Be Persistent

About 30 years ago, a young woman graduated from college with a BA in American studies.  The twenty-two year old had aspirations of working in television, but knew landing a job in that competitive industry would be a challenge.  She sent out resumes and made cold calls, but neither of those methods yielded success.  One morning, she decided to put on her best professional outfit-a blue blazer, a blouse, and a bowtie- and find a job.  She hopped into her family’s cream-colored Buick station wagon and headed down to the ABC News bureau in Washington D.C.

Despite her prior efforts to earn an interview at ABC, she was ignored by the deputy bureau chief’s secretary.  So she went down to the bureau in person and asked the security guard if she could see the deputy bureau chief.  When he learned she did not have an appointment, he chuckled at her and said she could not see him at this time.  Not easily defeated, she asked if she could use the phone in the waiting area, dialed the operator, and asked, “Can you connect me to David Newman, the executive producer of World News Tonight?”  He answered his phone, and she explained to him that his twin brothers went to high school with her sister.  She also told him that she lives down the street from his sister Julie.  Then, she asked if she could come up to the newsroom and visit with the deputy bureau chief.  Completely taken aback by her forwardness, he responded, “Sure, come on up.”

Still impressed, he dropped her off in front of the deputy bureau chief’s door as she walked right back the secretary who disregarded her calls and resume.  She told the deputy she was qualified to work for ABC and she could bring a unique skill set to the organization.  A few weeks later, she was hired.

This short story is a testament to the power of persistence and ambition.  Without taking action to make yourself stand out, achievement will be tough to attain.  You are bound to make a few mistakes along the way, but you will learn something by seizing opportunities.

Incidentally, the woman in the story is award-winning journalist Katie Couric.  The anecdote above can be found in her book, ‘The Best Advice I Ever Got: Lessons from Extraordinary Lives‘  

Thought Questions

You arrive home after an exhausting day at work or school.  Your mind is preoccupied with that team project that is stuck in the mud or how you are going to pass that economics exam.  You crash on the couch and turn on the tube....

Rarely do we take the time, or have the time, to reflect on the deeper aspects of life.  Self-reflection enables us to learn from experiences of the past and prepare for the future.  Long-term happiness is partially a function of how thoroughly we examine our lives.      

The questions below will help you reflect on your life experience.

-Why do you matter?

-What is missing in your life?

-What do you want to remember forever?

-What are the best decisions you have made?

-When you are 80 years old, what will matter to you the most?

-What fascinates you?

-How would you describe your personality?

-What worries you the most about the future?

-What is the most important lesson you have learned?

-What is your single biggest time waster in your life?

-Where do you find meaning?

-When is the last time you performed a random act of kindness?

-What are you grateful for?

-In five years, how will your life be different?

-What are your best qualities?

-What is something you have that no one can take away?

-What advice would you give to a younger version of yourself?

-What makes you smile?

-What does it mean to be a human being?

20 Quotes To Get Through Tough Times

Life throws all kinds of curveballs even to the good people.  Focusing on the positive can be difficult when you find yourself in tough times, but sometimes, the best lessons are learned during the rough patches in life.  The optimal course of action is to continue being the best version of yourself, not a second-rate version of someone else.  You never know how strong you are until being strong is your only option.  Regardless of your situation, the sun rises the next day and you have to lace up your shoes each day.  Here are twenty reminders that the toughest of obstacles can be overcome.

1. Tough times never last, but tough people do.

-Robert H Schuller

2. The difference between stumbling blocks and stepping stones is how you use them.

-Unknown

3. Never let your head hang down.  Never give up and sit down and grieve.  Find another way.  And don't when it rains if you don't pray when the sun shines.

-LeRoy Satchel Paige

4. Show me someone who has done something worthwhile, and I'll show you someone who has overcome adversity.

-Lou Holtz

5. If you aren't in over your head, how do you know how tall you are?

-Unknown

6. Adversity is a fact of life.  It can't be controlled.  What we can control is how we react to it.

-Unknown

7. In times of great stress or adversity, it's always best to keep busy, to plow your anger and your energy into something positive.

-Lee Iacocca

8. You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you.

-Walt Disney

9. Inside of a ring or out, ain't nothing wrong with going down.  It's staying down that's wrong.

-Muhammad Ali

10. Life is riding a bicycle, in order to keep your balance, you must keep moving.

-Albert Einstein

11. It is not the size of the dog in the fight, it is the size of the fight in the dog!  The person who is not hungry says the coconut has a hard shell.

-African Proverb

12. I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship.

-Louisa May Alcott

13. Whenever there is darkness, there is an extraordinary opportunity for light to burn brighter.

-Bono

14. This too shall pass.

-Unknown

15. You win some, you lose some, and some get rained out, but you gotta suit up for them all.

-J. Askenberg

16. Fall seven times, stand up eight.

-Japanese Proverb

17. I like living.  I have sometimes been wildly, despairingly, acutely miserable, racked with sorrow, but through it all I still know that just to be alive is a grand thing.

-Agatha Christie

18. Difficult times have helped me understand better than before, how infinitely rich and beautiful life is in every way, and that so many things that one goes worrying about are of no importance whatsoever.

-Isak Dinesen

19. A ship in the harbor is safe, but that's not what ships were built for

-Unknown

20. A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor can we be perfected without adversity.

-Unknown

Wednesday Wisdom: Inspiring and Motivational Quotes

Sometimes, the wisdom of other perfectly articulates what we feel ourselves.  Powerful quotes can cause us to deeply reflect on our values and beliefs.  It's not the busiest that lead the most fulfilling lives, so take a few moments and read the following words with an open mind and a positive attitude. 

“First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.” ~ Mahatma Gandhi

“Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.” ~ George Bernard Shaw

“There are basically two types of people. People who accomplish things, and people who claim to have accomplished things. The first group is less crowded.”

“I am sorry to write such a long letter. I didn't have time to write a short one.” 

~ Mark Twain

“The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark.” ~ Michelangelo Buonarroti

“Doing what you like is freedom. Liking what you do is happiness.” ~ Frank Tyger

“We act as though comfort and luxury were the chief requirements of life, when all that we need to make us happy is something to be enthusiastic about.”

“Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions.”

“Any man who reads too much and uses his own brain too little falls into lazy habits of thinking.” ~

“Any intelligent fool can make things bigger and more complex. It takes a touch of genius – and a lot of courage to move in the opposite direction.”

~ Albert Einstein

“I know nothing except the fact of my ignorance.” ~ Socrates

“People, who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.” ~ Apple Inc.

“You got a dream, you gotta protect it. People can’t do something themselves, they wanna tell you you can’t do it. If you want something, go get it. Period.” ~ Pursuit of Happyness

“Whether you think you can or think you can’t – you are right.” ~ Henry Ford

“Peace comes from within. Do not seek it without.” ~ Buddha

“Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense.”  ~ Buddha

“But it ain’t about how hard you hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done!” ~ Rocky Balbo

“Don’t let the noise of others opinions drown out your inner voice.” ~ Steve Jobs

“Interviews I conducted with more than 70 CEOs and other leaders point to 5 essentials for success — qualities that most of those C.E.O.’s share and look for in people they hire. They all shared five qualities: Passionate curiosity. Battle-hardened confidence. Team smarts. A simple mind-set. Fearlessness.” ~ New York Times

“Pause now to ask yourself the following question: “Am I dreaming or awake, right now?” Be serious, really try to answer the question to the best of your ability and be ready to justify your answer.” ~ Stephen Laberge

“It is not what we get. But who we become, what we contribute… that gives meaning to our lives.” ~ Anthony Robbins

“Those three things—autonomy, complexity, and a connection between effort and reward—are, most people agree, the three qualities that work has to have if it is to be satisfying.“ ~ Malcolm Gladwell

“A great pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do.” ~ Walter Gagehot

“The question isn’t who is going to let me; it’s who is going to stop me.” ~ Ayn Rand

The question you should be asking isn’t, “What do I want?” or “What are my goals?” but “What would excite me?” ~ Tim Ferriss

“The most important actions are never comfortable.” ~ Tim Ferriss

“Slow down and remember this: Most things make no difference.” ~ Tim Ferriss

“Being able to quit things that don’t work is integral to being a winner.” ~ Tim Ferriss

“Slowing down doesn’t mean accomplishing less; it means cutting out counterproductive distractions and the perception of being rushed.” ~ Tim Ferriss

“Too many people spend money they haven’t earned, to buy things they don’t want, to impress people they don’t like.” ~ Will Smith

“Avoid losers. If you hear someone use the words ‘impossible’, ‘never’, ‘too difficult’ too often, drop him or her from your social network.  ~ Nassim Nicholas Taleb

“So the only way on earth to influence other people is to talk about what they want and show them how to get it.” ~ Dale Carnegie

“Envision, create & believe in your own universe, and the universe will form around you.” ~ Tony Hsieh, Delivering Happiness

“You never change things by fighting the existing reality. To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete.” ~ R. Buckminster Fuller

“It doesn’t matter how one was brought up. What determines the way one does anything is personal power.” ~ Carlos Castaneda

“God, grant me the serenity To accept the things I cannot change; Courage to change the things I can; And wisdom to know the difference.”~ Reinhold Niebuh

“A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.” ~ Robert A. Heinlein

“Watch your thoughts, they become words. Watch your words, they lead to actions. Watch your actions, they create habits. Watch your habits, they build your character. Watch your character, it becomes your destiny.” ~ Upanishads

“Think about what it feels like when you interact with someone who makes you notice what’s good about yourself (raising your status), who is clear with his expectations of you (increasing certainty), who lets you make decisions (increasing autonomy), who connects with you on a human level (increasing relatedness), and who treats you fairly.” ~ David Rock

“Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they’ve been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It’s an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It’s a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing.” ~ Muhammad Ali

“Talent hits a target no one else can hit; Genius hits a target no one else can see.” ~ Arthur Schopenhauer

The Power of Music

I’m not a huge music nerd, but I love listening to songs when I’m bored or in a state of relaxation.  What I love most about music is how it can transport you to an earlier time in your life.  When you hear a song that was popular in grade school, the mind immediately recalls memories associated with that time period.  We associate songs with emotions, people, and places we have been in the past.  The question is, why do certain songs evoke such vivid memories of our autobiographical past?

Everytime I hear a track from Outkast’s Speakerboxxx, I am immediately reminded of my grade school experience.  Akon springs to life memories from my junior and senior years of high school.  Even more fascinating, we all can hear songs even though our ears aren’t actually intaking noise.  Take “We Will Rock You” by Queen for example.  Everyone can play this song in their mind without an audible prompt.   

One reason music is pivotal to personal growth is that it prompts us to reflect on the past.  In a time where being busy is the norm, taking time to think and ponder isn’t valued as it should be.  Reflection is an important way to learn from our mistakes.  We can use our past shortcomings to get better and learn in the future.  Reflection gives us perspective and helps us lead happier lives.  We tend to focus on our negative attributes but reflections allows you to realize how much you’ve done right in your life.  The small things don’t matter when you take a step back.  Looking at the big picture can calm us down and relieve stress.      

30 Business Quotes

 

Whether you are a third grader operating a lemonade stand or the CEO of a Fortune 500 company, you can always use the wisdom of others to improve yourself.  Here's a list of 30 thought-provoking business quotes to use at your next presentation or to simply reflect upon.

1. The critical ingredient is getting off your butt and doing something. It’s as simple as that. A lot of people have ideas, but there are few who decide to do something about them now. Not tomorrow. Not next week. But today. The true entrepreneur is a doer, not a dreamer.

– Nolan Bushnell

2. Leadership is a potent combination of strategy and character. But if you must be without one, be without the strategy.

– Norman Schwarzkopf

3. I had to make my own living and my own opportunity! But I made it! Don’t sit down and wait for the opportunities to come. Get up and make them!

– C.J. Walker

4. A man should never neglect his family for business.

– Walt Disney 

5. The only limits are, as always, those of vision.

– James Broughton 

6. Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning.

– Bill Gates 

7. If there is such a thing as good leadership, it is to give a good example.

– Ingvar Kamprad

8. Yesterday’s home runs don’t win today’s games.

– Babe Ruth 

9. No enterprise can exist for itself alone. It ministers to some great need, it performs some great service, not for itself, but for others.. or failing therein, it ceases to be profitable and ceases to exist.

– Calvin Coolidge 

10. Hire character. Train skill.

– Peter Schutz

11. Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve. Thoughts are things! And powerful things at that, when mixed with definiteness of purpose, and burning desire, can be translated into riches.

– Napoleon Hill

12. I don’t pay good wages because I have a lot of money; I have a lot of money because I pay good wages.

 – Robert Bosch

13. In the business world, everyone is paid in two coins: cash and experience. Take the experience first; the cash will come later.

– Harold Geneen

14. I have found no greater satisfaction than achieving success through honest dealing and strict adherence to the view that, for you to gain, those you deal with should gain as well.

– Alan Greenspan

15.  You need to be aware of what others are doing, applaud their efforts, acknowledge their successes, and encourage them in their pursuits. When we all help one another, everybody wins.

– Jim Stovall

16. Whether you think you can or whether you think you can’t, you’re right!

– Henry Ford

17. Whether it’s Google or Apple or free software, we’ve got some fantastic competitors and it keeps us on our toes.

– Bill Gates

18. Statistics suggest that when customers complain, business owners and managers ought to get excited about it. The complaining customer represents a huge opportunity for more business.

– Zig Ziglar

19. For every sale you miss because you're too enthusiastic, you will miss a hundred because you're not enthusiastic enough.

-Zig Ziglar

20. Good business leaders create a vision, articulate the vision, passionately own the vision, and relentlessly drive it to completion.

-Jack Welch

21. To open a shop is easy, to keep it open is an art.

-Chinese Proverb

22. You have to know accounting. It's the language of practical business life. It was a very useful thing to deliver to civilization. I've heard it came to civilization through Venice which of course was once the great commercial power in the Mediterranean. However, double entry bookkeeping was a hell of an invention.

-Charlie Munger 

23. A cardinal principle of Total Quality escapes too many managers: you cannot continuously improve interdependent systems and processes until you progressively perfect interdependent, interpersonal relationships.

-Stephen Covey

24. Business, more than any other occupation, is a continual dealing with the future; it is a continual calculation, an instinctive exercise in foresight.

-Henry Luce

25. Do more than is required. What is the distance between someone who achieves their goals consistently and those who spend their lives and careers merely following? The extra mile.

-Gary Blair

26. Every day I get up and look through the Forbes list of the richest people in America. If I'm not there, I go to work.

-Robert Orben

27. Some men see things as they are and say "Why?".  I dream of things that never were and say "Why not?".

-George Bernard Shaw

28. Minds are like parachutes, they only function when they are open.

-Sir James Dewar

29. The difference between tax avoidance and tax evasion is the thickness of a prison wall.

-Denis Healey

30. Happiness is a positive cash flow.

-Fred Adler

A Blind Man's Advertisement

Once upon a time, an old blind man was sitting on the busy street corner in downtown Kansas City begging for money.  On a cardboard sign, next to an empty tin cup, he had written, "Blind--Please Help" 

He sat there for hours, and no one gave him any money.  Eventually, a young advertising agent walked past, saw the blind man and his empty cup, and noticed all the people passing by.  The advertising agent took a thick marker from her pocket, turned the cardboard sheet over.  After pondering for a moment, she rewrote the sign and headed on her way.

Immediately, passerbys began to put money in the tin cup.  After awhile, when the cup was overflowing with money, the blind man asked a stranger to tell him what the sign said.

"It says, 'It's a beautiful day.  You can see it.  I cannot.'" replied the stranger.

This anecdote is a reminder that the words we choose influences how well we connect with other people.  Whether we are aware of it or not, effective communication is absolutely essential in personal and professional lives.  If you are willing to master it, every aspect of your life will improve.    

Pay It Forward

If you have never seen the film Pay It Forward, it’s worth your time to watch.  Based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Catherine Ryan Hyde, the film received mostly negative reviews from film critics for being emotionally manipulative and a sales pitch for the Pay It Forward Movement.  Despite the unfavorable reception of the film, the concept of ‘pay it forward’ is a brilliant one that outlines how an ordinary person like you or me can make a positive difference in this world. 

Paying It Forward is a boundless commitment to do good deeds without expecting anything in return.  If someone does a nice thing for you, you “pay it forward” by performing an act of kindness for someone else.  If the person you helped asked how to pay you back, simply tell them to “pay it forward”.

Although paying it forward is a straightforward concept, here are a few tips to get you headed in the right direction.

Always Look For Opportunities To Help Someone 
This mission can be difficult because we live in an era of precise scheduling and overcommitment.  Much of our time is occupied with work, school, shopping, and everything else.  Of course, there will always be small opportunities to help an elderly neighbor carry out the trash, or picking up the tab for a friend’s lunch.  However, if you want to make a bigger impact, budget time into your busy schedule for community service.  Make a regular habit out of searching for chances to make other’s lives better.

Don’t Expect Much In Return 
Paying it forward does not involve any compensation other than the feeling that you performed an act of kindness for a fellow human being.  It’s about helping make the world a friendlier place.  To be selfless means to get nothing in return.  I'm not sure this pure altruism is possible.  When you give money to a beggar, don’t you get happiness or satisfaction in return?  I think so, and if you helped another person while achieving happiness, you made the world a better place.   

Don’t Forget To Spread The Word
If, in the course of your random acts of kindness, someone wants to repay you, that is “pay it back”, explain to them the concept of “paying it forward”.  Tell them you’d like them to do something nice for three people in lieu of payment to you.  The idea is to exponentially increase the goodness in the world.

Reasons Why You Should Visit Office Hours

In college, every professor is required to hold office hours, which is a chance for students to stop by without an appointment and ask questions about the course.  When I started college, I told myself every excuse in the book to avoid office hours:
-I had too much homework.
-I had a class during the scheduled office hours.
-Office hours are for struggling students.
-I am intimidated by the professor.

Now, I look forward to the opportunity to interact with professors.  I can’t pinpoint a specific time when my attitude towards office hours shifted, but it did, and I now make every effort I can to become acquainted with some of the smartest people in the world.  Besides a casual conversation, there are many benefits that showing up to office hours can offer you. 
 

Clarification on course material
In a lecture, it can be difficult to summon the courage to ask a question.  You might feel insecure or embarrassed at asking a question the class might already knows the answer to.  If the textbook does not offer an answer that makes sense, go see your professor about your concern.  After all, the professor is the individual teaching the class.  Therefore, he or she is expected understand the course material to a greater extent than you.  Go in there with questions, listen, and hopefully, you will come out a more informed person.
 

Job Opportunities
While a professor has the power to offer you as job as a teaching assistant, most of the time, a strong letter of recommendation will help you tremendously.  Furthermore, professors are generally well-connected people who can refer you to someone in the field you are interested in.  If a contact ends up landing you a job or internship, remember to be appreciative and grateful to your professor.
 

Enhance Your Education Experience
I know this idea sounds absurd, but you might actually be one of the few people in college to learn new things.  If you find the course material to be intellectually stimulating, go to office hours to learn about other courses that will further your understanding of your areas of interest.  Professors can also offer you good advice about graduate school and research opportunities relevant to your academic interests.  Tuition and fees are exorbitant as it is, so why not get your money’s worth? 

Just like you, professors are people.  If you treat them with respect and decency, you will find they will react the same way.  Professors want to inform and share their knowledge about their discipline, or else they would not have applied for a teaching job.  Demonstrate honesty, sincere curiosity, and respect, and you can’t go wrong. 

Short Interview Tips

 

As the recruiting season continues, many college students will double if not triple their current interview experience.  Because I am still learning the principles of strong interviewing, I don't have a wealth of knowledge to share yet.  However, I do maintain a list of 9 universally beneficial tips in my back pocket. 

1. Be Enthusiastic, Smile, and Exude Confidence

2. Know the company better than anyone else interviewing for the position
In addition to researching the company's mission, dig for current events and press releases you can casually bring up in your interview. 

3. Dress for success
You can't go wrong with a black suit and tie. 

4. Focus on how you can add value to the company, not how the company can benefit you.

5. Nonverbal communication is just as important as what you say.
Sit straight, make plenty of eye contact, and demonstrate enthusiasm through your body language. 

6. Never trash past employers or bosses or organizations.

7. Tell memorable stories that illustrate your strengths.

8. Show your interest with intelligent, informed questions.

9. Be Yourself
Be the best version of yourself, not a second-rate version of somebody else.

Psychology Final Exam

A psychology professor at the University of Miami knew his students expected a terrifyingly long final exam.

To play with their minds a little (what do you expect from a psychology professor?) he only put ONE question on the final exam.

He watched the reactions of the students as they all opened the exams and saw the one question.
Initially they all looked relieved, but as the difficulty of the question began to sink in, those relieved faces sagged to confusion and consternation.

All, that is, except for one student.

He read the question, tapped his pencil into his palm a few times, then jotted something down on the test paper.

He walked up to the professor, handed him the final, and walked out.

The professor blinked in surprise, looked at what the student wrote, and smiled.

The professor wrote "100%" on the top of that student's test.


The question: What is courage?
The student's answer: This is.

The Power of Asking Questions

Think back for a moment over your grade school, high school, and even your college years.  How much critical and creative thinking did you do?  Did you simply memorize information so you had the “right” answers to questions, or did you work on asking the right questions?

One lesson I’ve learned in my short life is that learning the art of questioning is just as valuable than the ability to produce answers.  I prefer to study with the students who seek a further understanding than the instructor can put on an exam.  It always impresses me when a student asks a question that starts off with, “What if...”  This demonstrates to me that the student is not simply memorizing one of many possible scenarios. 

It can be so tempting to move on without fully understanding a concept or idea.    Once you make up your mind that you cannot understand something, you have hurt your chances of asking the question that will unlock comprehension for you.  From my observations, students prefer to go for the basic knowledge on Bloom’s taxonomy instead seeking the “whys” and “hows” of a discipline. 

So how then can we be become more skilled at asking questions?  I guarantee you it will not happen overnight.  Becoming better at asking the right questions takes many conversations, reflection, and life experiences. 

In her post, “How To Ask Better Questions”, Judith Ross argues the most effective and empowering questions create value the following ways:
-They create clarity.
-They construct better working relations.
-They help people think analytically and critically.
-They inspire people to reflect and see things in fresh, unpredictable way.
-They encourage breakthrough thinking.
-They challenge assumptions.
-They create ownership of solutions.

Sadly, it is easy to begin implementing proposed answers before we are certain that the right questions has been asked.  We have been programmed to find the “right” answer through standardized tests and multiple choice questions, but many times, a college degree does not equate into being skilled in the discipline of asking the right questions.   

Asking the right questions at the right time will not only make you a better student and a more valuable employee, it will also boost your self-esteem.  If you able to create value through your ability to question, you’ll instill in yourself a sense of your own strength and aptitude.  You’ll gain more confidence and become more competent.   

How To Turn Your Weaknesses Into Strengths

We all have shortcomings, flaws, and weaknesses--to deny this accepted truth is an exercise in arrogance.  Fortunately, with the sincere desire to become better and the proper mindset, everyone can learn how to transform those limitations into strengths. 

For example, when I started blogging a year ago,  I had no idea where to start.  My learning curve was steep at first, but now, I’m just getting the hang of everyday blogging, and the importance of promoting yourself.  I still have many weaknesses that I need to improve, but I’ve come a long ways from the first time I sat down to write a blog post. 

If you want to turn your weaknesses into strengths, a positive mental attitude is important.  You are your own worst critic-- it’s very easy to throw in the towel after telling yourself, “I can never achieve that.”  Here’s a short story to demonstrate how having the proper mindset can turn a weakness into a strength.

There was once a 10 year old boy who decided to learn judo.  Despite only having only his right arm, he worked hard to perfect one move, while becoming acquainted, but not skilled in other basic throws and techniques.  When the boy entered his first tournament, he was nervous at only being able to confidently use one throw.  To his surprise, he won every match with his one move, and won the tournament.  On the way home, the boy summoned the courage to ask his master, “How did I win the tournament with only one move?”  The master responded, “You won for two reasons. First, you’ve mastered one of the most difficult throws in all of judo.  Second, the only known defense for that movie is for your opponent to grab your left arm.   

So as you can see, it’s not necessary to go read thousands of self-help books or pay exorbitant fees to speak with a psychologist about your shortcomings.  Sometimes, all it takes it reformulating a situation so that something that would normally hold you back becomes an aid to your success.  There are probably exceptions, but not many.  Even if there are, it is beneficial to examine your weaknesses and see how you can use them to your advantage.     

Here are just a few examples.
Not a good writer.
Find different ways to express your ideas.  If you struggle with writing, become excellent at conversations.  Make videos and podcasts instead of written materials.
Not naturally smart in school.
Work your tail off instead.  While there is a correlation between giftedness and success, being smart by no means guarantees happiness.  More often than not, it’s the hardest working who succeed in this world. 
Not a fast worker.
Join the club.  I’m a slower writer than most, but I produce more high-quality content than most blogs out there.  One beautiful thing about blogging is that being thorough, deliberate, and methodical will attract a larger audience than if you just pump out poorly written posts with great frequency.

Now, viewing your weaknesses as strengths should not be seen as a substitute for working hard to better yourself.  The two should work in tandem to help you eliminate faults as well as build up your strengths. 

Natural Ways To Boost Your Energy

You see coffee everywhere--on college campuses, in the workplace, at homes.  While caffeinated drinks are a quick and prevalent way to wake up, there are many organic ways to kickstart your morning and remain alert throughout the day.  When you come to rely on caffeine in the morning, and you don’t get your daily fix, symptoms include headaches, irritability, and even an upset stomach.  The good news is that there are plenty of ways to boost your energy without the use of caffeine.

Get more sleep at night
7-8 hours of sleep per night is essential for adults.  Without consistent sleep, the mind loses focus.  Studies from the Harvard Medical School have found that people who get the appropriate amount of sleep regularly tend to live longer, healthier lives.  Sleep helps repair your body by producing extra protein molecules that strengthen your ability to fight infection.  Moreover, sleep plays a critical role in metabolism, memory, and learning.  A good night’s sleep can’t be beat.

Go Outdoors
Getting some fresh air, especially in temperate climates, is a perfect way to stimulate your senses.  Exposure to the sun gives us Vitamin D, but too much sun exposure causes skin cancer.  Being outside also is a natural way to cure hyperactivity, which, in the long-run boosts natural energy. 

Eat Fruits and Vegetables
Healthy food can boost your alertness.  Stay away from high-carb foods.

Exercise
Something as simple as jumping jacks or yoga can work wonders on your energy levels.  Even the slightest bit of exercise can be a healthy way to energize your mind and body because it improves blood flow to the brain.

Naps
In our constantly busy world, a short nap is viewed as a loss of time.  However, a short nap can provide the energy you need to work smarter and faster.  Recognize that napping does not make you lazy.  On the contrary, napping will make you more productive and alert after you wake up.

Drink Water
Avoid caffeine and drink water.  Because your body is composed mostly of water, it makes sense that you need to get enough to function at your peak.  Take a healthy drink each time you pass the water fountain.

Stay On The Positive Side
Most importantly, positivity in your life can spur your energy levels tremendously.  Show gratitude to others and be thankful.  Laugh often.  Distance yourself from energy vampires and associate yourself with light-hearted individuals. 

Work/Life Balance

Once upon a time, there was a father who was a hardworking man.  He delivered bread as a living to support his wife and three children. He spent all his evenings after work attending classes, hoping to improve himself so that he could one day find a better paying job. Except for Sundays, Father hardly ate a meal together with his family. He worked and studied very hard because he wanted to provide his family with the best money could buy.

Whenever his family complained that he was not spending enough time with them, he reasoned that he was doing all this for them. But he often yearned to spend more time with his family.

The day came when the examination results were announced. To his joy, Father passed, and with distinctions too! Soon after, he was offered a good job as a senior supervisor which paid handsomely.

Like a dream come true, the father could now afford to provide his family with life’s little luxuries like nice clothing, fine food and vacation abroad.

However, the family still did not get to see the father for most of the week. He continued to work very hard, hoping to be promoted to the position of manager. In fact, to make himself a worthily candidate for the promotion, he enrolled for another course in the open university.

Again, whenever the family complained that he was not spending enough time with them, he reasoned that he was doing all this for them. But he often yearned to spend more time with his family.

The father’s hard work paid off and he was promoted. Jubilantly, he decided to hire a maid to relieve his wife from her domestic tasks. He also felt that their three-room flat was no longer big enough, it would be nice for his family to be ablt to enjoy the facilities and comfort of a condominium. Having experienced the rewards of his hard work many times before, the father resolved to further his studies and work at being promoted again. The family still did not get to see much of him. In fact, sometimes Father had to work on Sundays entertaining clients. Again, whenever the family complained that he was not spending enough time with them, he reasoned that he was doing all this for them. But he often yearned to spend more time with his family.

As expected, the father’s hard work paid off again and he bought a beautiful condominium overlooking the coast of Singapore. On the first Sunday evening at their new home, the father declared to his family that he decided not to take anymore courses or pursue any more promotions. From then on he was going to devote more time to his family.

The father did not wake up the next day.

Foundations

~From Traits of Character by Henry F. Kletzing
Don’t risk a life structure upon a day’s foundation. –
 

The government building at Chicago, a large, massive structure and apparently well built, so that it might stand for a century, was recently torn down, not because the superstructure was not firm, but because the foundation at several places was found faulty. Thus, at a great expense, the old building is removed and a new structure is erected, all because the foundation was not safe. Men fail of their best efforts because they were unwilling to prepare well in days when preparation was the one duty.
 

The foundation for greatness must be laid in youth. Young men frequently make a serious mistake here. They are content with following the pleasures of youth instead of improving early opportunities for preparation for life’s great work. Wellington frequently said that Waterloo was fought and won while he was a schoolboy. It was what he learned then that prepared him for that great battle. Inattention to the foundation has mined many a structure. Inattention to the intellectual and moral development and preparation has ruined many a life.
 

See yon building rise. While men were engaged in laying the foundation there was nothing attractive about it. Dirt and stones and mortar are not sightly objects. It is only when the superstructure is rising that the attention of the passer-by is given to it. This is why not more attention is given to foundation work. Many a youth who has attracted attention by doing work successfully thinks that his foundation is sure, and looks only to the superstructure. Many a college graduate has dreamed of greatness while delivering his final oration as the applause of friends greets his ear: but too often he is never heard of afterward. Life consists of more real and earnest things than brilliant graduating orations.
 

Do not mistake the applause of others as success. Avoid the idol which many worship—the love of notoriety and applause. Look to the foundations.

Where To Find Free Textbooks

If you are a college student, you know that the cost of textbooks can put a dent in your bank account.  I’m experimenting with a project called open textbooks, which is a new way of accessing books that could potentially dismantle the college textbook market as it stands today.

Open textbooks are written by experts in academia and then published on the Internet so students can access them without paying a dime.  As a student, you can read the full version of the textbook for free, download a printable PDF, or purchase a hard copy for next to nothing.  From my understanding, open textbooks are legitimate sources of information because they are reviewed and edited by experts.  This is where the “open” part comes into play.  If a student notices a mistake or feels that something important was omitted, the publisher and author can be contacted to remedy the error.  Furthermore, groups and individuals can edit and improve the textbook as they see fit. 

Scott McNealy, founder of Curriki, an online website for free textbooks and other course material, said it well, “We are spending $8 billion to $15 billion per year on textbooks...It seems to me we could put that all online for free.”  I spend anywhere from $800-1200 per year on textbooks, and that number is probably a conservative one because I go bargain hunting to find the lowest prices around my college campus.  I am not alone when I say students could greatly benefit from free, accessible textbooks. 

Currently, there are several front runners in the open textbook world.  Flat World Knowledge offers peer-reviewed and edited textbooks written by experts.  Students can choose their preferred format of the textbook (online, print, audio, or PDF).  An interesting feature of this up and coming website is that educators can customize the text for their specific course.  When the teachers are done editing the text, a special URL is created specifically for the modified version of the textbook.  The books are free to read online, but if you prefer a hard copy, you can purchase one for $34.95, which is far cheaper than the average traditional cost per textbook of $175. 

BookBoon.com offers free textbooks that can be downloaded into PDF format so you can print and read offline.  The books include advertisements, but this is only to cover production costs. 

The Global Text Project contains a library of hundreds of open textbooks with open licenses.  It is hosted by the University of Georgia’s Terry School of Business, and most of the books are available for free as a PDF download. 

Other Open Textbook Projects
-MERLOT
-Connexions
-MIT Open Courseware
-The Orange Grove 
-Wikibooks
-Project Gutenburg

Inside Internships Profile #1- Phil Bastow

As college students return to school for another semester of coursework, some of them can now say they have worked internships in professional atmospheres.  In an effort to capture these valuable experiences and share them with other internship-seeking students, I am starting a post series on Joe’s Musings called Inside Internships.  My hope is that you will learn how students found and prepared for their internship as well as skills acquired on the job.  Now, perhaps you are thinking, “Why didn’t you wait until the spring to start this series?”  To that I say, the internship search begins the fall at career fairs and other recruiting events.  Our first college student is Phil Bastow, a junior studying in accounting and information systems at the University of Kansas.  He is passionate about learning, shooting guns, and playing guitar.  Over the summer, Phil completed an 11-week internship program at US AgBank, FCB (Farm Credit Bank).  As a part of the Farm Credit System, US AgBank, FCB is a lending institution that specializes in providing funds to eligible American agriculture borrowers in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada, Utah, Idaho, Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma, and New Mexico.  

1. There is an enormous amount of information available through Career Centers and internship search engines regarding internships.  How did you find your internship at US AgBank, FCB?

I actually did not have any contact with US AgBank or knowledge of their internship program until the Career Fair in September of 2010. I was familiar with the Farm Credit System, but did not know AgBank was being represented at the Fair. I approached the representative, Daryl Nikkel, and began to speak with him about the program and if there were any opportunities for me at the Bank. He asked for my resume and contact information and later sent me information about applying for the position. From there I was able to progress through all the necessary steps to obtain the job, for instance predictive behavior index, phone interview, personal interview, etc.


2. Although most internships offer a week of training, a wise student will prepare far in advance to ensure you are the most qualified candidate for the job.  How did you get ready for your internship and the interview process?  Looking back, would you prepare any differently?

I had never been interviewed for a job before because all of my previous employers knew me beforehand. Because of this, preparation was especially important for me. First, I researched background information on US AgBank. For example, what does the organization actually do, what are its different facets, what are some informative numbers and statistics to be familiar with, and so on. It was extremely important to use this information to compose well-informed, knowledgeable questions specific to the organization and department I was applying for. I investigated its internship program and prior students who were apart of it. Lastly, it was important for me to consult with other people that had experience in recruiting and hiring into professional environments. We discussed what types of questions might be asked of me in the interview process and possible things to cover in responding to them.
On the other hand, I did not prepare very much for my role as an intern at the Bank. I did ask my supervisor what I should be doing to prepare. He indicated there was nothing I needed to do and that they would train me when I began working. Nevertheless, I attempted to brush up on pertinent skills such as Excel and Access. Because my role at the bank dealt largely with Finance, it did not require much curriculum from my major (accounting), and therefore it was not necessary to practice and study those types of things.

3. After completing an internship, one common student observation is how formal the business world can be compared to college life.  What elements of a professional work environment had the biggest impact on you? 

The most difficult thing for me was to interact with the people around me as co-workers and supervisors rather than my "buddies" or even peers. I had not been exposed to professional relationships and interactions prior to my internship. It was important to always keep in mind there are appropriate ways to communicate with your co-workers. This of course is ranges anywhere from addressing them in the hallway to sending out an email. I felt that I handled it very well and was able to develop and practice these necessary skills.  

4. What was the best thing about your internship?

It is hard to say at this point. There were so many little things and opportunities I was able to take advantage of through this internship - its difficult to determine which will prove to be the most significant in time. I think simply being exposed to a professional business environment was paramount. As aforementioned, I was able to develop essential communication skills which will be a great advantage as I re-enter and operate in a similar environment in years to come.  

5. One of the core purposes of an on-site work experience is to equip you with the skills necessary to succeed in your career. What are three skills you acquired or refined through your internship?

In addition to what I discussed in Question 4, I refined database skills. I worked a great deal with Excel and Access to create dynamic worksheets for analyzing model sensitivity. I also learned about how the two software packages can work in conjunction. The third major thing refined was analytical skills. I am analytical by nature, but my role at the Bank gave me an opportunity to practice those abilities in a real-life situation. This proved much more difficult than it can be with school projects or homework.

6. Every internship is different because companies have vastly different missions, work environments, and leadership.  What are a couple advantages and disadvantages of doing an internship at a bank that offers loan products and financial services to agricultural businesses, farmers, and rural homeowners?

An advantage would be that I was able to see some of the ties between accounting and finance as well as what makes the two areas different. Also, accounting for loans is something covered frequently in the classroom but rarely understood well enough without real-life application. The only disadvantage I can think of is the lack of diversity in accounting experience.

7. Perhaps the most advantageous aspect of an internship lies in the fact that you can finally apply all you have been learning in the classroom. Can you give an example of a time when you were able to apply knowledge gained from coursework to on-the-job situations?

As I said before, my internship was largely in finance while I am studying accounting. Nevertheless, it still required some accounting knowledge. I was asked to research, record, and trend risk data as far back in history as I could. Annual Reports were used to do this. My knowledge of GAAP concepts and how to navigate an Annual Report came in quite useful as I interpreted and decoded some of this financial reporting information. 

8. Many students don’t know that you can acquire college credit for completing an internship, even if you landed a paid position.  Did you elect to receive college credit?  What are the requirements of the University of Kansas Business School to receive college credit for your internship?   

Yes I did. I am receiving credit in ACCT 599 - Accounting and Information Systems Internship Program. The requirement to enroll in the class was to write a one-page report describing your role during your internship. The director of the area then uses that to determine whether or not the student is eligible for credit. Once enrolled, the student must attend a class orientation and wrap-up session, keep a daily activity journal during the term of their internship, and write an 8-10 page report.

9. In one sentence, what advice would you give to students seeking to intern?

It begins with asking questions and knowing everything you can about interning as early as possible in order to know how to prepare yourself.

The Power Of You

"Peace comes from within.  Do not seek it without"

~Buddha

Life can hurl all sorts of insanity your way.  You have probably seen successful people who have your dream job, are in great shape, or seem to have the world at their fingertips.  These things are wonderful, but they are nothing compared to an inner sense of unshakeable confidence.  If you have ever secured something you really wanted- a job, a home, a girlfriend- it feels great for awhile, but that initial euphoria eventually fades.

Living well embodies much more than simply achieving a goal every once in a while.  It is crucial to have goals, but to live an authentic life, you must strike a harmony with your inner thoughts, feelings, and passions and the outer world of work, relationships, home, and community.  Your inner self and your outer world must interact with each other to support and energize you.  Once you have discovered you are a human being filled with inner wisdom, nothing can touch you.  Sure, you will have hardships, but problems, no matter how intense, will always be manageable.  

I believe asking tough questions is central to a human being’s search for meaning.  Once our basic needs are satisfied, our minds turn to the deeper questions of life...

-Who am I?  

-Why I am here? 

-Where am I going?  

-What am I supposed to do in my life?

Plenty of people don’t often consider these questions, but you are the only person who can answer them.  You are the only person to have lived your life from the inside out.  Only you fully understand your unique set of emotions and experiences.  The grand totality of your life is only available to you.  This is why you must treat yourself as an equal.  Generally, we are either brutally harsh on ourselves or we inflate our own egos to the moon.  We like to criticize, berate, boast, and reassure ourselves.  Here’s an idea- reach out a warm hand of friendship to yourself.  Be willing to accept yourself- strengths and weaknesses.

Loving yourself starts with growing closer to the people that love you the most.  Here’s an exercise for the day- Who do you consider to be your family?  How many families are you a part of?  List every person you feel can be considered your family.