Focus on what you can control – and not what you cannot ...

“It makes no sense to worry about things you have no control over because there's nothing you can do about them, and why worry about things you do control? The activity of worrying keeps you immobilized”.  - Wayne Dyer

I am so lucky. I meet so many fine folks who are determined to grow and prosper. I wonder who else has the opportunity to spend their day helping others achieve their goals and dreams. Kind of nice to say the least.

I do hear often, however, the concern and sometimes paralyzing fixation on things in their life and in our culture that they cannot control, and it stops them dead in their tracks. They don’t change; they don’t grow; they become miserable and so disenchanted.

Of late – it’s the economy, the politics of our nation, the changing culture of workers who have become either disengaged or feel entitled, taxes or other significant challenges we are facing as a culture and nation – as well as residents of our region. These are big issues – huge issues – that we cannot control but have a say in – when you visit the voting booth or contact your legislative leader.

But in the meantime – don’t be halted in your positive plans to move forward by those things you cannot control – focus on what you can control:

• ·         The quality of life you ,and if appropriate, your family enjoys – and protect it.
• ·         The job or career you are in – make it the best experience possible and don’t be held back by the big issues – they are relevant but not paralyzing
• ·         Your relationships – personal, in the community and in your “extended” community – protect and nurture these and continue to grow.
• ·         Your attitude – paramount among all. Your outlook on your future, your life and the achievement of your dreams & goals will define the control you will have on your future.  Think rich and be rich; think positive and live a positive life.

Commit to identifying the factors that may be holding you back and with each one ask the question – and give an honest answer:

·         Can I control this outcome ?

What you can control, change and focus on; let the others drop to the bottom of the list.

Only one person can control you – and that is you yourself. If you can’t control other factors that influence you, let them go, move on and prosper. 

And thank you for reading this. - Dan

Focus on what really counts ...

“Don't dwell on what went wrong. Instead, focus on what to do next. Spend your energies on moving forward toward finding the answer.” Denis Waitley

So often people focus on the things that really don't make a difference in their life and career, and they let the important things go by.

They focus and harp on the little things. Things that really don't, at the end of the day, make a difference. Things like putting something in the wrong place or  forgetting a detail that doesn't  make a difference when one should focus on how they serve their customer or family or community -- the big things.

It is like the expression "chasing a nickel while dollars fly away ...." You lose big while thinking small. Like passing up a promotion because it might mean an hour or so a day of extra work ... or demanding that your way is the one and only way to do something and being closed minded (you never win at this for sure and you will not grow or be promoted in your career if the mind is closed).

Take Mario who I met on a river cruise in Europe this past summer (I never stop working!). (www.uniworld.com/riverbeatrice). He commands a staff responsible for providing impeccable. --- and I mean impeccable - service to 150 passengers who expect the best -- always.

Mario's theory about managing is getting his team to focus on what is important:

...  Smile always

...  Acknowledge the customer/guest

 ....Do what the customer asks and then go one step beyond

"I don't overreact if the fork isn't perfectly placed but I will provide a reminder and firm coaching if one of the staff does not respond to the customer or the very worst, is curt. These are the big things that the customer will never forget. I work as a member of the team and pitch in and always with a watchful eye. When I see something array, I wait until the customer is gone and I coach the staff member, with respect always.

Mario leads by example , respect and a focus on what is important and his staff knows it. Being honored by CondeNast as the top river cruise ship in the world for 2010 is surely a reflection of this, and it shows.

"To my team I am Mario, one of the team and not their boss. When they mess up and don't focus on what important,  they know I will become Mario the boss and our goal is simple - don't let this happen.

Focus on what is important – let the other things go. You will achieve more and be fulfilled. And thank you for reading this. - Dan

Happy New Year … think I am crazy?

“If every day is an awakening, you will never grow old. You will just keep growing’. - Gail Sheehy

Not so. Many believe that there are two New Years of the year – those days when you set your new goals and intentions – January 1^st, and Labor Day. We realize summer is behind us, the kids go back to school, the weather cools and it is time to get back into action. Summer is behind us – time to move on.

It is the time of the year that we put our summer intentions into high gear, when the “… I will do it after Labor Day …” becomes timely. The time of the year when we are energized and poised to make the end of the year truly memorable. The malaise of summer seems to put forward progress on hold. We savor every day – especially the days of sunshine!

I find that as we pass that big day on the calendar, I hear from more and more professionals who have been on the sidelines for the summer and are now ready to engage to change their situation and begin their move. And I often ask the question:

Are you just “working” – or achieving leadership in your career?

Makes them feel uncomfortable in many situations. This is a tough question to answer. The day-to-day of your job or your business consumes you and often doesn’t provide the time for you to pause and reflect on where you have been,  and most important, where one are going in career. In today’s employment market, it is critical that you put yourself first and not just work – but actively manage your career. Think of yourself as the CEO of your own company – You, Inc. This is the reality of today. It is about managing your career, not simply working. 

To better understand what career management is, the following description accurately describes what career management is and is not. The last line is so important:

"The ability to actively manage one’s work life, make choices and career decisions in a rapidly changing environment.  It is accepting responsibility for the strategic and proactive management of your career and being career-resilient and in control your own career actions and satisfaction. Career management is not job hunting – job hunting results when one does not manage their career.


Over the past few years, I have seen a significant increase in the number of professionals & executives who are not looking for a job, but rather seeking help with outlining and managing a career plan. I have also met more people than ever before seeking to take control of their destiny and consider starting their on business or as I call it, firing themselves from their jobs and hiring themselves into their passion. Now – that is exciting!

Developing a career management plan is an essential tool as you navigate your way through opportunities and challenges. The key – it must be specific, measurable and hold you accountable. The plan outlines your goals and establishes planned and measured actions. For example, it could be as simple as:

• Work with specialist to update resume 1/1/00 and 7/1/00 and update career journal
• Determine, with a professional, if I am right to be in my own business and drive my own destiny by 10/31/11.
• Attend one networking event and establish three contacts monthly
• Meet with career specialists twice yearly to discuss plan, strategy and opportunities.
• Passively monitor job activity in my chosen profession

Some of my clients will not be pursuing a new job or business opportunity for 1 – 2 – 3 or more years, but they are planning now, creating a career journal (accomplishments, successes, what you learned and of course, what didn’t work) and using me as their guide and face to the market, so to speak. They are truly in control of their greatest personal economic resource – their business or their job.

 Determine to take control and be in control of your career. It is truly a life change you will never forget. And thank you for reading this. - Dan

 Dan Moran
President & Founder
Next-Act
Career Management & Transition Specialists
125 Wolf Road, Suite #128
Albany, NY 12205
Office: 518-261-4212
Cell: 518-641-8968
eFax: 586-279-4212
dmoran@next-act.com

Lessons from Hurricane Irene … Always be Prepared – Over Prepared!

“If you are prepared, you will be confident, and will do the job.” – Tom Landry

A short blog this weekend – please enjoy Labor Day – the celebration of the US worker! - Dan

The horrific havoc that Hurricane Irene has put on our Region will take many years to forget. The loss of property, livelihoods, history and of course lives has caused many to pause and reflect on what we have seen. It will take a long time to repair and restore – and to heal in our Region as well as other parts of the country..

There is a lesson in what we have experienced – the lesson: Be Prepared – Be Over Prepared …

Once never knows when a sudden change, occurrence, disaster or other situation can, in a moment, change the direction of your life on a level, and that includes your career. It is preached by professionals in my field: Don’t Get Caught, Be Prepared. We saw what happened just a few years back as the economy plummeted – millions lost jobs and the sad case is – most were not prepared. They were caught in the malaise of “… it can’t happen to me … I’ll just watch and wait this one out”. That didn’t happen – they were “hit” and hit hard – and many still suffer.

Please take a lesson from the pleas of our public officials in the days before Irene – don’t think you are safe when you may not be – prepare and over prepare. In your career, have your plan of action in place, and be prepared in the event there is a change in your career situation, on your choice or the choice of your employer. Know the actions you will take in order: 1-2-3 and more. Have your guidance on where to go and what you should do next in your career. Have your lifeline – your contacts – close at hand.

In your life, heed warnings to prepare. If it turns out to be preparation for nothing, so be it. It could be the other way. Those who chide you for preparing – they will be the ones you will need to help when they find themselves in an unprepared situation. Don’t forgot to remind them!

You can never over prepare – but you can under prepare. Your career fuels your life and money – protect it.

To the thousands of volunteers, fire, police, municipal employees, official on all levels, community groups, neighbors-helping-neighbors who were and continue to be there through the aftermath of Irene – THANK YOU. Be Proud!

Dan Moran

President & Founder

Next-Act

Career Management & Transition Specialists

125 Wolf Road, Suite #128

Albany, NY 12205

Office: 518-261-4212

Cell: 518-641-8968

eFax: 586-279-4212

dmoran@next-act.com

Follow my blog: http://careerandgrowing.blogspot.com