Category: young professionals
Accomplishing Your New Year’s Resolutions
The New Year arrives, so you set goals that you plan to work on, yet come the end of January they’re forgotten. How do you ensure successfully achieving your New Year’s Resolutions?
Make it Visual: Write it down. Put it somewhere you’re going to see it daily. We are all visual learners that remember more when we see it. Create a vision board. Put a post-it on your bathroom mirror. We are creatures of habit. Once we get in a routine, it’s easier to follow through.
Weekly Goals: The grander your goal(s), the more it needs to be broken into smaller pieces. Set weekly benchmarks and chart your progress. This will increase your motivation to accomplish what you set out to do. Use a digital calendar or your smartphone to send a reminder. Think of weekly goals like “steps” towards your destination.
Accountability: There’s added incentive when you know someone is holding you to your promise. Positively, you want to keep your word or negatively, you don’t want to look that person in the eye and admit you failed. Either way, it helps significantly to have someone keep you accountable. This could be a friend or up the ante and hire a professional.
This year do what you say and say what you’ll do. Writing it down, setting weekly goals and having an accountability partner will ensure successfully completing your goals. You have a daily choice to move towards or away from your vision.
Are you ready to make 2011 one to remember?
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How To Get A Raise
One of my favorite success stories happened with a client a few years ago. Initially, she was skeptical, but 5 months later she became one of my biggest advocates. Here is how she got her raise in 5 steps:
1) Shut Your Mouth
Nobody likes a complainer, especially your boss. If you feel you deserve a pay raise, you’re going to have to prove it with your actions, not your mouth.
2) Work Hard
Actions speak louder than words. Your results and work ethic are your active resume. Do your work better, faster and push yourself.
3) Ask For More
More work precedes more money. Start by asking for more responsibility. Check with your current supervisor. Volunteer for another department. Use your time wisely, because you’re always being watched.
4) Prove Your Worth
Stand out from the crowd. Give your boss a reason to look at you. Work for the job you want, not the job you have. Show you can handle the next level. Don’t expect better compensation until you prove it.
5) Approach Your Boss
After at least a month, you now have the credibility to set up an appointment with your supervisor. Share with him/her how much you want the promotion and highlight what you have accomplished. Do research and present a proposed increase in salary and explain why you deserve it.
There’s no guarantees, but this process worked before my eyes. Proving yourself before opening your mouth is always a good strategy.
Any thoughts? Experiences? Please share!
Sell Your Vision
Do you like to sell? I sure don’t. Whether you’re a worker or the boss, sales is part of the job. What if instead of selling your product or service, you sold your vision? How would that change your approach?
People want to be inspired. Marketing is motivating people to act on their desires. If you can paint a picture about how life will improve with your product/service, you have a customer.
People want to know where you will take them. Would you get in a car without knowing the destination? Vision is direction. Show people where you will take them so they can decide whether to follow you.
People buy visions. Nike promises better performance. Apple sells the “cool” factor. Disneyland enhances your happiness. We buy the perceived effect a product/service will have on us.
Vision gives us hope. We want to be a part of something bigger than ourselves. Vision is a combination of passion and direction. Vision lies in your heart. Sell your vision and people will get on board with you.
What vision are YOU selling?
A Lesson in Recession
“No thanks”, “We’re not hiring” or “Sorry, but you’re overqualified” Are you as tired of hearing that as I am?
Despite the hardships, what can I learn?
Be Humble
Success breeds complacency. Since most of us haven’t experienced that lately, it keeps you humble. Learn to be thankful for what and who you have. Lean times force us to value what’s important.
Be Resilient
Rejection happens. Deal with it. You’re going to get knocked down, so learn to get back up. Continue doing the right things and results will follow. Fighters never quit.
Be Persistent
Stay the course. The easy thing is to jump ship, but the strong keep paddling. Down times test our resolve. It’s those who stay in front of us consistently that we end up hiring or buying from (see commercials). People need to be reminded gently that you want it bad.
Whether you’re a job seeker, entrepreneur or worker things will get better! After it’s over, how will you say you weathered the storm?
What are some tactics that have helped you cope with the recession?
Is Chivalry Dead?
No, but it’s on life support…
Dictionary.com defines chivalry as: the qualities idealized by knighthood, such as bravery, courtesy, honor and gallantry towards women.
How is this different from the business world?
OK, not all business deals with women, but have you ever thought how much more productive companies would be if they treated everyone with respect?
It starts at the top. Leaders set the example by how they treat peers, employees and customers.
People don’t listen to what leaders say as much as they watch what they do.
In ways we are all leaders. It doesn’t matter what rank, gender or race you’re dealing with. Next time, try being “chivalrous” and watch your results improve…
When’s the last time you’ve experienced chivalry in the workplace?
Slow Down
During the Christmas season, do you frantically shop for deals, attend numerous parties and create your own wish list in your mind? Amidst this fast pace, we run around like chickens with our heads cut off…for what?! For the next week and half try “slowing down” with these 3 suggestions:
1) Be Thankful. Sometimes our schedules get so busy, we forget about our family and friends in our lives. Christmas doesn’t mean much without loved ones to spend it with. Remember to be thankful for all the people who make your life better.
2) Focus on Giving. I love picking out the perfect gift for someone else. It’s a way to say, “Thank you. I appreciate you being a part of my life.” It’s nice to receive gifts, but there’s a sense of accomplishment and joy when we can give to others freely without expecting something back in return.
3) Identify the Purpose. Why do you celebrate Christmas? If there’s no reason behind the season, don’t go through the motions for tradition’s sake. Celebrating an event should have meaning; otherwise, there’s no point. For me, Christmas is sharing God’s love and remembering Jesus’ birth long ago.
Make this Christmas different by being thankful, focused on giving to others and understanding why you celebrate it!
If you’re still unsure of what to get someone, consider giving the Gift of Coaching! Until December 21st, we are offering 50% off of Skype/Phone Coaching Sessions. What better way to start the new year than with a personal coach to help you clarify your goals, boost self-confidence and work to your full potential! Just e-mail Scott and he’ll take care of the rest!
Imagine how much more successful you can be with the help of a coach!
You & Improved
During this recession, you don’t have time to hang your head and feel sorry for yourself. How are companies like Amazon, Netflix and Verizon actually increasing their profits? Let’s take those same strategies and apply them to your personal brand:
Stay Engaged. Engagement comes from having purpose and passion in life. Stay focused on what you need to do and who you need to connect with. Keep your eyes on the prize, don’t let distractions deter you.
Re-Innovate. Improving means getting better. I always say you should be able to look back at yourself six months from now and laugh. Why? Because when you grow, you learn to do things more efficiently. It’s up to you to reinvent yourself. People only pay attention when you give them a reason to.
Plan Ahead. Fact: The recession will eventually end. When it does, will you be in a position to capitalize? Most people are in survival mode and living defensively. Successful people are networking, learning and creatively marketing so when the economy turns around, they’ll be ready to thrive.
The recession will test your character. When adversity strikes, do you lay down or fight? If a new ideas or perspective is what you need – hire a coach and start going forward with Growing Forward!
Grow Up!
Growth rarely happens on accident. It’s intentional effort that produces results over time. Not glamorous, but grueling. You have to be willing to experience pain and visit the unknown to get to the next level. Here are 3 ways to approach personal growth:
1) Growth is uncomfortable. In order for most plants to reach their potential, they must be pruned. Similarly, we have to be willing to push ourselves even when we don’t feel like it to get where we desire to go.
2) Development is a long-term investment. Instant gratification never produces long- lasting results. For example, individual coaching teaches good habits. Habits take 6 weeks to form, but 6 months to last. If you want permanent change, be willing to work with a coach for at least 6 months to reach your goals.
3) Be Driven. Successful people find ways to stay motivated. Outside sources help, but ultimately it’s your responsibility. Do you want it bad? Are you willing to sacrifice? Ready to be great? If you answered “yes” to the following questions, it’s your time NOW.
Are you ready to start Growing Forward?
Contact Growing Forward NOW at (310) 295-0046 or scott@growingforward.net
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