No Sitting Still
Where do you stop?
WARNING: This post is a call to action, not a warm and fuzzy. Read at own risk.
Yet again, MSNBC has done a wonderful job in capturing our attention by leveraging that powerful little human emotion called fear… “Older job seekers struggling with age barrier“.
As much as I cringe at what I imagine to be sensationalism, perhaps there is some truth to the story.
Many folks find themselves out of work these days. It’s frustrating, exhausting and often depressing. It seems as though there’s a shrinking inventory of available opportunities as well. Is there really a light at the end of this tunnel?
Yes there is, but it’s surely not being created by employers.
You see, an article like the MSNBC one paints a picture of employers being the bad guys. Age, race, religion and gender are just the beginning of possible discrimination. And, yes it does happen unfortunately.
However, I invite all of us to look at not just the content of this story, but most importantly at the CONTEXT of this story.
For me, the context is about job seekers being at the effect of circumstances – i.e. age, race, gender, experience, current economy, industry, etc. Yet, I see a myriad of job postings on the career websites I frequent, talk to many HR folks who say “I’m struggling to fill this open position”, and hear many stories of people finding employment. So what gives?
Consider that in any situation, context is NOT the truth, but a possible interpretation.
So what if we really took that sentence to heart? Now what?
Here’s what I mean…
The economy is challenging right now, not just in Detroit, but across the nation. Finding a job is more complex and requires more time than it used to. Fear is the most common emotion we experience these days. But I have one question for you…
Is that where you stop?
Because if you stop, especially in this economy, you’re screwed. If you stop because you feel that age, gender, race, money, industry, economy or geography is an issue, you will NOT find employment. What you will do is spend the majority of your time blaming others for your woes.
This applies to me and the rest of the self-employed as well. None of us can afford to stop now. Sure, we’ve got about as many external circumstances as we could ever want as evidence to stop, but that will not do.
For those who have found new employment, new clients, new projects and new money have simply not stopped. They keep going every day, creating the next opportunity, having the next conversation, scheduling the next meeting, reading the next book. They don’t stop.
Leadership Practices:
In service of building your muscles around not stopping, please answer these questions and consider these actions…
- What’s that uncomfortable place you just won’t go?
- By not going there, what story about you is kept in place?
- Based on that story, what are you really committed to?
- Write a letter to yourself two years from now, reflecting back on the past two years. What will your “two years ahead” self be telling your “today” self?
- What five people will you call today to generate a conversation about possibility? Do it again tomorrow. Then again, and again, and again.
- Create a structure for support to keep you empowered and in action such as our career coaching program.
Your next opportunity may arrive in your lap by surprise, but only after you’ve taken the action to create the circumstances that would have it happen.
Happy Action,
- Coach Preston
Goal #539 = Know a plumber…
Are you a relationship hub?
… I can call on a moment’s notice.
You might not think this applies to you. However, you might consider otherwise…
Question: In an emergency, what’s the one thing we all immediately think about?
Answer: Can they get here fast enough?
It’s a knee-jerk reaction to experiencing a catastrophe. We all do it.
But do we all have the resources, connections or relationships to know exactly who to call that will be able to get there “fast enough”? If we do, we’re in good shape; if we don’t, uh-oh.
Let’s apply this concept to the world of business. Most days, we’re not faced with emergencies (although that’s an entirely new discussion), but we are faced with challenges and obstacles. If I don’t have the resources or know the resources to overcome those challenges and obstacles, I might be in trouble.
So what will I do?
Often, I’ll make a phone call or two to a select group of folks I know who are what I call “relationship hubs” = people who seem to know every single resource in the area. Their spokes are all the other professionals they have a relationship with based on trust and integrity. I know when I make that call that I’ll be referred to someone who can help.
This is of amazing value as I don’t have to worry about doing the research, wasting time or getting frustrated with a less-than-qualified referral. I get my challenge or obstacle removed and I’m off to the next thing in my business.
How valuable is that “relationship hub” to me in my business? More than I can imagine.
Are you a “relationship hub” for your network, business or community?
If not, you’re missing an incredible opportunity to be of service to your clients, friends, family, business associates and community. And, perhaps most importantly, you’re missing an incredible marketing opportunity.
My “relationship hubs” get my attention on a regular basis. They are my “go-to” people. I’m in communication with them regularly. When they ask for an introduction or referral, I drop what I’m doing and help them. Do you think they appreciate that?
Becoming a “relationship hub” might just be the most lucrative and charitable initiative you take on this month.
Leadership Practices:
- Join a BNI, LeTip or other “lead generation” organization. These are intimate and rigorous groups that meet regularly to build relationships and refer business. When you join, make sure to create a sub-group of like-minded businesses as some of these groups can be more than 40 people. Sub-groups (or in BNI parlance, Power Teams) are very effective.
- Don’t just have your plumber fix your sink; invite him/her out for a coffee. Get to know their business and them as a person. Do this with every one of your vendors, coffee shop / restaurant owners, folks at church/synagogue/mosque, and neighbors.
- Ask everyone you meet “What project are you currently working on or stuck around?” This gives you the opportunity to refer someone to them to solve their issue. And best yet, in the process you’re training them that you’re the “go-to” person – the “relationship hub”.
Happy Hubbing,
- Coach Preston
A Powerful Gift
Can I trust this?
Yet again, LinkedIn Answers creates fuel for thought. These three questions were asked recently and brought up a powerful conversation about trust:
2) How do you decide the level of trust in relation? (Of course, trust cannot be built in one meeting or in one day…it takes months if not years to build the trust level).
3) When do you decide and on what basis you decide, if you can trust the other person or not?
There are likely a million ways to answer these. Here are two:
- “Deciding” to trust is actually an oxymoron.
- Trust is a gift you give, not one you get.
First, if you consider the roots of the word “decision”, you’ll find it’s defined as “to kill” (i.e. “de” = of, “cide” = to kill or killer). When we “decide” to trust, we actually build a case with evidence of whether someone or something is trustworthy or not. If we find evidence they are trustworthy, we’ll trust them. If we find evidence otherwise, we’ll figuratively “kill them off” (not trust them).
Second, consider that we as human beings are actually already related 100% in everyway possible. We have hearts that love, lungs that energize and dreams that pull us forward. In other words, we’re the same thing, regardless of culture, skin color or ideology.
But it’s our minds that mess us up, especially around trust. Our minds create, store and fuel our stories. Stories about how Bob didn’t do what he said he would when he said he would do it. Stories about how Sally’s upbringing makes her a mean person. Stories about how someone did something that didn’t meet my expectation so now they’re untrustworthy.
This is all a farce. Our stories are simply interpretations of how things went or will go. Our stories are a completely unreliable source of truth. Our stories are exactly what keep us from trusting one another.
So, perhaps what there is to do is simply offer our trust as a gift. When we offer it as a gift, we:
- give our trust without a story
- give our trust without killing anything or anyone off
- build our ability to be with risk
- create powerful relationships
- empower the person we give trust to follow thru without the fear of negative consequences
Yes, trust truly is a powerful tool as is a hammer. Both can be used to build and to destroy. Practice giving your trust as a gift and you might be pleasantly surprised by the results.
Leadership Practices:
- Choose three people this week to whom you’ll offer your trust as a gift (i.e. with no expectation of repayment)
- Journal about your experience; the struggle, the doubt, the anxiety, the stories and the results
- Rinse and repeat.
Happy Gifting,
- Coach Preston
