How Do You Want To Be Remembered?
December 13th, 2009 by Beth Kennedy
December is one of those months filled with mixed feelings for many. It is supposed to be,”The most wonderful time of the year.” For many people with this challenging economy…work has been extremely stressful and for others, job hunting…the process is more frustrating than ever.
How is a coach going to inspire individuals during this time of the year? There is a coaching exercise that is used by many life, career and leadership coaches. It is called the epitaph. The exercise is for the individual to write down how they want to be remembered at their funeral. Sounds very simplistic but can be an extremely powerful exercise. I had a Manager once change his entire staff meeting because he realized he was running the group like a Sergeant with no flexibility to anybody. I remember the session when he shared with me, the changes he made and how his employees were actually getting more done now. Imagine that! This time of the year there are many Christmas shows that remind us that we should try to focus on bringing joy to others… The Christmas Carol is a great example and another is How The Grinch Stole Christmas.
When we are going through changes…we really need to focus on what is the opportunity factor. For some of my clients out of work…I challenge them to really start that exercise program that they have dreamed about and how about getting together with some of those friends that you think about, but never make the next step.
My Father, Richard Benatti was also an entrepreneur. He ran a family owned moving business, Steinway Movers in Astoria, New York. At his wake many of his customers came and introduced themselves to me and said you would not believe the wonderful things your Dad did for me. I felt really fortunate to hear these stories but I also felt great that why he was alive, I was able to learn from his work behaviors and what he saw as success, in modeling my own business. My Dad was someone who lived a very good life and still at every family function his name will come up…with some incredible positive story!
This is the season to think of how we want to be remembered and ask ourselves the important question….How am I living my life? As Oprah says, joy should not just be for the month of December…it should be all year long! Wishing you lots of joy & the success you want!
Beth
Balance as the Holiday Season Begins
November 24th, 2009 by Beth Kennedy
I really focus on my family and my business and believe you can have a balance!! I definitely am at a point in my life where I feel that I am really living my dream!! I am my Daughter Kaitlin’s Brownie Leader and we spend November and December doing alot of community service – fruit baskets for Beverly Bootstraps for Thanksgiving and we decorate mini table top Christmas trees for the Senior Citizens in our town that do not have trees in their apt or home.
How do you find balance during the holiday season?
Beth
The Career Empowerment Summit Recharge 2009
November 14th, 2009 by Beth Kennedy
Besides having an opportunity to network and get recharged with MIckey and Minnie Mouse, I had the opportunity to attend the Career Empowerment Summit in Orlando this October. This Conference was hosted by Career Directors International. An association that I belong to which focuses on providing coaches with the latest tools, trends and technologies for success! This conference focused on empowering coaches to assist clients thrive in any economy. My clients know that I take professional development as a coach very seriously and know this is a key benefit I bring to my practice.There were many great takeaways from the conference but I chose three to focus on for this article. Social networking is important but you need to know how to have it make the best impact for your career, federal jobs will be increasing but you need to be savvy to understand the complexity of applying, and companies that are providing the flexibility that employees want are going to have a better chance at retaining key employees.
The number one career question of 2009 is, how well are you managing your Linked In profile? The two key areas are the Summary & Experience. In your Summary you should write in the first person and in short paragraphs or bullet points. Hit the highlights and keep it interesting! In your Linked In Experience section do not include everything from your resume. Write 1-3 sentences highlighting some key achievements. If your new to Linked In and need some more information our presenter Jason Alba is a great resource. Check out this website www.LInkedInForJobSeekers.com.
As we know the competition for more traditional jobs are becoming more and more competitive. Individuals really need to have a multifaceted job search and think outside the box. Exploring Federal jobs may be an option for some. Federal agencies fill their jobs like private industries do, but the application process is more complex. Most federal job vacancies can be found at www.usajobs.opm.gov. There is even a website for Senior Leadership Positions, www.seniorleaders.gov and for college students www.studentjobs.gov. You can check out how many openings are available in your state and notice there is no shortage of federal jobs. If you need a referral to a professional resume writer that focuses on federal resumes..let me know.
My final point is that with 78% of couples in the United States being dual income earners, companies need to provide flexibility to their employees or they are going to lose their top performers. On a positive note many companies and their HR departments are realizing the strategic and economic edge that addressing work – life issues can give them in the competition to attract and keep employees. Work – life balance is not a trend that is going away. The data shows that employees, both men and women, at all levels want the flexibility to manage their needs while still meeting the needs of the organization!
Is Your Job Search Your New Full-Time Job?
October 31st, 2009 by Beth Kennedy
Has your search for work become a full time activity and you are still not getting any results? Do you think of yourself now as a ‘professional job seeker’?
A Career Coach Can Help You!
Working with a career coach you can check-in and give your coach updates on your search. Your coach will provide tips on how to get through each step of your search from a resume review to providing Interviewing skills.
Staying positive and focused is one of the toughest career challenges you face when you are in a job search and a career coach can help you do that.
To ask questions and learn how coaching would work for you, set up your complimentary telephone meeting today. Your success awaits you!
You Can Begin, And End, Each Day Satisfied, Happy And Successful.
October 24th, 2009 by Beth Kennedy
- Do you want to feel passionate about your career and personal life?
- Do you want to become unstuck and move forward with confidence?
- Do you want to have more self confidence?
You Do Have A Choice!
Are you read to Spark Success? Click here.
Effective Job Networking Tips
October 10th, 2009 by Beth Kennedy
Networking is not just a one step process. It is something you should continue to do all the time. To create a trusting relationship.
Make sure you are ready and energized when you go to events to network. Think positively!
Find out more tips on how to efficiently and effectively network by viewing my Fox 25 TV interview.
Do you want to succeed in your career and life?
October 4th, 2009 by Beth Kennedy
If you missed my teleseminar you can still learn the top strategies that my clients have found most helpful to spark success.
You will learn:
1. How to improve happiness in your career and life!
2. How to enhance stress resiliency!
3. Learn the importance of being aware of your brand!
OR
How will you ‘Spark Success’ In Your Career?
September 26th, 2009 by Beth Kennedy
If you don’t know or are unsure then I would love
for you to attend my FREE teleseminar:
“5 Star Strategies to Spark Success in Your Career”
September 30, 2009
8:00 PM Eastern, 5:00 PM Pacific
You will learn:
1. Improved happiness in your career and life!
2. Enhanced stress resiliency!
3. Learn the importance of being aware of your brand!
Read more here:
http://www.bethkennedy.com/resources.html
I hope to see you on the call!
Beth
Follow Your Vision!
September 20th, 2009 by Beth Kennedy
I recently had a Director, who I am coaching; tell me about a really difficult work situation. He has been working with and for a stressful boss for a very long time. I asked him why he had never considered leaving his position. He used the saying that we all hear very often these days, “It is what it is!” We need to ask ourselves sometimes, “Do we let our career or our life lead us or do we have a direction and a vision to follow?”
Creating a personal vision statement is a great gift to give yourself. Begin by asking the following questions:
1. What do I want my life and career to look like 5 years from now?
2. What is one thing missing from my career right now?
3. What is missing from my life right now?
4. What does success mean to you?
5. What values are most important to you? i.e friends, family, passions….
Vision statements describe your unique vision of what an ideal experience in each of your life areas would look like. They tend to focus on the distant future looking forward five to ten years. They represent the ideal outcome.
A vision statement can be a bunch of bullets or even a small paragraph. The key to a vision statement is that it works like a compass. When year after year you realize your level of happiness is decreasing whether it be from career or life choices…you need to ask yourself why?
My experience with the clients that I coach has been that my clients that rank themselves as having a high level of happiness in their career and personal life find that they are living or following their vision!
If you do not have a vision statement for yourself, this may be the time to do it. If you already have one..challenge yourself to really explore if the decisions you are making are aligned with your vision. Once you write a vision statement, you will be surprised how you make better decisions and your life will be more fulfilling! Start today and write down your vision and watch it begin to happen!
If you wish to read more articles like this I invite you to sign up for my newsletter here:
Stress Management, Parrotheads & Passion!
September 13th, 2009 by Beth Kennedy
Went to see the Jimmy Buffet concert at Jones Beach on Long Island, NY this summer! We first tailgated with my family and celebrated my Niece’s birthday! I was once again struck by how nice and welcoming people can be! Everywhere my seven year old daughter went people were giving her fun free beach stuff – what is better than a parrot pen or Marino’s Italian Ice when your 7 years old?
When the world is filled with so much stress and anxiety how refreshing it is to be somewhere so focused on fun! To watch Buffet sing his heart out, with the ocean behind him, reminded me of the magic he brings! It was my 11 year old daughter’s first “real” concert and to see the smile on her face was priceless!
I can’t help being someplace like this and seeing how passion can bring such happiness to so many people. Whether your gifted like Buffet or just passionate about music or something else…..it is such a reminder to me how important it is to follow your passions whatever they may be!