The Three Steps to Career (and Life!) Success: Step One: Acceptance

Note: I am out of the country for a few weeks recharging in Italy. I wanted to set up a series of blogs on the three essential steps to success in career – and share one each week with you in the hope that you will inspired to begin the journey. This is the intro to my new book soon to be published, “In the Whirlpool of Life & Career?”. Thx- Dan

The Three Steps to Career (and Life!) Success

And you cannot skip them …

Step One: Acceptance

Over the past twenty-five years I have been in this business, I have learned one very important thing about people in the midst of change …

… Change is a process – a sequential process – and you cannot leapfrog one step, or you failure or enjoy a miserable journey.

Most however try to cut corners. They launch into a change in their career or life without a plan. They jump over the basics – and they find themselves caught in a fog: a feeling of not knowing where to go or what to do next.

It is natural. We are a “want it to be today” society that expects immediate results.
In many situations, technology has enabled us to expect this.

But in others – not. Change in career and life is just one of those life situations that takes time, dedication, and patience. It takes having a plan of action, or you will find yourself lost. It required a dedication – a dedication to achievement that cannot be daunted – by anyone or any situation.

I have coached my clients over the years to look at the process as Three-Steps:

•  Acceptance
•  Commitment
•  Giving yourself permission.

Three powerful words – three powerful states of being to move through.
Onward!

Acceptance

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 “Be willing to have it so. Acceptance of what has happened is the first step to overcoming the consequences of any misfortune”.  -  William James

 This is the hardest step.

Really hard and when you must be totally and bluntly honest with yourself, and with others.
Failure to accept that something, someone or a situation is broken will stop one dead in their tracks and in the 24+ years I have been coaching and mentoring those in the midst of career transition (my definition of midst: thinking about it, talking about it, knowing it but not quite at the step of acceptance), I can tell you without hesitation:

 Acceptance is key to success. Failure to accept is a fate of failure.

 I do think, however, that you are approaching the point of acceptance or you may be there. Why would you buy this book if you were not I would have to ask?

So in this chapter and on this day I am going to ask you to take the huge – yes the biggest – step forward:
Formally accept that you are ready to change, willing to accept new and able to handle the ups and downs of doing so. 

Say it over and over to yourself (and a significant others if that will help at this point:
And now – put your acceptance in writing:

My Acceptance Agreement, entered into on this date:

(Insert Date Here)

Without hesitation (that already occurred!) I willingly enter into this agreement of my acceptance of the following:
On some or many levels, I know change is needed.
 I am willing and accept to look inside myself to identify what is broken and not working, with an open-mind.
 I am willing and accept to look inside myself to identify what I know is working, with an open mind
 I am willing and accept to reevaluate my priorities in life and career, and create a new vision
 I am willing and accept to define my new vision in terms of my career.
 I am willing and will accept the critique and encouragement of others.
 I will reevaluate – I will rediscover – I will succeed.
 I am special. I am good. I am proud of myself. I go forward without inhibiting fear.

Agreed before myself and my God:

__________________________________________
(Your Signature)

Copy this page. Post it on your mirror. Post it on your desk. Post it everywhere so it is never out of your sight. This is absolutely critical. Remember out of sight, out of mind.

And thank you for reading this. - Dan

It is Spring – a new season is ahead – are you springing ahead?

“Rest when you're weary. Refresh and renew yourself, your body, your mind, your spirit. Then get back to work.” Ralph Narston

Warm sunshine – warmer temperatures – blossoming plants … the beauties of spring and the annual renewal.

A renewal for many in their career and life situation as well. We shake the doldrums of winter and spring into spring – with new energy and life. This is the time of the year when most begin to make change in their career plan – and life plan as well. 

Perhaps you feel your career or job situation is hopeless. Perhaps you feel there are no jobs in the market for you. You may feel no one would hire you.

In other words – you feel stuck. But that is all your perception. The market is stronger than we have seen in recent years. Our area is a shining spot in the nation. We have opportunities - and they are there for you if …

You have a plan …

It is like growing a garden – you just don’t sprinkle seeds and hope it works. You plan it out, and put the seeds where they will succeed. It begins with making life-changing decisions to succeed, giving yourself permission to change and to being happy for once. If you can make those decisions for yourself, there will be no stopping you.

You may have heard the quote, You cannot manage what you cannot measure (Peter Drucker).  This is why it is important to have a detailed plan that can guide & “measure” you.  A plan could include the following actions:

• Update resume by (date)
• Identify what makes me happy  – what I am passionate above by (date)
• Identify 10 networking contacts and contact one each day starting on (date) and completing by (date)
• Work with a mentor, counselor, consultant or friend to hold me accountable once per week (or month)
• Develop a financial budget; determine what I/we really need to make by (date) and then measure actual spending 30 days later
• Volunteer to be helpful and meet new people who could be good contacts by (date).
• Get one interview within the next 30 days; two within 45 days.
• Daily accept that I can be successful, can improve my life and that I control all that happens in my life and career.

Notice each item is planned and scheduled with completion goals. As you move through the list and achieve, you attitude will change, you will see promise – and you will be in control.

Accept – be determined – persevere. It is never too late to be what you might have been (this hangs in my office). Savor Spring.

And thank you for reading this. - Dan

Job Market Report - 4/17/13

A pause - likely the result of the Boston siutation - my prayers to all affected ...

__________________________________________________________________________________

For Immediate Release

April 17, 2013

Job Postings Continue Strong Trends but down slightly

(Albany, NY,  April 17 , 2013) –  Job postings dropped very slightly after a strong run up, likely the result of the Boston situation. “ Job postings started to drop right after the Boston terrorist attacks and this dampened the market a bit, but very slightly. Postings came in at 1866, down from 1966 the week before, a very minor change”, stated Dan Moran, of Next-Act (www.next-act.com), a career transition management firm located in Colonie.

Other markets in NYS showed similar results. “The market took a pause during the uncertainty of the Boston attacks”, continued Moran. The Capital Region continues to still outpace Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse, all larger markets with more employers and population.  

National Job Scene

Job postings were down very slightly nationally. As of 4/17/13  there were 538,324 compared with 543, 948 the week before.     

About Next-Act

Next-Act, a division of DVG, Inc. is a career management & transition firm directed by Dan Moran, the Founder & President of the firm. Moran contributes over thirty years experience in career consulting, business and human resources management. In 2012, his firm will celebrate 24 years in business. Moran is noted for his expertise in helping today’s “boomers” move on to fulfilling second careers, while helping executives and professionals achieve their career goals. The firm also provides human resources consulting and corporate services to companies. Moran is also a certified facilitator for C.J. Hayden’s Get Clients Now! &  Get Hired Now! programs.

Dan Moran

President & Founder

Next-Act:

Career Management & Transition Specialists

Corporate Management Services

Celebrating 25 years providing career & corporate management services in 2013!

125 Wolf Road, Suite #128

Albany, NY 12205

Phone: 518-641-8968

eFax: 586-279-4212

   

dmoran@next-act.com

Visit the Assessment Center: next-act.com/assessment-center.cfm

Manage Performance & Achievement: next-act.com/prescriptive-performance-analysis.cfm

Be positive and sweat the details …

“Excellence is in the details. Give attention to the details and excellence will come.”– Perry Paxton

Staying positive and focused in the midst of a job or career search is indeed challenging. However, it is imperative and can make the difference between getting a job, growing, being prosperous - or not. I am sure this true story will help illustrate the point:

An employer had a job opening. Many resumes were received and the top four candidates were invited in for an interview. As the story is told, three of the applicants came into the interview and talked about how bad things were in the economy and their lives. The applicant with the least qualifications was positive and focused. Guess who got the job? The less experienced, positive candidate.

My advice: Check your personal baggage at the door. Don’t carry in the challenges you face, and do not talk about them. You are there to impress and sell yourself – keep that in mind always.

Employers want to hire people who are positive and committed. Qualifications are important, but secondary to attitude. The sad fact is that I hear this type of story over and over again from employers.

How can you remain positive? A few ideas:

• Take this opportunity to change something in your life — perhaps exercise, weight loss, appearance - and make this a part of your plan.
• Help someone else — perhaps someone who is looking for a job or dealing with some issue where you can provide help and support.
• Help an organization – volunteer, another great way to meet more people (and that is networking).
• Focus on what you contribute - skills, experience, and of course, your passion and always keep this in the forefront of your mind.
• Be with people who are positive - it “rubs” off on you. Be positive and let this “rub” off on others.

I have also talked with employers who are interview and hire people who have told me stories about how people are lax in preparing for interviews or in how they contact a company. They are showing up late, forgetting what job they are interviewing for, looking sloppy, or in other words, not sweating the details.

It is critical that one:

• Prepare for an interview. Have your notes about the company on hand, typed and looking professional. Find out as much as you can about the company you are interviewing with, and be prepared to give a 30-second overview of what you have learned.
• Look sharp. Shine the shoes. Be sure your outfit is fresh and clean. Assume formality rather than casual. You can’t overdress for an interview, but you can under dress for sure.
• Before the interview, sweat the details of your resume, letters, web presence. Be sure your resume doesn’t just say where you have been, but rather, the skills, qualifications and accomplishments you contribute. Always include a cover letter (or email) when applying. Google yourself and be sure your web presence reflects what you want others to see.
• Ask for the job - if you really want it. Always follow-up. Send a note in the mail (snail mail) the same day as the interview. Make sure your interviewer knows – you want the job!

Be positive and sweat the details. You will win!  

 

Dan Moran

President & Founder

Next-Act:

Career Management & Transition Specialists

Corporate Management Services

Celebrating 25 years providing career & corporate management services in 2013!

125 Wolf Road, Suite #128

Albany, NY 12205

Phone: 518-641-8968

eFax: 586-279-4212

   

dmoran@next-act.com

Visit the Assessment Center: next-act.com/assessment-center.cfm

Manage Performance & Achievement: next-act.com/prescriptive-performance-analysis.cfm