Hang Onto Your Job

The unemployment picture is not as rosy as economists earlier predicted, and the unemployment rate edged up a bit. Therefore, this blog will offer pointers on how to keep the job you have.

• Be a team player and make an effort to get along with everyone at work--overlook the shortcomings of others (and maybe they will overlook your shortcomings, too).


• Be productive all the hours you are at work--do more than the minimum required.


• Accept personal responsibility for your work, including mistakes. Work to correct and not repeat mistakes.


• Contribute to the overall success of the company--no personal calls, no personal work, no going aboard with socializing.


• Display a positive work ethic at all times--go to work everyday, show up on time, work until quitting time, be honest and ethical at all times.


• Become an expert on your company's products and services.


• Keep your skills sharp and updated at all times.


• Always ask yourself, "How can I add value to my boss and my company.

Look for Possibilities

Well, I can't believe it but the Pennwriters conference has been over for a week now. I enjoyed myself and learned from many wonderful, insightful speakers.

One thing I tried to get across to conference attendees, especially newbies, was to take advantage of ALL opportunities and to be open to ALL possibilities. The same can be said for every day living.

• Be open to people and things that come your way unexpectedly. The immediate benefit of a meeting or a piece of information may not be apparent at first.


• Build long-term relationships and store each piece of information for future use.


• Don't overlook the small things and the obvious things and people.


• Learn as much as you can every day from every situation.

Look around today and be open to all that you see, do, hear, and encounter. You never know what precious things await.

Happy Mother's Day and Stress Management Tips

Mother's Day is tomorrow, which should have all of us reflecting on our mothers and the sacrifices they made for us.

Many sons and daughters today have elderly parents to care for as well as their own children. Here are some stress management tips for them and everyone feeling stressed these days:

• Take stock of your activities to be sure you are living a balanced life. If not, make changes. When one area of your life is out of balance, you will not be able to do yourself or anyone else any good.


• Establish priorities and stick to them.


• Start a gratitude journal and make a few entries every day.


• Strike negative words from your vocabulary. Let go of worries.


• Skip the news and read a good book.


• Eat healthy.


• Learn something new--exercise your mind.


• Keep in touch with friends and relatives who add joy and fun to your life. Share with them.


• Meditate.


• Take it one day at a time.


• Keep up your sense of humor. Watch comedies and uplifting movies.


• Enjoy the outdoors. Take walks, work in the garden, tend to the flowers--get in touch with nature. (Take Mom with you.)


• Clean up clutter around your home. Clutter adds stress.


• Create a workable budget and stick to it.

Job Tips

This morning I did a workshop/book signing for my book Job Hunting After 50. Two of the best pieces of advice I gave the audience were to embrace technology and to update.

Employers are using technology more and more to advertise jobs--LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have become favorite ways of getting the word out about job openings and finding perspective employees. If you are not on these networking sites, sign up today.

As for the updating part, that includes everything from using current resume formats to wearing modern hairstyles and clothing to researching companies online to learning the latest software and skills companies need.

Although a lot more goes into a job search, doing these with greatly enhance your prospects when looking for a job.

Take Time to Enjoy

Take time this Easter to enjoy family and friends and to renew yourself spiritually. Living a balanced personal and professional life is crucial to your successful well being. Too much attention to your professional life to the exclusion of your personal life will cause you to miss out on important "self" time. Too much attention to your personal life and not enough attention to your professional life will stagnate your career. Develop a routine that fits your lifestyle and make corrections when your life is out of balance.

• Take time to maintain a healthy physical and mental balance.


• Practice good time management and stress management techniques.


• Get organized and stay that way.


• Maintain a positive attitude.

When you think of balance, consider all areas of your life, including family, work, health, wealth, spiritual, hobbies, and everything else that fits together to make up your life plan. Balance in all areas of your life is the key to a contented life.

Are You Meeting Your Goals?

Today is a rather rainy spring day. It seems like a good time to stay inside and revisit your goals. Think about the following questions:

• How are you coming with your personal and professional goals?


• Have you made the progress you intended to make when you set them?


• Is there anything else you can do to move yourself closer to your goals?


• Can you revise or rewrite your steps for attaining your goals?


• Are there goals on your list that you should remove or revise?


• If you have met most of your goals, can you think of new ones to set?

Taking time to assess goals and, if needed, revise and rewrite them will keep you motivated and on track to personal and professional success.

Cultivate a Successful Career

Today is April Fool's Day. Don't be fooled by thinking career success will automatically happen without much input on your part. Career success needs to be cultivated and attended to daily. Here are some things to do every day to make sure you are cultivating career success:

• Plan for your advancement by writing down your goals.


• Maintain a positive attitude.


• Do something every day to add value to your company. This can be as simple as doing the best job you can do each day.


• Do more than required.


• Look for solutions to problems.


• Maintain a professional demeanor.


• Be a results-oriented employee.


• Make yourself valuable to your boss.


• Hone your leadership skills.


• Ask your boss to evaluate your work and provide feedback.


• Ask if there is anything else you can do be valuable to your boss.


• Steer clear of gossips and troublemakers.


• Get along with everyone in the workplace.

By maintaining a "success" mindset, you can steer your career in the right direction. What steps have you taken to ensure your career success?