Times like these bring uncertainty, disorder, desperation, and chaos. Those same things seem to trigger creativity, innovation, uncommon solutions, strengthened relationships and growing faith. Don’t overlook the opportunities hidden in your biggest challenges. If you read nothing else in this newsletter, make sure you read the quotations scattered throughout.
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This week’s prize package winner is Teresa Blake who just lost her SEVENTH job. She’s going back to school and this is her response: So here I am, a forty five year old with no job... again... and I'm excited about it!!!!!!
You can still get your name in the hat for next week's drawing. Just send me a quick note about how you lost your job to: outtawork@48Days.com
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Speaking of hope -- Our next 48 Days Seminar training class is filling up quickly -- 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
********************************* "Certainty is the mark of a common and ordinary life." Pastor John Barcanic - Sioux Falls, South Dakota - Oak Hills Baptist Church
Does doing your daily work feel like an “intellectual lobotomy?” Of course an actual lobotomy is that antiquated psychosurgery in which healthy brain tissue was intentionally mutilated or removed for the purpose of behavior control. The goal was “to eradicate the behavior which others found undesirable.”
Last week Supreme Court Justice David Souter said he undergoes a "sort of annual intellectual lobotomy" when the Supreme Court term begins in October, a condition that he said lasts until the end of the term the following summer. Wow – that’s pretty grim. And this guy’s not just standing on an assembly line making widgets.
Is your work intellectually stimulating – bringing out the very best you have to offer in creativity, passion and excellence? Or is it brain deadening – requiring that you not think too much or suggest any kind of modification or improvement? Are you growing as a result of doing your work, or are you shrinking intellectually?
I recognize that “work” is just one component of a meaningful life but I think it’s too high a price to pay if your only compensation is a paycheck.
Make sure you are:
Reading and expanding your knowledge
Paying attention to your dreams
Exploring new areas of interest
Remembering to play
Having times of doing nothing
Taking care of yourself
Making a difference in the lives of others
These can be woven in and out of work. I doubt anyone ever asked for a lobotomy – it was forced on them by people who claimed to know what was best for that person. Be very careful of allowing yourself to be put in that position. Don’t volunteer for an “intellectual lobotomy.” Put yourself in environments of intellectual stimulation and growth. You will embrace your God-given gifts and the world will be a better place as a result of you having been here.
********************************* “The things we fear most in organizations -- fluctuations, disturbances, imbalances -- are the primary sources of creativity.” – Margaret J. Wheatley
I’ve always been fascinated by street and city names. Joanne and I have purposely avoided street names over the years that we would be embarrassed to put on our address. Part of our decision to enroll our daughter at Berry College was that when you turn into campus, the main street is called Opportunity Drive. On my wall I have an Optimistic Map and a Pessimistic Map. On the former there are towns like Confidence, California; Delight, Arkansas; and Prosperity, South Carolina. On the Pessimistic Map towns appear like Dismal, Tennessee; Bitter Springs, Arizona; Boring, Oregon, and Poverty, Kentucky.
Hey, maybe living in Bummerville, California is playing with your head. Will anyone take you seriously if you live in Ding Dong, Texas? How do you get ahead if you live in Little Hope, Pennsylvania?
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“The creative is the place where no one else has ever been. You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition. What you'll discover will be wonderful. What you'll discover is yourself.” – Alan Alda
The variety of questions here confirms that there are many ways to embrace our individuality when creating meaningful work. I continue to enjoy the opportunity of responding to your questions like these:
I feel duped by my university in that I don't feel prepared enough for anything at age 39. I don't know what are my God given talents, skills, and wonder how do I go about finding out what my passions are, what my God chosen career is.
I am an educator and I see great value in your materials for young people. Have you considered creating content for the kindergarten through high school audience?
After reading 48 Days I feel confident I'm called to be a novelist. It may be another year before I can have a finished product ready for publishers to consider. Should I tough it out at my present, ill-fitting job and keep working toward my dream, or try to find something else?
I am debating between an e-bay business and a delivery business -- a dry cleaning delivery service…. What should I take into consideration? How should I make this decision and not regret it later???
I commute about an hour and a half one-way everyday to my J-O-B. I leave about 5AM and get home about 6PM. I am looking for a creative idea as a sideline business where I can leverage my time in the car and still create extra cash.
********************************* “Thank goodness I was never sent to school; it would have rubbed off some of the originality.” – Beatrix Potter
********************************* 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
********************************* “When Alexander the Great visited Diogenes and asked whether he could do anything for the famed teacher, Diogenes replied: 'Only stand out of my light.' Perhaps some day we shall know how to heighten creativity. Until then, one of the best things we can do for creative men and women is to stand out of their light.” -- John W. Gardner (1912 - 2002)
********************************* 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!
“The intuitive mind is a sacred gift and the rational mind is a faithful servant. We have created a society that honors the servant and has forgotten the gift.” – Albert Einstein
“To be creative means to be in love with life. You can be creative only if you love life enough that you want to enhance its beauty, you want to bring a little more music to it, a little more poetry to it, a little more dance to it.” –Osho
“One of the advantages of being disorderly is that one is constantly making exciting discoveries.” – A. A. Milne
“Genius means little more than the faculty of perceiving in an unhabitual way.” – William James
“The chief enemy of creativity is 'good' sense.” -- Pablo Picasso
“Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.” -- Steve Jobs
“Everyone who’s ever taken a shower has had an idea. It’s the person who gets out of the shower, dries off and does something about it who makes a difference.” — Nolan Bushnell
“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” — Maya Angelou
What job fits you?
