Career Chaos

JUMP STARTING CAREERS

Got spring fever? I know I do. Watching the flowers bloom, taking the dogs for walks in the park, hanging out in the patio - so nice to get outdoors again!

It seems many people are getting restless at work these days - a type of spring fever? Perhaps. After a long winter of no promotions, no pay raises, and no big changes on the horizon, maybe it's time to check out new opportunities. Where to begin?

I found a CNN Money article that offers 5 tips for jump-starting your career. Take a look and see if this helps you to make a career change. Check out the suggested resources for additional help.

LATE STAGE CAREER CHANGE

Retire? Never! But how do you convey that intent to employers? I found this article that quotes experts on how to keep your skills current, Tips for Those Nearing Retirement. Don't lose your cutting edge - keep your computer skills sharp - this is one message. Read the comprehensive list of career tips.

"The 14th national conference of the Australian Association of Careers Counsellors recently heard that to succeed in today's world older workers must cultivate a new personality type: the change catalyst." What is a change catalyst? Read Take Another Swing at Life.

HOW NOT TO DO A BLOG

OK, I'm guilty. I've slipped up and not added frequent entries to my blog. Take note - this is not good if you want to be considered a serious blogger. Of course, I have my excuses, but are they good enough to get me off the hook? Probably not, though I really have been busy. :-)

Last week I attended the annual conference of the Association of Career Professionals International. What a conference! I had the opportunity to share best practices with career industry colleagues from 15 different countries. I learned that my new friend from Israel would not be able to succeed in doing business over the Internet as I do since in his country, people are suspect of Internet businesses.

I learned from the editor of Career Journal, Tony Lee, that many executives are now hiring agents to negotiate their employment contracts. I learned that there are many trends and economic factors that will impact career changes in the next few years.

The networking was fast and furious from the dinner cruise to the Roaring Twenties themed gala dinner. This year's event was in Chicago, next year in Boston. I can hardly wait!

BRIDGING THE FAULT LINE

Last week I attended a webinar (online teleconference) delivered by Daniel Pink, an author and futurist, and until now best known for his book, Free Agent Nation. His newest release, A Whole New Mind, was the reason for the webinar. Now I'm no clairvoyant, but I see this new book as a future bestseller.

Dan Pink is "right on" with his premise, "Abilities that matter most are right brain-like." (Left brain = analytical, sequential, rational; Right brain = holistic, intuitive, artistic, big picture.) While the left-brain activities of the Information Age have ruled business of late, Pink predicts that right-brain capabilities will "mark the fault line between those who make it and those who don't" as we move forward into the Conceptual Age of the 21st century.

This is good news for people who are looking for ways to retain talent in the workplace. It is also good news for those who believe in the power of Emotional Intelligence. It is very good news for Executive / Business / Life / Career Coaches who help people in their quest for personal and professional development.

I was so excited about Pink's presentation that I rushed out and bought A Whole New Mind immediately following the webinar. I don't know about you, but I'm tired of the information overwhelm of the Knowlege Economy. I'm ready to embrace the Conceptual Age. It's time we valued each other as whole persons - to tap into our intuition - to appreciate the power of art.

CAREER CHANGE AT WARP SPEED

I've been reading a very interesting book, "Re-imagine!" by Tom Peters. It's particularly interesting since it was published in 2003. I know that's only two years ago, but you have to realize that this book is all about change and it even makes predictions for 2005 that have come true!

Here's a quote to whet your appetite:

"White-collar employment as we've known it is dead. The transformation may be Ugly. And painful. But it's on... with Unimaginable Fury.

All of our organizations will be reinvented - completely - in the next 25 years. All of our careers will be reinvented - completely - in the next 25 years. All job security, as we have known it over the past three or four generations, is over. Over and gone."

Author Tom Peters is an international bestselling writer, master of business reinvention, and management guru. I suggest you get this book - even if you borrow it from the library - and read it, over and over. We're in for an amazing change!