Much of my coaching and training work over the years can be summarized in a couple of words: "psychology" and "relationships." I'm over simplifying it, but I've seen lives change and careers skyrocket based on one's predominant thoughts; i.e., psychology, confidence and inspiration, and the strength of one's relationships --- how we relate to others and they relate to us.
How can we use these two concepts, and inspire ourselves in these times, on the job or during a stressful job search? How can we shift our perspective from varied degrees of loss, fear and uncertainty to "accepting" our circumstances and creating inspiration? It's easier said than done, and this isn't new news. But let's look at it from a different angle with five "mind shifters" that have worked for me and my clients......
1. Attitude = Altitude....
Whether we recognize it or not, business associates, peers and leaders are always assessing our attitude, perseverance, "stick-to-it-iveness," openness to change, especially in the wake of business challenges, limited career options, a long and arduous job search. We need not be driven solely by what others think, but in the workplace we win points, our value increases, others see this positive behavior and want to associate and work with us. Often we don't recognize this relationship dynamic; it's a must in the job search, interview and network process. How do others see you as viewing change? What actions can you take to be more "accepting" of these changes?
2. Be an inspiration to others......
During times of change and adversity we oftentimes take ourselves for granted, especially in the peaks and valleys of corporate America. Some days we're feeling like we're on the fast track and then there are days where it seems that the rug has been pulled out. During the latter, recognize that not only does attitude = altitude, but that others depend on us to be an example. Family, friends and associates see inspiration and determination in us when we don't see it. Are you an inspiration to others? What can you can do to be more of an inspiration?
3. "And this too shall pass".....
We know of the cycles of personal change (ending, neutral zone, new beginning). The stages are as varied as the authors, but for every change, loss or adversity, something has to "end;" i.e., a relationship, career path, position. At the exact time of this "ending", exists the potential for a "new beginning" and an opportunity for growth, to overcome a challenge. Moving from an "ending" to "new beginning" is no easy task. Working through the roller coaster of emotions, we ultimately come out the other side of this cycle, "accepting" change and realizing our lessons. But remember, "this too shall pass", for our work life is but an endless cycle of "endings" and "new beginnings." What are the endings that you're facing? What "new beginnings" inspire you?
4. Focus on your Opportunities......
Where do you focus your thoughts and energy? Do you focus on "endings" and losses, or on your possibilities and "new beginnings?" Some researchers say that we have as many as 50,000 thoughts on any given day and our success depends on where we place those thoughts. Limit your intake of the daily dose of depressing TV and news shows; surround yourself with possibility thinkers, positive relationships and reading. On what are you focusing? How can you improve your focus?
5. Visualize Success........
Many of the most successful business professionals, leaders and athletes use a form of visualization to experience, in their mind, a goal, activity or coming event. Scientists say that the exact same muscles fire in an athlete's "mental rehearsal" as they would in the actual event. When you rehearse and experience that planned new job, promotion or successful interview in the here and now, you begin to program yourself for success and inspiration.
Create inspiration in times of adversity and use these five psychology/relationship "shifters" to change your perspective, build value, confidence and focus on "new beginnings."
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( 2.9 / 297 )Managing Today’s Changes – Part 2
This can probably stand alone, but do read my first blog on 8/10 (same title) for a little more background and the set up for Part 2. So how is it that for some of us, our cup is half full, and for others it’s half empty? Why are some of us laser focused on the opportunities or the silver lining of change, while others more often than not, can’t see past the dangers and losses associated with a career change, job loss, end of a relationship, marriage (yes, even the “good” changes have associated losses, i.e. family relationships, finances, lifestyle shifts).
The real challenge for all of us, regardless of the kind of change, is: “How can I look at adversity, challenges, fear and loss associated with changes in my work and life, and find the opportunity, the silver lining?” “How can I learn to accept changes, especially the ones that really test my perseverance, inner strength, faith and confidence?” “How can I shift my perspective, and move from resisting change to embracing it?”
Recognizing that we’re all wired differently, optimists, pessimists and everything in between, and are a product of our unique upbringing, experiences, successes and failures; what I love about this change stuff, is that we can learn to be more aware of how we’re wired, how we most often respond to changes around us, and we can move from viewing a change as a loss, to that of an opportunity. Now I’m not suggesting in any way that this is a cake walk. But we’ve all done it before, though we tend to lose sight of difficult challenges and changes in our life that we’ve successfully overcome.
So, how do we shift our perspective? In one word it’s ATTITUDE. Now I can see you rolling your eyes. It sounds like a bit of a cop out. That’s the answer we hear for almost everything that’s ailing us; and truly, in my own world I believe it really is. But let’s be more specific, and let me share some ATTITUDE strategies that have worked for me, my clients, and in my classes. I’m giving you the skinny version since I’m running short of space, but if you want the entire story, I have a chapter in my book, “The 10 Success Strategies to Finding the Right Work”, that lays this out in its entirety.
Various studies have shown that there are five attitudes that play important roles in the psychology of change, our health and personal well being, and in our ability to embrace change and minimize the stress in our work and life. By focusing on the 5 C’s: Challenge, Commitment, Control, Confidence, and Connection, we can fill the void left by the losses we experience (i.e. finances, security, skills, responsibilities, relationships) and work through the emotional roller coaster associated with change (denial, anger, bargaining, depression and ACCEPTANCE – this is huge, but I couldn’t get into it here).
Challenge – Be open to change, look at it as an opportunity (not a threat), a test of our inner strength, perseverance, faith and determination. It’s ACCEPTING the change, whether we like it or not and rising to the challenge. Literally, make a list of the specific losses and gains. Accept, reconcile and process the losses (and the emotions) even wallow in them for a bit, to be able to move past and even bless them, so as to refocus on the challenge, the opportunity.
Commitment – Be an active participant in your work and life, versus standing on the sidelines, as an observer. Take action even when you’re not quite up for it; set daily and weekly goals (particularly in the case of a job search). Know what’s happening around you.
Control – Recognize that we do have an impact on external change and what happens in our life. We have control over how we view and react to change and its affect on our lives.
One research study at the University of Chicago indicated that people who demonstrate Challenge, Commitment, and Control, have one-half the incidence of illness as those who don’t incorporate them into their lives.
Confidence – This provides the foundation for the other attitudes. If we are comfortable with who we are, strengths, faults, and with others, we’re less likely to put our personal worth on the line for any situation. We need to be able to separate our personal worth from any given situation, success, failure, and change. This is confidence in the truest sense.
Connection – Focus on our interactions with ourselves, others, our surroundings; all of our networks and relationships. We have to want to keep learning, get involved, meet people and extend ourselves. For many of us this can be a stretch, so we have to use our personal power to reach beyond our comfort zone, and recognize we have the control!
Our challenge is to realize that all five attitudes are natural, our minds and bodies are programmed to grow and succeed; we’re wired for change. However, we sometimes become victims of our circumstances, experiences, routines and problems. I know it’s easier said than done and I’ve broken all of the rules, but in the end we can move from resisting to embracing, managing and accepting the changes we’re faced with, and one way to make that shift in perspective is through the 5 C’s, our ATTITUDES. Go for it!
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( 2.9 / 283 )Change……dealing with it, managing it, being more aware of everything that’s changing around us; then recognizing how we’re reacting and responding to the changes in our work and life... I don’t know about you, but that's a lot of work; and there are days I’m just flat-out tired, and tuckered out from all of the changes….
But, in all of my career coaching and training work over the years, I would venture to say that our ability to deal with and manage today’s crazy work and life changes, may be the single most important skill (and awareness) that determines our success in work and life. So, I want to share a few thoughts about change. The subject comes up directly or indirectly in almost every coaching session, and class that I teach. Often, it’s the elephant in the room. Of course, I wrestle with it, too.
When you think about it, we’re really programmed for change, just look at our environment; consider the fact that the earth is spinning one rotation each day at about 1000 miles an hour, at the same time we know it’s whirling around the sun nearly once every year, at around 67,000 miles an hour. So we’re spinning and whirling, and I’m getting dizzy…..Then let’s look at ourselves. I remember reading that the cells in our body literally reproduce new organs in weeks and months, without us even being aware. So, we’re wired for change….but why do we so often struggle with it?
In my experience, it’s related to the question, “How do we view change?” Our view often times determines our attitude, level of confidence, commitment; it’s the psychology and driver behind our behaviors, decisions and our actions (both good and bad, i.e. the elephant in the room). Change (even the toughest ones) can be healthy, positive, and an OPPORTUNITY to grow, develop new skills, meet new people, build our faith and character. We can list the positive changes in our lives: graduation, marriage, promotion, birth of a new child. Yet we still read stories about abused and abandoned children.
We’ve all too often, particularly in recent months, witnessed the DANGER/LOSS side of change: loss of retirement investments, job loss, demotion, divorce, or a move. However, I’ve worked with clients who truly viewed their career set back or job loss as an opportunity to move on with their work and life, retool and find their passion. Not to say that they didn’t have to deal with those emotions of denial, anger, fear and depression. However, their overriding attitude was one of viewing this change as an opportunity and a challenge. They were able to see the silver lining; and that’s the challenge for each of us.
Let me summarize a few parting thoughts related to our ability to deal with change:
• So, we’re programmed and wired for change; change is the one constant we can count on, without it we wouldn’t survive today
• Change can be viewed as an OPPORTUNITY or DANGER; it’s all about our perspective……How do you view change? Do you focus on opportunities or losses? Our perspective is directly related to the stress in our lives....Resist change, create stress - accept change and minimize stress
• No two of us view change the same, and that's OK; we respond as a product of our upbringing, beliefs, experiences and what’s happening in our work/life at the time
• We may not have control over the change event, or circumstances surrounding it, BUT we control how we react and respond to the changes in our work and life.
NEXT TIME: It’s our challenge: how can we look at our adversity, fear and losses associated with change, and find the opportunities, that silver lining to embrace change?
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( 3 / 278 )I don’t know about you, but nothing inspires me like seeing someone who really loves what they do, who goes above and beyond the call of duty to give positively outrageous service and demonstrates an enthusiasm, a passion for their work, regardless of title or position. Of course it’s the nature of my career work, so I tend to be especially observant when we are out, or in social or business settings.
I’m quick to recognize truly exceptional service: went to the Chili’s corporate website after dinner to write up a blurb recognizing Nicole in Phoenix for her always outstanding service after I pulled her manager aside that evening to let him know how much we appreciated her exceptionally positive, always-smiling customer service (she got some big bonus points the next days for that recognition). I really appreciated Dylan from Enterprise Rental Car for treating my brother-in-law, Tom, and me like we were the only customers in a jam-packed store, and then giving Tom the maximum amount on a discount coupon, and an upgrade. Tom Tobin, the VP heard about our experience with Dylan. So did Yvette, the FedEx Kinko’s Manager for JD’s efforts two weeks ago. He’s been right on top of my new business card order, calling me regularly with updates as if I was his only customer, making sure that he met my deadline. Don’t let this guy go, Yvette! Then there is Lisa at Staples who gives truly exceptional service and is a guru in their repro services. She jumped through hoops to make sure our printing projects were done with literally no lead time, and treats us as if we are her VIP special customers.
This brings me to our friend Darlene, who serves my wife and I regularly at the Village Inn that we frequent in Phoenix. Last week after she had already clocked out and was wrapping up to leave that afternoon, she noticed us at our table, immediately came over to greet us, confirmed our usual Cobb Salad, then submitted the order for her co-worker who was serving our table. Within a minute or two, our order was in, we had a pitcher of ice tea, a small cup filled with our favorite sesame crackers, and our two to-go cups at our side. All of this was done off the clock, and as she told us that day, “Well, I really enjoy waiting on you.” Darlene, we are fortunate to benefit from such caring and extraordinary service.
That same morning that we were at the Village Inn, Darlene had reported in at 5:30 am or so, and after seeing her partner Diane who was the only waitress opening early that morning flooded with customers, again going above and beyond, helped serve and bus tables, before she clocked in. That morning the two of them together waited on some 57customers.
Believe me, I've missed opportunities to recognize family, staff, peers, leaders, customers and service providers, but what I'm trying to say is that when you get down to the basics, our careers and work success are directly related to the social capital and relationships we build through our recognition and support of other's efforts. Secondly, attitude is everything; which is what makes Nicole, Dylan, JD, Lisa and Darlene rise above the rest.
How often do you witness their kind of attitude and enthusiasm; in your office, any business office, store or restaurant? Let's all recognize and encourage that same positively outrageous service and Passionate Work in ourselves and others.
I'm sure that you have some stories, let me know...
Gary
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( 2.9 / 619 )Five Strategies to Energize your Job Search......`
Whether you’ve just started or are in the middle of an arduous job search, are unemployed, underemployed, or thinking about a career change, let me suggest 5 strategies to really “jazz up” your search and energize your campaign in a competitive market.
1. Attitude is everything! So how do you maintain the right attitude, confidence, perseverance with grim economic news, and a job search process that is more negative than positive? Studies have shown that there are five Attitudes (5 C’s) key to the psychology of change, turning job loss into an opportunity. “Challenge” yourself; be “Committed”, set goals and stretch yourself. “Control” what you have influence over. Build inner “Confidence”, recognize your strengths and passion; nurture personal and professional “Connections”. Embrace change…
2. Have a laser focus... in all your personal marketing – resumes, cover letters, networking and interviews; it determines your marketplace value. In my coaching, the single most important success strategy is to understand one’s unique brand or focus, and be able to articulate it on paper and in an interview. Create a laser focused Campaign Plan with primary/secondary “target” positions, industries and companies that match your direction, interest/passion. Focus on growth businesses and industries. Tailor and repackage your transferrable skills for each serious opportunity.
3. Effectively use all key search strategies....So you’re creating this laser focused “Campaign Plan” in the areas of personal marketing materials, networking/social media, recruiters and agencies, job boards and targeting. Align your efforts to the success rate of each strategy (varies with position/market); generally spend as much as 60-70% of your time in developing your network, 15-20% working with recruiters/agencies, and 20-25+% in using internet job boards/ads and targeting. Track metrics, and daily goals; evaluate daily achievements. Course correct when something isn’t working, and reward yourself when you’ve met a goal.
4. Network....Network....Network - The “Connections” attitude can determine our success, and gets us through change; with a success rate as high as 60-70+%, it must be a campaign focus. We’re asking friends, family, associates, industry experts, and their networks for advice, feedback and ideas about our campaign, profession, marketability, skills transfer and marketplace. Attend professional association, job search, and industry network meetings, and tap into social media such as LinkedIn and Facebook. But remember, networking is as much about being generous with your advice, feedback and ideas as it is asking for it......
5. Be Open – Explore other opportunities – Be laser focused, but not so rigid as to miss what might be a hidden opportunity, or the chance to pursue your dream; maybe it’s more meaningful work, starting a new business, consulting, exploring network marketing, or a home based business. Be open to part-time, full-time contract, temporary or intern positions, volunteering, taking classes/training, where you can develop other skills and marketability, while opening up new doors.
Use this job search and personal change to assess, re-evaluate, identify some new direction, look within so as to reinvent oneself, and master these five strategies, to energize your campaign, rise above the competition and position yourself for future success.
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( 3 / 230 )Welcome to the Recchion & Associates, Inc. website, where Your Future Is Our Passion.
This website marks a new era for our company, a chance to make an even greater impact and take our message to a more global audience.
Simply put, our message is this:
To be able to inspire organizations and individuals; to look for the best in each person and motivate them to see their talents, purpose and passion--to take ownership of their career direction, goals and personal success regardless of position, level, and years of experience. It is our Mission, our Brand, what we are all about. It's our unique differentiator. The result: an inner confidence, enthusiasm and focus in our clients.
I often use one of my favorite quotes by Viktor Frankl from his book, Man's Search for Meaning, when I talk about Mission in class. Not only does Frankl eloquently recount his story of having survived Nazi death camps, but on this subject says: "Everyone has his own vocation or mission in life to carry out a concrete assignment which demands fullfillment. Therein he cannot be replaced nor can his life be repeated. Thus everyone's task is as unique as his specific opportunity to implement it." This is not a perfect world, but I believe Frankl's message. Of course, this is the bigger challenge and opportunity for each one of us, individuals and organizations, alike.
So it's this Mission of ours, this Passion, that is integral to all of the Recchion and Associate's career and personal development training and coaching programs, and success strategies. I have figured it out--and for many it might not be anything new--that is, in the final analysis our success in work and life is directly related to the strength of our relationships, our social capital, our emotional intelligence. Of course, degrees, skills and experience are a must to compete today, but our "relationship skills" are the differentiator, and they can be learned. This theme, too, is central to all of our work.
Check back here often -- We'll talk about these topics, career tips and success strategies, real issues that we face in the workplace, as well as relating current events in the business world to your career.
Of course, we can't do any of this without you. We want to hear your stories and your concerns, your questions and your comments.
Can't wait to work with you!
Regards,
Gary
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