Motivation....Sneaky & Elusive

Author & speaker Daniel Pink (http://www.danpink.com/) sent me a Tweet today about his latest project. He’s the author of “Free Agent Nation”, “Johnny Bunko” and "A Whole New Mind". He’s got a new book coming out in January. This time his focus is motivation. Anyone who’s ever been through a career transition knows how sneaky and elusive motivation can be. When we’re not getting interview, our networking sources seem to dry up….so does motivation.

Until Daniel's new book comes out here are some tips to keep yourself motivated and tide you over:

1. Write down your vision of what your ideal job is – what type of organziation is it. What products/services your company represents. What types of customers and co-workers you have. What you contribute and why it’s important. Put this vision somewhere where you can see it and read it daily. Reviewing your vision regularly helps keep you focused and open to opportunities.

2. Find an accountability partner. Someone you trust (not spouse or significant other-trust me on this) who will hold you accountable for doing what you say you’re going to do for your search. Meeting with you partner weekly for 30-45 mins and having a set agenda will help you keep moving forward

3. Get out of yourself. Give your time and talents to a cause or project you believe in. Volunteering two hours a week is a great motivator. It helps you to remember that you have talents and knowledge that people welcome and appreciate. It gives you purpose and you’re giving back so it’s a win-win.

4. Start blogging and sharing your experiences and knowledge. Blogs are free and easy to create and maintain. Once you’ve set your site up, send out emails to your contacts letting them know about it and asking for feedback/comments. Encourage them to recommend it to others. Blogging becomes a marketing tool for you and motivates you to share your expertise.

5. Create two affirmations for yourself: "I am successful!" "I am very good at my profession." "I deserve to be happy". Repeat these affirmations several times a day and post them on your bathroom mirror.

6. Set your networking sites high. Choose two people you want to meet i.e. the CEO of one of your target companies or the founder of a target company. Choose people who will help you in your job search. Then start asking EVERYONE you talk to if they know these people or could recommend someone you could talk to and get an introduction., This becomes a “mission” for you and you’ll be surprised at how small the world becomes.

"Just let me do this one thing....:"

CBS Sunday Morning had a great story on procrastination this week. The point of the piece was that the time you're using to procrastinate can be very productive. The most interesting and king of putting things off was Leonardo DaVinci. Rather than working on the projects Pope Leo had commissioned him to do he created his notebooks and made drawings of helicopters, tanks, solar powered machines, automated bobbins. I know I put stuff off that I don't want to do or am not in the mood to do.....like this posting tonight. Since starting it several hours ago, I've written my Mom a rambling email, sent out 5 brilliant Tweets, checked my three email boxes, Accepted four Linkedin invitations, watched an episode of "Bones", eaten a baked potato, let my dog out twice, filled the bird feeder, come up with a list of 18 topics for future blogs and discovered a new website: OpenZine. So I agree - procrastinating can be VERY productive!

NEW Job Search Rules

Searching for a new job? Here's what you need to know: the rules have changed dramatically since the last time you were in the job market. Here’s what’s new:

The biggest change is that we are now a "gig-to-gig" workforce. Because of the state of the economy, companies are reducing costs by using contractors for projects. These assignments usually last 3-6 months. You may be looking for a full time position, but be open to contract work. The days of long-term employment with one organization are long gone and so is company loyalty. Today's workplace dictates that you are responsible for your own career so re-invent yourself.

The second concept to thoroughly understand is that you are the product/service and leveraging your uniqueness puts you ahead of your competition. Figure what sets you apart from others in your field. Know what makes you the best and capitalize on it.

Number three change is taking time to “chill out and recover” after the layoff is a really bad idea. Because competition is fierce, develop your search plan and hit the road running immediately. If you're lucky enough to receive outplacement services, take advantage of it.

The last major change is that networking is THE way you’ll find your new position and using online social networks in your job search is a must. Use Linkedin, Plaxo and Facebook to serve as your mini-websites. You can put together your marketing message and write your profiles around that message. Social networks expand your ability to connect with more people and increase your networking. They don't take the place of face-to-face meetings so working your network and setting up personal meetings is still critical. The good news is that people are very open to networking because they know they'll probably soon be part of this new workplace world.

One good book

I believe we all have one good book in us and mine is "The Re-invention Chronicles". I want to chronicle how people successfully re-invent themselves and their careers. Re-inventors have learned how to read the workplace, spot trends, find a unique way to contribute and quickly make the changes needed to move forward.
Here's the kicker though.....I never got around to writing this book and had given up on it until today. I figured out how I could get these stories written....finally. For some reason, I called the local newspaper this afternoon and asked if they would be interested in stories about local residents going through career change and what they're learning. They are. I am. Stay tuned.

We deserve it!

I've been dancing around and "playing the part" of being an entrepreneur for a couple of years now. Committing....sorta. Believing I could do it.....sorta. Coaching clients to take the risk....sorta. Getting new clients, networking, but not really connecting. I came up with every excuse I could think of and they "sorta" worked. "I wasn't ready." "The market was too tight." "I didn't have a unique service."

Then, a couples of years ago I was having a conversation about my struggling business with a good friend. I was complaining about lack of success. My friend interrupted me and said "You don't really want to be successful, do you?" That comment woke me up and forced me to face the truth: I didn't think I DESERVED to be successful!

Admitting that my struggles weren't about being ready, the market or the product was hard. Admitting this was about my self worth and how I really saw myself was hard. However, it was well worth it! Once I gave myself permission to be successful - I am. Giving myself permission to take risks, charge what I'm worth (I'm not cheap), be the best and be the expert gets easier everyday.