By Mary Ann Faremouth, CPC
As a perennial student, when back-to-school time rolls around, I am always reminded of the wonderful lessons I’ve learned throughout my life. One of those early lessons was as a child reading Dr. Seuss books. Dr. Seuss was a wildly prolific author of children’s books that we often associate with clever rhymes and whimsical illustrations. But Theodor Seuss Geisel (a.k.a. Dr. Seuss) did much more than create a collection of silly stories for kids. His books artfully teach invaluable lessons, many of which can be carried into our adult life and applied to the New Work World. Let’s investigate a few lessons from Dr. Seuss’ books and how they might be applied during these changing and challenging times.
1. How Do We Choose Which Direction to Take?
“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose.”
Isn’t life really about choices? If you are currently looking for a job and you are not getting the interviews you desire, why not investigate how you could change that up? Ask yourself if your résumé is done well. Could having it professionally done help you get more interviews with the keyword search and algorithm methods of today? If you are currently in a job but feel stifled, how could you do more to get that promotion? Could you assist others in the department to demonstrate your ability to multitask? Could you take online classes to expand your skillset and allow your department to become more efficient? Could you ask your supervisor what skills you could perfect to become a more valuable employee? Communication is always a key element in moving ahead in our lives. Being a person who wants to assist others and make a valuable contribution to the company gets the attention of higher management to allow you to grow, both personally and professionally.
2. How Do We Stop Procrastinating and Being Stuck?
“I’ve heard there are troubles of more than one kind. Some come from ahead and some come from behind. But I’ve bought a big bat. I’m all ready you see. Now my troubles are going to have troubles with me!”
So much of how we attack a challenge has to do with our mindset. If you feel stuck looking for a job in only one industry or role, consider viewing your skillset from a new angle. Doing so could help you see how it might be transferred into a new career, allowing you to formulate an honest way of presenting it to prospective employers. Even if your previous experience doesn’t exactly match what a role requires, researching the company and job description and presenting examples of how you could make major contributions can still give you an advantage. Believe you have what it takes and develop a winning attitude internally before you present it to someone else. You really do hold the bat in your life to hit the ball out of the park with a more positive and winning attitude.
3. How Do We Use Imagination and Creativity to Achieve Our Goals?
“Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!”
Creative people often make connections others do not. They think outside the box and often tread into uncharted territory because of their strong determination to succeed. Take that class you’ve always had an interest in; it might open new roads of achievement for you. Try an online software class; it might impress your current or next boss. If you don’t try, you will never know where such things could take you. Also, taking classes builds community, so the associations you make can help foster support between you and others. Such associations could even be important connections for future opportunities. For me, being a member of Toastmasters and Rotary has allowed me to meet people who have expanded my mindset and encouraged me to grow beyond my wildest dreams.
4. How Do We Embrace Appreciation and Gratitude in Times of Major Change?
“From there to here, from here to there, funny things are everywhere!”
It’s easy to forget the small things in life that bring us joy, but Dr. Seuss reminds us there are lessons to be learned and people to be grateful for every step of the way. It’s often said that what is important is not the journey or destination but the people we meet along the way. Taking the time to show gratitude to those who help us, whether by phone or email, helps us build relationships with those people. And who knows, perhaps one such demonstration of gratitude could lead to new information or a connection that could help you build your career. Funny and interesting things are everywhere, so keep your eyes open and be ready for whatever your new and different experiences might bring you.
5. How Can We Make a Contribution to The World?
“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”
Even in times of major change, we can do something to help someone else. For example, say you played baseball in high school and your friend has a younger brother who is upset he didn’t make the baseball team or has been sitting on the bench more than playing. Maybe you can offer to help him practice his batting and talk about technique and strategy. It would be a win-win: You would feel better for helping someone, and he would have hope of improving and not give up. Plus, such stories show prospective employers you are willing to help others and are not self-absorbed. People who make such a valuable contribution to the world are more in demand than ever before.
Let’s all go back to school in our mind and learn the lessons of success Dr. Seuss outlined in his many books and apply them to the New Work World. The results might be a needed boost during these challenging and changing times. Make sure this back-to school season that you stay determined to never stop learning no matter what time of the year it is!
“And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! (Ninety-eight and three-quarters percent guaranteed.)”
Mary Ann’s award-winning first book Revolutionary Recruiting has been listed by Book Authority as Number #1 Best 100 Recruiting Books; #1 Best Seller, Non-Fiction, Amazon (2019); Top 20 Recruiting books, Recruitics; Readers’ Choice finalist (2019), Houston Literary Awards; Best Non-Fiction (2018), Best Cover (2019), and Best Self-Help (2018), Authors Marketing Guild. This was followed by “Revolutionary Reinvention”, a workbook for job seekers giving advice on how to rediscover your skills and passions and reinvent your career. Her most recent book is “Revolutionary Results” , a collection of life lessons about relationships, integrity and contributing to the world.
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