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Saturday, May 31, 2014

My Job Is Great So Why Am I Uninspired?

Does this sound like you?  "I'm well compensated, respected and valued at my job so why do I feel discontented and disconnected?"  This is a recent concern coming from one of my coaching clients.  He's been working at the same company for 7 years and knows "he has it made"  but feels an inexplicable unrest.  The company is solid so he's not working in an unstable environment.

Do you have similar feelings about your job and reflect on the same question, "My job is great so why am I uninspired?"  Perhaps it's time to take a hard look at what's really going on.

I'm a firm believer that even though we may be well compensated at work, if we're not challenged or inspired, it might be time to re-evaluate what's important and make a change.  If you're like me, you thrive when you're motivated and have opportunity to use your skills and talents.  Isn't this one of the reasons you spent a zillion dollars in getting a degree so you could develop an expertise, gain  knowledge and put it to use?  And if you never got your degree, more than likely you've tried to position yourself to acquire a certain skill set.  Either way, you've paid your dues in some form and want to reap the emotional benefits.

Being true to ourselves requires honesty, courage and kindness.  If we want our professional lives to be fulfilling, we just might have to step out of our comfort zone…

"We wander for distraction, but we travel for fulfillment."
~ Hilaire Belloc

"Good Night, And Good Luck"

Laura Rivchun

PS - If you're feeling uninspired with your career or job, contact me at lrcareercoach@gmail.com to learn about my program to help get you "unstuck."


Saturday, May 17, 2014

The Big No-No At Networking Events

Many of us know how important networking can be particularly if you're in career transition, job search or want to develop new business relationships.  There are so many ways today we can connect on a professional level with others since social media has become all the rage but networking remains one of the best ways to meet other professionals who just might be in a position to help you and vice versa.  Meeting others face to face can be the most effective way to leave a lasting impression (I'm referring to a good lasting impression).  This was not my experience the other night when I went to  a professional networking event.

I attended an event in a club where there were about 50 people scattered around in groups talking to one another while sipping their drinks - very social and "network friendly", right?  What surprised me was the number of people who were by themselves talking/texting on their smartphones.  Is this a new form of networking I'm not familiar with?  Maybe they were talking to someone across the room but were too shy or lazy to meet face to face?  Have you experienced this at professional networking events and did you have the same response as me?  Do you find this a professional "no-no" and a turnoff?

How can we expect someone to want to engage with us if we appear disengaged?  What kind of message are we sending out?  Networking can be challenging and uncomfortable but it gets easier with practice particularly IF YOU TALK TO PEOPLE AND PUT AWAY THE DISTRACTIONS!!!!

People are more likely to want to connect with you if your lasting impression was a positive one….

"Many believe effective networking is done face-to-face, building a rapport with someone by looking at them in the eye, leading to a solid connection and foundational trust.,"
~ Raymond Arroyo

"Good Night, And Good Luck"

Laura Rivchun

PS - If you need some tips on how to become a better networker, please email me at lrcareercoach@gmail.com and I can give you some pointers.