Brenda's Blog

I was reading an article in Choice magazine (of professional coaching) entitled "Coaching & Positive Psychology: a perfect match", and stumbled on this brief vignette about procrastination vs. "incubation".

Author Robert Biswas-Diener defines incubators as...
..."people who work best under the structure of deadline; they let ideas percolate and then, intuitively, they move into action at the eleventh hour and consistently produce work of a superior quality. This is more than a feat of verbal gymnastics, it describes an actual work style that is different from that of the typical procrastinator's."

AHA!!! Makes sense!

Or.... maybe we procrastinate in order to incubate? :)

This question was posted on CareerSuccessRadio.com's "Career Success Expert Panel" page, along with my response and suggestions:

Question:
What should I be doing with my career when I have so many interests?
–Teresa B.

My answer:

Hi Teresa,

A great starting point for career exploration is do some self-assessments (personality, values, skills–that you have & those you’d like to learn, interests, etc.) to help see what the common threads are. A website I often recommend is: http://www.workshoppersonline.com/assess.htm. There, you’ll find a variety of free online assessments. Look for patterns of interests that keep repeating.

Look for local employment centres or agencies where you can receive one-to-one guidance if desired. If you’re employed during the day, you might seek freelance evening help. Or, if you’re not working at the moment, you might consider entering a Career Exploration program which can be a lot of fun. There’s more career related help out there then the general public often realize and much of it may be funded (again, depending on where you live, and your individual circumstance.)

Also, keep in mind the difference between wanting to pursue interests/passions for a hobby vs. a career. For instance, while I love to draw and paint, if I had to do it under pressure it wouldn’t be as much fun for me… so I keep it as an hobby. However, I can use the underlying skill/value (creativity) in my career of choice.

Hope this helps and best of luck!

Brenda
Brenda Blackburn
Personal & Professional Development Facilitator
Certified Employment Counsellor
Certified Life SkillsCoach
Corporate Trainer

http://www.brendablackburn.com
http://careercommuniqueradio.ning.com/profile/BrendaBlackburn

As you may know, I'm a fairly regular guest on Career Success Radio (www.blogtalkradio.com/careercommunique) and am a member of their Expert Panel (http://careersuccessradio.com/career-success-expert-panel/).

In addition to recent programming, last autumn I chatted with Keith Keller from CareerSuccessRadio.com and we ended up recording part of our conversation to use as a segment for an upcoming show, which will now air on Jan. 31/10 at 2:00 p.m (PST). That show's topic will be "Recruiting Great Staff & Keeping Them" and my segment is from the job seekers' perspective. I discuss why exploring one's values (and personality) is so crucial for a good fit and win-win situation.

Catch you on the air waves! :)

"If you follow your bliss, you put yourself on a kind of track, which has been there all the while, waiting for you, and the life that you ought to be living is the one you are living." ~Joseph Campbell

This question was posted on CareerSuccessRadio.com's "Career Success Expert Panel" page, along with my response and suggestions:

Question:
A masters and a second under way and I’m still a superintendent … what am I doing wrong?
–Stephen N.

My answer:

Hi Stephen,

You’re definitely not alone….I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard this similar question over the years!

First of all, I’m going to put on my Life Skills Facilitator hat and ask you to to ask yourself: What am I doing RIGHT?

Focus on your positive accomplishments and characteristics. Then maintain that positive focus and attitude during your evaluation of what you consider “wrong” steps. Reframe to a more positive view.

Remember: All steps brought you here. I truly believe there is a reason for everything…and that this–your life–is part of a much bigger synchronistic process than you and I can surely ever imagine. So, try to replace disappointment with gratitude. You are moving forward, with every moment…so focus your direction and intention. Focus on being in the now and being positive and peaceful in each moment. Replace fear of past or future, with faith in the here and now.

Remember: You are an individual that is: mental, emotional, physical and spiritual. Are you honouring all of those areas right now, by having faith in the positive for each one?

Do you whole-heartedly believe in your success? Work on developing/maintaining astute and immediate awareness of any doubts when they arise, and replace with affirmations until these positive actions become a natural part of your process.

Now, I’ll put on my Career Facilitator hat and share a quote: “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results.” Soooo….it may be time to change something up!

What job search methods have you been using so far? I’d have to know more about the various actions you’ve taken, to more effectively answer your question, but generally speaking here are some things you may want to consider:

* If you are not able to find positions that you want and are qualified to do, you must remember that 80-85% of jobs are never posted and you need to tap into this hidden job market. How? Network within your industry, conduct some informational interviews, consider relevant volunteering, attend relevant events, association meetings, etc. Target, target, target!

* If you are not getting calls for interviews, you may have to make some changes to your resume. Is it specifically customized for your industry? For each individual job? Is the format in keeping with the needs of the position and company? Have you integrated key words? How is your cover letter? You may want to take your job search documents to a Certified Employment Counsellor or Career Coach–or whatever they happen to be called where you live –for review and suggestions for your specific requirements.

* If you are getting to interviews, but not getting hired, you may need to re-evaluate your interview style, the answers you are giving, etc. In addition, practice role-plays of the interviewing process with friends and video tape it, so you can play it back and observe your behaviours, mannerisms, etc.

In this age and economy of job search, having an intentional and specific methodology that is effective is crucial.

You can do this Stephen. You will do this. You ARE doing it! You are IN the process of creating the results you desire. You know what you truly want…you are ready…and you can achieve it! Intend it. Believe it. Know it. Then release the desire– the need–to control the outcome.

Take positive and intuitive action, while being receptive and allowing, as to how your intention unfolds. Let it happen. It’s okay.

Create your new story, starting in this moment, and simply write it as you go. Create where you want this story to go. Right now. It’s a choice. But you have to commit…either way. What are the experiences you want while on your journey? This is a time is where your life is going to change. Believe that it’s going to be big and it’s all happening… right now.

Hope this helps and best of luck!
Brenda

Brenda Blackburn
Personal & Professional Development Facilitator
Certified Employment Counsellor
Certified Life SkillsCoach
Corporate Trainer

http://www.brendablackburn.com
http://careercommuniqueradio.ning.com/profile/BrendaBlackburn

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