[Think As Inc.] April 9, 2008 Newsletter http://ezezine.com Your life is a business. You have a: MISSION: the reasons you live your life; BRAND: the message you project to the world; PRODUCT LINE: the skills and qualities that are your unique assets; BOTTOM LINE: your financial picture; CLIENT BASE: professional, personal, and don’t forget, yourself. Your life is YOUR business, and you are its CEO. IN THIS ISSUE Something to Think About: PUSH YOUR BOUNDARIES Something to Do: MASTER THE ASK Inspirational Quotes: THOMAS N. VAIL News and Upcoming Events PUSH YOUR BOUNDARIES The point is that you can't be too greedy. - Donald Trump Trump’s excess aside, this quote does challenge typical thinking. Is it wrong to want more? Do we censor our desires because we don’t want to be greedy…or because we don’t think we deserve them? When we keep our desires in check, are we combating greed…or sparing ourselves from disappointment? It’s okay to want a better life. It’s okay to want more, even as you appreciate what you have. We continually should push our boundaries outward. Do you think you are only worth the salary you are getting? Can you imagine 10% more, 50% more, double your pay? Do you assume that you need to work 8 or 12 or 16 hours a day at your job? Can you imagine that there is a more productive way? Can you imagine the flexibility to choose when you do your best work? Are you satisfied with two weeks’ vacation or would you ideally want more? Is there a scenario where you could have summers off? Maybe you want to live in two locations, six months at a time. The point of such musings isn’t to make you unsatisfied with what you have, but rather to stretch yourself to imagine a different way. Doubling your income, halving your work hours or increasing your vacation won’t be easy. For some people the extra effort isn’t worth the reward. However, for people who are interested in something different than they have now -- something more, something unconventional -- the first step is to imagine it. Pinpoint specifically what it is you want, even if it seems a bit “greedy”. Only then can you figure out the right strategy to achieve it. MASTER THE ASK At some point in all of our careers, we need to ask for something – a job, a sale, a raise. For many people, asking is uncomfortable. For many people, it is uncomfortable because, except for experienced salespeople, asking is unfamiliar. Therefore, in order to master the ask, we need to practice asking. Barring a transition into sales, we need to ask for things on a regular basis. Here are some opportunities to ask: On an annual basis, ask for a formal review. Ask your direct reports for a reverse review. Ask for a bigger raise. Ask for a promotion. Ask what you need to do to get a bigger raise and promotion. Ask your boss out to lunch just to catch-up. Ask for training opportunities – classes in conflict management, negotiation, communication, listening, and team-building help you master the ask, while making you a more valuable employee. Ask a trusted recruiter in your field how the market is doing. On a quarterly basis, ask for informal feedback to position you for your formal review. Ask your industry colleagues in different companies about their challenges to keep you abreast of your market. Ask senior colleagues out to lunch to get information on the company and to attract potential mentors. Ask your boss for a preview of upcoming projects to lobby for the one that fits best with your career. On a monthly basis, ask colleagues out to lunch to get used to networking. Ask a cold contact (e.g., a college alum, a writer from an article you just read, a newly promoted person featured in your trade journal) questions about their world. This will let you practice your information gathering skills. Ask direct reports for a status update and feedback on who’s interested in doing what, so you know what to delegate. Keep asking for feedback. INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE Real difficulties can be overcome, it is only the imaginary ones that are unconquerable. - Thomas N. Vail NEWS AND UPCOMING EVENTS Next Tuesday, April 15, 8a, I will be speaking at the monthly networking breakfast of the Irish Business Organization of New York. I will be giving tips about follow-up, as well as an exercise on Pareto’s Principle and client management. The event is open to non-IBO members, so $20 buys you breakfast and a networking event. RSVP to nialloleary@ireland.com. See http://www.ibo-ny.com/events.php for all the details. The next SixFigureStart Proactive Job Search Basics teleclass series starts Saturday, April 26, 10a for four consecutive Saturdays. My partner, Connie Thanasoulis, is teaching this series. See http://www.sixfigurestart.com/Upcoming_Events.html for more info. Remember, we offer a $100 referral fee if you refer someone who takes one of our classes or private coaching. Make multiple referrals and collect each time. If you have friends who may want to join the distribution list, please have them visit http://home.ezezine.com/2034/ to sign up. You can also see previous newsletters at that link. All information is copyright © Caroline Ceniza-Levine 2008 www.thinkasinc.com