Inspire Your Career: Strategies for Success In Your First Years at Work

What’s Your Brand?

2011-11-06T15:52:00.000-05:00

With the passing of Steve Jobs, hundreds of articles emerged highlighting his contributions to the world. Steve Jobs created a brand that is the envy of companies the world over. The Apple logo stands for innovation, for being cool, hip, visionary and delivering what people do not even know they need. While we might not create another Apple, we can develop our own personal brand.

There are lots of benefits to having a strong, personal brand, such as

Setting yourself apart with potential employers. Being clear about who you are demonstrates confidence and clarity.
Bringing new opportunities in an existing work environment because people identify with your attributes and understand your strengths.
Guide you in your career decisions as well as what training, skills or knowledge you would like to pursue.

How do you develop your brand?

Assess you unique attributes – Your brand should be authentic, so you need to spend time assessing what you have to offer. Ask yourself: “What qualities do I possess that can set me apart from others?” “What skills or knowledge do I have that might be valuable Publish Postto an employer or customer?” “What am I passionate about?” Consider your strengths, your accomplishments and your relevance to others.

Have an online presence – Try LinkedIn, a business-oriented networking site. Consider creating a personal website that showcases your accomplishments. You can try Twitter to connect and communicate with a wide range of people. If you like writing, create a blog to get your views out.

Be part of the conversation – Once you are comfortable with your brand, find ways to communicate it. You can share your view on discussion forums and blogs. You can identify opportunities at work to communicate your strengths and attributes.

Here’s an example of a one sentence brand statement that I developed for myself: I am an experienced, passionate senior executive, driven to achieve outstanding performance while creating an inspiring, innovative environment.

Spend some time creating your very own brand.

Speak Up!

2011-10-13T15:48:00.000-04:00

This week I was in Las Vegas, speaking at the American Home Care Conference. In a few weeks I will be speaking at the Canadian Home Care Conference. As a leader in the home health sector, these speaking opportunities boost my credibility, expose me to new people and force me to stay current and relevant.

Why Speak?
In addition to giving you credibility and expanding your network, public speaking is a great way to build skills. You enhance your ability to compile a strong presentation, drawing on your experience and expertise. You improve communication skills, directly through speaking but also through listening to the audience and working with the energy in the room. Speaking will enrich your confidence by forcing you to overcome fears about being in front of an audience.

How do I get started?
If you are early in your career, you can ask your boss or a colleague who has to do a presentation if you can help with it. You can help to prepare the presentation, help present part of it, or just set everything up and sit in and listen. If you are more experienced, you can proactively seek speaking opportunities through your work related associations or submitting abstracts for upcoming conferences.
Tips for being a good public speaker:

Listen fully Take the time to learn about your audience and think about what is important to them. An audience of young professionals has totally different interests than one of senior finance personnel.

Keep Improving Speaking is something that you improve with practice. You sort out what works and what does not. Making mistakes is part of the process.

Be genuine This means being open to your audience, sharing your personal stories and experiences and speaking from the heart. People do not remember facts and figures, they remember the impression you made. Stories are a powerful way to leave that impression.

We can get all tied up in knots about speaking- but it is not about us. Remember that speaking is about the audience, who needs the information, education or inspiration that you are offering...so speak up!

Bridging Transitions

2011-09-05T12:30:00.003-04:00

This weekend, my sister and her daughter moved to Toronto from our home town. A good friend of mine dropped his daughter off at university, four hours away. My cousin had her first baby.

Life is full of transitions.

Sometimes they are well planned and executed, like when we seek and secure new employment. Sometimes they hit us cold and hard, like when we are told our job has been restructured. Every transition has its unique set of possibilities, emotions and risks. This summer I walked across the Carrick-a-Rede bridge in Northern Ireland. There is a small hike to get there, and then you see the rope bridge and the gorge underneath. It is pretty frightening. I really needed to pry myself from the safety of where I was. Then you start walking along and before you know it you have made it across. Once you get across, the scenery is beautiful; scenery that I did not see or fully appreciate when I was on the bridge.

Transitions remind me of that bridge. There is grief or sadness or trepidation of what you are leaving behind, and uncertainty or excitement about what you are moving toward. You cannot really see the full potential of where you are going but it is there waiting for you. Transitions are not easy, but they are essential for personal growth and learning.

Tips for Bridging your Next Transition

Acknowledge how you Feel -There are a many, often conflicting emotions when we are in a transition. Acknowledging our various states of mind helps us stay aware and receptive to what is happening.

Be Patient – There is a natural order to transitions and you cannot skip steps. Sometimes this can be quite painful, because you are learning something new, or your environment is changing. Be patient with yourself and those around you. Time is your ally.

Appreciate the Milestones – Most of us do not like discomfort of any kind. We want to move quickly to the destination, whether that is feeling comfortable in our new job, or comfortable in our new city or comfortable in our new situation. The milestones along the way are also valuable. Remember to enjoy the journey.

Stay Positive – We have control over our attitude. Staying positive and keeping a good sense of humour will help you tremendously in getting through any transition (and people around you will appreciate it!)

Just like crossing the Carrick-a-Rede bridge, every transition will one day be just a memory.

Seeing Our Patterns

2011-08-11T09:00:00.000-04:00

Last month I spent a week in a meditation retreat. It started at 7:30 in the morning and ended at 8:30 at night. Our group meditated, did yoga, prepared meals and ate together. For three days during that week, we were silent. We did all our activities in silence. The purpose of this is to quiet everything around you so that you can notice what is going on in your mind. When you cannot speak, you really notice why you want to speak- to defend yourself, to assure someone else, to seek assurance, to explain yourself, to take control. This last one is what I noticed in myself, a pattern which also happens at work. The idea is not to judge what you notice, but to be more aware of what is happening. This gives us insight into our patterns of thinking and patterns of behaviour.

Here are some common patterns at work. We may experience any one of them in different situations. Interestingly, it is always easier to point these patterns out in others, but much harder to see them in ourselves.

Need to Control – If we fear the loss of control, we speak and act in a way that helps us regain that control. We might react to the loss of control with anger, disappointment or resentment.

Being Right – I am a Virgo and true to my sign, I am a bit of a perfectionist. I like things done in a certain way. This can be totally irritating to others, who of course do things in a different way or do not need the degree of structure and order that I find comfort in.

Being Liked - If we care about being liked, we tend to seek assurance for what we do and say. We try to please others, even when it does not feel true to us.

Keeping the Status Quo – When we are afraid of change, we grasp at trying to keep things the way they are. When a change is being implemented at work that impacts us, we may become upset, seeing only the negative aspects, unable to see the possibilities.

Seeing our patterns gives us knowledge about our own triggers. If we can see these, we have a better chance to react in a new way.

Career Summer Cleaning

2011-07-11T14:41:00.000-04:00

Summer is a great time to get organized and ‘clean up’ a few career related tasks.

Update your résumé:
It is important to have an up-to-date résumé, particularly if you are feeling you need a change from your current role. Even if you are not planning on changing jobs, a résumé might be necessary if you are interested in an internal job posting or internal transfer. A shorter version, in the form of a curriculum vitae (CV) or bio, is also helpful to have on hand. A CV or bio may be required for clients, speaking engagements, inclusion in a proposal, etc.

What is missing?
If you are taking the time to update your résumé, you can take a few minutes to review it and see what is missing from a skills or experience perspective. What do you need to do to gain the skills or experience that would enhance your résumé? Another item that can strengthen a résumé is identifying your successes and results in tangible terms e.g. you increased sales by 10%. What data do you need to obtain or track in order to update your résumé with your accomplishments?

De-clutter:
Are you holding on to material that you don’t need anymore? If you haven’t used it in the last six months, you probably never will. Get rid of anything that you do not need. This is true for electronic files and your email. I love using the delete key to de-clutter. I feel more at ease when I have a manageable amount of information to handle in my email files. Try and permanently delete as much as you can from your electronic and email files.

Plan your Networking Activity:
Do you have any particular networking objectives? Now is the time to plan what you want to accomplish in the coming months. Are there potential clients or customers you want to target? Are there internal co-workers who you would like to build a better working relationship with? Is there a department that you want to learn more about? Consider what you want to accomplish and who you need to connect with. Start planning now for how you will make those connections.

Enjoy the summer!

Career Expert Voice

2011-06-22T09:00:00.000-04:00

Students face so many challenges as they transition from school to work.

The economic downturn released a lot of credible candidates into the market.

I was recently hiring for two positions and was inundated with resumés – both over- and under-qualified.

It is a tough market out there, especially for a young graduate with a fairly light resumé.

It is a catch-22: You can’t get experience without a job and you can’t get a job without experience.

Here’s my advice for students and recent graduates:

Advertise Yourself – Tell everyone you know that you are looking for a job, in case something comes up in their workplace or in case they hear of something. Be able to succinctly articulate the kind of work you are looking for and the skills you have to offer.

Find Door Openers – Ask family and friends to connect you to people in their networks. You will still have to ‘close the deal’ if an opportunity arises, but it is a huge help if the door to an opportunity is opened for you.

Be Creative – Consider how you can find and meet with specific people who you would like to work for. Find ways to get noticed such as writing an article, organizing a seminar, posting your work online, asking for information interviews, etc.

Persevere – Looking for a job can be a lot of work. Commit to spending the time and energy that is needed. Don’t get discouraged by setbacks.

Be Open-Minded – There are many jobs that may not fit your initial criteria but that could provide experience and an opportunity to develop skills. In some ways, there is no ‘wrong door’ to starting your career. All learning is valuable.

And for all the employers out there:

HIRE OUR YOUTH! Once I started getting more senior roles, I promised myself I would hire a student or new grad every year. Even if I did not have a job opening, I created one. It is amazing the things that can get done, especially with the energy and can-do attitude of a young person.

I believe strongly that as employers, we have an obligation to help build the skills and experience of our young people. They are our future and we need to mentor and inspire them to succeed.

Network, Network, Network

2011-06-14T11:01:00.001-04:00

A friend of mine went golfing three times this week – work-related of course. Ah huh. It doesn’t hurt that she loves to golf. Golf is a great way to network, especially since you are spending several hours with your golf mates. When I worked in a professional services firm, numerous deals were initiated or firmed up while on the golf course. I am not advocating golf as the panacea of networking; personally I would rather go to the spa for four hours. But we digress. Networking is an essential part of your career. It is about creating relationships that can be levered to create new customers, new partnerships, and new opportunities for you.

Here are a few networking tips:

Make an effort – The benefits of networking are not always obvious but it pays off if you take a proactive and organized approach. Know what you want and what you have.

Create a target list – I am just in the process of creating a target list of people and companies I want to meet with over the next few months. I am creating it based on my desired goal of seeking growth opportunities for my company. Then I will cold call away!

Try new resources – Are you on social networking sites, such as LinkedIn or Facebook? Check out other sites like Meetup, TweetUp or Eventful.

Use the summer months – Everyone tends to be more casual and relaxed. It is a great time to meet people outside for food, drinks or activities.

Networking is about building relationships. Be genuine and most of all, have fun!

Becoming a Legend

2011-05-09T13:07:00.000-04:00

I was at the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) event in Toronto last weekend with a friend. It was epic. As a martial artist, I deeply appreciated the skill, endurance and tenacity of the fighters. In the program, I read a quote from Georges St-Pierre, who was in the title round. He said “I want to fight to become a legend in the sport.” This really stuck...wanting to become a legend. Maybe we can’t all be a sports legend, but we can aspire to be great at what we do, no matter what that is. We can aspire to create a great company, do a great job or be a great boss.

Lessons from champion George St-Pierre on stepping into legendary:

Train Hard

It takes a whole lot of work to make something look easy. This applies as much to work as it does to sports. Training at work includes continually seeking learning opportunities and working hard to achieve great results.

Be Disciplined

Discipline evokes a sense of control and structure, but discipline is also liberating. Discipline at work helps us shed what we do not need, allows us to see past negativity and empowers us to accomplish our goals.

Focus

Having a clear line of sight to what we need to do in order to finish a task, move a project forward or move up in our career gives us clarity. We need to de-clutter frequently in order to keep this clear line of sight.

Set Your Sights High

Ask yourself “What would it take for me to be great at this?” Consider what greatness means for your company or your role. How can you measure that success?

I left the event energized and pondering the question, which I encourage you to ask yourself: “How can I become a legend?”

Bloom Where You Are

2011-04-08T13:04:00.003-04:00

As we embrace spring, “bloom where you are” is a great adage to contemplate. We may not be in the perfect job or the perfect company or have the perfect boss. Actually, we probably never will. Change is so rapid and certain in workplaces, that we can be chasing an end point that may never materialize. A year ago I wrote about starting my current job and how much I fumbled in the first few weeks. To turn things around I didn’t try to change anything externally, I reached in. I literally said to myself, it is time to bloom right here, right now, right where I am. This mental switch was very powerful. It allowed me to feel more grounded so I could access my strengths.

Here are a few tips to help you bloom where you are:

I am unique: Remember that you have unique skills, strengths and style. Have confidence in this and learn to draw on your unique qualities at work.

Check in with your attitude: Having the intention to do a good job and to contribute to the organization, even amongst challenges, will help you stay more focused and positive.

Look around: Consider what skills or knowledge you can acquire from your current job or situation. Find ways to get the skills or knowledge, including speaking to people in your organization who you can learn from, attending courses, asking to work on a particular project, etc.

Seek the positive: If that is difficult, at least do not contribute to the negative. We can have a huge impact on others in our workplace, both good and bad. Choose how you will impact others.

Build relationships: Do you have relationships at work that foster trust and respect? If not, what can you do to improve this? Your network stays with you for years and is important throughout your career.

Bloom where you are – try it today!

Finding Balance

2011-03-14T10:52:00.002-04:00

On Friday I took a day off without pay. I was feeling overwhelmed with work and all the personal things I needed to get done. Days without pay are one way I manage my work life balance. It is my solution to not using up vacation days or calling in sick. It has a financial impact, but it is only one day every few months, so I don’t really notice it. Staying balanced in life requires consciousness and openness to our environment and effort to adopt as required.

How do we stay balanced?

Take Stock: Where are you spending your time? We need to take stock of our activities on a regular basis as our lives change and evolve. Where is your time going now versus where do you want it to go?

Keep Things in Perspective: Work has a natural rhythm to it; sometimes it is busy and chaotic and other times more routine. Be open and flexible to move with this rhythm, understanding that there may be peaks where you have to work harder but also valleys where work is less intense.

Prioritize: Our workplace moves quickly, with new elements that can shift priorities. Check in with your boss and/or clients to make sure you always know what is most important to do now.

Get Help: We may hesitate to ask colleagues or our boss for help, but the situation will be worse if we miss important deadlines or under-deliver on something we promised.

Say No: We say yes because we do not want to disappoint people, or perhaps we feel guilty or awkward. Saying no and setting boundaries are great ways to manage your time and manage other people’s expectations.

Take care of your body: Eating right, exercising and getting enough sleep are simple steps with profound results.

Know what recharges you: We need to be proactive about seeking out the things that rejuvenate us and give us energy. When I feel a little down, I put on some of my favourite music and dance around my living room (luckily no one can see me!). Dancing always gives me a quick pick up.

What will you do this month to help you stay more balanced?

WOW them with Initiative

2011-02-15T15:40:00.008-05:00

I love when people show initiative. Recently I received an email from a staff member who not only identified a gap in a process, but provided a suggestion of how it could be fixed and volunteered to make it happen. I thought “WOW, this is great!” Taking initiative gets noticed, especially when done in a collaborative way. How can you show initiative at work?

Contribute: Are you social? Join the social committee, or create one if it does not exist. Participating in events or committees demonstrates interest and commitment in your workplace.

Bring forward a new idea or suggestion for improvement: No one likes to listen to problems; however, bringing forward a problem with a suggested solution is constructive. Provide your boss ideas for projects or improvements or volunteer to bring a group together to solve a problem.

Put your hand up: Be the first to say ‘I’ll do it’ when help is needed. Take initiative to do even the smallest things such as taking notes at a meeting. Putting yourself forward will open up more situations for you and you never know what will expose you to new people or important clients.

Ask questions: Sometimes we feel awkward asking questions, but it is better to be clear about what we need to do. Asking questions gives you an opportunity to learn. Having a sense of curiosity and humility will help you learn from your boss, colleagues and clients.

Do some research: Knowledge really is power. Take the initiative to learn about your industry or sector. Find the important associations or professional groups that are connected to your work or your clients and learn more about what is going on in the external environment.

What will you do this month to demonstrate your initiative?

Make Friends on the Inside

2011-01-17T11:19:00.000-05:00

We all know the importance of networking. Usually what comes to mind is external networking; the relationship building with new people or those outside of our own organization. Internal networking is also important in order to be successful in your role and for a successful career. By building good relationships with colleagues and key departments, you build a foundation that will help you get funding, assistance, advice and other valuable resources.

Identify your internal network: The first step is to identify who your key internal stakeholders are. Consider who you deal with most closely or who has significant influence on your job, your team or your department. Start to connect with these internal people by making personal contact. Introduce yourself and find out more about the person, his or her role and what projects she or he is working on.

Understand your colleagues: Right now, I can tell you what each of my peers is working on and what his or her key challenge is. This gives me valuable insight into what is motivating my colleagues and therefore how I need to adapt my communication and timelines. Get to know what your colleagues are working on and worried about.

Make friends with key departments: The finance department is an essential resource in any organization and usually leaned on for guidance by the head of the company. Finance has a strong voice in decision-making and allocation of resources. The human resource department is another key area in an organization, particularly if you need assistance with recruitment or help with performance management. Take the time to build relationships with people in key departments that influence your area.

Building a strong internal network and having people on the inside will help you succeed now and build a solid foundation for continued success in the future.

Take Time to Look Back

2010-12-16T10:14:00.001-05:00

I once heard a story about Tibetan monks. They often travel great distances on foot. Every once in a while, they stop and look back. Seeing the long distance they have already traveled gives them the courage and energy to continue on the path in front of them. It must be the winding down of the year, because it feels like we can all take a lesson from those monks. It is good to pause and look back. As I take time to reflect on 2010, I think – “Wow, what a great year.” I started a new job, where I completed a few acquisitions and had the opportunity to travel across Canada. My book was published and we celebrated with book launch parties in four cities. (I love parties!) It was also a great year of learning and growing, trying new things, meeting new people and enjoying all the "ah-ha" moments. I feel energized and ready for 2011.

Take a moment to pause along your path and look back. Think about what you accomplished and give yourself a pat on the back. Be appreciative of the people you have met along the way. Think of all you have learned and be grateful for the ability to continually grow. As 2010 comes to an end, reaffirm what you are thankful for.

And in the spirit of thankfulness, check out this adorable video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qR3rK0kZFkg

Happy Holidays

I would like to take the opportunity to thank each of you for all your support this year. I wish you and your families a very joyous holiday and a very bright, healthy and happy New Year.

An Enlightened Workplace

2010-11-16T16:09:00.000-05:00

This week I stopped in to see a colleague of mine who co-founded a company called Nurse Next Door. The company has won many awards and been recognized for best employer and most admired corporate culture. What struck me immediately when I walked through the door was the positive, uplifted energy. You could literally feel it. Team members were friendly, respectful and open. It was so refreshing. An enlightened workplace doesn’t mean things are perfect. The same workplace issues will always be there; personality clashes, a looming crisis, processes that are imperfect. What is different is how people react and interact with these issues. An enlightened workplace occurs because people choose to react constructively, to interact with skill and openness. Each of us has the power to contribute to a sane, positive work environment. It starts with you.

Contributing to a healthy workplace requires intention and awareness. We need to take responsibility for our words and actions and be willing to look at whether we are helping or hindering a situation. I often wish that in addition to the automatic Spell-check, my emails had an automatic Happy-check. I want to be reminded when, in my haste, I am about to press send on an email that sounds critical, harsh or curt. Our interaction with others has a direct impact on them. Why not make that interaction as positive as possible? This doesn’t just help the other person; paradoxically, it does a lot for us too.

Five Ways to Contribute a more Enlightened Workplace

Don’t take things personally. Other people might be having a bad day and you can acknowledge that; you don’t have to join them.
Be kind. Always.
Be yourself. We do not need to waste our time trying to guess what others are thinking, or trying to please people, or impress people. Being you is powerful enough.
Know what you believe in, and stick to it. As soon as you wander from your ‘core’, from your values, it is a slippery slope to discontent.
Laugh. ...a lot; after all, it’s just work

Conflict is a Lesson

2010-10-04T12:11:00.000-04:00

I turned into a lunatic the other day. I was driving through an intersection, when suddenly, a car in the left-hand turning lane cut right in front of me. I slammed on the brakes, pressed down on the horn, and missed the other car by inches. Most of us, me included, think we are peaceful. But after that car cut me off and almost caused an accident, I was yelling in language that would not be appropriate to print. I was so angry. Conflict sneaks up on us. Everything is fine until someone criticises our work or challenges our view or our workplace makes a decision we do not like. Once our fear is triggered, patterns of thought and behaviour follow. Perhaps we get aggressive, like I did after the car incident. Perhaps we recoil, because our feelings are hurt or our confidence is broken.

Conflict is everywhere. We experience it at work because of personality conflicts, value clashes and irritation over work habits. We experience it with the natural tensions in every organization – tension between how to allocate money, tension between departments, tension with regulatory and legislative bodies. What we have control over is not usually the actual conflict (like the car cutting in front of me) but the thoughts, actions and words that follow. We have control over how we react to conflict. It is a choice. How can we deal with conflict?

1. Be inquisitive – Be curious about the other person’s point of view or the situation. What can you learn?

2. Collaborate – Consider how you can work toward a mutually acceptable solution. How can you create a win-win?

3. “It’s not about me.” – Saying this to yourself can help you create space between the situation and your reaction. After my car incident, I reflected that cutting ME off was not the person’s intent.

4. Have a good intention – If you walk into a meeting already angry, you know what result you are going to get. If you cannot bring yourself to be of benefit in a situation, at least commit to doing no more harm.

5. Respond, don’t react – Finding those few seconds of space after a conflict with a person or situation allows you to respond to what is happening, versus reacting to it.

Learn to use conflict as lesson to learn from.

What’s Your Pitch?

2010-09-09T15:08:00.000-04:00

I delivered a keynote speech to about 200 people recently at a large retail company. The group worked in the logistics department. I joked if they introduce themselves and say “I work in logistics for ABC Co.” most people’s eyes will glaze over. What about, “I’m the triple R person. I help ABC Co. get the right product to the right place at the right time.”

Can you clearly convey what you do? What’s your pitch? The components of a pitch are pretty straight forward:

Your name: say it clearly and distinctly so people can pick it up
What you do: in plain language or be creative, use a metaphor or analogy
What you need: this is the ‘ask’. For example, in a career fair, you may deliver your pitch and ask if you can be on the company’s interview schedule.

There are many opportunities where we can use our pitch, with or without the ‘ask’:

Your current network- the people closest to you may not know what you do or need. Practice your pitch on who you know right now.

Informal networking – this can happen while travelling, on a sports field, anywhere.

Formal networking events – the ‘ask’ in a formal network event should be linked to your objective for being there; for example to look for business leads, to find a mentor, etc.

Job interviews – having a pitch will help you answer questions like “Tell me about yourself.” or “Tell me about your current role.”

Cold calls – you might be cold calling as part of your work or cold calling people you would like to meet. Think about the voice mail message you would leave.

Work opportunities to speak to new people – this may happen in a meeting or if you are working with a different team.

Career or Job Fair- you want to be ready to make a positive impression.
Information interviews- you are interviewing someone to learn about her or his industry or company; you too will answer questions.

Spend a few minutes crafting your pitch and be prepared for the opportunities ahead.

Career Pathways

2010-08-16T11:03:00.000-04:00

My summer student asked me how she could become an executive in a company. How could she move up? This is a great question. If you are trying to get to a certain level in your career, what is the pathway to get there? Do you have a line of sight to where you want to be in your career? If you want to be a manager, an entrepreneur, a vice president or CEO, can you visualize the required steps? If we consider the highest echelons of organizations, they are generally structured in a similar way. There is the leader (CEO, Executive Director, President, General Manager) and that person has a team reporting to her or him, consisting of leaders in operations, along with key support areas such as finance, human resources, information technology, sales and marketing, etc.

Finding Your Career Pathway
Consider if you have the background and skills to ascend through an organization by way of direct operations. Direct operations mean different things in different sectors; for example, in healthcare, direct operations usually entail interaction with a patient, so a clinical background is important to enter management through this pathway.

Alternatively, your skills and background may provide a pathway through a support function such as finance, technology, human resources or sales marketing. It may also be helpful to eliminate pathways that are not feasible for you. For example, if you do not have a finance background, it is unlikely you will rise to executive ranks as the Chief Financial Officer. What are the pathways that are closed to you because of your interests, background and skills?

To help you explore your career pathway, try to understand the structure of your organization. Look for opportunities to learn about other divisions and departments; for example, speak to people who work in operating and support areas. You can ask to job shadow someone in areas you are interested in, or ask a senior executive for an information interview to learn more about how the person got to her or his position.

Having a line of sight to your career goals will help you achieve them sooner. Happy climbing!

More Career Sites
http://careercommuniqueradio.ning.com/
http://www.jobseekersadvice.com/
http://talentegg.ca/incubator/
http://www.careerjoy.com/

Ignite Your Passion

2010-07-22T12:02:00.000-04:00

A billion people (a billion!) watched the final match of the FIFA World Cup. Throughout the tournament, vuvuzelas played in full force and fans worldwide were entranced by the brilliant plays, the stunning upsets and the suspense of which team would be acclaimed the best. There has been a stirring of the world’s pride and passion. This energy is captivating. How do we ignite our own passion? You may be deeply passionate about your job right now or you may be in a role where you do not feel connected. Whatever the situation, it is possible to infuse passion into your work and your life. Here are a few tips:

Choose to be Happy
We can start every day with the intention to be happy. On really tough days, we can at least refrain from spreading our unhappiness around.

Be curious
Curiosity about other people’s views, ways of doing things and ideas can open up our own creativity. Ask questions; people love to talk about themselves.

Shake things up
Sometimes a game plan change can help you see things differently. Change your routine (any routine) just for fun.

Dare to take risks
Next time you have a decision or choice to make, consider the worst thing that can happen if you take a risk. If manageable, why not give it a try?

Do Things With Others in Mind
When we do things with the benefit of others in mind, it helps both parties. Creating positive energy for others begets positive energy for you.

Have fun
A sense of humour always makes a situation easier. Learn to laugh at yourself and not sweat the small stuff.

Information Interviews

2010-06-10T11:29:00.002-04:00

I have always wanted to meet Oprah Winfrey. She is remarkable in so many ways. She is creative, smart and has an unbelievable work ethic. I would love to ask her a few questions, like “How do you stay motivated?”, “How do you keep your life balanced?”, “Do you still love what you are doing?” and many more. While we may not have the opportunity to meet Oprah Winfrey or our favorite sport or movie star, there are fantastic people, right in our networks, or perhaps one degree away from us, whose answers to questions like these would be valuable and extremely helpful to our careers.

Think about who you know now, or who could connect you to someone in your industry, profession, or a person who has a job you aspire to. Ask the person to meet you, with the objectives of learning more about the person and getting advice for your own career. Information interviews with successful people can be extremely illuminating. The key is to be prepared by doing some research about the person and her or his work in advance and consider the questions that you want to ask. Here are a few to get you started:

Tell me about your career path.
How did you get your current job?
What is your industry/sector like to work in?
What are your greatest challenges at work?
What do you love the most?
What does a typical day look like?
What kinds of decisions do you make?
How does your position fit within the organization/industry?
How does your job affect your general lifestyle?
What current issues and trends do you see?
What are some common career paths in your industry/sector?
What kinds of accomplishments are valued and rewarded?
Do you have advice for me on how to get into this industry?
Is there anyone you think I should speak to?

Find opportunities to connect with people who can share their knowledge, insight and perspectives with you. You will be enriched by each conversation you have. Happy interviewing!

Pay It Forward

2010-05-21T21:46:00.000-04:00

I just wrapped up two book launch parties, one in London, Ontario and another in Toronto. They were so much fun! Obviously I am a bit biased, but I think everyone enjoyed themselves and there was a lot of mingling going on. I especially appreciated my family, who was out in full force; selling books, greeting people, serving as masters of ceremonies, making introductions, coordinating the event etc. I am so fortunate to have this kind of support readily accessible. When I thanked my sister for coordinating the Toronto event, she said “Well, I finally have a chance to pay you back for everything you’ve done for me.” I really believe in the concept of ‘paying it forward’; that when you help people, you will always get it back in some way.

There are innumerable ways to pay it forward in your workplace, both large and small. Here are just a few:
- Help out a colleague who is trying to meet a deadline or finish a project.
- Celebrate the success of others.
- Bring in treats for your team.
- Offer to share your resources; for example, people, funds, space.
- Clean up the kitchen even if it is not your mess.
- Give someone a compliment.
- Volunteer to do a task that no one else wants to do.

Paying it forward in your workplace helps you shift your attitude from entitlement or negativity to a more positive, open attitude. By doing any one of the tasks listed above, you create uplifted energy. This energy really helps your workplace environment. Think about how you can ‘pay it forward’ today.

Globe Life | Work & Money Article

2010-05-21T11:06:00.000-04:00

Don’t I know you...? What happens when Star Wars Kid grows up?

From light-sabre celebrity to public official: Eight years on, Star Wars Kid shows you can never quite escape your past

Wency Leung
Globe and Mail Update Published on Monday, May. 17, 2010

Read Full Article

Interview about Gen Y on the Naburrs and Friends show

2010-05-21T11:03:00.000-04:00

Listen to my interview about Gen Y on the Naburrs and Friends show

Radio Show 1

Radio Show 2

2010-04-19T07:00:00.001-04:00

I am pleased to announce that my book, “Inspire Your Career: Strategies for Success in Your First Years at Work” is now published. Come and celebrate! Parties are being held in London, ON May 11th, Toronto ON May 12th, Sarnia, ON May 21st and Vancouver BC June 10th. For more information, go to www.inspireyourcareer.com or let us know you are coming at rsvp@inspireyourcareer.com.

'A' is for Attitude

2010-04-17T13:20:00.000-04:00

I was at the Air Canada counter in Florida last week and had the nicest woman helping me. She was customer-service oriented and refreshingly positive and upbeat. Amazing how a short exchange with a person like this can really change your mood and make your entire day. Attitude is something we choose, every day, every minute. Some people are naturally cheerful. For others, it takes a little more effort to project a good attitude. How do we keep a positive attitude about our work, our colleagues and our clients?

- Don’t take things personally. See situations as an interested third party “Isn’t that interesting how angry she is.” or “I wonder why he feels so strongly about this.”
- Be curious. Be curious about why a person is saying what she is saying; be curious about why a person feels a certain way.
- See possibilities and opportunities. The glass is always full. There is something to learn or a way to grow in every interaction and situation. See the potential in even the hardest situations.
- Be engaged. Having a great attitude is much easier when you embrace your work and role. You can do this even if you don’t love your job. Putting energy into your work gives you a lot back in return.
- Take pride in your work. You may not always get the recognition you want, but you can always seek validation internally that you are doing a good job and making a difference.

Articles on mentoring:

2010-03-27T14:32:00.003-04:00

http://www.mentors-mmha.com/articles.php

http://www.sagementors.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=15&Itemid=29

Open Source mentoring site

2010-03-27T14:31:00.004-04:00

The International Mentoring Network Association believes in ‘open source’ mentoring. http://www.imno.org

Mentors Matter

2010-03-27T14:28:00.000-04:00

Mentors are such an important part of our lives. We can learn so much from the example, experiences and advice of others. When I first started in accounting, I really resisted the profession. I thought it would be boring and that I wouldn’t be interested in my work. I was fortunate enough to work for someone who was smart, but also extraverted and social. He didn’t quite fit the mould. I learned a lot from him, not just technically, but also how to build strong client relationships and have a great attitude when you came to work.

How do you find mentors? Seek them out. Don’t wait for your boss or your workplace to organize this for you. Seek mentors from your whole network of friends, family, past and current colleagues and social circles. Mentors are of all ages and come from all walks of life, so have an open mind about who can assist you. Spend some time formulated what exactly it is that you would like a mentor to help you with. For example, are you looking for advice about changing jobs, about moving up in your organization or about acquiring a particular skill? Articulate what your objectives are in finding a mentor. This will help you to choose people who can help you meet your objectives, as well as give you a sense of how long you need to meet with the person. You may just need to meet once, for a few hours, or you may want an ongoing relationship where you meet regularly.

Once you have identified your objectives and the type of person you are looking for, start reaching out. You can approach people directly and ask if they would be willing to spend time with you and you can also ask your contacts if they know of anyone who might be a good mentor to you. The key is not to hold back, just jump in and go for it. The worst thing that can happen is the person declines because they don’t have the time. And even in this scenario, you still have made the person aware of what you need and now you have an ally who might be able to connect you someone else or help you in the future. Lastly, don’t forget to pay things forward, and be available to others when they need you as a mentor.

The Olympic Spirit at Work

2010-02-13T02:24:00.002-05:00

The 2010 Winter Olympics have begun and Clara Hughes was Canada’s flag-bearer in Vancouver. Clara is a remarkable. She is the only athlete in history to win multiple medals in both Winter and Summer Olympics. She’s also an advocate for the environment, a humanitarian activist and motivational speaker. Clara exudes the Olympic spirit, and is an inspiration for all of us to be the best we can be.

Like our athletes, we can experience highs and lows at work; times where we feel on top of the world and times were we feel overwhelmed. When we are confronted by a difficult colleague, it can be hard to keep an Olympic attitude, one that exudes confidence and optimism. Like the inspiration we draw from people like Clara, we too can be inspiring at work. How can we maintain our Olympic spirit?

Tune into your body and mind – Athletes know the importance of being in tune with themselves, both mentally and physically. We can be in tune with ourselves at work, mentally and physically. Are you tired? Worried? Energized? Bored? Do a mental check-in before you go to work or pause to reflect on a particular situation at work.

Stay focused and persevere– Keep your eye on your end goal. It may be a promotion you want, or closing a deal with a new client. Stay focused on what you are trying to achieve – write it down, or communicate it with someone else. Not everything goes according to plan and outcomes can shift along the way. Persevere through periods of change or challenge.
Stay present – Watching athletes is inspiring. They are fully present in what they are doing. We too can practice being fully present at work and in our lives. As we watch our Olympians, let’s remind ourselves to stay in the situation and moment we are in, letting go of the past and future.

Enjoy the Olympics!

Check out www.charityvillage.com

2010-01-10T16:11:00.002-05:00

Charity Village is a supersite for the non-profit sector. The site is jammed with resources and helpful tools. Take a look at the Resources/Library section. Even if you don’t work in the non-profit sector, you can look for volunteer opportunities in your area or check out the list of free and almost free publications: http://www.charityvillage.com/cv/charityvillage/lib11.html

Take Three Breaths

2010-01-10T16:10:00.000-05:00

I started a new job this week as Senior Vice President in a large health services and accommodation company. ‘Humbling’ was the word for the week. I got lost going to the kitchen (someone found me) and parked in the wrong spot (luckily no ticket). I mixed up two people and invited the wrong one to a meeting (they look nothing alike). I shattered a glass (and couldn’t find a broom). I misplaced my identification (honestly, it just disappeared) and on day two, my boss asked why my office wasn’t organized (hello... I started y-e-s-t-e-r-d-a-y).

Breathe. That was the advice I gave myself, just breathe. Three deep breaths can change everything.

There will be times when we feel hurt, fearful or out of control. How can we help manage our stress and anxiety? Here are a few tips:

Use breathing- Take deep breaths to calm yourself down and allow for more clarity before you speak or act.

Exercise– Exercise releases endorphins that make you feel good.
Hang out with nature – Nothing beats trees, rocks, water and clean air. Get close to nature when you are feeling stressed.

Get enough sleep – Rest can make a huge difference in how you feel and how you react.

Talk things out – Friends or family members are great for listening and commiserating with. Don’t be afraid to lean on someone.

Let go of the negative thoughts in your mind- Pay attention to your thoughts for part of the day. Toss the negative ones away.

Light a candle, take a bath, play your favourite tune – Basically do whatever helps you to calm down, both physically and mentally.

As we begin this new decade, take an active role in maintaining your health and happiness.

Check out www.meetup.com

2009-12-18T12:17:00.002-05:00

Looking for a people who have similar interests? Check out Meetup. Just type in your interest and your postal code and Viola! You will have a list of groups meeting in your area. You will find cultural groups, yoga groups, professional groups and lots more. I love Successful Positive Women – check it out at: www.meetup.com/Iamasuccessfulandpositivewoman/

Unleash Your Innate Wisdom

2009-12-18T12:16:00.000-05:00

As I write this, I am overlooking Lake Muskoka in Gravenhurst, Ontario. I just spent the weekend with seven wonderful girlfriends, enjoying the spa, food, drink and most importantly, each others’ company. A few of us caught sight of three white-tailed deer while on a hike. They took a peek at us and then trotted on. Being here reminds me of the innate wisdom of nature; how the plants and animals all just know what to do. We too have innate wisdom. We all have a natural, instinctive intelligence that guides us in determining what to do or what not to do. Innate wisdom is always there for us, taking in our environment and gently presenting us with the answers we seek.

How do I recognize innate wisdom?
Innate wisdom has a quality of pureness to it. It is unencumbered and non judgemental. It is the thought or feeling that comes before we analyze it or layer our rationalization or criticism on it.

How do I cultivate my innate wisdom?
- Give it time. We are often in a rush to do everything. So it can be difficult to allow time for an idea to percolate or a conflict to simmer. Don’t be afraid to take the time to ruminate. Taking the opportunity to ‘sleep on it’ can be very helpful in allowing your wisdom to arise.
- Give it space. If your mind is cluttered with recurring conversations, thoughts or emotions, it is hard to access your wisdom. It is there, but can easily be crowded out by the other dialogue going on in your head. Try to give your mind the space it needs to let wisdom surface. Try sitting quietly and letting go of your thoughts. By clearing your mind, it is easier to contemplate your issue.

Learn to let your innate wisdom shine through.

Inspire Your Career Book Launch in 2010

2009-12-03T20:22:00.002-05:00

We are pleased to announce that the new book “Inspire Your Career – Strategies for Achieving Success and Finding Happiness at Work” will be published by Insomniac Press and launched in April of 2010. The book is full of tips and advice on a wide range of career related topics. A recurring theme in the book is self-awareness; the idea that knowing yourself is a key element of a successful career (and happy life!). We’ll keep you posted as things progress and if you have any great marketing ideas for the book, please let me know.

This Month’s Tip – Just Do ONE Thing

2009-12-03T20:21:00.002-05:00

Have you ever felt completely overwhelmed with what you needed to accomplish? Perhaps your work and personal life are in a perfect storm of activity. You may also have a particular task that you know you should do, but you aren’t motivated to do it. A friend of mine has her own business. While she loves what she does, she dislikes looking for clients, making cold calls, or anything related to marketing herself. When there is a part of our job that we are not too keen on, it is pretty easy to feel overwhelmed by it, so we procrastinate or ignore it. Try just doing one thing. Make one phone call or send one email or finish one component of the task. By doing just one thing, you can break a pattern of avoidance, and the feeling of being overwhelmed.

Have you ever thought...
“I hate doing this.”- Find tools that help you accomplish the tasks you don’t enjoy doing. For example, if you don’t like to cold call, schedule 15 or 30 minutes each month and make the calls. By doing tasks regularly, and in smaller chunks, you won’t feel overwhelmed later.
“I don’t know where to start.” – Consider breaking down a project into pieces, so that you can start to see the feasibility of completing the work. You might break it down by what is easy or quick to do and what is harder or will take longer. Then just do one thing to kick start yourself into action.
“I don’t want to deal with this.” – When I am struggling with something I don’t want to deal with, it appears as a big, hairy ball. I don’t want to go near it. Consider what you are really avoiding. Are you avoiding a person? Are you avoiding an emotion? Seeing clearly what is at the heart of the issue will help you find the one thing you can do to start dealing with it.

Next time you feel stuck or overwhelmed, try doing just one thing.

Relationships Mean Everything

2009-10-14T10:13:00.001-04:00

Recently I was speaking to a colleague who is a partner in a large law firm. She shared the story of working for over 20 years in a firm where she was expected to grow her client base, but was never taught how to do it. Eventually a co-worker took her under his wing. He taught her that acquiring new clients is like growing a garden; it takes time and you need to cultivate it. You plant a seed and it takes time to grow. Getting new clients is all about building relationships, meeting people and accessing
new networks. In your career, relationships mean everything. Your relationships are like the seeds in that garden. They may grow to become
your next customer, a future employer, the perfect employee, your mentor or a new business partner - you never know.

How do you build relationships and your network? Anyone can do it. The first step is to consider what your objective is so that you can find a clear path to meeting who you are looking for; for example:

- Are you trying to increase your client base? Ensure your friends,
family and colleagues know you are looking for clients. Cold call potential
clients and introduce yourself. Identify target companies or groups and
offer to speak to them on a topic of interest.

- Are you trying to find a job? Let your network know you are looking and what you are looking for. Ask people in your network for connections to their networks. Access networking sites that will connect you to potential employers.

- Are you curious about a sector or industry? Consider attending
conferences, accessing people through professional associations or attending pertinent educational sessions.

Don't be afraid to put yourself out there. People are generally very
accommodating. When you meet people, be authentic and honest about who you are and what you are trying to achieve. In order to be effective in building your network, you need to be effective for others. Take opportunities to 'give forward' by listening and being supportive to those who reach out to you. Good relationships are based on mutual trust and respect. Make a commitment now to build positive relationships throughout your career.

'Fresh Start' September

2009-09-11T18:37:00.000-04:00

I love September. It has a feeling of renewal and freshness to it. It must be the many years we spent in school, gearing up for a September start. We can recreate this feeling of ‘fresh start’ in our workplace. We can do this in small ways, like making an effort to say Good Morning to our colleagues in the office, or bringing in treats for everyone for no reason, or cleaning up the kitchen for our coworkers. These small acts create positive energy.

Sometimes our work drags us down; maybe this is due to someone in our office who is driving us nuts, or perhaps the boss doesn’t appreciate us enough, or maybe we are feeling stressed because we do not have enough time or feel overwhelmed. We can carry the weight of these circumstances in our mind from moment to moment, day to day and week to week. It can build up and create a lot of resistance. Next time this happens to you, think about starting fresh. Wake up with a conscious commitment to a fresh start with the co-worker, your boss or the situation you are struggling with. Commit to looking at the person or situation with fresh eyes and openness. By shifting your attitude in this way, you can make a huge difference in the quality of your work life.

How do you create a 'Fresh Start' at work?

Welcome to the Inspire Your Career Blog!

2009-09-01T15:09:00.000-04:00

Hello Inspire Your Career Followers!

This is our first official post on our new blog!

We are excited for the addition of this service to www.inspireyourcareer.com and we hope you will find it to be a useful tool for additional career inspiration resources.

Keep coming back and staying up to date - and being inspired!

Trish