The Secret: Not a secret anymore...

I watched The Secret twice: first online (with several interruptions) following a recommendation by a marketing coach, then at a conference (where I fell asleep halfway through). My feelings about the Law of Attraction: I believe if you can crystallize a goal, your subconscious mind goes to work and you get drawn to new ways to achieve your goal. Many of my clients spend lots of consulting time discussing what's wrong with their careers (and sometimes their lives, but that's way beyond my scope). We make progress when we turn to projecting the future. Christina Merkley (www.shift-it-coaching.com) has a good combination of attraction marketing and common sense. When I talked to her, she agreed we could translate some concepts into down-to-earth terms. For instance, "vibrating" really is about "mood." And lots of research shows that mood influences all sorts of outcomes. Doctors who are in a good mood will approach clinical decision-making differently, according to research by Professor Alice Isen (of Cornell University last time I checked). But other research shows that defensive pessimism -- expecting the worst -- can be productive for many people. I've talked to clients who jumped in to new cities and houses with great optimism but with no Plan B. They counted on the income from a job to make the mortgage payments. Or they counted on keeping a job within easy commuting distance of their dream homes. Sometimes they can find ways to hold on to what they love. We can talk about starting businesses, e-businesses, telecommuting and more. These options work well for some clients. Jumping in with both feet is just fine, if you do research. Recently I saw an article about holding back from a goal of becoming a teacher for fear of "living on a teacher's salary." There's no easy answer. Some people feel liberated in their new world, so they stretch their new incomes to meet their needs, happily. Others feel like they've inadvertently entered a prison of their own making. They resent the lower income so much they can't enjoy the career. And some find the dream career has hidden traps they never expected. Being a teacher means you get to work with children...but you also can't leave your classroom to make a quick phone call. One third grade teacher told me she's evaluated on her bulletin boards as much as her teaching. And don't get me started on standardized tests. Got a dream? My rule of thumb is, "Jump into the research. Learn everything you can. But move slowly on commitment."

Networking Tips From a Networking Event

When I first moved to Seattle, I was determined to get involved in networking. After four years in a small town in New Mexico, suddenly I had opportunities to meet prospects face to face. I loved meeting new people. And connections began to happen. But at first I couldn’t help wondering, “Will all this activity be productive?” Then last week I heard a talk by Zita Gustin. She gave us an exercise that you can try in your own group. First we shared with a fellow participant the answers to four work related questions. Then we answered a more fun set of questions. Where are you from? What television programs do you watch? What’s a good business book you’ve read lately? As Zita pointed out, we were all far more animated in the second exercise. It was fun and we discovered points of connection we never anticipated. Okay, you might have suspected some of mine: “I’m from Snohomish.” ”That’s where my dog is from! Her first owners found her in the SPCA up there.” Networking is an investment of time (and of course money and energy). Most people attend a meeting or two and then give up, saying, “Nothing happened.” But after weeks, months and years, and sometimes volunteering for committees, you begin to reap the real rewards. Over time, I’ve been greeted warmly in groups where I first felt unwelcome and out of place. Psychologist Stanley Milgram (known for his infamous obedience experiments) studied the way familiarity leads to liking. When you see the same people over and over – even when you wait at the same bus stop --- you develop positive feelings for them. Of course, I believe some networking events and professional groups are more valuable than others. Some groups have invisible barriers that keep new members at a distance. In a few dog-eat-dog fields, networking won’t be productive. In some locations, you won’t have opportunities to network productively. When I work with clients, we discuss targeted networking strategies that will most likely lead to success. But generally, if you’re ready to make a change, go hang around with some people who are doing what you would like to do. Just have fun with them and stop if you don’t. And often the best connections get made in the most unlikely places…even just because, “We both have dogs.”

The ONE Time You Must Ask About Salary Before The Interview

Q. I have a job. It's not great but it could be worse and it does pay the bills. Last week I got invited to interview for a job that sounds like fun. But I suspect they're offering less money than I'm making now." A. When you're working, you may have trouble escaping for interviews. You have to set limits and screen your interviewers -- a nice position of power. Talk to the interviewer. "I'm interested in the job. I have a job and my job search must be confidential, so I want to save my time and yours as well. Can you give me a sense of the salary range for the position?" Of course, some interviewers will be turned off. You may lose an interview. I would say, "If they don't respect your time before the interview, how will you be treated once you're hired?" No absolutes in the career world! Some companies treat applicants horribly but then honor their employees like royalty. But most don't.

7 Time Management Strategies To Complete Your Stalled Projects

Q. I have several projects going at once -- but I never seem to finish them! I'm pulled in so many different directions -- and I end up with nothing to show for my efforts! A. While you're in a creative mode, you're most likely to be swamped with ideas! Feeling swamped can be a source of stress. Here's how to deal with the "too many to finish" challenge. (1) Stop berating yourself for not finishing a project. Instead, say, "I don't feel ready to move in that direction. I'll write down the idea and file it away for the future." (2) Tell a story about what would happen if you finished each project. "Susan finished all her art projects and..." You may be surprised what comes up. One client resisted finishing a book because she dreaded getting a slew of rejections from agents. Another resisted applying for jobs because she dreaded spending eight hours chained to a desk. (3) Review your finances. If you're desperate to finish these projects to make money, fear may be blocking your intuition. You'll have trouble thinking clearly and setting priorities. On the other hand, if you don't need the work, you may not be motivated. Some people need a certain amount of pressure to get moving. (4) List up to three goals that you'd like to accomplish in the next six months, even if you do nothing else. Some people need to focus on a single goal or they get hopelessly distracted. However, others (including most gifted adults) are multi-taskers, who aren't happy unless they're juggling several balls in the air. (5) Study the market for each project you are considering. Once you've identified your target customers and the need you'll be meeting -- and made sure people will pay for what you offer -- you'll realize whether moving forward makes sense. (6) File each new idea in a computer or paper folder or set up an "idea board" near your desk. As you think of ways to flesh out an idea, add notes to each folder. Give each idea time to mature. Some will fade away on their own; others will ripen into exciting opportunities. (7) Create a strong support system, even if you have to hire a consultant or coach. As Julia Cameron wrote in The Artist's Way, the notion of solitary creativity is nothing but a stereotype. Writers, artists, business owners and professionals need opportunities to talk about their progress. They need to feel someone cares about what they're doing and believes in them. In my experience, this lack of a support network tends to be the single greatest source of success in any field. Are you ready to take your Time Management system to the 21st Century? Click here and begin adding hours (and accomplishments) to your day. You may reprint this article in your ezine or blog if you make no changes and include this resource box with live links: Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D., is a career consultant specializing in midlife professionals who want to manage any area of their career: office politics, job search, career advancement or striking out in a whole new direction. Visit http://www.cathygoodwin.com Discover the 5 essential ingredients of successful career change: http://www.cathygoodwin.com/subscribe.html