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.

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January 11, 2017 Seven Things to Think About When It Comes To . . . Making Little Shifts to Create Big Change.

Creating change in any area of life, particularly your career is often less about making one huge effort and more about creating lots of little shifts. By taking lots of baby steps you can create a major professional adjustment. Make your little steps simple, easy, fun, new and different experiences. This week try these seven fun activities to both shake up your work mojo and to cause a series of shifts that will help lead you to making a major professional change.

1. Watch a show or movie related to your interest or hobby: I love home reno and deco shows like “Flip or Flop” and “Rehab Addicts” on HGTV but check out whatever you’re into.

2. Re-read a favorite book: There is a saying we don’t pick books, but rather they pick us. Dust off one of your Fave books and start it again.

Chances are you’ll soon discover a new reason why you’ve always loved it.

3. Put your dreams on paper: There is a major energy shift when we take just one idea and put it down on paper. It really doesn’t matter what you write - your thoughts, plans, or creative ideas - just write at least one page EVERY day. Even if journaling isn’t your thing, just write.

4. Take a 20 minute walk: Try to walk 20-30 minutes every day. This week take a different route to work or walk an alternate path to the subway. Use this tiny change to motivate you to make other small changes throughout your day.

5. Call seven (7) friends or former co-workers: Reach out to others and wish them a Happy New Year to see “what’s good” in 2017. Touching base with an old colleague could be the ideal tiny shift to put a new opportunity into motion.

6. Take a 10-15 minute bath instead of a shower: I know this one seems random but trust me. This is a small switch to your daily routine and your entire day.

7. Clean out clutter from your physical and mental space: Clear out your environment and replace your negative or even neutral thoughts WITH potential, hope and, possibility.

Possibility is always there – waiting to knock at any moment. This week think about doing little things in a different way and with a different focus to create a brand new opportunity.

January 4, 2017 Seven Things to Think About When It Comes to . . . Having a New Year Where You Keep an Open Mind and Try Not to Say "No”

Mega producer, screen writer, and author Shonda Rhimes wrote a book called the Year of Yes, where she shares the beautifully interesting experiences that she had as a result of agreeing to do things that she had normally said “no” to.

Truth is, it is not practical or possible to say that you will say “yes” to every opportunity.

However, you can make a focused effort not to say “no” to as many things in life.

Here are seven areas where you can embrace an open mind in 2017 and be receptive to considering and doing more experiences that you would not have normally done.

Accept help: Often the very thing we need to take us to the next career level is help and assistance from others. The next time someone offers to look at your resume or help you in some professional way - don’t make excuses like your resume isn’t updated - just accept the help!

Helping others in your own way: I find that when others ask me for help, I sometimes say “no” because they are asking for something that requires more time than I have to give. You may not be able to drive your friend to Ikea and help move furniture from Harlem to Brooklyn. So offer to do what you can do.

Do one thing that scares you (a little): Sometimes the best way to get over something is to face your fear directly. Build a strong verbal and written argument for why you deserve a raise or confront that co-worker who seems to have had a problem with you since you started. Whatever the situation, addressing it head on will not be nearly as bad as you envision in your mind.

Embrace a new take on hanging out after work: Connecting with people outside of the office can be more than drinking at a local bar. Next time a co-worker asks you to join them for an activity after work – go for it. Stop by at a work friend’s open mic night, stand-up comedy set or event. Doing so can open up a whole new social scene and (potential professional contacts) by connecting you with new and interesting people.

Take the initiative and create your own work project: Create just one way that you can take on a job or activity that simply needs to be done.

Take that trial class: Whatever you are into - yoga, painting or martial arts - stop putting it off and just take the one FREE class. Who knows? You might hate it; but more than likely you’ll love and enjoy the fact that you tried doing something that you’ve never done before.

Help a friend with a worthy cause: We all know someone who works with a positive and charitable cause. Take seven minutes to see if you can volunteer, make a donation, or spread the word to others who can support their worthwhile efforts.

Embrace 2017 as the year that you will be more open, willing, and able to try new things. Sure you won’t be able to say “yes” to everything, but this month and throughout the year take time to thoroughly consider every opportunity and experience before you say “no.” See if there is a way to do something before you simply write it off.