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5 Steps to Career Change After 50

Changing careers after 50 can feel like an unclimbable hill, I know! But remember this: it is NEVER too late to take those all-too-important first steps towards something that brings you fulfillment and purpose. With the right approach, anyone can change careers, even after 50! If you’re considering a career change and need some guidance, here are five steps to help you gain the confidence you need to make that leap successfully. 1. Assess Your Current Skills and Experience Before you dive into a career change, take stock of your skills and experiences – personally and professionally. These assets are often transferable and can help you stand out in a new field. For example, if you have years of management experience, your leadership and problem-solving […]

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Perception v Reality: Are you holding yourself back from success?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTA9pC6M4Wk What do you think? Is it holding you back from success? Success sucking thoughts 🤔Think your boss hates you? ​👻Sure you’re getting ghosted by that recruiter who never called you back? 😠Feeling uncomfortably competitive with that new hire they brought in (to replace you, maybe???)? Those are thoughts that suck you dry of success. They do. Because if those are examples of your perception of things, then it’s your reality. Truth. What’s also true is that there’s a super high probability that you’re creating circumstances and situations to make those kinds of things come true (if they haven’t already🥺). Don’t get defensive – it’s natural. Success sucking thoughts are natural In fact, it’s a natural defense mechanism. But just because it comes naturally –

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You’re not in control until you take command

You do NOT have control of anything – not one single thing – UNTIL you know how to take command. Control and command are close, but not the same. Self-command and self-control are like kissing cousins, BFFs, two halves of the same coin – but make no mistake.They are NOT the same coin. ➡️CONTROL is the active part – the thing you’re doing or not doing.➡️COMMAND is the AUTHORITY to make it happen – or more importantly to know when and how to STOP it from happening. 🎯Without command, there is no control. And we’ve all been there. Lack of command just FEELS bad. That gnawing, wibbly, kind of🤢 soursick feeling you get because of something you did or said you just WISH you could

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How to keep command of the conversation

😖Hate being interrupted?Who doesn’t! 😀Try this strategy and watch those butt-ins go bye-bye! How to stop people from interrupting you ‘Extending the invitation’ is my favorite strategy to stop repeat-offender interrupters because it gets the most surprised reactions at first, has THE BEST ‘after the meeting’ positive circle back effect is extending the invitation and is a TERRIFIC exercise to help you harness your power of self-command to master a moment that might otherwise get the better of you! 👇▸Catalyst: You’re interrupted – for whatever reason and in whatever way.▸Reaction: You react ONLY positively with an acknowledgment response.▸Response: (finger or hand up – whatever halts the other person’s forward momentum in a non-confrontational way – and then statement) ‘Oh, hang on there just a sec

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Start with you – and everything works out

There is a fundamental piece of information for our success that is missing – and NO expert, guru, crystal ball or Farmer’s Almanac can give it to any of us because they don’t know it. It has to start with you Plans, systems, hacks, tips, tricks and strategies ONLY work if they work for YOU. Cold calling and cold DMing was something I was told I MUST do as a new business owner, but I’d never had to before and when I tried it literally felt like I was peeling off my own skin. There’s a reason for that – and it goes back to understanding how I operate, WHY I do, what conditions I’m working with and so on and so on. If it

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Why aren’t you celebrating?!

You have goals. You’re taking steps; making strides. But you’re holding your personal applause until you get to the finish line. Why?! Celebrating the small steps is my surefire, ride-or-die, #1 way to make sure you GET to the finish line. Most people (up to 92% – yikes!) give up on their goals because they don’t think they’ll reach them.; Which of course, is because they’re so focused on that one big kahuna end goal and aren’t celebrating the many micro-wins that pave the path to every big goal achievement. Every goal reached is the results of a series of smaller goals reached. What I’m celebrating For example, right now I’m celebrating my YouTube channel getting accepted into the YouTube Partner Program. WOOHOO!!! But, honey – let me tell you that I’ve been

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Generic advice can cause hamster-wheel whiplash

https://careerinsightsconsulting.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/hamster-wheeling.mp4 Generic advice is usually bad advice leading to hamster-wheel whiplash – and it may be the worst thing on LinkedIn these days. 👆Hamster -wheel whiplash is what I call one very specific type of conflicting single-source ‘success’ and ‘well-being’ advice – and here it is: ▪️ Single Source:{insert guru’s name here} ▪️ Success Advice:You need to post every day to be successful on LinkedIn ▪️ Well-Being Advice:You need to take care of YOU posts (mental health, self-care, etc.) 🤔Why is generic advice the worst? Because it is straight up TRASH advice on both fronts. 1️⃣ Getting you on the hamster wheel Advising you to post every day to be successful on LinkedIn is simply an invitation to get on the hamster wheel. It’s a

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It’s all about alignment

https://careerinsightsconsulting.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Do-you-master-the-moment.mp4I don’t like sleeping in (sleeping late or whatever you call it).I don’t like it – at all. The hubster’s a huge fan of it and he is always telling me to do it as a ‘reward’.But it doesn’t FEEL rewarding to me. It just makes me feel frustrated and behind as soon as my feet hit the floor. That doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing.It’s just not MY thing. Sleeping late is no different than so many other things that some people swear by and others want to swear off. Again, not a bad thing.Just part of being human. Part of being in alignment.And that ain’t woo-woo – it’s how life works.Or … doesn’t. If you’re aligned with something – you FEEL good about it (or with it or because of

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How you spend your time is how you spend your life

Do YOU master the moment – or does it master you? How much of your time — your life — have you spent in regret, doubt or anger? Time spent in regret over something you said or did in a moment you wish you could get back? Time spent in doubt over a chance not taken in a moment where confidence failed you? Time spent in anger in the heat of the moment that took control and got the better of you? And how much time have you spent trying to make it up, make it right and make things whole? You Can Master The Moment You can stop it. You can change it. You CAN learn to stay calm and in self-control no matter what is happening around or to you. I know

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Why ‘check yourself before you wreck yourself’ just WORKS

You are so screwed. If you lose your job. If you eff up your relationship. If you tank that project you’re in charge of. You will be screwed. Won’t you!   Won’t you? No. It’s a lie. You’re not screwed if any or even all of those things (or more) happen. Check in with your stress You’re not screwed. Not now. Not one bit. But right now, that doesn’t matter. Because right now – in this moment, you legit 100% believe you will be – and it’s stressing you out. Big time. You need a check in. Because most stress comes from fear. Fear talk:“If this ‘bad thing’ happens, that even worse thing will happen!” Won’t it!   Won’t it? No. It’s a lie. You

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Today is all that matters

You did it – I saw you, so just admit it. I see you I see you today.I saw you yesterday. StrugglingSucceedingSkepticalSureWorriedUnwaveringWrongRightDownUpAnd everything in between. Today is all Today. That’s it. Today is ALL that matters. Today is all there is! Oh, I know it doesn’t always feel that way. Remember – I saw you. I saw you hold your tongue when you had something to say. I saw you open your heart when you knew someone else needed it. I saw you show up and I saw you shut down. I saw you have a great day and I saw you defeated by sunset. And guess what? You get to do it all again. Because no matter what kind of day you had yesterday

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STOP giving away ownership of YOUR own life

You’re not where you want to be. You’re not where you thought you’d be by now. You’re not where you think people expect you to be. None of that actually matters. What matters is your vision for your life and what you’re doing to create it for yourself. YOU own your life Let your life happen! Let it happen the way YOU have envisioned it for yourself. It’s great to have mentors and allies and friends and family and all of the other people that make up a strong support network. We ALL need that. Where it gets tricky is when we give up ownership of our dreams in favor or pleasing those who influence us or worse – out of fear that our vision

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How I move past self-created frustration

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOcjS6_EGAY&t=3s You know what’s worse than being so 🤬🤬🤬🤬 frustrated you just can’t stand it?!?DO YOU?!? 🙋‍♀️I do. It’s called ‘being the source, the cause and the sole reason for your own frustration’. 😖ACK!!! We all experience self-created frustration That’s where I found myself this week. Self-created frustration.And deeeep IN it, too!!! And it’s why I made this video yesterday. Because I know I’m not alone. I know you’re out there.😠Pissed off.😡Ticked off.🤬Ready to pop off. And that’s why I’m out here.👀To let you know I see you.🤗I feel you.🙋‍♀️Heck – I AM you!⚒️And I’ve got a couple of things that I know can help you. Because it’s ok to feel bunched up inside and scrunched up outside.::: we all do it ::: 🚫But it’s

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Can a bad boss be saved?

Please note that this post contains affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links at no cost to you. Can a bad boss be saved? Is it worth it to even try? You tell me – what did I miss in my advice here?  Can this bad boss be saved? A question was posed on Fairygodboss (link in comments) regarding a bad boss who presented one way during the interview and a totally different way on the job. Vague priorities, conflicting directions – and now they’re both frustrated. This was my input on saving this bad boss:  “The shortest path to resolution is to be direct, professional and respectful when you discuss this with him.Because you need to address

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Perception and reality: It’s yours to create

No two people live the same reality. Does that make you nervous? Suspicious? Confused? Amused? It’s likely no two people reading this will have the same response. Similar? Yes. The same? Doubtful. Because the reality we each live is tied to our individual perspectives. Perception isn’t reality, but reality is the product of perception. Perception and reality are inextricably linked – and unique to each one of us. Perception and Reality Perception is the lens through which we view the world and our experience in it. Reality IS what is experienced. So, already you can see that reality is tucked inside perception. Perception does not have to be true to be what we believe to be real.I’ll say it again:Perception does not have to be

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Change your thinking. Change your results

Please note that this post contains affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links at no cost to you. “SHUT THAT %$@!!# DOG UP!” That’s how the guy across the hall at our hotel woke us up – screaming and banging on the door of the room next to ours. Change your thinking. Change your results. January 2016.We were in Alabama for my mother’s funeral. We decided to get a hotel room because the family ‘crush’ was just too much for my dad. The Drury Inn on 280 is close to dad’s house – and also a pet-friendly hotel. Whoever was staying in the room next to us had a dog who was alone in the

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Is it possible to turn bullying into a gift?

Is it possible to turn bullying into a gift?? Spoiler alert: yes —– Yesterday I shared a YouTube Short on a subreddit. Two phrases, 10 words, that can help people keep control when someone says something unsolicited or rude. The link didn’t carry over to the post, & when I jumped back in to correct it one Redditor had already responded that my post didn’t matter because I didn’t list out the two phrases & whatever I had to say was meaningless anyway – then disparaged the subreddit itself. This is bullying In case you’re not sure – this is #bullying in a very benign form that often goes unaddressed: Someone using verbal tactics to bring down someone else’s #confidence & #selfesteem for their own

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When nothing else works – keep working on it!

💥When nothing else works – keep working on it! 😎Every challenge is an opportunity to think differently. Keep working on it His may look like the face of defeat, but THIS is the picture of determination! Mr. Can’t Stop Won’t Stop (aka Newman the best kid ever) DIDN’T STOP even with medication, the cone, the donut (not pictured), the surgisuit AND a backward T-shirt. So today we have introduced pajama pants to the mix.And later today we will test modified long john pants (snugger fit). Keep working on it 💥When nothing else works – keep working on it! 😎Every challenge is an opportunity to think differently. This one has been a two-week living example of having:✅ the information (keep him away from the surgical site, why

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What to do in the first 36 hours after losing your job

The first 36 hours after losing your job are NOT the time to work on your resume or apply for a job. In fact, it can do real damage if you do. Because you’re not ready. I mean, they got you, didn’t they? The folks who told you there was a place for you. That you were family. They pulled you in with talk of being part of something – a team! And the holiday lunches, promises of a great career path, Town Hall swag bags, early-out Fridays and rah-rah ‘culture’ clubs made you FEEL like you were. Then one day there’s a meeting, a separation date, your access is terminated and your left asking ’why me?’ It’s not you. It’s never you. Layoffs and

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Know when to let people support you

Support can be a game changer – a life saver. “Your daddy’s been hit by a train” December 9, 2016.I had just finished setting up the holiday lunch at work when my cellphone rang – showing DAD CELL on the screen. It wasn’t dad. It was a man who identified himself as Martin Brasher of the Vandiver Fire Department on the other end. “Your daddy’s been hit by a train” There are just some things that are timestamped on your brain – and your life.This was one of them for me. ⁜ But this post isn’t about the train crash or really even about dad. This post is about support. Support from others can change your life Something has happened to you.Something that is timestamped

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You can’t get it wrong and you’ll never get it done

About the need to get it right and get it done: Don’t push the river. 🎁There are gifts and opportunities in everything, so you literally cannot get it (anything, your life) wrong. Yes, even the very, very bad stuff.I was laid off from my job in 2004 and took the first one that came along – a very (VERY) bad one. The opportunity was for me to widen my gaze, shift my perspective and value my worth and the gift was Tropical Shipping. ✅Getting it all done (whatever ‘it’ is for you) is both impossible and unnecessary. Yes, even the really, really big stuff.Raising your kids, building your business, being a good friend👯‍♂️, losing loved ones, self-development, education🤓, surviving your house blowing up with you in

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What happens to you is actually up to you

What happens to you when things don’t go as planned? Or worse?! Do you give up? Why not, right? IT’S EASY!I know. I tried it. 🙅‍♀️No, I do NOT want you to give up! 🙄 🫵And let me tell you something else – as much as you might want to, feel like there’s no alternative and (worst of all) that you’re justified in doing it – you don’t actually want to give up, either. No matter how bad it seems. What happens to you: Well, I gave up 14 years ago today I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. An MRI showed ‘abnormal areas of prolonged T2 signal’ and a spinal tap showed too many oligoclonal bands ‘consistent with a finding of multiple sclerosis’. Second and

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Mindset Fitness – what are you feeding your brain?

What is mindset fitness? It starts with taking a look at 🥦what you’re snackin’ on. Mindset Fitness: Mental Nutrition 🧠What are you feeding your mind? If you’re super thrilled with your current state of affairs, this is not your post. But if even the smallest part of you hungers for something else, this is for you. Because nothing has to stay the way it is. I’ll say it again. Nothing that you are unhappy about has to stay the way it is. 💪And you have the power to change it.   You did yesterday. You do now. You will tomorrow.   Too often, that sweet relief (change) you want falls flat on its frustrated face for one main reason: Not partnering information with the right

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An EXCLUSIVE invitation for a very select few

MAYbe it’s time to go for that thing you want to go for, keep saying you’ll go for but never actually DO go for?!?!? May is the perfect time to DO IT!! Because the end is nigh! ::: to take advantage of this exclusive invitation ::: This is the last weekend of April. 😲 The final hurrah of the official month of🤑Tax Day🌎Earth Day🦄Unicorn Day🐧Penguin Day✋High-Five Day🤣April Fool’s Day🌈Chase A Rainbow Day Mmm, yeah, ok – BYEEEEE! An exclusive invitation for May! Yes, you need to make room for May!🎉🥳 Ok, sure – it has to be acknowledged that May is the place for National Pet Month (HI NEWMAN!!!)🐶::: ok, every day of every month is National Newman Month in my house! ::: And it’s

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Perception doesn’t have to be true to be believed 😲

Looks can be deceiving. This video is a great example of the perception versus reality battle that plays out all day every day for every person on the planet. At first glance, what looks like a giant dog terrorizing a tiny one turns out to be two puppies playing just like all puppies do.😎(Pro tip: You can look up mouthing or jaw sparring if you’re not familiar with open-mouth puppy play.) What is perception? 🌎Perception is the lens through which we view the world and our experience in it. It is what we use to explain what we *think* we are seeing, hearing, feeling – experiencing. At work.At home.At the doctor’s office.At the store.In traffic.On the train. https://careerinsightsconsulting.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/NewmanandPebbles0423.mp4 😲Perception does NOT have to be true

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When did you forget you are a superhero?

Did you forget you are a superhero? I did. Somewhere along the path of this life, I forgot I was a superhero. I think that happens to a lot of us. Life gets so busy – and not always in good ways. And, it can be easy, tempting even, to get so lost in the business that we lose sight of ourselves in the process. Checklists and To Dos are often easier on us that we are on ourselves. Especially when life gets a bit, well – extra. I know. Between 2014 and 2018, life got EXTRA extra. My mom was crippled by a gift I gave her (hot air balloon ride) My niece committed suicide My mom died barely three weeks after finding a

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YOU get another chance

You get another chance at EVERYTHING! Yes – you. You’re gonna get it! MORE, of everything Another chance Look, whatever happened is in the books. What happens now can be one FOR the books! You get another chance. Take it. No one is actually keeping score – so don’t you do it either. Celebrate who you are today Do NOT worry about who you were yesterday Dream of who you can be tomorrow And tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow … And another chance … and it’s ok to get a little help to take those second chances! Whether through meditation, focus, self-care, a random day off, reading, talking with friends, meeting new people, finding an uplifting podcast, music or show – whatever helps you see

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What transferable skills do you have?

Transferable skills. Which ones do you have? Which ones are hiding in plain sight? I started developing mine long before I ever got paid for anything. My guess is that you did, too. What transferable skills did you develop early? I wasn’t fast or agile enough to make any of the sports teams at Vincent Middle School, so I joined the band. I’d been playing piano for years already and could read music easily, so it seemed logical. My older sister played the flute, and I wanted to play it, too. But, somehow I ended up with the clarinet. 🤷‍♀️ I learned it quick – and quickly got bored. So I conspired with my band director to give me access to more instruments. He kept

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Navigating a career crossroad can be scary – and that’s ok

https://careerinsightsconsulting.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/CAREER-CROSSROAD.mp4 Navigating a career crossroad can be scary. Because it usually means change. Potentially big change. At least it was for me. Navigating a Career Crossroad I wasn’t unhappy with my career or life choices, but I wasn’t exactly attacking each day with Fourth of July sparklers on parade energy either. I’m pretty sure I’d known for a while that something had to give, but I never acted on it. I don’t know why. Navigating a career crossroad wasn’t foremost in my brain. I might have gone on like that forever if I hadn’t had what I can only describe as a gut feeling I was afraid to ignore. The kind people talk about but you’re all eyerolls and ‘yeah, ok. Sure.’ Snarkiness.😏  Until you

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Is lifelong learning the fountain of youth?

I seriously think benefits of lifelong learning make it the fountain of youth! From improved brain health to healthier relationships and longer lives, the list of benefits of lifelong learning is crazy long, y’all!! People who classify as lifelong learners enjoy everything from variety of experience (aka quality of life), to expanded social networks, increased ability to build trust with others and increased employability in an ever-changing economy. For employers, this is significant because continuous learning is a key to innovation and growth, which gives employers a competitive edge and helps recruit top talent! For employees, it’s critical because investing in the benefits of lifelong learning can keep their skills up-to-date and build job security. Because continuous learning is a source of personal fulfillment, employees who

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6 things to improve mindset – right now!

It doesn’t take much. Check out how you can use these 6 things to improve mindset – right now. Mindset mindset mindset Everyone’s talking about mindset because there’s just no debate that mindset plays a huge (enormous actually) role in the quality of our lives. And shifting our mindset when it’s needed gives us enormous power to improve our lives. THAT is huge. Decreased stress, improved resiliency, happiness, satisfaction and health. Yes, please! 6 Things To Improve Mindset The best part about improving your mindset is that you don’t have to wait until it feels like everything’s going wrong to start making everything ohhh, so right. Even IF you sleep through the alarm, get stuck in traffic or chip your nails – you can harness

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You can’t think your way out of stress

CAN I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION PLEASE?! 🫢 Oh sorry, that was just my brain having a stress temper tantrum. ‘What about THIS thing that happened? HUH?! WHAT ABOUT IT?!?’ ‘Oh, and what about this OTHER thing that might happen?!??’ 💥POOF concentration GONE. Thanks a lot, stress! Don’t carry stress around! I can’t focus when I’m stressed. Not as in ‘it’s hard to focus when I’m stressed’. As in I literally CANNOT physically focus my brain when I’m stressed. And neither can you. You can’t think your way out of stress. Because focus and stress CANNOT physically exist together. And if you’re wondering why things are off, feel stagnant or are moving in the wrong direction, part of the culprit is probably thinking you are managing

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Dude – check your RAM or you may be in BIG TROUBLE!

What’s going on with your RAM? How do you know if you REALLY know what’s going on 🤔With yourself 🤔With your career 🤔With your business 🤔With your relationships Check your RAM I have to check in with myself all the time just to be sure I’m sure about what I think I’m sure about. ❓Don’t you? How am I communicating? WHAT am I communicating? What am I hearing? Uhhmmm, what are OTHER FOLKS hearing? 🤨😮😝 You KNOW we’re all out here taking actions and making decisions based on all of that! 😶 Intentional or not – it’s happening. This is how perception becomes reality. Oh, and also? … 🔥perception does NOT have to be true to become what we believe to be real. 🔥 Optical

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Why laughter is serious business

Practical jokes are serious business. Because laughter and humor are good for you! April Fool’s Day! April Fool’s Day is a great reminder of the personal power of humor in our lives. It triggers healthy physical and emotional changes, strengthens the immune system, elevates our moods, helps us process stress and can help alleviate pain. Did you know that you can’t focus on negativity when you’re preoccupied with something funny? It’s true! Shared laughter also helps people bond with each other, and it’s critical to empathy, compassion and forgiveness! So this April Fool’s Day – and every day! – tickle your funny bone, get your hehe howl on and roll out the roars as needed! It’s good for you! ————————- 👋I’m Gretchen 👉I am a

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Should you quit if you don’t get a promotion?

Should you quit over a promotion? “If I don’t get senior manager this year, I am DONE with this company!” Well that settles THAT! Her mind was made up. Which meant she (felt she) had no viable option except to quit over a promotion. Dana’s first DM pretty much summed it up. “I don’t know what to do because I’ve done everything and nothing is working, but I’m serious. If I don’t get senior manager this year, I am DONE with this company! Can you help me?” That first DM was a bundle of tells. 6 dead ends, 1 door. Absolutes are a dead end. Curiosity is an open door. Should you quit over a promotion? 🛑FULL STOP This is a dangerous question that NO

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How to be instantly happier at work

If you want to know how to be INSTANTLY HAPPIER at work, I have 3 things you must try! Why? Because happiness is linked to better decision-making, self-control and creativity! So where better to be happier than to be happier at work?!? Now, before we get into this short list, it’s important to point out that happiness and satisfaction are NOT the same thing. Where happiness is an anytime-ever-and-always feeling, satisfaction is more a product of thought. I am happy being in the company of people who challenge me at work. I am satisfied that I have access to the right people at work. See the difference? How to be happier at work Take charge Taking charge is not the same as being IN charge.

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9 best self-care products to boost confidence

Look no further for the best self-care products for confidence building! Self-reward helps build your self-confidence. There’s just no doubt about it. Being rewarded reinforces that we are valuable, worthy and deserving of feeling all of those things. Of everything you’ll see in the 9 ahhhmazing self-care products for confidence below – I save the best for last (but I’ll give it to you here first!). Please note that this post contains affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links at no cost to you. My personal fave The Papillon Back Massager with Heat This little baby is one of my all-time favorite self-care products for confidence building (when I’m feeling achy, tense and stressed and

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4 proven ways to detox your mind

You must take the time to detox your mind. Friday is an excuse. TGIF and all – it’s the day we remind each other to take a break, take it easy and take a load off ourselves (and our minds) for the next two days. The truth is the Friday is an excuse.A GOOD EXCUSE!(to detox your mind!) Because, while it’s completely legit (like, 1000000%) to remind ourselves of that ANY day, it feels more acceptable on end-of-week Fridays. Detox your mind So here we are. And I’m taking the opportunity of this day to hop on that mental mind hack and encourage you to take time this weekend (and any time) to shake off the stress, anxiety, worry and otherwise detox from all of

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How are you positioning yourself to get what you want

Which would you rather – get or receive what you want? How are you positioning yourself to get what you want?? To GET it? or to RECEIVE it? Would you rather get or receive what you want? There is a big difference between those two. Sure, the dictionary and thesaurus both say you can replace receive with get, but the reverse is not true. That’s because receiving requires action from something or someone outside of yourself, while getting is always you-led (and focused) – more of a taking, if you will. This applies to everyone, everywhere, regardless of role, status, age, race, gender, shoe size, lactose tolerance, etc. Read the initial question again – but this time try to do it from the perspective of

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How to build confidence using ONE simple strategy

Please note that this post contains affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links at no cost to you. REPETITION – the  ONE simple strategy you need to build confidence. Confidence building repetition Again. And again, and again, and again. That’s it right there. THE one strategy you can use any time, any where for anything to build confidence now and forever. Repetition. It is THE one strategy you need to build confidence – every time. In fact, repetition is the gold standard when it comes to building confidence. 👉IF👈 it’s done the right way. Because repeating behaviors over and over again with no strategy and no stretch is, well, stupid. 👆That only stings if it’s true

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The job is not the answer to your problems – THIS is

The job is not the answer to your problems. Your job can’t solve your problems. No. But YOU can. The job is not the answer to your situation You can be homeless, in dire financial straits, wracked with fear – AND have a successful corporate career! 🤯 That was me in 2018. 😀I was running my own department as a marketing director at a large multinational corporation. 😖I was also homeless overnight after a faulty power line destroyed my home with my husband and I inside. 😖I was financially f*_ked – despite the big job, title and compensation – because1️⃣ I still had to pay the mortgage on a house no one could live in.2️⃣ We still had to live somewhere (can you say first/last/security

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Develop your career growth mindset in 4 steps

It seems like THE no brainiest no brainer of all the brains ever to receive a no. Developing a career growth mindset starts with your mindset. Total no-duh statement, right? Well yeah, until you realize how many people give scant consideration to nurturing their mindset throughout their lives. And that’s being generous. Foundations of a career growth mindset There are 4 foundational actions necessary to develop a true career growth mindset: 1️⃣ Being able to embrace failure as the learning opportunity it is. This will also help you become more comfortable with taking responsible risks and accepting unexpected changes. 2️⃣ Becoming a lifelong learner who is curious, open to acquiring new skills and seeks new opportunities. Invest in yourself by taking time to explore your

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AI versus REAL Human Response – How does victimhood limit you

AI versus human response – NO contest! Because there is NO substitute for authentic human experience. One Prompt: How does victimhood limit you Two responses: 🤖 GoAnyword AI-Generated Response: Victimhood can limit you in many ways, primarily by focusing too much on the injustice you’ve experienced and losing sight of potential opportunities and possibilities that lie ahead. It can take a psychological and emotional toll, making it difficult to make progress, connect with others, or be successful. Victims are often confined by feelings of helplessness, fear, and doubt which can hinder the pursuit of personal goals or endeavors. Furthermore, victimhood can leave a person vulnerable to exploitation by those with malicious intent, or may give those with prejudiced views a justification for prejudice or discrimination.

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Are you sabotaging your job interview?

You may not realize it, but you might be sabotaging your job interview. I mean, first things first – CONGRATULATIONS that you’ve scheduled an interview, right?! This is an achievement!🏆 It means you successfully tailored your resume and matched to the opportunity well enough to be invited to a jobinterview . That’s HUGE, considering stats from LinkedIn and other career sites that say upwards of 70% never make it through the initial screening. So bravo and well done on the documentation piece of your journey, right?! ✋ If you think of the jobseeker’s journey in three parts (apply, interview, offer) – you’re a third of the way there. How you might be sabotaging your job interview You should be brimming with confidence! But something’s off. You’re not

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Why you’re having trouble building confidence

I know why you’re having trouble building confidence – and my guess is you do, too. The #1 reason you are having trouble building confidence is because you are stuck in your story. Trouble building confidence Your past is perhaps the greatest teacher you will ever have in your life – if you can learn from what happened and leave it there. Not being able to do that leads to more negative self-talk, lack of appreciation for your abilities and special qualities, increased stress and anxiety and so much more. So how can you overcome it? Take action. Identify and implement strategies and techniques that will help you overcome your trouble building confidence and take action. How to build confidence These are surefire ways to

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How mindset impacts your success

Your mindset impacts success – it also impacts failure. What do you want? What do you believe is possible for you? What do you spend most of your time doing? The way you answered those questions offers a glimpse into how much success you can expect. This is because the answers speak to either a growth or fixed mindset. Mindset impacts success If you have a growth mindset, it means you see opportunities to expand your abilities. A fixed mindset, on the other hand means you feel the opportunities for expansion are limited. The distinction is important because mindset gives us the ability to change how we view what we do and what we consider success or failure. If you think of the job your

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Why purpose is more important to your success than passion

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4ZoJKF_VuA&t=27s What’s more important – purpose or passion? Trick question. It’s purpose – of course.That succinct, focused ‘why’ that motivates you to reach your potential. Put down the pitchfork.Purpose and passion are both important. Passion’s a great tool and can absolutely help you find your purpose – which is the only thing that will ultimately get you where you want to go. Purpose is Impact Now, if the word ‘purpose’ is challenging (or even irritating) for you, that’s ok. This happens with most words or concepts that get overused and abused over time. Try thinking of purpose and impact as one and the same. 😀What is the impact you want to have – on yourself, in your work, with others?😀What feeling do you want to

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Where does happiness show up at work?

🤔Are you happy at work? Where does happiness show up at work? It doesn’t matter if you hate your work or your boss is a jerk. Happiness is there. https://careerinsightsconsulting.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/YT-and-LI-Thumbnails.mp4 Sure, it might seem like it’s playing a mean game of hide and keep friggin’ hiding on you, but it’s there. I’m my own social proof (and so are you, you just may not know it yet). Happy at work > Lean in / Lean on A faulty power line destroyed our house in 2018. Suddenly homeless and very quickly financially strapped – happiness wasn’t real high on my list of things to find. It’s easy to lose sight of it when you still have to pay the mortgage on an unlivable structure, along with

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What to do when your boss interrupts you

Does your boss interrupt you in casual conversation or official meetings? Did you know that every time that happens it’s an opportunity for YOU to lead them by teaching them how to lead you. It’s true! ::: IF VIDEO DOESN’T LOAD, YOU CAN WATCH THE YOUTUBE SHORT HERE -> https://www.youtube.com/shorts/5BXTxv0dvPQ ::: https://youtube.com/shorts/5BXTxv0dvPQ?feature=share You CAN teach your boss how to lead the way YOU want When someone interrupts you – do this!👇 1. respond in the moment – never after the fact 2. focus on the point you were making – not the interruption 3. be enthusiastic about making your point – when you’re upbeat, others will match your energy 4. be respectful and professional 5. be inviting What does that look like?👀 When someone interrupts you, you

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Job skills for 2023

Thank you to the team at Forage for the opportunity to be a part of your most recent article about the job skills in hottest demand for 2023. This article provides so much valuable information about:● Skills employers want● The right way to include skills in your application● Job skill trends for 2023 – and more! 𝗝𝗼𝗯 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗧𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯 “The pandemic put a spotlight on the need for communication and digital dexterity skills, and it’s only intensified across the post-pandemic remote and hybrid business landscape,” says Gretchen Skalka, leadership and career development coach.  Read the full article to get detailed, actionable advice from more experts, including Daniela (Dani) Herrera, buck martinez, Jennifer Lennox, CHRE, Matt Warzel, CPRW, CIR!! ———————–👋I’m Gretchen 👉I am a career and personal development strategist

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Here’s what ‘live and learn’ really looks like

Keep going. 👆That’s it! In a nutshell, that’s what it looks like to not give up on yourself. “Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.”Wise words from Soren Kierkegaard most commonly stated as – live and learn! You do NOT have to have it all figured out.Because there is no ‘figuring it ALL out’.Never has been.Never will be. 😀Yes – set big goals!😀YES – dream big dreams!!But for goodness sake – take the pressure OFF yourself to have a plan for the entirety of anything (life, career, parenthood …). Trying to force-fit your life in this way limits your potential, your choices, your success and your happiness. Instead – start with this part – right where you are right now.Plan

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Are you a victim of the ‘belonging’ trap?

It doesn’t matter. Seriously – whatever anyone else is doing – doesn’t matter.Unless we allow it to. This is how any thing becomes ‘a thing’.Through allowing. And this is the gateway to the belonging trap. Those ‘things’ can be quirky, helpful or fun.Like the popularity of Crocs, or those ‘I was this many years old when I leaned’ videos or glamping (is that still a ‘thing’??).Benign. Harmless, right? But what about when they lead to confusion, limiting thoughts or dangerous actions?▸Like when we allow the opinions or actions of others to through our own personal beliefs into doubt? ▸Or when we allow those ‘things’ to stop us from pursuing our goals?▸Or when we create unhealthy behaviors and thinking patterns based on those ‘things’? Because what

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Is Your Reputation Damaging Your Career?

Nothing here is new. In fact, 👇this was the first article I ever published on LinkedIn – January 2017.https://lnkd.in/eESpKXet Nearly 6 years later, it remains one of the most salient pieces of advice I can provide. Thought I’d share … _____________________________ The world of work is very small.This is important. Over the course of your career, you will run into people who have either worked directly with you, with someone else who has worked with you or with someone who knows you through an acquaintance or current/former colleague, etc. Kind of a six-degrees of separation for the world of work. But it may be even smaller than that! As Daniel Burrus pointed out in a great article on his site this May,“Now that the majority of us

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Want to change your life? Try RAM Thinking

There can be no doubt that RAM Thinking will change your life. There can also be no doubt that there is a reason clichés endure. They are truth nuggets. Simplified versions of larger concepts that have stood the test of time. Like it, lump it but make your mind up to it. There is a reason clichés endure. Two of my personal favorites: 😀Thoughts become things. 😀We create our own reality. True & true. 🤨Are they overused? Probably. 🤔Do they lack meaning or authenticity? No. 😎Is the DNA of your personal success tucked somewhere in them? Absolutely. 👉And that ‘somewhere’ is your mindset.👈  RAM Thinking Thoughts are fleeting. Recurring thoughts are sticky. Sticky (repetitive) thoughts become beliefs. And, what we believe (repeatedly think) is what

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Confidence or Esteem – which is more important?

Confidence or esteem? When it comes to the ‘self’ – which is more important? 🤔 I often see these two terms used interchangeably, and that’s unfortunate. Because, while there are areas of significant overlap, confidence and esteem are not the same. Confidence or Esteem The presence or absence of one does not guarantee the same of the other. In fact, is entirely possible to be confident in our abilities but have low self-esteem. So, which is more important? ▸ Self-esteem – the internal lens through which we view our ‘selves’?▸ Or self-confidence – the external lens through which we view our abilities, skills, knowledge? A career banker looking to change careers could be incredibly confident in their financial ability, skill, knowledge, while simultaneously dealing with

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How good are you playing the hand you were dealt?

“Sometimes we just want to play with the hand we’re dealt with, and see what we can do with it.” – David Ketchen Listening to his commentary on everything from 🎨painting techniques, ☕coffee, #LinkedIn strategy and 📹DIY studio setups as his portrait of Jagatheeswari S came alive – it’s clear that his new #YouTube channel (David Ketchen – Pastel Art) is a classroom. Tune in for the ‘becoming’, stay for the lessons. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrKxcQQjdjE The hand you were dealt “Sometimes we just want to play with the hand we’re dealt with, and see what we can do with it.” 👆This is a powerful perspective. It IS a life lesson. Because it’s about accepting, allowing and advancing what IS. The hand you were dealt IS what is. Concepts that can be incredibly challenging in

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Mindset impacts the brain. Is YOURS setting you up for success?

Our mindset impacts the brain. This is a fact. It’s also why a positive mindset paves the way to success. And that’s not woo woo.It’s strategic. With Meta putting more than 11,000 people out of work – adding to the growing job-loss landscape (Peleton, Twitter, Ford, Shopify, Netflix, to name just a few in recent WEEKS) – it is more important NOW than EVER before to harness your ability to maintain a positive mindset. 👉𝗔 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗲𝘁 𝗜𝗦 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗺-𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲𝗿’𝘀 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗲𝘁.👈 As Daniel Goleman explained in “Focus: The Hidden Driver of Excellence” – positive state of mind impacts the neuroplasticity of the 🧠 brain – increasing prefrontal activity that intensifies mental functions such as creative thinking, cognitive flexibility, and even faster processing. How a positive mindset

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You know what is right for you

You’re not the boss of me!!! Ever said that? Maybe when you were a kid, standing – arms akimbo – in front of your mom, refusing to do something she wanted? Most of us have.And, it’s amusing, perhaps even a little nostalgic, to think back on the “before” time. That’s what I call the days before someone else’s opinion of us became more important than our own. 🤨What school is the best for us.🤨What we should study there.🤨What job we should get.🤨What job we shouldn’t quit (no matter how much it’s killing us). 🤨What title we should aim for.🤨What salary is acceptable.🤨What kind of house, car and clothes are appropriate. Don’t even get me started on the more personal opinions. But I don’t need to.Because

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Three telltale signs you are being ghosted at work

👻 Ghosting doesn’t JUST happen on Halloween. AND, it doesn’t JUST happen before you GET the job. Ghosting happens ON the job, too. All.The.Time. How does Ghosting happen on the job? 😖👻Being taken through the annual review process only to find yourself left out of recognition, promotion, merit and even COLA consideration is a form of ghosting your employees. 😖👻Being told you can ‘throw your hat in the ring’ for advancement and not being afforded the opportunity to do so is a form of ghosting your employees. 😖👻Even being taken OFF a project without discussion is a form of ghosting your employees. It needs to stop. 🤨 Employers – knock it off – it’s unprofessional, bush league and it’s costing you money. 🤦‍♀️🤗 Employees –

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Do NOT use Easy Apply *IF* …

This is a quick video to let anyone using LinkedIn as part of their job search strategy know NOT to use Easy Apply if your profile isn’t optimized – and why. I hope you find it helpful.   ———————–👋I’m Gretchen 👉I am a career and personal development strategist on a mission to teach you to find what you love without losing yourself in the process.​🎯I create sane strategies that produce serious results. 📰 If you thought this post was interesting, you definitely need to sign up for my newsletter – where I give my subscribers exclusive insights, actionable advice and tips to take advantage of select opportunities.   ======================= Here are the ways to work with me at Career Insights: ======================= 🔥Sign up for 1:1

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Do THIS when you don’t get the job

There are two things you MUST do immediately when you don’t get the job: Thank Connect I made this video to help anyone facing job rejection keep the door OPEN!   ———————–👋I’m Gretchen 👉I am a career and personal development strategist on a mission to teach you to find what you love without losing yourself in the process.​🎯I create sane strategies that produce serious results. 📰 If you thought this post was interesting, you definitely need to sign up for my newsletter – where I give my subscribers exclusive insights, actionable advice and tips to take advantage of select opportunities.   ======================= Here are the ways to work with me at Career Insights: ======================= 🔥Sign up for 1:1 Private Career Consulting (6 Week): careercompass.careerinsightsconsulting.com/sixweeks🔥Check out

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I can do what no one else can. And so can you.

No one – not anyone anywhere – can do what I can do. ☝️That is a fact. ‘Who’s your competition?” When I was asked that question recently, my answer was simple and swift – ‘I don’t have any.” Because no one can do what I can do. The converse is also true.Everyone can do what I can do.😕🤪 Because what I do is based on everything I know – from my experience.Personal and professional. Lots of people have the same training, but no one on the planet has the same lived experience and know-how that I do. The same is true for you! What I can do: In a nutshell, I design personal systems for people to overcome what’s keeping them from success.😩Could be solving

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You can do anything – this is why (and how) I know

My house blew up four years ago today. Why am I so happy? Because I’m here, y’all! THAT’S WHY! I EARNED the right to CELEBRATE this day! SO many questions that NO ONE could answer but me. What am I going to do? Can I figure this out? Am I smart enough to handle this? Will I be ok? Will my job be ok?🤕 How do I fix my life and do my job at the same time? 😣 How will I live? WHERE will I live? How will I PAY for everything? When will this be over? What does life even look like after this? I KNOW you can do anything When you’re left with nothing (like not even a spoon) AND you’re paying

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You get to decide the schedule of your life

“Did you move the furniture?” My mom asked this question every time I ‘cleaned’ my room. “Yup!” I’d lie as I bounced down the stairs, off to do something else. This was a pretty common pattern of mine. Rushing through the things I had to do so I could spend more time on the things I wanted to do. Piano practice.Folding laundry.Loading the dishwasher. Pretty common for kids, I think. How we learn No one knows what they don’t know – until they know it. I took lessons for 9 years, and I am to this day an 𝘶𝘯𝘣𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘦𝘷𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘺 untalented pianist.I know why. It didn’t take long before I was no longer ‘part of the family fold’ (mom gave up dreams of ever having unwrinkled

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Are you lying to yourself? How to find out

We tell ourselves stories to fill gaps in the information we’re missing. Our brains are actually wired for this – to look for patterns, to ‘go from what we know’, etc. The challenge with that is that it often leads us to create narratives, shift beliefs and develop feelings that we then take action on.  Action based on information we made up.And we’ve all done it. What story are you telling yourself? What do they say about assumptions? In business, this can be smart when assumptions are part of project, business development and contingency planning. In our personal lives, assumptive reasoning is not always the smart play. Here’s a super-duper way simple example:  Adam has a paper due next week on the history of his

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Remote Worker Productivity & The Leadership Relationship

Don’t hate the player – hate the game. Because the data behind the exceptionally misleading headline of this article about remote worker productivity has the master takeaway of ‘leaders’ giving remote workers mixed signals when it comes to what is considered ‘productive’. Are you kidding me with this?This is neither new nor newsworthy. Remote Worker Productivity What’s at issue isn’t so much 𝘩𝘰𝘸 or 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 actual work is getting done, but rather what is considered productive work in the first place.Which, in this case, turns out to be adherence to a time-bound schedule. NOT work accomplished, projects closed, calls made, KPIs achieved, ROI smashed.Nope. “… many leaders are sending mixed messages, officially encouraging flexible, remote work while informally signaling that those who stick closest to the old

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You are stronger than you realize – here’s how I know

You are stronger than you even know. How do I know without knowing you? Well, because I know that what doesn’t break you is because of that strength. This one came close though.Not gonna lie. This is a picture of me with my husband in cardiac stepdown a few years ago. It took a lot for him to get there.It was a major life achievement. He’s spent 6 unresponsive days in cardiac ICU and 13 with a machine breathing for him. When he could finally breathe on his own, he graduated to stepdown then spent another month learning how to eat, shower, dress and walk again before he could come home. A heart procedure that was supposed to take a week from surgery to discharge

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Here’s a GREAT way to find your hidden skills

For all the career changers – intentional or not – here is a quick video with an exercise JUST FOR YOU that can help you identify your hidden skills and even more transferrable skills than you may have ever realized you had! 🤯😀 ———————–👋I’m Gretchen 👉I am a career and personal development strategist on a mission to teach you to find what you love without losing yourself in the process.​🎯I create sane strategies that produce serious results. 📰 If you thought this post was interesting, you definitely need to sign up for my newsletter – where I give my subscribers exclusive insights, actionable advice and tips to take advantage of select opportunities.   ======================= Here are the ways to work with me at Career Insights:

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How to answer THIS tricky job interview question

What do you do? If you’ve had abbreviated tenure at in your last several roles, you may be asked 👇this tricky job interview question in an interview:𝐂𝐚𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐤 𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬? Smile. 😀It’s your lucky day! 🍀Because this tricky job interview question is a golden opportunity! 🌟 𝚃𝚑𝚎 𝚏𝚒𝚛𝚜𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚘 𝚞𝚗𝚍𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚒𝚜 𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚗𝚝. It’s a good question to be asked.👍It really is. The purpose is to get a better idea of your working skills and how you might apply those to 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 position. The interviewer likely isn’t insinuating anything with this question because, frankly, most employers don’t actually care why you left other jobs. Because they’re not interviewing you for a job you 𝘶𝘴𝘦𝘥 to have. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆’𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗳𝗼𝗿 the

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How to answer ‘What Are Your Salary Expectations?’

The easy answer is DON’T answer the salary question right away. Because this is NOT a question that should ever be answered as a one-answer-fits-all. The answer will be as different for every job seeker as they are from each other. Don’t let anyone force your hand or pressure you for an answer until you’ve done your research. Why shouldn’t I answer the salary question right away? Because it’s a ‘knockout’ question. And your answer will depend on who is asking the question, in the first place? A recruiter on a first outreach? A hiring manager at the offer stage? Somewhere in between? How much do you know about the position? Many things influence salary expectations – and they all must be considered in your

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Your boss just put you on a PIP. Now what?!

You flourish!No really – you flourish! What is a PIP, anyway? PIP – shorthand for Performance Improvement Plan A performance improvement plan is a multitude of opportunities rolled into one. It’s an opportunity to build a partnership with your manager/supervisor: ▸Every PIP should come with actionable steps. A path to success paved with SMART goals the leadership team has created just for you. ▸The plan should also include a timeline for completion with benchmark/milestone check-ins scheduled to keep everyone on track toward success. It’s an opportunity to re-invest in yourself and your role in the company: ▸To identify and grow new skills. ▸To strengthen current abilities. ▸To gain clarity on personal goals and alignment with the current role. It’s an opportunity to see another side

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Why you MUST take the weight of your world OFF your resume

Your resume has one purpose: To get you an interview.For the job to which you’re applying. Not for any or every job. For the job to which you’re applying. That’s it. Because your resume is a tool.A personal marketing tool with one professional function.To get you an interview for the job to which you’re applying. That’s it. Think of the job opening as the question – and your resume as the answer. Now imagine what that looks like as a Google search.On what page of the results is your resume likely to show up? Have work experience unrelated to or irrelevant for the role? Take it out.There is nothing about including it that will work in your favor to secure an interview. Does your professional

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But what does it pay?! Why employers aren’t giving salary info in the job posting – and what you can do about it

You’ve been searching and searching and finally found an advertised job opening that you think is perfect … except nothing about it answers the question: What does it pay? Some published opportunities will have nothing related to salary, while others may say something like Salary: Commensurate with experience Salary: Negotiable Salary: Unavailable Salary: To be discussed at interview phase WTAF – right?! It’s frustrating for sure, but there are a few reasons employers don’t post salary information. These can include: Competition Companies don’t want their external competitors to have too much information about their benefits and compensation packages because that, obviously, could weaken their negotiation positions. Companies also don’t want salary information widely known because it can create internal competition and other issues. Fit Employers want

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What is a Career Coach?

Google ‘what is a career coach’ and you’ll get a gozillion answers … each one slightly different from the rest but all correct at the same time. Because career coaching, at its core, is a purpose-driven partnership with the goal of helping change or improve your professional life (which is a fancy way of saying we help you figure out what you want and how to get it). But what that means for you is going to be different than what it means for anyone else. And so, there is a common, fundamental goal of every coaching partnership, but the path each coaching relationship takes will vary. What is a career coach – part of a partnership The Coach Career coaches are advocates. Our role is to

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Interview your recruiter! Make sure you ask these questions the next time you use a job recruiter

Recruiters are a lot like Elon Musk, politics or sushi – no middle ground. People either love ’em or hate ’em. Hopefully, we can all agree that they can be an enormous help to businesses and job seekers alike – provided you hire the right one. But how do you know if you’ve got a good recruiter? Interview your recruiter! Recruiting isn’t a one-size-fits-all job A recruiter’s role is largely dependent on their ability to evaluate candidates for each opportunity. And that’s great – but it doesn’t cover everything. Because while recruiters make up the front-line of the interview process, they’re not always given a larger role in the overall hiring process. A recruiter with a more limited role will have an equally limited understanding

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How strategic breathing can help you keep your cool when you feel like telling someone to shove it

Please note that this post contains affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links at no cost to you. Ever just had enough of someone else and want to tell them off? Sure. We’ve all been there. Which is why it’s important to know you can keep your cool no matter what using strategic breathing to diffuse your ‘inner bomb’. Strategic breathing Breathing is key for a lot of big stuff like, you know, life and all. 😉 But when it comes to keeping cool in combustible situations, your normal, run-of-the-mill breathing won’t work. Everyday in-and-out kind of breathing can’t even start to tackle a job as tough as NOT telling the object of your animosity where to shov …

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How to effectively deal with a conversation bully in the workplace – or anywhere!

If you’ve ever dealt with someone who baits, berates or belittles you, you know what it’s like to deal with a conversation bully. Here are some ways to regain control of the situation. Stay focused and calm This is always (always always) the right response to any situation – including dealing with a conversation bully. When a discussion turns sour, the first thing to do is, actually, nothing. Well, maybe not nothing, but nothing physical or outward. Listen Focus on what the person is saying and remain calm – especially in situations where someone is trying to goad you into a response you’ll likely regret. Focusing on the word choices and listening to the tone of voice will tell you right away if a meaningful discussion can be had –

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There’s a LOT to choose from at the resume buffet, so how do you pick what you need?

When people talk about resumes, they talk more about keywords, bots and ATS than experience, skills and accomplishments. And that’s a shame. Because, they’re picking at a resume buffet that can’t exist if you haven’t even built your foundation resume. Your what? Foundation Resume The foundation resume is exactly what it sounds like. It’s the base – the ‘load-bearing’ part of the pillar of your professional documentation. This is the document that contains the entirety of your professional and/or relevant work experience. It is NOT, however, the one you submit on an application, bring to an interview or send to a prospective employer. You should build a foundation resume with the intent of keeping it updated, filed and ready at any moment to be used

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It’s time to erase the term ‘job-hopper’ from our vocabulary

Job Hopper? 🤮NOPE! YOU are an Opportunity Entrepreneur! It’s time to purge ‘job hopper’ from the Pejorative Term Database. Please. Aside from the fact that it’s judgmental, possibly discriminatory and wholly unprofessional, there’s also this: —RECENT REPORT RUNDOWN —▷ A recent LendingClub survey showed that roughly 62% of the U.S. population is living paycheck to paycheck.▷ A Pew Research study (among a slew of others) showed most people who quit last year cited low pay as their top reason for leaving.▷ Atlanta Federal Reserve Bank’s wage growth tracker, which uses data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, shows that pay increases for job hopp, er, 😎 Opportunity Entrepreneurs 😎 have outpaced those who’ve stayed at one employer — a number that’s held true since 2011.

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How to figure out what you want to do

Can you be happy at work if you haven’t figured out what you want to do? Doubtful. But how do you figure out what you want? Read on. Do you even know what you want? This seems like a fairly straightforward and easy-to-answer question, right? Well, it should be, yeah. But it isn’t. Far too many people get it wrong far too often because they’ve been trained to get it wrong. To clarify, most of us learn from an early age  to define what we want by using someone else’s definition of success. The final model may vary slightly, but the general curriculum is to go after the: job position title company that offers the most probability (not possibility and not opportunity – but probability) of success. And success

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Didn’t get the job? You might want to change that old email address

Hotmail, Yahoo and AOL – OH MY! Youglowgirl83@, lakeluvr@ or Clevelandroxx@ OH NO!! Your email address is one of the first identifiers a recruiter or hiring manager will see on your resume. Right there under your name, next to your phone number and LinkedIn profile (if you don’t have one – let’s fix that!) – that last thing you want associated with your name is a goofy or inappropriate email address. And virtually every one I’ve ever seen have been tied to an old Hotmail, Yahoo or AOL account. Email Address Best Practices You want your email address to be memorable – but only for the right reasons. Domains The two easiest options here are to create a custom email address tied to your own

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How to get someone to actually READ your resume

People looking for resume tips ask this question more than any other:“How do I actually get someone to read it?!” It’s always been the first and most common question I get asked by job seekers. And, considering the sheer volume of people looking to upgrade, change or (let’s be honest) escape their current situation, I thought this was such an important topic that I would write a quick little post about how to get someone to read your resume. I hope something here is helpful for you! 🤜🤛 I’ve provided resume and other career services for years, and this is my ‘above all else, do these things!’ list for clients looking to avoid the resume black hole many applicants find themselves stuck in. How I make sure someone will read your resume: I create

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Here are four easy (and realistic) ways to reach your goals

It’s good to aspire to things, and it’s great to achieve them. Unfortunately, most people never do. Because most of us aren’t being honest with ourselves in our approach. That’s where these seriously realistic tips can help! Research shows 50% of us make resolutions each year, but statistics show 80% of us won’t make it past the second week of February with them intact. That translates to 50 out of every 100 people making resolutions, and 40 of those 50 hopeful humans chuckin’ the deuce to those not-so-determined declarations after only a month and a half. 4 seriously realistic tips for goal success It’s going to be ok! All we have to do to stay on track is be realistic in our approach! Easy peasy, right? Actually,

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Are you sure it’s a career change you really need?

If you’re thinking you need to change careers, the short answer is: You actually may not need to. The longer answer is, well, longer – and it’s why the short answer exists in the first place. 😉 Do you need a career change – or a change of perspective? Before deciding you need a career change, first figure out what’s making you consider one in the first place. But that’s not always easy because it’s rarely one thing. So, I advise people to ask themselves four questions as a starting point. I also caution that skipping this step or not being wholly sincere about the answers can have disastrous results. Considering your current work: What made you gravitate toward it in the first place? What do you like most about it?

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How to make a resume with no experience

How to make a resume with no experience CONGRATULATIONS! You’re ready to get a job! But how do you make a resume with no experience? This is an important question because no matter what anyone tells you – you need a resume to apply for most jobs. But what if this is your first job? What if you have no work experience? What are you supposed to put on a resume to avoid a gaping hole in the Experience section? How do you make a resume with no experience? You use the experience you DO have. Let me explain. Because, although you may not have employment experience that speaks to the job you want to apply for, you probably have quite a bit of relevant experience

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