This newsletter is designed to provide useful career information in an easy-read format, for career development at whatever stage you’re at on your job path. We publish every 30 days. I hope you enjoy it. Feel free to write with your career questions, feedback or requests for topics to be discussed. – Laurie Sheppard, MCC
| Vol. 2, Issue 12 | December, 2005 |
In this issue: Happy Holidays — from Creating At Will
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If you are receiving this e-mail in text format and want to see it in HTML, it can be viewed from my web site, www.creatingatwill.com, either by clicking the link on the home page (current issue) or click here to read it now.
SAYING NO AND THE REAL MEANING OF THE HOLIDAYS
It’s no accident that this topic should fall Under the Radar. It often does this time of year. Let’s see if these tips can’t shed some light… You can “lighten your load” if you recognize the reasons you tend to take on more than you can handle at this already busy time of year. Katherine Dykstra, in June’s allyou.com magazine, offers these categories and insights:
“People Pleaser,” An indication is, “you’ll go to great lengths not to let anyone down.” You want other to like you and you say yes when you should say no. “A real friend won’t blacklist you…”
“Social Butterfly.” Someone who over fills their calendar because “…you may be afraid of missing out of [are] uncomfortable being alone.” She recommends, “get used to your own company.” And do things you enjoy.
“Acknowledgment Seeker.” You hope to get positive feedback for what you’ve done. Katherine says, “…scale back and see if people will appreciate your efforts more.”
“Softie.” The person who is always there to smooth out the wrinkles. Don’t become the person that everyone goes to resolve their problems. After all, are you helping or hurting them by saving them? Even if it feels good to you, as Katherine says, “Give yourself a time limit with needy friends; talk for 10 minutes instead of an hour. Don’t spend so much time putting out other people’s fires that you aren’t able to tend to your own.”
“Crisis Junkie.” “If you get rush from coming through in a pinch, make sure everyone else’s emergencies aren’t taking priority over your own.” Give up being the hero and solving everyone else’s problems to focus on you first.
Dr. David Lowenstein names these acts to focus on at holiday time that strengthen our personal character and promote the real reason for the holidays:
“Set an Example,”“Promote Family Togetherness,” “Perform Acts of Charity,” “Learn About Different Religions and Cultures,” “Encourage Giving,” “Manage Gift Expectations,” and focus on Santa as the “icon of goodness”
and spirit we want to maintain all year long.
Sources: www.allyou.com magazine, Say ‘no’ nicely and mean it! Katherine Dykstra, 6-05 and Family Magazine The Real Meaning of the Holidays, David Lowenstein, Ph.D., 11-05.
VoiP─A HOT TECHNO TREND
An associate in Japan and I were making plans to talk via Skype, one of the new VOiP software available with a free initial download online. (VoiP is an acronym for Voice Over Internet Protocol.) What that means is that you can use the Internet to have a phone conversation. “And, because you're transmitting voice digitally you can have all sorts of features that you either would have paid for or didn't even exist before,” says technology spokesperson, Robin Raskin. She predicts this cost effective telephone service will be an extremely hot technology trend in 2006 to communicate across the globe. A few key myths she talks about:
─“You have to talk to your computer (with a headset on) to be a VoIP user.” “While it's true that you can use your computer's built in microphone and speakers or plug headphones into your computer and talk over the Internet… New VoIP systems let you use any ordinary phone in your home to speak over an internet connection. No computer required.”
─“You have to buy a special digital phone. There are special digital Internet phones on the market, but there's no reason you need to rush out to buy them. Any phone you have in your home can work over VOiP with a small attachment that converts the existing analog signal to a digital one. “
─“You can only talk to people in your VoIP group. With early VoIP systems you often had to work with the party you wanted to speak to so that they would join the same service. Some services have plans that limit your calls to those people who use the same provider.”
With improved sound quality and special features, we just might be enticed to try it!
Excerpted in part from The Myths Of VoiP by Robin Raskin. Robin is a technology consultant for over 20 years, spokesperson and author. http://www.RobinRaskin.com for more on Robin and the complete article. You can also read more about VoiP via the Federal Communication Commission at: http://www.fcc.gov/voip/.
NETWORKING DURING THE HOLIDAYS
The holidays are a time for fun and laughter, having good food near warm fires, and catching up with family and friends. Yet being able to succinctly say what you do in your work can be helpful for family and friends too, since with all the commotion they often say later, “I never found out what they are doing these days.” Why shouldn’t family and friends be a resource for each other?
Your simple, but clever response, can stick in their memory. If you sell gift baskets, instead of, “I make gift baskets.” It’s more memorable if you say, “I design gift baskets for all occasions that pop with color, include treats for everyone’s palate and have unique little items that no one else can find. “
If you’re a corporate employee, looking to transition, it might be, “Having just completed a software program for a company reorganization, I’m now looking to utilize my advanced design capabilities by transitioning to a local company.” Of course when they ask, “With Who?” You’ll tell them, “that’s why I’m telling everyone, to help me make that connection.” If they show an interest in connecting you, promise to call them later with details.
Next, my 3-prong rule for calling Uncle Bill after the holidays and reminding him about your conversation.
1. “Ambassador” – Ask who they might call to introduce you and tell that person you’ll be calling them.
2. “Indirect” – Ask them who you can call.
3. “3rd Party” – Ask if there is someone they know, who might know someone you can do business with.
Career Tool Resources & Services
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SOMETHING HAS GOTTA GIVE
I wanted to help a friend with her holiday business for a few hours, start and finish a newsletter, write three articles, edit an 18-page career report, design a new web page, make a stew for dinner, finish holiday shopping, have a few phone calls, answer several emails and swim at the gym one day last week… and I’m sure I left a few things out. All in one day! I caught myself doing the busy dance. I realize my sanity and peace of mind is more important. That’s why the article in Under the Radar seemed very pertinent. As I’m sure there are others of you like me out there. So… what about you? What can you let go of, so you can really enjoy your holidays at a more peaceful pace?
I know once you do this, it’ll be a joy filled holiday season.
From Creating At Will to you ─ have a great one!
Laurie
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© 2005 Creating At Will
