College Students & Graduates… Seperate Yourself
A recommendation to those of you that are still in school, as well as those that are already in the “real world”…. let this current economy be a lesson that you need to always seperate yourself from others out there. How do you do this? By working exceptionally hard and learning as much as you can.
Students – focus on getting involved in a variety of activities, becoming leaders in student organizations, building relationships with successful professionals in your field of interest and securing internships everytime you have a break from school. Simply walking into an interview with a college degree isn’t good enough anymore, especially for those of you who are ambitious and have a strong desire to become successful.
Graduates – being in the office from 9-5 Monday thru Friday and doing what your told might not be enough to keep you employed, let alone be promoted. Look for ways in which you can learn more about your industry, such as trade journals, industry websites, taking on increased responsibilities and offering to take a respected colleague out for lunch to learn from them. None of these things will guarantee your success, but they will certainly separate you from everyone else who is just trying to keep their job and do the bare minimum. Combining these learning experiences with a strong work ethic will put you in a much better position.
Another Reason to Have a 6-Month Emergency Fund
As I explain in my book, it is imperative that you maintain an emergency fund of at least 6-months of your living expenses in liquid cash savings. If you aren’t there at the moment, then create a systematic savings plan that will get you there ASAP. The two main reasons for establishing this emergency fund are emergencies and opportunities. Emergencies could include a loss of income, short-term disability or needing to take off an extended period of time from your career for your health or someone else. Opportunities could include starting a new business or making a wise investment in another business.
With all of the current volatility in the job-market, keep these statistics in mind if you don’t feel like a 6-month emergency fund is important for you:
Percentage of unemployed workers out six months or longer (by occupation)
Management – 32%
Professional - 30%
Sales - 31%
Service - 32%
Also Note: 24% of workers ages 25-34 who lost their jobs earn less in their next position.
On second thought, maybe 6-months isn’t nearly enough. It’s easy to say “this would never happen to me” and “my job is safe”, but some crazy things are going on these days and the worst has yet to come. The unemployement rate is about to surpass 10% soon according to the White House. Bottom line is to establish your emergency fund and play it safe, regardless of your situation.
Don’t Settle
Below is an excerpt from the commencement speech Steve Jobs gave at Stanford in 2005. Jobs is the founder and current CEO of Apple, which he started in his 20s. It is important to learn from successful people that did extraordinary things in their 20s; they offer a unique perspective and are able to share the lessons they have learned over their lives and careers. Jobs explains the importance of finding work that you love and never settling until you find it. Regardless of the economic conditions, you must stay committed to finding a career that you truly love and are passionate about. It will not only lead to career success, but it will also make your personal life more enjoyable as well. Enjoy Jobs’ inspiring words:
“Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. Don’t lose faith. I’m convinced that the only thing that kept me going was that I loved what I did. You’ve got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don’t settle.”
Steve Jobs – CEO of Apple Computer and Pixar Animation Studios
Stanford University Commencement Address
Palo Alto, CA
June 12, 2005
The Difference Between a “Job” and an “Opportunity
For those of you that have read my book, you know that this is a subject I am very passionate about. In case you haven’t read the book yet, let me define each of them for you:
Job – a piece of work done for pay, a task; duty, the thing of material being worked on, employment; work
Opportunity – a combination of circumstances favorable for the purpose, a good chance as to advance oneself
In the book we do not use the “J” word, and for good reason; successful people find opportunities to build a great career and advance themselves. They don’t look for a piece of work done for pay. If you look at your career and see yourself collecting a paycheck without a clear path to advance yourself, learn about the industry and grow as a professional, then it is time to make a change. You wouldn’t be reading this unless you had a desire to be successful, so make sure your career is filled with opportunities to continually learn, increase your income, take on additional responsibilities and do something you truly enjoy.
Regardless of whether the economy is in great shape or doing terribly, there are always opportunities for young, ambitious individuals who bring value to an organization. You may need to look harder and face stiffer competition, but great careers are out there for the taking. Figure out what you are passionate about and would like to do each day, then simply focus on finding an organization that offers this while simultaneously teaching you and providing you opportunities to grow within the company.
Quote of the Day
“Our greatest joy-and our greatest pain comes in our relationships with others.”
- Stephen R. Covey
EVENT BRINGS TOGETHER VALLEY BUSINESS EXPERTS
On Saturday, September 26, 2009, Scottsdale-based company, Reach Your Vision, will present an all day event for emerging business leaders at the Doubletree Paradise Valley Resort. “How to Make Big Money, Have Fun & Love Life” will feature dynamic speakers who will share their own secrets of success across a wide range of essential business and lifestyle practices. Local experts will speak on how to build a referral network, leverage social media for increased profits, develop a winning financial plan, create multiple streams of income, elevate their business through effective leadership, maintain a successful mindset and use top-secret credit strategies.
The event will also feature a lunchtime young entrepreneur’s panel discussion. A portion of ticket proceeds will benefit the Boys & Girls Club, and several promising high school student leaders will be chosen in advance to attend the event at no charge.
Reach Your Vision founder and President, Tom Healy created the event for “individuals who are ready to take their life and career to the next level, and have a desire to achieve greater results both personally and professionally.” Speakers include best selling author and business coach Dave Sherman; Gelie Akhenblit, business development expert and founder of NetworkingPhoenix.com; and Keith Klein, Wealth Management Advisor for Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company, among others.
Reach Your Vision was founded on the unique concept of helping emerging business leaders quickly reach success in all areas of life. The company’s offerings include speaking engagements, coaching programs, seminars and quarterly live events, designed collectively to show participants the easiest route to financial and personal success and an overall enjoyment of life.
For more information, a full list of speakers and topics, and to register for the event please visit http://reachyourvision.eventbrite.com or email tom@reachyourvision.com.
