You Never Know Who'll Read Your Email Posts

So, last Sunday night I was sitting in front of the TV multi-tasking and sending out random emails to amuse myself. I wound up on the WGN website for WGN Morning news. I thought I'd be clever and send a note to Larry Potash - I watch WGN every morning and they are hilarious...I told Larry he could reinvent himself by reading my new book "Take Back Your Career"..... here's the response to my email - http://www.wgntv.com/videogallery/66738358/Home/Voicemail-12-13 I didn't get to see it live...two Linkedin contacts sent me notes about it so I called WGN and asked for the link. They were great about getting me the info quickly....moral of the story....good things happen to people from Nebraska who are saving the adverb!

A Tribute to Stan the Man

Today's is my father's birthday. He would have been 103 years old. And even though he's been gone for more than ten years, I think about him every day. I think about how he hated flies because "he knew where they'd been". I think about him every time I leave my back door open because he'd tell us to "close the door...were you born in a barn?".

He was born Stanley Edgar Echternacht. He changed Edgar to Edward because he didn't like Edgar. He fought in Burma in WWII; went to pharmacy school on the GI bill; owned a small-town pharmacy for more than fifty years and loved Nebraska. He knew the license plate number for every county. My father was brilliant. He worked crossword puzzles with a pen and took naps. He and my Mom Rita raised five children. He and my grandfather built several Sears kit houses in my home town and they also built our first house. Stan was not a good visitor, but he was kind and loving and generous and my brothers and sister called him "Stan the Man" because he was the best man we ever knew and we were lucky to have him for our father.

Take Back Your Career

I've taken back my career four times. The first time I was laid off I was completed devastated. I didn't see it coming and I wasn't prepared I didn't have a current resume. My network was nonexistent. I didn't know where to start a job search or who I needed to talk to about getting another position. My job search took several months. When I finally found another job, I promised myself I'd never been unprepared again. However, I soon forgot that promise because I was feeling comfortable...I couldn't get laid off again. Yeah, right! Little did I know I'd be laid off three more times. After the second time, I kept my promise. In today's market with restructures and buyouts, job security is gone. Do yourself a favor and update your resume, rebuild your network and begin building a strong personal brand. Better yet, buy my book-Take Back Your Career!

Stay Motivated!

Five Ways to Keep Yourself Motivated During a Job Search

Staying motivated during a job search is always challenging…especially in today’s competitive market. I should know. I’ve survived four job transitions. After my last layoff, I decided to form my company-High Gain Companies, Inc-to help job transitioners. That was six years ago….Since then I’ve learned a lot about what it takes to stay motivated when you’re in transition. Here are a few tips I’ve learned from successful clients:

1. Set daily goals and structure each and every day. It’s essential that you measure your results so you can see that you’re making progress.

2. Find an accountability partner….someone who will help you stay focused. Choose someone you trust and someone who can be brutally honest with you. DO NOT choose your spouse, significant other or family member….they love you too much.

3. Volunteer your time. Helping others gets you “out of yourself” and gives you more energy and purpose. It feels great to help others.

4. Celebrate your accomplishments. Treat yourself to an ice cream cone or a Snickers bar….something special. Food always does the trick for me.

5. Keep your sense of humor. Read a funny book like “Bossy Pants” by Tina Fey and watch a funny movie. Keep your laugh muscles toned.

Four Things to Keep Your Career Alive

1. Keep your network fresh and dynamic. Continuously expanding your network is essential in today’s business environment. If you don’t’ your career is doomed.
2. Maintain your professional personal brand. You are marketing yourself everyday. If you don’t have a personal brand, start building one. If you don’t, your career is double doomed.
3. Continue your involvement in professional associations and industry groups. Industry contacts are a great way to spot trends and opportunities. If you don’t, your career is on its last breathe.
4. Keep up with your social networking. Keep your name in front of people. You never know when you’ll be in job search mode. If you don’t, you can order a coffin for your career!

7 Essentials You Need to Know About Your Career Transition

1. You can’t to go through it alone – join a local career transition group. It may take a couple of tries to discover a group that fits your needs, but it’s worth it. These groups help you with ideas and strategies. You’ll having an easier time figuring out what you want by talking to others.

2. Your successful transition rides on your plan – treat your transition like a project and put a detailed plan together. Set weekly goals and actions to move you toward reaching your goals.

3. You can visit pity city, but you can’t live there – everyone has problems. They don’t want to hear about yours. Feeling sorry for yourself and spreading your pity around doesn’t win followers. Practice keeping your head in a good positive place.

4. You need an accountability partner – find someone who’ll hold you accountable for reaching your goals. (Hint-spouses, significant others, family don’t make good accountability partners….they’ll let you slide)

5. You are the product – from today on, you are the product. What are your features? Most importantly, what are your benefits? What makes your marketable and what is your unique contribution?

6. You’re in charge – you own your career. The days of companies being responsible for your career growth are gone. YOU are totally responsible for your successes. Become a life-long networker and keep your network alive.

7. You must have a strong online presence. There are three places you want to be online: LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. These services are free and let you develop a powerful personal brand. Also, I recommend using gmail for your email needs. Gmail offers many additional free services.

The High Gain Zone: The High Gain Zone: Take Back Your Career

The High Gain Zone: The High Gain Zone: Take Back Your Career