‘Sarah’s got a great job, look how well she has done for herself’
‘Sanjay is so smart. I wish I’d applied myself to my studies like he has’
‘Sandy has done really well for herself – just look at that great house and the holidays she goes on’
‘Marco and Tina have the perfect family life. I’m so jealous’
‘Brian’s so ballsy. Just look at how he reinvented himself and started that business of his’
‘Emma is so damn organised. I wish had the kind of work-life balance she’s achieved’
Stop Comparing
Comparing yourself to others is drilled into us from childhood and school. But it’s completely misplaced and irrelevant when most of us get into adulthood and are in charge of managing our careers.
Most of you will have very good intentions when it comes to exercising and keeping fit.
Some of you will have good habits and may be regular runners, swimmers or gym goers.
But I suspect that everyone reading with this will, at some stage, have fallen out of their exercise routine or got sidetracked by competing activities.
A busy work schedule, an injury or simply feeling lazy leads to several weeks (or months) without working out or visiting to the gym. Very soon you’re caught in a rut whilst promising yourself that “I’ll get back to the gym from Monday”- but Monday never comes.
Sound familiar?
The same thing often happens in our working lives and careers too.
I love this track. I first heard it when visiting Colombia in January for a friend’s wedding. It was played at every party and club we went to and I couldn’t get it out of my head for weeks!
The Translated Lyrics
Apart from the music, I love the message behind the song. Here’s the chorus translated from Spanish into English:
I don’t know of tomorrow, I don’t know of tomorrow
If we’ll be together; if the world will end
I don’t know if I’m for you or you’re supposed to be for me
If we end up loving each other or hating each other
I don’t know of tomorrow, I don’t know of tomorrow
Who is going to be here
I don’t know of tomorrow, I don’t know of tomorrow
If we’ll be together; if the world will end
I don’t know if I’m for you or you’re supposed to be for me
If we end up loving each other or hating each other
I don’t know of tomorrow, I don’t know of tomorrow
Who is going to be here…
Career Planning No Longer Works
Whilst, of course, the lyrics in the song are within the context of a romantic exchange, the message very much applies to our careers and professional lives too.
In the complex, interconnected world we live in today, we can’t predict what’s around the corner. A global financial crisis instigated by a real estate bubble in the US, volcanic ash clouds from Iceland or major environmental disasters like the recent BP oil slick effect can effect so many industries and so many workers overnight.
Similarly, new technology, new products, new competitors can change the face of your industry immediately.
Which is why having detailed career plans no longer works.
You Don’t Know Of Tomorrow
You don’t know if you and your employer will be together for years to come
You can’t predict what will happen to your employers’ business in 3 or 5 years time
You can’t totally predict how new technology will impact on your industry
You don’t know how a personal health problem or family matter could change the way you view your career overnight
So stay focussed on the job you’re doing right now, be committed to the employer who you’re working with right now. And then be agile in adapting to the environment as you go.
And if you’re out of work and job searching -- that’s your current job -- looking for work. So be present and stay focussed on just that. Be committed to following up those leads or the meetings you’re attending today.
I don’t know of tomorrow. And neither do you -- so don’t stress too much about it and enjoy today.
“Pay no attention to what the critics say; no statue has ever been erected to a critic” - Jean Sibelius
Whenever you attempt anything worthwhile, you’ll often have more disbelievers than you will have believers.
Whether you decide to transform your business and your team, decide to change careers and pursue your passion, commit to starting a new business venture, choose to become a consultant or interim manager – in fact, do anything big, important or different and you’ll often find 3 things happen:
a) The people who you thought would support you the most – probably won’t (the support often comes from the least expected sources)
If so, come along to the One Life Live event at Earls Court next month. Featuring various free seminars and workshops, it’s the biggest event in the UK for individuals looking to make major changes in their life.
Like last year, I’ll be at the event alongside some of the UK’s leading career experts to offer free career advice to visitors at the Career Clinics stand.
I’ll be running a Career Clinic:
Thursday 18th: 1.00-5.00pm
Friday 19th: 2.00-6.00pm
Saturday 20th: 2.00-6.00pm
So if you decide to come along, please come and say hello!
For all the details on how you can book your free tickets click here
This year, the One Life Live event takes part alongside the Vitality Show – the UKs largest health, fitness, beauty well being show.
So come along and give both your health and your career a boost!
• 3 big shifts we’re beginning to see within the workplace during 2010 which will accelerate by the end of this year and into 2011
• Key predictions I’m making for the employment market in 2010
• 3 biggest challenges every employee and freelancer will have to adapt to this year
• One big mindset shift you must make in order to thrive in the coming year
• The 5 key steps you will need to take to reposition yourself and ensure you’re one of the winners who thrive in 2010. Which means you’ll learn:
• How to reinvent yourself without having to change job or careers
• The 2 keys to standing out in what is still a very challenging job market
• 3 ways to increase your income this year (even if salary budgets are capped)
• The key to finding meaningful work (without taking a pay cut and making a huge change)
• The 2 time-tested principles you must follow in order to achieve that elusive work-life balance you’re searching for
=====================================
Whether you’re working in a permanent role, consulting, freelancing or looking for a new job or career – this is a must-attend free teleseminar. I’ll demystify all the changes going on this year and ensure you thrive in 2010.
“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.”
- Howard Thurman
Last week I attended the London School of Economic Alternative Investment Conference featuring an impressive line up of speakers from the world of Hedge Funds and Private Equity. With students flying in from 75 countries, it was the biggest student conference of its kind in the world.
Whilst listening to a panel discussion about the future of Private Equity Finance, one of the undergraduates from audience asked a question about career prospects within the industry. Interestingly, the overwhelming feedback from the 5 highly successful people on the panel was:
* 3 big shifts we’re beginning to see within the workplace during 2010 which will accelerate by the end of this year and into 2011
* Key predictions I’m making for the employment market in 2010
* 3 biggest challenges every employee and freelancer will have to adapt to this year
* One big mindset shift you must make in order to thrive in the coming year
* The 5 key steps you will need to take to reposition yourself and ensure you’re one of the winners who thrive in 2010. Which means you’ll learn:
* How to reinvent yourself without having to change job or careers
* The 2 keys to standing out in what is still a very challenging job market
* 3 ways to increase your income this year (even if salary budgets are capped)
* The key to finding meaningful work (without taking a pay cut and making a huge change)
* The 2 time-tested principles you must follow in order to achieve that elusive work-life balance you’re searching for
=====================================
Whether you’re working in a permanent role, consulting, freelancing or looking for a new job or career – this is a must-attend free teleseminar. I’ll demystify all the changes going on this year and ensure you thrive in 2010.
I’m not much of a race driver myself, but there are two rules I do remember learning when I first went go-carting:
1. As you approach a sharp bend – slow down
It’s hardly rocket science, but very true. Slow down, pay close attention to what’s happening around you and you’ll be safe and secure.
2. As you come out of the bend – step on the gas and push on quickly
If you don’t, you’ll get left behind. And once you’re chasing the leading pack, it becomes incredibly difficult to catch up without taking crazy risks.
We’re now at that same stage of the recovery cycle that resembles turning the corner on the bend of a race track. In fact, later today we’ll receive official confirmation that the UK economy has turned the corner and finally come out of recession.
So if you’re running a business, now is the time to be more visible, more aggressive in marketing your offering and work harder at building your brand so as to differentiate your business.
If not, you’ll get left behind as your competitors step up a gear.
If you’re managing your career, the same rules apply. You need to be more visible, more aggressive in marketing yourself and work harder at building your personal brand so that you can stand out from the crowd.
If not, you’ll be left behind.
And just like that race track, once you’re left trailing your competitors, it’s so much harder to catch up. So put your foot on the gas NOW and start building some momentum before everyone else gets ahead of you.
——————————-
By the way, if you need some advice on “how to step on the gas”, you may be interested in my upcoming teleseminar: “Rethink, Reposition and Thrive In 2010.” It’s completely FREE so click here to learn more and reserve your spot on the call.
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