The Career Doctor - Articles - Zimbio

Welcome to our wikizine called "The Career Doctor"

Wed, 3 Jul 2008 02:36:18 GMT

posted by CareerDr
Wikizines are interactive magazines that anyone can create or edit - and this one is called "The Career Doctor". Here you can find fresh voices and respond in real time. Some members write articles about recent news and trends related to the wikizine's topic, others recount relevant personal stories or share their favorite pictures and video clips. Got an interesting idea or story to share with other members of this wikizine? Well, then put on your journalist's cap and add your own article!

What's Your Passion?

Wed, 3 Jul 2008 02:47:48 GMT

posted by CareerDr

by Dan Miller
If you don't combine your passion with your work you will never achieve excellence and fulfillment. I imagine it kind of like having a lawn mower engine in a Porsche. Yeah, it will move along but it can hardly get out of the way of other traffic and it sure doesn't give you the thrill and exhilaration that driving a Porsche should. (I took a friend's Porsche 959 for a spin recently. It had been modified from its original 331hp to 615 horsepower -- what a rush!)
Every week I hear from lots of people who are still trying to find their passion. Here are some examples:
Dan, I cannot think of anything that just supremely stirs my drink. I have no passions or dreams. (I'm in my early 50s). I mean, there are some "warm" areas. But there is nothing I feel like I want to give my life to. The old cheese has moved, and the old dreams are dead and gone. I'm looking for a new one.
I'm currently working with a high level financial executive who, after 26 years with the same company, is being "invited" to leave. He's having to catch up with the new opportunities because for 26 years "I've had my head down, and pencil up."
Today I talked with a 34-year-old who has a history of starting businesses "that have nothing to do with my passion." And then he wonders why it's such a struggle to make them work.
I'm also working with a 48-year-old dentist who after years of frustration says, "I just keep getting better at what I intend to get out of."
What's blocking you from finding your passion -- and integrating it into your work? Are you convinced that work is meant to be boring and stifling -- only a means to a paycheck? Do you think that fulfilling God's will always means sacrificing your true passions? Do you believe that if you followed your passions your income would drop dramatically? I believe all of these are false statements.
A couple months ago I wrote an article "Is Your Music Still In You?". The response to that was so overwhelming we now have produced business card-sized magnets with those words on them for a constant reminder to not let that happen.
What's your reason for not living in your passion? And what are you going to do to change?
Click through to comment at the bottom of this article on my blog. I'll choose 10 of the most interesting responses and send you a "Is Your Music Still in You?" magnet.

Dan Miller is today's leading authority and personality on careers and 'Work You LoveTM'. As bestselling author of 48 Days To The Work You Love, and now No More Mondays, Dan reaches over a million people every month ia his newsletter, podcast, and blog with the best trends and opportunities in the workplace and small business. For more information, visit http://www.48days.com.

We can all use a good laugh

Wed, 3 Jul 2008 02:42:06 GMT

posted by CareerDr
Promotion Joke
The boss called one of his employees into the office. "Rob," he said, "you've been with the company for a year. You started off in the mail room, one week later you were promoted to a sales position, and one month after that you were promoted to district manager of the sales department. Just four short months later, you were promoted to vice-president. Now, it's time for me to retire, and I want you to take over the company. What do you say to that?" "Thanks," said the employee. "Thanks?" the boss replied "Is that all you can say?" "I suppose not," the employee said. "Thanks, Dad

Here's a Tip From Bally's Total Fitness

Wed, 3 Jul 2008 02:46:29 GMT

posted by CareerDr

Want a competitive edge in the workplace? Make sure your colleagues – and especially your bosses – know that you exercise regularly. At least one study has shown that individuals who exercise are perceived as harder working, more self-disciplined and more confident than people who do not exercise. This isn’t to say you should flex your muscles in the lunchroom or list your running times on your resume. (You’ll need to be a bit subtler than that.) An additional possibility: You may come to see your gym not only as a place to work out – but also as a place to network!

Building Your Personal Brand

Wed, 3 Jul 2008 03:10:52 GMT

posted by CareerDr

Gain Experience/Track Accomplishments

Building your brand begins with tracking your past accomplishments and gaining strategically important new experiences. Your accomplishments are the foundation of your career brand. But before you seek out new work, take the time to plan and focus on what you want your brand to stand for -- and develop a strategy for gaining experience in areas of your brand in which you are weak. So, besides doing your job, ask for new and challenging assignments that will build your brand. Consider freelancing or consulting. Use volunteering to gain experience. If you're a student, seek out multiple internships.