"Working on Monday" Part 2

Welcome back to "Working on Monday!"  It has been quite a week.  Let's review the action plans from last week.

Action Plan 1:
Where do you want to be in twenty-five years?  Write out your dreams, do not hold back.

Action Plan 2a:
Pick five companies you want to work for and research their history and culture.

Action Plan 2b:
Go back to your twenty-five year plan and research the history and culture of where you are heading.

Action Plan 3:
Join a club or organization.  Pick something that mirrors your values and has meaning to you.  Your religious organization does not count.

Writing the vision of where I wanted to be in twenty-five years certainly changed my priorities.  I found myself making changes in the way I made decisions.  I have been trying to kick fast food for a long time, and this exercise made me seriously pause.  I thought about that Big Mac and how my health is an essential part of enjoying my twenty-five year dream.  I did not completely give up the fast food, but I cooked more this week then I have in a long time.  It was because I had a direction for my future.  What changes did planning have on your decisions?

One of the struggles I had this week was feeling defeated.  The estimation of our victories in life is tied to what we accomplish.  Being terminated from my job was rejection and it fueled the heaviness of defeat that tried to overtake me.  It tried to convince me I would never amount to anything in life.  Defeat was a fog that loomed on my shoulders and it made me consider giving up.  What thoughts and/or feelings did you struggle with last week?

As we work through this process, I encourage you to journal this experience.  It will help you grasp a better understanding of yourself and put you in the habit of note taking.  Keeping impeccable notes is a key to success in business.  Documentation goes a long way when jerks try to get in your way.

"Working on Monday" a Practical Perspective

My feelings of defeat did not stop me from moving forward.  I may have hesitated at times, but I worked my action plans and made progress.  If you did not complete every step, don't give up!  Keep going, you can do it!  Do NOT let defeat and fear bind you.

Action Plan 4:

When you are feeling like you want to quit, PRESS!!!

Using this time to get a better understanding of the workplace is crucial.  Let's go back to Machiavelli.  He counsels the prince on how to keep power in a composite principality.  A composite is a new principality joined to an old state.  Starting a new job or securing your first assignment as an entrepreneur makes you the new kid on the block.  People are depending on you to complete certain tasks, but you have to remember POWER is always the name of the game.  People are sizing you up and judging how you are going to fit into the established structure.  You have to learn to form alliances and silence your critics. 

Determining how this new position is going to fit into your long-term plan will help.  It will help you know if this job is long or short term, who to befriend, ignore and hold accountable if necessary.  Hopefully your long range dreams have begun to shape what you are doing today.

Action Plan 5:

Begin to make short term goals.  Where do you want to be in six months?  Where do you want to be in one year?  How does it line up with your long term plan?  Make adjustments until it all fits.

Action plan 5 will help you determine if the job I discussed above is even worth taking.  Do not waste your time on things that have nothing to do with your dreams.  Stay focused!  You are interviewing the workplace the same as they are interviewing you.  You are smart, you are powerful, you are focused and you have dreams, do not be afraid to function in the confidence this generates. 

The process of going back to work means job interviews.  You have to have your story straight.  I was feeling pretty bad because my work history sucks.  Then I began to think, many famous people failed several times before they "made it."  It is not any different in the business world, do not let your past determine your future.  Nobody has a perfect work history.  Comparing yourself to an imaginary perfection is ridiculous.  The very nature of life is imperfect, what makes you think anyone has a perfect career. 

Action Plan 6:

Write out your work history in the form of an autobiography.  You have nothing to be ashamed of, this is the experience you are bringing to the company.  A maturity that has reflected on past mistakes and victories, which have made you a better person.  Tell your story with honesty, sincerity and wisdom.  Embrace who you are, work it and be proud!

"Working on Monday" a Spiritual Perspective

We are going to continue with the story of Joseph, Genesis 39.  Joseph made his way out of the pit and into Potiphar's house, the chief officer of the pharaoh.  God had favor on Joseph and everything he did was successful.  Potiphar saw the good work Joseph did, and that God was blessing his work.  This lead to a promotion for Joseph and he was the head man.  Potiphar's wife began to desire Joseph and she harassed him. She wanted to have an affair with Joseph.  He continually refused because he had good character.  Potiphar's wife finally got Joseph alone and Joseph ran leaving some of his clothing behind.  Potiphar's wife lied and got Joseph fired.  He was thrown into prison, another tough break on the way to his dreams.

Spiritual Lessons Learned from Genesis 39

1. God is with you and He blesses your work.
2. Sexual harassment still exists, be prepared to handle it.
3. People may falsely accuse you of their bad behavior.
4. If your next job does not work out, it is not the end!
5. God is with you, even when major setbacks happen. 
6. Don't allow people's bad behavior and lies destroy your dream. 
7. God will make you prosper, even in the 'prison' experiences of your life.

As we wrap things up for the week, I would like to encourage you to continue working on your actions plans from week one.  If you did not complete them, it is not too late.  Complete your action steps for week two and enjoy the accomplishments you are making during this process. 

Turn in some resumes and PRESS! 

photo credit via: drawbase.com, johnthrasher.wordpress.com, kccachola.wordpress.com, coolchaser.com via google images