Here’s a painful note from one of my podcast listeners: “Dan, I am 33 years old and have nothing to show for it. Nine years after college, I have no job, no career. Just a couple of useless degrees . I studied fashion design, then graphic design. I’ve had around 5 jobs in that time…
DetailsStanley Mason died in December of 2006 at the age of 84. In his last 50 years he invented over 100 inventions and 55 patents include the squeezable ketchup bottle, granola bars, heated pizza boxes, heatproof plastic microwave cookware, dental floss dispensers, the underwire bra and “instant” splints and casts for broken limbs. Mason created…
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A couple of years ago I read Susan Cain’s book: Quiet – The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking. Susan documents how schools, companies and even churches embrace extroverts and make it difficult for someone who is “quiet” to be valued. Since that time I have recommended it hundreds of times…
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A couple of years ago I heard a work story most of us would refuse to believe as I was listening to the EntreLeadership Podcast hosted by Chris LuCurto. Chris interviewed Joe Scarlett – former CEO of Tractor Supply Company (TSC). Joe is now CEO of Scarlett Leadership Institute and is both very knowledgeable about…
DetailsThis last Thursday we unveiled our new 48 Days Eagle. We had a packed house for Innovate who got to share in the unveiling. When sculptor Scott Stearman and I first started talking about this piece we discussed the different eagle perspectives he could use. He said he could capture the magnificence of the eagle…
DetailsThe lead-in question on the information requested when I coach someone personally is this: “Briefly describe your current work situation.” Here is a recent response: “Antithetical to my personal and professional expectations. Unfulfilling on multiple levels: Lack of meaning and purpose; a myopic pursuit of the almighty dollar; a parasitic and never ending voyage into…
DetailsI resist using the Department of Labor’s “Dictionary of Occupational Titles” for anyone looking for new careers. Any narrow categorization of a person’s skills may overlook unique personal characteristics or interests. If you sell used binoculars on eBay and make $100,000 a year there may not be an occupational title description that fits that well. …
DetailsI once heard Robert Kiyosaki (Rich Dad Poor Dad) say that if you are going to have a voice and make a difference in the world you should expect to have 1/3 of the people love you, 1/3 hate you and 1/3 that just don’t care. What if you’re getting criticism from a coworker, or…
Details“Dan, the merry-go-round of my professional life has left me no farther than a few steps from where I got on and now with a weak stomach.” Thus began the description of life from a very “successful” attorney. Many times a career path starts because of circumstances, rather than priorities. Family expectations, chance occurrences, a…
DetailsI grew up in a Mennonite household. My Dad was the pastor of the little tiny church in our community and we didn’t do a lot of things other people did. We didn’t go to dances, movies, ballgames – and we sure didn’t wear neckties. All those things were signs of being in the “world.” …
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