Live Your Best Life in the New Work World

Have you ever had an experience that really made an impact on you and was the catalyst for much change in your life?  I had an experience like that early on in my recruiting practice when I was fortunate to attend a seminar by the great motivator and sales trainer, Zig Ziglar.  He really was a brilliant man and was not only an entertaining speaker, but his methods and training techniques went far beyond becoming a good salesperson. They were tools for living a rewarding and rich life.  The fourth step of the Faremouth Method, “Take the Time to Do It Right,” reminds me so much of the techniques I learned from Zig.  He’s known for many famous quotes, but the ones that have really come to mind lately, and have been useful to me in my personal and professional endeavors are these:

“There is little you can learn from doing nothing” and “You have to be before you can do, and you have to do before you can have.”

I’ve been reflecting on these quotes a lot lately with so many clients, candidates and recruiters, telling me how much change they have experienced from the last few years and how they are feeling somewhat out of sorts and disconnected.

This training from many years ago really prompted me to ask myself what kind of approach might help people to develop parts of themselves that may have gotten lost during all the change and challenges of the last few years, either because of layoffs, new working conditions, inability to find new employment, severe damage to their property because of all the recent storms, etc. How can they cultivate new ways of crafting their jobs, themselves, or perhaps even taking steps toward longed-for callings?

Let’s take a look at four practices that relate to the Zig Ziglar quotes I have mentioned that may lend themselves to allow you to reflect upon and take advantage of everyday opportunities for development based on creating your best self.

1.     “There is Little You Can Learn from Doing Nothing.”

When we go through changing times, either in our professional or personal life, we can obsess about how bad things are or we can make important changes to do something about it. The first step is in the change of attitude and mindset. Instead of focusing upon the negativities, we need to look at options available to us.

A.   What if We Studied Our Successes?  The practice of journaling or writing down what you have gleaned from your successes can be very helpful in allowing you to focus more on positive attributes and lessons. Those experiences or qualities are essential to make effective strides.  For example, if you have a strong technology bent and have always enjoyed figuring out computer problems for yourself or your team at work, been recognized for your contributions to the company, how might you enhance or improve those positive skill sets to advance in the New Work World?  How can you make these assets work in your favor?

I have a client who has decided to move his operation to the Austin area because he has developed a new software to streamline his business practices.  I found a couple of candidates strong in the area of purchasing he was searching for, but just as importantly, they had gone above and beyond to take on continuing education in the technology field and also had a real passion for it.  These candidates took the time to do it right by focusing on their successes, stepping out of their comfort zone, and doing something about it.  They are both in line now for a wonderful new opportunity.   Both candidates decided to take online courses during the layoff time, and this enhanced training they went the extra mile to receive will be advantageous in a new career path. Had they done “nothing,” as Zig mentions, they might not have been qualified for this great new opportunity.

B.    What if We Ask Better Questions?

If the industry you have been in for over 10 years or longer is in decline, what if you asked yourself how you can transfer those skills into another area? If you are not sure you can do that or don’t feel secure with the process, who can you seek out to help or what process or class might be available to allow you to again become employable?  If you decide to do nothing and not try to package or prepare your skill set for the New Work World, where will that lead you?

2.      You Have to Be Before You Can Do, You have to Do Before You Can Have?

A.   How can we prepare to “Be” so we can “Do?”

I believe there is always a solution to every problem.  How can you “be” or become your best self in the New Work World to “do” the jobs now available?  Do you have to take additional classes? Do you need to seek out other avenues like assessment testing, connecting with others on LinkedIn that may have experience in the area you have an interest to find out about their journey, etc.? Or investigate online classes that might advance your career endeavors that might even be more fulfilling than what you previously had?

B.    How Can You “Do” Before You Can “Have?”

I know there is much more we can do to have a successful career. Things may have changed, but there are many good opportunities available.  If you “do” reach out to others to allow yourself to further develop and grow, you might “have” a future career experience that might even be more fulfilling than what you have left behind.

By taking the time now to do it right and prepare for your personal and professional journey, you must be determined to have your current year be a year of many rewards, positive experiences and accomplishments.  And don’t be afraid to help that other person on your journey that might be even more fearful than you are; be sure to reach out to help someone else.  There are many tools available to you during these changing times.  Seeking out the assistance of a strong mentor, career coach or associate you admire and respect is always a good way to begin the process of change.

Remember the two famous quotes from the great Zig Ziglar. If I had not stepped out of my own comfort zone and taken those classes years ago, I might not have been able to share valuable insight with my candidates and clients to assist going forward in challenging and changing times like these!  Those seminars really affected and impacted my way of thinking by molding a new and different perspective of complicated situations.  In my everyday practice with my clients, I try to pass on those pearls of wisdom and encouragement to find a way through the obstacles in order to maximize a positive outcome.  Ask yourself the right questions to provide the pathway for a positive solution. Just like the Oracles at Delphi, “know thyself,” is the purest wisdom to embrace your skill set, knowledge, and passion toachieve new success by doing what you love.  When we do what we love, we do it better, smarter, and more effectively.  As in the words of Ziglar, when we do what we love, we can have what we want.