IN BETWEEN - Part 3

In a quest for the things that will actually matter once school is done and we are trying to figure out what to do next - something to pour ourselves into that will make a difference somewhere. Here are my last three in a list of nine things that we can do to keep our skills sharp and to continue to stay relevant in our respective fields:

7. Continually go back to the stuff learned to keep it fresh. 

We learn a lot of stuff in school and sometimes it feels like drinking from a fire hydrant. But there are some things we come across that resonate with our interests, passions, and abilities. Go back to those things. You know you took better notes in those classes than any others. 

Reread your notes. Relisten... (so I was not an English major) to those lectures. 

Do whatever you need to in order to keep the most important things fresh in your mind.  

8. Establish milestones for personal progress. 

Every good CEO, manager, leader of some kind, has a way of measuring progress. Track who you have coffee with, travel to a region where the language you are learning is spoken. Find ways to gauge your progress.

I know a guy who wanted to read more so he set a goal to read one book a week for a year. In his first year doing this he did not read 52 books but he did read 41 and that was way more than the previous year. He set that goal fifteen years ago and in the succeeding years he has taken up that goal he has met or exceeded the goal.

9. Don't lose sight of those who are helping and supporting you through this. 

Be intentional about face time with family friends who are giving you a break on rent or paying for your car insurance or phone bill. Maybe it is your parents or a family friend; be sure they know you appreciate what they are doing for you.

That is all for now. For a look at the first three in our list click here; and for four through six click here. Good luck, and 

Just a Meandering Thought...

BETWEEN Part 2

So you have graduated... big deal... There are apparently far fewer people out there who are excited about that fact than you thought there were. So how do you stay sharp in the time between receiving your diploma and receiving that invitation to the job you were wanting?

First, read BETWEEN part 1.

Second, here are the next three things I have decided that I need to work on. Three ways I can set some goals for myself without a real framework for setting goals. Blogger won't let me begin the numbering from "4" so I am going to have a chat with them about that...

1. Coffee Chat - Getting together once a month for coffee with someone who is in the field is a great way to do a couple of things. First, it helps you stay up to date with what people are doing in your field. Second, the more people know you are out there; the more ground your name covers, the better your chances of some who is hiring hearing about you. You just have to keep a couple of things in mind when you get together with someone. First of all, these guys (and ladies) are busy so don't waste their time. Arrive with a list of questions or talking point, but don't make it too long. Next the whole idea for this get together is for them to talk and for you to listen. Ask questions that are open ended and well thought through. Lastly, remember part of this time is for you to actually learn something, part of it is for them to catch a glimpse of who you are.
2. Be a student - there are all sorts of ways for you to continue to study and learn. Journals of various sorts, conferences, symposiums, and other gatherings are ways for you to continually grow your knowledge base.
3. Proficiency at one new skill - This is a chance for you to grow your personal skill set. It may be web design, photography, the culinary arts, whatever. Two things to keep in mind as you consider becoming proficient in one new skill. First, make it something you actually enjoy doing, or one of those things that you have always wanted to try but never had time to, or the resources to take on. You may need to take some time to save money so that you can purchase one important piece of equipment, but don't take too long and don't spend too much. Check out craigslist.com Second, try to make this something that is in some way connected to the field you are looking to get into.

Good Luck as you embark on these next three and hey, if you end up doing any of these let me know how it goes. I will be working on them as well, and I will let you know how it goes.

Just a few Meandering Thoughts...

BETWEEN Part 1

Not too long ago I walked across a distinguished looking stage, with a group of distinguished men and women sitting on it, all wearing distinguished robes and caps... I was wearing one too. I received a very official looking folder in which will go a very distinguished piece of paper that I will likely later put into a distinguished looking frame.  I spent a lot of time and a lot of money for a graduate degree and I loved every minute of it but now... reality is setting in. I suppose I am experiencing what a lot of graduates are experiencing whether bachelors or Masters... how do I find a job that is a good fit for my interests, training, experience, and passion?

I wish I had an easy answer but it seems to vary depending from field to field. But these are not "meandering thoughts" on how to find your dream job, instead these are my ideas on what to do in the time between finishing your education and landing that dream job. 

I have been asked, "what are your plans now?" or "what goals do you have for yourself?" To be honest it is hard to set goals when there is no real framework in which to set goals. What do you try to achieve, how do you improve your performance what do you shoot for when you are still looking for a job to perform in?

To help me answer these kinds of questions I have put together a list of nine things I (and anyone really) can work towards in the time "between" times. Now, I share with you how we can navigate the time between ending one chapter in our lives and beginning another; how we can "improve our performance" by setting measurable and attainable goals. These are the first three I came up with. ( I was hoping to get a nice round number like ten, but nine is what I am stuck with. If you have an idea share it with me.)

My goals for the time between times:

1. Steward my Opportunities - I may get occasional opportunities to work on some projects that are directly connected to my area of training and education. I need to make the most of those opportunities and use them to showcase what I can do. I need to do my best work here. These chances are where I get to demonstrate who I am and what I am about.
 
 
2. Stay at the Cutting Edge - Identify ten thinkers and writers who are at the cutting edge of my field and read everything they write. This will keep me at the forefront of the thinking and conceptualization in my field. I will have a grasp on the direction and the depth of my area of expertise.  
 
 
3. Remain Relevant - Find ways to use basic skills in my field in what I am doing right now. I need to know a few things that I can do now that I will also need to be doing years from now. I am in sales now so talking with people and developing a rapport with them is one of the things I need to continually work on.
    

Just a few meandering thoughts...

My next three will be coming soon...

CARDS

So, I totally randomly received two cards today. I know... I am in the middle of Northern India and I somehow get two cards on the same day!

The first was a Birthday card from none other than my mother. Leave to her... The postage stamp said July 13th, and today is the twenty fifth. Normally it takes seven to ten days, I guess they must have taken a Tuesday off here or there too for it to have taken 12days.

The other card was from a teenage boy I met who was here as part of a group from a church in Indiana. I had never met this kid before, I am not sure that I ever will again (you never really know though) and he writes some of the most thoughtful words I have heard in a long time.
Here is a little of what he wrote to me:

"Thanks for being such an encouragement to me this week. You added a lot of great memories to this trip. I was inspired by your passion for God and your knowledge of the Bible and of India. You also had many great stories..."

Well, Evan, I would like to say thank you for your thank you. I was not expecting something from you or anyone in the group but your kind gesture meant a lot to me. It was not sought or asked for but you freely gave of your time to write me that thoughtful card. Thanks bro. Hope your time in Thailand is fruitful and you continue to grow in to the amazing young man that I can see you are already becoming.

Evan if you are reading this I have just one question... Is there Internet???

CROWD

Do you remember when you were in elementary school or maybe even junior high (or perhaps last week), when there was one kid or maybe a group of kids that would get some kind of cool gadget and soon everyone had it or at least wanted it. Yeah, they call that crowd mentality. Crowds draw crowds.

Most of us, perhaps even all of us, are part of some kind of crowd, Seth Godin would call it your "tribe". Your tribe gives you a sense of an identity, it shapes your worldview. One man alone does not a crowd (or tribe) make. But when many people gather around one man, or one idea, or one worldview, or (insert point of self identity), then for better or worse you have a tribe.

Some will fight viciously to preserve their tribe because this is what gives them a sense of identity and purpose. In places in the world where your tribe is your family, it is not uncommon to see bloody feuds continue for decades. In America it is not quite this bad, usually; but our crowd is still very important to us. This video has been circulating around the internet for a while but it helps make my point. If you have not see it yet, you have to watch to the end.

When you consider the crowd that you are a part of, do you think about what people outside of the crowd think of your crowd? What do you do to attract outsiders?

It has been said that the Church is one of the few institutions that exists for those who are not a part of it. Even though this is true, the reality is that the Church has not always acted this way.

When Jesus walked the earth there were throngs of people who followed him, to the point where a few times he had to sneak away in order to have some peace and quiet. Do you know of any place where people thronged to church?

The funny thing is, tribes are being formed everyday, and crowds are thronging to them.

Some observations on Crowds based on the above video:

1. The crowd you belong to determines the person you are becoming.
2. People follow passion.
3. One passionate individual can draw a crowd but that does not mean he knows what he is doing.
4. No one wants be a part of a crowd that is not excited about what they are doing.
5. One passionate person who thinks he is drawing a crowd, but is standing alone is just an idiot on the side of a hill.
6. When one idiot on the side of a hill is surrounded by people, he is suddenly cool.
7. Always have a video camera with you
8. It is easier to act out when you are surrounded by people who are acting out.
9. If this guy can draw a crowd why can't you?
10. In the moments before they thronged the lone dancer, what do you think was going through the mind of those people who sat and watched him.

What is keeping you from doing something so unique that people might stare at you for a while... before joining you?


Just a Meandering Thought...