The First Seven Days

It's been a week since the big day---New Years Day--the day to make all those resolutions that you are likely to break. Well, my only resolution this year was to clear a path through the past and break into the future. No definition or criteria for the goal, just try to shake off the old habits and re-energize with possiblities for the future.

I have to say that in the last seven days I've been amazed at how making little changes can have a big impact. One is merely changing locations. I used to have a habit of planting myself in the living room with my morning coffee and laptop and staying there through the morning news, the Early Show and even (sometimes) the local talk show at 10:30 a.m. There I was, still in my bathrobe with half the morning gone. I still enjoy a cup of coffee while going through emails and texting my daughter at the start of our days, but I now get dressed, and move my work area to the kitchen table. Instead of the TV, I've found several music stations on cable that I enjoy, and without the distraction of the TV, I find the music frees both my focus and creativity. It's also amazing to find that just those few extra hours in the morning has done wonders for my productivity. This may not sound like a revelation to those of you who have it all together, but to my sisters-in-bathrobes, it is monumental.

Another thing I decided to do was to go back to Weight Watchers. You can always count on WW to have a new plan each year, and being a Lifer, I can get the books for the price of $13 and a hop on the scale. I stayed for the meeting, bought their digital scale and the points calculator. I find that if I make an investment, I am more likely to follow through for a longer period of time. Well, that scale is the greatest thing to hit the kitchen and my sense of reality. I have used scales before, but the manual kind that I could play with. Not so when the numbers are staring you in the face. What I learned was part of the reason I haven't been able to lose weight is that I have been eating twice the amount of food than I thought I was! I can't believe that the little blot of ice cream in the pyrex cup was a half cup! I have been eating at least three times that much for a serving. Let's not even talk about potato chips! The great thing about WW is that no food is verboten; you just have to watch portion sizes. Well, this past week has been an education in reality--and so far I have lost three pounds, still eating potato chips and ice cream (now in the proper proportions) every day.

The other thing I did was to buy a simple planner. I went to Staples and passed up the fancy Day Runner with all its pockets and extra sections, leather covers, etc. I found a monthly/weekly planner with a black cover for about $13.00 and spent a few hours putting my life in order. All my appointments, notes, phone numbers, etc., are in there. No searching around in my Blackberry and emails (two accounts) to find that message that has the date for that board meeting next week. I love the physical act of writing things down and then crossing them off after they are completed. Retro chic that works

.

Now none of the things that I did last week were earth shaking or revolutionary, but they have made an impact on my last seven days. Today and tomorrow I am taking a class at SCAD on how to set up a crafts business, another foot forward into the future. I am reviving my crafts acumen from the past and melding it with my daughter's creativity and fashion design talents to launch a children's fashion/accessory business online.

What a difference a week can make.

New Year, New Me?

Here it is, New Years Day, and many people are in a depressive funk thinking about all the things they didn't accomplish in 2010 and making a long list of things that they resolve to do (and know they probably won't) in 2011. I just went over the Georgia Speaker's Association website, and just reading the success stories of those who did actually join and participate over the past year made me feel like a slacker.

I used to belong to GSA, and I could have written one of the success sidebars about 10 years ago. What happened? Why did I stop participating? How did I get distracted? I am still a professional member of the National Speakers Association, but havent' attended any of the conventions or other workshops they offer.

A couple of life choices at the height of my career success changed the course of my professional career, as did the effects of the stock market crash in '99, and further broken by the terrorist attacks of 9/11 and the chaos that followed. The weekend after the towers fell, I was on a plane to a training week for a client, and was struck by the empty airports and vacant faces I encountered on planes, hotels and in my sessions. Was that an omen of things to come? Divorced and in a faltering relationship, I felt a slow panic of instability as a sole proprietor watching my training schedule thin and the projects downsized or cancelled. A job offer in an area I knew little about but with a paycheck and benefits was the lifeline I grabbed, leaving the work I loved behind. Allowing an unknown fear take over, I traded my passion for creativity and motivation for the Corporate life. I learned a lot, made a lot of mistakes, and made my new profession work for the next seven years, but always regretted the road that I had taken and the knowledge that the I didn't believe in myself enough to tough it out.

Now, here it is a new year, and I am again reminded of the Marlon Brando's line from the movie On The Waterfront--"I could have been somebody...I could have been a contender." Looking back, I have no one to be disappointed in but myself--for not believing strongly enough in myself and taking the easy, sure way out. Holding on to what is safe and secure can keep us from falling, but it will never get us to the other side of what life has waiting for us.

I said I wouldn't make any New Years Resolutions this year, but I have changed my mind. This year, I am going to let go of the handlebars--the monkey bars--the safe path. One of my favorite consultant/writers is Alan Weiss. In his book, Thrive, he said we aren't put here to tread water...we are supposed to make waves. Instead of trying to go back to the person I once was, I am determined to walk forward to discover the person I have always been destined to be NOW! All paths have led up to this moment. Rediscover my passion. A lot have changed in the last 10 years, myself included. The world of work has changed dramatically. The drawers full of old speeches and training programs may not fit the new economy and they certainly don't fit me. Ten more years of life experiences have taught me a lot.

Security is fine, but it is limiting. If you spend all your time trying to maintain--your possessions, your home, your bank account, your present standard of living--that's all you will have. Letting go of the past and walking into the future with no requirements or predetermined expectations can be scary, but liberating. Being open to opportunities and paying attention to what life is offering is much more creative and inspiring than a bunch of resolutions that are supposed to guide me to success by the end of the year.

Letting go of your past, who you were, what you accomplished--especially if you have lost a job, failed at a business, saw a marriage or relationship end--is difficult, but staying there emotionally is a real killer. Letting go changes direction and focus. GSA, you are getting a new member this year who is ready to learn, grow, experience and enjoy every moment, whatever it brings.

Working Even Smarter!

It has been awhile since I posted on this blog, and I have been busy with a lot of things. First of all, I am now blogging on several different websites -- www.beyond.com, www.ehow.com, www.blissique.com, and www.skirt.com. Also, I've been busy reinventing myself and my business. I have found that in order to succeed in today's fast changing business environment, you need to be able to morph quickly to keep up with your clients and one step ahead of your competition.

However, working smart doesn't just apply to the business world. You need to be smart about everything...your finances, family, home, relationships, how you spend your time and how you care for yourself. You need to be able to wade through the deluge of information that is available...some good and some not so good...in order to find the best for yourself. Then, you have to be able to filter it through the lens of your own life and needs to see what is best for you.

What I propose to offer in "WorkingSmartWorks!" is an place where you can find good advice, tips, suggestions--whatever you want to call them--on how to live your life to the fullest, save money, be successful, and find out what's best for you. No cookie cutters. No menu plans that must be followed to the letter. No hard and fast rules. A lot of information and suggestions that you can take or leave, but will give you food for thought and real help for living life to the fullest. I'll be drawing from my own experiences, those close to me, and things that I have found to be beneficial in my own life. My mistakes are great teachers, and I've made quite a few. You may be able to apply those lessons to your own, or just read, chuckle and move on.

The topics will vary widely--business, the workplace, food, children, relationships, travel--whatever seems to be on my mind and what I think can be of benefit. You can also give some suggestions on topics you'd like to hear about. Send me an email at maryhn@mjnhconsulting.com and let me know what is on your mind, or what you'd like to hear about.

There is always a faster, smarter, better way to do things. Saving money in this economy is always a hot topic, and I learned a lot of things from my mother growing up on how to have a lot with practically nothing. WorkingSmart is working--not getting someone to feel sorry for you and pay your way. No, WorkingSmart is how to accomplish something in life so that you enjoy life and have confidence, self-esteem and are able to share your abundance with others.

If this interests you, check in from time to time to see what the current topic is. WorkingSmartWorks!

Make Your Resume Stand Out!

Even though the economic and job reports still seem dismal, there is evidence that things are getting better and companies are beginning to post jobs again. If you are one of the hundreds of thousands of unemployed that want to compete for those new jobs, you are going to need all the help you can get. I recently worked with a young man in the hospitality industry that wasn't getting any interviews, and needed some help. Through the discovery and coaching process, I was able to extract from his past experience a solid, dynamic resume that got him at least six interviews, resulting in a new position with a five-star hotel. The market may be tough, but there are jobs out there for the taking, only if you have the right tools and strategy.

Great education, work experience and cutting-edge skills won't get you anywhere unless you can communicate effectively to a prospective employer why YOU are the one that they can't live without. As an HR Director for over seven years, I reviewed thousands of resumes. The first thing that I would look for was a summary statement -- the prospective candidate would have 30 seconds or so of my time to impress me and make me want to read further. Sadly, not many made the cut. Now, more than ever, your resume has to be able to be clear, concise, and effectively market you in 30 seconds or less. Otherwise, it's on to the next one.

A resume won't get you the job...its purpose is to get you an interview. It has to prompt someone to make a phone call to get more information. If your phone hasn't been ringing despite sending out all those resumes, these tips may help:

1. When you email your resume, put your name and the position you are applying for in the subject line. Companies post a lot of jobs at one time, and this helps Human Resources (HR) identify you with a particular job right away.

2. Always, ALWAYS, send a hard copy of your resume after you apply online. You can usually find the address of the company online, and address it to the contact identified in the job post, or if no one is specified, to Human Resources. Use the person's name if you can locate it. The hard copy reinforces the email, and if HR didn't see your email, it may make them go back and look for it.

3. Put the date that you emailed your resume in your cover letter. It makes it easier for HR to locate the email version. Your name in the subject line will make you stand out.

4. Start out with a dynamite summary statement. No canned phrases cut and pasted from some Internet site. After looking at hundreds of resumes, HR professionals can spot boilerplate resume content immediately. Take some time and write your own. Three sentences is all you need. The first gives an overall statement of your experience. The second drills down to your particular areas of expertise. The third is all about you as a person -- traits and values that make you the right person for the company and its culture.

There is much more to a dynamic resume that gets results, and I'll continue in future posts. If you are not a writer, or have been unsuccessful in your search, stack the deck in your favor and get a professional to work with you on your resume. The investment will deliver results and cut down on the time it takes to get that first paycheck. A great resume is an investment from which you can expect a great return.

Five Tips to Retain Your Top Talent - NOW

Economic and employment news are frustrating at best. How can job numbers be going up when so many are still out of work? Since it's true that things run in cycles (like the Ice Ages) the economy IS going to get better. People will be finding new jobs again.

Some of them may be your company's top talent. According to the New York Post, 55% of Americans are unhappy with their jobs. Who can blame them? The recession has pushed employers to the brink trying to survive, and some of the dollars saved have been at the expense of their employees. When companies begin hiring again, those employees that have been "toughing it out" at jobs they hate will race out the door faster than Evil Knievel.

Employees have been taking it on the chin for awhile, as companies cut out paid holidays, required them to pay a higher percentage for their health care premiums, and eliminated some benefits altogether. Gone is the company picnic, birthday celebrations, and the off-site Holiday party. Bonuses disappeared, incentives were eliminated. Even internal transfers have been hit as employers cut back (or eliminated) relocation bonuses, paid moving expenses, housing assistance. A relocation package just a year ago with a house-hunting trip for a family of four, temporary housing and an unlimited moving budget (packing and unpacking) has shrunk to a lump sum reimbursement and a welcome note. Unwilling to make a move in an uncertain economy, talented employees with sought-after skills are biding their time until a revived economy offers opportunities for advancement, higher salaries and a better work experience.

How can you retain your top talent? How can you stave off the executive recruiter who now has an abundance of jobs to fill and is going after your best and brightest? Here are Five Tips To Retain Your Top Talent Now.

1. NOW is the time to assess what toll the recession and your own cost-cutting measures may have taken on your human capital. Conduct a survey, have some informal meetings, led by an outside facilitator. What has hurt the most, and what can you do to heal the wounds? Surveys don't count unless you actually implement some of the suggestions. Which leads to Tip #2.

2. Put things back, if you can, or devise a plan to restore some of the benefits or perks that were lost as the business recovers. If profits go up, and there is no consideration for what the employees have sacrificed to turn things around, they won't be around for the celebration party.

3. Resurrect the career plans and "fast-track" programs that show employees what they can expect by staying. Show how they will be able to learn and progress "up the ladder" as jobs expand or are added to the org chart.

4. Reassess the quality of work life you offer. Dust off the employee handbook, and compare it to the reality of the Facebook and Twitter generations. Do you still have outdated policies or dress codes on the books that have outlived their value? How can you make it more comfortable for your employees so they can be more productive?

5. How does your workforce communicate? Still churning out paper memos, or restricting communication by grade level or line on the org chart? Even Baby Boomers want more access and are savvy on the latest electronic communications tools. One of the highest rated employee satisfaction indicators is "being in on things." Open up the communications, especially when the upturn begins.

The most important thing is to get your employees involved now...everyone. Once the "Prosperity Train" leaves the station, you may find that some of your top employees purchased advance tickets and are already in their seats. Find a way to engage your workforce now in planning for the good times ahead, and you'll have more familiar faces around the table for years to come.

The Upturn of 2010

Last month, the U.S. lost only about 350,000 jobs. Now, while that number is still alarming, contributing to the national 9.4% unemployment rate, the number is about half of what it has been in previous months. There will be more to come, once the ripples from the GM bankruptcy start to wash over the many small and large businesses that supported the auto industry. But, while announcing the GM bankruptcy, Press Secretary Gates said that GM would emerge even stronger in a couple of months. This action came with a positive prediction...a built in recovery.

Federal Reserve Chief Ben Bernanke predicted in a recent speech that the recession will begin to turn around in 2010. This may be wishful thinking or a little Washington magic, but one thing is for sure. No matter how long it lasts, there will be a time when things start to get better. The 4.6 million jobs that were lost will need to be filled once again. They may not be the same jobs with the same requirements, though. The question is...will you (me, too) be ready to step up and qualify for the opportunities of the upturn of 2010? Will you have the skills necessary to step into the new jobs in the retooled marketplace? Will you have kept up with changes in your industry or field in order to compete with the millions of displaced workers vying for jobs?

Now is the time to take stock and take a class, participate in a webinar, buy some books for some self-study, volunteer, job-shadow, and get the experience or education so you'll be ready to compete with the best of them. If you were one of the lucky ones that still have a job, how have you become more valuable, knowlegable, or effective to be one of the keepers when all that new talent becomes available? When those upper-level management jobs that were eliminated open back up, will you be considered to move up, or be beaten out by someone from the outside with better skills, experience and value?

2010 is only seven months away. SEVEN months!!! Where do you want to be in seven months? What goals have you set for yourself professionally and personally? That's the first step. The second is to determine the one thing you can do in the next seven months that will have the greatest impact on your marketability and employability. What course will you enroll in come September that will keep you in the running, or move you to the front of the pack? How can you improve your professional image (lose weight, exercise, update your wardrobe) and your resume. What measurable accomplishments can you add to your resume in the next seven months that will put your resume at the top of the stack.

Like Annie sang, "The sun will come out tomorrow..." Ben says it is coming out in 2010. Now is the time to get ready to take your place in the sun.

Celebrate "May Day"

Today is May 1, May Day as it is called. Over the world, there will be many celebrations, but this particular event hasn't caught on the in the US, like Valentines Day or Mothers Day, which will occur on May 10. I don't know why. Maybe it's because we associate "May Day" with "Mayday!!" the universal call for help.

I recently watched the original version of "The Poseidon Adventure." In the opening frames, the ship hits the wall of water from an earthquake, and Leslie Nielsen, playing the Captain, gets on the radio and starts shouting,"Mayday! Mayday!" The bells rang, sirens blared, and the passengers panicked. Did someone hear the distress call? Or was it just luck that led the rescue team came to the outside of the hull of the ship just as the few survivors had arrived at the same location on the inside? Even though it was filmed many years ago, it is a real cliffhanger.

Mayday!! Mayday!! How many times do people want to call that out when in real distress, but for some reason, are silent? Even though disaster is imminent, they say nothing, tell no one. Their fear or embarrassment or pride keeps them from asking for and receiving help in time of trouble. It could be someone suffering from the fear or reality of abuse. In some cases, the fear of walking away and the uncertainty of the future is somehow worse than enduring a painful present. Someone afraid of disappointment or rejection. Or a business owner too embarrassed to admit they need help to survive. Some people with great ideas or abilities are silenced because of the fear of failure or rejection. So many people lead lives of unfulfilled greatness because they are "Scared Silent." The fear is real to them, and in some cases, to them alone. Somewhere they learned that to ask for help is weakness, or to be avoided at all costs.

In this economy, there are many people who may be part of this group of the "Scared Silent." They sit in their houses, or go through the motions of a job they don't like but are afraid to leave. Don't rock the boat, for fear of setting someone off, be it a boyfriend, spouse, boss, or client. They have the next great business idea, best seller or hidden talent, but keep it hidden, far from the view of critics, real or imagined.

Speak up! Get out of the house! Take a chance. Get back into the game. Have a "Plan B." Talk to someone you trust who will be willing to help you find a place of refuge when things get rough, or can give you advice to turn your business around. Take one tip from all the books you have sitting around about dieting, or marketing, or self-improvement, or finances, or success and DO IT! Make a plan. Start now. When you shout "Mayday" out in your head, answer it with your own positive action. You may find that help is closer than you think.