Live. Love. Do.® Blog
Bold how-to advice to promote your personal brand and advance your career
This week, we’re heading to social media to offer you some ideas and inspiration about change - dealing with it, creating a plan for the future and becoming the change you want to see in the world. Continue to dream big dreams and we’ll continue to support you as you work to make them come true. – The Living on Purpose Project Team
There are times in life when we are smacked with the reality that we are not prepared for a situation. Here is the survival list I wrote this morning upon realizing “oh shit” NYC and this country are not prepared for the many potential scenarios that lie ahead. Here’s to staying prepared and being proactive as we navigate the next few months.
I know this list is extreme, it’s meant to be. I’d rather look back at my preparations years from now and laugh at how over prepared I was versus the other way around. I hope these ideas benefit you and your family and help bring attention to some potential problems and situations. Truth is, it’s all about being prepared.
1. Go to the ATM today: Start taking out some cash from ATMs. Most financial institutions limit daily ATM withdrawals to $500-$800 maximum. Don’t wait until they announce this suggestion on the news and you are scrambling with everyone else. Cash is invaluable in times of national emergencies - nothing drastic but have way more cash on hand than you normally do.
2. Gather your current documents: Collect and organize your most important papers, insurance cards, passports, children’s birth certificates, social security cards, your wills, etc. If you are temporarily displaced, you then will have your most important documents with you. Your materials will be invaluable in early filing of travel, government and insurance forms and claims. Check the expiration date on your Drivers License and passport. Today is an excellent time to submit your application for renewal. Services, especially TSA and travel related ones, may soon have long delays to process these documents for a variety of reasons.
3. Fill up everything and keep it filled: Whether it’s the gas tank in your car, your freezer or pantry, your asthma medication and prescriptions, etc., keep things “at the ready.” As someone who has lived for a week and a half with no electricity, running toilets/showers, water, AC and basic necessities in 100 degree temperature - I know that having an extra bathtub and pots on the stove filled with water is an invaluable resource. After the Hurricane knocked down power lines, I soon learned that you need water for everything - to brush teeth/hands, wash, eat, prepare meals, etc. I also discovered that when electrical circuits and telecommunications networks are all used at the same time, they temporarily go down. Although the chance of the power going down is highly unlikely, be aware that electricity is needed to operate sewage and waste systems, including your toilet. (Here’s a survival tip: Pouring ½ bucket of water into the bowl or tank can allow you to manually flush your toilets without power). Remember it sucks to be #10 in a gas line that only has enough gas left for 3 cars! Think ahead in everything that you do. Now is time to be proactive and not reactive.
4. Get Baby wipes: Any Service member who has served in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait will tell you that after their GI issued their weapon and equipment, the one thing they will swear by is . . . baby wipes. If you unfortunately have to go to a shelter or temporary housing, you will have limited and/or no access to public showers. It is amazing how clean you can get with soap, a half cup of water and baby wipes. Be sure to bring laundry detergent to hand wash clothes as needed.
5. Have a “Go-Bag”: As you may have done in “911,” create a go-bag - a bag that is pre-packed with 2-3 days of clothes, diapers, medicine, and your critical documents. Include a section or separate bag of dried fruit, nuts, canned goods and water to take with you. Don’t forget a multi pack of toilet paper.
6. Have an emergency family meeting place and plan: In the event that you want/need to quickly leave your home, city or area, make sure everyone in your family knows when and how to meet and communicate. Now is the time to call an out-of-state friend and set up a plan that in the event of an emergency they will call you every day at 10 a.m. (While stuck in Cancun, my phone could NOT make calls but I could however receive them. Having this plan in place can be a Godsend later). Having a system in place now can make all the difference later. If you need to leave, where would you go as a family? Discuss this with everyone NOW - that way you will know when and how you can try to connect and communicate if normal communications channels are down.
7. Make sure you have food and supplies: My personal goal is to have enough canned and frozen food, toilet paper, feminine hygiene products and cleaning supplies for four (4) weeks. However, do whatever you can. Even at least two (2) weeks of supplies is critical. Even though cleaning products cannot be currently found in stores, you can create and find creative substitutes. Baking soda, diluted bleach, white and apple cider vinegar and rubbing alcohol are great cleaning agents. Be sure to pick up the food you both want and need. Keep in mind that when you are confined, you mentally crave food as both nutrition and entertainment. Having plenty of things to keep everyone interested and happy can make a huge difference. Don’t forget fuzzy or Fido. Pick up and pack pet food and/or have a plan of where you are going to take your pet in an emergency.
8. Make use of family time: Navigating what lies ahead and how long we may be confined in our homes will be easier if you are prepared with both digital AND “low-tech” fun activities. Gather up cards, dice, and board games. Pull out some old photos, have a dance party or contest. “Stir-crazy” is real and you need to find ways to mentally, psychologically, and emotionally deal with being limited, restricted and/or confined.
9. Keep your low-tech items. Hold onto that landline or second cell phone and even your clock radios. Keep chargers in your home and car. Pick up secondary “essentials” like rubber gloves, or a touchless thermometer and consider making an investment in other items like generators and ventilator masks (if you can).
10. Let Go and Let God: Living through a Category 5 hurricane I realized that we really don’t control anything related to Mother Nature or the Universe. Plan, pray, and find ways to have faith that you have done everything you can to prepare and protect yourself and your family. The truth is, the virus may only seriously negatively impact 20% of the American population. Prepare and have faith in God and something greater than yourself - and Let Go and Let God!
This week, find ways to plan and prepare for what will be a disruption to everyday life. And, remember what I learned as a 8 year old Girl Scout -- you can’t navigate your way out of the woods/danger if your compass is sitting in your drawer at home. I welcome and encourage your feedback.
Everyone needs help in life. When it comes to your career - do you know when you should seek expert advice to help navigate your job search? Here are seven (7) signs that you might need to turn to career and other professionals to help you achieve your goals.
1. You are not getting any requests for interviews: Chances are, if you’re posting your resume to job boards and not getting a response you might want to have a graphic designer or someone with an artistic eye review and update the visual design of your resume.
2. You go on interviews, including ones for temporary jobs, but never get offered the position: You need to find someone to help you practice and improve your interview skills. Even if you can’t get help from someone else, ask yourself the question and record the answer. Then listen to the recording and analyze how you can improve your answers.
3. Don’t have a good “career transition” story: Many people unknowingly talk themselves out of a job by not having a compelling “why you are qualified and best for the position” story. Getting a new job is much more complex than sending a resume and cover letter. It requires you to be able to sell yourself as being more qualified than you really are. Enlist the help of a more senior professional colleague or mentor to “test drive” your “why you” story by sharing it with them and then asking what you can change and improve.
4. People have questions or are unclear about your expertise/professional niche: If others are more confused after reading your resume this means you need to customize it to ensure that it helps position you in the field you want to pursue.
5. You feel overly nervous or overwhelmed when speaking to potential clients or employers: It’s normal for someone who is unemployed to feel frustrated or even depressed. If you feel that your nerves are getting the best of you, you might want to speak to a career coach, counselor or even therapist to get your head in the game and embrace a more positive mental perspective.
6. You have been hired for a few temporary and temp-to-permanent positions but don’t get asked back for the full-time position: Chances are you are not conveying confidence and portraying yourself in the best light; spending just an hour with a career expert could help you uncover if you are giving off a bad vibe.
7. You’re getting offered opportunities to work in a field that you don’t want to do any more: Consider hiring a writer to help you update your resume and develop a professional bio. A bio is a great way to tell your professional story and help others see your total experience.
This week consider if it’s time to call in a professional to help assist you with your career search/transition efforts. Ask just one person to help you work on your job search strategies, tighten your professional documents or to conduct a mock interview. Soon you will find new ways to help portray yourself in a more positive light.
Here are seven mind shifting ideas to help you see the big picture and not be defined by the short-term or temporary roles you currently play in your life and career.
1. You are greater than the role you play: We all play roles in our family, with friends and although you may not think it – even at work. Just because you’ve always been the “helper” who works tirelessly without any recognition doesn’t mean that’s the ONLY way people can see you. You always have the power to change your role at any moment in time.
2. Your work does not equal your worth: Imagine a world where you would always be rewarded for every contribution you make. Unfortunately, real life doesn’t work that way. Most people are underpaid, overworked and not properly acknowledged for what they do. Remind yourself that you are worth so much more than your current position at work.
3. You have infinite potential: The biggest thing keeping you from your dreams is you NOT believing that it’s possible. You have to believe in your potential and “fake it till you make it” and never forget you have infinite potential.
4. You must take on at least one opportunity where you are not treated with the professionalism and respect you deserve: We all have had to work mean girls or guys that are jerks. Remember negative people have a purpose – to teach you – what NOT to do to others.
5. Your title is what they call you at work – it is not who you are in life: A title is a very subjective thing. What they call you at work banker, vet tech, teacher or even convict – NEVER let others labels define you. Remember people can call you whatever title they like, as long as they pay you what you are worth.
6. You are better than your worst past mistake: In theory you should live life with few or no regrets. However, we all have made mistakes and done things we are not proud of. What happened in the past does NOT dictate your life in the future.
7. You are not going to do what you currently do forever: Nothing lasts forever, unless you want it to. The great thing about life, career, business and more is you can make a choice and when that choice no longer works out – simply, you make another choice.
You are more than an assistant manager, development officer, recently unemployed “person.” You are not just the roles you live or the work you currently do. This week remind yourself of one of these “maxims” -- creative goals/ideas.