The proven strategy for persevering and following your dream

The proven strategy for persevering and following your dreamThe proven strategy for persevering and following your dreamOne of the toughest things for us to do in life is to admit when were wrong. My Mom would tell me growing up, her father?- ?my grandfather?- ?used to say, It takes a big man (or woman) to admit when he/she is wrong and apologize. Many of us are often wrong and dont even know it. Or worse yet, we do know it and we continue to plod on, committing deliberate actions that hurt ourselves and others.But what about when were right?Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreWhen were right, there are really two options. We believe were right or we dont. Dig a little deeper and youll understand the essential difference between these two outcomes Believing were right and acting accordingly is what will make us great. Doubting ourselves while acting upon the right thing is perhaps t he fruchtwein dangerous, self-inflicted damage we can do to our psyche.Clearly, were working on getting to the right mindset and doing the right thing. Easier said than done, right? Not really. These two things require the two qualities that are always within our control attitude and effort. Its here that we develop the realization that we have the power to move forward. That we actually can create our own destiny. This is the best strategy and mindset to adopt to get what we want in life.Your PersonalStoryOne of the toughest things Ive ever wrestled with as a human, business professional and writer, welches believing that other people cared about my personal story. It took me a long time to realize that others did. Part of it was fear of the unknown. I might be rejected. Others might criticize me Oh, the horror.Sounds crazy, doesnt it?Or does it? Because Ive found thats the problem that so many of us have. We create this chasmIN OUR MINDSthat putting ourselves out there?- ?in whate ver we do?- ?is so difficult, purely because we fear what others might say.Thats the excruciating damage of self-inflicted negative thinking. It is insidious, destructive and limiting. It blocks us from a path that is likely the one we are meant to travel?- ?whatever our occupation, passion or interest is.The power of putting ourselves out there, telling ourrealstory and feeling confident doing so, is one of the secrets to living a purposeful life.While the local and national nachrichten paint a picture of dread, despair and angst, the truth is that the world and its citizens?- ?the vast majority of them?- ?are kind, loving, empathetic people who care about others.Ive found that many of the people here in theMediumcommunity are precisely such people. Ive been blessed both digitally and in person to meet some extraordinarily caring, genuine people in my life that have taken an interest in me.Ive learned through networking (Yikes, that ugly word) that taking a chance on a conversation with someone will bring happiness, new ideas and fun to our lives. We have the opportunity over a cup of coffee or meal to genuinely show an interest in getting to know others, while they do the same with us.We get to put our ideas and stories out there in public, to hopefully gain some new supporters and believers?- ?people willing to go to bat for us as we pursue our dreams. Its this first step that is absolutely essential to building and persevering in our strategy and continuing to follow our dream. Without this, without believing in ourselves and taking a chance, we cannot live the life we want.The FountainheadI want to tell the story of the great author, Ayn Rand, and her effort to publish her bestselling novel,The Fountainhead. As a matter of fact?- ?I was further brought to read her novels by many of you who commented on my post about the 15 books that helped to shape my mind.Ayn Rands classic,The Fountainhead,was rejected by a whopping 12 publishers before the Bobbs-Merril l Company decided to take a chance on this, unsaleable and unpublishable, book. At least those were the famous last words of one mighty foolish publisher.12 rejectionsWhat mattered and helped Rands cause was an inspiring review from the New York TimesYou will not be able to read this masterful book without thinking through some of the basic concepts of our time.If only we all were so fortunate. Yet words like those tend to be gifted toward individuals who create art that transcends their time and generations thereafter. From there, the flight ofThe Fountainheadwas airborne, and as the word of her book spread across the world, people began to read and become inspired by her empowering themes of individualism and objectivism.Staying theCourseWhen you believe in your idea and back it with faith and unrelenting persistence, you find that rejection is in fact your best friend. Ive come to believe that rejection is the ignition to start fine-tuning our lives and guiding them toward the di rection that our heart is leading us.I thought about these things as I wrote my book, The Value of You, over the past year. There were moments of doubt, just as there are for even the worlds most confident and accomplished people. But what made this book possible was my willingness to publish on this awesome platform, and to put myself out there. I first wrote only for myself. Over the last several years, I put myself out there and I began to thrive. Its made all the difference.Im soothed by the lack of reception?- ?initially?- ?that Ayn Rand dealt with for what became one of the most enduring classics of the 20th Century. There was no immediate success to be had. Rather, disappointment. However, that disappointment was met with an open-armed embrace of taking up the gauntlet and continuing on because she knew she was right.She knew her book was special. She believed that if she stayed the course, she would indeed be rewarded.Getting the RightResultsBeing right and knowing you are r ight coming primarily from four things research, observation, validation of others and intuition.As you see in the quadrant, I believe the optimal state is to have a strong, believing mindset that is backed up with the most constructive actions. What is most damaging, Ive found, is to do the right thing yet believe that what youre doing has all been in vain?- ?that youre wrong and worse, that doubt and fear begin to creep in.Ive found that actions can often easily be corrected but attitude adjustments are much harder to make. Changing our attitude is frankly, a matter of willpower. This requires breaking down and beating old habits that have discouraged, distracted and prevented us from our potential.Its very difficult to turn things around when the breaks havent been going our way?- ?or when we havent yet found results in whatever endeavor we have chosen. While its certainly teetering on the border of danger when youre doing the wrong thing but believing youre right, its simply eas ier to correct those actions through observation and study.Thats what great mentors, teachers, coaches and influencers are for. Seek knowledge and wisdom from those who are in a position to help and are willing.For all of us, our goal should be to move to the northeast part of the quadrant where our actions are in line with the positivity of our attitude. Strong conviction does not equal stubbornness. Strong conviction and belief in yourself equals faith, which begets patience, persistence and perseverance.Youll never just be able to get by with only a positive attitude.You must back that with an intelligent, industrious work ethic that consistently approaches each day with optimism, anticipation and a refusal to compromise.Go AllInIt pains me to see people on the right path who lack the conviction because of fear of the unknown. I can sense it immediately because I spent so many years of my life with this mindset. Call it youngest child syndrome. Call it an overly fearful view of t he world mixed with trepidation about what others might think.Call it what it is and then stop making excuses. Know that when you go all in and put yourself out there, the world doesnt seem so scary. Its invigorating, actually. You learn the proven strategy of believing in yourself and persevering by taking a chance. If you never take a chance, youll never know. But if you have the courage to move forward, youll begin to live the life youve always wanted.Value YourselfMy newbook on Values is out NOW Order it hereContact meif youd like,Follow my Facebook Pageand Join me on your journey. Lets GOThis article first appeared on Medium.

USAJOBS 3.0 is Coming Latest OPM Update

USAJOBS 3.0 is Coming Latest OPM UpdateUSAJOBS 3.0 is Coming Latest OPM UpdateUSAJOBS 3.0 is Coming Latest OPM UpdateInterruption in Service is slated for the Columbus Day Holiday WeekendAfter I posted my blog two days ago about the USAJOBS 3.0 transition, I learned about some important updates regarding the USAJOBS 3.0 transition for another Resume Place, Inc. Blog. I am very glad to see these updates and would like you to share the dates, times and access to USAJOBS info with your colleagues and federal job-seeking friends.During the transition to USAJOBS 3.0, please be aware that The transition will begin at 500 pm EDT on October 7 and extend through the Columbus Day Holiday Weekend. OPM has worked hard to compress the schedule to just the Columbus holiday weekend. There will be announcements posted to USAJOBS prior to and even during the transition. OPM requested agencies close their announcements before October 6th. Many agencies chose, however, to leave announcements open over the transition period. So, during the transition, a listing of open announcements will be available on USAJOBS.gov, but not the robust search function. The search and apply functions will continue to be available until 500 pm EDT on October 7, 2011, at which time the transition will begin. Jobseekers can access USAJOBS during the transition. In fact, we suggest they visit USAJOBS.gov for daily status updates. Jobseekers will NOT be able to upload/build a resume or check status during the transition, because the data is stabilized during the transition nothing is added, deleted or changed until after the transition is complete. Whos doing the update OPM has an IT staff (the menschengerecht Resources Tools and Technologies staff in Macon, GA) that focuses specifically on building and maintaining secure, scalable HRIT systems for OPM, as well as other Federal organizations. Different personnel within that organization work on the different systems HRTT builds and maintains. USAJOBS an d USAStaffing are just two of the systems maintained by HRTT. The USAJOBS staff within HRTT will execute the transition of USAJOBS along with the USAJOBS program office staff. Note USAStaffing is an OPM-owned Talent Acquisition System (TAS) Monster and other vendors also offer TASs. TASs interface with USAJOBS, but are the back-end systems used by HR specialists within the federal agencies. OPM will extract, validate and convert five billion lines of data (not documents) before loading it into USAJOBS 3.0. USAJOBS 3.0 will no longer capture social security numbers as previous versions did in the account profile. Some applications submitted through USAJOBS, however, may request SSN based on the hiring agencys requirements. Still a good idea Before the search and apply functions are taken offline on Oct. 7, you may want to consider downloading and backing up the latest versions of your resumes posted in USAJOBS.

Do You Still Need a Paper Resume

Do You Still Need a Paper ResumeDo You Still Need a Paper ResumeIn todays tech-driven times, carrying around paper resumes to in-person interviews may appear to be pass- but you might be surprised at the importance of having them with you for a job interview. Read the pros of having paper copies of your resume to decide if you really need them or bedrngnis.The pros of bringing a paper resume to your next in-person job interviewYou can reference it easily.You might already be a bit nervous when you sit down in front of a potential employer. So when he asks you a question regarding a previous date of employment, you suddenly draw a blank. If you have a paper copy of your resume, though, you can easily use it as a reference sheet to answer any questions quickly and correctly.Your interviewer might not have a copy. Sure, you submitted your job application electronically, but that doesnt mean that your future employer will have it in front of him during your interview. He might lose your resume, forget to print it out, or even accidentally delete your application altogether. If he asks for a paper resume copy, its better to have one on hand. If you dont, it could make you look unprepared or even possibly cut the interview short.You might need to give it to more than one person. You were originally set to interview with only the HR manager, but after an amazing interview, he wants to take you on an impromptu meet-and-greet with some department heads. After chatting with some of the staffers, they might ask you for a copy of your resume to review, too. Have a few handy to give out, and let them know that they can reach out to you with any questions they might have.It puts you front and center on the interviewers desk- and mind.Although your interviewer might have your resume on his screen during your interview, having a copy of your paper resume on his desk means that hes bound to see it more than once. Offering a paper copy of your resume could be a subtle job seeker tactic to keep you front and center in your interviewers mind- and on his desk- allowing him to review your application and give you more consideration for the position.

Do these 7 things to get you invoices paid immediately

Do these 7 things to get you invoices paid immediatelyDo these 7 things to get you invoices paid immediatelyAround one in four self-employed workers are owed an average amount of $2,000 from late-paying clients or customers. According to researchers over at Freshbook, theres a science to getting clients to pay invoices in a timely matter. The team analyzed 10,000 invoices to craft a data-driven how-to that ensures freelancers and self-employed professionals get paid fast.Our data team found when freelancers followed the 7 tips on this checklist, 91% of invoices were paid in full so it pays to take the time to craft a solid invoice.Follow Ladders on FlipboardFollow Ladders magazines on Flipboard covering Happiness, Productivity, Job Satisfaction, Neuroscience, and moreFreshbooksThe 7 commandments for punctual pay1. Avoid end of the month invoicingMost of getting paid on time is not giving a customer or client any excuse to put your compensation on the pay-no-mind list. Invoices sent on the 30th or 31st stand a greater risk of getting lost in the email shuffle. Freshbooks data concludes that Invoices sent toward the end of the month, take 20% longer to get paid the invoices sent earlier in the month.2. Limit line ItemsAccording to Freshbooks, a two to five line items on an invoice is the sweet spot. Unless your client requested a detailed breakdown of your work, no need for the excess clutter.3. Keep your invoice total lowInterestingly enough invoices that total less than $1,660 get paid an average of eleven days sooner than invoices that exceed that amount. If your invoiceisgreater than $1,660 the researchers recommendyou break up the sum with smaller invoices to make sure you are recouped as soon as possible.4. Include clear termsNinety-four percent of invoices that mentioned late fees were paid on time. Freshbooks suggests young self-employed professionals and freelancers, use specific language in your terms to help you get paid even faster.5. Be politeInvoic es that include the words please and thank you get paid a median of two days sooner that invoices that do now. A good rule of thumb is to maintain the same level of cordiality in your invoice request as was present in your service to the client or customer.6. Offer online paymentsInvoices that allow clients or customers an option to be pay invoices via an online method get taken care of aroundseven days earlier than invoices that donot.7. Send automatic late payment remindersSetting up an automatic late paymentreminder eliminates the anxiety of having to chase a client down for payment. Below Freshbooks has provided a general schablone for an invoice, that is succinct, direct, and expresses cordiality, professionalism, and most importantly, urgency.FreshbooksYou might also enjoyNew neuroscience reveals 4 rituals that will make you happyStrangers know your social class in the first seven words you say, study finds10 lessons from Benjamin Franklins daily schedule that will double your productivityThe worst mistakes you can make in an interview, according to 12 CEOs10 habits of mentally strong people

Who is Worried About Architectural Resume and Why You Should be Listening to Them

Who is Worried About Architectural Resume and Why You Should be Listening to Them The Importance of Architectural Resume When an architect doesnt have an NCARB Certificate there are certain states they cant receive an architectural license in. You have to develop agility with assorted architectural drafting software. To begin in job-hunting, you first will need to get a great resume, and a drafter Resume Templates can allow you to create the document faster. Its important to experience company specific Resume. Details of Architectural Resume Get exploring and you might be spotting something you feel is going to earn an effect on yur job seeking process. Also, another vital point that is quite important is ensuring that you avoid typos and grammar mistakes. The best method to do so is to create a resume that specifically targets the requirements of a specific job posting but rewriting it from scratch may be a time-consuming course of action. On the flip side, if youre writin g an advertising internship resume, then youre probably writing to an exact ruthless person whos very good with people in any type of situation. The Pain of Architectural Resume The absolute most important thing we learned in architecture school is the way to address problems creatively. Youre going to compose a killer architecture resume. While architecture is an art, its unlike the majority of other arts since its both public and long-lasting. Make a presentation of what youve done up to now, whether its associated with architecture or not. Look at architect resume samples to realize how they are generally designed. Architects meet with developers to think of a strong notion. No architect can construct a structure alone. An architect is liable for the design construction of a specific building or structure. In the event the CV is followed by means of a portfolio, then its fine with the CV to be just text, but should you do just a CV then you ought to have pictures from t he main projects. You may have an individual Word resume, but youre a creative individual and must be utilizing the correct software to highlight your talents. Sending resumes over mail is certainly the fastest way to get in contact with the firm youre interested in. You must think of the sort of firm when developing the CV. Some folks get so involved in the facts of their CV which they dont make it rather obvious they want the internship. Possessing a good resume is quite important if applying to any company thats why you want to locate the correct strategies to perfect your American resume. Approach your resume like you were solving an architectural issue. Job applicants ought to be precise and descriptive in regards to their personal skills. Jobseekers who aspire to intern at architecture firms want to be certain their resumes demonstrate the coursework and techniques which make them excellent candidates. You have to make it crystal clear that you desire the internship, you have to explain why, and you want to stay positive and upbeat. Plus, some internships have a fantastic deal of prestige. Introduce yourself and explain why youre writing. Resumes are important, they can help you receive an interview, but few individuals coming out of architecture school could possibly get hired dependent on their zippy resume. The issue with writing your CV with doubts is that youre most likely to fail. Have a look at inspirational tips for writing content. For some states its the only requirement, although some require state particular tests, interviews or references. It could be beneficial to see architect resume samples to understand how to incorporate soft abilities, such as communication and presentation abilities. Examine the work description to make certain it aligns with your statement. Your abilities and experience as an architect needs to be highlighted in the goal statement, as well as your enthusiasm for the job. The Ultimate Architectural Resume Trick Resume length usually is based on the quantity of experience youve got. The very first line of your resume is the very first interaction youll have with the employer. Should you have some experience you would like listed here, please make sure there arent gaps in your dates. Professionally, our resumes are often the very first impression a possible employer gets of us.

Will 2017 Spur Your Employees to Seek New Opportunities

Will 2017 Spur Your Employees to Seek New Opportunities Were a couple of months into the new year, and many people have abandoned their resolutions already. However, theres one resolution that might stick and its one that employers should pay attention to.According to a WorkSphere survey from Spherion Staffing, 62 percent of American workers are planning to make changes in their professional lives. While some of these people are looking to change jobs or careers, others want to improve their performance, earn mora money, or start their own businesses.Although the new year is a common benchmark Americans use to hit refresh, 62 percent of those who have a resolution for 2017 to find a new job or career have considered doing so for more than a year, according to our survey, says Sandy Mazur, teilen president for Spherion Staffing. This year, the top three factors that have workers considering a career change include higher pay (56 percent), a desire to try something new (45 percent), and better work/life balance (44 percent).Perhaps unsurprisingly, given their reputation for job hopping, millennials are experiencing professional wanderlust at a rate of two-to-one.Millennials are most motivated to take on a new professional endeavor in the New Year in fact, 22 percent plan to find a new job in 2017, compared with 11 percent of overall workers who plan to do the same, Mazur says. Nearly three-quarters of millennials who plan to start a new job or career in 2017 cite a salary increase as their primary influence.While employers should certainly keep an eye out for talented employees who show signs of jumping ship soon, the good news is that they dont need to worry about mass employee restlessness. According to Mazur, 72 percent of workers who do not plan to find a new job or career in 2017 attribute their decision to being satisfied with their current work arrangement.Politics Raise New ConcernsIn the 2016 election, theRepublican Part y gained not only the White House, but also majorities in both houses of Congress. This means the economic climate of the U.S. is likely to change dramatically from the standards of the past eight years. Employees are not unfazed by this 20 percent of WorkSphere respondents said the election impacted their professional plans for 2017.For many Americans, a top concern any time a new president is elected is the economy and how potentially changing policies will influence business operations, Mazur says.A third of the workers surveyed said they were more worried about the economy and its impact on their careers than they were this time last year.This sentiment may be attributable to workers outlook on the incoming presidents economic platform, or it may be a byproduct of the general uncertainty that typically comes with any major change in government, Mazur says. As a result, some workers who may be interested in changing jobs or careers could potentially wait and see what happens in W ashington before making any serious moves.Despite the uncertainties surround the current political situation, many workers remain optimistic about the future of the workplace. Spherion found that 60 percent of workers feel their jobs will still be relevant in five years. Another 22 percent of workers said they were interested in pursuing a second job or starting a side business, which Mazur says is a sign of confidence for the future.Scratching the New Year ItchTo get in front of employees who may do something drastic as they try to scratch their new year itch, executives need to be prepared to meet the demands of their workforces.Making more money (28 percent), taking more vacation time (19 percent), and improved work/life balance (19 percent) are among the top career-related resolutions for 2017, so employers may consider reevaluating their most valuable employees compensation structures, tweaking vacation policies or modifying the culture around taking vacation, and offering more flexible schedules to help employees achieve more balance in their work and personal lives, Mazur says.When asked about their overall resolutions, workers indicated that exercising more (55 percent), eating healthier (54 percent), and traveling more (34 percent) were alsotop priorities for 2017.These are areas employers might consider folding into the workplace, Mazur says. Employers should consider offering options that meet these goals, such as a wellness program or sabbatical programs that allow extended time off for travel.There are many ways to engage employees to improve retention, and every business must find out what its workforce wants. Whatever a company decides, the sure bet is that doing nothing will empower workers to chase those new year dreams possibly to your organizations detriment.