It's nice to blow your own trumpet once in a while!

I have been running my own business for just under a year now and I can't believe how quickly the time has flown.

Over the past 12 months I have had the privilege of working with some fantastic individuals whether it's been from a personal career development perspective or helping their own business grow.

Whilst I know that blog postings are not meant to be overly self promotional, I just wanted to share one of my most recent success stories as it's one that I am especially proud of.

I first met Aria a few months ago following one of my university graduate seminars and I was immediately impressed by her ambition, determination and personal motivation to succeed.

 Aria had arrived in Australia with her family from South America 10 years ago, had worked casual jobs right throughout high school (with English being her second language), got into (and successfully completed) a Business Degree at the University of Western Sydney, and in September will be graduating with a Masters in Professional Accounting. Throughout her years at university she has also been working part-time as an Executive Assistant in a local small business.

She had a tough time last year when she'd initially started applying for graduate positions. Actually "tough time" would be an understatement as she'd been rejected from every single company she'd applied to.

I knew exactly how to turn the situation around but more importantly I also knew that Aria was willing to do whatever was required. I could see it in her eyes that this year nothing was going to stop her getting her dream job with one of the "Big Four".

But there was a lot of work to do. We both knew she couldn't just rely on her Masters degree.

We did it!

Actually I stand corrected. SHE did it and this week I received an e-mail from Aria which I will certainly not be deleting ...

"Hi Paul ...

I have been meaning to write you a big THANK YOU e-mail for the last few days. It has been an absolute pleasure working with you, and thanks to you I have been able to secure my dream position at Ernst & Young. Despite my disheartening graduate recruitment process last year, you have been so supportive and understanding (always responding to all my e-mails ... yes even the desperate ones!).

You not only helped me identify my core competencies, but you made me confident in believing that I was just as good or an even better candidate than many other graduates who have done extraordinary things. I also became confident thanks to you in showing my uniqueness in interviews and that's what really set me apart.

It definitely wasn't easy getting the big job. It's funny how people always see the end result but I just wish they could see the journey that got me there ... all the ugly bits they never got to see. But you saw it all ... and I think because you know exactly what I went through, you will be the proudest of all.

I want others to know that you get what you want through persistence and tenacity. But I also want them to know that it's tough out there. It's no longer just your HD's, your Masters, or the school or university you went to that gets you a job.

Thank you for everything ... please keep in touch :)"

Aria ... you know how proud I am of you!

You deserve everything you have achieved. Of course we'll keep in touch!

Image courtesy of: DianeRocks awesome jump

I'm in an Empire State of Mind ...

Every now and then something happens during one of my professional development mentoring sessions which whilst at first may seem somewhat "eccentric", at the same time actually reminds me exactly why it is that I love what I do.

Take this morning as a perfect example ...

I was having my monthly catch-up with Abigail - a highly motivated yet fairly softly spoken 30 year old working for a large professional services firm based in the CBD.

After "checking in" on the last two months (we hadn't caught up during January), she looked at me and said, "By the end of the year I've decided that with or without the support or assistance of this company I am going find a job in New York".

Taking me somehwat by surprise I naturally felt compelled to ask why.

"I just need a complete change ... everyone claims that a lot is getting done around here but nothing ever seems to really get accomplished".

Certainly a very interesting way to think about things ... the notion of doing vs accomplishing.

Since we started our mentoring sessions Abigail has always brought her laptop in with her as she likes to access reports, spreadsheets, stats ... and as I found out today ... i-tunes! I think she must have had the song already cued, since without any warning Alicia Keys' Empire State of Mind part 2 started playing through the speakers. 

But it didn't stop there ... Abigail then stood up and began to belt out the lyrics along with Alicia ... "Concrete jungle where dreams are made of ... these streets will feel brand new ... big lights will inspire you ..."

Not only did I realise that if her attempt to find a job in professional services in Manhattan didn't quite go according to plan, the neon lights of Broadway were just around the corner ... and she could make it there!

Abigail explained that over the last two months she'd had a lot of time to think and she'd come to the realisation that she is now lacking inspiration, challenge and a true sense of accomplishment - not only in her current role but in her surroundings and she wants to tackle something much bigger. She is a very determined individual and I know that when she sets her mind to something she'll make it happen ... even in the Big Apple.

What are your real motivations? What's your true inspiration? If you could make a big change or break out of your comfort zone what would you do?

Image courtesy of: when i was a bird

Hope is the worst of evils, for it prolongs the torments of man

My role as a Directionist (the term one of my clients used to describe me the other day when he introduced me to a few of his team members) is to give guidance and support (whether it be from a strategic career or business perspective) to those who may be looking for a professional change in direction. 

Whether they are looking for a new job, a total change in career, or a chance to start (and ultimately grow) their own business, it is usually a matter of looking closely at their skills, attitude as well as their level of motivation. After all they may have all the skills and qualifications but totally lack the motivation to make the change. While sometimes they are totally pumped but quite simply lack the skill that would give them credibility in the marketplace.

So that is where I step in.

Today, however I heard a really interesting remark from one of my favourite clients: "I've lived my life in hope and missed out on a lot of opportunities along the way".

It made me think (for around a microsecond) whether I needed to start to factor hope into the skill-attitude-motivation equation. But I quickly put the idea to the side and continued to give my client the reality check she needed - albeit one that she may not quite have expected to be so direct at the time.

You can't possibly blame the fact that you may not have your dream job on the fact that you are still "living in hope" for it to come along. There are many other more pressing factors to take into consideration - and in the case of this particular client (as we quickly ascertained) what she has been "hoping for" is actually something she is not suited to at all, and worse still it is something that she certainly wouldn't enjoy as it wouldn't allow her to maintain the work-life balance she has strived so hard to achieve.

So whilst many live with the mantra "you can live in hope", sometimes it's just not worth the effort since when reality steps in it really does come down to skills, competencies, job or business fit, culture, attitude and motivation.

Image courtesy of: anadelmann

Title quote by: Friedrich Nietzche

What's really important to you when it comes to your job?

Whenever I work with a new client looking to change careers or even just move companies, the first thing I always get them to do is to write down the 10 - 12 things that are most important to them when it comes to their job. Typically the list would include "decent salary", "opportunity for advancement", "great colleagues", "ongoing training and development", "cool work environment" - not necessarily in that order but these are certainly the most common to make the list.

This week I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised when one particular list included "inspiration", "mentorship", "diversity", "independence", "stimulation" and "respect". It gets even better ... there was no mention of salary, dollars, financial reward (call it what you will) anywhere at all.

Does this mean that this particular individual is any less driven to succeed or to achieve in terms of what they are looking for in their career?

NOT AT ALL.

It was refreshing to hear a more holistic or selfless approach to a career objective than one driven purely by ego, dollars and perks that may come along with a new job.

There's no denying that if you are looking for a new sales role then incentive schemes should certainly play an important part in the decision making process. However often it's not all about the money and therefore you need to ensure that there is a nice balance between financial reward as well as personal accomplishment.

Image courtesy of: er3465

Putting the "I" back into motivation

Wouldn't it be nice to finally hear some good news as opposed to all the doom and gloom surrounding the economic downturn? Whilst it certainly is tough out there (there’s no denying it), one of the unnecessary fuels to the so called fire of doom and gloom is the fact that everybody gets caught up in the negativity thereby losing all trace of ambition, determination, goal drive, self motivation … call it what you will.

Now more than ever before it is essential that you stay focused and above all motivated.

How? I hear you ask …

By sticking to these simple tips, you will be able to put the “I” back into motivated.

• There’s no point setting yourself goals that are so out of reach that you’re setting yourself up for failure from the outset. 

Decide on a series of realistic and achievable short-term, medium-term and long-term goals. Then write them down. Print them out or write them on post-it notes and stick them all around the house. Think of them as affirmations. Read them out loud whenever you walk past them and keep these goals top of mind. You must always have something to aim for and look forward to. Then share your goals with friends and family members. As soon as you articulate your goals, they are far more likely to become real.

• Try your best to ignore any negativity around you.

Whilst workplaces can often be a fun and social environment, in tough times they can also be festering pits of negativity. Whether we like it or not we feed directly off the moods around us. Have you ever gone to work in a great mood and by 10am felt stifled, crushed and defeated and wondered how that could have happened in just one hour? More than likely it’s because someone working around you came to work in a bad mood. Feeding off their negativity is terrible for your motivation. Stay strong and focus only on your goals and don’t let anyone else vacuum your confidence, enthusiasm or motivation out of you.

• Stop procrastinating …

Don’t put off till tomorrow what you can do today. An old cliché I know but it’s easy to think “I may as well do it at a later stage”, or “now’s not the right time”. I have one thing to say. Now IS the right time and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. But just remember … one goal at a time. Don’t try to achieve everything at once, or you will be setting yourself up for disappointment. 

Image courtesy of: aaronwtong