Sunday, September 29, 2013

GIVE YOURSELF THE GIFT OF TIME ...




“Usually, when the distractions of daily life deplete our energy, the first thing we eliminate is the thing we eliminate is the thing we need the most: quiet, reflective time. Time to dream, time to contemplate what's working and what's not, so that we can make changes for the better”.
― Sarah Breathnach, Simple Abundance: A Daybook of Comfort and Joy

Phones …
Email …
Kids …
Home …
Work …
Commuting …
Community …
Family …
Fitness …

 .. are all vying for our time and mind. At times, it seems daunting to manage it all, but we manage too – maybe not to the quality or degree of precision we would like, but we get through.

We are all busy – very busy and likely too busy. The importance of setting some time for yourself and reflection gets lost in calendars, emails, phone calls, kids and responsibilities – you name it - at home or work. Usually time to reflect on yourself and where you are going or what you want to be happens when there is a crisis in life or career – or what I call a defining moment.

It brings issues of life or career front and center when you may not have wanted or in a less than perfect time. That is not the best time to reflect and plan as usually there is a fair amount of stress and pressure and that can cloud thinking.

Thinking about your career and life future, and evaluating if you are happy and fulfilled – or not – take reflection and clear unencumbered thought.

So what do you do: Give yourself the gift of time to yourself.

Just for you – no one else. Not sandwiched between phone calls, kids and more – but real alone thoughtful time. On a park bench. Walking in the woods, in a quiet spot of your home – you choose the setting but it must be:

Quiet …
Silent …
Removed …
Comfortable …
Neat/Organized …
Detached …

Reflection on your life and career will not happen with purpose as you are driving to work, bringing the kids to school, plowing through your email, etc. You are too distracted and not focused on the most important thing:

You …

Yes you and you alone.

No one else. Just you.

Your goal? Truly and honestly reassess where you are, where you are going and determine is this where you want to be. Four Steps:

Step One:  - Talk to yourself – spend time thinking about what you really want from a new job, career or life change during the holiday season. Not just a hit-or-miss thought – but thoughts you will then commit to writing. Seeing it on paper is the first step in developing a strategy to achieve your goals.

Step Two: Answer the tough – real tough questions – and write down the answers you formulate as you reflect on the past year or so. . Ask yourself:
                                      
What did I learn – did I learn?
                                                
What did I accomplish that I can measure?
                                               
What was the greatest contribution I made – to myself or to my career – which I am proud of?
                                                
What has been my most significant roadblock or challenge I did not overcome?
                                               
How am I different this year versus last year at this time?
                                               
I can list the three most significant events in my career or life this past year, and they are?
                                               
For what am I grateful?

Am I grateful?

Step Three:   Ask the simple yes-no questions:

 Am I fulfilled

Am I having fun?

 Am I motivated?

Am I energized?

Do I have energy?

Am I proud of myself?

Am I proud about what I do in career?

Am I happy with myself personally?
                                               
Am I happy with myself professionally?

Am I comfortable doing ht I do in my career for the next XXX years/months/days?

Step Four:  Plan your actions – critical to success. Don’t just “talk” it – plan it and commit to it. Nothing happens until you commit to success – and I dare you to prove me otherwise. Ask yourself:

What is the one goal – the real one and most critical – that I will accomplish in the year/month/day ahead?
                                               
And how will I do this?
                                              
And how will I feel when I achieve it?

And will it be enough to make me feel fulfilled?

Step Five:  You asked yourself the tough questions – now take actions for success:

Are you in the right job – answer no – Change it!

Fulfilled in your personal life – answer no – Change it!

In the right career that energizes and charges you – answer no – Change it!

What is your mind telling you?

This is a exercise of the mind – that is a very powerful tool we all have that can drive us forward through positive thought and make us “stuck in the mud” through negative thoughts. Our mind also gives us personal insight, if we are willing to accept it and I bet that your mind was providing you insight. Your mind told you either …



 All is good …

All is not good …

Time for reflection – then action. Only you control your destiny – no one else – so make it the best! And thank you for reading this. - Dan

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Job Market Report - 9 24 13 - slighty off but not concerning ...



Job Market Cools Slightly – but on higher levels

Albany, NY,  September 24, 2013) –  The Regional, National and Statewide job market cooled very slightly this past week, after a strong run-up the week before, which is not uncommon. “ The market usually cools a bit after a significant and strong increase the week prior, especially as we saw last week. The market is strong and job seekers are reporting to me that they are seeing more and better jobs the past few weeks, which is a good indicator. In addition, the NYS unemployment rate is falling again – another good sign”, stated Dan Moran, of Next-Act (www.next-act.com), a career transition management firm located in Colonie.

Moran added, “The dark cloud is holiday hiring by retailers that is projected to be lower this season with economic uncertainty continuing. It is very important that anyone seeking a holiday position begin to apply and interview now and don’t wait – the competition will become more intense very soon”.

Other markets in NYS posted similar results with flat or slightly lower job postings.  The Capital Region continues to still outpace Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse, all larger markets with more employers and population.  

National Job Scene

On the national level, job postings rebounded as well.  Postings were 553,000 down slightly from 575,000 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 2013, his firm will celebrate 25 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
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Visit the Assessment Center: next-act.com/assessment-center.cfm
Manage Performance & Achievement: next-act.com/prescriptive-performance-analysis.cfm





Sunday, September 22, 2013

Visualize Your Future – And Do it Now



… The people I have met …\


I am going to address the real need to look beyond this year, or next year or the next five or ten years and get a visual of what you will do in your “retirement” years – and act on it beginning now. I promise. I will not talk about sitting on the beach or playing bocce. That is what everyone talks about when the word retirement is mentioned. 

Retirement for many is this distant goal that seems to get further away as we age and given the impact on 401K’s and other retirement vehicles as a result of the nasty recession. For many, retirement isn’t just dropping it all and not doing anything – that is just not how most are “wired” today. Retirement may mean to dial back on responsibilities but doing work of some kind that is your choice and addresses your goals, not the goals of your employer.

Most focus on the financial retirement plan, and it is important. As well, so is your vision for your future, and what you want to do. Many retirement planners emphasize that visualization of your life and role is more important that your financial plan. But sadly, I meet many in my office who have retired or semi-retired and are lost. They didn’t visualize what they would do, and now they are confused and yes, bored! They yearn to be “reconnected”, to have purpose and to be engaged. I work with them to identify a plan to move them forward and toward re-engagement, but prefer to do this with people when they first thinking about retiring or changing their lifestyle. 

The people I have met … and I have met many!
I meet people all the time and hear some great – and often not so great stories. I met a Patient Technician at Albany Medical Center who made the decision 10+ years before he is eligible to retire to change his lifestyle. He was in a high-powered marketing position with a company downstate and when a buy-out was offered, he jumped on it. He completed his training as a patient technician and loves his work. He is helping people, each and every day. He visualized what his life should be and acted on it.
I met an attorney who is looking five years down the road at a lifestyle change, and retirement. She isn’t visualizing being an attorney when she retires, but rather, wants to be engaged in teaching and coaching others – and she is beginning to do that now. Her transition is beginning – now.

And the stories could go on and on. For me, this part of my business – helping others visualize their second careers – next act or their retirement (whatever that means for them) – is tremendously fulfilling. One of my clients and friends told me it is “god’s work” – don’t know if I would go that far!

Am I describing you or someone you know?
Probably so. There is a process to this – and yes, it begins with visualizing. Visualizing what you see yourself doing in your next act on this earth, that makes you happy and smile. It is taking time off the treadmill of life to think – really think – about what is important to you, your spouse and others. 

Four Steps to move you forward – What – Where – How- When:

Step One: Visualize what will make you happy and engaged in your next chapter – As I have been describing here. This is the “what”.
Step Two: Visualize where you are – Location is critical. Perhaps it is for warmer climate, or other setting. Know where you want to go, research the area, and commit to a timetable to get there. This is the “where”.
Step Three: Visualize how you will achieve your goal – This is very important. You can visualize all you want, but nothing happens until you develop a plan and then commit to it. This is the “how”. The plan may be to begin engaging in your next act now, while employed, so you are ready to jump. It might be to redirect your career or job to ne more in line with your longer term second act goals.
Step Four: Know when it is time to begin your visualization process – Part of a plan is knowing when to engage in this process of visualization and planning. It can be in your 30’s – 40’s – 50’s -60’s. From my experience, the “sweet years” are in your 40’s 50’s when the thoughts begin entering your head. This is the When.

Act now to achieve your plan later. Visualize. Enjoy. And thank you for reading this. - Dan


Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Job Market Report 9 18 13 - Looking good!



September 18, 2013

Job Market Rolls Back – Very Strong rebound a good sign ---  Market to be strong into end of the year

Albany, NY,  September 18, 2013) –  Recovering from the end of Summer and Labor Day Holiday, the job market roared back in our region and across the State as employers got back to business and that means more job opportunities. Job postings the past seven days were 1940 up from 1770 the week before, a health increase.  “September is a month of transition and there is usually a pause in hiring activity the last few weeks of August and into early September – but that is over; the market is stronger that we have seen in quite some time. This is good news for the third and fourth quarters of the year as they may be stringer than the first six months of the year”, stated Dan Moran, of Next-Act (www.next-act.com), a career transition management firm located in Colonie.


Other markets in NYS posted similar results in recovery and strong job postings.  The Capital Region continues to still outpace Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse, all larger markets with more employers and population.  

National Job Scene

On the national level, job postings rebounded as well.  Postings were 575,000 up from 546,000 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 2013, his firm will celebrate 25 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