"Working on Monday"- What if I Win?

This unemployment experience has been like none other.  I am working my plan and seeing results.  I must admit the way my goals are materializing is not how I visualized them.   I knew what I wanted but the form is different.  My direction has opened up new doors and opportunities I never thought of pursuing.  But, what if I win?


It is imperative that you prepare yourself to win.  Wanting a promotion, desiring a new business or bidding for a raise require you to take action.  This is the beginning of your dreams coming true and an excellent start.  Your heart is filled with hope and a new energy surrounds your presence.  The excitement of the chase is one mindset, but maintaining a dream is another.

When You are Not Prepared!

A Showtime documentry titled Reversal of Fortune, tracked a homeless man.  He found $100,000 while searching for bottles.  This money was planted by the documentary producers.  The homeless man agreed to have his experience filmed after finding the money.  They offered him a financial consultant, free of charge, but he refused.  Ted Rodrigue, the homeless man, blew all of his money.  

He was not prepared to manage $100,000.00.  He even turned down the resources that would significantly increase his chances of success.  Rodrigue had a mindset that prevented him from living a different lifestyle.  The point...

If you do not prepare yourself to win, you will lose.  You will behave and think at a level that is opposed to your new position.  For example, A pregnant woman carries her baby for 9 months.  She eats right, exercises, makes sure she get proper rest, goes to the doctor and takes her vitamins.  As she gets closer to the delivery date shopping for the baby is a smart idea.  The baby will need diapers, clothes, formula and other items to survive.  Let's say this mother is only concerned about her pregnancy phase and does not prepare for the baby being born.

When the baby comes home this mother is lost.  She does not have anything to keep the baby clean and the baby sits in soiled undergarments or nothing at all.  The baby is constantly crying because he is hungry, but the mom has no formula.  She does not breast feed because she does not know how and she is lost.  If this continues the baby will be taken away from her or not survive.  This is how your dreams are...If you do not prepare a place for them, they are taken away or die.

The Next Level

What does the next level of your career look like?  Did you create a space for it to thrive and survive?  If you are unable to answer this question you will lose.  Here are some ways to prepare for your career goals?

1. Learn how people living your dream think and live.  Success will require an adjustment in your life style.  Begin to prepare your family for this and begin to act as if you are already there.  Get comfortable in your skin and welcome change.  I hear people say they will never change and try to be the same, even when they hate it.  They are usually trying to get the approval of the people around them.  When you really think about it, is it fair to you or them?
2. Stop apologizing for wanting more out of life.  This attitude comes across in everything.  You have every right to pursue your dreams.  If other people are offended by your ambition, it is their problem.  Take them off of your list and keep going.  Keeping people like this around is dead weight. 
3. Keep up the good work.  If you have not heard this today, you are doing a great job.  When you are trying to make the most out of your life, compliments do not always come with the journey.  It takes courage to reach your full potential.  
4. Always act with integrity.  When you make decisions and take action use integrity.  If you have to lie, sleep and manipulate your way to the top, the price tag is too high.  This will steal the essence of your soul and turn you into someone you do not want to be.  You may even say "I will only do this until I make it" this is not true.  There will always be another level of achievement.  Nothing is worth killing your soul and the souls of others around you.  

Now that you are preparing to win.  You should have everything you need when you arrive!
Until next Monday...
photos via: syahindahsahusi.blogspot.com, industrysourcenetworks.com, starfishperformance.com via Google images

"Working on Monday" Part 3- The Strategic Planning Process of Achieving Your Goals

Welcome back to "Working on Monday!"  A lot of material has been covered over the past two weeks and if you are executing the actions plans the shape of your destiny is already  forming.  The focus of "Working on Monday" part three is  bringing things together and creating a strategic plan to achieve your goals. 

"Working on Monday" a Practical Perspective

I have learned about the workplace from the School of Hard Knocks.  My parents were not top business executives and never shared tips about being successful at work.  Their philosophy was get a 'good' job and go to work.  It seemed simple to them because they lived during a time of blue color heaven, but that utopia has gone straight to hell.  I did not have a mentor groom me for corporate success and show me how to move up the ladder.  I only had an inkling in my stomach that kindled a determination inside of me.  I always knew I was capable of more, but I was continually being knocked around like an inexpensive golf ball.  I had to  make a decision that those days were over!

The action plans thus far have been fact finding and information gathering exercises.  Now it is time to develop real steps to make your dreams a reality.  

Action Plan 7:
Reflect on the information that you compiled in action plans one to six.  What have your mistakes taught you?  What are your goals and work history telling you about yourself?

Here are some great definitions of Strategic planning, we are going to be working with this one: Strategic planning "determines the general direction and goals of the Society (in our case personal career) both the short and long term. Strategic planning considers the resources of the Society, the likely behavior of competitors, the direction and pace of technological change, and the projected demands of the marketplace (American Chemistry Society (c))." 

This definition can be very overwhelming but we are going to attack this one step at a time.  I have found that preparation leads to opportunity and "Working on Monday" is not just about returning to work, but living your dreams.  One step at a time you can be living your dreams.

Action Plan 8:
Create actual steps to get to your goals.  For example if one of your goals is being promoted in a year, what would you have to do to achieve this?  Take training classes, move to another company, get licensing or certification, memorize your future job description, actually plan how you are going to reach your goals.

Action Plan 9:
Think about your competition.  Let's go back to the promotion example. How many people are competing for the job?  How will your co-workers react to your new position?  How do you make yourself necessary?  How will you handle jealous people?  Adjust your plans accordingly.

This is a lot of work, but the benefits will change your life.  You will have two weeks to complete these action plans.  Do not get discouraged with the process, hang in there.

"Working on Monday" a Spiritual Perspective

Let's go back to Joseph, Genesis 40 and 41. Joseph was in prison because he was falsely accused of rape.  During his imprisonment two of Pharaoh's servants were placed in jail with Joseph.  They had dreams and Joseph was able to interpret their meaning accurately.  Joseph asked them to tell Pharaoh he helped them and have him removed from jail because he was innocent.  The servants forgot about Joseph until Pharaoh had a dream.  Joseph came before Pharaoh and explained the meaning of his dream.  There was going to be a great famine in the land of Egypt and Joseph told him to prepare during the seven prosperous years that would proceed the famine.  Pharaoh was impressed with the wisdom God gave Joseph.  He appointed him to lead the efforts to save Egypt from the famine.  Joseph went from prisoner to Pharaoh's second in command in one evening. 

Spiritual Lesson Learned from Genesis 40 and 41

1. Use your talents to help others even when you are down on your luck.
2. When you help someone they will give you a good recommendation. 
3. Good leaders will recognize God's blessing upon your work and will honor it with position and pay.
4. Be prepared for all situations, they will lead to your dream job.
5. Tough times do not last forever, have faith that things will change in God's time.

Additional Resources

Sklover Working Wisdom- excellent site with important information about the workplace

Corporate Warriors- strategy for corporate excellence

Vocational Information Center- information about careers and occupations

photos via google images and freepixels.com