Drivers want POWER. They respond well when a solution gives them more control; they are results driven; value access to authority and important people; want action.
3. Expressives want RECOGNITION. They want to be seen as the leader, or the hero; they want to be first; they want visibility; anything that sets them up as an example of success will help.
4. Amiables want APPROVAL. They respond well to popular ideas, things that are well adopted everywhere; they don’t want conflict; they avoid risk; they like supporting data; they want to protect their reputation and enhance their self esteem.

This is obviously a VERY cursory look at this fascinating subject of personalities. My goal here was to educate sales people on this subject ... but the same lessons apply when dealing with family, friends and people in general.

Personality profiling is used in all kinds of fields in addition to sales … it is used for hiring, dating, by law enforcement just to name a few. I think a little understanding of the subject does help in sales, particularly when you find yourself having trouble relating to a particular client.

Here are a few other resources you might want to check out:

• San Diego State University have some material on this subject.
• This web development company , (AH Digital FX Studios), have some material specific to designing websites.
• Peter Urs Bender is author of a number of books and his website has a page devoted to dealing with difficult customers.

Good selling ... but don't forget to understand who you are selling to!

The Best of Series: How to Solve a Problem

Day in and day out we are all faced with problems that we need to solve, both in the office and in our personal lives. Problems come both big and small, and yet the way to handle them is basically the same. In my experience there are many people who are never “taught” how to address problems and so they will try their best, throw their hands up in the air or just defer to someone who can handle the issue.

Here is a basic “primer” on how to handle a problem, any problem!

Step 1. Understand the extent of the problem.

Answer the 5 basic questions … what, where, when, who and why.
What is actually happening?
Where is it happening?
When is it happening?
Who is involved, affected etc?
Why is it happening?

It is important not to jump to conclusions, but truly try to understand the answers to the 5 “W”s before moving to step 2.

Step 2. Try to Identify Potential Causes.

This might mean getting input from other people, and understanding their ideas about the cause. You might also have your own thoughts on the cause … or it might be very evident what the cause is.

Step 3. Identify Potential Approaches to Resolving the Problem & Pick One

Again it is useful to get the ideas from a few people in this process.
Choose the right answer for this situation and go for it!
Understand that sometimes fixing one problem can cause other problems! So try to anticipate the impact of your potential solution.

Step 4. Implement & Monitor The Solution

Either do it yourself, if it is a simple problem, or put in place the actions necessary to fix things.
If a number of people are involved in the solution then clear communication is key. It is imperative to have a plan that is comprehensive and ensures that everyone knows exactly what they have to do, and when.
Stay close to the situation while the “fix” is happening to ensure things go as planned, and to understand if the "fix" has caused other issues.

Step 5. Make Sure it Worked!

After all is done …make sure the fix worked!

Obviously for small day-to-day problems the process is fast and seamless, but as the complexity of the problem increases, the discrete steps in this process become more important.

Try it … here are some problems that we might all face and some that occurred very recently.

1. Your car breaks down on the way to an important meeting. What is the problem? How many problems do you have? What priority do you give them?
2. You are in a meeting at work and your child calls to say they are sick and have to go home now. Oh your car is in the shop and you live an hour from home!
3. You are in charge of the underground system in London and you learn that a bomb has just gone off in one of your stations.
4. You are captain of a ship transporting $100 million worth of Mazda cars to North America when bad weather almost capsizes your vessel.

The steps to solve the problem are the same for the daily issues or for the big problems ... so hopefully they will work for you.

If you would like an engineers approach to problem solving I found a good blog on the same subject.

Got to run … I have a client problem to solve!

The Best of Series: Ten Reasons to Pursue an IT Career

There have been a lot of articles lately about the fact that we are heading towards skills shortages, probably in almost any field that you can think of, but particularly in the Information Technology world. Demographics will play a large part in this shortage because so many “boomers” are coming to retirement age and the number of people entering the workforce has slowed down.

Another factor in the pending IT skills shortage is the reluctance of this generation of grads to move into technology fields. Anecdotally, when talking with other industry professionals, there appears to be several reasons for this situation.

1. Kids today view the industry as a bunch of geeks … it's not cool to be “in computers”.
2. Several years ago, during the last big boom there was a concerted effort by industry, government and education to push kids towards a technology career. Then the bust happened, and those jobs disappeared resulting in lots of grads having unrealized ambitions!
3. For some years now, the press has been filled with stories that all the IT jobs are going offshore! The hype has certainly been heard by some and many parents are advising their kids not to pursue jobs that could be “offshored”!

So … why should kids go into technology as a career?

1. There will be shortages again, which means there will be lots of jobs … you heard it here!
2. They are well paying jobs that provide great career opportunities.
3. They are transportable jobs that can take you almost anywhere in the world you would like to go. (My programming job got me to Canada!)
4. There are many streams in technology depending upon your interests … my career went from programming to customer support to sales and into management.
5. These jobs are NOT necessarily for people who want to sit in front of a screen all day … there are people facing jobs, sales jobs, team-based jobs, etc. Today, “people skills” are sought after in the technology world.
6. The technology world is exciting … nothing much happens that is not touched by technology.
7. The field can be very rewarding … not just financially but also mentally, providing a challenge that can keep you engaged for a long career.
8. You can help to shape the future … if you believe that technology will play a big part in that future!
9. You grew up with computers, you have inate skills already … just harness them!
10. You could be the next Bill Gates … now THAT is cool, even for a geek!

The Best of Series: Goals, The Way to Change Your Life

Are you a person that sets goals in your life? If that is the case, then congratulations, because you are one of a very small minority! In this blog, I have from time to time exhorted people to take charge of their lives, to LIVE life and not just let life happen to them. Goals are a great tool to help you actually take charge … so not only am I nagging you to take charge, I am telling you how!

There are a ton of resources to help people with this exercise but only you can DO IT. There are web sites that will help you track goals, there are sites focused on career goals, there are books on goals and there are many other web resources on the subject.

Here are a few “pearls of wisdom” from a guy who believes in this stuff (me). If you take the plunge, I guarantee you will see a positive change in your life … that can’t be all bad!

1. Set a couple of goals … just do it! Don’t wait for month end, start of a new week, the New Year or any other procrastination trick do it NOW.
2. Pick something you can do, make it very specific and track it! I will lose 5lb in the next month … starting right now! (Of course the next step is to create the action plan that will meet the target).
3. Write down the goal … and tell someone about it! (Your partner, a friend, or a colleague). This makes it real and a true commitment!
4. Track your progress as often as makes sense … if it’s a weight goal maybe you want to weigh yourself weekly.
5. Reward yourself for meeting goals … do not reward yourself if you miss them. Eg. If I lose 5lb by the target date I will treat myself to some new clothes. If you don’t make it then put off the treat.
6. Once you start to get the hang of this, add some more goals … and keep working on all of your goals.

People who are really successful at this will have goals for many different aspects of their lives … health and fitness; relationships; time management/organization; finances; career; training; hobbies; etc.

If you decide where your life is going then the more “in control” you will feel, the more confident you will become, the more successful you will be and that positive cycle will continue. Give it a try ... what have you got to lose?

The Best of Series: New to the Workforce - Ten Rules

Do you remember your first job? I was 16 years old when I joined the Royal Navy and I had no idea what it meant to work for a living. Not that you are given much choice in the forces, you will do the job, you will do it as efficiently as you can ... or you catch a whole bunch of grief. It's actually not a bad way to learn about life.

For the new grad coming into the workforce today, they come from an environment where they maybe had to get out of bed before 9am some days, they might even have had the odd day with 6 hours worth of work involved! Now, this crazy new employer wants them at the office at 8:30, wants a FULL day of work and no goofing off before 5pm. What's up with that?

Well ... it is definitely a mind shift. Hopefully it doesn't take a few jobs before you realise that first job wasn't really all that bad. They had a decent attitude to fun, they had some nice perks that you hadn't realised were unique, they were willing to teach you and let you grow.

My advice to the first timer in a new job!

1. Take it seriously ... do everything as well as you can.
2. Don't be sucked into the "negative" crowd. Be yourself, and make your own decisions about your level of commitment.
3. It's very easy to stand out ... do good work, care about what you do, be cheerful, put in a little extra!
4. Remember that you are going to spend a lot of time on the job - your whole working career. You can choose to do it with a glass half full attitude or not ... either way you are going to be there!
5. Don't assume anything ... ask tons of questions, but use your brain! If you are smart, let it come through ... without making silly mistakes.
6. Remember the office is not home and your coworkers are not your family ... put on your professional face, don't bring baggage to the office.
7. Don't look for ways to do less, to get more time off or to work the system ... it's obvious!
8. Look for the positive in everything!
9. Treat people well ... no matter who they are!
10. Smile and walk fast!

The Best of Series: What Makes a Winner

Note: This blog entry was first written in May 2006 shortly after a highly regarded Ottawa Senators hockey team was eliminated from the Stanley cup by the Buffalo Sabres. This prompted my thoughts about the difference between winning and losing.

There has been much debate in Ottawa about the failure of the Ottawa Senators to meet expectations in the Stanley Cup. The team that showed so much promise in the regular season "choked" again in the playoffs. So what is it that makes a winner?

Vince Lombardi (famous football coach) suggested that "Winning is a habit. Unfortunately, so is losing". He also said, "It is essential to understand that battles are primarily won in the hearts of men."

In most competitions the difference between winning and losing is inches, fractions of a second or one goal ... and generates a never-ending round of "if only" stories. In the game of life we only need to be inches better than our competitor to win the contract or get the job.

My own belief is that to "win" at anything requires good planning, solid preparation (training) and a commitment to the task. In professional sports the first two are "given" and the commitment is formidable in all participants but probably the difference in commitment is typically the deciding factor. The Buffalo Sabres did something better than the Sens ... and that was their level of commitment to win.

In every day life, you can win by being better prepared than the other team or by executing a better plan either of which is evidence of "wanting to win" more. Are you prepared to make the level of commitment necessary to win ... or are you going to be saying "if only ..."?

The Best of Series: Be Grateful for What You Have

It is a natural human instinct to always want more ... and too often we don't take a step back and appreciate what we already have.

Marc Andre Morel is a motivational speaker I saw at an ACSESS conference a couple of years ago. He is another very uplifting speaker, and he has a newsletter you can subscribe to through his website. This month’s newsletter had a great article about being grateful for what you have. Below is copied from his newsletter … if you like what you see maybe you’ll subscribe, if you like it enough maybe you’ll bring him to your company ... enjoy!

A great and easy way to attract success, peace, abundance, be better people and reduce our stress level is to have an attitude of gratitude. Every single day, to remind ourselves of the things, events and people that we take for granted. On that note, here is one of my favorite discoveries. Hope it inspires you to be even more thankful for all you've got!

If the Earth's population was shrunk into a village of just 100 people with all the human ratios existing in the world still remaining, what would this tiny, diverse village look like?

That's exactly what Philip M. Harter, a medical doctor at Stanford University of Medicine attempted to figure out. Here's what he found:
- 57 would be Asian
- 21 would be European
- 14 would be from the Western Hemisphere
- 8 would be African
- 52 would be female
- 48 would be male
- 70 would be non-white
- 30 would be white
- 6 people would possess 58.9% of the entire world's wealth, and all 6 would be from the USA
- 80 would live in sub-standard housing
- 70 would be unable to read
- 50 would suffer from malnutrition
- 1 would be near death
- 1 would be pregnant
- 1 would have a college education
- 1 would own a computer

If you live in a good home, have plenty to eat and can drink, and can read then you are a member of a very select group. If you have a good house, food, can read and have a computer, you are among the very elite. If you woke up healthy this morning ... you are more fortunate than the million who will not survive the week. If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation... you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.

If you can attend a religious meeting without fear or harassment, arrest, torture, or death... you are fortunate, more than three billion people in the world cannot.

If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of this world. If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace... you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.

If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are thankful... you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.

The Best of Series: Leaving an Effective Voicemail

Voicemail is a fact of life, both in our personal lives and in business. If you are leaving a message to try and get a date, you probably want to impress! If you are leaving a message hoping a client or candidate will call back, then you also want to create a positive impression.

I came up with my thoughts on the subject and then did a quick Google search and found similar advice from Lethbridge University and from Carnegie Mellon.

Here is what I came up with:

1. Before you call you need to Prepare! What is the message you want to convey and what words will you use to most effectively convey that message? If you “wing it”, you will not use the most effective words and worse, you might find yourself stumbling as you search for the right words.
2. You should structure your message:
(i) Say your name and where you are calling from.
(ii) Convey your message, and give them a reason to call you back.
(iii) Identify what you want them to do. Usually return the call, however, you may just want them to know you called and that you will call again. Be Clear!
(iv) Repeat your name.
(v) Give your phone number if applicable.
(vi) Repeat the phone number.
3. Some other thoughts …
(i) Speak clearly, concisely and not too quickly.
(ii) Speak with some enthusiasm, but don’t overdo it. A monotone voice can be awful but so can the other end of the spectrum.
(iii) Stand up … messages typically convey more energy when you are standing.
(iv) Consciously smile. The smile will be “heard” in the positive tone.

I know someone who has a very long cord on his office phone and he walks back and forth while talking on the phone. He is a high energy individual and that comes through … oh, by the way, he is burning calories while he talks! The same effect can obviously be achieved with a cordless headset.

Good luck with your voicemails!