Thought Of The Day: The Value Of Face Value

"Rightly or wrongly people assume you are qualified at what you do."

This came out of a coaching newsletter that I subscribe to.

The writer took the words right out of my mouth.

Since I changed careers 4 years ago, I have found this line particularly true.

When I declared to complete strangers that I was a writer, no one asked me where I got my writing credentials or how dare I presume to be the next JK Rowling or Stephenie Meyer.

When I said I was a career coach, no one asked if I was ICF certified.

They were more interested in how long I'd been coaching/writing and what areas I coached or wrote about.

There are 2 interesting observations I would venture to make.

First, people are primarily obsessed with themselves. They think about themselves morning, noon and night.

How do I look? What do others think of me? Is my hair alright? Is my outfit alright? Did I say something dumb when talking to the moms at school?

People want to know how your self-description is relevant to their current situation.

So if you say you are a writer, they might ask: What do you write about? Oh, you proofread essays and resumes? Do I need your service? Yes, I actually need someone to look at my resume before I send it out. Who else do I know that might need your service? The senior students at my child's school who are preparing for university entrance? My co-worker is thinking of changing jobs. Maybe he could talk to you about his resume.

If you say you are a career coach, they might say: How does coaching work? What sort of clients do you work with? People in career transitions? That's interesting. I have actually been thinking about making a career change. I have this work issue that's bothering me. What do you think of it? How might you be able to help me?

As the writer of the newsletter correctly says, people tend to take us at face value.

This is a huge advantage that we don't often recognize.

If you could say anything you liked and know you could get away with it, what would you say about yourself: who you are, what your values are, what your vision in life is?

Would you dare to go as big as your dreams?

Would you limit yourself to a job description ("I work in a bank" or "I'm just a homemaker" or "I'm a wife and mother")?

How about describing what you do in terms of how it helps someone else?

For instance: "I help people explore their career options and understand how they work best so that they are clear about what types of careers suit them."

"I help women with weight loss and body image issues to feel good about who they are, to accept that they have the power to choose how they see themselves, and to take actions that help them become the image of themselves that they secretly desire but didn't think was possible."

The next time someone asks you what you do, remember: you have their permission to say anything you like about yourself.

And make it something authentic, powerful and intriguing.

You are what you think.

As A Man Thinketh, So Is He

Watch your thoughts: They become your words.

Watch your words: They become your actions.

Watch your actions: They become your habits.

Watch your habits: They become your character.

Watch your character: It becomes your destiny.

Michael Oliver, NaturalSelling.com

The #1 Skill That Dwarfs Everything Else

"Taking real steps of any kind is what it takes, no matter where you are... But it's safer just to read some more, or do something that feels like you're doing something, but that doesn't really move you towards your NEXT important goal..."

Does this sound like you?

If the answer's yes, you need to master the #1 skill that dwarfs everything else.

Me? I'm going to take a leaf out of Ken's book and do 20 toe touches when I jump out of bed tomorrow.

PS. To log in to the forum as my guest, key in career-change-confidence.com as your ID and password. You will see yourself online as "Guest of Career-Change-Confidence.com".

How A Simple Charitable Idea Created Nearly 2000 Blankets For AIDS Orphans

When the soaring unemployment rate and mortgage stress are the topics that dominate our conversations and our thoughts, we all need a bit of cheering up.

Here's a story that will inspire you and help put your challenges in perspective.

Sandy started Knit A Square to attract interest to her aunt's charitable cause in Soweto, South Africa.

The resulting response from visitors to the site is simply amazing.

Read Sandy's story here.

To log in as my guest on the forum, simply key in career-change-confidence.com as your ID and password.

You will then see yourself logged in as "Guest of Career-Change-Confidence.com".

Enjoy.

With All I Am (By Hillsong)

As Good Friday draws near, let us be reminded of how much He loved us, how He gave His only Son to die for us so that we could be restored in fellowship to Him.

Would you give your only child for someone who might not appreciate your sacrifice and might even scorn your gesture?

I know I would not.

Not unless it were made possible by the supernatural grace of God.

"You're the reason that I live, the reason that I sing, with all I am."

Jesus Paid It All - Video