What Can Recruiters Learn from the Wolf of Wall Street

What Can Recruiters Learn from the Wolf of Wall Street The Wolf of Wall Street tells the story of the highs, lows and copious excesses of Wall Street Brokers. So what can we learn from it as recruiters? Know why you work in recruitment: Protagonist Jordan’s boss, Mark Hanna, says he became a stockbroker for ‘hookers and blow’. The chances are such enticements probably weren’t at the top of your list when considering  recruitment, but it is valuable to remember why you decided to work in the industry, and keep your  goals and game-plan in mind. It is all too easy to lose sight of what you are working for, and get  pulled off course by side-shows and distractions. Learn the art of the sale: The incredible pitch Jordan delivers to win his first pink sheet sale is just a beautiful example of using  your vocal pitch and tone together with your body language, even over the phone, to convey your  message in the right way. Couple this with the ‘system’ of sales that Jordan creates in order to make  a top flight salesman of anyone. In fact, Jordan Belfort still makes great money today selling exactly  that sales system as a training and development course. This is one of the few positive lessons that the film can offer to us as recruiters. At the heart of our  trade lies the ability to sell â€" to take an excellent product that you believe in, and communicate the  benefits of it to a customer in a way that compels them to engage. The art of the sale is exactly that,  and wise recruiters will never stop learning and refining their sales techniques. Hire friends with care: Jordan and Donnie set up a boiler room, recruiting their friends in the process. We may not all get  up to the opulent high-jinx of the Stratton Oakmont party boys. But you can see that what happened  on their ‘tour’, stayed on tour. And this kind of camaraderie leads to a high level of mutual trust, but  always remember, as much as you may go out of your way to protect your brothers, don’t assume  that they will always do the same for themselves. Sometimes a persons level of self preservation  is higher than their level of ‘brotherhood’. Don’t put your friends in a position where they have to  choose between you and themselves. You wouldn’t want them to do it to you. That said, I firmly believe that the family that plays together, stays together, and this can build a  great work and play ethic in a recruitment organisation. This can translate very well into a powerful  working environment, where a bit of closeness coupled with some healthy competition can really  drive those who want to achieve that bit further. Publicity: As Stratton Oakmont, Jordan and Donnie’s ‘business’ takes off, Jordan enjoys media attention, but  gets angry when Forbes Magazine writes a critical piece, calling him the ‘Wolf of Wall Street’. His  wife claims the old adage, there being no such thing as poor publicity, however, in recruitment, bad  publicity can affect our chances of success. Maintain your personal brand but in an authentic and  genuine way â€" by delivering excellent service and consistent value to your customers. Money: Jordan simply cares about making money. But always remember money is simply a tool to  facilitating the life we want to have, not the ultimate purpose itself. Money it just little pieces of  paper, its what those pieces of paper represent that you are working for. Such as enough money to  take three exotic holidays per year, or to buy a supercar, or to pay for your children to go to the best  schools, or to work with or donate to charity. Whatever would actually make you feel like you are  living your life, rather than working to exist, it is good and healthy to know what your life goals and  plans are, and never lose sight of them, and recruitment is a great industry to help you achieve your  personal financial goals and enable you to take control of your life. Author:  Alison Mulligan is Senior Account Manager at  Maximus IT  with 16 years experience in recruitment.

The Anatomy of Love 4 Signs that youre in the Wrong Relationship

The Anatomy of Love 4 Signs that you’re in the Wrong Relationship Relationships are complicated, and even the best ones require a great deal of compromise and negotiation. Having conflict is not, on its own, a reason to end a relationship that is otherwise healthy. Wrong relationships are different. They are overwhelmed with issues that feel too big to fix. At The Anatomy of Love, we believe that not every relationship is meant to last, and that it is always better to be alone than to stick with the wrong partner. Here are 4 signs that your relationship is wrong for you. You want to change yourself In general, a good relationship makes you feel happy, content, and self-assured. In a bad relationship, many people’s instinct is to try to fix the problem by becoming someone else. If you feel insecure, overly needy, unusually distant, or like there is something wrong with you, your relationship might to be to blame. Of course, every relationship ebbs and flows. People in healthy relationships are often eager to smooth out the rough edges and become the best version of themselves that they can be, while people in unhealthy relationships sometimes feel supported in a particular aspect of their personality. To decide what is really going on, look at overall trends. Do you generally feel better or worse about yourself than you did before the relationship began? Do you feel that your partner genuinely cares for you as a person, or do you feel like a fix-it project? You want to change your partner Some people are in love with the idea of being in love, and create an idealised image of their partner that is far from the reality. If this applies in your life, you might actively try to fix that person, to mold him or her into your ideal. Or you might downplay serious behaviour flaws in your mind, justifying them as minor quirks in an otherwise perfect partner. It is normal for even the healthiest couples to wish they could change certain things about each other. However, these are generally small but annoying behaviours such as leaving the toilet seat up or not loading the dishwasher. When you are with the right partner, that person’s overall personality, belief system, and ways of dealing with the world feel right. You are proud of your partner and genuinely happy to share your life with the person he or she is. If you are with the wrong partner, however, you might constantly feel like you need to apologise for him or her. You probably spend a lot of time feeling irritated or sad, and wish that things were different. Your loved ones don’t approve In general, our friends and family want us to be happy. They accept our partners readily, even if they don’t fully agree with our choices. If you are in a good relationship, your loved ones will see the happiness it brings, and will support your decision to work through issues that arise. If you are with the wrong partner, your friends and family will know it. They will see the effects of the relationship on your happiness and self-esteem, and will make their feelings known. Taking one person’s advice can be dicey, as everyone looks at life through the lens of their own experiences. If several people from different backgrounds are all telling you the same thing, however, you might want to listen to what they have to say. You wonder if the relationship is wrong In love, as in much of life, your gut instinct is generally correct. Everyone has moments of doubt, even in the most solid relationships. When you are with the wrong partner, though, your gut brain is working overtime. You might find yourself mulling over the relationship during quiet moments, even when things are going well on the surface. You might think about past partners or wonder what it would be like to date a friend. When doubts surface, take a moment to analyse them and note them for future reference. Passing thoughts are normal, but if the same issues arise again and again in your mind, it is worth paying attention to them. You might come to realise that the relationship is no longer healthy. Looking for verifiable information on the science of attraction and relationships? We’re a neuroscientist and a biological anthropologist eager to help you put The Anatomy of Love to work in your own life.

On the Job by Anita Bruzzese What Submariners Can Teach You About Doing the Job Right

On the Job by Anita Bruzzese What Submariners Can Teach You About Doing the Job Right A major flaw in our system of government, and even in industry, is the latitude allowed to do less than is necessary. Admiral Hyman G. Rickover, father of the nuclear U.S. Navy Most of us realize it takes a special kind of person to be a submariner, confined for months at a time deep beneath the ocean with about 140 other people. The up-close-and personal nature of living and working in such tight quarters is not the only challenge: every persons life depends on the other crew members. If work isnt done right every single time, it could lead to dangers that someone in a cubicle might never face. Thats why the submarine environment provides such a good example of how to get things right, says Matthew Digeronimo, co-author of Extreme Operational Excellence: Applying the U.S. Nuclear Submarine Culture to Your Organization. Digeronimo and co-author Bob Koonce are both former submariners who now use their talents to help private industries succeed. In their book, they quote Hyman G. Rickover in a 1981 speech at Columbia University. In that address, Rickover provided some insight into the seeds of the nuclear U.S. Navys journey toward operational excellence, they write. Some insights from Rickover: Human experience shows that people, not organizations or management systems, get things done. For this reason, subordinates must be given authority and responsibility early in their careers. Too often officials are willing to accept and adapt to situations they know to be wrong. Unless the individual truly responsible can be identified when something goes wrong, no one has really been responsible. When details are ignored, the project fails. No infusion of policy or lofty ideals can then correct the situation. Digeronimo says Rickovers words need to be heeded by more companies, especially as businesses race to make changes they hope will make them more competitive. I do think some unsuccessful businesses are changing just to change, and they really make things worse than before, he says. The plan may look good on PowerPoint or in the boardroom, but it doesnt translate well. The authors say there are several ways that companies can adopt a submarine culture on dry land that willlead to operational excellence. Among their suggestions: Continuous learning The nuclear submarine community is comprised of those who volunteer for the duty. They have to meet tough academic standards, survive boot camp and then go through months and months of intense training. Even after graduating from Nuclear Power School, academic training continues and everyone on board a submarine is actively working on a qualification to prepare for the next level of responsibility. While civilian operations are not likely to need as robust of a training and education program, it does point to the need for knowledge to be theunderpinning of operational excellence,the authors say. Training programs should prevent knowledge decay and push the bounds of each members (read more here)

10 Questions for Fitness Guru Coach Kimmy

10 Questions for Fitness Guru Coach Kimmy Last Wednesday I was given the opportunity to interview the twin Cuce Shoes Sisters about the secret to their success in partnering with the NFL. On Friday night, a friend asked me for some fitness advice to shake up her same old same old treadmill routine. Maybe I was still buzzing from interviewing girls who love football and shoes as much as I do, or maybe I burst with pride whenever I think of my sister, or, fine, maybe it was the wine, but I got the  idea to ask my sister, a personal trainer and nutrition counselor, for help answering my friends question. Sure, I had run cross country and track throughout high school and could offer her workout directon  on fartleks and tempo runs, but Coach Kimmy’s story is far more interesting and her social brand far more engaging than a link to some speed day training regimes. This is the story of how my older sister Kimmy left her job at the  countrys most gracious and dynamic fitness, sports and dining facility  in the city of Chicago and started doing what she loved. This is the story of how she started her business, Coach Kimmy, offering personal training and themed kid’s boot camps. How did Coach Kimmy come to life? I had been working full time at East Bank Club for 8 years as a Director and I felt like I wasn’t living up to my full potential. I knew I had more to offer so I decided to step away from my salaried position to work with people on a one on one basis. That is where I feel most passionate â€"motivating individuals and small groups instead of working with huge groups. Working with clients on their goals gives me the best feeling. What was biggest challenge in starting your own business? The biggest challenge was acquiring clients â€" whether it was training adults or getting kids to sign up for themed boot camps. My family and I moved out of Chicago to the suburbs not knowing anyone. Getting the word of mouth going about who I am and what I do was the major hurdle. Being extroverted definitely helped because I am not scared to go up to people and introduce myself. What is your biggest accomplishment thus far? Being able to spend time with my family and spend time doing what I love without having to sacrifice too much of either one. I am not stuck at a desk 40 hours a week instead I get to make my own schedule and decide to take on as much as I want. If my kids want to go on a field trip, I can rearrange my schedule that day to go without having to take a full day off of work. Where do you get your fitness/lifestyle inspiration? Not really from anybody. I do my own thing and know what works for me. 4. bonus. Really?! Well have you always been this way? Yes, I have always been driven and athletic so I think that it probably goes back to playing tennis in my childhood. From a young age I was such a competitive athlete in swimming and tennis and I just knew to excel that it takes dedication, hours, and practice, and that has carried through as an adult. What’s your favorite workout? Heavy weights combined with High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT)  moves  like burpees, mountain climbers, sprints, etc. I like mixing everything together to make it as challenging as possible. Winter is coming…what are the best treadmill workouts for runners? The best are those that are under 25 minutes including a warm-up and cool down â€" in the middle of the warm-up and cool down are those hard working 18 minutes. 18 minutes is really all you need when you are pushing it to your full max. That is my thing. If you don’t feel like you got a good work out in 25 minutes, then you’re not doing it right. It can be done. You should be cashed. Author note: Here is one of my favorites from Coach Kimmy’s facebook page. Her time 17:34 1.72mi was tough to beat! Warm-up for 0.2 miles Regular running pace for 0.5 miles Walk/recovery pace for 0.1 miles ?Fast running pace for 0.4 miles? Walk/recovery pace for 0.1 miles? Faster running pace for 0.3 miles? Walk/recovery pace for 0.1 miles? Sprint pace for 0.2 miles? Walk/recovery pace for 0.1 miles? Final sprint/everything youve got for 0.1 miles.? See how much you can spike your heart rate as well as how quickly you can recover during the 0.1mile recovery. The more significant the drop, the better!! Favorite indulgence? Brie. I eat it every day so I don’t know if that counts as an indulgence! But because I workout as hard as I do every day, I get to eat Brie. #1 most important nutrition advice? Always eat protein with every meal. What book are you currently reading? Fast Girl: A Life Spent Running From Madness by Suzie Favor Hamilton. How do you take your coffee? I brew it at home the night before. And then in the morning I drink it black, iced in a huge mason jar. Want more Coach Kimmy Inspo? You can see her workout challenges, ask questions, and get craft inspirations by connecting with her on Facebook. My name is Kelly. I am a columnist for MsCareerGirl and also Coach Kimmys  little sister! I attempted  to be as objective as possible in our interviewit was kinda hard since she is such a badass. A  year ago I could not do one pull-up. On Monday I did 50. Thank you for inspiring me, Kimama. Love, Kellbelle. Columnist Archive

How to Write a Resume That Will Help You Enter the Job Market

How to Write a Resume That Will Help You Enter the Job MarketThere are many different reasons why you may want to write a resume that will help you enter the job market. Often times, it is a mistake to just write a resume that has an easy to read layout and lists the jobs you have held. When you are trying to get a job, it is important to provide a well thought out description of your past work history, along with all the education and certifications that you have received.Many people are not aware that it takes more than just having a basic knowledge in order to be hired. You should always make sure that you use words that describe you and your skills. It is a good idea to write as much as possible when preparing a resume so that it stands out from the rest.One common error that people make is that they will list a bunch of hobbies on their resume, and in turn, it makes them look unprofessional. People need to know what you enjoy doing most, so do not list any hobbies that you do no t enjoy. If you are able to show that you are willing to change your hobbies into something you enjoy doing, then that is a very effective way to show that you are flexible.It is important to always come across as a professional, and to always make sure that you portray yourself in a way that makes a good impression. Sometimes it is a good idea to try to use some very professional sounding phrases on your resume. This can make you look like an expert, which is usually a good thing to have on your side when searching for a job.Having a good eye for detail is a huge key for being hired. When you are trying to sell yourself to a potential employer, you want to be able to show them exactly what you are capable of. It does not make sense to state that you are an excellent writer if you cannot give examples of what you have written for your previous employers.Resume writing for entering the job market can be done easily online, and you can use templates that have been created for this pur pose. However, you should take a look at as many as you can. By studying several different resume templates, you will find that you can quickly come up with a resume that will stand out from the rest.The worst thing that you can do is to go by what looks best. You should be able to make a strong impression on a potential employer by having a resume that has been properly written. In addition, having a professional looking resume that you have professionally written can really set you apart from the rest of the competition.Your resume should speak to your goals for the future, as well as what you are qualified to do. In order to give you a better chance of getting hired, your resume should be professional looking, but it should also be something that you are proud of. It is always better to do a little research on resume writing for entering the job market before you begin.

Successful People Who Love Their Work The 4 Damaging Moves They Avoid - Kathy Caprino

Successful People Who Love Their Work The 4 Damaging Moves They Avoid Being a researcher at heart, I love to explore key trends that reflect the deepest challenges professionals face. And if I can, I like to distill down to the bare essentials the vital lessons that successful professionals and career changers have gleaned from their respective journeys. People who have built amazing careers and work-lives of significance that they love, and who find their livelihoods immensely rewarding both emotionally and financially â€" have a lot to teach us. Those lessons include how to avoid the four  most limiting actions that so often lead to unfulfilling or even disastrous job and career moves. Successful professionals avoid these four moves: Attaching to the expectation that your new direction should guarantee happiness  for your entire lifetime. People get so stuck and confused â€" and take the wrong steps  â€"  when they operate with the hope or expectation that the next move has to meet their needs and wants until the day they die. Forget about that. If you’re like me and the vast majority of people I’ve ever met, you will change and grow so much in the next 20 years, that you won’t even recognize yourself. It’s completely unrealistic (and crazy-making) to wait until you think you’ve found the one move that will make you happy for the next 50 years. As an example, the very things I strove so hard to achieve in my 20’s and 30’s â€" trying to gain more and more responsibility and higher levels of corporate success â€" are completely unappealing to me now. I’m so much happier, healthier and more fulfilled (and earn more money) in my own business, developing my own programs and services, and marketing resources that I feel have a genuine impact, rather than supporting corporate objectives that felt meaningless (or worse) to me. Successful people who love their work focus on making the one move that will create the most happiness and reward now and in the next chapter (say, for five  years). Go for that direction with gusto, and give it your all. If you continually commit to doing what you need to do in order thrive  today, while also planting the seeds for your future self, you’ll head in the right direction. Tip:  Determine your  true, authentic action style,  and focus on career moves that will help you leverage and honor that style and your  deepest values. That’s the pathway to success, if you do it in the right way. Always going for the “safe” thing, not the thrilling thing. Passion has somehow because a dirty word in our professional world, but I disagree with that wholeheartedly, and so do the thousands of people who live for their work, see great significance and value in its impact, and love it every day. Passion is what you need to weather the harsh challenges. Passion is what will drive you to succeed against all odds, and keep you going when all else fails you. Passion (the kind that is aligned with your authentic values and beliefs) looks like this: thrill + commitment = impact. “Safe” career moves, on the other hand, almost never get you where you really want to be in the long run, for two core reasons: 1. Nothing outside of you is truly “safe.” No job, employer, organization, direction, etc. is foolproof or change-resistant. Your industry or your job function can literally disappear overnight or in a few short years, even though you were sure it was “safe.”  I learned that first-hand after the tragedies of 9/11. A huge part of the business I worked for was focused on travel, and it was instantly flattened. 2. Safe doesn’t allow for growth, and growth towards our highest potential is what makes us happiest and most fulfilled. Yes, stretching out of our comfort zones is scary. But I’ve found there are two types of stretching â€" one that leaves you disappointed and one that brings you higher: • Doing something “scary” that conventional society expects of you (like asking for a big promotion, or taking a more senior “desk job” because it’s the “responsible” path) vs. • Doing the one brave thing that thrills and scares you  to expect of yourself Do the latter and your career moves will keep pointing you in the right direction. The most profoundly impactful, productive and inspiring contributors and professionals have braved up in a big way, and continually pursue what they authentically believe is their own highest peak, not someone else’s. They don’t worry about conventional thinking and “brules.” They go for what thrills their hearts, minds and spirits. Tip:  Identify the three most thrilling and juicy directions, then research thoroughly what it would take to assume the professional identity required of these directions. Don’t leave one stone unturned. Research, shadow, intern, volunteer, contribute, run a project â€" try it on in every way possible, like a suit of clothes.  Understand deeply what these directions would mean and demand of you. Then choose the one that fits the best with who you are and what you value, need and desire. Asking the absolute wrong people for advice. Those who have tremendous success and joy in their work surround themselves with the right supporters, advisers, advocates and ambassadors who lift them up. Countless other professionals try to get help in their careers, but often ask the wrong people. They ask their spouses, their friends, bosses, family members, even mentors whom they think will aid them. But many of these individuals turn out not to be the best advisors. Why? Because they haven’t taken the right steps in their own lives and careers to reach their highest potential, and don’t know how to advise you correctly toward reaching your visions. Here’s how to know who to ask for help: 1. Are they thrilled with what they’re personally doing? 2. Can they offer advice that isn’t just about how they did it, but that will help you (with your unique style) become the best version of yourself? 3. Can they get behind what you’re trying to do, even if they have fears and judgments about it? 4. Do you feel they know and respect the real you (not just the public facade you present)? Many family members and friends are threatened by a huge shake-up in the status quo. They may be intimated by or even jealous of what you’re trying to do, and so they offer advice (subconsciously) aimed to keep you playing smaller than you dream to. Tip:  Find five mentors who are doing what you dream to do, whom you admire, not only for what they’re doing, but how they’re doing it. Ask if you can connect with them and learn more about their trajectories, and what they did that was bold and scary, to get there. Look at the “power gaps” they’ve overcome. But don’t reach out to a total stranger â€"  follow these key steps  to finding the right kind of mentors, advocates and sponsors who are already in your sphere. If you have no one in your immediate world who fits that bill, expand your horizons and grow your community. Leaping to another direction to heal your wounds. Successful people who adore their work and are amply rewarded in it don’t just “arrive” there. All through their lives and their professional journeys, they’ve been brave enough to recognize their internal demons, and jumped in the cage with them, facing them head on. This past year, I had a revelation â€" I saw that a full one fifth of my Amazing Career Project course members who are struggling in their careers have had experiences in childhood that severely damaged their self-esteem. Those who’ve suffered at the hands of narcissistic parents are particularly vulnerable, and need a different kind of support to fulfill their career and life dreams. I’ve started working with a larger number of  adult children of narcissists  who’ve suddenly learned that the challenges they’re experiencing at work are stemming directly from the dysfunction, hurt, pain and damaged self-confidence they suffered at the hands of narcissistic parents. This is a stunningly painful discovery â€" that the bad stuff you thought was happening “to” you randomly is actually something that you’ve unconsciously and repeatedly attracted into your life and career. I’ve discovered too what I call  The Pendulum Effect  â€" the experience of getting to a point where you simply can’t stand your work one more minute, so â€" like a pendulum â€" you swing to what you think is the farthest point away from what you’re doing now. I lived the Pendulum Effect. After a brutal layoff in the days following 9/11, I was sick and tired of feeling terrible, and I ran away from corporate life and earned a Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy and launched a practice as a therapist. It was a life-changing experience and I’m so very grateful I did it, and I use every one of the skills I learned in my work today. But, in the end, living the life of a therapist wasn’t my ideal professional role and was very challenging in a number of critical ways.  (I didn’t know then about the need to research and “try on” a new direction as fully as possible, to ensure it’s a great fit before you put all your eggs in that basket.) After pivoting once again and pursuing running my own business as a coach/consultant/trainer, I’ve found the ultimate path for me. The mistake I made was thinking that being a therapist would magically solve all my problems and heal all the personal and professional pain from the past. It couldn’t and it didn’t.  Sadly, the same toxic challenges I had faced in corporate life re-emerged five years later in my new profession, until I finally figured it out. Tip:  Look at what you dislike most in your work, and endeavor to change it  now. Most folks don’t want to hear that â€" they just want to run so the pain will vanish.  I promise, if you run away, you’ll find yourself staring directly in the face of the same problems that made you flee. Take a good long look at what’s happening â€" at the patterns you’re recreating, the toxic relationships you’re hooking into, the boring work you can’t escape, the bad boss who devalues you every day, the customers and clients who treat you poorly, the money you can’t seem to make, etc. â€" and make a dramatic change in yourself so you operate differently in the world. When you do, these damaging experiences need never happen again. Finally, your work success and reward will grow without limit. To build the best, happiest career for you, join my online course The Amazing Career Project (enrollment ends Sept. 23!).

Whats Your Excuse for Not Seeking a Better Career Fit - Hire Imaging

What’s Your Excuse for Not Seeking a Better Career Fit - Hire Imaging We’ve all heard the proverbial excuse statement by the student who’s not ready. “The dog ate my homework.” We probably know a child who has uttered a series of reasons not to take a nap. The person who rationalizes not getting to a decluttering project, taxes, and yes, finding better work, defined simply as work that you think will make you happier (for whatever reason). Employed folks want to transition for a myriad of reasons. And yet, they are often stuck. Many of my clients come to me to help them get unstuck. Part of the process sometimes is to break down the excuses for inertia on their part. Here are just a few of the “why-I-cannot reasons” I’ve heard over the years. And my responses. I Can’t Excuse #1: I can’t do anything else. I don’t have other skills. I feel lucky to have my present job, even though I don’t really like it. I’m afraid of losing it. I might not be that lucky again. Barb: Transferable skills! Dig into your career stories  for where you did similar things. Where else could you use them? Have you looked at low-cost training to sharpen or add new skills for new work? I Can’t Excuse #2: I hate rejection. I don’t want to put myself in a situation where I’ll be turned away. Why walk into a closed door? I already lack confidence! Barb: In job search, YOU are doing the choosing; not the other way around. Take back your power! Connect with folks; gather information; let the rest take its course. And ask yourself, “What is the worst that can happen?” So, you hear “no”. Okay. On to the next one. There’s a yes in there. I Can’t Excuse #3: I’m too old for change. I don’t have the fire or energy to tackle today’s search. And it’s awkward to say I’m not happy at work at this stage. Barb: One is never too old  for new challenges. Changing work is not the declaration of an offender, but the spirit of an adventurer who has something wonderful to offer, and wants to contribute where there’s a need. I Can’t Excuse #4: The other might be worse. I’m miserable at work, but at least I know what to expect. It’s secure. What if I jump into something even more draining? In a headstrong way, I’m comfortable. Barb: Give yourself permission to create a passport, explore the other side of the grass. What’s out there? What are folks doing? If you don’t like what you see, stay “home”. Risk is part of the deal. But it is inevitably the “never trieds”  we regret at the end. I Can’t Excuse #5: It’s not that bad.  My job is tolerable. I don’t look forward to Mondays, but I can stand it. Others have it worse. Why shouldn’t I bear some pain too? Barb: When will it hurt enough? When your family and friends talk about the calm, nice and likeable person you used to be? Do you have to settle? If not, why are you? I Can’t Excuse #6: I don’t want to rock the boat. My life is predictable and comfortable, even if not exciting. I don’t want to change my family’s routine. Certainly not a move or change to their security. Barb: Sometimes the emotional health of you and your family may be more important than a financial adjustment, move to a new place  or change in schedules. Ask those you care about. They may have been waiting for a signal. They may be much more supportive  than you imagined. Career transition can be very therapeutic, a wonderful exercise in introspection peppered heavily with detective work and exploration. Whether your search brings you back to where you are or takes you to new opportunities, well, enjoy the journey of I can. No excuses needed.  Photo: anna gutermuth