You can’t fear commitment in your goals
One of the workshops I deliver is called “Careers Don’t Happen By Accident.” The session walks participants through the process of identifying likes and abilities in preparation of identifying career or lifetime goals. We conclude with building action plans on how to achieve the ability/skill needed accomplish those goals. I share my career path and the decisions I’ve made to help participants in setting up those action plans.
An interesting thing happens in many of these sessions; people worry about making the wrong decisions. I see the same thing in college students who are seeking a job. The hesitation sounds like this: “I’d really like a job doing structural analysis, but I’m flexible. I can do other types of engineering work. I just don’t want to be tied down to one thing forever.” All this is normal and part of being human, the problem begins when you fail to commit to any plan.
Some act like they are signing their name in blood when setting goals. They fear that once you set a target that it can’t change or that maybe they will change and they’ll want something different. I’ve been in this situation many times. I can assure you that it hurts yourself more by not making a commitment to a goal, rather than changing your mind in pursuit of it. Even if you never change your mind and just fall short of the goal, you’ll still learn so much through the endeavor.
When you choose to not commit you miss opportunities. You make decisions that are independent of each other and find yourself walking in a circle. This also results in losing trust of those around you. They begin to see you as an unpredictable person and they may not offer you opportunities, projects, or job offers since they don’t know where you are going. The other downside is that when we are stagnant we tend to get caught in a rut or hole. I’ve been there it’s not easy to get out and your performance suffers.
If you want make commitments to a goal, but still find yourself fearful, here are a couple of suggestions I’ve seen work with others. First, start with small goals you feel you can accomplish. Identify what would be a stretch for that same goal. You end up with is a range that defines success. Be sure when creating a goal you identify your motivation for each. Think about what the goal will feel like, the rewards or satisfaction. This will help give you inspiration if you have to put in extra work in achieving them.
Next, make sure you surround yourself with the right people. Those people should have similar aspirations as you and be prepared to hold you accountable. I find this key with financial and fitness goals, but it applies to them all. If you have a goal to save up money and you find yourself eating out all the time, then you’re not lining yourself up right. For each of my goals I try to align at least one sponsor or mentor. I’m not saying drop your friends, but you lose a lot of momentum when you are constantly fighting to survive friends bringing you in a different direction. Remember not everyone has to align with all your goals. Sometimes just sharing your goals with friends or co-workers could change the impact they have on you.
Finally, revaluate your goal as time goes along and see if it feels right. Your gut feeling is right 9 out of 10 times, learn to trust it. Also, pulse your goals against the environment around you. People, companies and markets all change. As things change or if things don’t feel right, just do small adjustments to the course you’re taking. Be creative in carving your own road. Don't fall victim to the ready, aim, aim syndrome.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Do you know how to make lemonade?
Making the best out of bad situations
Last weekend I traveled to Alabama to deliver two workshops. On Sunday, my flight to Dallas was delayed causing me to miss my connection to LA. The only flight after was completely full and I faced the situation of getting stuck in Dallas for the night. This would not have been good for a variety of reasons. I happen to post my concern on facebook and a friend replied commenting what happened to her in a similar situation. I acted prompted, calling the airlines, getting placed on standby for a flight into an alternate airport, and made a car reservation so that I would have a way to get home. I got home 30 minutes later than anticipated, but I better than not getting home at all.
Back in 2002, my family was in shock after learning the guy who killed my father in a hit-and-run accident could only spend a maximum of two years in jail under the current NY State law. My brother Chris led a movement that resulted in the law being changed to a minimum of seven years. Even though the law would not be retroactive to our situation, future families could feel better justice if faced with similar situations.
These two situations are quite different in terms of lasting affect, but both were real crappy and neither was expected. I could still be bitter about either, but I’m not. A few weeks back someone said my experiences sometimes relied on pure luck. Even though I attest that luck plays a factor in some situations, how I chose to deal with them is not luck. It’s not easy each time, but I look for the silver lining on the cloud. My perspective is why should I take the path of misery? I figure enough people are unhappy and too many are already complaining. I realize I cannot change the world, but I do have an immediate effect on those around me.
We are here at a difficult time in our nation’s history. We’ve got a new president who is making decisions with which some may not agree. We’ve got an economy that has us feeling no difference between watching our bank accounts and riding a roller coaster. Certain things are within our control and those are things are the ones we need to focus on making better. My friend Ray always reminds me “if you’re not part of the solution, then you are part of the problem.” Do you agree? Do you make lemonade or do you complain when forced to deal with lemons?
Last weekend I traveled to Alabama to deliver two workshops. On Sunday, my flight to Dallas was delayed causing me to miss my connection to LA. The only flight after was completely full and I faced the situation of getting stuck in Dallas for the night. This would not have been good for a variety of reasons. I happen to post my concern on facebook and a friend replied commenting what happened to her in a similar situation. I acted prompted, calling the airlines, getting placed on standby for a flight into an alternate airport, and made a car reservation so that I would have a way to get home. I got home 30 minutes later than anticipated, but I better than not getting home at all.
Back in 2002, my family was in shock after learning the guy who killed my father in a hit-and-run accident could only spend a maximum of two years in jail under the current NY State law. My brother Chris led a movement that resulted in the law being changed to a minimum of seven years. Even though the law would not be retroactive to our situation, future families could feel better justice if faced with similar situations.
These two situations are quite different in terms of lasting affect, but both were real crappy and neither was expected. I could still be bitter about either, but I’m not. A few weeks back someone said my experiences sometimes relied on pure luck. Even though I attest that luck plays a factor in some situations, how I chose to deal with them is not luck. It’s not easy each time, but I look for the silver lining on the cloud. My perspective is why should I take the path of misery? I figure enough people are unhappy and too many are already complaining. I realize I cannot change the world, but I do have an immediate effect on those around me.
We are here at a difficult time in our nation’s history. We’ve got a new president who is making decisions with which some may not agree. We’ve got an economy that has us feeling no difference between watching our bank accounts and riding a roller coaster. Certain things are within our control and those are things are the ones we need to focus on making better. My friend Ray always reminds me “if you’re not part of the solution, then you are part of the problem.” Do you agree? Do you make lemonade or do you complain when forced to deal with lemons?
Monday, May 11, 2009
Reality Bites
Trying to leave a bum job when the market is tanking
I’ve read a few articles lately that talk about how companies are seeing an increase in the retention of employees because of the current job market since there is less available. I’ve worked with many on their career plans and want to stall because they cannot easily get the opportunity they sought. The key is you cannot let the job market stall your progress toward your career plan (even with it this bad). Here are three ways to better position yourself during a downturn in the job market.
Sometimes we get too focused on the title we have in a position. If you cannot get the new job in a full time role seek out a short term assignment or a special project. Regardless of the job I’ve held (and I’ve had many) there always seems to be some extra work that nobody in the group is willing to tackle. It’s not always pretty, but there is a lot to be gained from stepping up and helping the team with a needed task beyond your work scope. If you want something beyond your work group, consider asking your manager about a short term assignment. All the layoffs have created situations where fewer people are doing the same amount of work. Both of these will allow you to gain experience and exposure at time when others may be sitting idle in their current roles.
Ideally we get paid for the work we do, but as I stress in each of my workshops on career planning, the best opportunities come with volunteer work. These can be internal or external to the company. Even during the current job climate I still see plenty of opportunities for which one can volunteer. Often these types of position offer immediate responsibilities. You can gain leadership experience, financial planning or even engineering experience. I urge others that 80% of our development needs to applied. I gained most of my early leadership experience in roles such as student body vice president, leading the expansion of Boeing’s new hire group (Reach) or by creating my own adventure group (Papy’s Adventures). One year my manager increased my performance rating strictly due to my volunteer work within the company.
If you feel like the suggestions thus far is distracting you from what it is you desire, you’re missing a key concept. The benefit of all these opportunities is what you gain in transferable skills. When I interviewed for my first internal transfer within Boeing I was asked for examples of times when I was a team player and I spoke about being a Resident Advisor, an example not even within Engineering. You need to spend time thinking creatively on how what you’re doing now relates to the job you hope to have. My favorite transferable skill was my role as company representative during the summer games (a competition between LA aerospace companies) as experience for coordinating large scale events with many people and complex schedules. The experienced helped me in getting a job as a college recruiter after three years in operations.
Regardless of the current environment there is an opportunity. Some may require you to be more creative. The question you have to answer is how bad do you want to get the next job? It’s not always a matter of being qualified; sometimes it comes down to being the best candidate.
I’ve read a few articles lately that talk about how companies are seeing an increase in the retention of employees because of the current job market since there is less available. I’ve worked with many on their career plans and want to stall because they cannot easily get the opportunity they sought. The key is you cannot let the job market stall your progress toward your career plan (even with it this bad). Here are three ways to better position yourself during a downturn in the job market.
Sometimes we get too focused on the title we have in a position. If you cannot get the new job in a full time role seek out a short term assignment or a special project. Regardless of the job I’ve held (and I’ve had many) there always seems to be some extra work that nobody in the group is willing to tackle. It’s not always pretty, but there is a lot to be gained from stepping up and helping the team with a needed task beyond your work scope. If you want something beyond your work group, consider asking your manager about a short term assignment. All the layoffs have created situations where fewer people are doing the same amount of work. Both of these will allow you to gain experience and exposure at time when others may be sitting idle in their current roles.
Ideally we get paid for the work we do, but as I stress in each of my workshops on career planning, the best opportunities come with volunteer work. These can be internal or external to the company. Even during the current job climate I still see plenty of opportunities for which one can volunteer. Often these types of position offer immediate responsibilities. You can gain leadership experience, financial planning or even engineering experience. I urge others that 80% of our development needs to applied. I gained most of my early leadership experience in roles such as student body vice president, leading the expansion of Boeing’s new hire group (Reach) or by creating my own adventure group (Papy’s Adventures). One year my manager increased my performance rating strictly due to my volunteer work within the company.
If you feel like the suggestions thus far is distracting you from what it is you desire, you’re missing a key concept. The benefit of all these opportunities is what you gain in transferable skills. When I interviewed for my first internal transfer within Boeing I was asked for examples of times when I was a team player and I spoke about being a Resident Advisor, an example not even within Engineering. You need to spend time thinking creatively on how what you’re doing now relates to the job you hope to have. My favorite transferable skill was my role as company representative during the summer games (a competition between LA aerospace companies) as experience for coordinating large scale events with many people and complex schedules. The experienced helped me in getting a job as a college recruiter after three years in operations.
Regardless of the current environment there is an opportunity. Some may require you to be more creative. The question you have to answer is how bad do you want to get the next job? It’s not always a matter of being qualified; sometimes it comes down to being the best candidate.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
The Company You Keep
This weekend, I did the last thing on my “Cali things to do list”: visit Catalina Island (30 miles off the LA coast). Instead of just taking the ferry boat, I joined 8 friends and sailed there. Took a little bit longer, but it was much more fun and relaxing. My friend, Ilya, is a captain and helped put the trip together for us. I strongly recommend checking out one of his future trips. During my eight plus years in LA I’ve been fortunate enough to go on many weekend trips; I think I can say without hesitation this was in the top 10.
The collection of people ranged from three long time friends, four who I met earlier this year and one who I had never met before. We had about an seven year spread with ages, had mainly engineers and we worked for four different companies. I was the last one who signed up and admitted to the group I only went because they were the ones on the trip. We had an assortment of activities, but for pretty much the entire trip the group stuck together. If you’ve ever been with a group over four people, you know it’s hard to please everyone.
I don’t mean to seem to sound surprised, but I think I forget sometimes how who I associate with greatly impacts the enjoyment of doing things. I’ve organized trips for years and typically bring a lot of random people together rather than planning a trip for just specific people. Sometimes the randomness brings in some “negative Nellie’s.” We had a few different personalities, but a fundamental agreement on what we found fun. That fundamental understand and nine great attitudes was all we needed.
We all know one bad apple can spoil the batch, but do we take time to surround ourselves with the right people? I know at work we are somewhat limited, but I think we have more control that we realize. I’m not talking about eliminating diversity in a group, but rather better aligning yourself to be happy. Do you do away or address the people with poor attitudes? Or do you tolerate them and sacrifice your happiness?
To Hans, Ilya, Joan, Laura, Matt, Natalia, Scott, and Trish thanks for a great weekend.
The collection of people ranged from three long time friends, four who I met earlier this year and one who I had never met before. We had about an seven year spread with ages, had mainly engineers and we worked for four different companies. I was the last one who signed up and admitted to the group I only went because they were the ones on the trip. We had an assortment of activities, but for pretty much the entire trip the group stuck together. If you’ve ever been with a group over four people, you know it’s hard to please everyone.
I don’t mean to seem to sound surprised, but I think I forget sometimes how who I associate with greatly impacts the enjoyment of doing things. I’ve organized trips for years and typically bring a lot of random people together rather than planning a trip for just specific people. Sometimes the randomness brings in some “negative Nellie’s.” We had a few different personalities, but a fundamental agreement on what we found fun. That fundamental understand and nine great attitudes was all we needed.
We all know one bad apple can spoil the batch, but do we take time to surround ourselves with the right people? I know at work we are somewhat limited, but I think we have more control that we realize. I’m not talking about eliminating diversity in a group, but rather better aligning yourself to be happy. Do you do away or address the people with poor attitudes? Or do you tolerate them and sacrifice your happiness?
To Hans, Ilya, Joan, Laura, Matt, Natalia, Scott, and Trish thanks for a great weekend.
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