Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Navigating! For Success in Life, Career and Business Pursuits: 4 Ways To Tap Into the Wealth of Your Knowledge, S...
Navigating! For Success in Life, Career and Business Pursuits: 4 Ways To Tap Into the Wealth of Your Knowledge, S...: Who are you at the core? Each of us has an eternal spring that keeps us pressing on through adversities; do you know ...
4 Ways To Tap Into the Wealth of Your Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Who
are you at the core?
Each
of us has an eternal spring that keeps us pressing on through adversities; do
you know how to draw from that well? It is a reserve of perseverance
and endurance, the nature of your past applied to your current environment, the
source to nurture your family circumstances and attend to the challenges and
opportunities of the present day. What does this well of abundance look like
for you?
Your
journey to your current place in time is unique here and you are accompanied
and your story is enriched by the baggage you hoist.
Now
it is totally and measurably about you.
What
makes you stand out?
Do
you also recognize your less desirable personality quirks that could sabotage
your success? Can you identify how to stay out of your own way?
Self-awareness
and knowledge are critical in this shifting landscape. Knowing the aspects of
our personality that are “good, bad, and ugly” allows us with the realism we
need to fuel the drive down our individual paths. This information about
ourselves is a valuable tool for negotiating new territory and exploring
unrealized opportunities, both professionally and personally.
I
believe we are each bestowed with abilities of wonder, making us this unique
blend. From arts, culinary, mechanical, scientific or plain common sense, the
range of what we bring to the world is vast. Some gifts we are born with,
others come as the results of how parents, caregivers, and teachers have
instructed us. Eventually our own choices and pursuits add to this list of
areas where we can excel.
Our
goal is to find these talents, at the right time, with the right count. Do not
delay. Do not let others keep us from this treasure. These attributes shelter
us in the turmoil of today, becoming our "fall back" in challenging
economic and career times.
So here are four ways to best tap into this personal reservoir.
- Recognize That Assessment Is Continuous (Of Self, Skills And Situation).
Why? Because things change. We
grow as we have new experiences and acquire fresh knowledge. Making decisions
prompts new insights. Otherwise we stagnate when the status quo is just too
comfortable. Sometimes a situation changes and causes us to reassess our
options. Life’s interruptions can sway us and we’re forced to shift in another
direction. Family additions or losses challenge or comfort us. Societal issues
impact our lives such as global conflict, budget cuts or innovations in our
industries. Windfalls in personal finances or new technology cause us to
rethink our plans. Our strengths are zapped or recharged in these moments.
Learning
to package ourselves with all of our talents, skills and abilities is Task One.
What has brought you to where you are?
Stand proudly there. Too many times, I hear people say, "I'm just a
... " when asked about what they
do. Think about all you have to offer and be able to put it out in the
universe with power. All career fields and jobs have value in this world.
Single or married, college education or GED, suburban, rural town or inner
city—‘it’s all good”, solidify your place to be and give.
3. Capitalize
On Strengths.
Who’s
the best person to …? The “old folks”, like we do now, asked this question to
identify resources, for everyday survival. Mostly the sources were individual
enterprises, built on strengths. From raising children, doing or cutting hair,
to project management or cooking to playing basketball, we each bring our
unique talents to our professional and personal lives. Figure out what you do
well and market that to the max. “Do you” naturally. Claim your abilities and
use them smartly. Use those gifts that allow us to circumvent and morph through
daily and sustaining challenges. Bring them with enthusiasm!
4. Acknowledge Weaknesses (Or Development Areas), Liabilities And Limitations
None
of us are perfect people. And yes we all have stuff and issues. Knowing our
weaknesses helps us determine which ones we can correct and provides a degree
of direction for improvement. With awareness of our liabilities in tow, this
data helps us to avoid wrong careers or environments. Then there are some tasks
or skills we just cannot do, they are our limitations. Various aspects of our
personalities help or hinder us. Patience, attention to detail, outgoing or
shy—some of us are, some of us aren’t. Own up!
Excerpted from the book, For People of Strength, Soul, and Spirit: 7 Guidelines for Life & Career Success https://www.createspace.com/3983828 or Amazon
Friday, January 4, 2013
Farewell to 2012: Expedition Endings and Beginnings
Hope does
not kill; I shall live and get what I want one day.
Zulu proverb
On a vacation to the island of
Maui back in 2002, I went on a sunrise biking tour of Haleakala,
the world’s largest dormant volcano. This expedition was exciting from the
outset. At 2 a.m. the tour company’s van picked me up from my hotel, and then
whisked me to their office to be fitted for my bike and other gear. From there
we headed to the 10,000 foot summit of Haleakala and once we arrived, sat in
the van and waited—trying to keep warm. The temperature at the summit stays at
40 degrees. That’s why bikers get outfitted with gloves and other pieces at the
tour operator’s office— to ward off the mountainous cold on top of the volcano.
They also advised me to dress in layers.
So
what was I waiting for at o-dark-30? To view the sunrise peaking brilliantly
over the neighboring eastern island of Hawaii out across the expansive
Pacific—this sight one of the highlights of this early morning tour. And it was beautiful and spiritual to see.
After
the ooh and ahh’s of the sun’s arrival, the tour group prepared to bring us
down the craterous volcano on the bikes. With safety briefings and equipment
checks done—it’s time to maneuver the switchbacks on my bike until we reach
sea-level. Swerving and curving on the bike, I paced myself behind the safety
instructor as we pummeled downward while enjoying Maui’s vistas along the
way. We made a few rest stops to include
a lunch break— then some four hours later, we arrived at a Pacific beach.
Shedding the cold weather gear and layers that were needed for the dawn’s
heights, we now settled into the 80-plus degrees. Ready to dive in the ocean, I
reflected on this safe adventure and basked in the Hawaiian culture.
I
had always wanted to travel to Hawaii on vacation and now I’d done it. My time
there was wonderful as I explored the beauty of this 50th state. But I also looked forward to my return to the
mainland. I don’t think I could live in Hawaii. Yet I hope to go back again.
At
the end of any journey we stop and assess.
After spending money on a
vacation we ponder did I have a good
time? When a career or job is over we reflect on, what skills did I pick up from this opportunity? We come back from a shopping trip and
summate did I get what I want? When
time with family or friends is over we ask was
my visit a good one?
Then we take refuge before launching
out again, ISO (In Search Of) or (In Spite Of) because life dictates that we
don’t stop but keep going—we try to…
This
is what I’ve done in Navigating Life’s Roadways.
The
phrases embedded in my journeys’
assessments are…
·
Then
I got back on course
·
My energy
sent me this way
·
A
return to my sanity got me doing this
·
I
went back to what I know
·
The
Lord is guiding me
·
Redo,
morph, return, ponder and reinvent
These
are also words for continued focus that show up on my roads and in my spaces.
Navigate,
Synchronize, Rudder, Beat the Bushes, Negotiate, Stay the Course, Walk the Path,
Stand Firmly on Your Ground
Recognize your IPS (Internal Positioning
System) and engage your GPS (Goals, Positions, Situations)
Enjoy
the beauty and blight that make up life’s ever evolving trails. Hang with the
emotions of your journey’s high-grounds and low-grounds. Push when necessary,
pause to reflect and pray for strength. Keep hope near and embrace love.
This piece is excerpted from my book, Navigating Life's Roadways; Stories of Insight from My Odyssey and Inspiration for Your Journey http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008D6RJ0M
This piece is excerpted from my book, Navigating Life's Roadways; Stories of Insight from My Odyssey and Inspiration for Your Journey http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008D6RJ0M
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