Journal of Office Workers
Archive for October 1, 2014
Sunday Market @ Lim Tua Tow Road (Serangoon)
Originally posted on Foodiepink.com:
Strangely, the café name of Sunday Market urged me to pay them a visit on a Sunday instead of any day else! It’s nestled in a small lane called Lim Tua Tow… and I thought my friend was joking when she sent me the address (Lim Tua Tow means big head in Hokkien). A deceivingly long walk from Serangoon MRT Station, I urge you to take bus/taxi/drive here.
I must say that the decor was rather eclectic. Of course, we have wooden panels lining the counter and a bike mounted on the wall, higher than usual may I note. Yet it doesn’t feel like any other cafés – partly thanks to the huge shocking pink poster (as my heart agrees to anything pink).
I loved the ‘green corner’ too, where used bottles were put into wire baskets as decor, in addition to some hanging plants and birdy.
The selection of ice…
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How to Write the Perfect Networking Email
Originally posted on TIME:
This article originally appeared on Levo.com.
While social networking is a strongly required asset to any business, face to face introductions are still just as high on the list. Hence, when being a part of or running a business and looking for prospects, networking events are a must-have in every daily agenda.
However, the question that remains is how to become a new connection and not someone a person met that one time. The answer: a strong follow up email that separates you from the other business cards on your new friend’s desk. But before hitting the “send” button, there are three things your email should include to make sure you really separate yourself from the herd:
A Moment From the Conversation
People love to be remembered, especially when they know you’ve interacted with so many others on the same day you met. If you can remember a moment…
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3 Eye-Catching Job Application Techniques That Work
I have good news and bad news for you.
- The bad news is that it’s a tough, competitive job market out there.
- The good news is that it’s not hard to stand out… if you know what to do.
So today, I want to give you three techniques that’ll provide the immediate boost you need for your job application to get noticed - so you can get hired for your dream job.
Related: 3 Ways To Practically Guarantee You Get The Job
I’ll also share a great resource at the end that’ll help you implement these techniques as quickly and easily as possible.
Sound good?
Great. Let’s jump into the real problem.
The Real Problem
The real problem isn’t that the job market is tough, your resume stinks, or you don’t have enough experience.
It’s what I call “The Shotgun Approach” to job seeking…
You load up your shotgun with tons of templates resumes and cover letters and spray them everywhere…
To any company you can find…
And for any position that seems like it might fit.
That’s what most people do - but it’s not what you’re going to do ;).
The Real Solution
You see, the easiest way to stand out above the vast majority of the crowd right from the bat is to tailor your application specifically for one company.
I know, I know…
But what if you don’t get the job?
Well, odds are, you wouldn’t have wasted any more time on that one application than you have with using the shotgun approach.
You may have to tailor your approach specifically for two or three companies…
But here’s the great part about that. You’ll actually care about the place that you work!
By narrowing your focus, you’ll get more of what you want in your life and career… and that’s what it’s all about.
The 3 Eye-Catching Job Application Techniques
Once you’ve identified 1-3 companies that you really want to work for (think big here - what’s your ideal job?), then it’s time to use one or more of these eye-catching job application techniques.
1. Shoot A Short Video
If you’re applying for a company that you think would be impressed by a short and creative, yet professional video teasing them about the value you bring to the table, then video is without-a-doubt the way to go.
In fact, I just read yet another article about a highly desirable company making the decision to hire a new employee before they even spoke to him…
Because his simple, 1.5 min video application blew them away so much.
So, if you really want a specific job at a desirable company - then it’s worth the effort. Make a simple, creative video, and show them what you’ve got!
2. Build A Simple Website
Nowadays, you don’t need to know any coding whatsoever in order to build a simple, beautiful website.
And if video isn’t your thing or you don’t think it would impress your employer, then building a simple website might work for you.
It’s pretty much unanimous - wherever you’re looking for a job, basic technology skills are a plus.
And using any of the tools you can find here, you can build a gorgeous website showcasing yourself in a unique and impressive way
3. Create An Online Resume
Yes, that’s correct… our 3rd technique is also online based
Why? Because it’s so easy… it’s so cheap… and the first thing any employer is going to do when you apply is Google your name!
There are plenty of tools out there, and you can get on online resume completed in a matter of hours.
Each of these three techniques will instantly make you stand out above your competition and give you a fighting shot at your dream job
If you’d like to know my favorite online tools for getting these projects finished as quickly and easily as possible, you can download my free resource guide here.
Happy job hunting!
Related Posts
5 Exciting Career Moves That Will Change Your Life
10 Inspiring Quotes About Career Success
Beware: The #1 Myth About Getting Your Dream Job
About the author
Ryan Niessen is a keynote speaker and co-creator of The Gateway Method: a simple, proven way to gain inside access to the world’s best employers and get your dream job. Connect with him on LinkedIn or Facebook.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by a CAREEREALISM-approved expert. You can learn more about expert posts here.
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Introducing The Professional Independence Project
The Professional Independence Project is a month-long series designed to help you kickstart your journey to becoming more professionally independent. It’s the ultimate bootcamp for feeling in control of your career. In 30 days, you’ll transform yourself with our tools and resources - and the best part? It’s free to those who sign up for our daily emails.
Break Free From Career Unhappiness
When it comes to your job, do you feel trapped, helpless, and out of options? Stop letting your career hold you hostage!
According to Forbes, over 52% of Americans are unhappy with their jobs. That’s more than HALF of the U.S. workforce! Yikes.
But here’s the good news: You don’t have to be a part of that sad statistic.
Introducing The Professional Independence Project
During the month of October, we’re running a cutting-edge series called the Professional Independence Project. With this advice series, we’re going to show you how you can break free from career unhappiness, and take control of your life and career.
We’re featuring expert insight, tips, and advice on how to be a successful “business-of-one,” and maintain a steady stream of income - whether you’re an employee or a freelancer/independent contractor. Check out our articles here!
Sign Up Now!
If you want to take control of your career, check out our fall series, the Professional Independence Project. Throughout the month of October, we will be sharing expert advice and insight on how you can build a successful career you love.
Sign up now to get five FREE video tutorials that show you how to market yourself to anyone, anywhere. Start your path the professional independence. Sign up today!
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5 Excuses That Are Killing Your Online Brand
You know how important it is to have a cohesive personal brand these days. But having a personal brand is much more than just having a few words associated with you and your areas of expertise. You can’t afford not to maintain a strong online brand. Yes, having a great personal branding statement is essential, but if you don’t have a place to flaunt it online, what’s the point?
Related: 3 Effective Ways To Quickly Brand Yourself Online
So, why don’t you have a personal website then? What’s your excuse? Here are some common excuses for not having a personal website (and some great reasons for getting one!):
1. “Making a website is too hard.”
The truth is, 77% of people want a website, but less than 7% actually have one, according to Workfolio, a personal website platform.
Don’t know how to make a website? You’re not alone. But that’s no excuse for not creating one!
Building a website is actually much easier than you think. There are plenty of easy-to-use platforms out there (such as Workfolio, WordPress, and Wix) that make creating a website as easy as a few clicks.
2. “I don’t know what I’d add to a website if I had one.”
“When we asked why people don’t already have a personal website, the number one reason given was that they don’t know what content to include,” said Charles Pooley, founder of Workfolio.
Not sure what to add to your website? Afraid it’s going to look like a blank canvas? Don’t let that hold you back.
What you choose to include on your personal website is what you choose to present to employers. You want to highlight who you are, what you’re great at, and where people can find you.
Check out this article on what you should be adding to your website.
3. “I’m not worthy of having a website.”
Don’t think you’ve got what it takes to own a personal website? Oh yes you do! These days, everyone should have a personal website (or at the very least, a blog).
Why? Because it’s part of your personal branding strategy. Did you know that 80% of employers Google job candidates before inviting them in for an interview? Having something for them to look at (other than your social media platforms) definitely gets you bonus points.
“Our research has also told us that 56% of people think a personal website is the most impressive tool someone can have,” said Pooley. “There’s just no better personal brand device around.”
4. “I don’t want to brag about my accomplishments.”
You might think having a website rubs your success in peoples’ faces. This is something most people have grown up being taught not to do, so it’s a natural feeling.
But you know what? You worked hard to accomplish those things! And if you got it, you should flaunt it!
Having a website isn’t going to make you seem full of yourself. Having a website it going to help you stand out against the competition.
5. “I don’t need one.”
You’re too cool for a website, huh? This is the worst of all of these excuses.
“Today’s careers are hyper-competitive—almost every opportunity is highly contested,” said Pooley. “People need ways differentiate themselves from the competition and get their message across.”
Having a personal website is a key differentiator for professionals - whether you’re looking for a job or new clients, having something to show anyone who’s looking for you is crucial.
Having a few social media profiles isn’t enough. Social networks are important tools for making connections but profiles all look the same. They also contain ads and links to other profiles that distract the visitor and make it more difficult for you to stand out.
So, if you still think building a website is a waste of time, you might want to do some reevaluating!
Related Posts
10 Ways To Build Your Brand Reputation Online
The Perfect Recipe For A Great Personal Brand
Quick Fixes For 3 Problems With Your Online Presence
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Workfolio. You can learn more about sponsored posts here.
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Sell Me Yourself: The Secret To A Successful Personal Brand
This post is part of the Professional Independence Project series.
While Jordan Belfort made the sentence “Sell me this pen” quite famous, for young professionals today the real question is “Sell me yourself.” All those job interviews you had, all those cover letters you’ve written, the time you spent polishing your CV, and the number of networking events you attended have one single common aspect: They help you sell yourself better.
It’s that simple, yet very powerful. Selling yourself is becoming the prime focus of young professional in an employment ecosystem that values not only applicant’s credentials, but also social clout. The people you know, the posts you share, the videos you watch, and the pages you like are as defining as where you studied in terms of professional persona.
The issue is that social and professional life are separated by a tiny blurry line that is quickly dissipated thanks to the phenomenal penetration of social media and mobile connectivity. The very reason you’re reading this article is because you realize how important your personal brand is, and how crucial it is in determining where you will intern, work, or who you will meet.
Now some people will see personal branding as a luxury, something you can only afford after making it to the prime league. The truth is, personal branding is what usually will make you or break you right after college, if not before. Trendy employers everyone wants to work for are making it clearer by the day that your personal brand is as important as your CV.
Look at Google, Twitter, Facebook, or Starbucks. They already publicly state that their considerations in various employment stages are not only affected by your credentials, but by your potential. Remember, credentials vs potential. This is a distinction you have to thoroughly understand. Your credentials, for a lack of better words, have an expiry date on them. Your skills and knowledge will be obsolete in few decades, or few years.
The world is changing, and while you might be great at managing a sales team from the 90s, today is a totally different world where your skills are nothing but outdated memories. Potential, on the other hand, is timeless. A visionary, someone with a sense of business, or someone with an affinity for problem solving will be on his A game whether it is working for a 1978 advertising company or for Apple.
Your personal brand comes into play here: how do you tell everyone, your employers included, that you have what it takes to excel and innovate in your job? How do you advertise the soft skills that cannot be expressed in a set of lines in CV hardcopy?
Easy, you talk the talk, and walk the walk. If you want to be seen as a promising prospect, you have to act like one. You have to breathe, smell, dream and live your brand. If you want to come across as an authority in your industry, as a business visionary, a genius artist or a powerful decision maker, you have to simulate those traits in your life no matter what. Start with fine tuning your social media presence. Share relevant posts, like pages that relate to your field of expertise, produce content, write blogs, design posters and art pieces. Your Facebook profile is much like your CV and your Linkedin page, don’t be fooled into thinking that it is off-limit for people. Your personal life is your professional life, and vice versa.
The people you hang out with and the events you attend will be as valuable in building your personal brand. They say you are the average of the people you hang out with, and that’s for a reason. If you’re into consulting, connect with consultants or consultancy enthusiasts, go grab coffee or lunch with them, go to their seminars, start reading their books and magazines, and try yourself at writing about the topic. That way, you align yourself and your brand to be what you want it to be.
Famous, successful and wealthy people can afford to hire a PR team to manage their personal brand for them, to update their Facebook pages and answer their fans, but if you’re a young professional, chances are you can’t afford such a privilege yet. Be your own PR, know what is worth saying, doing and sharing, and what’s not. First impressions last, and in the age of Internet, impressions last forever.
Don’t waste your time trying to figure out how to become the next Bill Gates, try first to become the best you can, and that will ultimately lead to long term success. Personal branding allows you to be know for you who you can be, and that can be whoever you decide. You want to be seen as an industry expert, an academic, a business visionary, a stocks guru or the next steve jobs, then start acting like it.
The great thing about personal branding for young professionals is that, unlike other things in life, you get to decide to be whatever you like. You may be born a certain way, your family may have treated you in a certain manner and your environment might have been shaped in a specific frame, but YOU, yes YOU, you get to be the judge of your destiny and your image. The choice is yours.
Want to take control of your career?
If you want to take control of your career, check out our fall series, the Professional Independence Project. Throughout the month of October, we will be sharing expert advice and insight on how you can build a successful career you love.
Sign up now to get five FREE video tutorials that show you how to market yourself to anyone, anywhere. Start your path the professional independence. Sign up today!
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5 Lessons From A Successful ‘Business-Of-One’
Even for those of us who know we’re happier working independently, it’s alluring to contemplate rejoining the conventional workforce. Benefits, insurance, and the good old “steady paycheck” are certainly good reasons to go back on someone else’s payroll.
But whenever I’m tempted to “get a job,” I’m reminded of what a former CEO once said to me about Hollywood: that it’s “full of highly-paid temps.” Add to that the fact that there really isn’t anything such as “job security” these days, I’d much rather be in the camp of hunting what I eat.
5 Lessons From A Successful ‘Business-Of-One’
I launched my business six years ago as “an agency-of-one.” Here’s some of what I’ve learned over the years, in case it helps you as you walk that same path.
1. Secure your web estate, even if you don’t plan to launch a business site just yet.
When I launched my business in 2008, I didn’t even have a website. I got my first project via LinkedIn, launched my blog shortly after, and it wasn’t until a year and a half later that my official website saw the light of day. However, what I did right off the bat was to register the domains I knew I’d want associated with my name (in my business’ case, also just… my name).
Do this regardless of when you plan to launch your website. And don’t just register your desired domain; try to personalize your URLs across social networks, whether or not you’re active on them. For example, you’ll see that across most socnets, I’m @shonali; where I couldn’t secure @shonali, I chose @shonaliburke.
Consistency in branding is important, even for a business-of-one.
2. Don’t be afraid to ask for work.
One of the biggest fears we have is how we’ll generate income. This is extremely valid; there’s no dearth of competition, marketing is getting tougher, and many of us bootstrap our businesses.
We forget that people can’t hire us if they don’t know we’re available. There is absolutely nothing wrong with letting your network – personal and professional – know what kind of business you’d like. You’d do this if you were looking for a job, right? So, why wouldn’t you do it for your own business?
I used to do this in fits and starts until a friend told me how many referrals he gets this way. Now I do this two-to-three times a year (but not more). I also make sure that these are personal emails I send out, not a mass mail via an email service, as I have no desire to run afoul of CAN-SPAM.
3. Be very specific about how your network can help you.
When people ask how they can help you, it’s easy to embark on a stream of consciousness wish list. We’re so thrilled people want to help, we give them a laundry list that should be reserved only for Santa Claus. I know. I’ve done it.
People do want to help. But they can help you best if you are very specific about what you are looking for. In a one-on-one conversation, that’s usually one, or maybe two, things. If it’s an email (as above), limit it to three core competencies. That’s more than enough to get the ball rolling.
4. Don’t compromise on pricing.
Especially in service-based businesses, it is very tempting to set a low hourly rate in the hopes that more people will hire you. You are doing yourself and your industry a huge disservice if you drastically slash your pricing, because:
a) If you don’t price your offerings correctly, you’ll find you’re working more time for less money, which is a definition of insanity; and
b) Your clients will undervalue your level of service, and tell their friends and business associates what services like yours cost. You can see how this sets off a chain reaction in your industry, right?
Please note: I am not recommending you artificially inflate your fees. Do your research and charge what you think is fair and commensurate with your level of experience. And stick to it.
5. Track your time.
I come out of the PR agency world, so I’m used to doing this. Even if you don’t, it’s a good practice to inculcate. There are several no- to low-cost online systems you can use (I use Harvest); I can’t imagine you won’t find one that suits you.
If you’re new to this: as soon as you begin your workday, turn your time tracker on before embarking on any tasks. When you finish one “set” of work, turn it off and move on to the next. And so on. Chunk your time.
This will show you where you’re spending the most time, and how much revenue is being generated accordingly. This, more than anything else, will show you where your efficiencies lie, and where you can step it up. And that’s one of the keys to building your business.
Want to take control of your career?
If you want to take control of your career, check out our fall series, the Professional Independence Project. Throughout the month of October, we will be sharing expert advice and insight on how you can build a successful career you love.
Sign up now to get five FREE video tutorials that show you how to market yourself to anyone, anywhere. Start your path the professional independence. Sign up today!
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Fire Your CEO: Reorganize The Business Of BrandYOU™
Is it time to fire your CEO and reorganize the business of BrandYOU™? Find out!
Have you read any of the articles citing the repeated reinventions Joan Rivers achieved in her long career? Joan did an exemplary job of proactively managing her own brand and evolving her professional life in fresh directions without sacrificing her values, integrity, or passions. Are you managing your own career as effectively as she did?
Purpose
Joan recognized that just as companies of all sizes need a mission statement, individuals need to clarify what they do what they do and what drives their focus. This career or life purpose underlies all effective career planning. Once you know what drives you, you’re ready to begin designing your Strategic Career Plan – a roadmap outlining your career progression over the next five to 20+ years. Your career plan serves as your AAA TripTik™, guiding your professional journey through a shifting landscape.
Keep your plan flexible, though. If you’re career path is to be continuous it must enable you to adapt to the rapid-paced change we all face, from labor market ups and downs, disasters, economic shifts to corporate reorganizations, personal growth, and unexpected family events that demand rewrite your priorities.
An effective career plan encompasses six key elements:
- Your career values: What matters most to you in your career? Do you value challenge, responsibility, fairness, creativity or something else altogether? Make a list of your Top 10 career values and flush out your Top 3-5 so you can use them as a decision-making compass throughout your working life.
- Your Personality: What kind personality do you have? What kind of work environments, teams, and bosses best mesh with your character? Note 3-5 of your strongest traits and add them to your decision-making compass.
- Your Transferable Skills: What are your strongest and most universal skills – those that relevant in multiple industries or myriad sectors of the same industry? You’ll need a Top 10 list here, too, but note that you can develop new skills anytime you need them. As a consequence, you’ll see a lot of skills moving into and out of that list as the years unfold.
- Your Passions: What are you passionate about? Which causes get you riled up or drive you to influence and reshape the world around you? These may be harder to identify than the other elements listed here, but passions assume greater importance later in life so they deserve equal decision-making attention as you move into your 50’s, 60’s, 70’s, and beyond.
- Your Gifts: What are you gifted at doing? Are there things you excel at that no one ever had to teach you? These gifts are yet another important facet of your decision-making compass that should be unearthed and leveraged fully throughout your working life.
- Your Credentials: What are your educational credentials and certifications? What credentials do want to attain next, and what role will they play in your career? Research suggests we return to school for another degree, additional training, or another certification every three to five years on average. It’s never too early to begin planning your next significant learning investment.
Performance
Most employers, especially mid-size to large ones, employ some sort of performance evaluation process to maximize the contributions of their employees. Why not create a Personal Performance Management Plan of your own? By regularly evaluating your own performance you’ll be better prepared to reflect key insights when your manager asks you to analyze your year in review. I suggest conducting such a review quarterly with a longer, more extensive introspective process on an annual basis.
This depth of self-reflection can be simplified by maintaining a Success Journal. Whether you write in an actual journal or simply keep a digital or physical folder filled with critical achievements matters not – the important thing is to constantly capture your successes in an organic way that keeps you constantly ready to update your resume or prepare for a surprise interview. By forming a habit of self-reflection about your accomplishments, your contributions, and your performance, you will enable yourself to capture more insights and brand attributes. Discover the Top 10 ways a career journal will benefit you.
Just as your career unfolds organically, so does your brand. Proactive brand management requires constant awareness of what makes you different than your peers at work and those with similar skills in your industry so you can seek out fresh challenges and enable yourself to master new capabilities as the need arises.
In a recent article on Yahoo Finance, Morgan Korn offered quotes from Reid Hoffman, the Co-Founder and Chairman of LinkedIn. First Hoffman noted that “individuals need to proactively invest in their career and take ‘intelligent risks’ to move up the corporate ladder.” He goes on to state that, “in a world that’s moving at a very fast rate, everyone must be adaptable and constantly reinvest and reexamine one’s professional progress. It’s essential to put yourself out there to expand your professional network and to learn new skills.” Paraphrasing Hoffman, Korn comments that, “you are a start-up entrepreneur and must approach your career with an entrepreneurial mindset, constantly finding and creating new opportunities for yourself.”
People
Lastly, consider the role that people play in your career success. How strong are your relationships with colleagues, direct reports, and managers? Are your interpersonal and communications skills helping to cultivate career success or derailing it? Don’t overlook non-work relationships – your family, social, and personal life can easily have a negative impact on your career longevity if not carefully tended. Hence a savvy career CEO invests in the people around him or her at home and at work.
Corporations have a board of directors to help run the company and provide critical oversight, so consider forming such a board to help guide your career. Select a handful or more of industry influencers, mentors, trusted advisors, and former managers to serve as a sounding board for major career decisions. This team of professionals can provide advice, of course, but they can also help you see facets of your personality, experience, and career brand that you may take for granted or overlook. Whether you convene your board in a formal face-to-face meeting or consult with them one-on-one, you’ll gain tremendous insight and confidence by availing yourself of their insights, perspectives, and recommendations.
To maximize the relationships in your life and your quality of life overall, you may also want to consider creating a Life Balance Plan. CNN’s iReport recently ranked the Top 10 healthiest cities globally. The number one city, Copenhagen, was no surprise since Denmark is the number one happiest nation in the world according to the U.N.’s annual World Happiness Report. According to an OECD report, a mere 2% of Copenhagen employees work 40 hours a week or more. By working so much less than the rest of us, these Danes have learned how to maximize their free time and create space for non-work passions and interests.
Examine your own balance by listing eight to 10 areas of your life that are important to you. Examples might include work/business/career, health, finances, marriage/significant other, family, social life, professional development, spirituality, and personal growth. Once you’ve listed the areas you want to measure, assign each a number based on the level of satisfaction each gives you at present (on a scale of one to 10 with one being zero satisfaction and 10 being extreme satisfaction). Let’s say even though your health might not be perfect, you may be satisfied with your progress and therefore rate this area an eight.
Review your ratings to see what changes may be needed. Is high satisfaction in one area (work?) causing low dissatisfaction in another (marriage?). Are there areas where you want to make significant changes for long-term balance? By considering life balance as a part and parcel of your overall career planning, you’ll dramatically improve the likelihood that you can sustain the quality of life you want and deserve.
Career planning is a lifelong process that demands constant attention. To paraphrase Cathy Benko, Harvard Business Review blogger and author of The Corporate Lattice: Achieving High Performance in the Changing World of Work, your “value in the talent marketplace isn’t static. Rather, it is dynamic and will fluctuate just like most goods and services. The only hedge is continual reinvention.” The time to plan your next reinvention is now.
Want to take control of your career?
If you want to take control of your career, check out our fall series, the Professional Independence Project. Throughout the month of October, we will be sharing expert advice and insight on how you can build a successful career you love.
Sign up now to get five FREE video tutorials that show you how to market yourself to anyone, anywhere. Start your path the professional independence. Sign up today!
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3 Reasons Why You Should Think Like A ‘Business-Of-One’
Despite the doom and gloom of the current job market, you’ll find that a revolution is forming that’s quickly changing the world of work as we know it. Many Millennials have jumped ship in favor of being their own boss, while older generations are learning to build side businesses in tandem with their day jobs.
What do they know that most of us don’t? The economy has changed and we’re no longer handed a job upon graduating college. In fact, a college degree doesn’t do much to set you apart now, and you’re lucky if you can get a job at all. In 2012, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released an alarming stat; the average American worker stays at a job less than four and a half years.
You are responsible for creating your own job title and carving out a successful career.
This is why being the CEO of yourself is so important now. You are responsible for creating your own job title and carving out a successful career. We can no longer rely on having a secure job for the next 40 years and applying for Social Security during retirement at age 70. Both of these ideals are completely dead.
Why You Should Think Like A ‘Business-Of-One’
Here are three reasons why everyone should think of themselves as a business-of-one.
1. Building a personal brand.
Whether it’s right now or in the future, you need to have the flexibility to control your income. The harder you work, the more money you can earn, which means that building your personal brand - with a good reputation - is key.
What can a personal brand do for you? Well, a lot actually. For one, it can connect you with influential experts and help you get on the radar of industry experts. This comes in handy if you need to pull some strings to land a job, or if you want to work with big-name companies to become a brand ambassador.
2. Accurately build your reputation.
The Internet isn’t going anywhere, neither are social sites like Twitter or Facebook, so instead of shying away from these public outlets, it’s time to embrace them. You can control what the media says about you, and curate your own perspective.
Media nightmares are a real thing, but you can put out those fires by establishing a personal website, while controlling what comments are shared about you and your business on social media.
When a potential influencer, client, or employer does a search online, they’ll be able to view the accurate information about you, instead of pulling up rumors and other incorrect data. That is a priceless benefit to both you and your family. You can establish a reputation that even your children can lean on and use as a jumping off point.
3. Reaching independence and freedom.
Having the freedom to do what you want and create an unconventional lifestyle is something many of us crave. The only way to achieve this is to become the CEO of your life and create your own dream job.
Career conscious go-getters no longer strive for work-life balance; instead, they strive for a blending of work and life that’s only available through a location independent lifestyle. Most bosses don’t allow work-vacations (called workcations) but if you’re the CEO, you can travel anywhere you want, while taking the work with you.
This kind of freedom not only affects how and when you work, but your financial standing as well. You can have control over your income since you’re not wasting time building some else’s dream. You’re able to branch out into different income streams and diversify how you make a living. This nearly eliminates the possibility of becoming bored and enables you to reach the freedom you’ve been striving for.
Essentially, the reason you should think of yourself as a business-of-one is because you are one! The economy and job market are no longer the same and in order to evolve with the new world of work you have to adapt at becoming the CEO of your life.
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The post 3 Reasons Why You Should Think Like A ‘Business-Of-One’ appeared first on CAREEREALISM.
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