Kit Prendergast, PCC
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Tag Archives: Visioning
Choose Not to Be Afraid
At 4:45am each morning I take the dogs outside for their first potty beak and to pick up our local paper off the front driveway. As our golden retriever and westie (Snowball & Dooley) are rolling in the snow making snow angels, I am glancing at the paper’s headlines under the garage lights.
Almost without fail, the front page stories shout at me about something that is going to immediately endanger myself or my family. It can be anything from global terrorism; the national economy, our local unemployment statistics; home foreclosure rates or a whole array of looming health disasters that will kill me off before the day is done. I’m surprised I can stagger back into the house for my first cup of coffee.
Fear, worry and anxiety are epidemic in our world today. The media, our politicians and even our family & friends are telling us constantly to “be afraid” of everything and anything. Yes, there are some very real things in 2013 that we need to be concerned about but do we really have to be worried 24/7? No, we don’t!
It’s our choice – what are we going to be concerned about (in a healthy way) and what are we going to let go. It takes practice but over time each of us develops an inner “check list” of what is worth getting our “knickers in a twist” (as the Brits say) and what needs to go on the back burner. That’s when our inner voice – the language – we use in speaking to ourselves becomes critical.
My challenge to you, is to pay attention to what media generated “fear” can hook you and then be touch with yourself in choosing your response. It’s your choice. Do I retreat to my comfort zone? Second guess myself constantly? Become critical of others? Cynical of the world around me? Think about it . . . and I hope you choose to put fear in its proper place. You are in control . . . not it.
Acing a Telephone Interview
In my blog postings over the last two weeks, I’ve been sharing ideas and tips on how to best apply, interview and secure a competitive job offer. My most recent inspiration is coming from daily phone calls from my college age daughter, Barbara, who is pursuing PR internships in New York City for this upcoming summer.
Barbara doesn’t allow any “grass to grow” under her feet. She is beautifully organized; goal oriented and very persistent. Thank goodness I’m an experienced career professional but even I have a hard time keeping up with her especially trying to help edit cover letters at 11:00pm! But you can’t argue with success when she’s getting positive responses back within just days.
So here we go . . . now I’m helping her prep for a telephone interview scheduled for tomorrow morning. My “go-to” reference on preparing for all kinds of interviews is Job Search Magic, Susan Whitcomb, 2006. It’s simply the best resource on how to psychologically, physically and mentally prepare for a telephone or personal interview.
Here’s my favorite list taken in part from Whitcomb’s “Dozen Must-Do’s in Telephone Interviews”. I’ll be passing them on to Barbara when she calls me late, late tonight. These are great tips for all of us to remember.
- Set up a very quiet place without interruptions (no dogs barking!)
- Convey warmth, friendliness and professionalism in your opening.
- Ensure you have a good phone connection (use a head set if possible).
- Listen closely – try closing your eyes to really concentrate.
- Use SMART stories to give concise answers.
- Be aware of your voice especially if it is too soft.
- Shorten up your responses – don’t go on & on.
- Expect the unexpected (a role play, case example etc.).
- Take notes but don’t let writing things down distract you.
- Always ask for the job if you really want it!
The best part for me is being able to coach Barbara in my area of expertise to be the very best she can be. My business tag line has always been “Powerful Partnerships for Powerful Results”!
That Used to Be Us
That Used to Be Us: How America Fell Behind in the World It Invented and How We Can Come Back, 2011, Thomas Friedman & Michael Mandelbaum.
This brand new book was recommended to me by a coaching colleague, Priscilla Binder. As our year winds down, I’ve been reading more of these books that address our country’s economic situation -because of the ripple effect on people’s lives and careers.
Friedman’s book is probably the best I’ve read. It’s not a quick read because there is so much there – it is filled with powerful insights backed up with a wealth of research and statistics – but you will walk away thinking and possibly shifting some of your own career plans for 2012.
Hot Air Balloons & The Bigger View
As I was driving into work early last Friday, I was caught again by surprise. Out in the distance I could see dozens of hot air balloons popping up over the hills. The annual Hot Air Balloon Races were back in Reno! And what a treat they are. I always feel a wonderful rush of good feeling – maybe it’s optimism and hope – as the balloons lift off and gently soar up and over downtown Reno and the Truckee River. I know they start my day off beautifully but I was curious . . . “What do the balloons inspire in others?”
A Different & Richer Perspective
So that was the question I posed to my “Coffee, Careers & Conversation” coaching group that morning. And I loved the answers which all related to the idea of getting up and above the normal things we see every day. When you’re able to get up high – as coaches we call this the 30,000 ft. perspective – the world looks quite different. All of a sudden, there is so much more out there.
We see things from a whole different perspective. And it’s not only what is below the balloon basket but also the richness of a full 360° view of the Sierra Nevada mountains, Lake Tahoe and the California border just beyond. We can’t help but start to think of the opportunities – the possibilities – that are out there.
And that’s what the group members were inspired to do by simply watching these hot air balloons early that Friday morning. We stand in our own way too often. But how better it is to see the bigger view and then to challenge yourself to explore, stretch and grow into new opportunities. As Dr. Seuss would say “Oh, the Places You’ll Go”!
Posted in And a Bit More, Career Tips & Strategies, Navigating Change, Personal Development
Tagged Career, change, Visioning
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A Powerful Question to Ask Yourself
In all the years of being a professional coach, I’ve used numerous “powerful” questions to help clients discover and clarify their personal and professional strengths. But there is one question that really captures it all. And that is “When are you really at your best?”
I ask clients to think about that question – not to hurry – and to come back to our next session with three or four stories that capture a picture of themselves at their very best. The stories will have a theme through them – a red thread – that tells us what comes together to bring out the best of themselves. These are natural talents that are coming together and over time have often become career and life strengths.
People, Ideas or Things
Lake Tahoe at Its Best!
These themes fall into three interest areas: an interest in people; an interest in ideas or an interest in things. For myself, I have always gravitated toward work with people in some capacity. When I ask myself this powerful question, I always come back to involvement with people during significant life and career transitions. That theme has always run through my years as a Masters level social worker; an adult, child & family psychotherapist; my community volunteer work, and now as a corporate trainer and a professional career/life coach.
Now It’s Your Turn to Ask