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