Strategies for Career Success

Pathways Career Success Strategies

Strategies for Career Success - Mid-July 2008

in this issue

Blogging: A Career Management Tool
7 Ways to Have a Productive Day
Workshop
Quote

Joan Runnheim Olson is the expert and visionary behind Strategies for Career Success, a no-cost bi-weekly e-newsletter for professionals, managers, and executives. Each issue delivers simple strategies you can use right away to create the career of your dreams. Go to http://www.pathwayscareer.com to learn more.

Editor's Note

Welcome to the Mid-July issue of Strategies for Career Success. This issue includes an article on using blogging as a tool to help manage your career. Also, if you're struggling to be more productive, read our article on that very topic.

While it may not seem like it, summer is a good time to conduct a job search. Many job seekers slow down their search in the summer, thinking it isn't a good time with so many folks taking vacation. If you're in the market for a new job, take advantage of this mindset, and ramp up your search. You're likely to find less competition!

There's still time to sign up for "Women & Leadership: What it Takes to Lead & Succeed being held on July 22. Read below for more information.

Enjoy!

Joan Runnheim Olson

Certified Career & Leadership Coach

Blogging: A Career Management Tool

by Joan Runnheim Olson

Blogs aren’t just for entrepreneurs anymore. Blogging can be an important career management tool. Writing a blog allows you to showcase your knowledge in a specific area, demonstrate your writing skills, and gain virtual visibility. You can become known as an expert and garner notice by recruiters and others in charge of hiring talent. So, how do you get started?

Getting Started

It's easy to get started- and free. Below are a couple of sites that can help you get your blog launched:

www.blogspot.com
www.typepad.com

So, what do you talk about?

Blogging Tips

Keep up-to-date on what's going on in your field so you can share this information with potential readers. Have you read a good, relevant book recently? Consider writing a critique for your blog. It’s okay to include a little personal information in your blog such as your interests, as long as they’re not controversial.

Some companies encourage, or at least allow, their key staff to publish a blog for the company website. If your company doesn’t have or isn't interested in a company-sponsored blog, consider starting your own to showcase your expertise. Just be sure to leave any references to your company out of it.

Remember in today's competitive market, the rules have changed. Managing your career isn't just showing up for work everyday.

7 Ways to Have a Productive Day

The following article contains tips that can help whether you're in a job search, you're employed, or you're a business owner.

Why is it in life that when something is working, you stop doing it?

Jack has a well-established electronics business which he started 10 years ago. Over this time the business has grown and he now has a team of 7 people.

When Jack initially contacted me, he was at a point he felt like walking away from his business. He was working in the business at least 10 hours a day and it was consuming his life. There was no time left for him to do anything else (or so he thought).

After clarifying what Jack really wanted to achieve both in the business and personally, the first task I had him undertake was to fill in the special time sheets I have devised. He did this for 2 weeks.

We discovered that Jack was wasting at least two hours each day because of his lack of planning. He'd arrive at his office and whatever happened, happened.

It took some time but eventually Jack got into the habit of writing his 'to do' list at the end of each day in his diary, and used Friday afternoons to plan for the week ahead. And guess what? He achieved much more than he'd ever done before.

It's such a simple thing to do, yet how often do you stop doing the basics on a daily basis and then find your business and your life spiraling out of control?

Here's seven ways to have a productive day:

1. Write your 'to do' list at the end of each day.
2. Say 'no' to unscheduled interruptions.
3. If you get distracted easily, focus on one task for 10 minutes.
4. Keep your office free of clutter.
5. Constantly ask yourself 'is this the best use of my time?'
6. Do the worst thing first.
7. Schedule appointment times in your diary to get things done.

The Final Word

Action these tips consistently and you'll be amazed how much more you'll achieve each and every day.

Just do it!

Author's Bio

Lorraine Pirihi is Australia's No. 1 Productivity Coach. She's a dynamic, motivational and powerful presenter, an author and leading business coach. Lorraine specialises in helping small business owners and entrepreneurs have more time, make more money and have a life! For more information on how to increase your productivity and your profits in your small business, subscribe to Lorraine's widely read ezine ‘The Organised Times’. Go to: www.office-organiser.com.au
© Copyright 2008 The Office Organiser

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Workshop for Women Leaders

Women & Leadership: What it Takes to Lead & Succeed

The statistics are staggering! Women make up about 50% of the nation’s workforce, yet only 2% are CEO’s. What unique obstacles do women face, both getting into and being successful in a leadership role? Uncover what those challenges are and learn how to overcome them. Discover what qualities are needed to succeed as a leader in today’s marketplace. And finally, get started designing an action plan to put you on the path to leadership success!

Tuesday, July 22, 2008 - 5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

Century College, White Bear Lake, MN

Cost $39

To register: Call 800-228-1978.

Quote

"A leader is a dealer in hope."

- Napoleon Bonaparte

Contact Us

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To contact us:
Joan Runnheim Olson

Pathways Career Success Strategies

joan@pathwayscareer.com

Hudson, WI 54016

(715) 808-0344

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