Connector Launches Event

Connector is looking for 10 new businesses to step forward and tell us their story at a great new Connector Event on the 26th November 2009. We are also accepting newish businesses who have a new web site, web or mobile app or video to show off. Maybe you have a new fashion design ? Maybe a new killer home made chocolate bar ? You tell us what you been up to and we will help you spread the word !

Does this sound like you or a friend of yours ? If so please register your interest or submit a nomination in the comments below or email events [@] connector.ie - The final list of presenters will be unveiled on the 19th November. Good luck !

Start swimming, learn a new language, ballroom dance next week

Promises, Promises

I have always wondered about goal setting. In my time I have met some very successful people, I remember one person telling me every year they sat down thought about the things they wanted to achieve and what they wanted to happen in both their personal and professional life. There is certainly the argument in favour of setting and writing down personal goals and achievements.

I read recently that a goal such as wanting to climb to the top of a mountain just to get to the top, misses out on the entire journey. The light shining through the forest, the smell of the mountain river and so on. The goal however which focuses on the journey, the here and now, the details on the way up belongs more to the individual. There is a phrase which springs to mind be here now, be someplace else later.

There are always things we want to achieve and I guess sometimes they can get caught up in the journey and may or may not happen. Or we bulldoze through and get what we want. Today I learned something, I have been approaching goal setting in wrong way. Instead of writing specific goals which always get caught up in the here and now. I need to write little promises. A promise is a commitment, something very personal and belongs more to me. Also hard to break!!

Alain de Botton: A kinder, gentler philosophy of success

Johnny Bunko - The Last Career Guide you'll ever need

Meet Johnny Bunko. He's probably a lot like you. Well maybe not so if you are currently in worksearch! Johnny is stuck in a dead end job, he's begun to suspect that what he thought he knew is just plain wrong. We pick up the story written in the Japanese comic format known as manga, when he meets Diana his soon to be personal career advisor. She brings Johnny on a journey through six essential lessons for thriving in the world of work. These lessons can also be followed by anyone in the world of worksearch. It might help not ending up in a dead end job.

So here are the lessons


1) There is no plan!
NO PLAN I hear you cry, well according to Diana we can't sit there at 21, 31 or 41 and map it all out, she talks about doing things for fundamental reasons, not instrumental!!
2) Think strengths, not weaknesses
I am not very good at writing, spelling or grammar, however I can come up some good ideas and source good material - I use that to my advantage in writing this blog (every now and then)
3) It's not about you!
It's about your client, potential employer, your customer, use your strengths, you're there to serve not to self actualise. According to Diana most successful people improve their lives by improving others' lives.
4) Persistence trumps talent
Think compound interest - it builds on itself overtime
5) Make excellent mistakes



6) Leave an IMPRINT

Dan Pink's excellent book which looks like an average novel, maybe 3/4 hours reading, you will have this cobbled up in 30 minutes and six valuable lessons to boot!

http://short.ie/see/r9c3b5

Using negative thinking to gain positive action!!

DREAM: WORK WITH GOOD PAY

Negatives:

1. Skills: Shortages or Over skilled
2. Fear of Rejection – Disillusion
3. Our Efforts may not be fruitful
4. Limited Thinking
5. Dropping Salaries in the Market
6. Jobs not openly advertised
7. Financial pressure to take the wrong job
8. No Jobs

ACTION

Negative: 1. Skills:Shortages or Over Skilled

Action: Under skilled

• Up skill for 1 to 2 years to be ready for a good job in the recovery
• Make sure courses pursued are appropriate to the industry
• Make ourselves more marketable by having extra qualifications
• Gain Work Experience with courses (to get foot in the door)

Over Skilled

• Widen Category
• Tailor CV to suit job
• Use skills to create a new, potential work

Negative:2. Fear of Rejection – Disillusion

Action:

• Use all of the above
• Keep up Activities
• Put together a daily Job Plan (Business Development Plan) to make our job seeking our own personal ‘business’
• Read widely
• Ensure rejections make us more determined to get that work
• Count our blessings
• Create a positive list
• Create new Questions

Negative:3. Our efforts may not be fruitful

Action:

• Change our attitude: questions: manner
• Change how we do things – change the venues where we seek work, the type of work we seek, the market, etc
• Post on the Blog
• Contribute to the Blog
• Ask ‘Why’ at interviews, where we are not successful and learn from the responses

Negative:4. Limited Thinking

Action:

• Talk to Others
• Network
• Create a Plan/Vision
• Set Goals and test weekly where we are achieving on these goals
• Brainstorm
• Avoid negative influences
• Create a new language to develop our new thinking

Negative:5. Dropping Salaries in the market

Action:

• Accept this reality
• Acknowledge that costs are dropping also
• Work out a budget
• Find new providers for our bill paying
• Think Long Term Prospects
• Look at government grants:
• Enterprise Ireland
• Enterprise Boards
• Negotiate renumeration according to excellent performance (be creative)

Negative:6. Jobs not openly advertised/not real

Action:

• Eliminate wrong searches
• Target (only) the business we require
• Join Linked-in or other social media groups
• Create a Real Plan to Target Real Jobs

Negative:7. Financial Pressure to take the wrong job

Action:

• Control financial outgoings
• Change Lifestyle – do simple stuff with no or low cost
• Be Creative with finances
• Barter with other professions for needs
• Use all facilities – source and resource

Negative:8. No Jobs

Action:

NO NEED

The Group feels that if all the actions cited above are carried through, then the most difficult negative to overcome – NO JOBS – will not exist.

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Well done everyone and I hope you will use these ideas and many more.

Best of luck

Valerie

Footnote:

These are the notes of a facilitation with Valerie Pierce, Director of Clear & Critical Thinking Ltd, using her training technique to change negative thinking into positive action.

To contact Valerie, please visit her website www.clearcriticalthinking.com

Clear and Critical Thinking

Valerie Pierce, described by the Irish Times as a `modern philosopher in the market place`, began her career as a training consultant in 1990 whilst carrying out postgraduate research in Bristol University. At that time she devised the first Clear and Critical Thinking Courses for Managers in both the public sector and private industry. Clear Thinking based courses are different from other `Skills Development` and `Personal Training` Courses. They do not attempt to motivate behavior. Better work practices are brought about through better thinking.

Aim

The aim of a Clear Thinking course is to strengthen thinking techniques and so improve work productivity. Whether developing projects, writing reports, training personnel, leading presentations, all output is only as good as the thinking applied to it. A greater awareness and ability to `think critically` and `persuade with confidence` will improve any of the above tasks, as well as developing the skills in the discussion of problem solving decision making.

The courses are "practical" always tackling real issues that affect organisations. They are "thought provoking" - candidates enjoy the intellectual stimulation that Clear & Critical Thinking provides, and finally they are "results driven" providing a positive outcome for those who invest energy, time and money.

Analysing and copying success of others!

Richard Farleigh of Dragons Den fame in the UK was guest speaker at this weeks Future Focus conference in Dublin. He presented some rules he lives by in his business life. One rule which struck me was "analysing and copying the success of others is a waste of time". Interesting! My take is we can be inspired by other's success the key is to take action for ourselves. If you are inspired by a story of success, model don't copy, apply the tactics, techniques, behaviour in your life and to your world.

Richard St. John - 8 Secrets to Success

Randy Pausch - Achieving your childhood dreams

The challenge for all of us - Did you Know?????

Confidence Workshop

Details of a workshop Maria Lynch, long time supporter of the DJC will run in June, you can contact Maria directly maria@motivatedjoyfulliving.ie or visit her website www.motivatedjoyfulliving.ie. 

My next Confidence workshop is happening Sunday 21st June in Walmer Holistic Centre , Raheny. €85p/p 10:30-4:30pm

 

It is aimed at women of all ages that want to improve their assertiveness levels and feel confident to stand up for

themselves. In this practical workshop participants will learn how to make an impact when communicating with others, how to manage conflict and how to set healthy boundaries and protect their energy during challenging situations.

 

In their own words:

‘I found Maria herself, her style, interaction , teaching everything excellent. Best self improvement initiative I've ever done. I will use everything.’ Theresa, Operations Manager.

 

‘Maria is one of the best facilitators. Her passion and enthusiasm is such a joy to be around. Her gentle manner put us all at ease. I found her just superb and can’t believe the day is already over!’ Sara, Training Consultant.

 

Think 2 Act - June 30th 2009

On 30 June 2009, The National College of Ireland will sponsor and host the Think2Act conference for people who have recently been made redundant or are considering taking new steps in their career.

This energetic space is the brain-child of Celine Mullins, Act 4 Business and Eibhlin Johnston, ThinkCoaching. The main theme of the day is CHANGE. 

Visit the website http://think2act.org/ for more details

What do you see?

opportunityisnowhere