The James Dicks Blog

The ability to really enjoy your life doesn’t take an infinite amount of money but it does take a desire to develop a list of goals and the capacity to apply your personal drive to guide your daily existence.  There are many people we use as role models.  I prefer to look at several people and take a little expertise from each.  I have definitely learned how to apply some of these important ethical values from my relatives and some from people I’ve become acquainted with through my business or personal life.  

What you do in your professional life helps pay the bills but you should also allow it to feed your spirit.  The key thing I’ve learned over the years is to push myself.  It’s very important to make an effort to achieve the unimaginable and solve problems that are more complex than you ever expected you could successfully complete.  That adage has served me well and has seriously helped me to recognize the balance of my life and put it into the proper perspective every day.  What about you?  Have you chosen what it is you’d like to accomplish in your life?  There’s no time like the present to come to some conclusions. 

All of us can accomplish our innermost desires if we first define our dreams and then go after them aggressively.  Ultimately it’s entirely up to each one of us to shape and develop a constructive pattern for our life.  There’s no right or wrong; there’s no black or white.  Occasionally you should try not focus so much on your abilities or on your resume.  Instead, center more on your passions.  Determine what it is you really love to do.  If you don’t have the knowledge you need to reach your objective, make it a major priority to begin filling the cracks and learn.  It’s all about education.   

There are plenty of different avenues to explore to get the information you need to succeed.  Call your local college or find out what training or educational opportunities your company offers.  Access to learning has never been easier.  Most of us actively use the Internet and that’s a great place to start.  You can actually sign up for online courses that you can accomplish at your own speed – right from your home.  The more you learn the easier it will be for you to adapt to new situations and increase your personal level of confidence.  During this rough economic period, lots of people are going back to class to earn an advanced degree or to take vocational courses to actually change careers.   

There’s no time like right now to start the process.  I know that making changes in your life can be very scary to some, but use the adrenalin to actively pursue the things your really want out of life.  Don’t be timid, don’t waste time.  Just do it.  Actively seek out others who share your passions and don’t lose sight of the dream.  But always remember; be thankful for what you already have in life.  Count your blessings daily and enjoy every moment of the ride.  There’s no place like the present to begin to experience a great deal of pleasure in your life’s journey, both on and off the job.

I know there are a lot of people out there today who have recently found themselves without employment and I also know it’s an “employers market” when it comes to who gets hired and who doesn’t.  Much of the cream of corporate America is searching for a position that will get them back in the workforce.  But before you go applying for everything you run across online, seriously consider your personal desires and talents. 

If you just left a corporate management position in a major U.S. city, are you ready to become management in the fast food industry?  Probably not.  But don’t get to the point where you compare your previous position to one that’s being offered to you today.  You might not make as much money, you may have to travel more (or less), and you may not have a corner office.  But consider whether any new employment opportunity fits your personality and your professional capabilities.

To begin with, get ready to do your homework.  Speaking of homework, you might consider going back to school to get a higher degree or take a vocational course; it can’t hurt.  But by homework, I mean, determine what it is you’d like to do.  This will give you a better idea of where to start looking.  Maybe you might consider getting into a different sector of you field or perhaps you’d like to completely change your area of expertise. 

One good lesson is to establish what your passions are and then guide your search in that direction.  What is it that you’ve always wanted to do but never had the chance because you were too busy “working.”  Now that you have that obstacle out of the way, maybe it’s time to write your novel, or paint your masterpiece, develop your catering business or buy that Bed & Breakfast in upstate New York.  What are you dreams – could be the time to start living them.

If you still want to get back into the traditional workforce, there are a variety of ways to find your new position.  Use your network.  Who do you know that can help you find your next career move?  Start calling them and reconnect with some people you haven’t talked to in months or years. 

There’s always the Internet.  While some people aren’t too excited about the Internet job boards, they just can’t be ignored.   Go on to some of the majors (Careerbuilder, Monster) and post your resume and create a personal profile.  Many of these sites will allow you to create a personal job search that will automatically send you an email highlighting the newest jobs that fit your specialty.  The government is doing a lot of hiring and there is a website specifically for finding government jobs (www.USAJobs.gov). You may also visit an actual company website or go and apply in person. 

While your personal goals and your unique personality will ultimately determine the perfect job for you, never forget that it is your professional (and personal) abilities and liabilities that will determine your performance.  Highlight your strongest abilities to the greatest extent possible and while you’ll never be perfect, there are probably some liabilities you can improve upon.  You’ve heard it said that finding a job is a full time job.  But let me add this, finding the “right” job adds to the process.  This will not happen overnight but when it does happen, you will be glad you searched and took the extra time to do so. You need to spend the time and energy in order to better assure yourself, and your next employer, the best outcome. It is always more beneficial to find a position where you can fit in and find personal contentment.  If you enjoy what you do, you’ll never “work” another day in your life!  Consider that when selecting your new position and good luck on your job hunt. 

One more thing – never give up – it will happen for you.