December 21, 2016 Things To Think About When It Comes To . . . Looking for and Finding Inspiration And Opportunities in The Oddest Places

Yesterday I turned on the TV at 5:30 a.m. hoping to find something inspirational to kick start my day that would officially start in about an hour. I stumbled upon an interesting piece on Gloria Steinem on OWN and it brought back a great memory of when I met Gloria Steinem because of a hand-written card.

While working for NBC, I met Carole Black when she was the President and General Manager of the NBC owned station in Los Angeles NBC4. Soon after, I heard that she took a job in NYC as the new President and CEO of Lifetime Television. I sent her a short “congratulations way to go” note and got a call back from her assistant about a week later. The assistant passed along Carole’s thanks and a special invite for me to be Carole’s “plus 1” at an upcoming 65th birthday party for Gloria Steinem at Phil Donahue and Marlo Thomas’ house! I guess CEO’s don’t get a lot of “congrats on your new gig and huge executive parachute plan” cards.

I will always remember so many things about that great night, such as the 39 other incredible guests and meeting and talking with a living legend. But what still amazes me is that this all happened because of a simple note.

Here are seven things that this unusual string of events in my life and a personal card and thank you note actually taught me about having a successful career.

1. At any moment, you can do something small to put a big opportunity into motion down the road.

2. Career success comes from cultivating professional and personal relationships. People want to work with people they know and like.

3. There are rich people, there are the wealthy people and there are people who are rich because how they have created, navigated and shared their life experiences. Everyone, including you, can be one, two, or hopefully all three.

4. Never underestimate the value of business and social etiquette (if you don’t know it – learn it quickly.) Always remember please and thank you are words that have tremendous power.

5. Celebrities and accomplished professionals in many ways are not like everyday people. However, every human being needs to hear that others are proud of who they are, as well as what they do.

6. Seize every moment to network and learn from people, especially those who you may never see again. I met many people and business associates that day who have impacted my career.

7. Always bring your host a gift or small token of your appreciation. I brought Gloria Steinem a book of poetry, and even bravely gave her an original work of my own. I also sent Carole Black one darn nice thank you note for inviting me and proving such as great networking opportunity.

Find inspiration to tackle a new venture by first simply reflecting on something you’ve previously done that worked out better than you imagined, then take your first step toward doing this new thing. This week take a moment to reflect on these lessons learned and consider who you could send a “personal note” that might directly or indirectly help you experience something great?

August 31, 2016 Seven Things to Think About When It Comes to . . . Creating a Fulfilled and Purpose-Filled Life

One of my favorite people is Anna Quindlen, author of the bestselling novels Object Lessons, One True Thing, and Black and Blue. Her New York Times column “Public and Private” won a Pulitzer Prize in 1992, she has also penned a number of other great reads. Although most of Anna’s books are novels, she wrote an amazing non-fiction book called A Short Guide to a Happy Life (Random House). Taking inspiration from some of the many great ideas and themes in this tiny powerhouse, here are seven simple steps to explore and discover purpose.

1. Be Present:

Stop your words and body from moving and be still and present for at least 10 minutes a day. Turn off all devices and try your best to return your mind to “nothingness” when it wanders. Having this time to re-charge is essential to moving to where you want to be in the future.

2. Have different kinds of new and old “fun:”

Carnival ride-fun, concert-fun, watching a baby sleep-fun, some trying new things-fun, and going new places-fun.

Not all parts of life are fun, however, we can find an element of fun in anything that we do. Fun helps us grow and connect with who we are and more importantly who we can become.

3. Think of and embrace your worst mistake:

Claim one lesson you learned from your biggest mistake, and think about what it taught yourself and others. When you claim your mistakes it frees you from them and eliminates the fear of someone else hanging it over your head. Mistakes (that we learn from) give us wisdom and make us who we are, perhaps even more than our successes. Create a concise story about your mistake and the lesson you learned from it to share with others ensure that their path will be easier to navigate.

4. Be a good (Fill-in-the-blank):

Don’t just choose generic words to fill in this blank like friend/daughter/son/mother/father instead use words or phrases that define how your actions and presence impact others. For example, I want to be a good “motivator” who lifts people up when they are feeling down and inspires others to make change. Or I want people to feel supported and empowered in my presence.

5. Remind yourself that nothing is promised:

We often put off making career changes because we assume that we’ll always have time to do so. The truth is, nothing is guaranteed. Make sure that the last words you speak to your family, loved ones and even colleagues are life-lasting. Take time to do something each week that works toward bringing you happiness. No matter how young you are live life knowing that your last work or deed could be your last.

6. Create a life that both connects you with others and allows you to have alone time:

Spend time teaching others and invest time alone learning about yourself. Find ways to “sign up” and “sit in the back seat” and learn what inspires you and what you do well.

7. Help others by sharing your craft, experiences and everything you know:

Your job at any age or stage is to help another person. We are all “teachers” and all “students.” There are always people who admire who you are and what you do no matter where you are in life. Through the process of sharing, you grow and learn not just about the experience you share, but about yourself.

We all experience success in our personal lives and in our careers. However, it’s often hard to sustain success in both parts of our life simultaneously. This week, try some of these suggested tips or pick up a copy of an Anna Quindlen’s book from a library or book store and start creating your own personal guide to a happy life.

August 24, 2016 Seven Things to Think about When it Comes to . . . Things not Turning Out the Way You Want.

Sometimes we do all the right things: exceed in our current jobs, continue our education or take a class to learn a new skill, but despite our best efforts, things still don’t go our way. Here are a few things to think about when you’re doing everything “right” but things are still going very “wrong.”

1. You can be everything you’re supposed to be but not everything you want to be:

Hopefully while you were growing up someone told you that you could be anything you wanted to be. Although very encouraging, this is, unfortunately, not true. I want to sing like the late Whitney Houston but no matter how hard I try that will never happen. We each need to spend time discovering what natural skills and abilities we were given and find ways to cultivate them and use them in how we work and what we do. Sometimes you may be pursuing something that you’re just not meant to do or be.

2. It’s time for you to do your own thing:

Many successful businesses are started by people who were once unemployed or unable to find the ideal job for them - so they created their own.

Everyone has a “lotto” business idea i.e., the type of company or business they’d love to have if money was not a factor. What’s yours? Often there is never a perfect opportunity to start an entrepreneurial venture. Sometimes that thing that you’re supposed to do falls into place when you create a plan, believe in yourself and just take the leap of faith.

3. You need to work smarter - not harder:

You’re inability to advance in your line of work or change careers may have less to do with what you’re doing and more to do with how you’re approaching things. For example, you might be spending two hours a day posting your resume to job boards like

www.Indeed.com

when you should be spending six hours every day reaching out everyone you know (and everyone they know) to expand your professional contacts and find job leads. Remember that about approximately 80% of workers get hired or selected for opportunities because of a personal contact or reference.

4. Life isn’t fair - but the universe is:

Sometimes we are more qualified, more capable and more talented than the person who gets the job. Learning to accept what we can’t change is a continuous life lesson that we all have to learn. Remind yourself that no one ever achieved anything great with negative thoughts and energy. Forget excessive time wondering why someone got something that may have been rightfully yours and instead focus on what you can do and what else the universe has planned for you.

5. You need to hone your craft:

There are many reasons why you might not be hired for your dream job, but there’s no reason for you to lack experience in the field/area in which you want to work. Expand your experience by working for free, helping others with their new business ideas, taking a class, and doing just about anything and everything to get your side hustle on! Everyone, especially those looking to make a career transition, needs a side venture or hustle – so start yours today.

6. You think you are ready but you’re really not:

When it comes to career, your skill sets and are not the only things you need to master. Sometimes what’s holding us back is ourselves. Spend time each week honing your judgement or your ability to “read” people and situations, and even how to play office politics.

7. Something better awaits you:

Things might not be working out the way you would like because something better is waiting for you. What you think is your “dream job” could actually be “peanuts” in comparison to the perfect opportunity that you are meant to have. Some things in life and career are simply a matter of timing. Be patient and make the most of the time spent waiting for that bigger and brighter opportunity to appear.

The first line in the classic M. Scott Peck book, The Road Less Traveled is “Life is Difficult.” Life however can become at bit easier to navigate when you accept this reality and learn to take inventory in what you really enjoy and were born to do. This week take a second look at something that recently did not work out the way you would have liked – and consider these seven ideas to work on moving forward with a fresh perspective.

Seven Life Lessons and Career Advice from Judith Germano, Founding Member of GermanoLawLLC and Former Federal Prosecutor and Chief of Economic Crimes at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of New Jersey

1. Step away from something in order to focus much more intensely on it: Sometimes on my long runs, I come up with really valuable business ideas and solutions that might have taken me longer to reach just sitting at the desk. Stepping away from an issue or problem and looking at it from a different angle is useful. I think it also makes us happier, healthier and more efficient people.

2. Feel confident in trusting your instincts to take the right next step: Start by asking yourself “what’s the right thing is to do?” Then determine who you might need to ask for guidance or advice on a variety of options. You have to work on finding the balance between trusting your instincts, having good judgment and seeking help when and as needed.

3. Success comes from personal initiative and hard work: I have had many wonderful mentors who have guided and advocated for me, and for that I feel very blessed but, as my parents always taught me, success starts from initiative and hard work.

[] 4. Be a forward-looking person, but have flexibility: I have a map, or plan, in my head but often have ended up taking a different course. I’m all the better for it. It’s that flexibility, openness, and looking at what’s ahead that helps me most.

5. Hear contrary opinions to help you, even if you decide to go/do it another way: I think it’s important to keep an open-mind to all kinds of advice, the positive and the more critical. Sometimes the advice that is the hardest to hear could be the kind that we need the most.

6. Find balance and do not succumb to self-doubt. Take time for careful introspection. Make sure there’s the right balance of confidence and humility in each step you take.

7. Find a process to determine what’s the “right” or best thing in any situation. Working for 11 years as a federal prosecutor, I learned to exercise this on a regular basis. But I think it can help anyone, in many situations: ask yourself if “it’s” ethically sound, legally consistent, strategically appropriate, and best for the interested parties. Remember sometimes it’s best to be aggressive.

Other times it’s right to step back with confidence, wait and then engage when it’s appropriate. And sometimes the best thing to do is to not engage at all, even when it may be tempting and when quiet restraint takes more strength and courage than action.

Everyone needs an advice career “dream team.” Today gather a group of friends, family mentors and even strangers who always offer a positive and important perspective and great pearls of wisdom.