Find Your Purpose! It’s as Easy as 1, 2, 3

Are you struggling to find your purpose?

Do you go to work at a job that leaves you yearning for something more? Is your least favorite day of the week Monday? If so, you are not alone What’s the cure? Find Purpose!

Many people dream of the life they will live once they find their purpose - or their passion – a true calling - that one driving force that will make them pop up out of bed each morning, eager to start their day. They fantasize about living a life filled with deep spiritual rewards and unlimited abundance. They want to find their purpose and believe doing so will make every aspect of their life passionate and amazing.

Unfortunately, most people waste time hoping that their purpose will find them. They want it to appear to them in a dream or knock on their door with a big sign that reads “Here is Your Purpose!”

The truth is that most people who are living their dreams and who are engaged in a life filled with purpose and passion came to realize their calling while they were busy doing something else. Others, still, had the courage to follow a dream they have harbored since childhood. Whether you feel drawn to something new and exciting or even if you’re absolutely lost, these three steps will help you find your purpose and passion  in life.

Why find Purpuse? Here are 3 great reasons:

1. Finding Your Purpose May Be a Lonely Proposition (at least until you achieve success).

The well-intentioned words of family and friends may often discourage you from pursuing your dream. Those closest to us tend to pigeon-hole us in the roles we’ve always played. Trying to break out of these roles seems to make everyone uncomfortable. Some of your peers may even feel a spark of jealousy over what you are doing. The first step to finding your purpose is deciding that you are going to do whatever it takes, regardless of what others think.

I walked away from a six-figure sales job to pursue my love of writing and speaking. You can imagine what my family and friends thought; they were ready to call the men in the little white coats to come and lock me up! But the truth is that I was miserable after nearly 20 years in sales. My health was suffering and I was starting to look haggard and worn out.

After I resigned, people who hated their jobs started telling me how courageous I was for walking away to pursue my passion. I certainly didn’t FEEL brave! To me, bravery is courage under fire, doing well in life and death situations. But I soon realized that, in a small way, changing careers for me WAS a life and death situation. When we are unhappy, our bodies break down. We have an OBLIGATION to ourselves to pursue our purpose and put passion into our lives. But be responsible and be prepared. I had stashed more than two years cost of living in the bank before walking away from my sales job.

Just don’t expect MOST of the people in your life to understand what you are doing. Once you have succeeded, they will sing a different tune. You’re bound to hear, “I KNEW you could do it all along!”

2. When you find your purpose, Time Flies

The French call it “engagé” – the act of being so wrapped up in what you are doing that time just seems to fly. If you’ve ever been engaged in your true purpose, you know exactly how this feels.

When I started writing for a living, I would be surprised when I felt hungry. I could have sworn I had just eaten an hour ago. In reality, it had been four or five hours since I’d taken a break. I could not believe that hours had passed; I was completely “in the moment” while my fingers flew across my keyboard. The same thing happens whenever I’m baking, singing, creating PowerPoint presentations, or engaged in other creative tasks where my spirit can soar. Your purpose has a way of finding you … usually when you are too busy to take time to look for it.

Think about what you are doing when time seems to get away from you. What activity gets you so engaged that you feel you are a million miles away? Now, do the research to see how you might be able to do that for a living. Whether you feel your purpose may lie in the field or sports, beauty, science, food, or even shopping, the odds are there is a way to monetize it so you can make a living doing it.

3. Find Your Purpose and You’ll Discover Greater Energy

You will “vibrate at a higher frequency” once you find your purpose. Imagine yourself doing a tedious task, such as paying bills or cleaning house. Your friend calls you and invites you to lunch, shopping, or maybe a round of golf. Suddenly, you feel your energy rise. This is actually the cells in your body vibrating at a higher frequency. You find yourself eager to change gears and switch to this other, energizing, exciting activity. Could this activity be an indication that you may have found your purpose? Absolutely!

Once you become aware of those things that make you vibrate at a higher frequency, you are well on your way to discovering your true purpose and passion. The next time you are engaged in such an activity, notice if the time spent at it seems to fly. The real test will come when you share your thoughts with those closest to you. If they don’t understand why you’re so excited about this, you are probably well on your way to finding your purpose.

The best part will come later. Once you have found your purpose, you will want to spend more time working on it. You will attract and be attracted to others who share that purpose with you. When you find yourself surrounded by others who share your feelings, dreams, and desires, you will know you have arrived, and that the search to discover your purpose will have been worth it.

The 10 Biggest Networking Mistakes

Networking events can be nerve-wracking … even for the most savvy socializers

Learn the 10 biggest networking mistakes and how to avoid them

Most of us have made mistakes, and end up wishing we had a time machine to travel back to a networking event so we could take back those horrible things we said or did. Have you ever engaged in a conversation with someone before you knew who you’re talking to, only to find out that you’ve been saying the WRONG things to the WRONG person? Maybe you’re simply challenged by trying to eat, hold your drink, shake hands, and pass out business cards all at the same time. Well, you’re not alone.

Networking events can be challenging IF you’re not prepared! Being prepared can help anyone to come across like the talented professional they really are. Here are the BIGGEST mistakes to avoid when networking:

1. “Surely one little drink won’t hurt!” Think again. Getting drunk or even a little sloppy in front of new acquaintances can ruin your chances of ever winning them over. Drinking clouds your judgment, so take it easy!  Alternate alcoholic drinks with water or plain soda.
2. Make sure you eat something first. If you’re attending a cocktail mixer, grab a bite to eat on your way or as soon as you get there. I assure you it is IMPOSSIBLE to juggle a plate of food, a napkin, a cocktail, business cards (giving and receiving) AND shake hands. Remember that lunch was hours ago and any alcohol will be hitting an empty stomach!
3. NEVER talk with food in your mouth. When I was writing my book, “The Art of the Business Lunch”, absolutely everyone told me to include this advice. Apparently there are many business professionals who still don’t know not to talk with their mouths full! Always take small bites so that if called upon to speak, you can swallow quickly before speaking.
4. Always be kind and courteous to everyone, no matter what! Being rude to anyone, even if they’ve just spilled a drink on you, only makes you look bad. Remember that any networking event is an opportunity for people to get to know you. How we react to challenges reveals our character. This is easier to remember when things are going well. Having a great reaction when things are bad is an opportunity to impress those around you.
5. NEVER bad-mouth your competition. People aren’t stupid; they will figure out that if you are saying bad things about your competition, you may say bad things about them, too, when they aren’t looking. You can build better business relationships by out-servicing and out-performing your competition.
6. AVOID awkward silence by being prepared for casual conversation. Become well informed on a LOT of different topics. Try to watch 20 minutes of a national morning news show, read a variety of magazines – particularly industry-specific publications, and be up on the latest in pop culture. This should give you a wide platform of knowledge so that you can participate in nearly any conversation. And avoid any controversial subjects – especially in a political year!
7. Always tip generously! Whether the networking event you’re attending has a cash bar or a hosted bar, always tip your bartender or server generously. Not only is it the right thing to do, but it’s important to take care of the people who are taking care of you. If a new client or prospect perceives you as cheap, they may be put off.
8. Don’t sit with your friends. One of the hardest things for us to do is to mingle with strangers. We naturally gravitate toward our comfort zone, seeking out people we know. While a networking event offers the opportunity to see old friends and associates, the main purpose is to meet new people so you can expand your circle. Dread talking to strangers? Try playing host or hostess; offer to bring food or drinks over to your table and make a positive impression.
9. Don’t criticize ANYTHING! We’ve all been served terrible fare at networking events. Making a big deal about a lousy buffet or fishy-smelling sushi appetizers could make others associate the bad food with YOU! Everything – from the room to the turnout to the food should be referred to as “exceptional” or “outstanding.” People prefer to be around positive people, so always try to be positive about everything.
10. Take your business cards or stay home! I have been handed phone numbers scribbled on cocktail napkins; I typically throw them away the next day. A networking event is for business and business cards are essential. They provide your name, your position or title, your company name and website, and ways to contact you – including e-mail, direct number, and cell. Keep a stash of cards in your car so that if you run out or forget, you will have some handy.

Enjoying a social setting with new friends and colleagues is the best way to develop relationships. Between breakfasts, lunches and networking mixers, the average professional has more than 400 opportunities each year to meet new people and expand their network. Being prepared for these opportunities and knowing what behavior to avoid is the first step toward assuring networking success.

I just lost my job, now what?

If you have recently lost your job or are concerned you may, don’t feel bad, let it go… You’ll get a new job!

Before you start looking for a new job…

Losing your job can be one of the hardest things a person goes through: financial stress, potential of having to move, not knowing what job you’ll be able to find next, having to sell possessions or losing your home are some of the immediate jarring realities that many face.

However, let’s face it, this is not even the worse part. Feeling humiliated. Having to tell your loved ones. Going through the emotional roller coaster of depression, anger, and frustration. Seeing the impact on your family and feeling you are letting them down. Not knowing if

For San Diego Residents: Learn to Become a Self Promotion Superstar

Attend the Unselfish Self Promotion 1 hour presentation as well as Question and Answer session.

Place: San Diego County Office of Education

Address: 6401 Linda Vista Road, San Diego, CA 92111

Date: Saturday May 22nd

Time: 1:45 PM

I will be presenting major self promotion strategies form my book “The Unselfish Guide to Self Promotion” on self promotion and self marketing at the District 5 Toastmasters Spring Conference. Join me for an hour of learning, fun and entertainment.

You’re so Perfect for the Job Why Don’t They Call You Back?

Have you sent dozens of resumes without a callback? How about hundreds of resumes? If you have been applying for jobs without not a lot of success you are not alone, most job applicants complain about exactly the same thing. Lot’s of application, lot’s of resumes, no interviews, no callbacks.

Sometimes you apply to that perfect job. A job that you saw online or on the newspaper and seems perfect for you and you perfect for it. You have the desire, the expertise and the experience. You even write a customized introduction letter and you tweak your resume to fit the job description. You apply to this perfect job and you are sure they will call you back for an interview. You wait for that call and wait and wait. Nothing! No calls, no emails, just nothing.

What is wrong? Why don’t you get any callbacks? Is it you or is it them? Don’t worry, it’s not you. I’ve been on both sides of the job process and anytime I was hiring I received hundreds of resumes. It’s not easy to go through all of those resumes quickly and effectively. It is not easy to get back to every single applicant to give them feedback, or to tell them why they did not make the cut.

How do hiring managers go through resumes? Most likely they make 3 piles. One pile has the “No way” resumes, the other pile has the “Maybe” resumes and the good pile has the “Call back” resumes. This is important because hiring managers make this decision in about 5 seconds. Yes, five seconds to look over a resume and make a decision either to send it to the good pie or the bad pile.

You have to write your resume thinking that your first sale is to make it to the “Call back” pile, not to actually get the job. After you make it to the “Call back” pile you have to sell an interview. Here, in the interview is where you sell yourself for the job.

How do you ensure a callback? By listening to my free audio conferences on how to get a job fast by clicking this link

If you would like to use LinkedIn to find your next job make sure to see the advanced linkedIn seminar here

”Would You Like to be a LinkedIn Marketing Star? Don’t forget to sign up for our LinkedIn For Marketing Newsletter to get free videos, audios and strategy once per week.

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Treat Your Job Hunt Like a Sales Process

Why do YOU want to compare job hunting to a sales process?

1: Sales Process has best practices. In other words, they have steps that you can follow and repeat and get the same results over and over again

2: Confidence. When you compare a Sales Process with Job Hunting you have expectations and it will help with your morale

-A Resume is a Sales Letter
-A Call to a company is a Cold Call
-An Interview is a Sales Meeting
-A follow up call is a Sales Call
-A follow up note is a Sales Thank You Letter

Don’t forget to sign up for our LinkedIn For Marketing Newsletter to get free videos, audios and strategy once per week.

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