Category: Improving Yourself

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Five Career Killers For High Achievers

A-young-woman-holding-documents-with-calculator-and-smiling.

Why is it so many smart, ambitious professionals are less productive and satisfied than they should or could be?

If you’re a high achiever, then you’re used to winning and you’re accustomed to turning out remarkable performance. But what happens when you’re in over your head or find yourself in hot water with your boss or on a career treadmill that’s going nowhere fast or dealing with a career challenge that can bring you down?
That’s when I’m called in, as an executive and career coach, to either fix it or at least to get these high achievers back on track. What I have found is that high performers exhibit five typical behaviors which can get them into trouble. In fact, these are behaviors that helped them succeed initially but now get in the way of their success.
  • Highly motivated: Achievers take their work seriously, but they fail to see the difference between the urgent and the merely important – a potential path to burnout.
  • Competitive: Achievers go overboard in their competitive drive; they compare themselves to others. This leads to a chronic sense of not “making it” which may lead to potential career missteps.
  • Safe risk takers: Because achievers are so passionate about success, they shy away from risk and the unknown. They won’t stray far from their comfort zone.
  • Guilt-ridden: No matter how much they accomplish, achievers believe it’s never enough. They want more. When they complete a milestone, they don’t take the time to savor the moment. They push on to another challenge and another.
  • Doers: Because nobody can do it as well or as quickly as others can, achievers drift into poor delegation or micromanagement. They get so caught up in tasks that people issues get pushed aside.

Which ones get you into trouble? And will they or are they stalling your leadership or career?

If so, here’s how to deal with your personal “snakes” and get out of the sand traps of being a high achiever:
1. Use your support network.
High achievers are very independent. But, everyone needs guidance and different perspectives. Ask people around you what skills and experiences they think you need to reach the next level.
2. Be vulnerable.
Many high achievers are reluctant to acknowledge uncertainty or mistakes. Open yourself up to new learning experiences that make you feel uncertain or even inept. Remember in order to grow professionally you may need to change.
3. Work smarter, not harder.
Are you doing work that really matters? Focus your energy on the ‘important’, not just the ‘urgent’. Don’t hold on to every decision or project. Rather let go, delegate and realize that a strong team will make your leadership stronger.

Career Success Tip:

The more you know, the more you need to realize how much you don’t know. There’s always room for improvement. It’s also helpful to keep ones success in perspective. As the great executive coach Marshall Goldsmith said: “What got you here won’t get you there. Also see Are You About to Lose Your Job?

Do you want to develop Career Smarts?
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Let Peace Begin with Me

Persons-having-a-handshake-in-an-office.

I’ve always liked the poem by Lao Tsu on creating world peace. It helps me remember to focus on creating peace within me in order to create more peace elsewhere.

If there is to be peace in the world,
There must be peace in the nations.
If there is to be peace in the nations,
There must be peace in the cities.
If there is to be peace in the cities,
There must be peace between neighbors.
If there is to be peace between neighbors,
There must be peace in the home.
If there is to be peace in the home,
There must be peace in the heart.
Lao Tzu

How can we create peace in our lives, our homes, our work, let alone our world, if we are not at peace?

Please join in sending your prayers for Peace

Next time you find yourself caught up in a power conflict, ego attachment, or judgement of others, tune in to yourself. See what is not at peace there. Breathe into your inner turmoil and work there.

To help you shift through a stress or worry, here’s a simple question you can ask yourself- “What would Love do now?”

Give yourself some time and quiet to see what answer emerges.

As you learn to bring yourself back to greater peace, harmony, balance, composure, you’ll be able to share that energy, that balance, that peace with others.

Share a story of when you have ‘Let Love Prevail’ – https://www.facebook.com/LetLovePrevail


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For more resources, see our Library topic Spirituality in the Workplace.

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Sign-up on Linda’s website- www.lindajferguson.com for tools you can use to live and work with passion and purpose.

Buy now Linda’s 10th Anniversary edition of “Path for Greatness: Work as Spiritual Service”.

Linda J. Ferguson, Ph.D. is an Author, Speaker, Coach supporting spiritually connected people to move through their challenges and stresses more quickly so that they can create greater harmony and balance in their life.

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Man and Mom on the Moon

happy-young-family-mother-father-two-children-son-nature-having-fun.
One of the most precious stories happened recently with my two-year-old son Garrett. We were playing at the park with a favorite neighborhood family one evening. This other family’s mom was talking to another couple in the neighborhood so wasn’t at the park yet. Her two children were missing her, especially her two-year-old daughter, Milan. When their son asked where their mom is, their dad, Rich, joked and said “She’s on the moon.”
After this conversation Garrett begins to wander off, like he often does. This time I see him walking toward home and reaching his hand up. I catch up to him right before the road and ask where he is going. He is saying with tears in his eyes “Milan’s mom is on the moon.” His hands extend up toward the moon. I was in awe at his response and go along with it. “Are you looking for her?” “Yeah,” he cries, “Milan misses her.” So I bring him back to both John and Rich to share this innocent and literal story.
I say, “Garrett can you tell them who you were looking for.” He responds. “Milan’s mom on the moon.” He cries and both the guys like me are shocked by his response. He wholeheartedly believes that she was on the moon and was willing to go there. At least make the first few steps to attempt it.
This story happened the night before Neil Armstrong died. When most of us think of the moon, we think of this legend, the first man who reached the moon in 1969 and uttered one of our history’s most famous proclamations “one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”
The leader of our nation then, John F. Kennedy’s commitment to send a man to the moon in the 1960’s and his (and the rest of the crew) fulfilling it with the Apollo 11 spacecraft is an excellent example of great vision and faith.
This is what a couple leaders of our country have to say now about him according to this press release.
“When he and his fellow crew members lifted off aboard Apollo 11 in 1969, they carried with them the aspirations of an entire nation. They set out to show the world that the American spirit can see beyond what seems unimaginable — that with enough drive and ingenuity, anything is possible,” Obama said.
Obama’s Republican opponent Mitt Romney echoed those sentiments, calling Armstrong an American hero whose passion for space, science and discovery will inspire him for the rest of his life. “With courage unmeasured and unbounded love for his country, he walked where man had never walked before. The moon will miss its first son of earth,” Romney said.
His exploration and living out this American spirit and aspiration is in the history books forever. Few of us will be remembered in America’s history books for living out our destiny, but we will all be remembered for living out our destiny to the circle of people in which we are to influence and inspire – our family, our friends, co-workers, clients, community members etc… In fact tonight as just our family was at the same park and Garrett looked up at the moon, I said to my oldest son Gavin maybe Garrett will be an astronaut.
Just like this feat finally conquered in 1969, it all starts with an incredible vision of one. One who is not afraid to believe in and voice his aspirations. After giving voice to the vision then the small steps, which no man has ever gone before, can follow. It takes ingenuity and drive, along with the childlike faith like my son to really believe. Garrett wholeheartedly believed his friends’ mother was on the moon and took the steps to prove his faith.
When we follow our aspirations, God will help us create a path where no man has gone before. Why follow the path others have taken, when God has created a unique one for you. Like the moon’s light, He’ll guide you with enough light when you can’t see the future ahead. You’ll see how a step you to take today that will be a giant step forever marked in your destiny. Those future generations who will be honoring your legacy will be inspired by how you shine with your bold moves and your dreams leading the way.
Go ahead, take a step. Reach up for the moon and release your aspirations.

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For more resources, see our Library topic Spirituality in the Workplace.

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Janae Bower is an inspirational speaker, award-winning author and training consultant. She founded Finding IT, a company that specializes in personal and professional development getting to the heart of what matters most. She started Project GratOtude, a movement to increase gratitude in people’s lives.
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Getting A New Boss: How To Make It Work!

A group of managers talking business in an office

Your old boss is leaving and a new boss is arriving to take his or her place. So, what’s going to happen now? Does this mean that you’ll also have to change your job? Or is this an opportunity to make a great first impression and potentially change the direction of your career?

Some people in this situation may think things will continue as they were. However, a new boss will likely have different opinions, different policies and even a different management style. The situation has now changed: if you simply keep doing what you did before, you’re not facing reality.

It’s up to you to build a relationship with your new boss. Things will likely be different, so expect to change the way you work; and expect to experience a three-month adjustment period, during which you’ll both “settle in” and get used to each other.

Necessary Conversations with Your New Boss

Here’s a checklist of what you and your new boss should understand and agree upon as you get to know each other. These conversations can range from informal chats at the coffee machine to formal meetings in your boss’s office or elsewhere. Here’s what you want to accomplish.

1. Determine how your boss views the current situation.
Find out how your new boss sees things. For example, does your new boss think that the objective is to maintain a currently strong position or turn around declining performance? You may not agree on every point, but at least you’ll know.
2. Learn what your boss’s expectations are.
What does your new boss want from you now and in the longer-term future? How will your success be measured? If you understand what will help your new boss succeed (see above), this will help you relate to his or her expectations, while making sure that what’s asked of you is still realistic.
3. Figure out your boss’s working style.
What you do is important, but so is how you do it. You have your preferred way of working, and so does your new boss. Find out how your boss likes to operate, and show him or her how you like to operate. This will lead to a better chance of achieving more together – and a better chance that both of your careers will benefit.
4. Determine what resources are available.
If you need more resources or need to keep what you have now, let your new boss know.
5. Find out what’s important to your boss.
Your new boss will likely target several goals during the early weeks and months because this will help confirm to upper management that they made the right hiring choice. figure out how to help him or her succeed.

Career Success Tip:

In some cases, your new boss may be the ‘new hire’. However, you are also a ‘new hire’ to your new boss. In many ways, it’s similar to when you first started your current job – you have to work to make a positive impression, to prove yourself and to be perceived as making a valuable contribution. Also See Manage Your Boss.

Do you want to develop Career Smarts?

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Working Spiritually Meditations

persons Working Spiritually Meditations

I have led many workshops to help people focus on their work as spiritual service. In my first book, “Path for Greatness: Work as Spiritual Service”, I provide a framework for how people can share their gifts with others in alignment with their passion and purpose.

In my workshops people reflect on how they integrate their spiritual lives with their work lives. Participants learn how to see their work as a opportunity to grow spiritually and see their co-workers as spiritual teachers.

Here is a 3 minute video with some quotes to reflect on ways you can see your work as spiritual service.

Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nSuXSJQNSw&feature=plcp

Feel free to share this video with 2-3 colleagues or friends who wish to work spiritually, find greater passion and purpose in their work, and share their gifts in loving service to others.

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For more resources, see our Library topic Spirituality in the Workplace.

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“Like” Linda’s Fan Page – https://www.facebook.com/LindaJFerguson to get notices of these blog posts and other updates of Linda’s work.

Click this link to order Linda’s 10th Anniversary edition of “Path for Greatness: Work as Spiritual Service”.

Visit Linda’s website- www.lindajferguson.com for information about her coaching work, keynote presentations, seminar topics, and books.

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It’s Batty

Workers sitting in a round desk planning business strategy
I would have never thought that I would be interested in finding out what is the spiritual significance of a bat. Here’s how it happened.
My mastermind group, which we call ourselves WIG for both – Wildly Important Goals and Women Inspirational Group, was meeting at the beautiful arboretum a week ago. It was our mid-year retreat to check-in on our dreams and challenges in achieving those dreams. Each of us takes turns reporting in on our lives and our desires for our businesses.
After our lunch, we decided to switch places and find a new place to sit that was more private and in the sun. So we found the perfect table that was set off from the crowds. A couple of us were working on adjusting the table and getting the umbrella set up. As we were rolling out the umbrella, something flew right past me. Then one of my friends screeched, “bat!”
Our initial reaction was a little freaked out by it, so we chose to find a different table to meet. Laughing about what happened, someone suggested looking up the significance of seeing a bat. We couldn’t believe what we were reading, as it fit perfectly with where we were all at individually and where we were at as a group.
According to this site a bat symbolizes:
• Illusion
• Rebirth
• Dreams
• Intuition
• Initiation
• Journeying
• Inner Depth
• Communication
It was fascinating to see how these insights applied to us. The purpose of our group is to help each journey to the inner depths of ourselves and the work that we share with the world as a result. The report said that bats, “are very nurturing, exhibiting verbal communication, touching, and sensitivity to members of their group.” That is what we do for and with each other, we are nurturing group interested in the well-being of each other. At the same time we use our intuition to ask each other challenging questions, breaking through the illusion to get to the heart of the matter.
All of us are rebirthing our own dreams in a new way. Also, for the first time we realized that as I group we might have a bigger dream of how we could all use our expertise to help other heart-based women entrepreneurs like ourselves to help them Dream IT, Manifest IT, Illuminate IT and Present IT.
One of the greatest gifts of our group is that we hold each other accountable for our dreams. What is fascinating about having the bat as a symbol representing our group, it says that “we’ll be put to the test as it demands 100% commitment to spiritual growth.” This means that we all need to wholeheartedly commit to our self improvement and to the group’s development as a whole. As with anything that requires great commitment, it will be worth it according to this report. “Working with the demanding bat will reap some of the most profound rewards you could ever dream of.”
Earlier this summer when I was at my parent’s home on the lake when we were sitting out on their deck late a night, we saw many bats swooping by. I wasn’t too fond of seeing them then. Now that I can see a deeper, spiritual significance, I have a different response to seeing a bat. I welcome one in my life.
I encourage you to look at your life to use the symbol of the bat to see what you might need to commit 100% spiritual growth to.

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For more resources, see our Library topic Spirituality in the Workplace.

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Janae Bower is an inspirational speaker, award-winning author and training consultant. She founded Finding IT, a company that specializes in personal and professional development getting to the heart of what matters most. She started Project GratOtude, a movement to increase gratitude in people’s lives.


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What Is Your Career Orientation?

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A career is more than a job, more than a sequence of jobs, more than luck or happenstance. It may be altered by fortune or misfortune but at least for most people it has a sense of direction.

Basic talents, values, and motives have an impact when decisions are made about careers. To help you clarify your career aspirations and achieve more successful person-job fit, there is an assessment tool called the Career Success Map Questionnaire. It was developed by Dr. Brooke Derr, global business and careers scholar. It identifies five distinct career orientations, each bearing different motivational needs, potential problems and strategies for success.

Which do you identify with?

1. Getting Ahead:
Driven by advancement and upward mobility. Prefers action, using power to get things done and achieving goals. It can lead to playing politics, aggressive competition and even peer jealousies. So learn the organization’s culture, and develop and nurture strategic relationships

2. Getting Secure:
Driven by job security and company loyalty. Prefers predictability and routine, seeks ‘belonging” and sincere recognition. It can lead to conflict with an achievement culture and difficulty to deal with change. So learn to go with the flow better and let others know of your contributions.

3. Getting Free:
Driven by independence and autonomy. Prefers less structure, control over work processes and creative freedom. It can lead to conflict with management and being seen as not a team player. So first pay your dues, get credibility, and contribute to the team effort.

4. Getting High:
Driven by challenge and excitement. Prefers cutting edge opportunities and doing new things in new ways. It can lead to a conflict with the organization culture and job requirements. So choose the right company and develop political skills.

5. Getting Balanced:
Driven by the balance between work, important relationships and personal development. Prefers flexibility and time for other pursuits. It can lead to a perception that you don’t take your work seriously. so be careful abut timing, be seen as a team player, and pay your dues first.

Career Success Tip:

Keep in mind that the purpose of any career assessment tool is to improve your awareness of self and to suggest potentially suitable career management strategies that fit you and lead to the achievement of your goals. They do not guarantee success nor do they mandate your pursuit of a specified path. Use them to enlighten not to dictate. Let me know if you would like to take this assessment. Also see Career Anchors and Career Personality.

Do you want to develop Career Smarts?

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Is It Time To SWOT Yourself?

A business man doing SWOT analysis

Do you have career ambitions but you’re not sure how to achieve them? Are you feeling stuck, unsatisfied in your present job? Or you just want to get a better sense of where your next career move should be?

Then it’s time for a career check-up. One easy way to do this to get away from the hustle and bustle of your job and to SWOT yourself – that is do an honest personal assessment by focusing on these four areas:

1. Strengths
List skills, knowledge and experience you have that make you marketable. Focus on technical and soft skills. Consider your personal qualities, values, past achievements. What advantages do you have that others don’t have? What special resources can you access?

2. Weaknesses
Now list the areas that you can improve. What negative work habits (disorganized, often late or perfectionist) do you have? Are there personal traits (short temper, too talkative or insensitive) that can hold you back in your career?

3. Opportunities
Let your mind wander to the possibilities that surround you. Is your boss or another manager going to retire? Are new projects or initiatives coming up? Is your industry growing? Do you have strong networks of strategic contacts? Is there a need in your company or industry that you can fulfill?

4. Threats
What can go wrong – a shift in management, budget cuts, downsizing, outsourcing, mergers, acquisitions, your health and even family challenges? Are any of your colleagues competing with you for projects or roles? Is your job changing with unfamiliar responsibilities? Could any of your weaknesses lead to threats?

Here’s An Example:
Sarah, an advertising manager, is feeling insecure because of changes in her industry which may affect her job security. Here’s her personal SWOT:

  • Strengths: “I’m very creative. I often impress clients with a new perspective on their brands. I have the ability to ask key questions to find just the right marketing angle.”
  • Weaknesses: “I tend to be somewhat of a perfectionist which causes me stress when I have too many tasks. The fear of public speaking often takes the passion out of my presentations to clients.”
  • Opportunities: “One of our major competitors has developed a reputation for treating their smaller clients poorly. Our art director will go on maternity leave soon. Covering her duties would be a great career opportunity.”
  • Threats: “Mark, one of my colleagues, is a much stronger speaker and he’s competing with me for the art director position. The current economic climate has resulted in slow growth for the marketing industry and there may be layoffs.”

Her Action Plan:
As a result of this analysis, Sarah takes the bold step to suggest that she and Mark share the art director’s job duties while on maternity leave. By working as a team, they can learn from each another, build the department’s reputation of high quality service to their smaller clients and possibly avoid being given the “pink slip”. It’s a win-win for them and for the company.

Career Success Tip:

You are most likely to succeed if you use your talents to their fullest. Similarly, you’ll suffer fewer problems if you’re aware of and manage your weaknesses. At the same time you need to know what threats may upend your career and what opportunities can take you to the next level in your career. That’s the value of doing a SWOT. Also Check out What’s Your Career IQ? and My Success Portfolio.

Do you want to develop Career Smarts?

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Video Meditation – Appreciating Nature’s Gifts

Enjoy this meditation video as a reminder of the gifts Nature provides for us every day if we take time to stop and smell the roses.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7xFsXGyrGs&feature=plcp

While summer is here and we have plenty of sunshine, take some time this week to appreciate Mother Earth. Take a walk on your lunch break or find a park near you and sit for just 5 minutes to hear the birds, to breathe in the smells of the trees, to feel the the softness of fresh grass.

Enjoy a bit of Nature as a short time out of your hectic week to renew your soul.

Let your attention shift “Towards the One, the Perfection of Love, Harmony, and Beauty….” (First line of a Sufi Invocation)

Pass this along to anyone who needs a little extra sunshine this week.

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For more resources, see our Library topic Spirituality in the Workplace.

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Visit Linda’s website- www.lindajferguson.com for information about her coaching work, keynote presentations, seminar topics, and books.

“Like” Linda’s Fan Page – https://www.facebook.com/LindaJFerguson to get notices of these blog posts and other updates of Linda’s work.

Click this link to order Linda’s 10th Anniversary edition of “Path for Greatness: Work as Spiritual Service”.

Learn ideas to make work more meaningful