Maven foray into mobile blogging

I have managed to sneak over to Starbucks for my addiction, a Venti Green Tea Latte. While waiting for my drink, I decided to test the post by email option!

Unfortuantely for my blog, Starbucks is very efficient.

But the maven likes the idea of quick posts and perhaps this will increase the frequency of musings.

Have a fantastic day!
-Maven

How important is having a job you love?

Some time ago, someone asked me to write a blog post about "How important is having a job you love?" I dutifully posted the topic to "draft" and moved on without a second thought (at the time). Recently, however, the stress of the economic situation vs. career needs and growth opportunities seem to be plaguing many. In fact many, who have been putting up with less than fulfilling jobs (likely because they figured that they could always find another one if they ever got really fed up) seem to be feeling trapped and panicky. There aren't a lot of options at the moment making their current situation seem endless.

We've all heard the famous Confucius quote, "Find a job you love and you'll never work a day in your life. " So, how important is having a job you love?

Most of us corporate-types like to think that the work we do and the job we have has some sort of greater purpose or meaning. We work on our 30-second elevator pitches, we agonize over the title that gets printed on our business cards, we refresh and refine our personal brands, our colleagues become our friends, our workplace our social network. We spend most of our waking hours doing work related to our job (perhaps sneaking in a few daydreams of running a surf board rental shop on the beach, now and again). My high-school chemistry teacher used to say "Life isn't fun or fair, it's rewarding and fulfilling." So we seek reward and fulfillment... understanding that we should probably make yoga a priority (supposed to be good for fighting stress).

Many times we have a job because of what it enables in the rest of our lives (like paying the bills or piano lessons for the kids), not because it, in and of itself, satisfies or fulfills. For most, the reality of "a job you love" is simply a myth. So many people are without jobs at all and the possibility of not being able to meet the most basic needs looms large. No loving your job, especially right now, may feel strange, but it is what it is... if you don't love it, the current climate isn't going to change how you feel. How do you have a "life you love" when you have a job you don't love? Should you just be satisfied with the status quo simply out of gratitude for the job you have?

Maven advice for those who don't love their jobs:

• Commit to the job you have and do it well. I call this moving into the house you have... and I do mean "move in," unpack, the whole 9 yards. As far as any and everyone is concerned, you are in the job to stay. Bosses, colleagues and employees can sense dissatisfaction even if it's never put into words. No sense "deep-sixing" yourself unintentionally.
• Make a conscious list of how the current job is benefiting your overall life. Even the "worst" job I ever had taught be valuable lessons was grateful to have learned (although I wish I had learned in a much less painful fashion!).
  
• Leverage the positives and think strategically. Look for on the job training opportunities that hone your overall skills long-term, build a stronger network, get a mentor (someone outside of your job area), train and mentor others, volunteer to work some percentage in a different area (as long as your core responsibilities are rock solid) that exposes you to new experiences and new colleagues.
• Keep your network healthy. You never know when the next opportunity may arise. And perhaps this time you won't be so hesitant to go after it.
  
• Remember, your job does not define who you are as a person. Search for fulfillment in other places. Focus on family, helping and staying connected with friends, hobbies, volunteering and giving back to your community; these are all ways to enrich our lives.

As a corporate maven (with a strong entreprenuerial streak), I cheat. And yes, cheating is allowed. I get all the benefits of a vibrant and fast paced corporate job, I try to give back to my community and I turn my (and my daughter's) hobbies into little side businesses to satisfy my "surf shop" needs. Why? I am clearly lucky enough to have a job I enjoy, but the job isn't "all" of what I enjoy in my life in general. My overall life is bigger than my job.

So, what's the maven "love your job" bottom line? It's more important to love your life than it is to love your job.

Should I sign off with a "Namaste"?

Best,
Maven

Highs and Lows: A Maven Day In The Office

As I embark on a new phase of my career, I am filled with excitement and am anxious to prove my worth. However, days like today always balance triumphs with reality checks. Three days of hard work pays off in the morning. Riding high into the afternoon, what jumps out from behind a tree but something that fell between the cracks.

What to do? Maven tip? Try the 3 A's
ADMIT you let it fall between the cracks.
APOLOGIZE.
Take immediate ACTION to minimize any issues your miss may have caused.

I've capped off the evening by reading Dr. Suess' "If I Ran The Zoo" to my daughter. That makes me laugh.

Evening musings,
Maven

Don’t confuse effort with results: Turning the “To Do” list into “Done”

As you may have figured out by now, I like to keep myself very busy. I had an interesting conversation with Fiona the other day about my "Task List" and how I manage it (Achiever being on my top 5 StrengthsFinder2.0 list). The conversation MIGHT have actually started with an inquiry as to where my next blog entry fell on said task list, but I digress. That said, it's an interesting topic and perhaps a few other people might want to wade in with their own thoughts and suggestions.

I am a self-described e-geek. I love technology of all sorts. Naturally, I have my Outlook task list which happily syncs with my smart phone (I'll leave reviews of task list software for another day). But sometimes, like before the flight attendant Okays use of electronic devices, I go back to paper. When I really have a lot of things in my head, the act of physically writing them seems to have the effect of helping me focus my thoughts vs. mentally trying to keep all the balls sorted in my head (sort of like Dumbledore and the Pensieve from Harry Potter). Well, you say, so now you have a task list on your computer and one on paper. How do you keep it all straight? Honestly, I don't keep it all straight all the time. I don't even bother consolidating the paper list to my online list in many cases. But I do look at it periodically throughout the week and make sure that I cross off the completed items. I also make sure I don't have duplicates (the computer wins on duplicate entry).

I personally make a distinction between appointments and tasks. For example, a task might be "schedule a doctor appointment." Once it's scheduled, it gets crossed off my list and moved to an appointment on my calendar. I wouldn't update or add a task to say, "go to doctor appointment" and leave it on the list. And yes, this does mean that managing your task list is a component of how you manage your time. I have to say, however, that I am constantly amazed how many things are actually "done" when I go back to recheck my task list. The act of capturing and organizing my task list almost guarantees that I'll take care of at least some of the items without a second thought.

Simple prioritization can really help make sure that the most important items get done. I have cited a reference from the Wikipedia page on Time management below but it doesn't so much matter whether you use A, B, C or 1, 2, 3; it DOES matter that you pick a prioritization method that works for you and that you use it.

Consider these Maven tips:

• A task should be prioritized, have a deliverable, a tangible result. Ideally, it should have a due date as well.
  
• Don't put entire projects on your task list. Projects are generally things that you know you are working on. They have their own timelines and tasks. (Besides, they'll be on your task list a long time. You don't really need that kind of subconscious pressure.) Do put individual project tasks on your list, especially if it helps you prioritize them against other items.
  
• The length of your task list does NOT equal your value. What matters is getting results, it does not matter that you have "spent a lot of time working." Maven Mantra: "Do not confuse effort with results."
  
• Live by the 4 D's
  
  • Do it. Do make time on your calendar to complete tasks. If it can be done now (now = the time you allotted to do tasks), do it.
    
  • Defer it. If it's not something that can be gotten to right away, schedule an appointment with your task list (name it if it "Spot" or something if it helps you justify the appointment) when it is more reasonable to get to it. (Your prioritization method will help you with this as well.)
    
  • Delegate. You don't have to do everything. Once you accept a task, your responsibility is only to make sure it gets done, not to do it yourself.
    
  • Delete it. Give yourself permission to purge items that are really not vital. For example, create list somewhere else for things you'd like to remember. I once had a category in my task list of books to read. Not really vital, more of a "don't forget you thought this might be interesting" item. I love to read so you can imagine that having these items on my task list was a distraction. And some things are just not going to get done. You have Maven approval to delete those as well. No sense taking the mental bashing.

End of musings for today,
Maven

Related posts: Running on Fumes (Wednesday, July 9, 2008 interesting, she muses… that was almost exactly a year ago)

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REFERENCE: Time management, http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Time_management&oldid=301264299 (last visited July 9, 2009).

Maven Reading: "Outliers: The Story of Success" by Malcolm Gladwell

The Corporate Maven recommended summer reading list contains one seriously MUST read for anyone who wants to understand how successful people get that way. Some amazing stories about hockey players, students, lawyers and tech geniuses like Steve Jobs and Bill Gates. Great insight for managers, parents & educators as well.

Outliers: The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell

Have you read it? Post a comment!

Grooming matters so get "dressed" before you go to work (or interview)

Great article yesterday on Dressing for job interviews in L.A. - Los Angeles Times. Even thought article says "in L.A." I found the advice to be applicable no matter where you live.

Careless grooming is a big Corp Maven pet peeve. In fact, I would advise that you read the article even if you are feeling secure in your present job. As much as we all strive for our "individualism" and don't want to take orders from "the man" (who ever that is), good grooming and dressing for success can make the difference between being considered for a promotion or being abandoned in your lonely cubicle. Even if the workplace is casual, there really is no reason for coming to work in board shorts and sandals... unless, of course, you get paid to surf (surfing the web does not count).

CareerBuilder.com writer Anthony Balderrama recently posted an article on cnn.com/living titled "What not to wear to work." Lots of good advice in this article as well. My personal favorite paragraph from Anothony's post:

"Don't get lazy
Once you've been on a job long enough, you can be tempted to throw on whatever's clean (or clean enough) and stumble to work. Employers don't stop assessing your work ethic once you pass your first-year anniversary. Your appearance is a constant factor in how others perceive you and your professionalism." -- Anthony Balderrama, http://www.careerbuilder.com/

Maven advice: Don't be afraid to stand out from the rest of the worker bees. Get "dressed" before you go to work.

A good time to start your own business?

Seems to be the topic of the day... should I start my own business? Well, a lot of the experts are saying that yes, it is. Here are a few blog posts and articles from recent weeks:

• bigthink.com/anitacampbell - Opportunity Opens the Door When the Competition Is Distracted
• eHow.com - How to Start a Business During the Recession
• USATODAY.com - Time to start your business may be now

If you are thinking about starting your own business, use these tips to avoid some of the most common pitfalls!

• FMWalsh - 8 Deadly Sins of Business Development
• Chris Flett - 10 Deadly Sins of the Entrepreneur (Audio, $9.99 but well worth the money)

Need a job? Use volunteering to gain leadership experience

Looking for that next career opportunity? Thinking of starting your own business? Just graduating and worried about how to get started in a down economy? Out of work or thinking of returning to the workforce?

Whether your resume is impressive or non-existent, you can gain real world, resume worthy experience by volunteering and community organizing. If you are out of work, it can be a great way to limit gaps in employment and to keep you skills current or even learn new skills that you can take to that next job interview. If you are entering the work force for the first time or thinking about reentering the job market after a long absence, being able to show real work experience is invaluable to that future employer.

There are hundreds of non-profits and community organizations bowing under the weight of the current economic conditions. The need for qualified and passionate volunteers has never been greater.

Need ideas?

• Organize a local park cleanup in celebration of Earth Day
• Call your local United Way for a list of non-profits in your area that might need help organizing upcoming fundraisers or other events.
• Log on one of the many online volunteer opportunity websites such as Volunteers of America, VolunteerMatch or Volunteer.gov (which the government boasts has the most comprehensive listing of opportunities available).
  
  Volunteer.gov search for opportunities links out to Network for Good. A quick search for opportunities within 20 miles of downtown Sacramento, CA rendered over 275 different calls for volunteers. Opportunities run the gamut from administrative assistants and photographers to donation coordinators.
  

Volunteer... keep those resumes updated!!

Related articles:

Laid off? Volunteer! Here's how and why

Community organizing never looked so good