"Working on Monday" Part 1- The Journey Begins

Welcome to "Working on Monday!"  This week I am going to focus on plotting our path to paid employment. I'm not just talking about a job, I'm talking about your life's purpose. The pathway to your destiny. I have worked since I was 15 years old. My experiences have been an unequal mix of tolerable and terrible workplaces. The weight of the scales rests on some pretty terrible work experiences. I am taking the bad, worst and awful and creating life lessons for "Working on Monday." I have come to the conclusion that business as usual is dead.

"Working on Monday" a Practical Perspective

Let's get right into it!  I have always been an idealistic person.  Since the age of twelve I had dreams of changing the world for good.  The problem with this statement is not the goodness I wanted to impregnate the world with, but the lack of clear planning.  A dream is important, but you have to plan to reach your dreams.

Where do you want to be in twenty-five years?  Yes, twenty-five years, successful businesses have long term strategic plans in place.  If we are going to be relevant and living our dreams in the future, the planning and action needs to take place today.  Everything we do in this series is going to be strategic! 

Action Plan 1:
Write out where you want to be in twenty-five years.  Don't spare any details.  Where do you want to live?  Where do you want to work?  What kinds of relationships do you have?  How much money do you want?  Dream!  Don't settle for less than your best in this twenty-five year vision. 

Since business as usual is not reaping the results I desire, I have to change.  I have always thought my job was to finish my work with excellence and go home.  If that was all that is required, I would be the CEO of Pepsi!  It takes more than quality work to make it in business.  You have to understand and participate in politics with skill.  I have always hated politics, I thought people that practiced them were suck ups and phonies.  They are just smart!  If you are not apart of politics, believe me, politics will be working you!

In the book The Prince, by Niccolo Machiavelli he discusses his analysis of the psychology of man. Machiavelli is known for his unethical approach to politics.  I am not suggesting you compromise your integrity, quite the contray.  Know your enemy.  The business world is dog eat dog, and if you are going to live your dream, you have to run with the big dogs!  Many people practice a Machiavellian approach to business called realpolitik.  The name of the game is POWER!  I never cared about power, only helping people and doing the right thing.  I have learned you can not make it on lofty ideals alone.

Machiavelli suggests there are two types of principalities, new or established.  Established principalities are inherited and ruled by families for generations.  A modern day example of an established principality is Ford Motor Company.  How does this relate to you?  Every company you work for has a culture.  You have to learn that culture and work within it to fulfill your dreams. 

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

Action Plan 2b:
Go back to your twenty-five year plan and learn about the history and culture of the life you want to live. 

Staying actively engaged with other business people will help you network, stay sharp and have fun.  Most companies want you to apply for a job online.  It is tough to get noticed.  Engaging in community events and organizations is crucial.

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

"Working on Monday" a Spiritual Perspective

Genesis chapter 37 tells the story of a young Joseph.  He had big dreams that made his siblings turn from tolerating him, to hating him.  They plotted his death to kill his dreams (Genesis 37:20).  This is a story God uses to share the importance of your dreams.  Joseph's brothers didn't want to get rid of Joseph, they wanted to kill his dreams.  Don't let anyone steal your dreams, your dreams are more valuable than your life.  A man without a dream is spiritually dead.  One of Joseph's brothers suggested that they not kill him, a divine intervention designed by God.  He said let us just throw him in a pit.  Unemployment, under employment or working a job you hate is like being in the pit.  Can you imagine how Joseph felt?  He must have felt betrayed, hurt, afraid and worried about his future.  Can you relate?

Spiritual Lessons Learned from Genesis 37

1. You can not share your dreams with everyone.  Your big dreams will stir hatred in envious people, including envious family members. 
2. People will act upon their hate.  Don't be surprised when people attack you.
3. God always supplies help in a hopeless situation.
4. You can get thrown in the pit on your way to destiny.  It is not the end, only the beginning. 
5. Jealous people will lie to destroy you, even if it hurts their own family. 
6. God uses your trouble to shape and mold you for your destiny. 
7. Your dreams are a preview of your ultimate destiny.

Other Things to Consider

Make sure you file for unemployment.  I encourage you to explore your states website and learn about the possible benefits available to you.  We will discuss this in more detail as we continue our process to paid employment.

The next thing you should do is beef up your resume. Here are some good websites:  Resumes and Resume Writing Services, Purdue Online Writing Lab and monster.com

Until next "Working on Monday"...
photos via: detr.state.nv.net, virtualassist.net, benphoster.com, jesephkerski.com via google images

Life is Best When it is "Bittersweet" Book Review

Bittersweet is the second book written by author Shauna Niequist.  Ms. Niequist takes readers through a reflective journey of a transitional season in her life.  Shauna attempts to be true to her feelings, conscious and soul in her heartfelt words chipped from the pain of her past. 

Each chapter is a non-sequential memoir of events that occurred during her transitional phase.  Some of the chapters seem to be developed from the wisdom cultivated by the writing of Bittersweet. 

Shauna Niequist's words are certainly deeply personal, but at times the flow of the book is disjointed.  She discusses the challenges of intimate family and friend relationships, but the short chapters are too brief to give a through analysis of the story.  I think I would have better enjoyed a continuous chronological autobiography of this period in her life.  However, Bittersweet reads as a wonderful devotional.  It is easy to relate to her stories and feel a connection to her cathartic experiences. 

It was difficult for me to complete this book, but at times it gripped my heart and made me want to be at her dinner parties.  The reading was bittersweet, just like the title.

I give this book 2 out of 5 stars

*****

Would You Like to Win a FREE Copy of Bittersweet!

It is easy to win!  All you have to do is have your friends

Empowered Peace's Facebook fan page!  After your referrals "like" the Empowered Peace Facebook fan page, have them post their name and yours, as the referring person under the Discussions tab, on the Empowered Peace Facebook fan page.  Just follow the link. The people with the most referrals will win.  Zondervan Publishing generously submitted three hardcover copies of the book to give-a-way, so there will be three winners! 

The contest started 10/11/2010 at 10pm EST and will end 10/31/2010 at 6am EST.  The winners will be announced 11/1/2010 on the Empowered Peace Facebook fan page.  Good Luck!!!

Weight Loss Wisdom with Coach Chelle: Pushing the Limits!

How do you feel about your body?  Have you ever struggled with weight loss?  Are you finding it difficult to maintain a healthy diet?  If you answered yes to any of these questions I have a special treat for you!  Coach Chelle is sharing her weight loss wisdom!  Coach Celle not only transformed her body, but she transformed her life. 

Coach Celle has an amazing website/blog where you can continue pushing the limitations of your life.  Here is a link to find her home: http://www.coach-chelle.com/.  A healthy body is an important key to Empowered Peace! 

Surpise Number Two Revealed and My Life Changing News!

The New Look of Empowered Peace

Before I begin with my important news, I would like to ask: "How do you feel about Empowered Peace's new look!"  I have received many complements and I would like to acknowledge The Design Girl.  She was really easy to work with and made the entire experience rewarding.  You can go to her site and link to her e-mail for more information.  She also has a great portfolio on her site, just click on the link above.

My Life Changing News

I found out October 4, 2010 that I was being terminated from my job and the budget for my department was being cut.  Considering the economy, I know I have found myself in good company.  The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported unemployment is 9.6% nationwide.  This is a pretty significant number.

This news certainly has the ability to make my life better or worse, it is my choice.  I'm choosing to make this an opportunity and win!  I'm going to be starting a series called "Working on Monday." This series will consist of a weekly video or article posted on Mondays.  These posts will contain practical views and spiritual views on my process back to paid employment.  At the end of each video or article there will be action steps you can implement into your own life.

You do not have to go through unemployment alone, we can make it together.  This isn't just for unemployed people it is for those of you who are under employed, looking to change careers or just wanting to come along for the ride.  This series will run until I return to paid employment!  Stay tuned for "Working on Monday" the latest series coming to Empowered Peace.

Surprise Number Two!

Now it is time to reveal surprise number 2!  It is a give-a-way.  Zondervan Publishing asked me to review the book "Bittersweet" by Sauna Niequest.  Along with an advanced reading copy of the book, they sent me three beautiful hardcover published editions to giveaway.  It is a wonderful book, you will see the review later this week.  How do you win?  Well it is simple.  All you have to do is get your friends to "Like" the Empowered Peace Facebook fan page.  The people with the most referrals win!

Here are the Rules

1. All entries must be made at or after 10:01pm EST beginning 10/11/2010
2. The contest closes 10/31/2010 at 6:00am EST
3. The winners will be announced 11/1/2010 on the Empowered Peace Facebook fan page.
4. For your referrals to count they must (1) "Like" the Empowered Peace Facebook fan page.
5. And (2) post their name and yours as the person who referred them on the "Bittersweet" Book Give-a-Way discussion, under the discussions tab on the Empowered Peace Facebook fan page.
6. You can NOT refer yourself 

!!!Good Luck!!!

There you have it!  My life changing news and surprise number two revealed. 

photos via: marketmixup.com and sparkcreativeblog.com via google images.

Low Self-Esteem, Kiss My @$$!

I listen to my readers.  This article was written because a reader requested the topic:
What is self-esteem?  This is how Webster defines it: 1. a confidence and satisfaction in oneself: self-respect. 

Let's take a look at what this definition is trying to convey.  A certainty in one's being, a faith and enjoyment in yourself or maybe a more tangible way to understand this concept is a form of measurement.  Self-esteem is the term used to communicate to others how you feel about yourself or how others describe your value of self.  In other words if someone says to you "Dominic has a lot of self-esteem" you now have a piece of information about Dominic.  How do you think of people described with low or high self-esteem?

Here is the problem with self-esteem, it does not have the credence many people invest in its worth.  Self-esteem is not the determining factor that guarantees a successful life.  The strongest correlation they discovered between self-esteem and quality of life, was happiness (Baumeister, Campbell, Krueger and Vohs 2003).  This is not to say self-esteem is not important, it is very important.  Happiness is important as well, but self-esteem and happiness are end results.  Chicken, asparagus and rice make an excellent dinner, but they must be prepared.  The chicken has to be seasoned and baked, the asparagus steamed and the rice cooked for supper to be satisfying.  Now let's go back to Self-esteem!  There are many ingredients that lead to good self-esteem, without them the end result lacks its full flavor. 

What does this mean for you?  It means that examining more factors than self-esteem provides you with a realistic idea of how to improve your quality of life.  Self-esteem is a quantitative measure and many times you compare yourself to others and determine you are somehow insufficient.  The deceptive answer to your comparison is normally based on your over assessment of someone else's happiness.  You think about how your mother raised three kids and maintained a clean house, when comparing your children and home to hers they always fall short.  You think about your best friend and how wonderful her husband treats her, then you compare your husband to him, and he falls short.  What about glamorous Hollywood stars, or the dad's that seem to be better fathers because they provide more entertainment and clothes.  These constant comparisons are a set up for failure.

To understand your self value and begin to make changes for a better quality of life, get to know yourself.  You do this by spending time with yourself and determining what you want to change, improve, keep and completely remove from your life.  A Christ-centered assessment used by some Christian counselors looks at these areas of life: behavior, emotions, cognition (what do you think about), health, religion, idols and false beliefs (the things you place above God), substances (prescribed and illicit drugs), teachable (how willing are you to change), law and ethics (are you in danger of self or others), interpersonal relationships, knowledge (do you have the correct information to change) and environment (Clinton and Ohlschlager 2002).  This list can be overwhelming, but taking one area at a time will allow you to know you.  Spend a week to two on each area and journal your findings.  If you find you need more time take it. 

This sounds like a lot of time and work, but you do have a choice.  You can float through life lost and confused or go through life with purpose and intention.  Learning who you are and then doing what you were created for is self-esteem to the third power!

One last thought I'd like to leave you with, you are okay.  All of us are on a journey and none of us is perfect!  As a matter of fact, none of us will ever reach perfection.  Accepting yourself for who you are and where you are is the beginning of Empowered Peace! 

References

Baumeister, R., Campbell, J., Krueger, J., & Vohs, K. (2003). Does High Self-Esteem Cause Better Performance, Interpersonal Success, Happiness, or Healthier Lifestyles?. Psychological Science in the Public Interest (Wiley-Blackwell), 4(1), 1-44. doi:10.1111/1529-1006.01431.

Clinton, Timothy and George Ohlschlager. (2002). Competent Christian Counseling, Volume One, Foundations and Practice of Compassionate Soul Care; Colorado Springs, Colorado: WaterBrook Press. 

Resources

The Path to Unconditional Self-Acceptance (insightful article)

Never Good Enough (insightful article)

Divine Caroline (excellent website with valuable self-help information)

Daily Affirmations: Science of Mind

Daily Affirmations (various categories of affirmations i.e. career, weight loss, etc.)

SelfGrowth.com

Self-Esteem (an article at Livestrong.com with excellent resources)

Additional Resources:



Hakuna Matata, It Means a LOT of Worries for the Rest of Your Life

As I feel asleep the other evening I prayed to God about a reoccurring situation in my life.  It has plagued me from childhood and has not given me rest for over 30 years!  I've prayed about this situation many times over the years and I have asked God to take away this horrible happening that comes over and over again.  I have had periods of rest and even joy and happiness, but they are always short lived.  I would always be waiting in the back of my mind for the trouble to come and steal my happiness.

You see I have always had  barriers to my successes.  I have not yet tasted the fullness of my destiny and as I went to sleep the other day, God showed me to myself.  He explained to me very clearly, through  different Disney characters the circle of my life.  It seems strange I know, but I have learned to trust God when He speaks to me, no matter how peculiar it seems.  God has not led me astray yet!

God showed me this happening in my life was fear.  The Lion King was particularly relevant to the unfolding of this epiphany.  I watched The Lion King again before writing this post and the reality of my error was clear. 

Simba, the main character in The Lion King, suffered a great trauma when he was a child.  His dad was violently murdered by his brother Scar and Scar then blamed Simba, his nephew, for the murder.  Scar encouraged Simba to run away as the solution to his problem.  When Simba ran away he was befriended by two outcasts named Timon and Pumbaa.  Their philosophy for life was of course, Hakuna Matata!

Hakuna Matata is a slogan that represents a problem free life.  Timon advised Simba "when the world turns its back on you, (you should) turn your back on the world."  There are many problems with this philosophy.  The first problem is your state of denial.  You are forced the believe your life is perfect and ignore an emptiness inside of you that cries out to be filled.  You can not turn your back on the world and expect to fulfill your dreams.  The world needs you to contribute your gifts in a constructive manner.  When you reject the world people in need of your contributions lack and suffer.  You put yourself in a position that forces you to throw away your dreams because your dreams are fulfilled by touching the world around you.

The second problem with this mentality are the limitations you place on your creative being.  The world needs you to be you!  Not Barack Obama or Mother Theresa, it needs you because God created you with a specific plan and purpose.  Hukuna Matata means you are selfish and self-centered because you choose not to care about the world around you.  You intentionally desire the world to feel the pain and rejection you have inside.  You also devalue your entire existence.  If you really knew how priceless you were, you would never think of yourself, only others.

Scar represents many aspects of a stagnant life.  For me he represents fear.  What does he represent to you?  The only way to live a life of Empowered Peace is to confront your "Scar."  The scenario that plays itself over and over in your life will continue to occur until you deal with your internal Scar. 

Confronting your inner demons can be intimidating to say the least.  But it is possible and more importantly it is freedom! 

photos via: unrealitymag.com and lionking.org via google images.

video via: The Dockeeping Channel on YouTube (great video's here)

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