7 Tips for Overcoming Procrastination

I know how busy you must be so I’ll get right to the point. Here are 7 simple and practical tips to help you overcome procrastination:

1.Realize that people procrastinate for all sorts of reasons… so dig deeper and try to understand the real reasons why you are procrastinating and that will help you find the right strategies to overcome it.

2.Do your best to get started. The simple act of getting started with a small piece of your big project is often enough to break the inertia. It doesn’t matter what you do, pick something and get started.

3.Pick a simple, easy task to get started. Just answer this question: “What’s the easiest way for me to get started with this project?” … Then DO it.

4.A great way to help you get started is to make a commitment to spend just 30, 20 or even 15 minutes working on your project, then you can stop and take a break without any guilt. You’ll often decide to keep on working and let your momentum carry you through.

5.To make this even more powerful, schedule your 30, 20 or 15 minute block right into your calendar and use it as an ‘implementation intention’ to take action

6.In a recent study, researchers found that simply using ‘implementation intentions’ (like scheduling a time block in your calendar) makes it much more likely that you WILL take action, so just do it!

7.Examine the way you think about and talk about your projects and tasks. We often make a task or project seem far worse than it actually is, which can encourage procrastination

If you want more resources to help you overcome procrastination, check out the LaserFOCUS Success System Larry D. is talking about. For more information send an email to: mrdynamicspeaker@gmail.com

Have your best day ever and remember, “It All Starts With You!”

P.S. Is PROCRASTINATION Costing You a Bundle? Do You Struggle to Complete Major Projects, Challenging Goals, or Difficult Tasks? Are You Stopping Before You Ever Start? Now There is a Simple, Quick and Easy Way To Get a Handle On Procrastination Once and For All!

For a free report with all the details send an email with Breakthrough in the Subject window, do it now, you’ll be glad you did!

Best Wishes,
Mr. DYNAMIC Himself
Larry D.
Business: 708.261.3589





Host of: Revealing Secrets Radio Show. Creator of Do t Now Coaching and Self-Improvement Expert for Self Employed Professionals
Attract More Clients, Work a Lot Less and Make More Money..

Connect with Larry D.
www.larrydpatton.net
www.blogtalkradio.com/revealing-secrets-
www.facebook.com/larrydpatton
www.linkedin.com/in/larrydpatton
www.twitter.com/larrydpatton

The Importance of Personal Values

Values are the key to success. Values help you get motivated.



Values help you get and stay motivated. Values relate to our purpose in life and are used as guiding principles, rules if you will, to make your life easier. What is important to you? What is important about your business? Do your personal and business values align?

Values provide you with a strong foundation; a method for living your life to it’s fullest. Values will also help you in finding your purpose in life. From the list of values provided, choose your top values and live by them. If you already have values that you use, confirm that these values are in alignment with your business goals, and mission and vision statements.If your business values and personal values are in alignment, great. If they are not, you will be dissatisfied, unhappy, and you will definitely not generate the results you want. Difficult to be a bank robber and think you can save the world. No alignment there.

Values help you gain real clarity about what you stand for.

1. Choose ten words from the following list that appeal to you.

2. Select the top four of these words and place one on each line as your Top Four values.

3. Choose to live by these Top Four values for at least the next thirty days.

4. At the end of thirty days, review these Top Four words to see if they still work for you. If not, substitute as needed.

You will not be graded; this is not a test. You are looking at what works for you, not someone else. If you want to change your values, do it.

Use Your Values Daily: How values can work for you.

Say you chose the word “generous” from the list of Values. It could mean that each and every day, you were helpful to others or shared more of who you are with others. With practice, being “generous” becomes a familiar aspect of who you are and you would start attracting other people who were “generous”. You would look for reasons to be “generous” and you would be “generous” to yourself”.

Choose 4 Values from this Sample List:

Accepting, inspire, accomplished, intelligent, kind, aware, knowledgeable, beautiful, leader, brave, loving, calm, motivated, compassionate, observant, organized, connected, original, cooperative, passionate, courageous, patient, creative, peaceful, decisive, perceptive, devoted, persistent, disciplined, playful, discriminating, prepared, receptive, energetic resilient, enthusiastic, respectful, excited, responsible, expert, risk-taker, satisfied, flexible, sensible, sensitive, fulfilled, spiritual, generous spontaneous, graceful, strong, grateful, happy, thoughtful, harmonious thorough, humorous, trusting, independent, willing, insightful, wise.

Reminder: First choose ten from the above list. Then, choose your Top Four Favorites. Use these Top Four values to live your life and your business by.

1. _________________

2. _________________

3. _________________

4. _________________

When you live by your four chosen values, your business and personal life will have more purpose, more focus and more possibilities. Now make it real.







Joanne Victoria, co-founder of Gemma & Bixley and a Professional Business Intuitive, has been a business practitioner for over 25 years as a Real Estate Broker/Owner, CFO of an investment company, CFO and Sales & Marketing Director of a home-building company and CEO of her former business, New Directions. Joanne provides insights into Big Picture outcomes for clients and offers action steps essential to make dreams come alive. Victoria guided numerous organizations from insecure financial circumstances to increased levels of success.

Joanne is the author of 5 books including: Vision With a Capital V- Create the Business of Your Dreams, Lighting Your Path-How To Create the Life You Want, How To Achieve Your Dream Business and Pushy For a Moment-Instant Solutions to Everyday Challenges. Joanne’s observations on what people can do to succeed have been reported in the San Francisco Chronicle, national Business Journals, Success Magazine, Entrepreneur Magazine, Marie Claire magazine and national television and radio programs. Joanne‘s ability to see the big picture allows her to leap over logic presented by circumstances and individuals. Joanne’s philosophy cultivates methods for identifying commanding life choices, then trusting those choices to promote growth.

Main Library - Programs - Charlotte

****These classes are available at no charge****


Introduction to the Internet


Event Type: Computer Skills/Technology
Age Group(s): Adults
Date: 9/21/2011
Start Time: 2:00 PM
End Time: 4:00 PM
Description: Learn about the Internet and the World Wide Web. Class will cover web browsers, what you can do on the internet, Internet searching and search engines. Email will not be covered. Participants should be familiar with using a mouse.

Library: Main Library
Location: JHC- Computer Lab A
Other Information:Registration Required.
Contact: Job Help Center Staff
Contact Number: 704-416-0500
Presenter: Job Help Center Staff
Status: Openings (4)

www.cmlibrary.org/programs


One-on-One Computer Tutoring

Event Type: Computer Skills/Technology
Age Group(s): Adults
Date: 9/27/2011
Start Time: 12:00 PM
End Time: 3:00 PM
Description: Need more attention than you can get in a class? The Job Help Center will have volunteers on hand to assist job seekers with resume writing, setting up an email account, applying for jobs online, or improving their computer skills.
Library: Main Library
Location: JHC- Computer Lab A
Other Information:Sessions are first-come, first-saved. Call 704-416-0500 for more information.

Contact: Job Help Center Staff
Contact Number: 704-416-0500


Event Type: Computer Skills/Technology
Age Group(s): Adults
Date: 10/25/2011
Start Time: 12:00 PM
End Time: 3:00 PM
Description: Need more attention than you can get in a class? The Job Help Center will have volunteers on hand to assist job seekers with resume writing, setting up an email account, applying for jobs online, or improving their computer skills.
Library: Main Library
Location: JHC- Computer Lab A
Other Information:Sessions are first-come, first-saved. Call 704-416-0500 for more information.

Contact: Job Help Center Staff
Contact Number: 704-416-0500


Event Type: Computer Skills/Technology
Age Group(s): Adults
Date: 11/8/2011
Start Time: 12:00 PM
End Time: 3:00 PM
Description: Need more attention than you can get in a class? The Job Help Center will have volunteers on hand to assist job seekers with resume writing, setting up an email account, applying for jobs online, or improving their computer skills.
Library: Main Library
Location: JHC- Computer Lab A
Other Information:Sessions are first-come, first-saved. Call 704-416-0500 for more information.

Contact: Job Help Center Staff
Contact Number: 704-416-0500




Master the Behavioral Interviewing Method Event Type: Jobs/Careers
Age Group(s): Adults
Date: 9/20/2011
Start Time: 1:30 PM
End Time: 2:30 PM
Description: Behavioral interviewing asserts that the most accurate predictor of future performance is past performance in a similar situation. Library HR specialist, Julia Lanham, will teach you how to present yourself in the best light.
Library: Main Library
Location: JHC-Learning Studio A
Contact: Job Help Center Staff
Contact Number: 704-416-0500
Presenter: Julia Lanham, Library Human Resources Professional


Practice Interviewing
Event Type: Jobs/Careers
Age Group(s): Adults
Date: 10/13/2011
Start Time: 12:30 PM
End Time: 1:30 PM
Description: Join us for a 30-minute, one-on-one mock interview session with a human resources professional. You’ll be asked some of the most common interview questions, then get constructive feedback and tips on how to improve.
Library: Main Library
Location: Job Help Center
Other Information:Registration is required. Sign up online or call 704-416-0500 to sign up. Please bring a printed copy of your resume.
Contact: Job Help Center Staff
Contact Number: 704-416-0500
Presenter: Grace Mar Services Inc.
Status: Openings (6)


******Please Note*******
Attendee MUST give 24 hour cancellation notice to allow others on the waiting list to attend. *************************


How to Decide if a Career Change is Right for You Event Type: Jobs/Careers
Age Group(s): Adults
Date: 11/3/2011
Start Time: 4:00 PM
End Time: 5:00 PM
Description: If you are considering a career change, you'll want to join us for this informative webinar. Topics include questions to consider if you are contemplating a career change and how to create and execute a successful career change plan.
Library: Main Library
Location: JHC Learning Studio Full
Other Information:Registration is not required; this is a drop-in event.
Contact: Job Help Center Staff
Contact Number: 704-416-0500
Presenter: Tutor.com Webinar

10 Ways to Find Meaning in Your Work





Do you have a meaningful job? Are you doing something you find fulfilling? Here are some practical ideas to help you find the meaning in your work life.



Many people have a difficult time finding meaning in their work. They bounce from one job to another in hopes of finding fulfillment but they forget that finding a great job is about figuring out who we are and what we love doing. Here are some practical ideas to help you find out what it means to you.

1.Get to know yourself first and understand what really interests and motivates you.

2.Don’t look on the outside for meaning, it’s inside you.

3.Meaning is the same as fulfillment and fulfillment is doing the things you were put on this earth to do.

4.You’ll find more meaning if you’re willing to look deep inside yourself and improve your thoughts and actions.

5.Don’t let other people tell you what work is meaningful, you decide.

6.Spend conscious and deliberate time doing things that speak to the deeper part of you. In other words, do the things you love each day and include them in your work life.

7.Listen to your heart. It will tell you if you are moving toward a meaningful career or not.

8.Meaning seldom comes from money.

9.Try not to fight against the stream, go with your natural talents.

10.Remember that living a meaningful work life may not be easy but it is deeply satisfying because you get to be yourself.

Think about these ideas the next time you are searching for meaning in your work. You’ll find that you already have many of the answers inside you if you’re willing to listen.

Take care,

Guy





Guy Farmer

I provide unconventional team building, effective communication, leadership and diversity training for enlightened leaders who value self-awareness and practicing positive behaviors

(Still) Waiting for Validation?

Recently, somebody said to me in a matter of fact tone, as if imparting a universal truth:

“Oprah said the other day that we all need validation.”

I asked “Who should validate you?”

“Well– he cleared his throat– I guess it’s me. I will validate myself.”



Really?) If we were able to validate ourselves we would not have to ask for validation from others (fans, friends, family, readers, etc).

“If so– I asked– will you validate yourself even when others do not validate you?”

“Well, I need others, I want to connect, I don’t want to be alone, I am not one of those people who want to do it alone.”

Validation implies acceptance and appreciation. Receiving validation, we know that we are needed, loved, appreciated. Receiving validation shows that others find us “Valid.”

Connection, support and feedback—yes, we all need them, we should cherish them as great gifts, and we should offer them generously. They are not the same as validation.

You just started a new business and it’s hard; you’re writing a new book and it’s confusing; you are building a new house and it’s expensive; you quit your job to travel the world and your friends think you’ve lost your mind; you are excited beyond words, and frightened beyond words. Will it work, will it not work? Will I lose money, time, or friends or family over this amazing new adventure? Am I right? Am I wrong?

You are well on your way with a new project — suddenly, you don’t know, anymore. Are you seeking inner or outer validation at this moment?

In each instance, you give yourself truly to the endeavor of creating a new experience, business, book or house– without knowing the final result. When you don’t receive approval or you feel you are not validated– will you go ahead anyway?

William W. Purkey’s words were quoted so many times that they became common place. Still, who truly lives their life accordingly?

“You’ve gotta dance like there’s nobody watching,
Love like you’ll never be hurt,
Sing like there’s nobody listening,
And live like it’s heaven on earth.”

Rejection (overt or implied) can be such a healthy mechanism. It can help you focus and clarify your thinking, it can increase your inner ardor and strengthen your resolve, it can show you the path not taken, it can show you that something is not working in a present incarnation spurring better efforts, and it can help you find a new product/service that otherwise you would have not considered.

Validation may come later when you are already successful (people will say, “I knew it all along, I knew that you would be successful”). Or not!

Either way, by the time you are done with your work, you would have validated yourself simply because you could NOT not follow your heart– so strong was the inner call. On the way, you will get plenty of feedback and support. Joseph Campbell, the great American mythologist, wrote “I feel that if one follows what I call one’s “bliss” — the thing that really gets you deep in your gut and that you feel is your life — doors will open up. They do! They have in my life and they have in many lives that I know of.”

Working with young entrepreneurs who are excited to play, and enjoying every minute of the game of discovery, I see less need for validation. It’s quite interesting to me since kids need a lot of guidance and encouragement while they are in the process of developing identity, particularly when we support them to become powerful leaders.

Kids are so involved in the game of starting a new project or a new venture, that the pleasure of doing and playing overrides the fear and the need for validation.

Could we all play the game of “this- is- so-important- to –ME- that- I- will- go- ahead and –do- it- even –if- no- one- validates- me?” It can be a new business, a new book, a new job, a new anything—anything that forces you to come out and play as if nobody is judging.

Can you validate yourself today?


Written by Ligia Buzan, Ph.D. -





I am a strategist who helps entrepreneurs of all ages to develop and build successful businesses! I also work with young adults and teens to guide them to best play the game of "I-am-a-detective-in-search-of money-making-opportunities!." I give young entrepreneurs tools to assess ideas and and start a new venture. If you know young people interested in learning business, life skills and starting a venture-- there is more information at www.kidzbusiness.com

Don’t Blow The Interview; Manager Pet Peeves

The other day a job seeker named Bill came to my workshop carrying a newspaper article from the Boston Herald titled: “Be prepared for [the] unexpected at [the] job interview.” I had two reactions as he handed me the cut-out article with certain sentences underlined with red ink. My first reaction was to say, “Wow, people still read newspapers?” My other reaction was to thank him for the article.

I was grateful for the article Bill brought me because much of what was written confirmed what I tell job seekers about the interview process. Not what questions to predict; not how to successfully structure their answer to a behavioral question; and not how to negotiate salary. The article talked about the simpler acts interviewees sometimes take for granted.

Two of the do’s some job seekers take for granted, according to this article, are maintaining eye contact and arriving on time. Weren’t we told many years ago that these faux pas are unforgivable? Reading that these interview mistakes still occur is almost incomprehensible. In the worst economy of our time, I can’t see any room for even these minor mishaps. Sweaty palms, a bit of hesitation, some “umms” here and there, are borderline acceptable.

So what goes wrong after job seekers zip off a great résumé and cover letter, pass the phone interview, and head for the all important face-to-face? Some of it can be attributed to nerves and downright fear, and some of it can be because the interviewee doesn’t have the common sense of a Labrador Receiver.

Marvin Walberg, the author of this article, writes that a survey was conducted by Accountemps to see what the kinds of silly mistakes are made at interviews. The mistakes go beyond not maintaining eye contact and being late; we’re talking about other more serious mistakes, definite interview killers.

Of more than a thousand hiring managers, six blunders stood out more than others. The percentages indicate which mistakes came to the managers’ mind first.

1. Little or no knowledge of the company: 38 percent
2. Unprepared to discuss skills and experience: 20 percent
3. Unprepared to discuss career plans, goals: 14 percent
4. Lack of eye contact: 10 percent
5. Late arrival: 9 percent
6. Limited enthusiasm: 9 percent

The first three failures point directly to unpreparedness. What more can job search professionals tell jobseekers? Prepare, prepare, prepare. It’s that simple. If you’re not prepared for the interview, your raw intelligence, good looks, and charm will probably not get land you the job.

Questions about the job: Expect questions regarding the company and the job. Interviewers want to know why you want to work for them, what you know about their plans and goals, what understanding you have of their products and services. And they also want you to sell their company to them.

Knowing the company’s competitors will be an added bonus. Going to the interview loaded with all this knowledge can solve the employers’ last most common mistake, failing to show enthusiasm.




Be able to discuss your skills and experience: “Know thyself” is such a well known cliché, but it’s true. You have to know what duties you’ve performed, how well you’ve performed them; and it all has to relate to the position you’re seeking. As we’ve read hundreds of times, quantified accomplishments sell.

People with good recall usually have no problems recounting their experience, so those whose memory isn’t that great need to study their résumé before going to the interview.

Know your goal plans: Where do you plan to be in five years? Who the hell knows? At least show your ambition by telling employers that you reach for the stars and won’t be a clock puncher—in at 9:00 out at 5:00 on the dot.

If you want to be an individual contributor and are tired of the management route, demonstrate your desire to accomplish great things in your new role. Let them know you want to help the company’s bottom line. This is providing the role doesn’t have management responsibilities in the future.

The last three, my friend, are simply common sense. If you avoid peoples’ eyes, are constantly late, and show no enthusiasm, it’s time to do an about face and change your ways. I’m glad some people still read the newspaper and are thoughtful enough to bring in the cut-outs.






Bob McIntosh is a career trainer at the Career Center of Lowell, where he leads more than 20 workshops on the career search. He is often the person jobseekers and staff go to for advice on the job search. Bob has gained a reputation as the LinkedIn expert in and around the career center. As well, he critiques resumes and conducts mock interviews. Bob’s greatest pleasure is helping people find rewarding careers in a competitive job market. These he considers to be his greatest accomplishments. Please visit his blog and connect with him on LinkedIn.

While You’re Getting Bitter I’m Getting Better




There’s a club out there I like to call the bitter club. It’s got a lot of members and is growing stronger every day. Their mission? To look around and see what everybody else has that they don’t have, blame everything else for their circumstances, and create a colossal list of excuses why their path to success is blocked by all those other pesky people taking all the opportunities.

In the bitter club we say things like this:

(Conversation in my head)

Look at miss thang over there, strutting her business like she owns the place. Thinks she’s so great because she gets all the good jobs. Thinks she looks so hot swinging her hips like that. She isn’t any better than me. In fact, I’m sure I’m better than her. I should be having those jobs. They belong to me. It’s just because she’s got the exposure – got ‘em right in her pocket. That’s the only reason she’s successful. I would be successful too if I sucked up to everyone the way she does. Good grief, this is high school all over again. I suck. I’m going to go eat chocolate and find someone else who will agree with me that she doesn’t deserve this.

The bitter club is a very popular club that anyone can join – as you long as you carry the bitterness flag. And it’s about the only club that actually thrives in a down economy. I know. I wasn’t just a member, I was their president. Until I realized that while extremely gratifying to have an entire network of people to wallow in my bitterness with, it wasn’t getting me anywhere. I was no closer to reaching my dream than I was before – in fact, I found myself further away. And at the end of the day I didn’t feel better about myself, I felt worse. So I made a decision to quit the bitter club, ditch the excuses, stop looking around, start looking ahead, and commence training.

I decided while everyone else was getting bitter, I would get better. And better. And better. I would create opportunities for myself or die trying. I would be the one in the dark gym after everybody has gone home, practicing my jump shots. I would work and sweat and push myself out of comfort zone – over and over and over. I would laugh in the face of rejection, and no matter how many times I was knocked down, I would get back up again, more determined than ever before. (Insert Rocky theme song here). And no matter how tempting it was to join the bitter club again, I wouldn’t do it. There is no place for me there.

And one day, miss thang, I’ll pass you. Though I have a feeling it won’t matter to me at all because I stopped watching you a long time ago. One day I just might become the featured topic of the bitterness club – who knows, maybe I already am. Doesn’t matter. I’m no longer a member. I just leave the club with one last message as I run past: This too could be you. You deserve it. You can have it. Do you want it bad enough? So what are you waiting for? Stop getting bitter and start getting better. And I’ll see you at the finish line!

Love,
One Of Your Favorite Wacky Dysfunctional Motivational Speakers
Kelly Swanson






Kelly Swanson

Kelly Swanson is an award-winning storyteller, comedian, motivational speaker, and author of "Who Hijacked My Fairy Tale? How to hang on to humor when life doesn't go the way you planned." She uses hilarious comedy and powerful stories to make people laugh, refuel their passion for who they are and what they do, show them how to see beyond their obstacles, and teach them how to stand up and stick out in life and in business.