Seven Questions to Think About When It Comes to . . . Things that May be Holding You Back from Advancing Professionally.

Sometimes we’re doing the best we know how but career opportunities are not presenting themselves and we seem stuck in a similar or perhaps even the same place. Here are seven questions to guide you to understand and then make minor changes in how you approach, view, and do things.

1. How well do you think on your feet? You don’t have to be the person who talks simply to hear themselves speak, nor to say things simply because that’s what you think others expect. However, you need to practice and learn how to come up with AN idea or feedback when put on the spot. Being quick with your thoughts and solutions to problems will help make you appear as a credible expert and therefore a valuable asset in any industry or field.

2. Do you think happiness is a right or a choice? If you said choice, you’re correct. Experts have actually proven that feeling happy when it comes to our work life is a skill that must be cultivated. Yes, stuff happens but through meditation and mindfulness you can slowly learn how to keep things focused.

3. How do you strike and engage in a conversation? I once had a client who was extremely well educated, read and traveled. He was a nice guy often put his foot in his mouth or said really inappropriate comments in an attempt to be witty. Create “pick up” lines to engage potential influencers and professional contacts.

4. Are you a problem solver? I learned a very important lesson at my first job out of school – that if you bring a problem to your boss you must also bring a possible solution. This is one thing that separates the average janes/joes from the true professionals. Whether it’s your current coworker or boss, always have a potential way to address whatever you are expecting/asking someone else to solve.

5. How do you blow off steam and stress? Everyone needs healthy outlets to process and deal with stress. Without them - you can be your own worst enemy – and with them a great motivator. Take 30 minutes a day to walk, exercise or do a variety of things to feel more positive to rise and grind another day.

6. What do you do to be memorable? Imagine 100 people applying for the same job; statistics prove that less than 20 will stand out and/or be remembered. Find little ways to break through the clutter and differentiate yourself from competitors. Ask that great question or establish rapport by mentioning a shared friend or associate.

7. What are you willing to do without until you’re able to do the things you love? Embrace the fact that anything worth having takes effort and requires time. Which sacrifices are you willing to make? Dream big but work even bigger to do whatever is required to fulfill your dreams.

When we know better we do better. Now that you are aware of these small things you have (or have not) been doing – the more prepared you are not to let them hold you back the next time.

January 25, 2017 Seven Things to Think About When It Comes to . . . Being the Hero in Your Own Life Story.

Since childhood you’ve heard at least one story about superheroes and their special powers. But has anyone ever taught you how to become your own superhero who saves the day in your career and life. Well, Elizabeth Gilbert, author of Eat Pray Love may have actually cracked the code. Here are seven ways to become your own heroic figure.

1. Answer the call: “If you want to be the hero of the story - you kinda gotta answer the call.” – Elizabeth Gilbert

2. Hold a mirror to your flaws: Seeing yourself clearly is the second step to becoming a hero. Heroes know who they are and what makes them special. Focus on the special powers you have and work on cultivating them.

3. Prepare yourself for peril: The only constant in life is change and challenges. Become a person who thinks three steps ahead, always has a plan “B” and will be prepared to successfully deal with adversity. Remember, it’s not IF difficult obstacles come along; it’s how you’ll respond WHEN they do.

4. Ride the wave: Superheroes know how to deal with a variety of situations but mostly they simply know how to ride the wave. In an opportunity, ride the wave/go with the flow and when the wave and movement and beautiful views end - so should you. But luckily you’ll have (or quickly create) a plan – to find and then ride another wave.

5. Take responsibility: Growth is about owning a part/role in any situation. Are you deathly afraid of speaking in front of others? Are you intimidated that others are better writers or simply smarter than you are? Own your shortcomings and learn how you can prevent something bad from happening again by being honest with yourself and others.

6. Never waste your suffering: Be empowered to use your mistakes and “failures.” However, there is no need to beat yourself up. When you can share your experiences and lessons with others to turn your misery into meaning.

7. Face fear: Facing your biggest fears head on – frees you. Heroes demonstrate courage – moving forward despite fear. Attack what scares you most and stop running from it. If you want to break into marketing, send out an updated resume that shows your pro bono consulting projects

Heroes help us in many ways, but becoming your own hero makes you qualified to not always have to rely on others to live and manifest a highly successful career. This week follow these simple steps to use a mirror to see your flaws and yourself clearly; bring you to your own attention; and tear down your walls.

January 18, 2017 ASK PATRICE . . . When It Comes to Negotiating a Higher Salary, Even with Less Than 5-7 Years of Experience.

Each month we are going to feature a question from a Living on Purpose Project (LOPP) fan or follower and provide “straight no chaser” career advice from our CEO and Founder, Patrice Anderson. If you have a career-related question you’d like to ask, please comment on social media or directly email us atlivingonpurposeproject@gmail.com

“I have almost five years of experience, and less than two in my desired field. I have been offered a position at a mid-size company doing what I like but the salary is the same as my current position at a larger firm. How can I negotiate a higher salary?”

Negotiating is something I am lucky to have learned, literally from some of the best in the business. Here are secrets to asking for a higher salary and other forms of compensation. Following them will take your negotiation skills from shaky to successful in no time:

1. Wear your poker face: Letting others know what you’re thinking is the kiss of death when it comes to any negotiation. So don’t do it. Play it cool, and act as if you have MANY options and have done this before. Even if this is your first job offer in 2 years or you don’t have a clue about negotiation – act as if.

2. Six degrees of separation: Gather as much intelligence on the key players as you can. Who are the decision makers? How long have they been with the organization?
Know their successes and weaknesses, as well as who they have worked and gone to school with. Effective name dropping is effective. Create and start to cultivate a connection through shared associates and experiences. Your ultimate goal is to motivate them to believing that you are the candidate they MUST have.

3. Charm to disarm: My grandmother always told me – “you catch more bees with honey than you do with _ _ _ _.” Be pleasant and honest. People will know when you are overdoing it – so start with basic niceties like their appearance or a good point they made. Then move up to say and show the appropriate amount of deference and your respect. You can kill any deal simply by rude behavior and poor business etiquette

4. Demonstrate and prove others are being paid more: Talk in a non-threatening way about how the position you are considering is extremely similar or exact to another in the company/field/industry. A position that is paid at a higher salary. Something like “the positon you describe sounds more like (INSERT ONE LEVEL HIGHER) and detail all that you are being expected to do. Pay note to supervising even an intern. If it’s an assistant positon say it sounds like a “coordinator.” If they call it a manager say it sounds like a senior manager or director.

Your goal is to point to other people doing the same job for more money. If you need to build a better case – highlight that you know the previous person to hold that position had fewer responsibilities. And, to seal the deal offer to take on another project, area or department to clearly demonstrate the significant increase in job responsibilities – and to give them leeway to adjust the salary.

5. Highlight your negatives: After explaining your sincere interest and aptitude to do the job at hand – mention the “down side” for you. Will your commute time/expense double? Are you leaving a more well-known or prestigious brand or company? Share as they say, the “facts.”

Then remind them of what impressed them about you in the interview or prior meeting and share three (3) strong industry and/or career accomplishments. Reinforce this “negative” message with your desire to be a part of their team.

6. Ask rhetorical questions: People are more likely to be flexible and concede when they don’t feel confronted. Making your comments (and even reservations) into rhetorical questions is a great way to prevent things from going “left” (at best) or contentious (at worst).

Saying something like, “I really want the positon but I wish that there was some way I could not have the added expense of commuting?” or “The position is great but it really sounds much like an Account Executive, not a Coordinator, which I know has a much higher salary?

7. Be direct about the extras: Depending on the company, you should ask about signing bonus, performance based stock options, assistance with relocation or moving costs, and increased transportation. These pay outs may not come in lump sum, one-time payment but – money is money.

Everything in life is negotiable and everything in life requires some form of negotiation. Stop limiting your career options by lacking knowledge and experience in negotiating with people at all levels.

This week start by practicing some of these tips, reading more about the topic, and enlisting a friend to role-play the part of your future employer.

DJ Khaled - All I Do Is Win Feat. Ludacris, Rick Ross, Snoop Dogg & T-Pain from DAYO HAREWOOD on Vimeo.

October 5, 2016 Seven Simple Steps to Think About When It Comes to . . . Surprising Ways You Can Get LinkedIn to Work for You

Two people join LinkedIn every second. More than 35% of LinkedIn’s members aren’t just posting their resumes to this leading professional networking site, but rather using it as an interactive tool to proactively help advance their careers. Here are seven surprising ways that people are using LinkedIn to generate job leads, make inroads with recruiters and hiring managers, and effectively promote their professional brands and businesses. As part of our October 30-Day Career Challenge, we’re also adding seven activities that you can do this week to step up your LinkedIn game.

1. Spend time and not money, and boost your numbers: According to Power + Formula 2013 LinkedIn User Survey: almost 85% of people use the free account; 52% spend up to two hours each week researching companies and individuals on the site; and nearly 22 % of users have 500-999 first degree connection. As a career consultant, I encourage my clients to work toward creating a network of 500 connections (unlike Facebook and other social media sites, 500 is the maximum number that appears on LinkedIn). This week reach out to seven new people every day such as former colleagues, classmates, new co-workers, friends of friends, professors, and almost anyone you can think of to increase your first level connection network.

2. Asking for intros and connects: Almost 63% of LinkedIn users make their first level connections “public.” Not only should you do the same but you should also regularly review your connections’ contacts to identify people you’d like to meet or work with. Then use a simple 3-step process to get to know these people: (1) prepare a brief summary paragraph detailing where you currently work and/or what you’ve been up to recently; (2) tell your connections that you are interested in working at XYZ or would simply love to speak to person “X” in their network; and (3) ask if they can introduce you – be sure to include your summary paragraph in your request. Some people will prefer to reach out to the individual first to confirm that they can share their contact info with you. Others will simply send an email to the contact, including your email request/summary and “cc” you. Regardless of how you are connected, be sure to follow up with a “hardcopy” thank you note to the person who provided the introduction. Yes, I said hardcopy. Business etiquette is a dying breed but can really help you stand out because so few people do it. Even in our digital age, an old school thank you card will impress others and make you more memorable than the 80% of people who won’t send one. Another final key point: in a few weeks make sure you circle back with your original connection to let them know what, if anything, has happened as a result of their introduction and to thank them once again. Use this 3-step method with 10 strangers you would love to call “contacts.”

3. Create a weekly buzz: Use status updates to keep your name out there and ensure you stay relevant. It doesn’t require you to do or write a lot.
Simply informing others that you’ve had a work anniversary or started a new job and congratulating those in you network when they do the same will do the trick. Endorse the skills of 10 of your connections or send some relevant updates.

4. Create - don’t wait for opportunities: More than 75% of LinkedIn users are using the platform to research people and companies. Use the advanced search function to learn more about people you’d like to know and companies you’d like to work for. Then Google and follow the ones you’re really interested in via Facebook, the web, and other social media sites. Select one person in your field who you admire and want to get to know. Review her/his LinkedIn page and other information found on the Internet and draft a personalized email complimenting them for their recent accomplishments requesting to meet him or her for coffee or a 20-minute call to ask them for some career advice.

5. Use your words: Draft and share an article, blog post, press release or anything that you’ve recently written. Write and share a nicely written piece on a timely topic in your field; include your LinkedIn photo so others tie it into your LinkedIn profile.

6. Follow the leader: Follow companies and engage with or join group(s) related to your field/desired field. More than half of all companies share more “individualized” content on their LinkedIn site, including text and video product/service information. Approximately 60% of companies view who is following their company pages to identify possible job candidates; and more than half of all company LinkedIn pages share updates with followers.
In addition, about two thirds of LinkedIn “power users” belong to groups like their college alma mater, previous employers, associations and groups within their industry. These groups can offer invaluable information such as job leads and invite-only networking sessions.
Today pick one company to follow and one group to join.

7. Engage with post(s): Whether it’s an influencer or a junior person who works in the same or similar field, take time to comment on their posts that are relevant to your field or potential connections.
Offer substantive, insightful feedback (i.e., more than “nice post”) in order to get your name “out there in the digital world” and to increase the likelihood that someone will view your profile as a result of reading your comment.

LinkedIn is more than a job board where you post your resume. It is a powerful interactive tool that successful professionals use to: facilitate daily direct messaging, generate more than 40% of a prospective employees’ job leads; and connect tens of thousands former employees every day. This week spend 7-10 minutes a day or (if this is something you really need to improve) dedicate 90 minutes during the week working on one or more of LOPP activity challenges.

September 28, 2016 Seven Things to Think About When It Comes to . . . Finding Success Because of Your Mindset and Not Just Your Abilities

World-renowned Stanford University psychologist Carol Dweck has spent decades studying why it’s not just our abilities and talents that bring us success but whether we approach things with a “fixed” or “growth” mindset. Here are some key takeaways from her amazing book, Mindset, and seven questions to determine which mindset you currently have and ways to make changes to accomplish true career success.

1. What is your mindset on life?: Dweck says how you answer the following four true or false statements will tell you whether you have a growth or fixed mindset: (1) You are a certain kind of person, and there is not much that can be done to really change that; (2) No matter what kind of person you are, you can always change substantially; (3) You can do things differently, but the important parts of who you are can’t really be changed; and (4) You can always change basic things about the kind of person you are. Answering “true” to statements 1 and 3 are the fixed-mindset questions and questions 2 and 4 reflect a growth mindset.

2. Are you more concerned with how you’ll be judged or are you concerned with improving? The above questions relate to your personality mindset and reveal qualities dependability, cooperativeness, caring or social skills. Your goal in life should be about learning (a growth personality mindset) and not about caring how others assess your ability or trying to get everything “right” on the first or tenth try (a fixed personality mindset).

3. Do you want to change your mindset?: As a child, someone may have praised your intelligence, looks or ability. However, words alone don’t foster our self-esteem and enable us to accomplish things. In fact, being praised solely for your outcome can jeopardize your success. Redefine success to include the effort and process, and not just the end result. Remember you can be smart and talented but you need a growth mindset to cultivate the coping skills required for life.

4. Do you have the CEO disease? Dweck gives a great example in her book of the downside of a fixed mindset when it comes to business and your professional life. She talks about former Chrysler CEO Lee Iacocca who, after a period of initial success, kept bringing out the same car models again and again with only minor tweaks. Meanwhile Japanese companies were redefining how cars should look and run – and eventually led the market. Where in your professional life are refusing to welcome a challenge and finding new ways to approach things? Learn ways to embrace your shortcomings and thrive, not cower, after setbacks and “failure.”

5. Do you only like doing things that you know you’ll do well? If you are living your life thinking I have mastered “X” and therefore don’t need to continue learning more about it – STOP THAT TODAY.
The bigger the challenge the more we learn to “stretch” ourselves, something many great athletes have shown us from their example. Many sports greats often trained with people who were older, bigger, better and even more talented. It was challenging themselves in this way that helped them become a phenom.

6. Do you feel “smart” when you are “flawless” or when you are “learning?” I love the feeling of having that “aha” moment when I realize why that “thing” that I did wasn’t working – because now I know how to “fix it.” Do you feel the same way? Start embracing the power of the process of things and not just the energy of doing things “perfectly.” Perfection doesn’t invite progress and effortless success doesn’t teach us anything. Remember, change and progress is essential to success in our work and careers.

7. What are you trying to prove and who are you trying to prove it to? People with a fixed mindset opt for success over growth. Doing so begs the question, what are they really trying to prove? If you are living with a fixed mindset stop trying to prove that you are intelligent, unique or special – you are. Imperfections are not shameful it’s what makes us great.

“Failure is an action NOT an identity.” Everything you try will work out. Your inability to do something perfectly or instantly does not define who you are but rather opens the potential of who you can become. Things are not “either or” – you can have great ability but still need to embrace putting forth effort. Even if you are a genius be willing, as Dweck says, to “upgrade your genius.” This week think about whether you have a fixed or growth mindset. If it’s fixed, ask yourself – “At the end of your career do you want to look back and see that you only did those things in life that you knew you could succeed in – or do you want to say that you explored, tried to improve and enjoyed the journey and not just the destination?”

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.

Breaking into a new field when you lack “experience”

One of the many things I love (and do well) is using branding and marketing strategies and tactics to help people in life and career.  As a quick reminder, strategies are what we want to do (i.e., create, advance in, or even break into a new field/career/industry).  Tactics are how we actually go about doing it (i.e., work as a consultant doing freelance projects while keeping your full time gig, taking a part-time job to pay the bills or creating some ‘hustle’ on the side).

Regardless of industry, you need to first identify and then communicate a consistent and distinct professional brand.  Often, all you need is just a simple phrase or even a couple of words that can effectively communicate who you are and what you do (i.e., your brand).  Let’s say you’ve worked for a few years in internal communications and you are making a segway into TV production – your brand may be a “master storyteller.” Or perhaps you work in IT or Project Management helping organize processes or correct other people’s problems, so your brand is an “organizer of chaos” or the “fixer.”

Once you have clearly defined the essence of your brand and its core attributes, now you have to find (or most likely create) untraditional ways to promote yourself.  Your first step is to draft (or hire someone) to develop a professional biography.  

A bio is one of the best marketing tools for anyone involved in career exploration or seeking to advance to the next level of career readiness.  It allows you to transcend the confines of titles, and put the focus on what really matters (the experience itself) and not when it occurred. For example, you may have worked in sales 10 years ago for five years. That information sticks out like a “you really don’t have experience in this field” type of resume. But the bio lets you tell your whole “story,” and enables you to pick the characters, roles and scenes that relate to what you want to do now and moving forward.

A resume is a linear, chronological history of your professional life.  And, people are just as linear as the resume. Often, we only see what’s presented right in front of us.  You show someone a resume of a person who hasn’t worked at the “required” level (for more than a decade or even at all), then that’s how they will see you.  But if you give them your customized resume (a requirement for almost every job) and also provide a great bio that tells your complete professional story in a way that demonstrates your brand value, you might be given a shot to prove yourself.

Your bio effectively unites your professional brand, “unrelated” experience and work history, and prepares you to tell a believable story.  A believable story is one that convinces others you are the perfect person for the job, despite what your resume may or may not ‘say.’  Your story is not something you “wing” on the interview but rather what you create and fine-tune well before any opportunity presents itself.

With your bio, brand and believable story in hand, you are armed to explore and create unconventional ways to get to your end goal.  Volunteer or work for free to get more hands-on experience in an area where you want to work.
Reach out to a larger competitor who doesn’t have the time (or desire) to support clients that are “too small for them” but just right for your start-up business.  Take a class or teach one to network with both instructors and peers who are currently doing the very thing you dream about.  

Almost every great “empire” started as a side hustle, so today do one small thing to jumpstart yours.  In doing something unconventional, I promise you that not only will it pay off but it will get you several steps closer to life and career that enables you to do what you love.