Create Your Perfect Job Description - Take Action #29

Throughout the years, friends and clients have asked about helping them find a job or get out of a job or they were in transition and just didn’t know if what they wanted was out there.  Some were small business owners that were not thriving and thought they should get a “real” job but didn’t want to be confined to an 8-5 routine.

Every time, I would tell them to create their perfect job description.  It might help to first take the Strength Finders test through the book Now Discover Your Strengths which I have mentioned in a previous post.  Once you get confirmation on what your natural strengths are, that will help guide the direction of your perfect job.

In this description, you would write down everything you want including answers to these questions:

·        How many hours you want to work

·        Is the job at a traditional office, on the road, working from home or a combination of all?

·        What are the ideal salary, vacation and benefits?

·        What are your primary duties?

·        What type of industry?

·        Based on your strengths, is the job analytical, creative, involve networking or researching?

·        What types of people work at the company?

·        Is this a private or public company?

·        Is this a family-owned company or other small business?

Once you have defined your perfect job, start sharing it with others.  One of the biggest mistakes we make when looking for a new opportunity is we forget to tell our friends and colleagues what we are looking for so that they can help us.  If you tell someone you are looking for a job, they may assume that you want something in your same profession or they may not understand what pay level or management level you have been working.

The next step is to use social networking sites like LinkedIn to see if there are any jobs posted at companies where you have a contact or where you are only 1-2 degrees away and you can ask for an introduction.  With Google and Social Media, it seems that resumes are secondary.  So make sure that your Facebook account has privacy settings in place so that only certain people can see your beer bash pictures. See a future Take Action idea about getting your Social Media profiles set up properly.

As you find opportunities, you can see how closely they match your dream job and either go for it or pass.  This exercise if much more fun of course if you are not desperate to find a job.  When we are desperate, we tend to not be as picky and will interview for just about anything.  Your dream job is possible.  Start thinking about it while you have a job.  You never know what opportunities are out there.  The last 2 corporate jobs I had were “manifested” by me – meaning I imagined what would work best for my personality and wala! They appeared.  For example, in my current position I work from home and travel a couple days a week for day trips.  When I travel I usually don’t have to leave until the kids are at school and get home most nights by dinner.  On the days I am home, I can be in jeans and take off at 10 am to go exercise.  I can also update emails, prepare for presentations and conduct training at hours that suit me.  For example, if I need to take a kid to the doctor during the middle of the day, I can make up that time in the evening since most of my work is e-mail and business planning.  If there is an area that I have a certain interest in (i.e. social media), I have the freedom to research that and bring back my findings to my colleagues and clients. As long as I get my work done and I over-deliver, my boss is happy and so am I. 

I have been able to create this work style for the last 10 years – whether I was working for a company or working for myself.  I HAVE to work like this because I am extremely social.  When I am in an office environment with people – I get nothing done.  I still need to be energized by people which I get when I meet with my clients and give presentations, but I get more done in 4 hours at home than I would get done during 2 days at an office.

This type of work environment would drive someone else crazy and their dream job would look completely different.  Keep in mind that you may not get everything on the dream job list – but figure out what your highest priorities are. For example, my job would be more of a  “dream” if I was challenged more, was able to speak to large groups more often and of course if they paid me a million dollars.  So, you have to weigh where you are and your happiness level with the new opportunity.

Take Action by Creating your Dream Job.

Angela

Take Action #28: Invest In Yourself

Invest In Yourself

This could mean several things.   We invest our time, money and resources.   Most of us are so busy taking care of families, jobs and businesses that we rarely take time or money out to do things for us.  2010 has been the year to invest in myself.  I would encourage you to do the same. Here are some ideas:

ü  Take a vacation

ü  Read a great book

ü  Exercise and eat right

ü  Schedule dates with your friends

ü  Single? Sign up for a dating service or join a single’s group

ü  Get your hair and nails done

ü  Get your suits tailored

ü  Buy some new outfits

ü  Get some counseling

ü  Take a yoga, dance or kick boxing class

ü  Take a day at the spa

ü  Get a massage

ü  Hire a Financial Planner

ü  Go back to school

ü  Learn a new language

Of course there are thousands of ways to take care of yourself.  I didn't get this concept until this past year.  AND the bonus is that each of these ideas is Taking Action because if you are taking care, you are taking action.  

If you have not done something that is just for YOU in the last 3 months, it is about time!  I’m not talking about going out and buying new underwear, I am talking about doing something special just for you!  I’ve given you plenty of ideas to get you started.  I would LOVE to hear all the ways you invested in yourself.  Please respond to this blog or the Fan Page!

Take Action by taking care of yourself.

Angela

Take Action #27: Be Happy

It really is a choice.  I know it is annoying when your whole world is falling apart and some happier-than-thou person says, “It will all work out.  Don’t worry.   Keep your chin up.  What is something FUN we can do today?”  You basically want to knock them over the head with a two-by-four or push them off a cliff.  Quite frankly, sometimes it feels good to be a crab. 

However, what I find happens is if I wake up crabby or let the soap in my eye be the start of a “horrible” day, then I usually have a horrible day.  It is all in the way you “choose” to look at it.  You could say “oh great – it’s going to be one of those days.  What else could happen?”  OR you could say “Darn, soap in my eye. Oh well, the rest of my day is the best of my day.”

Like the guy who cuts you off on the highway; you can scream profanities and assume he must be the biggest jerk on the planet (my kids really don’t like this response).  OR I can assume that he must either be distracted, in a big hurry, have a crying baby in the backseat or just simply not paying attention. I sure feel better about the 2^nd way and it helps me to move on and enjoy the rest of the day.  If I assume the guy was a jerk and out to get me, then I spend the rest of the day meeting more jerks and people out to get me and yell up to God “Why me???”

So –  CHOOSE to be Happy.  Whatever gets in your way today – crabby teacher, cranky kids, crazy driver, difficult employees…..just take a deep breath, smile and say “That’s ok.  Today is a great day!”  Then it wouldn’t hurt to remind yourself of all the great things going on in your life – health, kids, love, job, etc.

Take Action by Being Happy!

Angela

Take Action #26: Throw it Away!

Some of us are better at this than others.  I am not a big fan of clutter, but I do tend to hang on to things because I either think I will use them again or I am cheap and don’t want to part with it – especially clothes.   I have a friend who goes through her closet on a regular basis and if she hasn’t worn it in a year, she gives it a way.  OR since she has lost weight, she gets rid of anything that is not her size.  Yikes.  I always think that I might need them again.  It was really sad when I had my 25^th high school reunion and I was considering wearing the same blue shirt that I wore for the 20^th.  Geez.  I just don’t like shopping so I hang on to things – but really, I need to get over it.

Also, going through your storage room/closet/basement and getting rid of things that you don’t need or that someone else could use is VERY therapeutic – really makes you feel like you accomplished something.  This weekend I finally got rid of an old pillow and an office chair that needed to be reupholstered.  I also went through old files and pitched tons of old paperwork – why was I hanging on to it? 

As Cathy Sexton with The Productivity Experts says, with each piece of paper you need to decide if you should file it, pay it, pitch it or put it in the “to-do”pile.  She helped me get rid of 100 pounds of paper over the years.  One of the things she always asks: “can you find it again on the internet?”  If yes, then pitch it!  Easier said than done.   If you need some help, I would highly recommend one of Cathy’s workshops – or subscribe to her blog to receive free organizing tips.

You can’t take it with you, so decide if you can live without it.

Have fun Taking Action by getting rid of stuff!

Angela

Take Action #25: Create an Emergency File

I had a dream the other day that I was out of commission – not sure if I died or just hospitalized.   When I woke up I realized that my kids would never know where any important documents were if they needed them.  Normally we would share this information with our spouse; if you haven’t, then do that today.  However, if you are single and have children or friends, be sure they know where to find those “important documents”.  My suggestion would be to have a single file or folder with copies of items such as life, health, car and property insurance documents.  You should also have a file with birth certificates, social security cards, and other personal documentation for you and your family members.

If you have a Last Will and Testament, you should have instructions in the folder of where to get a copy of the will. (Might not want them to see the will until after you are gone in case you have a favorite kid).  If you have specific medical instructions, that would be helpful also.  Checking account information, passwords, and any retirement/investment information would also be good to put in the file.

I know it’s a morbid thought, but if you have instructions for your funeral that would also help your loved ones.  For example, do you want to be buried, cremated, donate your body to science?  Do you want a private ceremony or everyone you know at your service?  Do you have specific songs or scripture you want read?  Is there a message you want to leave behind?  We are all terminal – some of us get a heads up.  My father knew he was dying and was able to get things in order and share his thoughts and tell us what he wanted and didn’t want.  Some of us won’t have that opportunity. 

So Take Action today and get those important papers in order and show your family where they are, so if there is ever the need, they aren’t scrambling to find them.

Take Care and Take Action!

Angela

Take Action #24: Go House Hunting

Fall is here.  The weather is gorgeous and there are plenty of houses on the market.  Some of my favorite memories are when my mom would take us to Open Houses on Sunday.  She would go to dream about what “could be” and that’s where I learned to dream.  We would walk through huge houses and my sisters and I would pick out our room and talk about where we would put our bed and dresser and dolls.  I loved to fantasize about living in a big, open, beautiful house.  Little did I know that was part of “visualization” – the other part is of course “believing” that you can actually have it.

Anyway, there are so many houses on the market, the opportunities are endless, interest rates are low and some sellers are flexible – meaning that they may work out owner-financing, lease-purchase or some other creative arrangement.  You never know until you start to explore.  Not sure what the weather will bring this weekend, but get on online and see where there are some Open Houses in your area of interest and go see what’s out there.   Here are some resources:  www.century21.com, www.realtor.com, www.craigslist.com and your local paper.

Click here for buying tips.  Happy Hunting!

Angela

Take Action #23: Get your Oil Changed

I have a book called “You Can Do It” by Lauren Catuzzi Grandcolas.  It was a book written for women about trying new things.  One section is on Car Care with ideas shared by Patti Critchfield, the owner and operator of Patti’s Auto Care in Berkeley, CA.   I’m not the greatest when it comes to taking care of cars and I have to be reminded to change my oil and sometimes red lights are on for a while before I ever notice.    Below is some advice by Patti which I took directly from the book.  Some guys and gals won't need this but the reminder might help others:

CAR CARE TO-DO's

1.      Read Your Owner’s Manual

2.      Check the fluids

3.      Keep an eye on your gauges

·        Fuel Gauge

·        Odometer

·        Speedometer

·        Tachometer: shows engine speed in thousands of revolutions per minute

·        Water temperature gauge – shows the  temperature of the engine coolant

Warning Lights

·        Brake system – lets you know if your parking brake is on; if the brake light is on while you’re driving and the parking brake is off,  your brake fluid and/or braking system needs to be inspected

·        Charging system: Indicates a malfunction of the alternator or charging system.

·        Check engine: indicates a problem with the engine function or, on some cars, the transmission

·        Engine oil pressure – reveals low engine pressure

4.      Check your tire pressure

5.      Inspect your windshield wiper blades

6.      Assemble an emergency kit:

·        Flares

·        Flashlight

·        Rope

·        Gallon of water

·        Couple of quarts of oil

·        First-aid kit

·        Tire changing equipment

Glove Compartment should have:

·        AAA or other roadside assistance cards

·        Auto insurance info

·        Health insurance info

·        Pen and paper

·        Regional maps

·        Tire gauge

·        Travel-size packet of wet wipes

·        Owner’s manual

·        Car registration

Hope this information helps and check your oil every 3,000 miles.  I had my first car for a year when I met my ex-husband.  He asked me when I last had my oil changed.  I responded with a big clueless "what?".  He said, the oil - you know, it has to be changed several times a year.  I said "Yeah, well I don't think I have ever done that."  I was 22 then.  At 43, I at least know to change my oil....

Have fun Taking Action by taking care of your car.

Angela