As humans we learn really only one way. We learn the hard way.
Wanting to be a part of everything is in our nature no matter how introverted or extroverted we are. The introvert just wants to watch and be at the party, while the extrovert wants to be the life of the party. Nonetheless both are still at the party.
Like your personal life, work has the same pulls. There are boards to sit on, jobs that lead to raises and special projects that are maybe more enjoyable to think about than the monotony you feel your job offers.
The problem arises when you want to do everything but can't deliver on anything. You only have so much time and ability. You can't buy time at the grocery store. It is your most precious commodity.
The best employees realize this and find the things they can do really well and commit to them at a 100% level, only adding more to their plate, as they feel more comfortable and systematized within the jobs they originally took on.
They operate on the principal that 100% of something is much better than 0% of everything.
Are you trying to do too much, act like you can have the titles but maybe not really delivering anything to any position? Find the areas you should be concentrating on and then make them your focus.
Add as you grow don't grow by adding and hopefully you'll not have to learn the hard way and start all over again, in a new job.
© 2007, Hire Me Book.
www.HireMeBook.com
100% of Something
posted by Hire Me Book - E-Hire Me on Monday, April 30, 2007
Literally. No excuses.
If every day you look in the mirror as you brush your teeth and accept that on that day you will neither give nor receive any excuse for anything then you will have success. You will have achieved happiness.
For most of us we expend energy needlessly trying to cover our tracks, ignore jobs we need done or create drama where action could have replaced it.
If we all just make sure that we give our all and never deliver an excuse for things that are our responsibility then we will have a better place to work in, live in and be happy about.
Try it. Give yourself the thirty day no excuse test and watch your production soar, your stress decrease and your life become just a bit more positive.
Take the "no excuse" challenge.
© 2007, Hire Me Book.
www.HireMeBook.com
No Excuses
posted by Hire Me Book - E-Hire Me on Friday, April 27, 2007
We have all seen them. The one or two people who are leaders by example yet perhaps not by title. When they speak, people listen. When they act, the job gets done, yet they are reluctant to step up and take full responsibility for their prowess. Why?
CONFIDENCE.
If the reluctant leader was to commit to being a full time example, they would make themselves vulnerable and succeptible to failure, and we all know, people fear failure. Being the reluctant leader enables people to make mistakes and fail without being scrutinized or consequence. It's the main reason we have reluctant leaders.
The advantage of such a style is the reluctant leader usually leads because they are a) capable and b) willing rather than because they are a) paid to or b) forced to. The disadvantage of this style is the reluctant leader is also usually the reluctant follower hence potentially undermining or diluting the message from the appointed leader.
Reluctant leaders are important and they need to know that. They also need to learn they need not be reluctant, because when they come out from behind the shadows and into the foreground, they can maximize their contributions to everyone's benefit.
Believe in your abilities. There is no need to be reluctant!
© 2007, Hire Me Book.
www.HireMeBook.com
the reluctant leader
posted by Hire Me Book - E-Hire Me on Thursday, April 26, 2007
We look for it everywhere. Under the stacks of paper, in the corners of the office and everybody thinks that the answer to success is on the other side of the fence, where that grass is supposedly greener. We change jobs, look for promotions, believe we are entitled to more rewards and ultimately wonder why we are not successful.
The all elusive, magic formula for success has been in front of us and will always be there. Work hard and you are 90% of the way there.
That is all there is to it. Work harder than the next guy to you if you are in competition and work hard to support the person next to you if you work in a team. Simple, ancient and true. Making sure this one element is first complete will then only allow you to add working smart with your graft and energy.
There truly isn't any substitute for working hard. Cutting corners in anything means you don't get the full advantage back. You receive out what you put in and if you put only a small amount of effort in you are destined to receive only that back.
Work hard first then look for the magic. It is there but only for those that master the effort needed to see it.
© 2007, Hire Me Book.
www.HireMeBook.com
Work Hard
posted by Hire Me Book - E-Hire Me on Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Is your attitude in everything.
People make the mistake of thinking of work vs. home as a light switch. "when I'm at work, I'm in work mode and when I'm at home, i go into home mode". The question for these people is what's different?
Sure there are times when you focus more time and attention on a particular subject matter than others, but these statements are usually in reference to attitude and energies invested into each domain. As if work mode requires a little less effort and energy than home mode.
The reality is all facets of your life require a great deal of effort, attention and energy and if your goal is to become a success (by your definition), you must invest equal amounts in all circumstances if you are to get the most out.
Don't let others fool you into believing they are something else behind closed doors or in different circumstances. Unless they have split personalities or bi-polar disorders, they likely are not. The quiet people / reserved / shy people at work are likely the same at home. The unfocused / loud / interrupting types are probably also similar in their personal space.
If you ever feel yourself questioning "Am I getting what I want out of this experience, transaction, job, relationship", ask yourself the more important question of "am i putting everything in".
© 2007, Hire Me Book.
www.HireMeBook.com
Your attitude in anything.
posted by Hire Me Book - E-Hire Me on Tuesday, April 24, 2007
To help with your time management we want you to implement one rule.
Start it and then finish it.
Often the biggest problems that new employees or promoted members have are that they continue to load their plates with more duties and jobs without clearing off past duties. They continue to fill up their proverbial cup of water without drinking or emptying anything out. In the end the water flows chaotically over the edge and makes a mess. A mess just like you will find your work place.
So here are a few things to consider that will dramatically simplify your life and build you into a more efficient person.
1. Never touch paper more than once. File it, toss it or take action on it.
2. Email is like paper. Read it then file it, delete it or take action on it.
3. If you can't handle multi-tasking with email all day then build a time that you answer emails and return phone messages.
These are just a few helpful tips but they are the catalysts to being able to put more items on your to do list, complete more, be counted on more and ultimately still feel peaceful in your work place or home.
Practice makes perfect and starting to use the tips is the most important thing you can do.
© 2007, Hire Me Book.
www.HireMeBook.com
Once
posted by Hire Me Book - E-Hire Me on Monday, April 23, 2007
Bringing a great attitude into everything you do is certainly the number one asset you can have but when you work in big corporations or busy businesses how do you get noticed.
The simple answer is to communicate.
The difficult part is trying to understand what communication actually is. For most discussing the ball game or last night dinner party in the coffee room is communication but for the leaders in charge of running a bustling team of workers this is nothing more than wasted breathe. We aren't saying that socializing doesn't have its place and isn't good for moral but we are saying that this form of communication is shallow and often leads to nowhere.
The way to be heard and the way to stand out even further is to consistently communicate at a high level with all of your work peers and direct leaders.
True communication can be described as follows:
1. An environment where an outcome is sought and fostered.
2. Language between two or more parties where all parties feel they have been heard. Listen with interest.
3. Show body language that makes others feel comfortable and interested in reaching a point.
4. Listen more.
5. Show enthusiasm for the subject and the person communicating with you. They will feed off your energy and open up further.
6. Listen again.
7. Seek a result, whether it is what was desired or not. Have resolution to every conversation.
If you can begin implementing these communication concepts you will begin to be heard over the white noise of others who are just talking.
Say something, want to be heard, strive to listen more and keep bringing a great attitude to your life.
© 2007, Hire Me Book.
www.HireMeBook.com
Being Heard
posted by Hire Me Book - E-Hire Me on Friday, April 20, 2007
Our train of thought is if we continually highlight the negatives, they are subliminally reinforced.
Hopefully the same holds true for the positives!
We were having a good day which culminated in plans for an enjoyable evening out on the town. As conversation ran longer than we expected, we had inadvertently socialized our way past the kitchen closure time. Chef's were on their cleanup duties and the venue was on its way to being converted to a lounge atmosphere.
Unknowingly we requested to order our food now and immediately the response was taken. We ordered our entree's as well as our main courses, ordered our beverages and even capped off the expereince with deserts, all with the usual, normal expected timelines. At the end of the evening the bill came and we were treated respectfully right through the door. As we were leaving we saw the huge sign that stated "kitchen closed at 8". Turning to our waitress, we mentioned the fact we didn't even order until well past 9:00.
"yes i know, but you looked like you were having such a great experience, we didn't want to interrupt it", "i let the chefs know there was a group of 5 left and they would probably be ordering a little later. i gambled at the dishes you would order and within 2 plates, it turned out spot on, so they were able to clean up while still being prepared'. 'they were more than willing in this insteance".
We thought to ourselves, 'wow, thats above and beyond' and as we drove home we talked about the fact that one instance of GREAT work would set the backdrop for repeat business and referrals. Really! In a era where the customer is almost perceived as an inconvenience, this exception to the rule stood out louder, brighter and higher than any negative experience we had encountered to date.
we thought it only appropriate to share that example and ask : what did you do to go above and beyond today. write us back and let us know.
© 2007, Hire Me Book.
www.HireMeBook.com
a great example of above and beyond
posted by Hire Me Book - E-Hire Me on Thursday, April 19, 2007
While striving to be great, to earn the most, to accomplish what you have set out to do are all fantastic propositions because they show that you are working with a purpose. There still remains one item that tends to hold people back.
That item is consistency.
It is not really good enough to be great one week and then tire out and fizzle the next thus providing inadequate energy to be useful for anyone, including yourself. In reality, it is better to be merely good, but consistently be good every day, week and month.
At the Hire Me Company we want you to differentiate yourself by being great and not merely average. Average is a disease that has infected many in today's work force. To do this it is imperative that you practise being consistent. So what does consistency mean?
Consistency is delivering your service or work load every day at the same, desired level. Consistency is being prepared to start your work day early and finish late if it means getting the same high work load done as the week before. Consistency is delivering the same sales dollars even if problems arise. Consistency is fighting through the challenges that come your way to deliver the best week of work every single week.
If you ever want to maximize your earnings then becoming a consistent perfromer is the ultiate back breaker for any raise discussion. If you continue to deliver then it is nearly impossible for your company to not deliver back to you.
Consitently deliver your job at a high level and you will succeed beyond most others.
© 2007, Hire Me Book.
www.HireMeBook.com
Consistency
posted by Hire Me Book - E-Hire Me on Wednesday, April 18, 2007
There is an art to delegation that revolves around when to, when not to, who to and who not to.
The term delegation is used to describe the assignment of a task to a specific person to produce the right outcome. In most circumstances, an effective delegat-ee will match the specific task to the most well suited person, hence ensuring the desired outcome.
Really, it accomplishes two things. #1 keeps the requirements of a task with the skill set of the person and #2 enables the delegat-or the time and space to focus on what they need to focus on, hence keeping the overall progress of the organism moving in a positive direction.
The majority of the problems stem from two examples.
1. the person who has been delegated the task is not clear on the exact specifications or outcomes.
2. the reqired project is re-directed upwards from the person who is ultimately responsible.
More often than not, #2, is the prevailing example.
When this happens, it creates a log jam at the highest levels of management which ends up stalling EVERYONE"S PROGRESS which is the main point of today's bog. UPWARDS DELEGATION COSTS US ALL. One may not think about it in terms of decreased productivity, yet when you think of 2-3 & 4 people doing the same job - it's obvious.
If we are delegated as task and are unsure of the exact specifications, we must ask and clarify. If we accept the task & inherent specifications, we must execute to the best of our abilities without passing down or even worse, back to the sender.
Remember, your work environment is like a well balanced ecosystem, where co-existence and interdepenency are paramount for its growth & regeneration. Treat it as such by undestanding the art of delegation.
© 2007, Hire Me Book.
www.HireMeBook.com
Delegating Upwards Costs us all.
posted by Hire Me Book - E-Hire Me on Tuesday, April 17, 2007
They are buzzwords that have had more books written about them and probably more business dollars spent on them than any other subject.
Those words: Time Management.
What do these two little words really mean and what can you do to learn more about the subject?
From day-planners, to figuring out how to best manage the technologies that have crept into the work place, to maximizing every interaction that one has during a busy work schedule, time management is an ever pressing subject that you need to deal with. So what separates the great from the average?
The great maximize every minute and begin their work by scheduling the night before. While the vast majority of today's work force show up to their jobs only to begin organizing what they are going to do that day, the great employees know that they can get a jump on their stresses, work-load and competitors by maximizing the early part of their day and knowing what they have to do for the rest of it. The great employees will work their day and know their workday.
The weak are always trying to catch up.
Organize your next day, week, and month [and even your year] in advance and then work your plan. You'll be surprised at how much more you accomplish and how much less stress you are subjected to.
Time Management = Maximizing Every Minute.
How much time is slipping out of your life?
© 2007, Hire Me Book.
www.HireMeBook.com
Own Every Minute
posted by Hire Me Book - E-Hire Me on Sunday, April 15, 2007
Over the last decade the great businesses on this planet have slowly but surely moved towards doing business in an environment that is open. This practice is called being transparent and while the Enron's of the world have operated on a fake foundation the true honest businesses, which we rarely hear of because they are doing something well, are letting their employees be involved in both the financial numbers and the direction of the business.
This has lead to great innovation and tremendous loyalty to the firm. Those employees that have become involved have increased confidence in their employers, have an increased awareness of their role, and truly understand their job's necessity to the overall wellness and performance of the business. The employees that take advantage of becoming more educated on their place of work statistically are better paid, remain in their jobs for longer with a greater sense of security and, in the word of their employers, are the best team players.
We all want responsibility but the expectation that responsibility will be just given to you is where a great misunderstanding lies. You need to take action and want to be involved. You need to actually walk through the "open door" and ask how you can help, what needs to be done or where you need to improve.
When your business says that they operate on an "open door policy" they mean it. The fact is that most employees expect their singular issues to be addressed for them rather than by them. Talk to your manager, embrace the open door policy as an opportunity for you to discuss both how you can help the business move forward and how the business can help you. Never accept rejection of your will to communicate. If the door says, "come on in" then you need to keep coming until someone will listen. How people interpret policy, create policy and execute policy are different but how you embrace being a part of the team and delivering your fifty percent, at minimum, of wanting to be heard and involved will create the environment that you want to work in.
50% = a company that will communicate with you and is "open door" and,
50% = YOU actually walking through the door
Are you ready to walk through the door and into a whole new world? Are you ready to take the commitment and embrace the burden of knowing what it takes to succeed or do you want to continue to do your job mired in ignorance?
The choice, as always, is yours.
© 2007, Hire Me Book.
www.HireMeBook.com
Open Door Policy
posted by Hire Me Book - E-Hire Me on Friday, April 13, 2007
It's not easy. Few things in life are but there are a few ways we can stay motivated at work and make it not seem.... like work.
1. Understand the goal of the organization. It may seem really simple, yet if we don't understand the goal of the organization, our job becomes less meaningful. With that goal in mind, we can use it to keep us on track and steer our behaviors.
2. Focus in on how your role supports that goal. You would be surprised to find out you are probably more important than you give yourself credit for. By understanding your role to its fullest, you can always have a quick self-measure of your effectiveness (day to day).
3. Reflect and evaluate your daily performance. Did you meet, or exceed in your role towards the company's goals today. It's that simple. Most people are much smarter than they are given credit for. We all know there is no such thing as giving 100% every single day. It's an anomaly. Yet, by incorporating these 3 easy steps into your psyche, you will ultimately and consciously putting more into your work environment, hence getting more out of it.
Have a thoughtful day!
© 2007, Hire Me Book.
www.HireMeBook.com
How to stay motivated at work.
posted by Hire Me Book - E-Hire Me on Thursday, April 12, 2007
There is not a single organization or business on the planet that can avoid this fact:
**Every Single Employee IS a Part of the Sales Team
We have all experienced the rather odd lack of service at a typical service or returns counter but it is the every day interactions of the accountants, book-keepers, phone directors, government agents, customs officers, public servants, machine operators [to name just a very few] that leave a mark on how we all perceive a company or organization. It is the regular interactions that people judge you on.
A customer or relationship is built from the every day little interactions where each of us has but one expectation: a little respect.
To go and purchase a new television we already expect to receive decent customer service and knowledge but when we receive treatment at a hospital all we are looking for, beyond our minimum expectation of expertise beyond our realm, is someone to respect us.
How often do you take little interactions for granted? Are these non-chalant relationship killers stopping you from moving forward?
At the Hire Me Company we have a saying that reminds us how we should be living.
"Every day, every play."
There aren't times that you can take off, your day is never done and you are never allowed to disrespect or treat someone in a manner you wouldn't deem acceptable.
You are a part of selling your organization, helping that person, treating them well and this attitude will move you forward, if not financially definitely spiritually, so that you can conquer the hurdles in your life. Every interaction is a reflection of what you personally represent.
Every day, every play......make it a mantra you follow and remember you are the sales team for how people remember you, act towards you and treat you.
How do you want to be remembered?
© 2007, Hire Me Book.
www.HireMeBook.com
Newsflash: YOU Are In Sales
posted by Hire Me Book - E-Hire Me on Wednesday, April 11, 2007
We are all guilty.
Essentially, we then believe we are greater than the sum total of the parts.
Yet, what makes great teams 'great' and efficient teams 'efficient' is an unwavering commitment to the outcome as opposed to the process. Southwest Airlines story & Herb, General Electric and Jack's recount, Starbucks and their vision are a few examples of understanding what can be accomplished when we are all "in". Ignoring or refusing to get involved with things that reside outside of our job description, will only serve to do one thing.
Cog up the entire process.
Hence today's advice is to understand we all have a part to play in the overall successes and failure of our organizations ecosystem. Within that framework, we need to understand that the more hands we have helping in & out of our "defined roles", the faster and stronger we reach our collective goal.
In saying this, come to work with the mindset that it IS our job to make the best if we want to reap the most.
© 2007, Hire Me Book.
www.HireMeBook.com
It IS our job.
posted by Hire Me Book - E-Hire Me on Tuesday, April 10, 2007
...........to make a first impression.
© 2007, Hire Me Book.
www.HireMeBook.com
You Never Get a Second Chance
posted by Hire Me Book - E-Hire Me on Monday, April 02, 2007