How GUTSY are You

How GUTSY are You Deb Cottle is a coach and motivational speaker based in Amelia Island.   She is the founder and president of World On A String, Inc., a company focused on improving peoples lives through coaching (on-line and in person sessions) and motivational products. Cottle has been featured in motivational books, and her GUTS formula for success is a popular topic for her presentations to groups.   I caught up with her by phone to ask about her coaching process.   She says it took her about ten years of observing successful people to come up with the formula.   She has worked with people all over the world (she’s currently coaching clients via Skype from as far away as Hong Kong and Belgium) and sees a pattern in the way they manage their lives and careers. First, she says, successful people Gain knowledge (G.) Even if you’re not currently working, she says, you have the opportunity to learn something new about your craft, your industry or your passion every day.   Many professions require workers to take courses and maintain certifications, but there’s no reason why you can’t take on your own education as a part of your job search.   If you can’t afford to enroll in a training program, you can research articles online.   It’s a great way to sound informed in an interview and provide proof that you’re staying current in your field between jobs. Second, Cottle says that successful people Use positive affirmations (U.)  Most people aren’t aware of how many negative statements they feed themselves on a daily basis, according to Cottle.   “Whether it’s ‘I’m just not good at math,’ or ‘I’ll never get that job,’ people are telling themselves things that actually cause harm.   Your brain takes everything literally, so when you say you’re going to fail, you’re setting the stage to make it real.”   The alternative is to talk to yourself about how good you are â€" and say it like you mean it. Turn off that little (or big) voice in your head that thinks you won’t ever get the job of your dreams.   According to Cottle (and many others), what you think is what you get.   Imagine success and success will eventually find you. The T in GUTS stands for Train your thoughts.   It’s the corollary to using positive affirmations.   When you find yourself being less than positive, Cottle recommends a technique to stop that pattern and get back to positive affirmations again.   She actually asks clients to say “STOP!” or “CANCEL”out loud when they start thinking negative thoughts.   She also helps them replace the negative thoughts with a positive, action-oriented thought: “What can I do right now that will get me on the right track / earning more / get me the interview /   tomorrow?” Be patient; training takes time.   (Anyone with a dog or a two-year-old knows this.) The S in GUTS stands for Set realistic goals.   Cottle advises people to have two sets of goals: realistic, shorter-term goals that you can reach more easily (and celebrate) and longer term goals that set your sights on wild success.   Celebrate when you achieve the smaller ones, she says, but never give up on the big ones.   And don’t let the universe off the hook for what you really want.   Cottle says that when she decides she wants to earn extra income in a given month, she’ll name a figure and affirm it each day. “I say out loud that I’m looking for an extra [number of dollars] this month â€" or more.   I don’t want to sell myself short.”   Holding the universe accountable; now that takes GUTS. (Deb’s proven and 4Step GUTS FORMULA teaches others how to change their thinking, correct negative self-talk, gain more knowledge, and set realistic goals. Deb is producer of the Music Motivation CD series, co-author of the books, Success Simplified, featuring Dr. Stephen Covey, and Roadmap to Success, featuring Dr. Deepak Chopra. Women with GUTS!, a documentary featuring domestic violence prevention advocate Denise Brown, along with three other inspiring women, will be available in January. Check out her website at www.worldonastring.com for more information.)

Is Joining the Family the Business the Right Career Move For You CareerMetis.com

Is Joining the Family the Business the Right Career Move For You â€" CareerMetis.com Source : Pexels.comMany families take pride in running a generations-long business of their own. As you grew up, you observed the struggles, sacrifices and arduous work it took to maintain that business, and now you’re up for a more prominent role within the company.While your family instilled an entrepreneurial spirit in you from an early age, you’re probably curious about other career paths in life. You may have a passion or calling in a whole different field but feel guilty about leaving your family behind.Joining the family business also comes with its considerations. Can the family separate personal from professional, or does mixing the two double the drama?evalYou should consider several aspects before deciding if joining the family business is the right career move for you.Can You Handle the Ups and Downs of Family Business?The chances are good that your family has a role they think you’d be the perfect fit for â€" whether that’s in sales or as the future CEO. Specific roles come with particular sets of stakes, and you must prepare yourself.The difficulties of joining the family business depend on how you look at the situation and your unique factors. Ideally, the family should feel united by the mission of the company and express solidarity in sharing long-term visions and goals.If the business and family are falling apart at the seams, it’s understandable for you to want to take a different path in life.Generally, family businesses have experiences with weathering the typical ups and downs unique to their market, and they’ve evolved over the years while remaining to their values. That means taking part in the family business gives you job security.One study found that family businesses practice frugal spending habits and maintain a more diverse boardthan other companies. Family businesses balance their frugality with taking calculated risks to sustain growth.evalYour family will do their best to make sure you keep your job, but of course, y ou must actually do it. Can you say the same about a corporate career path? Power struggles come with any business and career path, and you must stand your ground and know when to give in. Can you handle the ups and downs?Tips for Joining the Family BusinessesHave you had any outside work experience?One day you may not work for the family business and may need a different job that requires entirely different skills. Working in the outside world offers more vantage points and abilities, whether you decide to go into the family business or forge your own career.Do your research and get to know what joining the family business means for your future. It’s essential to make informed decisions, and it’s your future.evalWill you play a small role, or does your family aim for you to take over the business one day?If your family hasn’t started their succession planning yet, your inquiries about joining the family business may prompt the planning process.No matter how old the CEO is, su ccession planning secures the future of the family business and gives you more comfort because you know what you’re getting yourself into if you join.Families must plan for succession at least 10 years in advance since longevity is strongly linked with succession planning. Bringing in outside advisers and an experienced attorney will help the family plan for retirement, shareholder agreements, regulatory compliance, selling business interest, business tax planning and more.You should also understand the core company functions of the business and what part you may take in it. Do your skills and passions fit in anywhere with the family business?Ask to shadow family members in their professional roles to learn more about the ins and outs of various departments and demands.Tips for Forging Your Own Career PathMaybe the family business isn’t for you. Your family should support and respect your decision, but they may strongly protest if you’re the only who can shoulder the future of the family business. But remember, only you can decide your future.You may still be exploring the possibilities of what career you want, and that’s okay. Look to the skills you’ve built and the interests and passions you’ve developed. Test the waters by taking a few classes in a relevant subject, shadowing a professional or applying for an internship.With the family business, training is mostly built-in, and you’ve technically received training all your life as a part of the family.evalWhen you choose a different career, you must go out into the world and expose yourself to the training and experiences you need to pursue that path. You may feel lonely and isolated, or you may feel free and entrepreneurial.Many entrepreneurs got their start because of inspiration from watching their family run their own business. In fact, 48 percent of entrepreneurs grew up in this environment, witnessing their family deal with the freedom and hard work of running a business.On the other han d, have you considered starting your own business? Who knows â€" you may end up working with the family business in a consulting role rather than “against” them by moving away from tradition.Unfortunately, some families will initially see it that way. They may view you going off to forge your own career path as a betrayal of sorts, but they’ll get over it eventually. Plus, working outside of the family business doesn’t mean you can’t help out or express interest later.When you talk to your family, express that you want to learn more about the pros and cons of both decisions.evalIf you’ve made your choice, stick to your guns, show your passion for your calling and reinforce the fact that watching your family work so hard over the years inspired you to forge your own path â€" or decide to join the business itself.Be patient with yourself and your family, and be upfront about what you decide â€" even if that decision is to explore the possibilities. It’s your future, and you’re the only who can choose how to live it.

Ditch Your Old Pitch and Use A Micro-Pitch

Ditch Your Old Pitch and Use A Micro-Pitch New job seekers were often told to nail your 45-second elevator pitch. But heres the problem â€" 45 seconds is a really long time. Todays short-attention-span culture features pithy headlines, 140-character tweets and sound bites. You are more likely to skim your news feed, emails and other social networks than you are to listen to voicemail messages or read every email word-for-word. Everyone wants bullet points. Heres a fun fact: the human attention span is now eight seconds â€" less than that of a goldfish. [source] Lets say you walk into a meeting or networking event and someone asks you what you do. Do they really want to know your whole work history? Either the person is trying to be polite or maybe they want to know if you have similar careers. As you shake the persons hand you wonder, too, who is this person and why should I care? As you can tell, neither of you are really interested in learning about each other. The introduction faces another obstacle. People are really bad at listening. You may hear what the person says, but you are unlikely to remember anything about the person you just met tomorrow. And do you think anyone will  listen to you talk for a full 45 seconds about your career and skills? Is it that interesting? Thats what I thought. So its time to shorten up your pitch. Craft A Micro-Pitch A short (10 to 20 seconds), attention-grabbing conversation-starter is what you really want to use the next time someone asks you about your work. Your micro-pitch should be just long enough to include a couple of the items listed below. You want to share just enough information to pique the listeners interest. Make It Relatable Avoid using your job title if it doesnt describe what you do or no one knows what it is. And avoid the generic job titles. Dont say youre a project manager with X company, for example. There are too many types of project managers. Instead of using your title, talk about what you do in terms anyone can understand. You might say, I make sure the new software hits the shelves on time by organizing meetings and planning what to do when there are delays. Make It Interesting Even the most boring jobs can have interesting aspects or anecdotes. Reference an interesting client, mention a well-known project or talk about a strange situation, leaving out the identifying information, of course. People who love what they do ooze excitement and can make even the most mundane work sound interesting. Paint a Verbal Picture The best way to help someone understand what you do is to paint a picture. Use descriptive words that are universally understood. Yes, it requires more words, but it lures the person in so they wont mind listening. Its Not About You The most important thing to remember is that your pitch isnt about you. It is used to get the other person interested enough in you so theyll ask more questions. You may choose to include information that will help your new contact find something in common, such as what city or town you live in. Add a sentence like this to your micro-pitch: And I have plenty of time during my commute home to [your city] to take an online class in Spanish. Remember,   the best way to show you are interested in the other person is to pay attention to their pitch and ask follow-up questions. Get Personal Building a new relationship is predicated on having something in common with the person you are meeting. You need to find that point of commonality and its easier to find when you share information about your personal interests.   But dont make it too personal or revealing and avoid bringing up interests that could cause someone to form the wrong impression. Include a hobby or activity in your micro-pitch that is likely to resonate with your new contact. You might say, I had a client in the airline industry early in my career and developed a fascination with aviation. I love going to the Air and Space Museum when in the District of Columbia. If coaching Little League is your passion, you could talk about why coaching has helped you as a leader. Add an Interesting Factoid Sometimes you can find a way to weave in an interesting fact about yourself or a project youve worked on into your micro-pitch. If you have had an achievement outside of work, this might be interesting to talk about. Make sure you tie it into the conversation so it doesnt sound like youre just bragging. For example, if you just ran your first Iron Man race, you could end your micro-pitch by explaining how training for an Iron Man is similar to training for your next career move. Here are some examples to get you thinking about how you can shorten and enliven your answer to What do you do? I help middle school students work through the issues that prevent them from doing well in school. By spending a couple of hours after school with students who are struggling, Ive helped turn a couple around. And when Im not working with students, Im planning my next great adventure, a trip to Honduras. Have you ever used an online app for your banking? I helped make that happen at X bank. Im the person who researched the options and coordinated all the details. Outside of work, I love taking pictures of people with their dogs. Its fascinating to capture the relationship. This post originally appeared on US News World Report

Which of the Following Writing Styles is Most Effective?

Which of the Following Writing Styles is Most Effective?One of the very first decisions a writer has to make when considering the Rsum format is choosing which of the writing styles is most appropriate for their piece. A different style may be the right fit for your type of material and your audience, but others may not get the same impression. One of the best ways to see if a style will work is to try it out in the form of an example. Here are some examples of writing styles that would be appropriate in the Rsum format.The first style in the list is the descriptivist style. This style works well for situations where the writer has already described something in the sentence. For example, one could use this style for a sentence that describes the relationship between two people or two products, such as 'Mrs. Smith enjoys eating fruits and cheese'. It might be a little easier to read when in a conversation, so it is appropriate for the first person. However, it would not be good for s entences that describe the object or subject in isolation.Descriptivism writing is also best used with adjectives. For example, 'Mrs. Smith enjoys eating fruits and cheese' is better than 'Mrs. Smith loves eating fruits and cheese'. A good way to test this style is to write some sentences that have descriptivism written within them. The sentence that you choose should be grammatically correct and flow easily from point to point.The second style in the list is the descriptive style. This style is best used when there is not too much to describe, but still needs to be understood. When this style is used, it will usually mean that the information must be understood by the reader.Another example of this style would be, 'He was in a hurry to get his homework done'. It would be easier to read if we have a scene showing the student as he hurries to get his homework done. In this situation, the descriptive style is appropriate. It would be better to use the sentence 'He needed to study for the exam'. This will make the sentence easier to read and will not cause a reading delay for the reader.The third style is the causal style. This style is used when the information to be conveyed is not explained in the sentence or paragraph. For example, 'Mrs. Smith has an exceptional talent for cooking'. If the sentence would describe her ability, this style is appropriate. However, if the sentence would not, then this style is not appropriate.The fourth style is the sequential style. This style is usually used to describe sequences of events, like 'Mrs. Smith and Mr. Smith had been talking about their new house several times over the past several months'. This style is appropriate for a sequence of events that describes what happened before or after another event, but not before or after the current event.The last style in the list is the repetitive style. This style is used when the information is repeated, as in 'Mrs. Smith was very excited about the new house because she knows how beautiful it is'. This style is not appropriate if the information would make sense, as in 'Mrs. Smith was very excited about the new house because it was right next to her son's house'. This style is best used in a conversation to get the tone of the conversation correct.

Choosing the Best Professional Resume Writing Services

Choosing the Best Professional Resume Writing ServicesChoosing the best professional resume writing services is not a simple task and entails a great deal of time and effort. So, how can you identify the right service for your needs?You might be fortunate enough to live in Northern Virginia or the greater Washington, DC metropolitan area. However, this does not mean that your requirements will not be met because there are very reliable and experienced companies in all of these areas. The fact that they are located here does not guarantee that they will deliver what you need. Rather, this would mean that you are able to benefit from their experience and their ability to write and present your resume in a professional manner.This is not to say that you should go with the first resume writing service that you encounter. In fact, it is a very good idea to scout around. It is important to get recommendations from your colleagues and friends who have previously worked with them. This is be cause experience counts a lot.What exactly should you be looking for when considering a new resume? For one, you have to be absolutely certain that you have a thorough understanding of what you want your resume to do. Are you looking for a professional resume that can boost your chances of landing a job? Do you want to submit a resume that will convey a positive impression of yourself and your past work experience?In order to accomplish this, you must clearly identify what type of resume you want to have written. Do you want a manual or an electronic one? Would you like to submit your resume to a specific job board or are you looking for a general resume to send out?In addition, you should also consider how difficult it is to understand your resume. If it is difficult to read, how will you know that the resume is for you? How will you know if the resume is the right one for you? If you are hired, will you be required to use a resume as part of your job application?Finally, how will you be able to assess the quality of the professional resume writing services in Northern Virginia? Do you have an experienced mentor in this area? Would it help if you would ask the people in your network for recommendations? The bottom line is that you will have to evaluate your options on your own.

The Ugly Secret of Executive Resume Writing Services Boston

The Ugly Secret of Executive Resume Writing Services Boston Executive Resume Writing Services Boston - Overview If you prefer to offer a great deal of information, you should decide on the lengthier version and should you would like to be precise and easy, a shorter version would be better. Omitting Keywords In the present digital world, most resumes are scanned online for certain keywords concerning the job. Drafting a resume which is really going to make you distinguish yourself from the rest is no simple endeavor and with a huge amount of resume examples on the internet, we can run the chance of adding too much, too little or merely sending out carbon copy resumes which are dull and at times too simplistic. Executive Resume Writing Services Boston Fundamentals Explained Within seconds, hiring managers will ascertain if your executive resume is well worth another glance. You have to promote your executive candidacy beyond qualifications if you want to conduct a highly prosp erous executive job search campaign. Finally, an executive resume is certainly an investment like every important purchase. Executive or extremely niched resumes might be a bit higher. Selecting The Resume Templates Since each sort of job demands different abilities, experience and educational qualifications, it's important to choose the appropriate resume template so it will stand out when it's filled up with your attributes. The process is quite simple they check when you have an earlier resume and should you not assist you in an effortless way. One-for-all kind of resumes can easily be spotted, and are usually discounted by HR. If you don't locate a template that is particular to your job requirement, you can pick the template that was created for a job very similar to the one that you're interested in. The Basic Facts of Executive Resume Writing Services Boston To do this, you must have your electronic resume formatted for such. Other vital areas in your work experienc e will likewise be explored to highlight your credentials and make a stand-out resume. Some resume writing services may not provide a refund should you not get the wanted results you've been promised. When seeking the ideal resume writing service for your requirements, it's firstly imperative that you research into what each service may give you and the way the conditions of your agreement will do the job. While on the lookout for resume service, you're supposed to think about a few things. Some individuals choose professional resume writing services to find an edge, but if you're seeking to do it yourself, you have to have the suitable presentation to even be a contender.

10 Tips For Working Well With Executives - Work It Daily

10 Tips For Working Well With Executives - Work It Daily Whether you’re just starting out or you're in mid-career working on your next promotion, getting visibility with the executive team may be your goal. You might be just itching for the day when you can make that big presentation and show these guys exactly what you’re made of and why YOU should be on the fast track! As you’re getting ready for the opportunity, however, you’ll need to develop a new skill: working effectively with executives. Working with execs is not like having a conversation in your team meeting, or even working with your boss. Nope, it’s a whole different level of conversation, and learning how to engage this audience well will enhance your credibility (and viability) in the organization. Whether you’re having a hallway chat or presenting at a meeting, here are some guidelines to keep in mind when dealing with executives: 1. Executives fly at a different altitude. As with any group or individual, you’ve got to understand your audience to have the most meaningful conversation. Execs leverage the view horizontally across the whole organization, and connect the dots from top to bottom. You need to understand how your piece fits into their worldview to connect most effectively with them. 2. Execs are experts in issue triage. They have learned how to quickly dive into the heart of an agenda item, dissect it, and ask scathingly good, on-point questions. Try to anticipate what questions they might ask and prepare a response. They may not need you to “ramp up” to the conversation. Be ready to get to the heart of it. 3. They expect their scathingly good questions to be answered, directly and succinctly. One of the biggest gaffes I see in executive conversations is failing to answer the question. You may get so excited about what you have to tell them, that you aren’t listening for what they want to hear. Prepare accordingly, listen and respond. Be concise, clear, and direct. 4. They can smell BS a mile away. Don’t do it. And if you choose to do it, don’t say I didn’t warn you. 5. They want to know you believe in what you are saying. Conviction about what you say to an executive is as important as the message itself. I had one manager who struggled with this. We’d send him in to an executive meeting with program information and this caveat: Whatever you do, don’t blink. One time, he blinked. It wasn’t pretty. You must believe in what you are saying and have conviction that it is the right solution for the organization. Executives will test for conviction. 6. They can cover a lot of territory relatively quickly. Think cheetah, gazelle, or quarter horse. They’ll move quickly until they pull up to focus on an issue. They will drive this, not you. Be deliberate, but prepare to move fast and flex the conversation accordingly. Just because you made all those pretty slides it doesn’t mean they want to look at them. 7. If there’s a flaw in your logic, numbers or content, they will find it. And they will point it out to you. Know your backstory and your numbers, and the logic behind them. Have someone with content expertise review, poke, prod, and test your content â€" and you â€" ahead of time. Don’t risk destroying your credibility with bad numbers, or worse â€" a guess. Do not guess, ever. Say you’ll look into it and come back. 8. They’re impatient. They may be abrupt. Don’t expect a group hug when you leave. If you’re presenting something, don’t expect flowery kudos when you’re done. They’re moving on to their next agenda item while you’re gathering up your stuff. 9. They remember what you told them. So, don’t tell them anything you don’t want them to remember and remind you of later. See point about not guessing. 10. They don’t subscribe to buzz words. They want facts, solutions, numbers, and conviction. Spare the likes of “paradigm shifts,” “open kimonos,” or “eating your own dog food” and stay on topic. Freaked out? Don’t be. You can do this. It’s just a matter of developing the mindset and doing the footwork. The more prepared you are, the more confident you’ll be. And, it’ll make you better at everything else you do. And when you’re in there, remember, they were all in your shoes at some point, too! Photo Credit: Shutterstock Have you joined our career growth club?Join Us Today!