In Chapter 558 of “How the various areas and interests in my life continually intersect”, we explore the book proposal as a general planning tool.
I’m working on a couple of books at the moment. I have planned from the start to self-publish both, but this article from Writers Weekly’s newsletter made me start rethinking my approach to working on them.
It also sparked another train of thought. It occurs to me that the book proposal would also make for a great pre-business plan planning tool. In fact, I might even explore it as a business tool. When you really think about it, a book proposal is a sort of business plan for a book; it’s just intended for a wider audience.
I’m going to have to explore this and see what comes of it. Perhaps use it to organize and firm up my jewelry business plans.
Posted by Rebecca as Changing careers, Freelancing, Entrepreneurship at 8:19 AM EDT
No Comments »
The Business Opportunities Weblog recently shared a post on the nine types of entrepreneurs.
Despite all of my attempts to sabotage myself, I think I’m actually a blend of the adviser, builder/creator, and the communicator/trainer. I’m looking to build my corner of the world around my teaching, writing, and artistic capabilities, each of which come fairly easily to me. When I remember that, it helps to still the negative voices in my head looking to stop me routinely.
Take a look at the corner of the world you’re trying to claim. What kind of entrepreneur are you trying to be in your own little corner?
Posted by Rebecca as Entrepreneurship at 8:12 AM EDT
No Comments »
Can’t afford a professional resume writer? Don’t have the time to have someone help look over your resume for you? Why not do it yourself by following this useful checklist provided by Monster?
The tips on this list are pretty timeless. The majority of them have been mainstays in nearly every resume writing resource for years.
The decision to interview you is often based entirely on a brief glance at your resume. It’s in your best interests to make it look as clean and professional as you can!
Posted by Rebecca as Changing careers at 7:46 AM EDT
No Comments »
A few months ago, we had to take this perosnality test that showed all twleve of us had nearly identical personality. It was supposed to demonstrate our communication style, too, so that we would have an easier time relating to each other. Theoretically, whatever your top response was also governed your communication style. On me, that theory fell completely apart. My communication style matched my lowest response instead.
The directors read the description for that style and then started mimicking me. You see, I ask a lot of questions. When something doesn’t make sense, i ask. When something is unfamilair, I ask. When something is contradictory, I ask. It almost amuses my directors.
Asking questions is one of those things someone really needs to know. Asking questions help out in many ways. They clarify policies and procedures. They point out outdated policies in need of a revamp or removal. They help clarify thoughts. They can set definitions for vague projects, and offer potetnially better ways to accomplish tasks.
If you aren’t asking questions, maybe you should start. Don’t be afraid of being labelled a troublemaker. The more questions you ask, the better you will get a tasking the right questions, and then people will be grateful you’re asking so many questions!
Posted by Rebecca as Skill building at 7:36 AM EDT
No Comments »
I tend to keep records of time spent on tasks on my own. Actually, that not true. I note my start time in my head, and then when I finish, I post the task as an event in my calendar, filed under the proper activity category and subcalendar. I also maintain two to-do lists (a full one for the day, and a smaller section of it on the whiteboard right in front of my nose) to keep me moving throughout the day.
It’s all a bit cumbersome to run through, but so far it’s worked fairly well for keeping me on task and moving through my massive to-do lists.
A pair of personal management tools might make things a bit simpler for me, though. Mathemagenic recently pointed to SlimTimer and RememberTheMilk as tools to help people manage specifically their GTD lists, but I think they could probably work on any task management system.
I may try to give them a try in the next couple of weeks, but first I really need to get my work load under control so I have time to learn.
Posted by Rebecca as Organizing at 8:03 AM EDT
2 Comments »
Hopefully, if you read this blog for any period of time, you know one of my interests is helping people make smooth transitions between careers. I know I’ve gone on (at great lengths sometimes) about ways to help yourself move to a new field, but Monster has been kind enough to create this concise guide that includes not only the topics I nomrally talk about, but also asks you to consider the company environment you would feel most productive on.
I don’t think I’ve really addressed this one, but the company itself should be an important consideration in your move. If you know you prefer smaller or larger businesses, then look at how you can best prepare yourself to meet their needs. Knowing what type of company culture you flourish in can go a long way to making your career transition feel simpler.
Posted by Rebecca as Changing careers at 7:33 AM EDT
No Comments »
This is a topic near and dear to my heart. In college, the counselors in the career office knew me by first name. I navigated the office like it was my own home. Just the idea of exploring potential future careers excited me! I knew what I wanted to do, but I was open to alternate plans. I was slowly beocming great at helping others find what they wanted to do. I’ve acutally considered more than once becoming a career or life coach just so I can help more people.
I find myself now in a position where I’m trying to find what makes me feel fulfilled. That’s a big part of being happy in a job. You have to want to get up in the morning. You have to be excited when you tell people what you want to do. You have to feel fulfilled. Many people don’t understand that. The problem to being fulfilled, for me at least, is that I need a career that draws on my varied skills and interests. This is what makes coaching a great idea for me.
It’s also why I’m exploring instructional design. I’m currently talking to an instructional designer about the ins and outs of the profession and I’m working on graduate school applications.
If you’re feeling a bit lost and overwhelmed by the vast sea of career opportunities, you might start by reading through these articles:
Posted by Rebecca as Changing careers, self-analysis at 8:07 AM EDT
No Comments »
We’ve all seen it happen. A leader demands the respect of his subordinates while treating those same subordinates like they aren’t fit to shine his shoes. I don’t know about anyone else, but I have yet to see someone who leads in this manner be successful.
I have often found myself in charge of groups of volunteers over the past several years, mostly unintentionally. It’s been an interesting experience because when I have deliberately agreed to lead a group of volunteers, many of those who worked with me when I accidentally took charge will ask to work on my team.
When I was younger, I was utterly baffled by this phenomenon. I was even more confused when one of my volunteers, who was preparing to head up a team of volunteers at another event, told me she liked my style and had taken many notes to use when she ran her event.
It’s taken me a lot of time and self-reflection, but I’ve finally figured it out. Actually, that’s not true. Time and self-reflection left me somewhat confused. Watching other leaders around me has proven to be very revealing. I respond best to managers who show me respect; this may actually be because I treat my subordinates with respect.
When a leader treats those around him with respect, strange things happen. People do their work, and strive to do it well. People felel encouraged to come up with better solutions to problems. People feel encouraged to come up with new ideas. People develop their natural abilites to higher levels. The leader himself feels less stress because he has developed an atmosphere where people can do their work without feeling micro-managed.
Think about your own experiences. Which leaders have you thrived under? Did they encourage an atmosphere of mutual respect?
Posted by Rebecca as Leadership and management at 7:51 AM EDT
No Comments »
Monster recently shared a great article full of tips to help contractors get paid in a timely manner. One of the biggest hang-ups between me and breaking through to being a successful freelancer is my fear of dealing with the money issues. I’ve never been comfortable asking for money, and that’s how I feel when I have to deal with the sale point in a transaction.
Interestingly enough, though, I was a contractor for a local high school over the past school year. One month, the paycheck turned out to be much smaller than it should have been for the number of hours I worked. I was terrifed, but decided to ask anyway. It turned out the hold-up was a miscommunication. We got everything straightened out, but it wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t decided to ask.
You have to ask yourself which is worse: straightening things out or not paying bills. I can almost guarantee you the first is far less terrifying.
Posted by Rebecca as Freelancing at 7:56 AM EDT
No Comments »
