Did you know that Career & Professional Development has current students trained as Career Peer Advisors? We have a team of undergraduate and graduate students who can help you with all of your resume, cover letter, and job or internship search needs. If you live in a residence hall, these peer advisors will be coming by to knock on your door in the first few weeks of classes to introduce themselves and make sure you’re aware of all the great resources Career & Professional Development has available to you to achieve your goals. Be on the lookout for a friendly face and feel free to ask them questions you may have about your own job or internship ideas!
Month: February 2020
Understand Your Professional Self with a Personality Assessment
Though our preferences and predilections can change over time, fundamentally we remain the same. We like certain things, are drawn to certain types of people and situations and make decisions in characteristic ways. But have you ever wondered why you do what you do? Or why you are drawn to certain types of people or work environments?Personality assessments are a great way to learn more about yourself and better understand and leverage your strengths. They can be particularly helpful as you consider your career and professional future. The challenge however, is to fully understand the scope and limitations of a personality assessment. Too often, people see them as limiting and restrictive. In reality, they should be interpreted as your preferences—not your inabilities.
There are a number of assessments, some better than others. Alumni Career & Professional Development offers the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI); the Career Center also offers the StrengthsFinder assessment. Each has a small fee but comes with a comprehensive report that explains your results. The MBTI focuses on your personality type—the way you interact with people, make decisions, and understand the world around you. StrengthsFinder focuses more on your fundamental talents and aptitudes. The two assessments complement each other nicely in giving you a whole picture of not only what you’re good at doing, but how you like to do it.
Interested in taking one or both of these assessments? Call Career & Professional Development at 303-871-2150. Current students will take the assessment on their own and meet individually with their respective career advisor. Alumni interested in the MBTI can participate in a group interpretation of their results on Monday, September 18 at 5:30pm. Interested alums can either call Career & Professional Development or email Grace Goodman.
Use Product Differentiation as a Competitive Advantage
As a business advisor, I routinely ask my clients “What sets you apart from your competition?” and “What is your competitive advantage?” I frequently receive the answer “I charge less than my competition.” That always
raises red flags for me, and I worry about this business owner getting thinner
and thinner margins and needing to get ready to post the “going out of business” sign.
raises red flags for me, and I worry about this business owner getting thinner
and thinner margins and needing to get ready to post the “going out of business” sign.
Gone are the days of the company store. Even in a small town, all businesses are in a global market with hundreds if not thousands of competitors. With so much competition, there are only two ways for businesses to compete: price and differentiation. Small businesses cannot compete on price with the large box stores, larger department stores or the Internet. The only way for small business to compete is on differentiation.
So what does that mean exactly? Product differentiation can be as simple as creative packaging or as elaborate as incorporating new functional features in a product. Sometimes differentiation does not involve changing the product at all, but instead it’s about creating a new advertising campaign or other sales promotions to highlight differences between one provider and another.
Differentiation strives to make a product or service more attractive by contrasting its unique qualities with other competing products. Successful product differentiation creates a competitive advantage for the seller as customers view these products as unique or superior. And that’s what the business owner wants the customer to focus on, not the price.
What sets you apart from everyone else? Here are some examples that may apply to you: proprietary know-how, intellectual property, your reputation and your brand’s equity, your high level of customer service, your convenient location, a speedy turn-around time, etc. And this is only a small sample.
Take some time to determine what your point of differentiation is and then build a marketing campaign around it. And for goodness sakes, stop talking about how your prices compare to everyone else’s.
Marcia Bagnall is Director of the Chemeketa Small Business Development Center and instructor of Small Business Management Program. The Small-Business Adviser column is produced by the center and appears each
What Does it Mean to Lead in a “VUCA” World?
A term originally coined by the United States War College, a “VUCA” world is one in which things are volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous. Following the collapse of the USSR and the end of the Cold War, the VUCA framework took over where only binary options had previously existed. Eric McNulty from Strategy + Business* describes the four terms this way:
- “Volatility reflects the speed and turbulence of change.
- Uncertainty means that outcomes, even from familiar actions, are less predictable.
- Complexity indicates the vastness of interdependencies in globally connected economies and societies.
- And ambiguity conveys the multitude of options and potential outcomes resulting from them.”
Such chaos can make leading, in either the political or corporate world, all the more challenging. Leaders must adapt to the new normal by asking questions and finding new certainties.
Knowledge is the key to navigating the VUCA world. Don’t be afraid to ask exploratory and penetrating questions—and don’t be afraid to ask them again and again. By probing and asking relevant and deep questions, you can eliminate much of the uncertainty in your industry or organization. Though the patterns may not be as constant as they once were, the new normal will start to reveal itself through the answers you receive from different stakeholders.
Once you’ve learned as much as you can, take McNulty’s advice and “create an island of certainty amid the VUCA turbulence.” Strive to make your leadership transparent and consistent so that your team is comfortable coming to you with questions and making mistakes as they navigate the changing waters around them. By being the constant in a VUCA world, you will build a team that is comfortable striking out and trying new things.
Whether we like it or not, the VUCA world we live in is here to stay. Those who succeed will embrace all the exciting new changes. Interested in learning more about developing a strong leadership style in a VUCA world? Join Alumni Career & Professional Development on Tuesday, October 24 at 6:30pm for Leadership in a Complex World program. Click here for more details and to register!
How to Become a Project Manager
So, you’ve finally received your business degree, and your goal is to become a project manager. What steps do you need to take in order to achieve that goal? First, you need to realize the difference between managing projects and being a project manager. If you manage projects as part of your job, you are not a project manager. This role is when you do nothing but manage projects. If this is the career path you want to take, here are some tips to help get you there.- Get Certified – The first thing you need to do is to get your certification. There are numerous organizations that offer project management certification, with the most common being Project Management Professional (PMP). Another common certification is Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM).
PMP certification is for those who already have a good deal of project management experience, generally those who are already working as project managers. Because you are just getting started in this field, your better option is to get the CAPM certification. You can go online and find plenty of good courses that will help you to train for and pass the certification. 
- Use the Software – You need to get to know about all of the tools that you will be using as a project manager, which means you need to become familiar with project management software. This is used for such things as budgeting, scheduling, collaborating, etc. Most software is relatively user friendly, and there is lots of support if you have any questions.
You don’t have to be working in the field already in order to start using the software. You can create your own practice projects, and get the online training you need to use project management software. Microsoft offers a number of courses that will help you to become an expert at using project management software. One of the most popular project management tools is Paymo.
- Get Experience – Before you can actually become a project manager, you need to be able to show that you have experience in managing projects well. Join a club or organization where you will have the opportunity to manage projects, and then you can use this experience on your resume to help you start advancing toward your goals. You may not be getting paid any money for doing this, but what you gain will be worth more than any pay check.
It is going to take some time before you can actually move into a full project management position. Look for a position that will give you the experience you need. It can take three to five years to gain enough experience to be able to start seeking project manager positions, but if it is something that you really want, you will be willing to stick it out and work hard to get there.
- Join PMI – There are two excellent reasons to join PMI. You will have immediate access to the latest version of the Project Management Body of Knowledge, and being a member gives you discounts on other things, including your exam fees. These two things alone make it more than worth joining.
You are not going to jump right into that dream job right out of college. If you really want it, you will have to pay your dues and work for it. Becoming a project manager is going to take time and effort, but there is plenty of help available to you, including many online resources, that will help you to get the training, experience, and certification that you need.
Graduate School Applications: What Do They Include?
While every program will have specific requirements, there are some common elements to grad school applications. When planning to apply to grad school, prepare to meet the following requirements for most programs:
Transcripts
You’ll need to send in your transcript from DU (and any other institution you’ve attended in the past) when you apply to grad school. Make sure to get your requests in to the Registrar’s office early so that your applications will be submitted and complete by the deadline.
Standardized Tests
Many grad programs require a standardized test, such as the GRE or GMAT, as part of the application package. Research ahead of time which test you may be required to take, if any, and begin studying early. Resources to help prepare for standardized tests include study guides, practice exams, and preparation courses, as well as information from the testing companies themselves:Resume or CV
Your resume or CV (depending on your field) is the key document to highlight your academic achievements and relevant experience going into your program. Be attentive to whether programs ask for a professional resume or a CV.
A resume should be a short, effective summary of your relevant experience, usually no more than one page long. A CV, on the other hand, should be as long as necessary to include relevant information pertaining to your academic career, such as research projects, conference presentations, publications, and fellowships and grants you have been awarded.
If you are creating a CV using your undergraduate experience, make sure to have a mentor or advisor in your field review the CV to make sure it meets the standards for your specific discipline.
Statement of Purpose
A common element of the graduate school application is the statement of purpose or personal statement. For some programs, there might be a series of essay questions instead.
This document should inform the admissions committee about who you are, what has influenced your academic or career path so far, your professional or research interests, and how you plan to utilize that specific program to reach your future goals. When writing the statement, it’s crucial to plan ahead and start early, so that you can get feedback. These resources can help:
- The DU Writing Center
- Career and Professional Development: Schedule an appointment with us by visiting Pioneer Careers.
- Additional tips and samples are available at statementofpurpose.com
Letters of Recommendation & References
It is common for a program to request 3-4 letters of recommendation or references from past professors or supervisors. When reaching out to references, be sure to communicate as early as possible the deadlines, prompts, and what you would like them to focus on. Include your resume with your request as a helpful reminder of your achievements, and follow up with a formal thank you, as well as with an email letting them know your final decision of where to attend.
Ready to get started on these parts of the application? Come to Grad School Applications that Get Results on October 19th, 4:00 – 5:00pm in Sturm Hall 453.
Start Your Job or Internship Search NOW
Do you plan on having a job or internship lined up for June 2018? Think if you get started looking in March you’ll be way ahead of the game? Think again!! Recruiting has started happening earlier and earlier every year as companies compete for the best talent.There are currently postings in Pioneer Careers for positions that will start in JUNE. What can you do to stay ahead of the game and not miss out on opportunities by waiting until winter quarter to get started?
- Set your preferences in Pioneer Careers.
- Attend fall recruiting events – to see the most current and comprehensive list, check out the Events tab in Pioneer Careers.
- Develop a target list of companies you are interested in and find out when their positions get posted.
- Set weekly goals for your job or internship search – view the process as a course and block time in your calendar to work on your search as if it were class time.
- Meet with your career advisor (call 303.871.2150 or schedule via the Appointments tab in Pioneer Careers) to form a strategy and learn about additional resources.
- Attend the Job Search Strategies workshop at 5pm on October 24
Upcoming Meetup! Social Impact Careers and Internships
Are you interested in making a positive impact on the world? Are you interested in an internship or professional career in social justice? The Meet Up for Social Impact might be the perfect place for you to jump-start your search for internships and jobs! This will be an excellent opportunity for you to connect with employers and promote yourself for positions in their organizations.
Here are a few tips to consider ahead of the Meet Up…
- Be prepared. Login to Pioneer Careers and view the Meet Up for Social Impact in the Events section. Not only can you register for the event here (registration is open until the 24th of October), but you can also view a list of employers that will be there. It will be important for you to conduct research on employers you are interested in speaking with. Spend time on their websites, read more about the work they are doing in news articles and press releases, do research on the specific industry that they are in. The more you know about a company when you speak with their representatives on campus, the more impressive and polished you will look! There will be more employers added as we get closer to the event, so keep checking back to make sure you stay updated on who will be there. Here’s some helpful information on how to prepare and “work” an event like this one!
- Practice your Elevator Pitch: Engaging with employers at this meet up will not be a formal interview. Rather you will need to be prepared for a quick conversation about you and why you’re interested in their company. This conversation often starts with a statement like, “Tell me about yourself.” The answer to this question is what we call the elevator pitch. You’ll want to give them a brief overview of your academic and internship experience, perhaps what your short and long-term goals are, and why you’re interested in working for their company. An elevator pitch is not easy, and creating an effective one will take practice. Please make an appointment with a Career Advisor to work on your elevator pitch, by using our online appointment scheduling feature in Pioneer Careers or by calling 303-871-2150.
- Be yourself. Certainly connecting with employers can be intimidating, but remember that they are people just like you and I. They are here because they want to engage with students and alumni and they have an interest in working with DU students. While it’s normal to be nervous, remember that you are here for a reason and that these organizations want to hear more about you.
EVENT DETAILS
Meet Up: Social Impact
Wednesday, October 25th| 4:00pm – 7:00pm | Sie Complex
Attire: Business Formal
Remember to bring copies of your resume/CV’s and business cards if you have them.
Two Hiring Trends that Will Affect Your Career
Each company solves the problem of staff shortages in its own way. Some develop tempting compensation packages and entice specialists from competing firms; others improve the system of training or invent special motivational programs. Each method has its pros and cons. A universal human resource management tool has not yet been invented. Leading world experts formulated the main directions in the selection of personnel, which will develop over the next couple of years.
Trend №1 – Passive Candidates Are in the Spotlight
In the modern world, most companies strive to find an employee for a certain amount of dollars as quickly as possible. Rare vacancies remain relevant for months. New employees were needed yesterday, so recruiters are no longer just waiting for feedback on posted ads, but taking the initiative in their own hands. About 85% of the audience for job search sites is “passive candidates.” They do not think seriously about the change of employer until they are presented with the opportunities and benefits of cooperation with another organization. John Sullivan, an HR consultant writes that:
“Instead of the resume, companies can work with the candidate’s profile in social networks, which will open the doors to candidates who are not actively searching for a new position.”
What Does This Mean for the Applicant?
- A personal profile on Facebook or LinkedIn is a must have the next few years since they become the main source of hiring.
- You no longer have to spend a lot of time on posting resumes on dozens of similar sites. It is enough to attend 1-2 of the most visited in your region.
Trend № 2 – Quality of Employment Forms the Brand of the Company
It is not important now what the organization says about itself, but it is decisive what people say about it. More and more employers come to the realization of this principle and are serious about working with the brand. In conformity with LinkedIn data, which were collected by interviewing more than 3,800 employees of HR departments around the world, in 2015 the development of the employer’s brand was a priority for 62% of companies. 59% of companies significantly increased their investments in relevant activities. In the last two years, this figure continued to grow and now this indicator does not lose its relevance.
For an Employee, This Means the Following.
The principle “the best work for the best” not only has not lost its relevance but is successfully implemented in the life of the absolute majority of companies.
Secondly, directly during the interview, focus the attention of the recruiter on the fact that you plan to grow inside the company. This does not mean that you have to dream about the SEO’s post. You can successfully build a horizontal career.
Third, allocate time and investment in the formation of a personal brand. Declare yourself in a professional environment as an expert, and your chances of getting into the dream organization will increase substantially.
6 Clever Ways Graduates Can Improve Their Job Search
Why some people search for a job for months without results while others get employed in a couple of weeks? Everything depends on your attitude.A job search is a serious process that demands setting goals, creating a plan, and sticking to it. Regular job hunting in different areas using various approaches is surely challenging but also productive. If you do not want to lose your time, read the instruction below that will allow you to find a job faster.
1. Market Yourself
Inform people around that you are a great professional who is open to offers. It will help you get the attention of potential employers. Online presence is a great way to do that. LinkedIn is a number one tool in online job hunting.
Do everything possible to make your profile more visible for the recruiters. Include offline actions to your personal marketing campaign. For instance, you might visit events related to your profession, make some new contacts during the conferences, or attend job fairs.
2. Keep Developing
While job search should take a significant part of your time, focusing on it too much could cause stress and depression. It might be a good idea to combine job search with the development of new skills. Spend some time on learning new languages, reading books related to your field, or improving your computer skills. It will keep your brain working and the new knowledge might help you to get the position you want.
3. Stay Tuned
It is important to keep participating in the work environment. Consider taking short-term freelance jobs in your field, find an internship or a part-time job in a company you want to work for. It will broaden your experience and will develop your skills. You will also get familiar with the new tendencies and equipment. This way the employer will see that you are active and ready to immerse into the new environment.
4. Get a Well-built Resume
If you have the same resume for years and it still did not help you to find a job you want, it is probably the time to upgrade it.
Make sure your CV is current, well-written, and convenient to read. It should show your strong sides and professionalism. Sending the same resume for different positions is not the best idea. Try to modify it a little for every job. Be sure to take into consideration the goals and needs of the company. The recruiters will surely notice it and that will help you to stand out.
If you still have troubles making your resume, consider using professional resume writing services. What is more, some job seekers have a hard time understanding the difference between cover letter and resume. Make sure you know what application document your potential employer requires.
5. Prepare for a Job Interview
Job interview puts a lot of pressure so it is better to prepare for it. You may practice with your friend or make a video to see how you look. Answer the common job interview questions and pay attention not only to what you say but also how you say it. Your voice and body language are as much as important as the words. Control your tone and the speed of the speech. A straight posture and eye contact may help to look more confident.
6. Be Persistent
Active position during job search shows your enthusiasm. After sending a resume it is essential to wait for an interview invitation. If you are really interested in a position, there is no harm in reminding the company that you approached them. It will emphasize your interest and desire to work. If you did not get a call back after the interview, do not be shy to contact the recruiter and ask about results. It is also important to know the limit. If there is no answer, move forward.
How to Look Like a Successful Entrepreneur
When you are trying to get a new business off the ground, it is not enough to just think that you are going to succeed. You need to feel like you are going to succeed, and in order to do this, you need to put yourself into a special mindset, and have the appearance of a successful entrepreneur, even if you are struggling. The more successful you look to others, the better your chances will be of actually succeeding, because people are going to naturally gravitate to you. Here are some tips to help you look like the most successful entrepreneur in the world.- Love what You Do – If you don’t love what you are doing, chances are that your business is not going to be a successful one. You need to really want to be doing this. Many people don’t realize just how much work really goes into being an entrepreneur, and the most successful entrepreneurs are the ones who are happy to be going to work every day and not dreading it because they hate what they are doing.
- Take it Seriously – When you are an entrepreneur, there is only one person who is completely responsible for your business at the end of the day, and that is you. So, you need to take your business very seriously. Sure, you can have fun and enjoy what you do, but you also need to really believe in what you are doing in order to be able to make others really believe in you as an entrepreneur.
- Look Good – “While not everyone is going to be movie star gorgeous, you can still strive to always look your best, which includes taking care of your teeth so you have a great looking smile,” says Dr. Ella Dekhtyar from Broadway Family Dental. Always dress the part, and flash a winning smile at everyone you meet. When you look great and appear to be confident, this is going to attract people to you and your business. If you look dumpy and rarely smile, people are going to check out your competition instead.
- Ask for Help – It is true that no man is an island, and no man stands alone. Everyone needs help at one time or another, especially when it comes to starting a new business. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. It doesn’t make you look incompetent or like a failure. It shows you as someone who really cares about their business, and wants to make it as great as they possibly can. It also shows that you are willing to take and use advice, and that you have an open mind.
- Fake It – You are not going to be a success in everything, and there are going to be failures. But, no one has to know about those failures. Even if you are still in the struggling new stages of your business, don’t let it show. Fake it, and no one is going to know the difference. In fact, the more you fake it, the more your personal attitude is going to change to fit what you are trying to convey to the rest of the world.
- Remember Your Customers – A business is only as good as its customer base. If you are not respecting the customer, they are not going to respect you, and they will not see you as someone who they want to do business with. Everything you do for your business, including policies, payment options, hours of operation, warranties, etc. must focus around the customer. Without customers, there is no business, period, and you aren’t going to be seen as a successful entrepreneur.
Maternity Leave and the Small Business Owner
By law, all businesses are required to provide a certain amount of maternity leave to employees. The time allowed for maternity leave depends on a number of factors, including state and federal regulations, eligibility, type of maternity leave, etc. For the small business owner, maternity leave has a much greater impact than it does on a larger corporation. If a small business only has a few employees, losing one for a few months is going to have a huge impact, not to mention the fact that setting up a maternity leave policy is a confusing proposition at best. Here are some of the things you need to know about before creating a maternity leave policy for your small business.Federal and State Laws
The first thing you need to look into are the federal and state laws, which can get pretty confusing, especially for the small business owner. For instance, if you have 50 or more employees, you are required by federal law to provide at least 12 weeks of unpaid leave, both for childbirth and for the adoption of a child. If you have fewer than 50 employees, the Federal government doesn’t require you to provide this maternity leave. But, you may still be required to provide this benefit, under certain circumstances.
The Pregnancy Discrimination Act requires employers to treat all pregnant employees as they would treat employees who have temporary disabilities if a woman is unable to perform all of her duties due to her pregnancy. There are also state laws, which are completely separate from federal regulations. For instance, under the California Family Rights Act, employers must provide 12 weeks of unpaid leave, and in some cases they are required to also provide six weeks of paid leave.
You can learn more about your state requirements by visiting the US Department of Labor website. States that do have maternity policy requirements are California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Vermont, and Washington.
Eligibility
“The next consideration is eligibility, as it is not only pregnant women who are eligible for maternity or parental leave. Your maternity/paternity leave policy will need to be explicit about who is eligible for this leave,” says an expert from Forest Hills Medical Services. FMLA regulations require that employees must work a minimum of 12 months or 1,250 hours in the previous 12 months to qualify for 12 weeks of unpaid leave. But, if you have 50 employees or less, the amount of unpaid leave is at your own discretion (or applicable state laws) for your company policy.
Types of Maternity Leave
Once you have figured out the amount of time that employees are going to be able to have for maternity leave, you need to consider the various types of maternity leave in order to create your company policy. There are three types of maternity leave:
- Intermittent Leave – This is short-term leave, to cover medical appointments, emergencies, etc.
- Reduced Schedule Leave – This is when the employee still works, but reduces their hours to fit in with their physical needs.
- Block of Time Leave – This is when the employee needs an extended period of time away from work, usually granted after childbirth or if there are complications during the pregnancy.
Paid Leave
Finally, you need to decide whether or not you are going to offer paid leave. While this is not a federal or state requirement, many companies do offer this to their employees. If you have valued employees who you want to see return to your company, paid maternity leave is definitely a good incentive to offer.
Five Tips for Job References
The praise or criticism of your references can influence whether you are offered a position. It is therefore important to consider these tips:
*Think about who you ask: You may want to ask a friend or family member that you have known personally. However, it is important to ask those that KNOW YOUR WORK. For example: a former supervisor, a professor that was your advisor or that you took a class from, a colleague would all be people to consider.
*How to Ask: Do not assume that someone will want to be your reference. Be courteous and professional by meeting, sending an email or calling. Also, ask if they prefer to be contacted by phone or email. Provide your reference with your resume and let them know the types of positions you are targeting.
*When to Ask: If you are looking for a job, you should ask as soon as possible. Do not wait until you have a deadline to meet.
*Update References: When a potential employer informs you that they are going to check your references, contact your reference and send them a link to the job description. This will help them provide feedback that is focused on the position, not just random comments.
*Follow-Up: Let your references know how your job search is going and thank them for providing a reference regardless of whether you were offered the position or not. If you get the job, provide them with your new contact information and stay in touch.
Following these tips will help you to manage this aspect of the job search successfully!
How To Earn Respect in the Workplace
For those of us who may not know how to act in business, it can be somewhat intimidating. But it can be pretty easy to make sure that you handle yourself well in the world of business.Here are a few simple rules to follow.
- Always listen: This may simple enough, but when you demonstrate that you are a good listener, it shows that you respect your bosses and coworkers, and are genuinely interested in what they have to say. This can also give you a chance to gain some helpful knowledge. Perhaps you meet someone you can trust and feel comfortable asking for advice about workplace etiquette. Remember, asking questions doesn’t show ignorance, it’s a sign of intelligence.
- Go the Extra mile with a smile: Obviously, it shows a great deal of care if you take on a few extra assignments or willingly work longer hours. But when you do it without complaining, it shows to your bosses what a good worker you are and how much you care about the job. Many people you work with may not be so interested in taking on those few extra tasks and going the extra mile, but if you can do it gladly, you can show the bosses just what a valuable asset you can be to their company.
- Never Assume: This piece of advice works in tandem with the last piece. You want to be willing to take on any extra work that is available, but you also do not want to get in over your head or come off as presumptuous. If you are new to the job and show up acting like you run the place, no one is going to appreciate your help or enjoy working with you. Understand, that you are the new person and that you do not know everything. If anything, your boss will appreciate this quality, as long as you also demonstrate a willingness to learn.
How To Build Your Learning Skills The Right Way
It’s never too late to learn. We learn things our whole life, but we don’t think about how we do that. Not surprisingly, only a small amount of everyday skills is turned into long-time habits. Is there a way to become a more efficient person? How to develop necessary learning skills and make them root?
Answers to those questions you can find in this article.
Plans like “read more,” “get up early” or “learn something new” are too vague and uncertain. Specify what you want to achieve. Give your goal a form of concrete, measurable and controlled action. For example: “every month to attend a conference in an interesting to me field,” “read 50 books related to my occupation for a year” or “spend two hours every Thursday, reading articles that were kept in bookmarks during the week.” A defined goal will stimulate you to act.
- Take time to think big
In the constant chaos of everyday life, there is frequently no time to think about global life goals. Where do you see yourself in five years? How could you develop your skills to make your work more productive, and yourself – a valuable specialist? We are all different, someone is enough half an hour for such reflections, and someone prefers to think about problems of a global scale, having gone on a long bike trip. If you enjoy being alone, take this time to review your skills and aspirations. You may also go a completely different way and discuss everything with colleagues or with old friends, you trust.
- Ask yourself: Whom do you envy?
Envy is a negative emotion, but it can serve as an excellent stimulus for self-development. If you envy someone, then this person has something that you really want to have. To whom do you envy: your friend, who is constantly traveling, your dad who doesn’t miss any of the mornings runs or your colleague, who successfully passed the MBA program. You don’t envy people; you envy their achievements. Envy helps to choose the direction of personal growth if you treat this emotion wisely.
- Control your habits
Control has a strange power over us. Studies show that by simply controlling our behavior, we begin to perform tasks much faster. It does not matter what exactly it will be: counting the steps from the apartment to the nearest store or the number of phone calls made per day. The same can be applied to how frequently we look at teaching materials or devote time to practice a new skill. Watch how the new habit begins to develop, and it will help you to keep growing.
- Set up a learning schedule
The goal, formulated as “to study something of this sort,” will always be somewhere at the end of your to-do list. Of course, this task is essential, but there is no definite deadline for it, and we always can postpone it for another day. That’s why it’s helpful to create a plan for building new skills.
And, don’t forget that you have to form skills, which will bring you benefits: strengthen your temper, broaden the mind horizon, and train professional features. When we do something for our good, the chances of successfully forming a new skill are doubled.
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