How did a little boy from Gary, Indiana become the pop king of our culture? During the 60’s, 70’s the climate in our culture was tumultuous. Lots of unrest, protests, death and struggle for equality within this country. Along with Michael Jackson, I grew up during that time. As a child I remember the Jackson 5, I loved their songs. I enjoyed seeing them on TV and I believe my mom took us to see them live. Years later when I became a teenager the Off the Wall album hit. Loved it! Michael Jackson hit pay dirt in his debut album without his brothers and a star was born again.

But how did he do it? Back in the 70’s he was the youngest member of the Jackson 5 and in the early 80’s he broke out with Off the Wall and than Thriller. From the outside looking in, I believe that the key to Michael Jackson’s successful career was due to:

1. His love and passion for his craft

2. His creativity

3. His talent

4. His willingness to invest his entire being into his vocation

Michael Jackson built a career that will transcend his life. His music will live on, his creativity will live on through the videos and passion for his craft will live on. Michael Jackson didn’t allow the times he lived in, to hinder his creativity. Thriller was produced and performed like nothing before or since its debut.

I am sure like any of us, Michael Jackson faced obstacles to his creativity and in his craft, but it was transparent to the rest of us. He made videos, he danced, and he performed like no other musician. He was eccentric and strange in my opinion. He didn’t manage his life with excellence. And that was unfortunate. I was definitely a fan early in his career, however I was not interested in him the more eccentric he became. That being said, it is a sad ending to his life.

In May, Michael Jackson foreshadowed his impending death. Go back and listen to the press conference when he declared his upcoming tour as his final curtain call. Those are powerful words. Though Micheal Jackson will not have the opportunity to take that final bow, his final curtain call, despite his super stardom, in the end he is gone. He lived an incredibly sad life in my opinion, but he left a legacy that will transcend this generation of people. Like Elvis, Michael Jackson will live on in the hearts of his family, friends and fans.

Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Image: sxc.hu

I jumped into freelance writing full-time right after college, much to my mother’s dismay. It isn’t that she didn’t want me to be a successful writer, but she worried that I wouldn’t be able to afford my bills after my savings gave out in a few months. We talked about it, though, and I reassured her that I was more than willing to take on a part-time job, even doing something like working at a fast food restaurant, in order to pay the rent if I had to.

I’m happy to say that I’ve never had the need to do that. I make enough as a writer to support myself in the area where I live, though I do have to say that I’m in awe of writers living where rent and general cost of living isn’t as moderate as it is here. I know I wouldn’t make enough at this point to live in a large city like NYC or even Philly. I’m getting there, though. I think I’ve accomplished a lot in three years.

But that’s not the point. Last month, I did take on a part-time job, and rigth away, everyone right away assumed that I was having financial problems. Nope. I just liked the job and thought it would be nice to get out of my house. I work about 15 hours a week at a day care center now, and I’m so glad I made that decision.

If you need the money, get a part-time job. That’s what my mom would call a “no-brainer.” If you don’t need the money, though, you may still want to consider a part-time job. Here’s why:

• It’s nice to get out of your house without having to spend money at a coffee shop or restaurant.
• A part-time job is a great way to meet new people.
• You’re learning skills at a part-time job that may qualify you to write about a new topic (for example, I feel qualified to write about some childcare topics, where I haven’t in the past, since I’m not a mom).
• The money is reliable. You’re getting paid a fairly set amount every week or every two weeks, which makes budgeting much easier.
• You’re networking with people. You’ll be surprised to find out who’s looking for a writer. Your manager may want help starting a blog. Your co-worker may have a sister who needs a professional letter written. A customer who finds out that you’re a writer may hire you for some editing work.

My decision to take on a part-time job was right for me, and it may be a positive thing in your life as well. It isn’t for everyone, of course, but I find that working outside of writing for a few hours every week has actually made me a better writer.

Do you have a part-time job? Do you do it for the money or another reason?

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“If you keep doing what you’ve always done, you will get what you’ve always gotten - the same result.” That is the definition of insanity and in this insane economy, you better have some relative sanity to combat the foolishness. Whether you are employed or unemployed, creativity and out of box thinking should become your favorite companions.

For those of you who are employed, you must be focused on preparation and planning. What will you do, if your job was gone tomorrow? Everything looks great today. No layoffs or very few in your organization. Everyone seems relatively happy despite the economy. The business leaders have assured everyone that all jobs are secure, and no layoffs are expected. But then tomorrow comes and all of a sudden you find yourself without work. Your job is gone in a moment. Now what? What do you do next? What is the first thing you should do if you lose your job unexpectedly? Shout!?! Celebrate!?! Cry?! What is the right response? If you are waiting for a response from me, I don’t have the answer for YOU!

For each of us the response will be different. However, I will say this, be prepared. Have a plan. Write some things down that you would like to do. Evaluate where you are in life and what you want to do next, when the opportunity presents itself. Maybe everything is great in your world, but a day is coming in the not to distant future where you may need to answer the question. Be prepared to answer it, so that you don’t have to go insane, thinking that you have to do the same thing you’ve been doing only to get to the same place you may find yourself. Everything about jobs, hiring, career planning, and even the jobs that we do today and the way we do them is changing.

For those who are unemployed, creativity and out of the box thinking will help you move out of your comfort zone and move to action. You will find a way to generate an income. You will shift your perspective on the state of the union at your house. Out of the box thinking means that the word “no” is only a speed bump to your destination. You are not moved by the economic climate. You are willing to evaluate all the possibilities for employment and generating income and when the possibilities run out, start a new list. Creative thinking involves breaking out of one pattern in order to create a new one. That is what it will take for you to get different results in the midst of your job search.

According to Friday Reflections, all too often, we become ensnared by the familiar. We make rules based on the reasons that make sense to us. Then we follow these rules. As time moves forward and things change, we typically remain the same. And the reasons for the way we do what we do may no longer make sense but we are stuck in the cycle of how we always do what we do. In this insane economy, give yourself permission to be creative, and to think outside the box.

Brainstorm some creative ways to find a job. Brainstorm a strategy for keeping your job if you are employed. And be prepared for a different result no matter what happens.

Image Credit: sxc.hu

Sometimes you have to take a step back in order to move forward. Taking less money in order to be employed may feel like that. However in an effort to have an income in this economy, taking less money may be your only option. How important is money to you in this crazy economy? I know you may think that is a dumb question. Money is everything of course! But is it?

What’s more important to you these days, working or money? If you had a guaranteed job opportunity that offered less money, would you take it? My recommendation is that you consider taking it.

I actually believe that it is easier to get a job when you have a job. I also believe that when money is an issue, when your bills are stacking up, and you start avoiding your phone, you might want to consider taking a job that pays less in order to get back out there. And you will find you that job opportunities seem to come out of no where when you actually have a job.

With the number of people in the market for a job, the competition is steep at every level. This may sound silly, but those people working in your local fast food joint might have to worry about their job if they continue to offer poor service. Money is not just important to employees. Money is important to businesses. And workers unwilling to take care of the customers who spend money, may find them self out of a job. There are people who are willing to work for less, and who will take care of the customers.

Tonight, one of my clients accepted a job because they needed the money. I understand that need. She will be working for less money, and she will be doing a job that I know she doesn’t want to work, but she needed to work. IF you need to work, consider what you can do and see if you can’t get a job doing something! Work is work. And if you need to work, consider the possibilities - fill out an application and go get a job!

Image Credit: sxc.hu

If you are finding it difficult to breakthrough into a new job right now, how about volunteer work. Volunteer hours don’t have to monopolize your entire day or week, however it is a great option if you are looking to do something different than your previous job. From a strategy perspective one of the most important things you need to do is use your “free time” wisely. So I am not suggesting that you volunteer 40 hours a week doing something that won’t help you segue into your next job opportunity. I am suggesting that as a part of your job search strategy you look for opportunities to volunteer in the market place or in the industry that you have an interest.

An example would be health care. I chose them intentionally because there are lots of opportunities in this industry. They are not laying of employees like you see in the financial/banking industry. So if health care is your passion and what you wanted to do when you grew up, than maybe now is the time.

Do you love to fix computers? Who can you assist by volunteering to fix their computers or update their computers. I am not suggesting you go out an buy all of the materials. I am suggesting that you make yourself available to people, places, nonprofit organizations and the like who you can lend a helping hand in these turbulent times. Volunteering to assist someone else will obligate them to assist you. Now I am not suggesting you do something under hand. I am also not suggesting that you are not authentic in your desire to volunteer. I am suggesting that we live in a world where reciprocity is real. By virtue of you giving yourself wholly as a volunteer somewhere, by lending a helping hand, someone will turn around and help you.

Keep in mind as you begin to serve others, in conjunction with your job search, you will begin to see it come back to you from other places. The organization or group you volunteer with may not be the same hand that pays you back in kind. But trust me when I say this, it works. Reciprocity is a principle of influence and persuasion. People do feel obligated when you do something for them to do something for you. The challenge for you as the volunteer in this equation is not to look for it to come back to you. Just put yourself out there and help someone else. And before you know it, you will find that someone is assisting you and you will be out their working again. Volunteer your way into your next job opportunity. Someone is waiting for you!

Photo: sxc.hu

It is no longer an employee’s job market - it’s all about the employer. In this crazy economy, employers are laying people off in record numbers without a whole lot of thought and certainly no guilt or compassion. So, for those of you who are job seekers, looking for a job, hoping for a job, you have to understand that unless you can differentiate yourself from the competition you will be in the job market for a while. Unless you can market yourself as a problem solver for someones organization, rather than a problem - you will continue to be looking for a job.

I met a young lady earlier this week at the job fair I worked. She was there, wandering through the various rooms and stopping at the tables, looking rather bothered to be there, because she needs a job. Yet she was emitting all over the place. Her body language, her glare as she spoke to me about doing what I was doing, shouted “I don’t want to work”, “I don’t want to be here” and “I don’t want to be with people”. Yet, there she was in desperate need of a job.

As she allowed me the opportunity to review her resume and speak to her about her job search, I knew she was unemployable in this market. I told her to her face, “no one has to hire you. And no one will hire you as long as you emit to the world that you don’t want to work.” She has an excellent resume, strong skills, but her disdain for employment was evident. She was dripping.

It is no longer an employee’s market - it is an employer’s market! As a result, employers don’t have to hire bad attitudes, arrogance, terminations for cause, and the list goes on. If you fall into one of these categories, it is your responsibility to demonstrate your marketability. The young lady I met wants to be an entrepreneur. Period. She doesn’t want to work for someone else, and she doesn’t want to be around people. These are her words. If that is how you feel about being in the market for a job right now, I will tell you the same thing I told her, No One Has to Hire You!

If you need to work but you don’t want to work for someone else, than you have work to do within yourself before you present yourself to a hiring manager. Get your head on straight. Get your hear right. Make a decision to go back to work - not under duress, but because it is what you need to do right now for yourself, for your family or for whatever reason motivates you. Give yourself a time frame for working so that it doesn’t feel like the decision is forever. If you need to go back to work for a season, make that clear in your head before you begin pursuing any job opportunities. Give yourself fully to the job search once you are ready to do it for the right reasons. Otherwise, be prepared for a long search and lots of questions about why people aren’t hiring you. It starts with the person in the mirror. Attitude matters today along with skills and abilities.

Image Source: sxc.hu

Found this short presentation on Slideshare, and I thought it’d be an interesting topic to discuss. Do you make an effort in establishing your own personal brand - whether in your industry at large or within your own company? What steps have you taken?

PimpYourWork

“Promises are meant to be broken.” - Ancient Hindu Proverb (well, not really)

We all make promises at work

We make promises to our supervisors, colleagues, or clients.

We don’t necessarily keep them, but we make them anyway.

When we break promises we look like jerks (or incompetent, or both).  When we keep them, people expect it and they just think you’re doing your job.

How do you keep promises and still get that wow factor?

1. Under-promise.
2. Over-deliver.
3. Quantify everything. 

To under-promise is to make a public commitment to do something, but this something is actually much less than what you have planned.

• If you think you can finish a job in 2 days, tell your boss you can finish it in 4.
• If you’re planning to raise monthly sales by 40%, tell everyone you’ll try to raise it by 10%.

Of course, when you eventually deliver the promise, you would’ve either met their expectations or exceeded them - since you set their expectations lower than what you could achieve.  In either case, you get a positive reaction.

Which is infinitely better than the embarrassment you’ll face if you don’t deliver what you promised.

Most business people make the mistake of promising big, and the delivery rarely lives up to the promise.  If it does, you’re lucky - but this is rare.

Another important thing to remember is to quantify.  From the steps you need to take to fulfill your promise, to listing the measurable, concrete data that will qualify whether you’ve fulfilled your promise or not.Why is this important?

•  You can actually measure whether you’ve accomplished what you set out to do, or whether you fell short of it or exceeded it.
• There will be a specific definition of what your goals are.  Instead of saying an abstract sentence like “I’ll work harder.” say “I’ll always arrive early and turn in my reports the day before the deadline.”A vague and subjective promise such as “work harder” means different things to different people.  Quantifying avoids miscommunication.

How good are you at keeping your promises?  I currently rate myself 6.5 out of 10.  How would you evaluate yourself?  What was the last professional promise you made?  How did you fare in keeping it?
Image by Tomas Inny  from sxc.hu

PimpYourWork.com

In most industrial cultures, when a parent asks their child what they want to study in college, their desired field of study is measured against money.  Say “I want to study Fine Arts!” and your parent tells you to take up architecture instead.  Say “I want to become a novelist!” and people say it’s wiser to study journalism.  They say this as if journalists and architects are all about making money, and as if artists are always starving.

Is there really a dichotomy of doing what you love vs. working for money?

I don’t think so.  I think we are raised to believe in this false dichotomy.

To get to a more realistic perspective, we’ll have to look halfway between the scam artist who yells “Make money while you sleep!” and the pragmatist who preaches that working hard is the only way to earn a decent living.  On my personal quest to finding this midpoint, I’ve learned the following:

• You can make money from doing what you love, so long as the driving force is the love of work itself and not the money.  Giving your work this kind of purity will prevent you from feeling enslaved by your hobby or passion, which is a risk if you try to make money from the things you love doing.
• It’s not an either/or choice.  Especially in a world or industry where teleworking is possible.  If you can’t earn money doing what you love, you can spend half of your time doing what you love and spend the rest of your time working for pay - until you strike a desired balance between both.
• Working smart helps a lot.  Be results-oriented vs being time-oriented.  It’s not about working for5 hours straight, it’s about what you do with those 5 hours.  This is especially important if, for example, by some unchangeable and insurmountable circumstances you are forced into a job you dislike. You need to have the maximum output for minimum input of time and effort - this will get you to spend less time on your job and more time on things you enjoy.

Were you ever faced with the dichotomy of doing what you love vs. working for pay?  How did you deal with it?

Photo Credit: Image from Ayhan Yildiz  from stock.xchng