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In This Issue:
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Issue 346 - - March 06, 2007
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Welcome! And what's new...
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3. Sufferings Of Layoff “Survivors”
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4. Master Gardener Of Your Soul
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2. Over 50 And Out Of Luck??
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5. Quotes -- On Retirement
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I am frequently asked, “Why does all your material talk about 48 Days?” And of course I explain that we did a complex mathematical calculation, with scientific evidence based on the rotation of the earth for the ability of humans to redirect their behavior. And then we factored in the increasing longevity of people who were born between Jan 1st and Dec 31st.
No, it’s not quite that profound or scientific. But in working with people over the years, I found that many had some vague goals. And yet I would meet them again 3 years later and they were doing exactly the same things. Nothing had changed. I became convinced that we had to have a specific time frame to force the change. We are told that it takes 21 days to create a new habit – good or bad. 30, 60, or 90 days are too generic; I wanted a more distinctive and memorable time period. The show “48 Hours” was growing in popularity, so I decided to make it “48 Days.” It just sounded good and I do believe in having a specific time period. And we found that people responded very positively. There was the excited expectation: “You mean I really can change my life in 48 Days?” And my response was then as it is now, “Yes, you can – IF you have a plan!”
48 Days is adequate time to get a clear understanding of yourself: Your Skills & Abilities, Your Personality Traits, and Your Values, Dreams & Passions. From those you can create a clear focus and a plan of action that translates into a new job search or starting your own business.
If you need new results, create your own 48 Day plan, starting today.
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Do employers intentionally practice age discrimination? I hear from many 55 year-olds who have lost great positions due to “reorganizations” and now can’t seem to even get an interview.
Keep in mind that in today’s hiring environment, everyone suspects he/she is being discriminated against -- Too young, not the right degrees, wrong ethnic background, obsolete work experience, etc., etc. My advice: don’t try to fudge or hide your age. Hiring managers are good at detecting that and the assumption then is, “This person is trying to hide his age. I wonder what else he is trying to hide?” And the resume goes into the trash.
What can you do instead? Emphasize your long and successful career. Describe key accomplishments and a clear overview of your “areas of competence.” Show your willingness to contribute to the bottom line even if in a non-traditional employee role. Too often experienced managers somehow think this kind of work is beneath them. Like they are now a “temp” or an “intern” rather than a “real” employee. Be aware that project work has some distinct advantages. You can check out the company and see if the fit is right. You are typically paid more than in an employee position.
Yes, when you are over 50, your chances of getting that “real” traditional job are lessened. Spend 75% of your time and energy looking for fitting contract work and 25% for the real traditional job.
Here are some resources for a 50+ worker, to help you think creatively:
And – if you really want to feel bad about getting older, click here and read Psalm 88.
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Are you breathing a sigh of relief because you survived the most recent round of layoffs – or have you chosen to pass on the $100,000 buyout option? CNN reports that there seems to be much more focus on the people getting laid off than on the “survivors”, as we call them. Marc Detampel, senior manager with Arthur Anderson, says “For those being laid off, there are severance plans, outplacement, counseling, communication, and talk about a ‘soft landing.’ But for the rest of the corporate population, the survivors, there’s almost a philosophy that says, ‘Hey, they’ll be happy just because they still have the job.”
Now The Families and Work Institute reports that of workers who remain after downsizing, 54% feel overworked, 55% feel overwhelmed by the workload, 59% lack time for reflection, 56% can’t complete their assigned tasks, and 45% must “multitask” too much. This kind of pressure violates everything we have been hearing about life balance and valuing the employees.
So is keeping your job a blessing or a curse? This is why so often 18 months after someone loses their job, we hear them say, “That was the best thing that could have happened to me!” Be careful what you wish for. And be careful about hanging on to your position on a sinking ship. When I see people refusing a $140,000 buyout option to keep their “secure” job, I cringe. Make sure you explore the available choices before passing up such an opportunity!
“We may at times be unemployed, but no one ever becomes uncalled.” Os Guiness in “The Call”
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Our minds are like gardens; they grow whatever we allow to take root.
“Just as a gardener cultivates his plot, keeping it free from weeds, and growing the flowers and fruits, which he requires, so may a man tend the garden of his mind, weeding out all the wrong, useless, and impure thoughts, and cultivating toward perfection the flowers and fruits of right, useful, and pure thoughts. By pursuing this process, a man sooner or later discovers that he is the master gardener of his soul, the director of his life. He also reveals, within himself, the laws of thought, and understands, with ever-increasing accuracy, how the thought-forces and mind-elements operate in the shaping of his character, circumstances, and destiny.” From “As a Man Thinketh” by James Allen
Control your own destiny by controlling what goes into your mind. The books you read, the thoughts you think, the TV you watch, the conversations you participate in, the people you associate with, and the music you listen to combine to create your future. Are you sowing the seeds for the life you want five years from now?
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