I Want To Love My Job

A friend told his daughter that he hoped she would find a career where she was fully engaged and thrilled to be part of her industry.  He added that of all their friends, nobody loved their job as much as I did.  He told her to watch the passion I have for being a speaker and master of ceremonies, and how I want to impact those I encounter, and seek out a similar way to work when she grew up.

When I heard this I was a little embarrassed, as I was not sure the my career path is the best example of a road to happiness.  Along the way I made some bad choices and had a few bosses who were awful. I work many days and screamed out loud in my car as I commuted to the office.  I always worked hard, but too often I had my ladder against the wrong wall, or was in a situation where the money took president over my total satisfaction.

Seven years ago I began my career as a professional master of ceremonies and keynote speaker.  Working for myself has been both amazing and frustrating, but my friend is right about how much I enjoy what I do for a living.  I really love my job.

My business is still growing and I believe that I should be doing a lot of things more efficiently.  I am struggling to keep up the momentum that I have created, as competition is everywhere. Meeting planners, committees, and everyone in an association or company has an opinion about who is the right speaker and what is the appropriate topics for their events.  Too often speakers miss the mark, and thus everyone is suspect of who they hire and seek reasons to justify why or why not make a speaker selection.

But if this business was easy, there would be more people working as speakers, because it is truly and awesome way to make a living.  Last week I spoke to a group in the building and construction trade and the planner was such a nice person with a giving soul.  In our conversation after my speech she told me that when anyone she knows is having a tough time she gathers up her nieces and they bake cookies.  She tells the kids that the person getting the treats is in need of "extra love" in the cookies and makes sure her assistants knows the purpose of their baking.  The cookies are a nice gesture, but I was blown away by the message this sends to these young girls in her kitchen.  It is stories like this that reminds me of all the good in the world.

I am not sure everyone gets to encounter as many people as I do in such positive ways.  Those who plan events work hard and have a lot of stress, but in the end they are creating experiences for others, and most planners love their jobs and the meetings the curate.  Being with them, and adding to their attendees experience, means I am surrounded by good vibes.  In over seven years I only encountered one meeting organizer who had a dark soul.  She was like a robot.  We did not see the world the same way, and she did not like me at all.  That is a pretty good ratio: 300+ were wonderful and one was not.  I will take those odds all day long.  Most people I encounter are amazing.

For the past six months I have been writing a one-man-show that can be used in place of a keynote.  The message is about finding creativity and more satisfaction in career and life. It is a keynote in the fact that it is both content rich and motivational, but is presented in a way that will not be what audiences expect.  This "play" is a unique way to tell a story and share ideas for success with business and association convention audiences.

Most planners will never take the risk of putting a professional speaker on stage as an actor who is playing a role.  However, some will (I am already talking to a few adventurous meeting organizers who like the thought of an out of the box show).  When it all works together we will have more fun than anyone could imagine at a conference.  Imagination does not have to lay dormant in you work either.  I am living proof of this.  One does not have to leave a corporate job to work as a solopreneur to find this level of excitement and joy at work.  It is just about being open to the idea of loving your job.

The friend who told his daughter that he wants her to enjoy her career as much as I do is right.  I want that for my kids.  I want that for everyone.

Have A Great Day

thom singer

Plan For Success In 2011 - Goals, Dreams, New Contacts, More Victories

Sign Up NOW for "Re-Ignite Your Dream Machine".

Monday, November 1, 2010

Austin, Texas

5:30 PM - 7:00 PM (followed by a networking reception)

St Edward's University (Mabee Ballroom)

We all have dreams and goals for the future, but sometimes we get off track and caught in a rut.

Perhaps your dreams were stolen by negative relationships in your life or maybe by a tough year in your business.

You can turn around your life and your career by taking ownership of your dreams, goals, relationships and planning for victory. You can be successful in whatever it is that you want to do!

This seminar will inspire you to look toward achieving more for the rest of the year and into 2011. Come network with other professionals (someone in attendance might be the person you need to meet), get a free book, learn from exciting speakers, and most of all, come “Reignite Your Dream Machine”!

$10 in advance ($20 at door).

CLICK HERE to register NOW!!!

Have A Great Day.

thom singer

Make A Career Doing What You Love

There is a big difference between performing a job, and doing what you love. You feel the power in your heart when you are fully engaged in something that is a true passion. It is not work, but instead and extension of your soul.

And the people around you can tell the difference too!

Several years ago I discovered that I had a calling to be a professional speaker (and consultant / coach). Over time I had been asked to give presentations, be the MC for business events, and share ideas to help others.... but did not think that one could earn a living doing something that was so much fun.

I have spent more than a decade learning about the business of speaking and have the utmost love and respect for the industry (and for others who are dedicated to being a professional speaker and promoting the profession!)

This week I was the opening keynote speaker and the "Conference Networking Catalyst" for a major technology conference in Dallas. While the focus of the event was "Computer Networking", my message of "People Networking" was a key point echoed in the technology industry presentations. It matters regardless of your job title!

I loved being with the attendees, vendors, speakers and organizers at this event. I spent time meeting them at breaks and meals.... and enjoyed hearing their stories about how the opportunities in their lives came from people.

I spoke with a senior IT executive from a Fortune 500 company who mentioned that he had seen many presentations on networking, career development, and marketing skills,..... but had not seen a speaker find quite as much joy in sharing a message about the power of business relationships. Many in the audience mentioned they were touched by the example of how giving the correct attention to people can impact success in business and personal life.

I loved being there, and they knew it.

Where is your passion? You do not need to become a speaker to share your love with others. Allow the love you have for your profession to ooze out all over the place no matter what your job. If you do not have that feeling of connection to your chosen career, maybe it is worth exploring why not. Maybe it is there and can be re-ignited. If not, perhaps a career change is a possibility.

Live a life connected to your inner passion and you will have more fun everyday!

Have A Great Day.

thom

Mini Vacation

There is so many things that compete for our attention these days. A generation ago when someone left the office they were removed from much of the pressures and demands of their job. When at the office they were unconnected from home and friends. And on vacation or the golf course they were free from everything.

No so today. Communication technologies and the social media have linked all aspects of our lives together. We all carry electronic leashes that make us attainable at all hours. People get angry when you do not respond quickly, as immediate is the expectation. There is little time to be unconnected and just inside your own head.

I take an hour to read in Starbucks in the early morning before my day begins several days a week (not everyday, but often enough). I try to leave my computer and iPhone in the car during this short reprieve in my day, as it might be the only downtime I encounter. Not only can I not be interrupted by a call, but I am not tempted to check email or read the blog of a friend. It is just me, a book (or newspaper) and my brain.

Now, Starbucks is not totally free from distractions, as I love to people watch and often see people whom I know, which leads to face-to-face conversations... but for me, this is energizing. A not-pre-planned chat with a friend can be a very nice experience. No agenda, just talk, can make for a better encounter.

These mini-vacations are not enough to make up for the constant bombardment of information, expectations and responsibilities - but it is a start. In a world with little freedoms from being "plugged in", you gotta take what you can get!

What is your mini-vacation from the busy world?

Have A Great Day.

thom

Energize Your Career

April is the right time to examine the velocity on your plan for the year.

Have no plan? It is not too late to create one and focus your energy. If you want a victory in your life this year you have to know what success looks like.

Behind on plan? There is still a lot of time to catch up. Wait too long and the year will be lost.

Confused? Lethargic? Tired? Lazy? Lost? It happens to everyone. Snap out of it now before you find yourself in a spiral of blah.

Exceeding expectations? Rock and Roll. But do not get complacent. Reassess your trajectory and maximize your efforts.

Have A Great Day.

thom

PS- Do you know someone who needs a business or life booster shot? Send them a copy of "Batteries Not Included: 66 Tips to Energize Your Career". It is praised as a great book for motivating anyone who needs to create small victories in their daily routine.

Losing The "Humanity Quotient"

I had a conversation about business with a professional who works hard, earns an above average income, and is admired by those inside and outside his company. The guy is an up-and-coming leader in his industry, but has not yet reached the corner office. He has worked for the same corporation for several years, works hard, produces results, and has received awards and other kudos. He is the ideal employee and my guess is his employer sees him as a happy and dedicated part of the team.

Yet he is disenchanted. And he is not alone! I have the pleasure of talking with people from all walks of life and large numbers are not happy with their professional situations.

Most believes that their business communities have lost the "humanity quotient" in the quest for efficiency.

The rough economy has caused businesses of all sizes to focus so tightly on the balance sheet that they have lost the personal element. Too many professionals have begun to show a distrust of everyone around them.

I have witnessed both sole proprietors and large company executives who see any minor "mis-communication" with friends, vendors, clients, co-workers, or others as a personal assault or threat. Like Humphrey Bogart (as Lt. Cmdr Queeg) in the "Caine Mutiny", they have lost perspective and are counting every strawberry.

Fear, distrust, finger-pointing, and back-stabbing (which have always existed) are now an accepted part of office culture and nobody seems to notice (or care).

The most cynical amongst us will say this is nothing new, that these dark feelings are always present in the work world. But in my twenty-plus year career I have not witnessed so many people functioning in misery about their careers. Professional envy and jealousy are no longer hidden from view, but openly accepted.

This loss of the "humanity quotient" in our businesses is real.

So what can you do about it?

Regardless of if you are the boss or an employee you can have an impact in restoring the "humanity quotient".

Slow down for just a moment and notice the people around you. Smile at others. Take an interest in what matters to those around you. Before you get angry, take a moment to put yourself in the other person's shoes (you might discover that from a different perspective, the world does NOT revolve around you). Be nicer. Be helpful. Shower somebody in praise when they do something good.

The list goes on, but you get the idea.

What do you think?

Have A Great Day.

thom

PS -- Have you ever read one of my books? Buy one today at Amazon.com. They make great holiday gifts!!!

Seven Ways To Guaranteed Career Success

Things move fast in today's world. You are constantly being watched and opinions are being created at record speed. Your personal and professional reputations are no longer separate. People do business with those they know, like and trust.... and social media makes many think they know you (even when they don't!!!). If you want to succeed in your career you must take ownership of your future.

Regardless of if you want to find a new job (been laid off?), advance within your current company (been a team player during the recession?), or branch out on your own (time to be your own boss!!!) you have to care about your networking and branding efforts.

Here are the top seven ways to stand out and guarantee career success.

1. Know your strengths and weaknesses. Be honest with yourself about what you do well, and the areas where you come up short. Do not try to be all things to all people, but instead be the best in the areas where you can dominate over your competition.

2. Identify how you are important to your business community. When you develop a strong network and brand, people will be aware of your actions. Know the ways that you are adding value to those in your circle of influence and make sure they are conscious of this as well.
3. Let others know what you want to accomplish. If you have a goal and you keep it to yourself, then there is one person who can find the quickest path to success (you). When you communicate your desires to other people then you have an entire team of people who can discover the way to your victories.

4. Help others succeed. Helping others will not take time away from your own pursuits of success. Instead it is the fastest way to create loyal friends and a reputation as somebody worth knowing. Too many people say they will help others after they reach the top, but never get there. Instead, help people all along the way and you will see others pushing and pulling you toward your goals.

5. Show up. You cannot establish a reputation if you only spend your time at work and home. You have to network, which often involves participating in industry and civic organizations. Just joining these groups does you little good, you need to be a visible and active member to reap the rewards and harness the power of business relationships.

6. Find a mentor. Those who have climbed to the top are often full of wisdom and short-cuts which they are happy to share with others. Seek out mentors who can help you master your skill sets and spread the word about the value you bring to the business ecosystem.

7. Speak, write, publish. Position yourself as the expert and you will be seen as such. The fastest way to establish your professional reputation is to speak on industry panels and write articles for trade publications. If you feel you are too shy to do this, then realize you are handing your highest levels of success to a competitor.

In all economic conditions there is a need to pay attention to and cultivate your career. Few people reach the top by accident. For more tips to energize your career, read my new book "Batteries Not Included: 66 Tips to Energize Your Career" (New Year Publishing, 2009).

Have A Great Day.

thom

Lawyers and Career Uncertainty

In the last month since I began working for myself I have been contacted by several attorneys to help them with their long term visibility, networking, marketing and business development plans. With the continued slow down in the economy, lawyers are feeling the pressures. Mid-level associates and new partners are especially under pressure to bring in new clients.

With little or no sales training or a history of their firms encouraging them to participate in their community, some feel abandoned in the foreign world of business development.

While I am not exclusively focused on coaching attorneys and speaking at law firms, my experience inside professional services firms (including two Am Law 100 law firms) have lead me to working with many in this profession.

In the last several months thousands of lawyers at firms of all sizes have faced lay-offs, pay reductions and the word of shrinking annual bonuses. Many who had graduated from top schools (with top grades) and landed careers inside prominent law firms mistakenly believed they were forever recession proof if they simply did good work.

Being a good lawyer is not enough, as too many have learned in recent times. Law is a business, and like in millions of other industries, owners of companies are facing tough decisions.

For those lawyers who are nervous about their job security, they cannot afford to just sit on their butts. While it is always best to have dedicated the time to create your personal brand long ago, it is never too late to take the steps to help shore up your eroding job security. While it many not save a position that is already on the chopping block, it can help you prepare for your next opportunity.

Four Ways For Lawyers (and others) to Navigate the Uncertain Economic and Career Climate

1. Have a career game plan. If you do not know what you want from your career, how can you make the tough decisions? Everyday you will encounter choices (large and small) and you can evaluate decisions on if they bring you closer to or farther from your goal. Too many lawyers (and others) just show up for work everyday with the plan to do their "job" without any concern for how they are being perceived by their bosses, co-workers and clients. In these tough economic times you are being watched and evaluated at all times. Just doing good work will not make you stand out from the crowd.

If you do not know where to start, hire a career coach to help you define what you are trying to accomplish in your career. Then develop a personal brand and business development agenda. If you are ever asked by a partner to provide a "biz dev plan" and you look like a deer in the headlights, you are toast. Instead you want to immediately produce your plan (that was put together months earlier) and show how you are executing on the the steps toward accomplishing the goals.

2. Know your numbers. How do you compare to others in your firm in regards to billable hours and client origination. When the partners are making the decisions on who will stay and who will be fired, they will look closely at the numbers. Who is bringing in the most money for the partnership and who has the most potential to do client development in the future.

While other things will factor in, those with the ability to assist the firm in overcoming the finacial crunch are valuable.

3. Communicate inside the firm. Talk to the other associates, partners, and staff members. Treat everyone with respect, and be interested in them at a personal level. If you are aloof and grumpy towards others inside the firm, you could put a target on your back when cuts are being made. No matter how good you are as an attorney, if your co-workers think you are a jerk they will rejoice in finding an excuse to let you go.

4. Network like you career depends on it (because it does). Knowing a lot of people in your business community whom can benefit the firm will make you more valuable to the partnership. A good network will help you make connections that can lead to new business, and will keep you aware of other job opportunities (should the need arise). The thing to remember about networking is that people are not there to ONLY help you. It has to be about mutually beneficial relationships and therefore to be successful you will have to make people a priority. No matter how busy you are, you can find 15 minutes a day to devote to assisting others. Too many lawyers hide behind their hectic schedule to avoid thinking of how to impact others in their network, then they wonder why nobody is helping them. You have to give long before you get.

Have A Great Day.

thom

Five Days To Energize Your Career (Day Five)

Recharge Your Batteries

While working hard gets the job done, there comes a point where you need a break. In today's busy world, our weekends are rarely stress free, and usually full of "To Do's" that include running all the errands that you could not get done during the work week.

To be effective in your job, you must have some time off. In the United States most people only get two or three weeks of vacation time. If you have children, this means that you will undoubtedly need several of those days to cover school holidays and other family events, thus leaving you with very little time for real time away from your daily routine.

For most of my life I strung my vacation days together with holidays to take long weekends. While this seemed like a good strategy, I rarely felt like I ever got a real break from work. I never had the time to decompress before I was back in the office.

I never took an extended two week trip until 2005. I was always nervous about being away from the office for ten work days, but discovered that I was more effective as an employee before and after my long trip. I spent the weeks leading up to the jaunt working extra long hours to ensure that everything was completed before I left, and did the same thing upon my return to catch up and see that nothing has slipped through the cracks.

The funny part was how excited I was about my work life after a long vacation. I had a fresh perspective and new motivation. I have now taken extended vacations every year with the same results.

The down side is that I use up most of my vacation time with this strategy, which limits my ability to take long weekend getaways, but in the long run, I am much happier with one longer relaxing trip.

Thus, with few days in my pocket to recharge all year long, I have developed a strategy for talking little pieces of time to relax. I love to read and wake up 30 minutes early every day to ensure I can take that the time to read a book each morning. Because my commute is long, I often leave home early to beat the traffic and stop for coffee on mornings when I do not have a business breakfast or early meeting. Over my coffee I steal back that half hour from my day and emerge myself in a book. On the days I get this little bonus, I always feel more clear headed and focused.

While reading a book might not be your best source for a mental boost in a 30 minute window, discover what activity would bring you peace and calm, and schedule it into your day a couple of times each week. You will learn to cherish your half-hour vacations.

If you do not find a way to recharge your batteries, you will experience burn-out. This will not be beneficial to you or anyone around you!

Have A Great Day

thom

Five Days To Energize Your Career (Day Four)

Help Others Succeed

Motivational icon Zig Ziggler says "You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want".

Giving to others is the best way to get others to help you. When people are busy chasing their goals and dreams they can forget to look around at their community and see if they can give a boost to another person who is seeking success. If we are not conscious of those around us, and how we can assist them, how can we expect them to help us?

The thing to remember is that what is difficult for one person is often easy for another. We can each use our talents and connections to make life easier for someone else who is struggling with issues that for us are simple. Our mountains are only hills to someone else.

When someone is open to helping others, they will find that people are willing to return the favor. This is not always the same person, either. It is the "Pay It Forward" concept, or Karma in action. Lending a hand to your fellow man is not about keeping score, it is about doing good for the sake of doing good. But the magic is that people who give find the world to be a very giving place.

The flip side is often true. Nobody likes to help the people who are selfish. "Takers" will be the people who see the world as cold and selfish toward them. Funny how that works out!

Work each day to find a way to offer assistance to others. Focus on the people close to you and see if you can be the catalyst that brings them closer to success. The easiest way to discover how to help them is to ask them what they need. While you will not be able to solve all the world's problems, and you cannot help everybody, once you know what goals others desire, you will be surprised how often you will encounter ways to lend a hand.

What is your goal? Post it as a comment on this blog and maybe someone (maybe me?) will know a way to be of assistance.

Have A Great Day.

thom

Five Days To Energize Your Career (Day Three)

Take a Class / Attend a Seminar

No matter how skilled you are in your profession, you can still improve your abilities. Many people become convinced that they know all they can, and thus become stale.

Lawyers and accountants are required to take continuing education every year in order to keep their professional certifications active. While many complain about the CLE and CPE hours each time they come due, the best ones embrace the requirement as a chance to learn new rules and regulations and "sharpen the saw".

Even if you are not required by law to take annual class hours, learning is a great way to improve yourself, get motivated, and attain recognition within your industry. All of these will ignite the spark that will help you in your job.

Make it a point to attend an industry conference. If your employer will not pay for you to attend a national association annual meeting that is across the country, look for other regional events that will bring together the experts in your field. Regional conferences and seminars are often more reasonably priced and will have more moderate travel costs, thus if the company will not cover the costs you should consider paying your own way.

While at the conference be sure not to skip out on the educational breakout sessions. Look for courses that interest you, but make sure you are in a class at each scheduled time. Even if nothing jumps out at you on the schedule, remember that some of the best things in life come as a surprise.

Beyond conferences attend local seminars that convey useful information. Business groups and your local universities offer a variety of options. A full day class could be just what you need to get you back on track. New information is always a catalyst to creativity.

In addition to attending conferences, seminars and classes you should become an avid reader. If you spend 30 to 60 minutes each day reading a business book you will complete ten to twenty (depending on how fast you read) books each year. Think about that, approximately 150 books in ten years. That knowledge will inspire you to do more than you ever imagined.

Have A Great Day

thom

Five Days To Energize Your Career (Day Two)

Go Where The People Are

If you believe that all opportunities come from people, then it should go without saying that knowing more people will produce more opportunities for your career.

One of the best ways to meet others in your business community is to join professional organizations. However, there are many to choose from, and you cannot join them all.

It is best to select two or three groups and participate regularly. Often you will find people who try to attend too many events. They end up not fully engaged with any organization and thus they practice "drop in networking", and never being seen as an important member. To create bonds you must do more than join and passively attend, you must volunteer your time for the good of the organization.

Instead of just dropping in, be an evangelist for the two or three clubs that you have joined. Volunteer for the board or a committee and spend several years attending each of these groups local events. It is okay to "drop in" on other groups from time to time, but you want to invest the time to create real connections with those who are active in your same organizations.

Select the groups based on your interest in their cause. There are tons of local and national professional business associations (Chambers of Commerce, Association for Corporate Growth, etc...), civic organizations (Rotary, Lions Club, etc...), charitable groups / boards (United Way, Young Men's Business League, etc...), etc... I suggest belonging to groups that have different purposes so that you are encountering different people at the different meetings.

Go where the people are if you want to expand your professional network.

Have A Great Day.

thom

Five Days To Energize Your Career (Day One)

Make A List

A great way to energize your career is to make contact with the key people in your professional network.

Take time to review you contact database and identify the 15 people who are both influential and would immediately take a meeting with you. Look for people who could be good referral sources for both short-term and long term opportunities, and those that are proven to be mutually beneficial friends.

The next step is to email or call them to set up a meeting. Offer to take them to breakfast (or coffee), lunch, or just to stop by their office. Try to set all of these appointments over the next two weeks.

When you meet with these people be honest that you need a boost in your career. Clearly let them know what kinds of opportunities you are looking for, be it advice, sales leads, introductions to new contacts, or job opportunities. If people do not fully understand how they can help you, they will be limited in the value they can provide. It is your responsibility to tell them what you need.

Remember, a real network of professional contacts in not just about you and your desires. Be sure that you also ask the people whom you meet with what you can do for them. Inquire about their business and have them explain about what type of person is their ideal client. Ask them what challenges they face over the next few months. Listen closely and be sure to invest some time over the following days to discover if you have any connections that can benefit the other person and boost their career.

Giving someone a business lead is wonderful, but remember that it is NOT the only way that you can impact their world.

If you only show up on their radar when you need help, then you will be seen as a taker. A taker can only go to the well so many times before they are cut off. However, if you can find ways to assist others then they will enthusiastically return the favor.

You will find after you meet with all 15 of your key contacts that you will be both fired up, and flush with new opportunities and perspective.

Have A Great Day.

thom