oh joe…..
Originally uploaded by The 10 cent designer

Simple.

Most of the time it’s best.

We trend toward clutter with most things over time. More stuff does not a better life make.

Cut back. Slice. Dice. Clean house. Slow down.

Simple.

Most of the time it’s best.

Face to Face
Originally uploaded by drewmaniac

For those of you that don’t know, school’s in. Prepare to get your hands dirty in 2010. You better get to work in 2010. Assuming 2010 will be a year of great recovery as far as the economy is concerned would be unwise.

I don’t usually make predictions, but I’m going to go out on a limb this time around and make one. 2010 will be a year of leveling out. The economy will remain stagnant at best, will crash a little more at worst. I don’t expect a huge recovery and that’s coming from someone who always tries to be optimistic.

With that in mind, here are some things you should be doing now. If you would prefer to procrastinate, this list isn’t for you.

1. Start your New Year’s Resolutions now. Why wait? Imagine if you’ve had a whole week and a half jump on everyone else. If there’s something you need to change, improve, or challenge yourself with waiting until January 1 won’t improve your odds of sticking with it. Being serious about it now will.
2. Update your resume now. It never ceases to amaze me how many people don’t update their resume until they need a job. The current economy offers no guarantees and is unstable. You shouldn’t be waiting until you are shipped out to start working on your resume. While you’re at it, why not shop around? Always keep your eyes open to new opportunities.
3. Set long term goals for 2010 now. This is a little different from making a New Year’s Resolution. Set some long term goals for 2010 that you hope to accomplish by the end of the year. Even if it’s as far away as December of 2010, you should start preparing now. I’ve got a few of these myself. 2010 is going to be a year of all sorts of changes for me personally. You should be looking ahead as well.
4. Help others out now. In a position where you can help someone who has found themselves out of work? Help them out. Don’t assume they have family who will help them if they need it. Don’t assume they had plenty stashed away for a time like this. Don’t assume the unemployment check is helping them get along. If you’re in a position to help out someone in need, help them now. Don’t wait.
5. Network, network, and network now. Make connections now. Build relationships. Help others make the connections they may need within their network. Don’t wait until you need something. You can probably get away with not updating your resume until an emergency (like losing your job), but waiting until you’re out of a job to network is dangerous. Don’t be that guy who calls you a year after your first connection begging for a job. Network now. Don’t wait.

If you have more you could add to this list, feel free to do so in the comments. Let’s be prepared for 2010. Most importantly, let’s get started now.

Originally uploaded by kevin russ

“In today’s environment, I’m just thankful to have a job.”

I’ve heard this a number of times of late. I’m sure that you have too. I get the idea. Should you and I be thankful for our jobs when so many find themselves out of work? Yes. Should you and I be thankful for our jobs at the expense of improvement or opportunity? No.

Some thoughts.

• Is your job a dead end? Be thankful you have a job, but don’t get stuck in a dead end job just because you’re thankful.
• Unhappy with your current job and would like to change careers? Be thankful you have a job, but don’t suffer through it because you’re thankful.

Be thankful for your job in any economic environment, not just the bad times. When you shrug your shoulders and say things like, “I’m just thankful I have a job,” you’re inviting mediocrity in. It’s as if you’re ceding defeat. When I hear people say those things in reference to problems they’re experiencing professionally I hear, “I’ve decided it’s not worth searching for other opportunities, because I’m lucky I even have a job.”

So instead of just being thankful for your job, why not use the poor economic environment to do some real soul searching? Do you want to stay in that dead end job or job you’re unhappy with simply because you’re thankful? Really?

It’s good to be thankful. It’s not good to be thankful if you’re using it as an excuse for mediocrity.

love
Originally uploaded by will vastine

Don’t mind me. Just thinking out loud over here.

• Sometimes the best move is to turn down an opportunity.
• “Business opportunities are like buses, there’s always another one coming.” ~ Richard Branson
• Do something each day that will stimulate some thought. It can be easy to get caught up in your routine and not stop to think for a moment. Do something to change the pace entirely. Read, write, or pause a moment to relax.
• Many like to say it’s easier to ask for forgiveness than to ask for permission. I get the idea, but it’s even easier to make the right decision in the first place.
• It’s easy to think how you’re told to think. Sarah Palin’s a dunce. Obama’s a socialist. The job you have is a dead end job. The job you have is to be envied. The hard part is knowing why you think the way you do. It can even be harder to explain it, but that’s the point we need to all get to. Do you think it because the group says so? Do you think it because you are informed from many sources? Why is Sarah Palin a dunce? Why is Obama a socialist? Why? Don’t just repeat what you’re being told.
• Too many simply take what they’re given.
• Unplug. You and I probably don’t do that enough.
• As a leader, make your goals clear. Make sure your team knows what game is being played and the rules that they will be playing by.
• Inconsistency will always diminish your influence.
• Every organization benefits from increased accountability.

How about you? What are some things you are thinking about? It doesn’t even have to be related to anything in this post.

Bonus music because I’m in a good mood tonight.