Give a gift – the gift of The Positive …

“Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you’ll start having positive results.” – Willie Nelson

It is Christmas morning perhaps when you are reading this – or sometime thereafter. I thought I would repeat a blog I wrote last year around the holidays that generated a number of emails and phone calls. The blog challenged each and all to find their way through the “noise” we live in at this time of the year, and find and accept the gift of The Positive.

Our best wishes to you and yours this holiday season as we close out the year. Up next – a great 2012!

I hope you enjoy – Dan
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One of the greatest gifts you can give is The Positive. The state of mind and being that many long for, but sometimes do not get. The aura that others see and admire when around The Positive.

So just what is The Positive …

It is an acceptance and commitment in life to look at the positive side, to accept the good in others and to put aside mind-sucking thoughts of negativity. It is then living a positive life – and demonstrating this to others.

In short, it is, for some, a new behavior. It is taking the difficulties once might be having on-the-job or looking for a job and focusing on the small “wins” – the interview, finding a job that might be good for you, or handling something at work that you knew you did well. It might be a thank you from someone or a smile from a patient or their family. Small but important in life.
It is the way you go about your life and the connections you make. It isn’t just you being positive – it is a gift to show others that anxiety has no place in celebration and really, no value.
We are bombarded with negative messages each and every day – in broadcast, online, from others around us and sometimes from ourselves. It is hard to escape from. It can be easy to accept negativity – and look at life and situations as half-empty vs. half-full at times. For many, while it is difficult to  understand, it is the “easy” way in life.

To be in The Positive you must accept a new behavior and vow to practice it – everyday and consistently. It is framing your mind through affirmations, reading, being around those of like mind and letting go of the small stuff:

* Rather than focus on why your family guest was late for a holiday celebration, embrace that they are there and enjoy their company.
* When looking back on the year, why focus on the jobs you didn’t qualify for – rather focus on those you know will come in the very near future and visualize your success. Focusing on history is a total waste of mind matter – you can’t change history so why try!
* Don’t think about the connections you haven’t heard from – take steps to make connections. Use social networking tools or the tried-and-true note or card in the mail.

How do you begin to change your behavior and accept The Positive? …

It is like learning a new language – you have to practice – practice – practice Maybe start by reading and experiencing the changes others have made or experienced  — perhaps it will “rub” off. Some recommended reading (and these would be great gifts too) from my “source” – my wife Vikki, the most positive person I have ever met:

* The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho, Harper One, Division of HarperCollins Publishers (www.amazon.com/Alchemist-Fable-About-Following-Dream/dp/0062502182)
* There is a Spiritual Solution to Every Problem, Wayne W. Dyer, HarperCollins Publishers www.amazon.com/Theres-Spiritual-Solution-Every-Problem/dp/0060192305
* Earth’s Elders: Wisdom of the World’s Oldest People, Jerry Friedman, www.earthselders.org

Please note: These are not how-to or get-your-head-on-straight books – these are stories of others who have learned from others, experienced  life-change and demonstrate the power of being positive. If you feel you need to visualize the power of positive thoughts and messaging, consider The Secret, Rhonda Bryne, www.thesecret.tv — a bit more spiritual in nature, but a mind-opener. If you want to give the gift of positive thinking and time’s running out, you will find most of these at a local bookseller.

When you accept and adopt the behavior, your world changes. Your outlook is brighter. You feel better – and think clearer.

In whatever manner you celebrate this festive season , my greetings to you and your family.

And thank you for reading this — Dan

Find Your Purpose and Passion and Experience Peak Performance

"Life is never made unbearable by circumstances, but only by lack of meaning and purpose." -  Viktor Frankl

 Everyone on earth has a purpose - a purpose you must understand to reach your potential. Everyone has passion too - passion for what they do and what they want to be.

 A simple formula:  (Purpose + Passion) = Performance.

 Not knowing what your purpose & passion is leads to aimlessly walking through life & career - taking the wrong job for the wrong reason (likely money, ego), not fulfilling your inner dreams, not truly doing what you are passionate about, but rather doing the "comfortable" and "easy" thing.

 However when you discover your true and intended purpose & passion - the world opens up. When you make this discovery, you are rocket-ship-forward - reaching your peak performance - which leads to satisfaction in all aspects of life.

 Julia Child fumbled about for sometime before finding her purpose and passion in life - and she didn't find it until well into her 40's and she is one of many famous examples. Andrea Bocelli, Tenor, went to university and graduated from law school before he discovered and applied his beautiful voice later in life.

 I worked with a client recently who was clearly caught up in the "money chase" - didn't matter what he did, as long as he made gobs of money. Truth of the matter - he was miserable, and it was affecting his family. He hadn’t  yet discovered his purpose. He wasn't focused on doing what he was truly passionate about. Through a process I have used successfully for years, he "got" the answers – he discovered his passions and then felt he had true purpose.  His life changed in positive ways and he reconnected with his family which was so important but often neglected.

 You too may be in the same place.

•  In a job that isn't giving back to you in more ways than money?
•  In a life situation that isn't aligned with who you are, and who you want to be?

 In one big word – you are disconnected.

 Recall the moment in work or in a life situation when you were in your groove/zone, had your mojo. The time(s) when you were rocket-ship-ahead. What were you doing? Try to recall the circumstances. The answer should help you better your purpose & passion.

 Still stuck?

 

Time to take control of your situation.  Without an understanding of your purpose & passion in life, you cannot launch. Assessments can help; discussion with a professional always helps. Talk to your spouse or significant other. Talk to someone who knows you very well and can be brutally honest in their opinion. Visualize how you will feel and act - pursing your true purpose and passion.

 Commit to be happy. Commit to having purpose. Follow your passions and you will succeed like never before.

 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

It isn’t just fit to the job – but to the culture as well …

Take control of your consistent emotions and begin to consciously and deliberately reshape your daily experience of life.
Tony Robbins

You often hear people talk about finding the right fit to a job and how critically important this is. At times, people find themselves in jobs that just do not align to their personality, interests, temperament – and the results are usually poor and sadly predicable. They end of leaving the job or the company asks them to leave the job. Normally not a pleasant experience.

That is why career consultants inform – no preach – to those who will listen that you need to be certain of your fit to a job or career before jumping in. At times the grass seems greener on the “other” side – but it may not be if the role isn’t right for one. Assuring that you fit to a job or career brings satisfaction on all levels of life as your job – where you spend 80% of your waking time working at or thinking about – can often define your level of life satisfaction and happiness.

But it goes beyond fit to the job … Fit to culture is as well critical

Finding the right fit to a job or career is critical as I have said. As critical in many cases, is finding the right fit to the culture of your employer or prospective employer. I have met so many people who loved what they do every day and are happy and connected in their career, but disconnected from the culture of the organization they work for.

Defining Company Culture

There are several descriptions but I feel this one sums it up:

A blend of the values, beliefs, taboos, symbols, rituals and myths all companies develop over time.

(www.entrapreneur.com)

Culture is, as you can see, an interesting mix of factors – some real; others perceived. The best way to evaluate the culture of the company – the real culture and not the one that is posted on the web site or in the mission statement - is to talk to employees, current and former. That is where you really learn how the company operates (values, beliefs, taboos, symbols, rituals) versus what is said on how they operate, treat employees and service the customer (the myths).  Of course, you need to  temper what you learn – the person conveying the info to you may be tainted or have an agenda but nevertheless, you will learn.

It is also important to know thyself – and understand the culture that you best work in as well as the constructs of a job that fits your cultural needs in order to be truly successful.

So you love your job – but not your company?

Very common. Some find themselves in a situation where they just love the job they do, but they don’t have the same feeling for the organization they work for. Perhaps they did at one time, but then the company changed. This is so true after new management or after mergers & acquisitions. When faced with this the decision is usually clear – time to move on and do what you love to do in another organization. It is sad yes and difficult, but the right thing for you to do for yourself and the company. If you are not engaged with the company, your commitment and performance will eventually suffer, and that hurts all.

Taking control is the most important step

You cannot move forward, grow, prosper or get yourself into a better situation if you do not take control and be personally responsible for your own career. Your employer isn’t going to manage your career for you – you must. One step – pledge to make 2012 the year you put yourself in the driver seat of your career and navigate your own way.

Only you can define your own destiny. Only you control how high you grow. 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