Your #Career : 12 Signs You’re About to Be Promoted at Work…Being Self-Aware is a Critical Skill for Anyone to Develop & So you Should, Ideally, Always have a Reasonably Good Sense as to How You are Perceived By your Colleagues & Senior Leaders

September 26, 2015/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

A feeling of euphoria is in the air. You suddenly have new sense of confidence at work because you suspect that you’re finally going to be recognized for your hard work. But until you get the great news, you really can’t be sure — and you most certainly shouldn’t start celebrating.

Good things could be coming your way.

“However, there are some telltale signs that you may at long last be getting that coveted promotion — you just need to look for them,” says Lynn Taylor, a national workplace expert and the author of “Tame Your Terrible Office Tyrant: How to Manage Childish Boss Behavior and Thrive in Your Job.”

“But remember, false reads on promotions happen every day, so even if you think you see the signs, you’ll want to remain as neutral as possible and stay focused on doing your best work.”

Michael Kerr, an international business speaker and author of “The Humor Advantage,” says the signs aren’t always obvious, but people can usually tell if they are being groomed, or at least considered, for a promotion.

“Being self-aware is a critical skill for anyone to develop and so you should, ideally, always have a reasonably good sense as to how you are perceived by your colleagues and senior leaders,” he says. “And talking about your career goals and potential career paths should be a conversation you have on a fairly regular basis with your boss.”

Whether you’re having those discussions or not, you’ll still want to keep an eye out for the signs a promotion might be in your future. Here are 12 of them:

1- You’re suddenly invited to meetings that you were previously excluded from.

Flickr/John Benson

This is a good sign, especially if you’re invited to join meetings that involve senior management, managers from other departments, or key clients. “This obviously reflects a great deal of trust in your abilities,” says Kerr.

Taylor agrees. “This is a great sign, especially if your advice is sought during these meetings and you’re asked to lead future ones.”

2- You’ve been asked to take on a special assignment or project with added responsibilities.

“It shows that you’ve earned the trust of at least your immediate leader and it’s a great opportunity to grow and demonstrate new skills,” says Kerr.

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3- Your boss is being promoted.

Strelka Institute for Media, Architecture and Design/flickr

When your boss moves up, it’s a prime opportunity for you to advance — especially if you’ve worked closely with your boss and they’ve groomed you for the spot, says Taylor.

4- You’re being asked to talk about your long-term career plans.

University of Michigan School of Natural Resources & Environment/flickr

If your boss takes the time to have an in-depth conversation about your family life, training goals, and long-term career plans, then this is a sign that senior leaders are sussing out where you, and possibly your colleagues, stand in terms of career goals and ambition, says Kerr.

5- Your boss or higher-ups start inviting you to lunch.

Gareth Williams/flickr

This isn’t the case in every workplace, but often, prior to a promotion, you may notice more invitations to lunch, says Taylor. “Good bosses view themselves as mentors and enjoy sharing in your success. They may also want to show appreciation for your work or want greater camaraderie through lunch or coffee breaks, as their level of trust increases. All positive signs for a promotion.”

6- You’re offered training opportunities or asked to attend a special conference to help build your skills.

Strelka Institute for Media, Architecture and Design/flickr

When senior leaders invest money in your professional development, it’s because they see potential in you and may be grooming you as part of their succession plan, Kerr explains.

Another good sign is if management starts tapping you to train other individuals or groups, Taylor adds.

7- You’re suddenly treated like royalty.

AP Photo/Scott Heppell

Do you practically feel like the red carpet is thrown before you as you enter your office space?

“Maybe your boss and other managers are aware that you will soon be rewarded for your contributions, so they begin treating you like gold, with newfound respect,” says Taylor.

8- You are asked for your input more frequently.

Strelka Institute for Media, Architecture and Design

Being asked for input is a sign that people respect your wisdom, judgment, and experience, Kerr says.

9- Kudos are more prevalent, even in public.

University of Exeter/Flickr

10- Your job description has already been upgraded functionally.

“If you’re seeing more emails with ‘Good job!’ and higher ups are being copied — or you’re even praised in public more frequently — your boss may be making a case to clinch the deal for your promotion by creating a positive ‘paper trail,'” says Taylor.

Businessinsider.com | September 22, 2015

Jacquelyn Smith

Editor, Careers

Jacquelyn Smith

#Leadership : 12 Habits That Set Ultra Successful People Apart…These Habits Can Make Any of Us More Successful If We Use them Every Day. Give Them a Try & See Where They Take You.

September 22, 2015/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

Ultra successful people delight themselves by blowing their personal goals out of the water. They succeed along many different dimensions of life—their friendships, their physical and mental health, their families, and their jobs (which they are not only good at but also enjoy).

TalentSmart has conducted research with more than a million people, and we’ve found that ultra successful people have a lot in common. In particular, 90% of them are skilled at managing their emotions in order to stay focused, calm, and productive.

These super successful folks have high emotional intelligence (EQ), a quality that’s critical to achieving your dreams.

While I’ve run across numerous effective strategies that ultra successful people employ to reach their goals, what follows are twelve of the best. Some of these may seem obvious, but the real challenge lies in recognizing when you need to use them and having the wherewithal to actually do so.

1. They’re Composed

Ultra successful people are composed because they constantly monitor their emotions, they understand them, and they use this knowledge in the moment to react to challenging situations with self-control. When things go downhill, they are persistently calm and frustratingly content (frustrating to those who aren’t, at least). They know that no matter how good or bad things get, everything changes with time. All they can do is adapt and adjust to stay happy and in control.

2. They’re Knowledgeable

Super successful people know more than others do because they’re constantly working to increase their self-awareness. They vow constant growth. Whenever they have a spare moment, they fill it with self-education. They don’t do this because it’s “the right thing to do”; they do it because it’s their passion. They’re always looking for opportunities to improve and new things to learn about themselves and the world around them. Instead of succumbing to their fear of looking stupid, truly exceptional people just ask the questions on their mind, because they would rather learn something new than appear smart.

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3. They’re Deliberate

Ultra successful people reach decisions by thinking things out, seeking advice from others, and sleeping on it. They know that (as studies show) impulsively relying too much on gut-instinct is ineffective and misleading. Being able to slow down and logically think things through makes all the difference.

4. They Speak with Certainty

It’s rare to hear super successful people utter things like “Um,” “I’m not sure,” and “I think.” Successful people speak assertively because they know that it’s difficult to get people to listen to you if you can’t deliver your ideas with conviction.

5. They Use Positive Body Language

Becoming cognizant of your gestures, expressions, and tone of voice (and making certain they’re positive) draws people to you like ants to a picnic. Using an enthusiastic tone, uncrossing your arms, maintaining eye contact, and leaning towards the person who’s speaking are all forms of positive body language that super successful people use to draw others in. Positive body language makes all the difference in a conversation because how you say something can be more important than what you say.

6. They Leave a Strong First Impression

Research shows that most people decide whether or not they like you within the first seven seconds of meeting you. They then spend the rest of the conversation internally justifying their initial reaction. This may sound terrifying, but by knowing this, you can take advantage of it to make huge gains in how people respond to you. First impressions are tied intimately to positive body language. A strong posture, a firm handshake, a smile, and open shoulders help ensure that your first impression is a good one.

7. They Seek Out Small Victories

Successful people like to challenge themselves and compete, even when their efforts yield only small victories. Small victories build new androgen receptors in the areas of the brain responsible for reward and motivation. The increase in androgen receptors increases the influence of testosterone, which further increases their confidence and eagerness to tackle future challenges. When you achieve a series of small victories, the boost in your confidence can last for months.

8. They’re Fearless

Fear is nothing more than a lingering emotion that’s fueled by your imagination.Danger is real. It’s the uncomfortable rush of adrenaline you get when you almost step in front of a bus. Fear is a choice. Exceptional people know this better than anyone does, so they flip fear on its head. Instead of letting fear take over, they are addicted to the euphoric feeling they get from conquering their fears.

9. They’re Graceful

Graceful people are the perfect combination of strong and gentle. They don’t resort to intimidation, anger, or manipulation to get a point across because their gentle, self-assured nature gets the job done. The word gentle often carries a negative connotation (especially in the workplace), but in reality, it’s the gentleness of being graceful that gives ultra successful people their power. They’re approachable, likeable, and easy to get along with—all qualities that make people highly amenable to their ideas.

10. They’re Honest

Super successful people trust that honesty and integrity, though painful at times, always work out for the best in the long run. They know that honesty allows for genuine connections with people in a way that dishonesty can’t and that lying always comes back to bite you in the end. In fact, a Notre Dame study showed that people who often lied experienced more mental health problems than their more honest counterparts.

11. They’re Grateful

Ultra successful people know that it took a lot of ambition, passion, and hard work to get where they are in life. They also know that their mentors, colleagues, families, and friends all played a huge role in their success. Instead of basking in the glory of achievement, super successful people recognize others for the wonderful things they’ve done for them.

12. They’re Appreciative

Truly exceptional people are able to achieve so much because they know the importance of slowing down and appreciating everything they already have. They know that a huge amount of their positivity, grit, and motivation comes from their ability to stay grounded and appreciate the opportunities that life has given them thus far.

Bringing It All Together

These habits can make any of us more successful if we use them every day. Give them a try and see where they take you.

What other habits set ultra successful people apart? Please share your thoughts in the comments section below as I learn just as much from you as you do from me.

Travis co-wrote the bestselling book Emotional Intelligence 2.0 and co-foundedTalentSmart, the world’s #1 provider of emotional intelligence tests and training, serving 75% of Fortune 500 Companies.

Forbes.com | September 22, 2015 | Travis Bradberry

#Leadership : The Change Habitat – 70% Percent Of Change Managers Are Wrong…Top Managers Should Lead Only One Big Change Program: The Creation of a Change Habitat. 70% of All Change Initiatives Fail

September 22, 2015/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

There Seems to be a Veiled Arrogance in the Statement “70% of Change Initiatives Fail”. It basically says, “We know what workers should be doing, but most of them are either too stubborn or too ignorant to do it.” This know-it-all attitude to change programs has generated mountains of books and herds of change consultants advising top managers to create a sense of urgency, walk the talk,get employees involved, form a team of change champions, celebrate short-term wins, and communicate, communicate, communicate!

You’ve probably seen this statistic before. It has been repeated again and again by reputable sources such as Forbes, Harvard Business Review, IBM and McKinsey. And even though more than one expert has claimed that the statistic is wrong, it is a fact that change programs have a bad name among workers, and one of the biggest frustrations of top managers is that people resist all change.

But what if the change managers themselves are failing?

The problem lies in beliefs about who is responsible for launching change and how change is implemented.
– Gary Hamel

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Your Business Is Like a City

I frequently claim that organizations are similar to cities. Instead of a geographical boundary, businesses have an economic boundary. But most of what people do in businesses–they way they collaborate and compete and they way they lead and follow–can be compared to how people manage themselves in cities.

Have you ever seen a local TV station complain that 70% of citizens fail to watch their programs? Would it bother you to know that 70% of business ideas fail to get paying customers? How would you rate a politician bemoaning the fact that 70% of voters fail to vote for him?

There seems to be a veiled arrogance in the statement “70% of change initiatives fail”. It basically says, “We know what workers should be doing, but most of them are either too stubborn or too ignorant to do it.” This know-it-all attitude to change programs has generated mountains of books and herds of change consultants advising top managers to create a sense of urgency, walk the talk,get employees involved, form a team of change champions, celebrate short-term wins, and communicate, communicate, communicate!

When you see the organization as a modern city, instead of a traditional army, change becomes a very different phenomenon. No marketer, politician, or entrepreneur would blame the public for 70% of ideas not catching on. The people’s resistance to change is what others would call the manager’s failure to make a difference.

Fortunately, you can address this issue.

Create a Habitat of Change

What’s needed is a real-time, socially constructed approach to change, so that the leader’s job isn’t to design a change program but to build a change platform—one that allows anyone to initiate change, recruit confederates, suggest solutions, and launch experiments.”
– Gary Hamel

What Gary Hamel refers to as a change platform–which is a rather technical term–could better be called a change habitat.

Habitat /ˈhabɪtat/

The natural environment in which a species or group lives; the natural home of an organism; the environment one is accustomed to living in.

Managers should lead only one big change program: the creation of a change habitat.

A change habitat is an environment in which change is natural. It is the home for people who feel comfortable suggesting, introducing and implementing changes. It is an ever-changing environment that workers are accustomed to living in. Such a change habitat has at least five preconditions:

A higher purpose toward which people can self-manage;
The autonomy for workers to do what they believe is best;
Sufficient connectivity which enables sharing ideas in a network;
Ample transparency for everyone to know what is going on;
A feeling of safety that allows people to experiment and fail.

When you have these in place, there is little need to roll out change initiatives as a manager, to get people involved and to communicate, communicate, communicate. In all but a few cases, it is not even your job to create a sense of urgency or to celebrate short-term wins. The major of a city doesn’t do that, so why would you?

Your job as a manager is to create a habitat that is optimized for adaptation, exploration, and innovation. Forming teams of champions for every change of direction is a waste of your time! Allow your creative workers to do this themselves. If you don’t think they’re smart enough, then why did you hire them in the first place?

Will you care that 70% of the change initiatives of your workers are going to fail? You shouldn’t. In fact, informal investors would tell you this statistic is a rather impressive number. They are used to 90% of their startups failing. The world of business has become too unpredictable to plan and roll out top-down change initiatives. Top-down change is too slow and too risky. By offering your employees a change habitat, you let the crowd do its job for you. Maybe 70% of those changes will fail, but–by offering purpose, autonomy, connectivity, transparency and safety–it is you will likely succeed.

Forbes.com | September 22, 2015 | Jurgen Appelo

#Leadership : Why this CEO Makes his Executive Team Climb a Mountain that has Claimed more Lives than Everest…CEO Hiroshi “Mickey” Mikitani Has his Leadership Team do Something More Adventurous than Gathering at a Cushy Resort.

September 22, 2015/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

Like a lot of big companies, the Japanese internet giant Rakutenused to host annual offsite retreats where all the executives would meet at a golf course to connect and talk strategy. About seven years ago, that tradition changed radically. CEO Hiroshi “Mickey” Mikitani tells Business Insider that he now has his leadership team do something more adventurous than gathering at a cushy resort.

Rakuten Tanigawa 4

CEO Hiroshi “Mickey” Mikitani.

Instead, execs now meet on Mount Tanigawa every year, a Japanese mountain that hasclaimed the lives of more climbers than Mount Everest.

Despite that jarring death toll, Mikitani decided to change the company offsite after hiking the mountain with his young son. Although the climb is difficult, some trails, including the one Rakuten employees take, are less dangerous than others.

Mikitani sees the tradition as the perfect way for execs to get to know each other better through a non-conventional bonding experience. Even more importantly, the struggle to make it to the top altogether symbolizes the idea of working through company difficulties as a team.

Rakuten Tanigawa 3 RakutenCompany executives climbing through the fog. “Rakuten always goes to the peak,” Mikitani grins.

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One other exec who has climbed Mount Tanigawa several times gleefully told Business Insider that he almost died last year when he started sliding on the rocks under his feet. He almost careened off the side of a cliff before managing to grab onto a rock. His teammates and their guide then threw him a rope he used to climb back onto the path.

Rakuten Tanigawa 2 (1) Rakuten

Although the offsite is all about team building and pushing boundaries, another exec jokes that it also acts as a good way for employees to stay in good physical condition through the year.

“The fear keeps you fit,” he laughs, saying that he would remind himself to go to the gym more often in the months leading up to the retreat.

Mikitani recalls one particularly memorable climb where he invited a journalist who planned to profile the company to join the expedition. After a grueling ascent and witnessing how execs continually pushed themselves and each other to the limit to make it to the top, the journalist, between his own tired gasps, apparently said, “Now I finally feel like I understand Rakuten.”

Rakuten Tanigawa 6 Rakuten

Businessinsider.com | September 21, 2015 | Jillian D’Onfro

Your #Career : 45 Pieces of Career Advice That Will Get You to the Top…In Chaos, There is Opportunity. Most Major Career Accelerations Happen When Someone Steps Into a Mess & Makes a Difference.

September 21, 2015/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

When it comes to your career, sometimes it feels like you could use all the advice you can get. From picking the “right” career to actually excelling in it, there’s certainly a lot to learn. And that’s why we’ve gathered our all-time best career advice.

From starting out at the bottom of the totem pole to advancing to a more senior position to—who knows?—maybe even branching out to open your own business, we’ve collected 45 of the best tips for whatever stage you’re at in your career.

On Working a Not-Quite-Dream-Job

1. The best career or job is the one in which you’re using the skills you enjoy. But, not every job needs to address all of your passions. Use every job as an opportunity to learn something new and keep an open mind; you may find that you really enjoy something you never imagined would appeal to you. Miriam Salpeter, Founder of Keppie Careers

2. Don’t take yourself (or your career) too seriously. Plenty of brilliant people started out in jobs they hated, or took paths that weren’t right at the beginning of their careers. Professional development is no longer linear, and trust that with hard work and a dedication to figuring out what you want to do with your life, you, too, will be OK! Kathryn Minshew, CEO of The Muse

3. Every person you meet is a potential door to a new opportunity—personally or professionally. Build good bridges even in that just-for-now job, because you never know how they’ll weave into the larger picture of your life. Kristina Leonardi, Career Coach

4. My friend Andre said to me, “You know, Marissa, you’re putting a lot of pressure on yourself to pick the right choice, and I’ve gotta be honest: That’s not what I see here. I see a bunch of good choices, and there’s the one that you pick and make great.” I think that’s one of the best pieces of advice I’ve ever gotten.” Marissa Mayer, CEO of Yahoo!

5. No matter how low on the totem poll you are or how jaded you’ve become by your to-do list, it’s still important to show up early, wear something sharp, and avoid Facebook like the plague. I discovered that when I acted like a professional, I suddenly felt like my work was a lot more valuable. “Looking the part” boosted my confidence, helped me begin to see myself as a highly capable contributor to the team—and ultimately led the rest of my team to see me in the same light. Lisa Habersack, Writer

6. Remember that a job, even a great job or a fantastic career, doesn’t give your life meaning, at least not by itself. Life is about what you learn, who you are or can become, who you love and are loved by. Fran Dorf, Author and Psychotherapist

7. If the career you have chosen has some unexpected inconvenience, console yourself by reflecting that no career is without them. Jane Fonda

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On Advancing Your Career

8. Every year or two, spend some time really thinking about your career. Go out and warm up your network, check out new opportunities, and do some salary comparisons. You make smarter career decisions when you have real data. Also, if you are afraid or uncomfortable, you are probably onto something awesome! Fear means you are growing your comfort zone. Christie Mims, Career Coach

9. Don’t be afraid to speak up in a meeting or to schedule a sit down with a colleague or boss—whether to hash out details on a project or deal with a sensitive situation. When it comes to having your ideas heard, or to really connecting with co-workers, never underestimate the power of face time and the importance of in-person communication. Catherine Straut, Assistant Editor of Elle

10. You’re setting yourself up for failure if you’re not preparing for an eventual promotion right now. Even if the next step in your career seems far off, you should be taking advantage of training and professional development courses and looking for ways to pitch in and expand your current role. Otherwise, even when the opportunity comes up, you won’t be ready to take advantage of it. Avery Augustine, Writer

11. Take criticism or “feedback” for what it is: a gift given to you to make you better at what you do. Don’t concern yourself with the person or the method of delivery. Instead, glean out the teachable nuggets and move on. Michelle Bruno, President of Bruno Group Signature Events

12. I know. You’ve heard it a thousand times: Dress for the job you want, not the one you’ve got. But I think this message goes far beyond the clothes you wear every day: It’s how you present yourself in meetings and at office events, how you interact with staff both above and below you, and how seriously you take your work. Adrian Granzella Larssen, Editor-in-Chief of The Daily Muse

13. In chaos, there is opportunity. Most major career accelerations happen when someone steps into a mess and makes a difference. Kristi Hedges, Leadership Coach

14. Work harder than everyone under you or above you. Nothing commands respect more than a good work ethic. This means being the first one at the event in the morning and the last one to leave in the evening. No one said this gig was easy. Keith Johnston, Event Consultant at Plannerwire

15. When you’re offered a big opportunity, consider it carefully—even if it scares the heck out of you. In the end, high risk often leads to high reward. But if you turn down every opportunity that comes your way, you won’t even have the chance to succeed. Avery Augustine, Writer

On Excelling in Your Career

16. I first heard Zig Ziglar say it when people challenged him on his “positive attitude” manifesto: “You can do anything with a positive attitude better than you can do it with a negative one.” Lea McLeod, Career Coach

17. Work hard and be nice to people. It’s a very simple motto I try to live by daily. Marie Burns, Recruiting Leader at Compete

18. There’s never going to be a precisely right moment to speak, share an idea, or take a chance. Just take the moment—don’t let thoughts like “I don’t feel like I’m ready” get in the way. Look to see if you have the main things or the opportunity will pass you by. Don’t let perfect get in the way of really, really good. Kathleen Tierney, Executive Vice President and COO of Chubb Insurance

19. “Find a way to say yes to things. Say yes to invitations to a new country, say yes to meet new friends, say yes to learn something new. Yes is how you get your first job, and your next job, and your spouse, and even your kids.” Eric Schmidt, Executive Chairman of Google

20. No matter what your dream job is, you’ll likely hear “no” many times before you achieve your goals. Just accept that as a fact. But by refusing to accept that “no,” you’ll separate yourself from the pack. Sometimes you just have to outlast the competition—and wear down your boss! Shannon Bream, Supreme Court Correspondent at FOX

21. Tenacity and persistence—nothing beats it. Even if your talent isn’t there yet, you can always develop it to what it will eventually be. But people who are persistent and tenacious and driven and have a really clear, defined goal of what they want, nothing compares to that. Not giving up is really huge. Catt Sadler, Anchor at E!

22. Asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a sign of strength. No one got to where they are today without help along the way. Don’t be afraid to ask, and then remember to return the favor. Elliott Bell, Director of Marketing of The Muse

23. Even if you aren’t feeling totally sure of yourself and your abilities, it’s important you present yourself otherwise. That means shifting your body language to portray confidence. So, while you may be so nervous before your big interview or meeting that you want to curl into a ball, resist the temptation to cower or make yourself smaller, and walk in with your head held high. Michele Hoos, Writer

24. My advice for everyone in the industry is to find a mentor and to be a mentor. You’ll learn a great deal from both of these experiences, and make sure to leverage these roles for networking. Ask your mentor for introductions, and introduce the person that you’re mentoring to others—both will increase your visibility in the industry. Mariela McIlwraith, President at Meeting Change

25. I live by the 80/20 rule. 80% of the impact can be done with 20% of the work. It’s the last 20% that takes up the most time. Know when to stop, and when things are close enough. Alex Cavoulacos, COO at The Muse

26. Having a strong network adds to your value as an employee. In other words, the more people I can reach out to for help, the more valuable I am. Hannah Morgan, Founder of Career Sherpa

27. Do what you say you’re going to do. Danielle LaPorte, Entrepreneur

28. One of the most important things I’ve found is the importance of playing to your strengths. I think it’s common for us to learn while in school that if you get an A+ in writing and a C- in math, that you should focus your time and attention to getting better at math. In the working world I find it to be the opposite; by putting your focus on those things that you are strongest at, over time you will become an expert at it. By outsourcing your weaknesses to others who excel in those areas, you’ll be able cover those weaknesses better than you could have otherwise. Trying to be great at everything could be spreading yourself thin and keeping you from reaching your full potential in your strongest areas. Ryan Kahn, Career Coach

On Starting Your Own Business

29. I think the biggest thing to keep in mind is that a lot of people have a lot of ideas that they’d like to turn into businesses—but if your ideas don’t turn into actual money, then you’re not able to turn it into a business. You have to be able to generate revenue first and foremost. A lot of people have conceptual ideas and conceptual dreams, and you just have to be able to distinguish between what is a hobby and what is a passion and what you can actually turn into a business. Emily Cavalier, Founder of Midnight Brunch

30. No matter what you do, you’ll make it through. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. The thing they don’t tell you is that it nearly kills you. Tyler Arnold, Founder of SimplySocial Inc.

31. Early on in my career, I was determined to be independent and create my own success, and I thought this meant learning everything on my own. The reality is, you can’t always be an expert at everything, so surround yourself with brilliant, creative people and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Humility is key to success, especially in your early years. Ivanka Trump

32. I wish I knew that working smarter, not harder, is essential to surviving as an entrepreneur. You can get by working hard in the corporate world, but you won’t last long in small business ownership without working smart. Andrew Schrage, Partner and Editor-in-Chief of Money Crashers Personal Finance

33. Don’t let fear be the reason you don’t launch your new business. When have you ever felt fully ready to do anything this important in your life? All you can do is prepare as much as humanly possible, know that you’ve done all you can for your baby to shine, and send it out into the world. Megan Broussard, Founder of ProfessionGal

34. Remember all those stories you’ve heard of how the most successful entrepreneurs in the world made it to where they are now? Well, most of them started with different jobs or interests and amounts of money in the bank. The one thing they had in common is an unyielding commitment to doing whatever it was that needed to be done in order to make their dream a reality. Danielle Mund, Life Coach

35. If you’re serious about building a great, enduring company, you have to be willing to sacrifice some things. A vacation in the first year is likely going to be one of those things, so take one before you start! Ronnie Castro, Founder of Porch

36. If you are like me and follow many relevant business people, you often see tweets like “5 things to avoid when starting your business” or similar posts. You may even read them. But here’s the thing: None of that matters. Every journey is different. No two things work exactly the same. You will make mistakes. Embrace the fact that you made the mistake, learn from it, move on, and never repeat it. John Jackovin, Founder of Bawte

37. Be confident, don’t doubt yourself, and go for it. If you are sure there is an opportunity, you need to believe wholeheartedly in it—your team won’t be driven to succeed unless you are. Kellee Khalil, Founder of Loverly

On Doing What You Love

38. Don’t sweat it. Don’t beat yourself up about it. It’ll probably be scary or uncomfortable, but you always get to make a new choice if this one doesn’t work out. Steve Errey, Career Coach

39. “Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life…have the courage to follow your own heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become.” These words, spoken by Steve Jobs during his 2005 Stanford commencement address, guide me on a regular basis. Michael Terrell, Founder, Terrell Leadership Group

40. Having an evolving bucket list or a career path that defies logic is 100% OK. After spending years envying the neatly defined careers of my friends, I came to the better-late-than-never conclusion that I wasn’t wired that way… Once I stopped fighting who I was and relaxed into the idea that different was okay, all the possibilities before me were exciting, not stressful. I love what I’m doing now, but I also know that I’ll probably have multiple careers throughout my lifetime. Kacey Crawford, Career Coach

41. When you need the courage to be bold, simply ask yourself, “What’s the worst that could possibly happen?” When you have the answer, ask, “Can I live with that?” And if the answer is yes, then take a leap! Cindy Bates, Vice President of Small and Mid-Sized Businesses at Microsoft

42. If you really want to know where you destiny lies, look at where you apply your time. Time is the most valuable asset you don’t own. You may or may not realize it yet, but how you use or don’t use your time is going to be the best indication of where your future is going to take you… Don’t follow your passions, follow your effort. It will lead you to your passions and to success, however you define it. Mark Cuban, Entrepreneur

43. Ultimately, you won’t really know what you love to do unless you actually bite the bullet. Until you give it a go, it’s really just speculation. So, whether you take a small step like signing up for a class or you dive head-first into entrepreneurship, roll up your sleeves and do it. You’ll never know until you try. Ruth Zive, Writer

44. The only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. Steve Jobs

45. Life’s too short to be stuck in a job you hate. Kathryn Minshew, CEO of The Muse

The Muse | September 2015

#Strategy : 21 Signs you’re Mentally Stronger than Average…Mentally Strong people Don’t Do Things Like Waste Time Feeling Sorry for Themselves or Give Away Their Power to Other People.

September 19, 2015/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

Mental strength takes a long time to develop. It is the daily practice of pushing yourself to grow stronger, maintaining realistic optimism, and setting healthy boundaries. Mentally strong people don’t dothings like waste time feeling sorry for themselves or give away their power to other people.

log training seal school

Mental strength training is just as hard — or harder — than physical training.

How do you know where you fall on the spectrum? We asked psychotherapist Amy Morin, the author of “13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do.” Morin shared the following 21 signs you’re mentally stronger than average, which we’ve listed here in her words:

1. You balance emotions with logic.

Mentally strong people understand how their emotions can influence their thinking. In an effort to make the best decisions possible, they balance their emotions with logic.

2. You choose productive behavior.

While it may be tempting to make excuses, complain about other people, and avoid difficult circumstances, mentally strong people refuse to waste time on unproductive activities.

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3. You feel confident in your ability to adapt to change.

Mentally strong people know that although change is uncomfortable, it’s tolerable. They focus their energy on adapting to change, rather than resisting it.

4. You face the fears that hold you back.

While mentally strong people don’t need to conquer fears because they have something to prove to others, they do strive to face the fears that hold them back.

5. You learn from your mistakes.

Mentally strong people don’t hide or excuse their mistakes. Instead, they learn from them.

6. You balance self-acceptance with self-improvement.

Mentally strong people accept themselves for who they are, while simultaneously recognizing their need for personal development.

Flickr / Joe VanBe happy when others succeed.

7. You genuinely celebrate other people’s success.

Mentally strong people cooperate — rather than compete — with those around them. They don’t feel as though other people’s success somehow diminishes their own achievements.

8. You are comfortable living according to your values.

Mentally strong people make decisions with relative ease because they understand their priorities and they live according to their values.

9. You focus on sharpening your skills, rather than showing them off.

While some people seek validation from others, mentally strong people are less concerned about gaining recognition. Instead, they’re intrinsically motivated to become better.

10. You live an authentic life.

Mentally strong people are true to themselves. Their words are in line with their behavior.

11. You view life’s hardships as opportunities for growth.

While hardship causes some people to grow bitter, mentally strong people let adversity make them better.

12. Your self-worth depends on who you are, not what you achieve.

Mentally strong people feel good about themselves, whether they win or lose.

Jim Rogash/Stringer/Getty ImagesRemember, it’s a marathon, not a sprint.

13. You practice delayed gratification.

Mentally strong people view their goals as a marathon, not a sprint. They’re willing to tolerate short-term pain when it can provide long-term gain.

14. You bounce back from failure.

Mentally strong people don’t view failure as the end of the road. Instead, they use their failed attempts as opportunities to gain knowledge that will increase their chances of success in the future.

15. You’re a realistic optimist.

Mentally strong people are able to look for the silver lining and think on the bright side, but they don’t allow their optimistic tendencies to blind them to reality.

16. You accept personal responsibility for your choices.

Mentally strong people don’t needlessly beat themselves up, but they do accept complete responsibility for their actions.

17. You express gratitude.

Rather than exclaim they need more, mentally strong people acknowledge they have more than they need.

18. You focus on what you can control.

Mentally strong people are effective and productive in life because they devote their resources to the things they can control.

19. You engage in active problem-solving.

Mentally strong people don’t dwell on the problem — instead, they create solutions.

20. You’re open to learning more from all that surrounds you.

Mentally strong people are constantly learning from their circumstances and the people they encounter every day.

21. You work on your weaknesses, rather than masking them.

While many people work hard to disguise their vulnerabilities, mentally strong people invest their energy into improving their shortcomings.

Businessinsider.com | September 12, 2015 | Steven Benna

#Strategy : 3 Reasons Why America Is Ready For a 4-Day Workweek…A 4-Day Workweek is Often Met with Differing Reactions From Workers & #Employers.

September 19, 2015/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

The first thing that springs to mind as a potential byproduct of its implementation is a loss of productivity for businesses, and on the worker’s side, losses in the form of wages and benefits. However, a quick look at other nations with more worker friendly business climates indicate that that might not necessarily be the case.

Workers’ rights groups have been making headlines lately, with lots of pushback from unions and activists regarding issues like the minimum wage and healthcare. There have been some big victories on behalf of workers, such as when Seattle passed a $15 per hour minimum wage (and now San Francisco, as well), a number of wage increases for the lowest earners were passed by voters during the 2014 midterm election, and construction workers were awarded more protections in New York City. With progress slowly being made on behalf of employees across the country and around the world, advocates may soon set their sights on a new goal: establishing a four-day workweek.

Source: Thinkstock

A four-day workweek is often met with differing reactions from workers and employers. The first thing that springs to mind as a potential byproduct of its implementation is a loss of productivity for businesses, and on the worker’s side, losses in the form of wages and benefits. However, a quick look at other nations with more worker friendly business climates indicate that that might not necessarily be the case.

According to CNN, the country whose citizens work the shortest hours on average per week is the Netherlands with 29. Coming in behind it are Denmark and Norway, both averaging 33 hours per week. Despite these low figures, all three of these countries’ citizens have an average annual income landing somewhere in the mid-$40,000 range. For comparison, the median annual income in the U.S. is around $54,000.

These countries also dominate the rest of the globe when it comes to employee friendly labor laws, with mandatory vacation days for both full- and part-time workers, extensive maternity and paternity leave, and flexible schedules being commonplace.

In the United States, big industries have led large lobbying campaigns to keep the rights of workers to a minimum in order to maximize productivity while minimizing labor costs. Big business has also engaged in campaigns to dismantle unions and fight against protective labor laws by increasing the use of temporary and contract workers, many of whom don’t qualify for benefits, time off, or employer-sponsored healthcare. Flexible scheduling has been on the rise in some sectors, making life easier for many Americans as the work-life paradigm starts to take a new form. Many tech companies — like Amazon, Facebook, and Google — have made waves for offering employees more flexible schedules, but so far the trend hasn’t become mainstream.

As far as the four-day workweek is concerned, the concept — for many American workers — is still in gestation. As the benefits become more known and the idea permeates, expect to see workers’ rights advocates bring the issue to local representatives. For now, analysts are keeping a watchful eye on northern European countries that are experimenting with it already. If the experiments are successful, as many expect them to be, look for the American push to gain steam.

Is it possible that the United States could duplicate the successes of a stunted workweek? Though it would be extremely difficult from a political and legislative perspective to get the ball rolling, there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic about it. Here are the top three reasons the implementation of a four-day workweek in the U.S. would be beneficial.

1. Countries That Work Less Are Happier

Source: Thinkstock

When it comes to happiness, no other area in the world tops the charts like northern European and Scandinavian countries. According to data from the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Solutions Network, the top five happiest nations in the world are Denmark, Norway, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and Sweden. Most of these countries have implemented many policies that Americans would probably be quick to associate with socialism, and also have relatively high taxation rates. However, their citizens are happier than any other, and after a quick cross-reference with average hourly workweek data, some very obvious overlap can be found.
As the U.N. states, “the report also shows the major beneficial side-effects of happiness. Happy people live longer, are more productive, earn more, and are also better citizens. Well-being should be developed both for its own sake and for its side-effects.” The U.N. points out that productivity and happiness appear to be linked, and that is something economists and industry leaders should pay close attention to.

It may be obvious that spending less time at work leads to happier employees, but with the U.N.’s data, there is some discernible proof in hard data. Happiness can also be tied to wages and many other factors, such as quality of life and life expectancy. There are plenty of other things in play, but overall, the report shows that worker friendly business atmospheres produce healthier populations.

2. The Economic Data Shows Shorter Workweeks Don’t Hurt

If shorter workweeks are leading to happier citizens who should be more productive, then what exactly does the hard data have to say? A look at the World Bank‘s GDP data shows some interesting trends. For starters, the United States has seen growth for the past five or six years, starting in 2009, right after the financial crisis hit. During that time, many people lost their jobs and wages stagnated or even decreased, possibly leading to a portrait of higher productivity for that time period. As the U.S. economy has recovered, jobs have returned and more people are back to work, but wages have not gone back up, leading to increased inequality, a shrinking middle class, andpoor morale

So worker contentment in the U.S. has shifted downward while productivity has trended up. The Netherlands has not seen a similar story, as the country’s GDP has fluctuated wildly over the past few years. Denmark has seen similar turbulence, although not the extent of the Dutch. Norway, on the other hand, has seen steady growth similar to the United States. All three of these European countries face a vastly different set of challenges than the United States, which could play a factor in the fluctuations.

Taking GDP into account, it’s hard to draw a solid conclusion from data over the past few years. Although it looks like American industry is seeing growth, it is coming at the expense of employee morale and overall happiness of its citizens. Shorter workweeks certainly haven’t tanked any of the leading three countries’ economies.

3. Increased Productivity and Other Savings

Is there a relationship between working longer hours and increasing productivity? Certain data appears to point to the contrary. According to European productivity data compiled by The Guardian, countries like the Netherlands show high productivity numbers, while also posting a low hourly average for workers. These numbers indicate that the happier employees are, and the shorter their average workweek, the more productive they turn out to be. As Uri Friedman of The Atlantic points out, the relationships can be complex, but the underlying point is that more hours spent at work doesn’t always mean productivity will go up.

American data shows a different story. Although productivity has gone up over the past year by 1.4%, it has come with an average increase in hours worked by 3.2%, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Once again, America is seeing productivity go up, but at a cost of more hours worked.

What other savings might a shorter workweek afford? Employers could save in lost productivity costs as employees would have more time to handle outside responsibilities. Instead of missing time at the office for doctor’s appointments or taking care of their children, employees would have more time and flexibility to focus on those things with an extra weekday off. There will also be a savings on employee’s part with a reduction in costs related to commuting, in the form of public transportation fees or fuel for their vehicles.

The U.S. economy is an entirely different animal from smaller European nations, but as American employers have decided to head one direction with policies relating to employees, countries like the Netherlands, Norway, and Denmark have gone the opposite route. What those European nations have been able to do is raise their citizens’ happiness levels while increasing productivity, all while keeping their economies afloat.

An extra free day for American workers could make a huge difference for a large part of the population. While there are definite drawbacks and concerns to take into account, a four-day workweek is something politicians and industry leaders should take a serious look at. Not only could it improve morale and productivity, but also have enormous economic benefit over the long run.

Cheatsheet.com | September 18, 2015 | Sam Becker

http://www.cheatsheet.com/business/3-reasons-to-embrace-a-4-day-workweek.html/?a=viewall#ixzz3mBd8TGjq

Your #Career : 5 Things You Can Do If You Get Fired or Laid Off…Be Alert & Know the Signs(Getting the Boot). You Should be Especially Leery if you Start Getting Terrible Assignments or your Co-Workers Act Differently Around you or Stop Talking to you Altogether.

September 19, 2015/in First Sun Blog/by First Sun Team

Getting fired or laid off can be an unpleasant experience. You feel a range of emotions including shock, sadness, disbelief, intense anger, and sometimes even hopelessness. It leaves a bitter taste in your mouth that never seems to go away.

Source: iStock

“For most of us, termination is shocking. For some, it is even debilitating. For others, it ruins their careers, if not their health. A termination, and the loss of income that accompanies its aftermath, can divide families and destroy the soul…and cause a loss of self-esteem that takes years to rebuild. A termination always has the potential to be a life-altering event,” said Richard Busse in Fired, Laid Off or Forced Out: A Complete Guide to Severance, Benefits and Your Rights When You’re Starting Over.

However, it will be important to work toward bouncing back so that you can start looking for your next job. Once you’ve wiped away your tears and licked your wounds, it’s time to get off the couch and get back out there. You may discover your next job is a better fit or that you have a talent you were unaware of. Know that all is not lost. Here are the steps you should take after you lose your job.

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2. Assess your savings

Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Image

Make the time to review your emergency savings. Take stock of how much you have and how long it will last. While you’re looking for jobs, you may also want to take on a side job so you can bring in extra cash to help you stay afloat and reduce the chances that you’ll blow through your savings too quickly. Also try your best to avoid cleaning out your retirement account. Even if your former employer allows hardship withdrawals, this may not be the best choice. If you are under age 59 1/2 you’ll face fees and penalties.

3. Contact your network

The next thing you’ll want to do is get in touch with your professional network. Someone in your circle (or in a colleague’s circle) may be able to introduce you to a hiring manager who is looking for an employee with your skill set. Remember to keep your message light. Briefly explain that you are no longer with your former company. It is not necessary to get into details. Also, if you were fired, don’t give in to the urge to bash your former employer.

4. Look for a job

It’s OK to give yourself time to grieve, but you should keep it at a minimum. You may feel terrible right now, but it’s not wise to put your job search on hold for too long. Keep yourself busy by conducting a search as soon as possible. This will help take your mind off of being depressed about losing your job and may increase your chances of becoming employed sooner. You may also want to take some time to speak to a career counselor.

“Now may not seem like the time to spend money, but there are some investments worth considering. Before you start applying for any job that comes along, take time to make sure you are headed in the right direction. A good career counselor can help you choose your path. If money is really tight, consider asking family members to forgo their usual holiday gifts to you. The money might be better spent on helping you find your calling in life. You have an opportunity to do something different with your life. You just might need some help figuring out how to transition your skills. ” said Monster contributor Roberta Chinsky Matuson.

5. Hire a lawyer

It’s likely you were given separation paperwork outlining what you can and cannot do after the separation. Two items to watch out for are the non-disparagement and non-disclosure clauses. You’ll also want to know if you will still be required to adhere to any non-compete agreements (if you had previously signed one). Hire a lawyer to thoroughly review your paperwork before you sign anything.

A word of caution

If you haven’t been fired or laid off, but you think it may be coming, take the time now to dust off your résumé and start looking for a new job. Be alert and know the signs. You should be especially leery if you start getting terrible assignments or your co-workers act differently around you or stop talking to you altogether.

The Muse | September 17, 2015 | Sheiresa Ngo

1- You’re suddenly invited to meetings that you were previously excluded from.

2- You’ve been asked to take on a special assignment or project with added responsibilities.

3- Your boss is being promoted.

4- You’re being asked to talk about your long-term career plans.

6- You’re offered training opportunities or asked to attend a special conference to help build your skills.

7- You’re suddenly treated like royalty.

8- You are asked for your input more frequently.

9- Kudos are more prevalent, even in public.

10- Your job description has already been upgraded functionally.

Jacquelyn Smith

Jacquelyn Smith

1. Countries That Work Less Are Happier

2. The Economic Data Shows Shorter Workweeks Don’t Hurt

3. Increased Productivity and Other Savings

2. Assess your savings

3. Contact your network

4. Look for a job

5. Hire a lawyer

A word of caution

25. Boston College

24. Dartmouth College

23. Santa Clara University

22. Tufts University

21. Bucknell University

20. Johns Hopkins University

19. University of Notre Dame

18. Lafayette College

17. Cornell University

16. Carnegie Mellon University

15. Columbia University

14. Villanova University

13. California Institute of Technology

12. Bentley University

11. Princeton University

10. Duke University

9. Lehigh University

8. Washington and Lee University

7. University of Pennsylvania

6. Harvey Mudd College

5. Stanford University

4. Georgetown University

3. Babson College

2. Harvard University

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology