Check out our contest at the end of the first article. You could win a 48 Days package to help you "between opportunities." In the first article you'll see some creative ideas that were prompted by "unemployment." You may find that the shock of losing your job "wakes up" your ultimate dream.
We are being inundated with inquiries about teaching the 48 Days seminars. What a great time to be one who brings hope to those who are struggling. See the link below for more information.
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Ashley has put a super conGRADulation package together, full of tips and inspiration for the new graduates entering this volatile workplace: ConGRADulations Package
********************************* "My parents taught me to do well on tests, but they failed to equip me with the poison-tipped spurs of true ambition." – Jon Fasman, The Geographer's Library
Would you like to see how far you can throw an office telephone, or see if you could break the "PayDay Pinata (filled with PayDay candy bars)?" Maybe you'd prefer to play "Pin the Blame on the Boss" or compete in the "You're Fired" footrace to the cardboard unemployment office.
Nick Goddard lost his job as a computer programmer in February. Having more free time than ever before, he dreamed up the Unemployment Olympics. He says, "Just because you lose your job doesn't mean you have to lose your sense of humor." On Tuesday, March 31st the first Unemployment Olympics was held in Manhattan's Tompkins Square Park. 30+ contestants showed up with proof of unemployment to get their chance to toss a fax machine and the other fun things listed above. They won prizes donated my local merchants.
Here are some other notes of interest regarding "unemployment."
Do you know that in the Tibetan language there is no word for "unemployment?" That is a concept reserved for our Western culture where we have "jobs." In traditional Tibetan society, people were mostly farmers, animal herders, or merchants. There was no concept of set hours of work or of having a job. Their work was often seasonal and during harvest season, they would work very hard. Then during the off season, they and the land would rest.
Honey, I got Fired -- Nathaniel Hawthorne went home to tell his wife that he had just been fired from his job. "Good," she said. "Now you can write your book." "What do we live on meanwhile?" Hawthorne asked. His wife opened a drawer filled with money. "I have always known that you are a man of genius," she said. "So I saved a little each week, and now I have enough to last for a year." Hawthorne used the time to write "The Scarlet Letter," one of the great masterpieces of American literature.
In 1934, Charles B. Darrow of Germantown, Pennsylvania, was unemployed. To amuse himself and pass the time, he created a board game that provided the possibility of fame and fortune. That game is called MONOPOLY. Today, it's the best-selling board game in the world, sold in 80 countries and produced in 26 languages including Croatian.
I have always encouraged people to recognize times of being "between opportunities." Rather than the panic of being off-track, on hold, or "unemployed," perhaps we should see those times as times of restoration, rejuvenation and opportunities for new perspective. So what are you doing while you're unemployed? One good idea is all you need to change your life!
Okay, here's a little contest for you. If you really are out of work right now, send a brief note to outtawork@48Days.com explaining how you lost your job and what you are moving TO. We'll draw one name per week through May 31st to receive our The Ultimate Fresh Start Package to help launch you into the next season of your career.
There is a recent Burger King commercial in which the boss announces that he bought lunch for everyone. But then he adds that this is the last time they will all be eating together, as downsizing is forcing him to let someone go. He turns to the young assistant, who is standing next to him and nodding, and asks him to pick a number. The oblivious young worker says, "4" and the boss immediately says, "You're fired."
That's not a totally unrealistic scenario. At least theoretically, an employer could tell each of his or her employees to pick a card from a deck of 52, and then fire everybody who doesn't draw face cards. Perhaps drawing the joker gets you the CEO position.
But here's a very important point. When Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer announced in January that they would be eliminating 5,000 jobs, he immediately explained that the company would simultaneously be hiring 3,000 new people for "new positions to support key investment areas during this same period of time."
Please be aware that a company that just announced layoffs is a great target for your job search. Your unique skills may be just what they're looking for. Read more here on Staff Cuts and New Hires.
Here's the 48 Days Job Search Strategy that continues to secure offers:
Identify 30-40 target companies.
Send a letter of introduction to each company.
Send cover letter and resume -- one week after letter of introduction.
Phone call to follow up. Very important. My experience is that only about 1-2% of job-hunters do this. It is very easy to bring your name to the top of the list if you just do a follow up call. Don't be afraid of being persistent!
Keep in mind that if you just send cover letters and resumes (#3), you need to send out 254 to have a statistical chance of getting a job offer. If you combine that with a phone call, the number drops to 1 out of 15, a dramatic difference. Add to that an introduction letter and the results will amaze you. This is a SELLING process. We use a 3 time repetitive process because of understanding marketing principles. If you are selling recliners, having someone see or hear about them 3 times will increase their response. In this process you are selling a product, and that product is YOU! Just commit to the process and a time line.
I begin this podcast by talking about "hope." We've all been hearing a lot about this word recently. Some people think it's an unrealistic approach to the realities of what's happening. I agree that hope without a plan is empty and it is perhaps even cruel to suggest hope to someone without offering a plan of action.
• What does having "hope" really mean?
• What is our strongest resource in tough times?
• What can you offer to others who are struggling?
I then threw in a tip from Dr. West Conner on how to listen to this (or any) podcast 40% faster.
Then on with the always intriguing questions:
I'm one of those people who took a job they really didn't like (teaching) just to take care of my family until I could find something that I did want. Your counsel reminded me of Russell Conwell's book "Acres of Diamond". Could you please elaborate on that?
I have an idea for a new business. Where can I go to ask someone to see if my idea will be profitable without being taken advantage of? (My answer may surprise you.)
My wife is a massage therapist and I am a home inspector. Would it be a good idea to find more business capital and where would be a good place to acquire it?
Can you tell us how long it took for you to take 48 days from "some notes in a binder" to a hardback book? Did you do self publishing in book form before it was picked up by a publisher? I have heard you say that you were selling the binder for $39. What were the pros and cons of moving to a $19 book whose profits you share with a publisher?
********************************* If you have a question, just email me at askdan@48Days.com and you can ask about starting your own business, getting a better job, or finding your purpose in life.
And you can click the link below to listen to this week's broadcast immediately – no downloading – no wait.
Lead the 48 Days Seminar
Are you someone who just naturally provides hope and encouragement? Would you like to help more people know the 48 Days principles? My daughter Ashley and I are offering a one-day training program to help anyone who wants to be ready to lead this six-week program. We'll provide you with a complete set of leader instructions, DVDs, and the confidence to begin sharing immediately. The one in March filled up very quickly. We'd love to work with you! Certified 48 Days Trainer
********************************* ConGRADulations Package
Do you know someone getting ready to graduate from high school or college? Yes, you could get that person a necktie or bottle of cologne – but how about something that can make them stand out in a sea of job candidates. Ashley has put a super GRADuation package together, full of tips and inspiration: ConGRADulations Package
********************************* Coaching with Dan
Many of you ask if I still coach people individually. Yes, I do. Are you feeling stuck? Are you struggling to get interviews or a job offer? Do you have a business idea but are not sure how to move forward? Maybe I can help you see some new ways of moving forward. See the details here: Coaching with Dan
********************************* 48Days.net
By now most of you know about 48Days.net. This is different than 48Days.com. At 48Days.net you'll see lots of other excited people who have ideas – and they're willing to share those with you to help your business grow and profit. If you want your life to be different this year, get involved with people who are on the same path. There is no cost – just lots of helpful people and resources.
********************************* Know Your Personality
What job fits you?
The most popular product in the 48 Days arsenal continues to be the 48 Days Career Profile. Before you begin seeking a better job or self-employment, you need to be sure you are pursuing opportunities that match your personality style and will fulfill and reward you for a lifetime!
What job fits you?
