Permission To Manage Your Career

Permission To Manage Your Career Since last Monday Ive been giving presentations on using tools for job search and career management (and even social marketing). Im amazed at the percentage of people who are really, really new to this stuff.   A lot of people have known about tools, and even the tactics and strategies, for managing their own career, being CEO of Me, Inc., and proactively creating their own job security (which Ill refer to as income security). But knowing about and implementing are two different things.   Like when I knew about my lawnmower problem, but sat on it for years, and one day I pulled the pliers out and fixed an uber-frustrating issue in just five minutes that made mowing my lawn a much better experience. Or knowing about a problem with the door knob on my front door which frustrated just about everyone who ever touched it.   After years, I finally had that fixed. Or knowing about my intense dislike for my dress shoes, which were either uncomfortable or scuffed to the point of embarrassing (and not professional).   I finally made myself do one of the things I loathe, which is shop for shoes for myself.   I found a brand and style that Im in love with and doubt Ill ever (EVER) buy another brand. The fixes for our little problems are usually quick, easy and affordable.   But for some reason we put them off for years, living with the frustration.   Is it because we like the pain and anguish? I have no idea. My coach taught me something simple: I have the answers, I know what should be done, but I was just waiting around for someone to give me permission to do it.   How silly is that? So today, I give you permission. I give you permission to get on LinkedIn, and have a career management strategy.   If you want to figure out what a LinkedIn Strategy is, come on over to the LinkedIn blog. I give you permission to go to a face-to-face networking event this month. I never did because I thought I would be cheating on my company (the very same company that pink-slipped me). I give you permission to take a few hours and update your resume. I give you permission to read a networking book that will change your life (The first book I recommend is Never Eat Alone). I give you permission to _____________________________.   Im not sure what it is for you, but I bet you know. Finally, I give you permission to give yourself permission for all of those little things that need to be resolved.   You are an adult you dont need to wait for someone else to come along and say its okay to make the necessary change. Do it.   Be empowered. I give you permission! Permission To Manage Your Career Since last Monday Ive been giving presentations on using tools for job search and career management (and even social marketing). Im amazed at the percentage of people who are really, really new to this stuff.   A lot of people have known about tools, and even the tactics and strategies, for managing their own career, being CEO of Me, Inc., and proactively creating their own job security (which Ill refer to as income security). But knowing about and implementing are two different things.   Like when I knew about my lawnmower problem, but sat on it for years, and one day I pulled the pliers out and fixed an uber-frustrating issue in just five minutes that made mowing my lawn a much better experience. Or knowing about a problem with the door knob on my front door which frustrated just about everyone who ever touched it.   After years, I finally had that fixed. Or knowing about my intense dislike for my dress shoes, which were either uncomfortable or scuffed to the point of embarrassing (and not professional).   I finally made myself do one of the things I loathe, which is shop for shoes for myself.   I found a brand and style that Im in love with and doubt Ill ever (EVER) buy another brand. The fixes for our little problems are usually quick, easy and affordable.   But for some reason we put them off for years, living with the frustration.   Is it because we like the pain and anguish? I have no idea. My coach taught me something simple: I have the answers, I know what should be done, but I was just waiting around for someone to give me permission to do it.   How silly is that? So today, I give you permission. I give you permission to get on LinkedIn, and have a career management strategy.   If you want to figure out what a LinkedIn Strategy is, come on over to the LinkedIn blog. I give you permission to go to a face-to-face networking event this month. I never did because I thought I would be cheating on my company (the very same company that pink-slipped me). I give you permission to take a few hours and update your resume. I give you permission to read a networking book that will change your life (The first book I recommend is Never Eat Alone). I give you permission to _____________________________.   Im not sure what it is for you, but I bet you know. Finally, I give you permission to give yourself permission for all of those little things that need to be resolved.   You are an adult you dont need to wait for someone else to come along and say its okay to make the necessary change. Do it.   Be empowered. I give you permission! Permission To Manage Your Career Since last Monday Ive been giving presentations on using tools for job search and career management (and even social marketing). Im amazed at the percentage of people who are really, really new to this stuff.   A lot of people have known about tools, and even the tactics and strategies, for managing their own career, being CEO of Me, Inc., and proactively creating their own job security (which Ill refer to as income security). But knowing about and implementing are two different things.   Like when I knew about my lawnmower problem, but sat on it for years, and one day I pulled the pliers out and fixed an uber-frustrating issue in just five minutes that made mowing my lawn a much better experience. Or knowing about a problem with the door knob on my front door which frustrated just about everyone who ever touched it.   After years, I finally had that fixed. Or knowing about my intense dislike for my dress shoes, which were either uncomfortable or scuffed to the point of embarrassing (and not professional).   I finally made myself do one of the things I loathe, which is shop for shoes for myself.   I found a brand and style that Im in love with and doubt Ill ever (EVER) buy another brand. The fixes for our little problems are usually quick, easy and affordable.   But for some reason we put them off for years, living with the frustration.   Is it because we like the pain and anguish? I have no idea. My coach taught me something simple: I have the answers, I know what should be done, but I was just waiting around for someone to give me permission to do it.   How silly is that? So today, I give you permission. I give you permission to get on LinkedIn, and have a career management strategy.   If you want to figure out what a LinkedIn Strategy is, come on over to the LinkedIn blog. I give you permission to go to a face-to-face networking event this month. I never did because I thought I would be cheating on my company (the very same company that pink-slipped me). I give you permission to take a few hours and update your resume. I give you permission to read a networking book that will change your life (The first book I recommend is Never Eat Alone). I give you permission to _____________________________.   Im not sure what it is for you, but I bet you know. Finally, I give you permission to give yourself permission for all of those little things that need to be resolved.   You are an adult you dont need to wait for someone else to come along and say its okay to make the necessary change. Do it.   Be empowered. I give you permission!