Have a little faith

In this era, it can be difficult to have faith in your intended outcome. You’re not alone. However, experts stress that what you perceive to control your life – meaning, you (internal) or the world/others (external) – can largely determine your success. If you believe you, not outside influences, decide the direction and actions you take, you maintain an “internal locus of control”. If you believe others or circumstances determine your path, this is an “external locus of control”. W. Jane Robinson, author of The Divine Declaration—Awaken to Your Divine Inner Power, Your Life Depends On It, explores the characteristics of those who possess an internal locus of control in her article, Take Charge of Your Life: Align With and Strengthen Your Internal Support System.

How to think (or meditate) your way to an ideal career.

I have brought myself, by long meditation, to the conviction that a human being with a settled purpose must accomplish it, and that nothing can resist a will which will stake even existence upon its fulfillment.
- Benjamin Disraeli

Several years ago I met with a gentleman at a global company. He explained that his job was to think about “stuff.” He also spent his time flitting around the country, meeting with University researchers, entrepreneurs, and other companies to gather ideas on what to think about. He would then retreat to his office where he enjoyed an enormous atrium outside his office floor-to-ceiling window. His musings produced innovations for his organization.

The same can be done for a career.

In this culture, thinking, just thinking, is frowned upon. It is as though it is assumed nothing great can ever be accomplished without doing something. Idle time is discouraged so that it becomes filled with meaningless cell phone conversations or hammering away at laptops. Just walk through any airport and you’ll know what I mean. With the way we act, one might believe people are fearful of the thoughts they would produce if their minds were left to wander.

But, as the saying goes, we can’t get to where we are going from here. Changing career direction can be daunting. We have our interests, skills, and competencies and then scan job postings looking for a place where these may be applied. If you think about it, no pun intended, this activity doesn’t take much thought. It only requires reading. Sadly, I believe that is pretty much how people approach their career. What would happen, however, if you just stopped to think or, better yet, not think at all?

In thinking, in letting our minds roam, in meditation, or any other form of deliberate nothingness, something profound happens to the human brain. Physiologically speaking, the aging process is slowed (good to know), blood pressure is lowered, and stress decreases. (Click here for great info on meditation and health benefits.) Anyone who has ever been required to make a snap decision knows full well the body’s reaction when the mind is under pressure. I am reminded of a man I know who was let go from his job. Within an hour of his layoff, he was on the phone to all of his contacts, me being one of them, to learn who in the industry was hiring. I could literally feel his desperation, confusion, and fear. So much for portraying confidence and calm.

While I appreciate there are circumstances that sometimes require an individual rush to get another job, I do not agree they cannot afford to step outside of their circumstances for even 10 minutes to simply ponder the situation. Allowing the mind to do the job for which it is intended – namely, solve problems – can do more than just produce short-term or immediate results. It can also expose new avenues for achieving long-term career plans. Just give it a try. What have you got to lose?

How on-boarding can help ensure employee success.

I believe there is some confusion out there as to what on-boarding actually means. At one global outfit, I was surprised to learn that local managers, one of which had an MBA, had not even heard the term. This is especially dangerous considering these are the same people who recruit and hire staff. So, what does on-boarding mean? It is the carefully orchestrated process of integrating a new employee into the organization with the goal of making them productive as quickly as possible. This can take many forms, including a formal orientation program or assigning a mentor to new staff. If there is any doubt as to the importance of this function, read Jim Kissane’s blog, Why on-boarding makes sound financial sense.

In the past, I have been the recipient of good on-boarding and non-existent on-boarding. For the former, my new boss educated me on the company’s politics, who to ask to get things done, gave me in-depth indoctrination to company systems, and made certain I understood all of the resources available to get the job done in the most efficient and productive manner. In contrast, another manager, at another company, left me to my own devices to learn how things got done. It was months of fumbling through company processes, systems, and people when, all along, the time spent doing this could have been spent in my actually performing my job.

When intending the career you want, make sure the organization you want to work for has a good on-boarding process in place. Ask when they expect you to become productive and what measures they have in place to ensure this happens. Personal intention carries a lot of personal responsibility and personal accountability but organizations have a duty to ensure employees are well-equipped with the tools they need to do their job.