Half A Key

A friend of mine was sharing his story with me about when he lived in New York and fell on tough times. He recalled the time when he had failed to pay his rent and came home one day to find a big white piece of paper stuck to his door with the words, “Eviction Notice.” If that were not bad enough, he tried his key and it would not go into the lock. He explained that in New York when you are evicted the landlord breaks off half a key into the lock.

Wow! Half a key. What an insult, a slap in the face. What a feeling of hopelessness. I can almost see the shiny piece of key in the lock. I neglected to ask him if he tried to break off half of his key and fit it into the lock.

Have you ever felt the sting of half a key in your life? Maybe you lost your job and your passwords no longer work. Maybe you are in financial hard times and you go to charge groceries and the card is declined. Yes, you may have known it was coming, but when it finally happens to you, fear and feelings of failure set in. Don’t despair! You may not know it, but you hold the keys to unlocking new opportunities, even in a down economy. Your skills and experience can be used to enhance the lives of others.

Good news! There was more to my friend’s story. He responded by using the circumstance to move his life forward. He got off drugs, went to college, married his sweetheart and found a new path and purpose through his faith in God and his savior Jesus Christ. He found that Half a Key can be the key to unlock new opportunities.

Down and Out vs Up and In

There is a lot of talk about joblessness these days, but I don’t know if people who have had a job consistently over the past few years can really appreciate what those who do not have a job are going through.  For many job seekers each day is filled with the dread of sending out resumes and cover letters.

Some job seekers have been looking for months and some for years.  After so much time spent searching with no tangible results, fear, anxiety and hopelessness fills all the empty spaces in their hearts and minds.

The other day I met a friend of mine who has been out of work for over two years now.  My heart broke as I heard her recount the submission of all the countless resumes and the failed interviews. Her face was so downcast. I could see the pain in her face.  She's a detailed person with great communication skills.  Unfortunately, after all of the time off she forgot that she has so much to contribute to an organization.

Seth on the other hand, is an energetic and intelligent man who was able to overcome the age barrier and the employment gap to secure a new job after 2 years of being out of work.  So it is possible to find a job, but Seth would tell you, the key is focus and a positive attitude.

Over the next few weeks I want to share some words of encouragement for all of you who are still looking for work.  I know it is difficult, but I want to encourage you to not give up and lose hope.

Feel free to post a comment or a question regarding your job search and I will do my best to help.

Hello Seems To Be The Hardest Word

Saying hello is to acknowledge the existence of another.

It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon so I decided to go for a bike ride. We have a great trail that runs for approximately 50 miles along tree-lined paths called the Iron Horse Trail. No, I didn’t ride 50 miles, only about 20 miles round trip, but it was still a good ride. As I was riding along, I don’t know why, but I got the bright idea that I would say hello to everyone I met on the trail. I thought this would be an easy thing to do. However, as I rode, I quickly found myself being a little uneasy, especially with the various responses.

Some people kept their heads down. Some acted like they didn't hear me. In some cases the reason they didn’t hear me was because they were listening to music on their IPod, (at least that is what I would like to think.) Some looked at me like I was strange. Some said hello under their breath, with nary a smile. I think some were taken by surprise that someone would even say hello. All in all the majority of the responses were positive.

The best part of the ride was when there was a group of riders approaching. Before they got to me I said out loud, “Hello everyone.” They all said in unison "Hello!" with big smiles on their faces.

My take-away from the experience is that I am not responsible for how people respond; it is my job to be kind and courteous. Whether on a trail, in a grocery line or in a café, we all have a responsibility to be kind.

You may never know the impact a simple hello may have on someone. Try it, you will like it!

I Can't Stop The Rain

“Sunshine is delicious, rain is refreshing, wind braces us up, snow is exhilarating; there is really no such thing as bad weather, only different kinds of good weather.”  ~John Ruskin

It’s cold, then rainy, then windy, and then it’s hot!  Have you found yourself complaining about the weather?  I will admit that I do.  I love the sun, I am a solar person.  When it’s raining, I can feel my internal battery draining.  I then start to complain and ask, “When is the rain going to stop?”

Recently, parts of the country have experienced extremely heavy rainfall, which resulted in record level flooding.  Lives, homes and personal property were lost.  As I saw images on the news of the total devastation of whole communities, I started to reflect, and felt bad about my complaining. 

I committed to stop my whining and embrace each and every day for the opportunity it presents. To feel the cold, the rain, the wind and the heat on my skin is a blessing.

It is about experiencing life! 

You may be experiencing rain or heat in your life.  The heat of a poor economy or the rain of a myriad of personal problems.  Hold on, take a deep breath and let go of the things you cannot control and place your faith in God, the One who is able to get you through whatever you are going through.

THIS TOO SHALL PASS!

Worried about losing your home or your car?  Are you in jeopardy of losing your job?  Is the economy running you through the proverbial ringer?   If you’ve lost your job, do you feel like you will never get another one?  Has the loss of your job affected your marriage and relationships?

The economy is down and then we hear that things are turning around, but for many of us, we do not see it.  Fuel and food prices are still high!  We want to buy nourishing food, but all we can afford is the cheaper cuts of meat and canned vegetables.  Life for many of us is a struggle.  I hear so many people talk about how hopeless they feel.

It is incredible to me how much time and energy we spend fretting and worrying about things we cannot control.  The result is sleeplessness, anxiety, and overwhelming fear.

I know you don’t believe it now, but THIS TOO SHALL PASS!  It will not always be this way.  Many of the people who went through the Great Depression and the Great Recession of the early 70’s also experienced tremendous financial loss.  But, you know what?  It Passed!

The key to making it through these tough and trying times is staying focused on the fact that things will get better.   Armed with a positive attitude and laser- like focus on uncovering new opportunities, you can make it through this dark tunnel.  There is a light at the end.

Until then, take time to enjoy the simple things in life, like a cup of your favorite beverage, a book, or visiting family and friends.   I know this may sound overly simplified, but there are so many of us who, because of circumstances, forget to take the time to remember . . . THIS TOO SHALL PASS!

Sweet Delights

While walking through our neighborhood mall, I went into a candy store that sells current and nostalgic candy bars like Big Hunk, Bit-O-Honey, Sugar Daddy and Clark Bar. It brought back such great memories of my childhood.

Remember “penny” candy? It actually cost a penny. Now it’s like nickel candy. While walking down the aisles I was transported back to our neighborhood store. I could not believe that some of the candy I grew up eating was still being sold. It brought me so much Almond Joy to see all the candy, I began to Snicker(s). One of my favorite candies is the Chick-O-Stick. Even as I write this post I feel so good! Isn’t amazing how little sweet delights and some good memories can make a not-so-good day better if only while you consume them?

That brings me to the point of my story. Every day I speak to individuals who are struggling with the issues of day-to-day life. They express to me how difficult it is to overcome failure, disappointment, and anxiety. As they attempt to deal with the issues they are facing, they feel overwhelmed and hopeless.

Now don’t get me wrong. I am not saying a candy bar will make all of your troubles go away, but focusing on the good things can help you overcome the doldrums that life can bring. As people, we tend to focus on the bad and ignore the good things in our lives. I recently shared with a group that it is easy to jump in the river of despair and hopelessness and let it overwhelm you. If that’s where you find yourself, let me throw you a lifeline of hope.

Whether it is enjoying a piece of your favorite candy (in moderation), or taking in the beauty of a flower or feeling the rain on your skin or enjoying the memory of your favorite vacation spot, think on the good things in life and recall great memories. I am not suggesting that you live in denial, but I want to encourage you to focus on the thing you do have control over, and that is how you respond to the challenging events in your life. Your attitude can play a tremendous role in your happiness and bringing happiness to others. When you focus on others outside yourself, you will be surprised that although your problems are still there, they are not as intense. Why? Because you are thinking about and serving others.

So, when you feel down why not enjoy one of your favorite sweet delights!

Looking for a Job is a Job

Have you ever uttered the following?

• There are so many people out there with more skills and experience than I have. 
• I hope to find a job soon, but I don’t know if it will happen.
• I have been out of work for so long that I do know if I will ever work again. 
• Maybe I should just give up!

Well let me share with you the story of an operations executive named Raymond.  Raymond has a degree in business administration and has held various positions in Fortune 500 companies during a very successful 25+ year career.  Now at 52 years old he found himself a victim of the numbers game and was laid off.

After all this time he now had to draft a resume and go out into an uncertain job market.  Currently, the unemployment rate sits around 9%, but many believe the effective unemployment rate is about 17% due to all of the job seekers who have given up on their search.  At no time in my life has the job market been so fierce, hundreds of resumes for every one position is the norm, so you better stand out if you want to be noticed.

Raymond, being the business person he is, thought about his job search and put his business acumen into play.  He thought about the position he wanted and the company he wanted to work for and then he went to work.

He developed a job search strategy which drove his search and he stuck to it.   The strategy involved setting goals for his search, establishing new business contacts and tapping into existing ones.  With his strategy firmly in place he went into execution mode.  During his search he ran into various setbacks and in many cases at the end of the day he was frustrated.  However, he realized that just like in business he would face challenges, but for every challenge he could come up with new methodologies for positioning himself for success.

During his search he found that age discrimination was alive and well.   He knew that if he was going to make his age less of an issue he had to brand himself in such a way that demonstrated his energy, passion and his contemporary spirit.   As part of his branding plan he started working off the 10 pounds he had picked up over the previous few years while attending so many business lunches.  Moreover, he started to focus on getting the rest he needed to look fresh and energetic.  He also updated his wardrobe and put a little color in his hair to diminish the grey.  

Raymond realized that just like marketing a product he had to market himself to a potential employer that has the pick of the liter, and he wanted to be the one who got picked.

The last thing Raymond focused on was his attitude.  He understood that you can have all of the experience and skills in the world, but if your attitude is poor no one will hire you.   Although Raymond was always pretty upbeat, he wanted to make sure that he conveyed an authentic positive attitude even when his search was not yielding the results he wanted.

Armed with all of the arrows he needed in his quiver, Raymond faced the job market with confidence and focus and within 18 months he landed his dream job with a solid company making more money than he had earned at his last job.   Yes, I said 18 months!   No one said it would be easy.  When asked about his journey, Raymond said, “Yes, it was tough and challenging, but I would not change a thing, because I learned so much about myself and who I am deep inside.”

If you are one of the many millions out of work and you are tempted to give up your search, please don’t.   Whether you are looking for an executive, administrative or hourly position, Raymond’s example may be just what you need to land your next position.

Through it all, take comfort in knowing that you are not the only one looking for work and if you remain focused on the outcome of landing your next opportunity, you will.  If you don’t ,you won’t.

There is a company out there needing what only you can offer.  Stay focused!  Stay positive!

Never Give Up and Never Give In

While watching an episode of Chopped, a cooking show in the Food Network, one of the contestants shared his story of overcoming three bouts of cancer.  Yes, three. That’s incredible!  What a testament of his strength and fortitude.  What’s more amazing is he recently found out that the cancer has once again found its way into the secret places of his body. 

With an indomitable spirit he confidently stated that he would not let the disease get the best of him, and he would beat it again.  He said a positive attitude got him through it before and it will again.  It was inspiring to hear this chef talk about his love for his family and his love for cooking.   He shared his secret on beating the disease, he said never give up and when life tries to knock you down, stay positive and adapt to whatever life throws at you.

I don’t know what you are facing in your life, maybe it’s cancer or some other hardship.  You may even feel like giving in and giving up.  I am here to encourage you to stand and fight!  Armed with a positive attitude you can overcome obstacles that you may never have thought possible. 

You may say “I can’t,” “It’s too hard,” and “The battle is too intense!”  I want to encourage you to stay strong and never give up and never give in. 

When life gets dark and you feel like giving up, focus on all of the things you have to be grateful for.  So many times we get stuck in the negative and all of the good stuff in our lives goes by the wayside. 

Live life to the fullest!

Enjoy the good that can be found in every day, the ocean, the smell of flowers, the companionship of a spouse or a friend.  

Challenges will come, life is not always fair, but you have what it takes to overcome them all.  Never give up and never give in!

Every day presents us with incredible opportunities to Live, Love and Laugh.  Don’t let one day go by without experiencing all of them.

The Incredible Mr. Williams

Many of you have probably heard by now the story about homeless man, Ted Williams, who has come to sudden fame because of his amazing and unexpected talent.  While standing at an intersection panhandling, he captivated motorists with his unique and classic resonant radio voice. As people stopped to give him cash, he treated them to the sound of a voice that made the words “Thank you” sing.  Most were pleasantly taken aback by his incredible voice.  How could that voice come out of a man who looked so disheveled and unkempt?

When interviewed, Mr. Williams related his story of how he had lost everything—home, family, radio career to years of drug and alcohol abuse, not to mention various scrapes with the law over crimes committed to support his drug habit.  He marveled that through all that, his voice had not suffered from the ravages of his addiction.  He said it was God who had spared his voice in spite of the acid he poured down his throat and that getting a second chance was a dream and a prayer. 

Why am I writing about this man?  Because his life can serve as an example of how life can change on a dime for someone who stays positive and uses the gifts that they have been blessed with. 

Have you suffered the loss of your job, home or family as a result of choices you have made?  If the answer is yes, take heart as your story is not finished.  You too have a gift to offer the world?  Can you sing, lead, coach, serve, love, or speak in a way that will inspire?  Then get up and move.  Don’t let circumstances stand in the way of you making a positive impact in the lives of others.  If your misfortune has you feeling down, I dare you to get up and be the person you were designed to be! 

America is the land of second chances and we love to root for the underdog.  Let’s pray that he stays on the right track and when his life is over he can be celebrated and remembered as The Incredible Mr. Williams.