How To Target Your Career With Confidence  

Are you ready to target your dream career? Then it’s time for you to define what you want in life. Take a closer look at your aptitudes, knowledge, and philosophies. By breaking down what you enjoy doing, it will help clarify the mystery of your ideal career.

Twenty plus years in the staffing industry has led me into the coaching industry. How? By identifying what I am good at, and that’s dealing with people and knowing how to guide and make recommendations to improve people's lives. I always found myself reading self-help books, personal development books and attending weekly Toastmasters meetings. I realized that to do what I love, I had to continue working closely with people, and now I share what I have experienced and learned and share the knowledge. Professionally, I can communicate and apply my people skills to help my clients identify their career and how to go about making career changes with ease and confidence.

Let’s take a look at what you can do to get started. Below you will find a set of questions that will help you identify what you are good at and possibly turning it into a career.

Identifying questions:

1. What do you do that makes you lose track of time? Make a list.

2. What types of events do you spend money on?

3. Where do you fear judgment? Art, Music, Poetry, if you do, that means you care about it.

4. What makes your heart race? What excites you?

After you identify what you are good at and what makes your heart race, then it’s time to start working towards your goal. Remember, do a little bit each day to move closer to your desired goal. If you love working with numbers, and you are working as a paralegal you are not going to be happy. Find a career that deals with numbers and you will rise to the top. Find what you love, find what you are good at and start doing it.

In summary, it sounds simple, but I understand how hard it is to find something that you enjoy doing. When you do it, it’ll be all worth it at the end. Besides, when you are happy, you make better decisions, better plans and above all, you get better results. So choose to be happy and find the career that best suits you and your world. Contact me today for a Career Coaching Chat. Have a great week.

Until next week,
Coach Barb
Certified Career Coach


What would be possible in your career if you did what you love?

How To Stop Being Bored And Unmotivated At Work

Are you feeling down, bored or unmotivated at work? It could be your energy level. It doesn’t matter what type of work you do, what matters is to be fully present at work. How do you shift from an unmotivated state to an exciting state of mind? Let’s find out.

I’ve worked out in the field, in a cubicle, an office and at home. Every environment has it’s different dynamics, but I have always had to bring high energy to each. Out in the field, I listened to great music and motivational recordings. When I worked in a cubicle I took short breaks and walked outside to move around, When I had an office, I made my calls standing up and moved to ignite positive energy, and at home, I made sure to keep my energy up by staying focused and take short breaks to recharge. It’s all about the mindset and knowing that working with high energy is better for your mood and productivity.

Below I share with you how you will be able to keep your motivation and energy at peak levels to have fantastic productivity at work.

Recharge
Your energy is low, you are in a bad mood, and you can’t focus. Well, since you are at work, you need to snap out of it and quick. It’s the afternoon and you have been on the computer, making phone calls and you are tired. It’s time for a fast pick me up, the best way to recharge is to go for a ten-minute walk, take the stairs and go outside. If that doesn’t excite you, go and make a fresh pot of coffee, ok you don’t drink coffee. Switch your task and take a ten-minute break and do a crossword puzzle, do something different, and return to your desk feeling refreshed.

Take Care Of Your Mind & Body
Another way to get some energy back is to focus on your mind and body. Practice guided imagery exercises. Some Youtube videos can help you with your meditation. All it takes is ten minutes to change your scenery. Also, you can write a journal entry, write a quick story on what you would like to do this coming weekend, plan your next exciting trip, get your mind to flow into a different scenario. Another great thing to do is splash cold water on your face, it’s refreshing, and it will give you a boost. Try your best to avoid sugar.

20/20/20 Rule
Have you heard of the 20/20/20 Rule? Check it out here. I browsed the internet and found that working on your laptop, being on the phone and looking at a computer screen can bring on fatigue at work. This exercise helps you refresh your eyes and get you back on track at work. Besides meditation or guided imagery, the 20/20/20 Rule goes like this, every 20 minutes you break for 20 seconds, and you look at an object that is 20 feet away.

In summary, you have the ability not to be bored or unmotivated at work. Make it a priority to make your work fun. Do you best, take care of your mind and body, eat smarter, take regular breaks, and stay focused. For a Career Coaching Chat contact me today.

Until next week,
Coach Barb
Certified Career Coach



What would be possible if you had more energy at work?

How To Be Cautious When Dating Someone In The Workplace

Does this sound familiar? “Separate Business with Pleasure.” Many organizations forbid intimate relationships between coworkers. Also, I read that some companies are creating contracts between the two parties to avoid any legal issues. The question remains, is it a good idea to date a coworker?

I have to admit I had the experience a long time ago dating someone at work. Long story short, very short, it didn’t end well. That is why I want to share with you why you should avoid dating that new employee that is just starting to work in your department.

It’s easy to like someone that you spend all lot of time with and have something in common. You start noticing the physical attraction, the chemistry between the two; it’s fun and exciting and why not? Right? Just remember that if you do get involved, there is a lot to consider. Below you will find some eye openers for you to evaluate before you jump into a workplace romance.

Confidential

You decide to go for it anyway, that’s ok you are entitled to your actions, and you are also responsible. But, keep it confidential. Do not let others know and remember that you are at work, stay focused on your task and keep being productive.

Concentrate

It takes a high level of concentration to keep it discreet; you are going to be tempted to tell one or two coworkers. Be careful, that’s when gossip starts and things will start heading into unfavorable situations.

Change

You two are working in the same department, and suddenly you get promoted, and he/she reports to you. Now the party starts, it’s not going to be easy to manage and date because there are conversations that will take place that will not be appropriate to share or explain. Things will start to shift quickly; it’s best to avoid it right from the beginning.

The End

You insisted, and you kept on dating, and you broke up. That’s ok now you are facing a different problem, resentment, jealousy and a possible case of sexual harassment. It can ruin your career. Do not start the workplace romance; it’s not worth your job or your sanity.

The Ex

The decision came to an end. Now you work with your Ex. It will change the dynamics of your work environment. Think it through, be honest with yourself and weigh the pros and cons, it might be time to look for another job.

In summary, saying yes to a harmless date with someone at work can be disruptive, damaging and cause unwanted problems. Be wise and walk away from the workplace romance. For a Career Coaching Chat, contact me today.

Until next week,
Coach Barb
Certified Career Coach





Would you consider dating someone at work?

How To Defuse A Difficult Conversation In The Workplace

Working in a team environment can be daunting. Communication is the key to your success. There is always that one person that doesn’t want to play by the rules and creates havoc in the workplace, but it is up to you to handle difficult conversations and situations professionally to keep the productivity level up and moving in the right direction.

In my twenty plus years of working in the corporate environment, I had the opportunity to learn and grow as an effective communicator. It took me some trial and errors to master the art of communication. I’m not perfect, but I see the benefit of knowing how to defuse problematic conversations before they get out of hand.

A book that has helped me is, “How To Win Friends And Influence People by Dale Carnegie.” If you haven’t had the chance to read it, I highly recommend it.

Below you will find seven tips that will help you refocus your perception on how to deal with an awkward conversation.

Clarify

Your position will always be your priority. But, do not minimize the other person's view. Be clear, direct and unemotional. It helps to be clear and know when your buttons are being pushed to know well who your opponent is.

Problem Solve

Always come with a solution. Be prepared to analyze if you contributed to the problem. Stay open to suggestions or other alternatives to better the situation. 

Don’t Argue

Arguing is ineffective. Show that you care about the situation at hand, but attempt to see the problem from the other person's point of view. If you know that it’s escalating be the person to reframe the conversation and walk away, but don’t argue it’s not going to make it better.

Slow Down

Before showing up to the meeting, plan your conversation but do not script it. Start by reframing your mindset and do not label it an awkward conversation. Slow down and listen, that will allow you to create value by sticking to the facts.

Open To Change

Go into the conversation with confidence but be willing and open to change. Since you are prepared and ready, be ready to give back and make a difference with the best decision.

In summary, after you made the effort of having a productive conversation take the time to reflect and learn. Handling a tough talk is never going to be easy, but you can change your mindset to become a better listener and communicator. Always try to understand the why it’s important to you and don’t let your attitude influence your perception of what is taking place. Let’s connect and have a Career Transformation Chat.

Until Next Week,
Coach Barb
Certified Career Coach



What would be possible if you handled a problematic conversation differently?