Tripping On The Ladder

 By Diva Nikki
 (c) January 6, 2010

Guilty pleasure admission: I’m a “Gleek.”  Since the very pilot episode of the TV show Glee, I’ve been hooked. 

There’s something about the absolutely over-the-top portrayal of a group of high school misfits, their weekly slushie face-dousing trials…and the way they continually fight through the negativity and adversity to do what they love…that endears this show to me.

Their wildly successful pilot episode featured the small group of initial Glee kids doing an amazing version of the Journey tune “Don’t Stop Believin’.” I will admit – I went out to You Tube and watched it several times.

There’s something about that song – and the show – that resonates with my life right now.  As the wife of a husband in career transition, I feel like negativity exists every day in our household.  While I’m quite happy (as is my unstained wardrobe) that I don’t literally have a grape slushie thrown in my face each day, there are certainly days where it’s hit me or my husband in a proverbial sense. 

Like every time he applies for a job and gets the lovely standard form rejection letter (sometimes within a day, which really hits you).  Or each time he tries to sell a great new idea for a startup business to a new client and never hears back from them.  When we count the days until unemployment insurance runs out.  As I’m in a store and don’t get to purchase something I want because we’re on a budget. And when we have to endure well-meaning people who say really trite, insensitive things about my husband’s current employment situation, essentially saying, “You’ll never be able to pull this off.”

Every day we live through the adversity, I feel just like one of those poor high school kids, getting up every morning and just knowing the cold, icky (though maybe not bright purple) reality that’s going to be sloshed in my face.

The lesson for me here really is:  “Don’t Stop Believin’.”

Don’t stop believin’ in my husband’s brilliance and abilities. 

Don’t stop believin’ that everything will be ok. 

Don’t stop believin’ that there really is a greater Plan unfolding.

Don’t stop believin’ that the economy will improve and more jobs will become available.

Don’t stop believin’ my husband is doing everything he can to find a new career.

Don’t stop believin’ in my own ability to keep supporting my husband emotionally…and our household financially.

I think I need to go work on my jazz hands…

 Guest Column By Marni Hockenberg
 (c) January 4, 2009

As a professional trained recruiter and interviewer, I had enjoyed a long and successful career working for other people—including working as an award-winning senior search consultant for an agency that would become part of one the largest staffing agencies in the U.S. and serving as a founding member of an information technology training company, where I focused on business development initiatives.

It was a successful and exciting career by most accounts—but even so, I’d always held on to the hope that one day I would pursue my dream of entrepreneurship and start my own company. And, in 2002 I finally had the opportunity. I dreamed, I schemed, I planned and I just decided to “go for it.” Joining forces with a longtime colleague of mine, I co-founded The Hiring Experts, a search firm focused on providing recruiting and search services for companies of all sizes and in most industries.

 After The Hiring Experts closed, just last year I formed a new company, Hockenberg Search. Some of my clients call me a “professional matchmaker” or an “ambassador.” Whatever the terminology, my job is to help small- and medium-sized businesses find, recruit and retain top “A List” talent.

Throughout these years of entrepreneurship, including this most recent business venture that is mine alone, I’ve learned three important things that I think are fundamental to success, no matter what business venture or industry you’re considering. What’s interesting is that these tips also can apply for those of you who may be considering a new career opportunity rather than self-employment, specifically. 

1. Passion for your business is the key. 
If you have a burning desire to take your product or service to market and believe in your ability to succeed, you will stack the decks in your favor to “make it.” Your friends and family will sense the passion in your voice when you talk about your business; your customers and prospects will know that you take your business seriously; and every morning when you wake up, the passion for your business will propel you to forge ahead and put in many hours that will be a labor of love. If you don’t have a passion for your business, don’t even bother to start it.

2. An ad hoc “advisory board” of trusted friends, family or service providers that believe in you and your business will get you through the dark days of doubt and fear. 
Find people who are optimistic, have high self-esteem, have business experience, a track record of achievement and success, and who will tell you the honest truth (even if you don’t want to hear it).  These are your cheerleaders, and you don’t need to be the Lone Ranger when you start a business.

 3. Attend networking events and become active on social media outlets such as LinkedIn and Twitter.
You will begin to build your personal and business brand to the outside world which will differentiate you in the crowded marketplace. This is the beginning of building a referral network for your business. People generally need multiple exposures to a product or service before they buy it – your brand is the beginning of creating this awareness. What do you stand for? What is your value in the marketplace? What business problems or personal problems will you solve for your customers?  Ensure that people will feel proud to recommend you or your business to others.

Now…Good luck and go for it!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Guest columnist Marni Hockenberg is principal of Hockenberg Search, a professional and managerial recruiting firm based in Minnetonka, Minn. With more than two decades of recruiting and business consulting experience, Marni Hockenberg has a proven track record of providing focused, personalized search services to small- and medium-sized businesses to help them find, recruit, and retain top-tier talent. 

 Guest Column by Rebecca Love Williams
 (c) January 1, 2010

I hope that you all had a very happy holiday filled with peace, love and joy. Now that the new year is upon us, it is time to really think about the New Year that is approaching us.

Have you started writing your Life Plan for 2010 to allow you to get a “fresh start”?

A Life Plan is a written plan of your goals and objectives in your life. It is like a map or guide to help you achieve your inner desires. Your plan can be divided into eight areas:

• Career
• Environment
• Family and friends
• Health
• Leisure
• Love and relationships
• Money and finance
• Personal development or personal growth

Each of these areas affects your life and the importance of each one will vary depending on your internal values and situation.

Here are a few questions you might want to ask yourself while writing your plan:

• What’s most important to you, your core values?
• What do you dream about?
• Where on your career path do you desire to be?
• Is your employer helping you accomplish your personal career goals?
• Are you still having fun at work?
• Will it allow you to spend more time with your family?
• Are you spending enough time with people who are important to you?
• How can you maintain your health?
• Do you have the time and the resources to entertain and travel?
• What places do you want to visit in the next two to three years?
• How much money do you want to make?
• Does your current employment support your income goals?
• How much do you need to save for your later years?
• Are you giving back to your community?
• Where do you want to live?
• Are you continually developing and improving your relationship?

These questions will give you some starting points to think about as you begin developing your plan for 2010. Of course, Life Plans can be more complex, and if you would like to develop a more intense life plan, you might need to seek out a Professional Coach.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Guest columnist Rebecca Love Williams, principal of Williams Business Solutions, is an experienced professional coach and human resources  consultant. She regularly coaches her clients through a process to help them achieve their life and professional goals, including an emphasis on life planning strategies. Williams is based in Evanston, Ill., and serves individuals and businesses nationwide.