Many college students are packing up the most treasured items they own, preparing for a long, or short tip to college. Excitement, worry–a million feelings are swirling around in their minds–butterflies in their stomachs. It’s a time of great change, not only for the students, but for their families and friends.

New Beginnings

I’ve always liked this time of year–both as a student myself–and later as a teacher. The change of season from Summer to Fall, familiar faces, a rushed pace. Everyone feels the new beginnings taking place.

I began writing blog posts for StudentMentor.org back in November of 2010 when the nonprofit was in its infancy. This was an incredible opportunity given to me, one I’ve always appreciated. Researching good material, presenting it in a way college students might best use it, then promoting it on social media was what I did most of my week.

This summer, I decided to limit my blogging to two days a week, needing more time to work on the completion of a textbook I’ve been writing. But with recent changes in my life: a pending relocation, finding a publisher, and a million other important changes, I feel it’s time to move on. This post will be my last for StudentMentor.org. In all honesty, it’s a bittersweet time for me.

Wishes for You

I’m taking this as my opportunity to tell you what I wish for you–my valued readers. In college, in career, in your personal life, I want nothing for you but the absolute best. If you’ve read most of my blog posts, you know I believe in making good choices. The information I’ve provided, for almost two years, was to assist you in making those choices, with the best sources I could find, while drawing on my own experience, knowledge and education.

In November 2010, our world was still reeling from the events which began to materialize sometime in 2006. The dominoes began to sway and fall onto each other, building momentum as they toppled. The pool of prosperity and greed became a stagnant bitter puddle bringing forth the near demise of our banking system, millions of layoffs and staggering unemployment nationwide. Record foreclosures and short sales were (and are) headline news along with rising college tuition–nothing but trouble. In the midst of all that, I personally felt the need to pass on some hope to you, in whatever form possible.

Do learn from the mistakes of others, those who selfishly spend their years, don’t follow their path because it leads nowhere. Surround yourself with good people who will support dreams, wipe tears and prove to be trustworthy individuals in any situation. Never let anyone or anything keep you from what you were meant to do here on earth–ever. Following your own path takes courage, faith and determination. There will always be someone telling you it can’t be done. Prove them wrong! It’s fun to see the look on their face when you succeed.

Each generation has the opportunity to make the world a better place. Make your mark one you can be proud of, one that fosters peace, kindness and a better way that benefits all.

I wish for each of you an incredible life. I can’t wait to see what you do!

Do you have what it takes?

Let’s face it, we need good leaders! Whether in politics or business, it’s beneficial to all that leaders can be trusted to do their jobs well. Beyond that, employers look for candidates who demonstrate good leadership ability in the workplace.

According to research, most are “made”, meaning they have learned how to become a leader. You may have the ability to become a leader. But, what important ingredients are required? And what sets one leader apart from another–what makes a great leader?

Research of Leaders

In Psychology Today, Ronald E. Riggio, Ph.D., professor of leadership and organizational psychology, found in research that leaders are “mostly made”. The final tally is: 1/3 are born, while 2/3 are made leaders. Considering the research findings, a large number of students and grads have the ability to become leaders of the future.

Dr. Riggio also discovered many leaders are extroverts. However, that doesn’t preclude introverts from being in leadership. By adopting key ingredients in leadership development, introverts may compete with extroverts for leadership roles.

Recent World Events

Groundbreaking overthrows of political leaders, and their regimes, in a handful of countries are taking place. The citizens of these particular countries are voicing their anger at leaders in powerful ways, using technology to assist them in organizing protests.

All political leaders have two basic choices, either to do well by serving their people, or to do harm by serving only themselves.

We’ve seen in the United States examples of very poor business leadership in the last few years. From Wall Street to Enron, to the mortgage lending industry, greed and mismanagement seemed commonplace. Innocent people took the brunt of the fallout from bad decision making on the part of those in leadership.

Whether in politics or business, history has shown us that leaders who abuse their power are not tolerated.

Ingredients of a Good Leader

Dr. John C. Maxwell, a speaker, author and founder of EQUIP, who communicates his principles to Fortune 500 companies, international marketing organizations and professional sports and church groups worldwide, states in his article, Growing as a Leader: Five Must-Have Ingredients, what he feels is necessary for leadership.

Dr. Maxwell believes leaders are “grown” (made) and unless the right attitudes and actions are cultivated, an aspiring leader will fail rather than grow. He lists what he believes are five basic qualities essential for personal growth in leadership development, which I have condensed below:

1) Teachability-humility is a starting point for personal growth, you must be able to want to improve. Maintaining your teachability is essential and becomes difficult the more success you obtain. Always be willing to learn.

2) Sacrifice-giving up old familiar patterns, unrewarding work, outdated values, or unsatisfying business relationships requires sacrifice. It requires taking an honest look at your life.

3) Security-in order to be a life-long learner, you must have the ability to admit when you “don’t know”. Hard as that may be to admit at times, if it’s the truth, in the long run you’ll gain by being honest. People want honesty, authenticity and courage in a leader, someone who won’t give up until a problem is solved.

4) Listening-when you have the ability to ask questions, listen and learn from someone successful, borrowing from their experiences, you’ll be able to avoid their mistakes. Ask for feedback, often, don’t be a victim of your own blind spots.

5) Application-lessons learned must be put into practice, allowing for insights to mature into understanding. Use it so you won’t lose it.

When a leader has an open mind, compassion for those around him/her, and has the willingness to change what requires changing, that’s the mark of someone destined to go beyond being a good leader–to a great leader. Erwin G. Hall said, “An open mind is the beginning of self-discovery and growth. We can’t learn anything new until we can admit that we don’t already know everything.”

Your Leadership Development

For just a moment, ask yourself if you have what it takes to become a great leader. Can you apply Dr. Maxwell’s five ingredients to your leadership development? What are your goals as a leader, do you only seek monetary benefits and advancement? Or will you adopt integrity, compassion, and open-mindedness into your leadership? Will you make an effort to be a life-long learner? And when the chips are down, do you have what it takes to accept (and admit) mistakes you’ve made, taking the high road to rectify the situation?

Based on your answers, do you have what it takes to become a great leader?

If you found this post interesting or helpful, your retweets, sharing and likes are appreciated!

©2011

In tough times, employees must go the extra mile to stay employed.

Below are three traits employers are looking for in employees…

Be Positive

The first trait employers recently mentioned was that the employee must have a positive attitude. This is conveyed in several ways;

1) The smile on your face speaks volumes. Sounds simple doesn’t it? It is, and yet you’d be surprised how often employees show up for work grumpy and can’t even muster up a simple “good morning” to coworkers. If this is you, consider getting more sleep, learn better ways to cope with stress and work out any issues you have that are keeping you from enjoying your life. A pleasant work environment is essential to worker productivity. Let that stage be set with your good attitude so it spreads to coworkers and makes work more enjoyable for all.

2) Being a team player is important. How well do you work with others; do you spend your time trying to climb over the backs of coworkers, or are you willing to roll up your sleeves and get busy solving problems? How much do you gossip about your coworkers or boss? Those are negative traits that will alienate you and even get you fired. Hone your people skills. Give out sincere compliments when someone does a good job, say “thank you” when someone helps you out, volunteer to pick up the slack to make life easier for everyone.

3) Contribute helpful suggestions at meetings. Be prepared to think of ways to improve either how you do your job, or save the company money and make things more efficient. Your value to your employer is tied up in what you have to offer–offer your best ideas.

4) Do your job well. It may be elementary, but many employees show up and do the minimum, expecting the maximum in return. You have a better chance to advance and receive salary increases (or not get a pink slip) if you go the extra mile. Again, this shows your employer how valuable you are to them.

Be Versatile

When you are able to expand what you can do; learn new skills and add to your value, your versatility will be recognized. Being flexible is important too. If asked to take on more work, or relocate, decide ahead of time what your best positive response will be to your employer. There are circumstances where relocation is impossible, make sure you can compensate in some other way. Taking on more work without sacrificing your sanity in the process takes organization and good coping skills.

Be Improving

Looking for ways to do your job better, keeping up on trends in your field, and taking workshops or classes to update skills, all says you are doing what you can to improve. Again, these are ways you show your employer your value. Many companies pay for educating employees, see what your employer offers and take advantage of it, you will be ensuring your future with the company.

In these tough economic times, don’t forget to be one last thing–grateful–you are employed while millions are struggling with unemployment.

If you found this helpful or interesting, your retweets, sharing and likes are appreciated!

©2011

Talent gives an advantage that lasts a short time. In order to grow to your full potential, there are necessary steps that should be considered.

Dr. John C. Maxwell, speaker, author and founder of several leadership organizations who communicates his principles to Fortune 500 companies, international marketing organizations and professional sports groups, suggests: “Too many talented people who start with an advantage over others lose that advantage because they rest on their talent instead of raising it.” Basically, talent alone doesn’t keep a person at the top, we’ve seen this countless times in the workplace.

Strength Zone

Marcus Buckingham and Donald O. Clifton state in their book, Now, Discover Your Strengths,  every person is capable of doing something better than thousands of others. This is the “strength zone” and the authors encourage readers to find that zone and make the most of it. Even if you aren’t aware of your abilities, don’t know how you feel about them, or if you’ve achieved success or not–you have talent–and you can develop it. Finding your strength zone is essential in your job search because what you do well, you usually enjoy. Shouldn’t your work give you pleasure and be fulfilling?

Develop Talents

Dr. Maxwell begs the question, “Why do most people spend the majority of their time focused on strengthening their weaknesses? One thing I teach people at my conferences is to stop working on their weaknesses and start working on their strengths.” He advocates a person realize and develop talents.

Developing talents into lasting results comes from the right choices. William Jennings Bryan, orator, attorney and political leader said, “Destiny is not a matter of chance, it is a matter of choice: it is not a thing to be waited for, it is a thing to be achieved.” You must make the effort to be what you’ve dreamed, and then continue to make the effort to bring that reality to it’s full potential.

Maximize Talents

Dr. Maxwell lists thirteen key ideas behind helping people maximize their talents:

1.) Belief lifts your talent.

2.) Passion energizes your talent.

3.) Initiative activates your talent.

4.) Focus directs your talent.

5.) Preparation positions your talent.

6.) Practice sharpens your talent.

7.) Perseverance sustains your talent.

8.) Courage tests your talent.

9.) Teachability expands your talent.

10.) Character protects your talent.

11.) Relationships influence your talent.

12.) Responsibility strengthens your talent.

13.) Teamwork multiplies your talent.

Important Choices

Dr. Maxwell’s statement echos my own beliefs when he says, “Life is a matter of choices, and every choice you make, makes you.”

Who you become is going to be one of the most important choices you make in life. Choose well. Choose wisely. Enjoy the journey!

If you found this helpful or interesting, your retweets, sharing and likes are appreciated!

©2011

Innovators see a better way to do something–creating an income for themselves–and others.

Look around you, what do you see that could be done or designed differently to be more efficient, effective and profitable? This is what many innovators will do. In turn, they open up new areas for others and that’s innovation.

More.com, recently featured 10 female innovators in a series highlighting what people are doing across the nation. They asked readers to vote for the one innovator who impresses them the most and the winner will receive $20,000! Take a moment to see what these incredible innovators have done, or are in the process of doing. Their success stories are remarkable and inspirational.

StudentMentor.org has it’s own female innovator–Stephanie Bravo–our founder and president! This week, her story was featured in Fox News. Like many college students, Stephanie felt she needed guidance to make good decisions. Her mentorship experience changed her life, eventually leading to the creation of StudentMentor.org.

Let these innovators inspire you to go out and find a better way to do something. In the process, you might create a job for yourself and many others!

If you found this information helpful or interesting, your retweets, sharing and likes are most appreciated!

©2012

Pets have been proven in several studies to lower the blood pressure of their owners who pet them. Animals are now being used in psychotherapy. Known as “therapy dogs,” they assist the owner in coping with daily stresses, anxiety or depression.

The lines between work and life are further blurred as more dog owners than ever are bringing their pets to work. What’s behind this movement? Is it good for employee morale, productivity and business?

Force Behind Movement

One dog owner considers bringing her dog to work a perk, saying that it makes for a more “productive atmosphere…more conducive to creativity…a calming force.” Others cite long work hours away from home leaves little time to interact with their pet, leaving both owner and dog to feel separation anxiety.

Employers see one benefit for their business–it keeps valued dog owners employed with them and can even serve as a bargaining tool in interviews. They also say workers seem happy having their friend close by and animals encourage camaraderie, breaking down barriers between coworkers.

Dog-Friendly Business

According to an American Pet Products Association, in a survey conducted last year, approximately 1.4 million pet owners take 2.3 million dogs to work every day. When they surveyed businesses in 2006, the association found one in five was “dog-friendly” in nature.

Dog-Friendly.com lists companies in every state which allow dogs to be a part of their business. Some of the largest employers in the U.S. are dog-friendly: Google Inc. and Amazon.com, to name two. 

On the San Francisco Bay Area news this past weekend, it was reported a dog-owning job seeker actually brought her dog to an interview. One problem: the company wasn’t on the dog-friendly list! A word of advice: even if the company you’re interviewing with is dog-friendly–don’t bring the dog!

Other Considerations

However, there are a large number of businesses that don’t have the flexibility to allow dogs, (or other pets), into their workplace because of bans, legal issues, or insurance prohibits animals being on the premises. Not only that, an employer has to take into consideration the allergies of other employees and customers exposed to the animals. Also, not everyone wants a pet underfoot, or appreciates the smells and sounds associated with animals. Lastly, fleas. Dogs do have them and they can quickly infest the company carpeting.

Of course, if you wanted to take your dog to work, it would have to be well-behaved, as no employer would want a destructive or unruly animal in-house. In fact, one employer (featured on a T.V. show which helped owners with dogs exhibiting behavioral issues), had a vicious dog that lunged at customers and employees alike. Not good for business! It sets the owner up for a lawsuit, should the animal bite someone. And no surprise, customers can be reticent to visit a business with a mad dog hiding under a desk.

Discrimination

Finally, the only pet mentioned has been canines, what about other pets? Unfortunately, there seems to be discrimination. Some people think cats, birds, fish and reptiles aren’t as “office friendly”, but of course that’s not at all true. I’ve known a few “office cats” who were calming and welcome additions to the workplace. Two former dentists of mine had beautiful tropical fish tanks that provided a nice distraction to nervous patients in the waiting room. Once I heard beautiful bird songs coming from a CEO’s caged feathered friends in his office. And I’ve heard of business owners keeping their beloved snake, iguana or lizard in their office too.

Having a pet beside us while we work long, stressful hours can benefit us greatly. My gray and white tabby cat, “Shelly” is never far from my desk. 

Would you specifically seek out an employer who allowed employees to bring pets into work?

If you found this post interesting or helpful, your sharing, retweets and likes are most appreciated!

©2012

That prize summer internship (or job) is coming to an end…now what?

It went all too quickly, but hopefully you’re leaving the workplace with new skills, a list of networking contacts and a better sense of what you want to do in the future. But before you hightail it out their door, be sure to exit on a positive, professional note.

1. Clean Up-take a few minutes to clear off the desk, or space you’ve been given, of all your personal effects. Whatever you do, never help yourself to anything that isn’t yours–including the pens in the desk!
2. Loose Ends-if your supervisor hasn’t set up an exit meeting, do so. It’s a great time to see if there are loose ends that need attention, ask for a letter of recommendation, thank them for the opportunity and describe what you acquired working there. Let them know the value of your experience. Send a thank-you card or e-mail reiterating what you said once gone. Should you find this an ideal employer, let your supervisor know you are interested in a career with them.
   
3. Coworkers/Mentors-most likely, these people proved to be valuable in some way–let them know by sincerely thanking them in person and send an e-mail or thank-you card. Collect business cards, then stay in touch with those whose opinion is most valued. Your supervisor, coworkers and mentors will be the best bets to network with for a job once graduated.
4. Reflection-before heading back to college, take time to reflect on your experience. Start at the beginning: write down what was learned, who assisted you, what was observed about company culture, how things were done, why you liked (or didn’t like) what you did. It’s important to record this experience to find out if it is what you really want to do. If not, describe why–in detail–then make any necessary changes to your career plans.

The beauty of internships and summer jobs (especially if they’re in your field of study) is they give you a glimpse into the future. If you like what you see, great, you know you’re on the right track. However, when an experience proves to be less than positive, examine why. It could be you found certain aspects of the job impossible to live with on a daily basis, or perhaps it was an issue only with that particular office, not reflective of the industry. Be honest with yourself. It’s easier to make changes now, long before graduation, than to wait. After you’ve had some time to mull things over and feel confused, contact your advisor, talk it over.

If you found this information helpful or interesting, your retweets, sharing and likes are appreciated!

©2012

 You know you have it when…

• You feel edgy at work
• Have nightmares about being humiliated in front of coworkers
• Dread Monday mornings
• Experience headaches, depression, loss of focus or irritability

As you may have guessed, this isn’t a real psychological disorder, but certain employees experience these symptoms. While we all should strive for a manageable work-life balance, some workplace situations can ruin both. Here’s why and what to do about it…

In Cecil Donahue’s article Post-Traumatic Boss Disorder, GQ, he tells a tale a good number of employees can empathize with: taking the brunt of a crazy boss’s manipulative behavior. Maybe they love to see employees squirm, or enjoy having power over another human being, making life a living hell due to their horrible treatment. That type of work environment affects productivity on-the-job and home life. If that’s the case, Mr. Donahue doles out a few pieces of good advice to keep you sane (and employed):

1. Maintain Distance-Too often, younger workers think the closer they get to the boss, the better. Not so. Mr. Donahue advises, “The only sure path to success is to achieve a masterful level of proficiency in your field–i.e., to be good at what you do.” And as far as being a brownnosing fool, forget about it. You’ll lose self-respect and the respect of your coworkers.
2. Stand Up-Who will stand up for you if you don’t stand up for yourself? No one. Let your boss know, in a straightforward and respectful way, what they’ve done. Use “I Messages”: “I find it difficult to concentrate after being yelled at in front of coworkers. Please discuss with me, in private, what you expect, I’d be very receptive to do what you want.”
3. Seek Help-If you’ve tried to reason with your boss and seem to be getting nowhere fast, ask the right people for help. The Campus Career Center has knowledgeable people who can hear you out and offer up solutions. Leaving a job in this economy isn’t always the best answer, working through the problem could be the best choice. Discuss with a therapist how to psychologically deal with the situation is another avenue.
   
4. Last Resort-When all else fails, quitting might be the answer–especially if dealing with an abusive person. Mr. Donahue states, “You can’t change your boss, but you can sure change bosses.” Try to have another job lined up. If you work for a large company, check within first, see if other departments have openings where you could make a move. Even if the new job isn’t as well-paying, or has an unimpressive title, getting a better boss is worth the effort.

If you found this information interesting or helpful, your re-tweets, sharing and likes are appreciated!

©2012

That’s great! But where do you begin?

First, it’s best to get advice from people who have been there, done that. Pick the brains of the knowledgeable folks at SCORE. They can answer most questions about going into business and save you a great deal of time and effort in the process.

Next, in order to know how much to charge for services, you’ll need to consider how many years of experience, training and expertise you have. Then find out what competitors (with similar qualifications) charge for the same service. Don’t underpay, or overprice yourself. Being the cheapest person doesn’t mean it’ll be great for business. Be clear with clients what you are providing and approximately how much time you’ll be spending on them to complete a job. Let them know if you need more time than they want to pay for, don’t paint yourself into a corner. Of course, it’s always best to carefully consider each job, what it will take to complete, so you won’t constantly be coming up short (which could signal you aren’t pricing a job correctly).

Then, network with the right people on LinkedIn and business associations related to what you want to do. Ask questions, seek quality advice, find out how successful people got their start. Let them know what you want do, listen carefully to what they say, ask if you may contact them if you have more questions.

If you need funding for start-up costs, try these two sites: Kickstarter.com and Crowdfunding.com.

Being your own boss is exciting, but it also involves a great deal of careful planning, working very hard for what you want, building a name for yourself by providing for your clients and receive repeat business and referrals.

©2012

In Dana Hudepohl’s article, Unleash Your Inner Winner, (Fitness magazine), she states “…think and act like a champion and get every damn thing you want.” Is that possible? Let’s have a look…

Winning

Charlie Sheen took the word “winning” and turned it into something quite different than what we’re discussing here. Experts on the subject say winning comes from working hard–really hard. Just ask any one of the U.S. Olympians now readying themselves for the 2012 Summer Games in London. 

If you’re “winning” you are successful at doing something. Whether it’s working at a job, completing college, or running a race, if doing it well, you are a winner!

Winners stick it out in the face of adversity. They conquer their fears, which could hold them back from success. They stay focused on their purpose. “Grit” is what researchers at the University of Pennsylvania call this type of perseverance and passion, saying it’s the key to being a winner. They found college students with grit have higher GPA’s.

True Grit

Is it possible to develop grit? According to Timothy Gallwey, author of Inner Game, and star of a new coaching show premiering in August, it is possible. He states, “Ask yourself what you really want to win in life and you’ll get in touch with your thirst. Any loser can turn into a winner.” What it takes is ridding yourself of any doubts and insecurities, which isn’t always easy, especially in our competitive world.

Does being a winner always involve competing with someone else? Not necessarily.

Competition

Americans are a competitive bunch, there’s no doubt about that! We compete from the time we are small children to our dying day. From the first day in Kindergarten or elementary school, we learn about competition in the classroom–and on the playground at lunchtime. But, not all competition is good. Some psychologists are concerned we’ve created a monster (of sorts) being so competitive as a nation. One downside is people comparing themselves to others can feel inadequate and jealous.

A healthier type of competition is being competitive with yourself. Once you understand what you really want in life and set out to get it, in order to stay focused, you can’t be too concerned with what everyone around you is doing. Here’s where focus comes into play. Successful athletes look at what they are accomplishing. They’ve set their goals and focus on how they’ll reach them. How often do you see an athlete continually glance over their shoulder to see what a teammate is doing? It’s rare. They’re focused on what they are doing in the moment. Kerri Walsh, beach volleyball superwoman and Olympian says, “I’ve learned not to compare myself with other people. I want to be the best I can be, not necessarily better than you. That’s pretty liberating.”

Is there a difference between men and women when it comes to competition? According to Muriel Niederle, Ph.D., associate professor of economics at Stanford there is a difference between the sexes. Dr. Niederle has studied gender differences in competitive settings and found women don’t get the same rush out of competing men do. Why? Research shows women are less confident in their own abilities, “Everyone has doubts, women have more,” states Dr. Niederle. She advises women “Don’t quit before trying.” I’ll add, start believing more in yourself!

Necessary Goals

Scott Huettel, Ph.D., professor of psychology and neuroscience at Duke University, believes we can’t process large goals, we have to break them down so our brains can process them. We have a “reward center” in our brain which needs to feed on a lot of little wins to keep it activated.

I wrote a blog post in March, Success: A First Victory Transforms, which discusses how super athletes–and mere mortals–benefit from past “wins” or successes in life. You can see yourself progressing on your path, that’s rewarding in itself.

Release Stress

Researcher Pranjal Mehta, Ph.D., professor of psychology at the University of Oregon found the stress hormone cortisol interferes with performance. But life is stressful, how can you focus on being a winner if you’re stressed out? Be mindful of your breathing, close your eyes, quieting the busyness in your mind, acknowledge what you’re thinking without judging it.

Take good care of yourself physically too. Street drugs, binge drinking and partying till you drop creates it’s own type of stress on the body. A proper diet is important, eating the wrong foods can create stress on the brain, heart and liver (especially). The strain of a high fat diet, or inadequate diet, can limit your performance at work, in school and on the field.

We all have the potential to be winners in our own lives. What one thing can you do today to start down the road to winning?

If you found this post interesting or helpful, your re-tweets, sharing and likes are most appreciated!

©2012