Monday, May 28, 2012

9 Tips for Grads: Things To Remember and Reinforce About Life

My nephew and I in 1993, planting the seeds for college

THINGS TO REMEMBER AND REINFORCE ABOUT LIFE: At College and In the World




I began putting college talk in my nephew’s head early on in his life. His journey started a bit tough, but as a doting and honest aunt, I could see he had potential. So he did eventually graduate high school, taking control of his future. Below are the comments from a letter I wrote to him as he embarked on his first year in college. These words modeled the same advice that had been given me by my mother and other family as I began that sojourn into full adulthood; commencing! As we enter this season of graduation celebrations, hopefully this is timely tested for readers to share with their graduates.

 


1.   Talk to God daily. He “orders your steps.”  You know he has brought you out of many situations and you see the miracles he has done for you.  I can’t say enough of how proud I am of how you turned things around your senior year and are at college.  You should be too. Your potential for doing and being good things is evident.

2.  Life requires work; not many things come about easily.  “If you take one step, God will take two.”   Have a plan for what you want to do while at school, your holiday breaks, and summers.

3.  Things won’t always happen the way you want them to and when you want them to. “God may not come when you want, but he’s always right on time.”  Don’t rush life.  Let things happen for you in their time.  Be your age!!  If you don’t, you wind up being bored because you’ve experienced “too much, too soon.”

4. Make decisions carefully and well thought out ones.  Get good accurate information from a variety of sources to help you determine what you want to do and how you want to be.  I know you’re hearing a lot of different things from other students and friends.  Hear it, but don’t believe everything you hear. Check out the real truth with facts. Be your own person with a solid understanding of your own opinions and perspectives.

5.  Life has its good times and bad times, fun times and boring times for everyone.  No situation or place is ever perfect. I know you think big cities like NY are great and they can be fun, but they’re not all they’re cracked up to be either.  It takes a lot of money to live and do things there and like anywhere else if you don’t have friends or family there big cities can be impersonal.

6.  Flexibility and an open mind important.  And it is ok to change your mind about things. However be aware of any consequences involved about those things you may change your mind about.  Particularly any negative consequences that involve finances, your reputation, or upset your future.

7.  Friendship is one of the greatest gifts of life.  So make friends based on trust, respect, and shared values. Those will last longer.  And I feel your friendships will be so important to you as you get older especially since you’re an only child, your friends may eventually become your family.

8.  Explore new hobbies and interests that have lifelong value as well as variety and can get you through the ups and downs of life whether you’re in good health or not, have money or not, have people to do things with or not.   Things I learned to do as a kid and while in college provide me with entertainment now.  I read when I can’t be outside, I bike when I want to enjoy the outdoors, like to play tennis and splash in the water, learning to play golf, enjoy talking to good friends on the phone, and as you know love to eat and enjoy dining out. 

9. Remember, you are blessed, loved by God, family, and friends!!

My nephew with his late grandmother at his college graduation in 2006


For more information on my book (Navigating Life's Roadways) and family, see navigatinglifesroadways.com or amazon.com

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Navigating! For Success in Life, Career and Business Pursuits: Dealing With Adversity: Anchor In Sometimes!

Navigating! For Success in Life, Career and Business Pursuits: Dealing With Adversity: Anchor In Sometimes!: And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation wor keth patience; And patience, experience; and experienc...

Dealing With Adversity: Anchor In Sometimes!




And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also:knowing that tribulation worketh patience;And patience, experience; and experience, hope. Romans 5:3-4


I learned a lot about dealing with adversity from my mother. A single parent of four children, she never complained and continued to take on what life sent her. Because of her stance, I was able to graduate from college in spite of our family hardships. I share some of what I learned from her in this radio interview on family issues and adversity.


Moving into adulthood I further discovered that life has its hardships as well as battles, of which most of us get assigned to. Or I thought some didn’t and used to envy those people whose lives seemed to go through the right stages at the right time. Whole birth family, graduating school, getting married, securing careers, having kids — all done by age... everything seemed perfect. No ugly surprises restricted their life passages. Now what I know is that even though tribulations tug at our sanity, there are many personal ‘gets’ from seemingly unfavorable situations. Tough times can provide insight into such questions as:
  • Am I still roadworthy?
  • Did I gain some lessons from this struggle?
  • How would I score myself in this life test?
  • What does this say about my life’s navigational chart?
Sometimes we need these trying experiences.  My faith has sustained me through many tribulations. There’s an expression reminding us that “A dose of adversity is often as needful as a dose of medicine.” The wisdom and growth that comes from those undesirable moments can put us out to sail on, ‘being all we can be’. Temporarily being cast into hardship can deepen our resolve and strengthen us as go from storm to shore. Drop into it adversity. Don’t drift away.

More can be found on how I've handled adversity in my motivational memoir: Navigating Life's Roadways: Stories of Insight from My Odyssey and Inspiration for Your Journey, available on amazon.com. http://www.amazon.com/Navigating-Lifes-Roadways-Stories-Inspiration/dp/1453849858/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

Monday, May 21, 2012

Seminars! Inspiration! Action! Upcoming Low Cost Employee Training Events in Loudoun County


The DPJ Training Group presents:   

Seminars, Inspiration, Action! Workshops to fit your budget!  Why not send your staff to any of these 3 hour sessions as a great way to learn and impact your bottom line?
Deborah L. Parker, The DPJ Training Group



Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Frontline Customer Service Skills    9am -12pm

Leadership Landscape: Tools for Success  1pm-4pm



Wednesday June 20, 2012

Engage! Staying Motivated During Challenging Times  9am-12pm

Communicating for Results 1pm-4pm



Where:   Comfort Inn, 80 Prosperity Ave. Leesburg, VA  703-669-1650

Costs:   $89 per 3 hour class  ---  $149 for the full day (2 courses)


 

For Information and Registration - Contact: Deborah L.  Parker, Senior Training and Development Consultant (703)669-6513; dlparker6@verizon.net  and/or complete the attached registration form and email to Deborah

PayPal payments with credit, debit cards and seminar details are also available at:  http://mysite.verizon.net/vzet26in/thedpjtraininggroup/id62.html

Checks payable to: The DPJ Training Group, 43136 Shadow Terrace, Leesburg, VA 20176


About the DPJ Training Group 
Deborah of the DPJ Training Group has been conducting workplace training or coaching on leadership and communications for numerous clients nationally for over 10 years.  Clients include Loudoun County HR Professionals, Smithsonian Institution, Department of State, PriceWaterhouse Coopers, and Department of Defense. Deborah is also an author and retired army reserve officer.




Member:  Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce

             American Society for Training and Development

Friday, May 4, 2012

9 Quick Ways to Steer Towards Your Success: From the Beginning

Deborah at 4 years old.

It really did start here. Born the oldest child of a single teen parent, there was much for me to grasp early on in my life.  So I learned to navigate.  Responsibility, focus and a love of learning put me on a trail that led to beat the overwhelming odds that could've stopped me in my tracks. My earthly entry came also in the midst of the pulsing quest for civil rights as well as gender equity - the movements. Yet, through the many lessons provided by my determined mother, wise grandparents and supportive small town community, I steered through a few things.  Graduate from a prestigious college, became an army officer, entrepreneur and now author. Not that there weren't numerous mistakes and failures along the way.  And now I share the glories of those successes and setbacks in my motivational memoir, Navigating Life's Roadways: Stories of Insight from My Odyssey and Inspiration for Your Journey. I've enjoyed some scenery on my sojourns, much of it similar to what you see in the picture above. Whether it was a smooth waterway, hard hill, or imposing stone, there's been a take-a-away in it from that part of my journey!  Sharing these nine ways for your to steer on, my hope is that you too will see that there is a message in the middle of wherever we find ourselves. Use it to move forward!


  1. Be determined to drive on!

       In spite of.. headwinds,  uncertainty, and storms (Whatever they look like for you - slow economy, job market, relationship challenges)

  1. Rudder at the right signs.

       Stay anchored in your values, vision and interests (List and revisit them)

  1. Open all lanes for learning.

       Detours and potholes are there for a reason (If you fall in or go the wrong way, so what? Find a way out or around)

  1. Crank your motivation motor.    


       What’s the gas in your engine? (Passion, giving back, your expertise, challenge, taking care of your family )                            


  1. Acknowledge fellow travelers.


       We don’t journey alone. (Get support from friends, mentors and network)


  1. Plot a route that’s realistic.

       Be who you are and pace your journey to your style of moving (Do you)


  1. Rejuvenate at rest stops.


       Take a break, vacation or staycation (Have a special spot that fuels you)


  1. Boldly stay on the boulevard of belief.


       See it to the right, left, front and rear as you check your mirror views (Engage!)


  1. Claim victory at critical times.


       Segment your successes for each leg of your journey (Small wins are good)