120,000 a year, to more than one year of unemployment. Why did he remain unemployed for so long? Because he chose not to embrace the new realities of job search.“THOSE WHO ARE BLESSED WITH THE MOST TALENT DON’T NECESSARILY OUTPERFORM EVERYONE ELSE. IT’S THE PEOPLE WITH FOLLOW-THROUGH WHO EXCEL.”
—MARY KAY ASH1
As I wrap up the writing of this book, another person called me for help today. He is in dire financial straits, he lost his house, and now his automobile is about to be repossessed, unless he can make payments quick. He said he is now ready to start putting himself out there and taking the steps necessary to build his professional image online. Searching the Internet for advertisements just did not pay off.
It breaks my heart to hear stories like these. Having educated him that replying to advertisements was not a job-search strategy but rather a dead end, he still invested 100 percent of his time and energy in a lost cause that cost him and his family dearly. Forget about passion. You are bordering on human tragedy in this case, from a comfortable living making 120,000 a year, to more than one year of unemployment. Why did he remain unemployed for so long? Because he chose not to embrace the new realities of job search.
It is great to read a book, but it is of no use unless you put what you learn into action. Please take the necessary action. Yes, it is scary to try new things and to give up on things that worked in the past, because they are comfortable and familiar, but if they no longer work you must move with the times. The alternative is devastating to your financial well-being as well as your health. Developing an irresistible offer requires tending to your Internet garden. By doing so, your garden will bear fruit in the form of continuous employment and a secure income. A little gardening is a small price to pay to become a sought-after candidate in a Recruiting 3.0 trending world. Yes, it takes effort, but once set up and tweaked, this ProfessionaliBranding process works to get you exposure and build your reputation, and you will never have to look for another job again. Be early to the party and take your ProfessionaliBrand to the next level, and join the ranks of professionals who “get” it before it is too late. Be flexible and consider contracting or consulting. Stay up to date and find the latest tools and best practices by frequenting www.transitiontohired.com/resources on a regular basis.
All the calls I get are not bad news stories. I also received two other phone calls today, from professionals exclaiming that they just accepted positions and wanting to thank me for the advice I had passed on. What a feeling!
In the end you may need a job because you need a job, so get your survival job. Once you have one and you can pay the bills, make sure to spend the time to find one you love, because here is another sobering statistic: Research shows conclusively that the most common day for heart attacks is Monday.2 Statistics spike on Monday mornings in particular: Heart attacks occur between 4 a.m. and 10 a.m. —more than any other six-hour period.3
Why do you think that is?
I am neither a social scientist nor a doctor, but I can tell you it’s probably as a result of extreme work stress or fear of going to work. Is this a way to live? This is your only time on earth, so choose to live life rather than do life. Put the effort into finding work that will fulfill your passion. Get the job, venture, or mission that is right for you and that fits you by putting the powerful A-C-T system (alignment, confidence, and tactics) to work for you. It does not matter what you do as long as you love it. As my father frequently says, “To each your own, your ice cream cone, 47 flavors, pick your own.”
A quote by author Marianne Williamson sums up the book best:
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.4
You are capable beyond belief!
It is now up to you to shine bright, announce your greatness to the world, and fulfill your passion every day!