Sunday, October 30, 2016

Never Say Never

Never say never because you don’t know what the future holds.

Case in point: I’m back in purchasing, but with a twist.  I’m combining purchasing and training by working in procurement compliance.  It pretty fascinating because I can blend one thing I have years of experience in with the thing I do naturally. Although I thought I’d never want to go back into purchasing I feel like I’m at home with the purchasing discipline.  It’s been like riding a bicycle and a skill that I’ve missed using over the years.

So, never say never.  Don’t shut the door on your opportunities because you think you know what is best.  let go joseph campbell

What was best years ago, may not be best for today.

What was wrong for you years ago, may be just right for you today.

Just be open to all the universe has to offer.

Let go of what you will “never ever do” again.

Just be open and surprising things will come your way.

BE OPEN.

Sunday, September 18, 2016

The Secret Is Letting Go

 

Letting go is a secret to a happy life.let-go

Letting go means you’re okay with what happens.

It is being okay with the results…whatever they are.

It is allowing things to work themselves out and being okay with HOW they work out.

Letting go is the opposite of holding on. But in order to learn the art of letting go you have to go through knowing what it feels like to hold on to what you want, what you desire, how you think things should go…then…let go of all of that.

It is not easy.  It is actually hard to let go, but the older you get the more you understand it’s one of the keys to the mystery of how to enjoy your life.

 

Sunday, July 10, 2016

Do Your Art. Get Unstuck.

Art doesn’t mean one thing.  It can be many things.

Being an artist is not just for some of us,  it is for all of us. 

We were created to create.  We were not created to consume. 

Create something. Create anything. Especially if you are miserable at work.  It will help you cope.

My son brought me an artist set for Christmas and even though I “do art”; “make art”;”sale art” I never really thought of myself as an artist, but I guess he did.  

I kept thinking that artist draw things, and I never understood how to draw, seemed too much like geometry (and it is).

Art Dec 2015

Well…all it took was to learn some techniques and wa-lah I can draw.  

I keep this on the table in my studio to remind me that this is the result of a couple of hours of practice back in December when I got the kit.  

It reminds me that I  can do anything I put my mind to…and so can you.  I am not stuck.  You are not stuck.  

We create our world.   

So…do your art. Look for it.  Find it.  Create something.  

We are only stuck if think we are. 

 

Sunday, June 19, 2016

It's Not About What You Do, But How You Think About What You Do

After reading the “Just Quit” your job survey results it has occurred to me that people in most every profession is and/or could be miserable doing what they are doing.

It’s not about the profession.

It’s about the mindset while working in that profession.

This makes me think of Tolstoy’s three questions:Three questions

Here people are in lives where they have to work for a living.  They are the wage earners. Most people are miserable going to work everyday. It doesn’t seem to matter how much they are paid.  Doesn’t seem to matter the title. Still, they are miserable.  

So, then what are the answers to Tolstoy’s questions?Three answers

It does NOT matter what you are doing.  It matters what you THINK about what you are doing NOW.  

Get beyond wanting to leave.  Get beyond wanting to be in another/different profession.  Just be okay with what is right now.  

Yep, you are miserable. GET OVER IT. Until you can get over it, it will continue, no matter if you leave where you are, go someplace else…you’ll end up miserable again.  

Challenge: be happy in your misery…embrace the suck.  If you can do that you can move on…until then…misery will follow you where ever you go.

Don’t believe me….below are the professions of folks who are miserable enough to complete the “Just Quit” your job survey… just this month:

  
AccreditationYesterday, 6:19PM
WriterYesterday, 5:15PM
ManagerYesterday, 3:44AM
ManufacturingFriday, Jun 17th 2:31PM
Claims adjudicatorFriday, Jun 17th 8:41AM
casino jobThursday, Jun 16th 7:41PM
casino jobThursday, Jun 16th 7:41PM
Part time Cashier and CatererThursday, Jun 16th 6:38PM
Project Manager Engineer/Microelectronics/technologyThursday, Jun 16th 11:20AM
customer care specialistThursday, Jun 16th 12:33AM
AccountingWednesday, Jun 15th 11:40AM
Slot techWednesday, Jun 15th 11:46AM
Slot techWednesday, Jun 15th 11:46AM
Public servantWednesday, Jun 15th 7:22AM
MusicianWednesday, Jun 15th 4:17AM
Development assistantTuesday, Jun 14th 7:46PM
Retail mamanagementTuesday, Jun 14th 3:12PM
Garbo truck driverTuesday, Jun 14th 9:04AM
DentistTuesday, Jun 14th 1:59AM
mental healthMonday, Jun 13th 6:05PM
AccountantMonday, Jun 13th 5:31PM
Telecom EngineerMonday, Jun 13th 3:26PM
Assistant Account Manager/Retail/DesignMonday, Jun 13th 11:39AM
RetailSunday, Jun 12th 2:38PM
ITSunday, Jun 12th 1:06PM
AccountingSunday, Jun 12th 9:27AM
receptionistSunday, Jun 12th 8:56AM
Design engineerSaturday, Jun 11th 3:19AM
Human resource directorSaturday, Jun 11th 1:38AM
attorneyFriday, Jun 10th 11:11PM
Training & DevelopmentThursday, Jun 9th 11:35PM
Museum/Arts/EducationThursday, Jun 9th 11:02PM
Customer ServiceThursday, Jun 9th 10:34PM
NonprofitThursday, Jun 9th 5:29PM
Food safety officerThursday, Jun 9th 5:45PM
HospitalityThursday, Jun 9th 4:49PM
SalesThursday, Jun 9th 11:23AM
engineeringThursday, Jun 9th 9:24AM
engineerThursday, Jun 9th 6:53AM
disability support workerThursday, Jun 9th 3:57AM
AccountantThursday, Jun 9th 12:03AM
InsuranceWednesday, Jun 8th 11:54PM
BankingWednesday, Jun 8th 11:34PM
FinanceWednesday, Jun 8th 9:40PM
RetailWednesday, Jun 8th 5:32PM
E commerceWednesday, Jun 8th 3:53PM
Admin PRWednesday, Jun 8th 3:17PM
Software ConsultantWednesday, Jun 8th 1:49PM
Resturant managementWednesday, Jun 8th 12:39PM
Pharmaceutical IndustryTuesday, Jun 7th 9:55PM
ExportTuesday, Jun 7th 2:32PM
i am on dis abilityTuesday, Jun 7th 11:09AM
Email marketingTuesday, Jun 7th 6:41AM
recruitMonday, Jun 6th 5:17PM
SuperintendentMonday, Jun 6th 2:16PM
administrative assistantMonday, Jun 6th 1:36PM
ManufacturingMonday, Jun 6th 10:41AM
EducationSunday, Jun 5th 9:58PM
DesignerSunday, Jun 5th 8:35PM
Cashier/supervisorSunday, Jun 5th 3:32AM
CNASunday, Jun 5th 3:29AM
OilSaturday, Jun 4th 6:02PM
journalistSaturday, Jun 4th 11:11AM
Banker; Team Lead Financial LiteracySaturday, Jun 4th 10:27AM
Pharmacy student assistant jobFriday, Jun 3rd 6:30AM
LogisticsFriday, Jun 3rd 5:50AM
Director of Patient ExperienceThursday, Jun 2nd 5:30PM
PurchasingThursday, Jun 2nd 3:25PM
AccountantThursday, Jun 2nd 10:11AM
Assistant Director of Guest ExperienceWednesday, Jun 1st 11:11PM
Investor RelationsWednesday, Jun 1st 8:37PM
RetailWednesday, Jun 1st 8:55PM
7th grade ELA teacherWednesday, Jun 1st 6:52PM
Personal AssistantWednesday, Jun 1st 4:52AM

Today and everyday when you wake up don’t think about how miserable you are.  Even if you want to be doing something difference (and especially if you don’t know what that something different is) think about how you COULD be happy doing what you’re doing, right where you are with the people you are with….why?….because it will help you move on.  

You WILL move on.  Why?  Life is about change. Eventually things will change, don’t delay change by NOT learning the lesson of how to sing while walking in the storm. SING, SMILE. RISE ABOUT IT.

Saturday, June 4, 2016

Be Grateful When Things Don't Work Out

Why? 

Because what you had planned was TOO SMALL. 

  • If you are stressing right now about your job..STOP STRESSING.
  • If you are desperate to get out of your job situation…STOP BEING DESPERATE.
  • If you don’t think you can go another day working where you are working…STOP TRIPPING.

STOP.

Things could be horrible where you work, but going to another job does not mean it’s going to be ANY better. JUST QUIT is NOT about a JOB.  JUST QUIT is NOT about a CAREER…or a PROFESSION…IT IS ABOUT YOUR LIFE. It’s about planning your life.

So if you have been looking for a job, not getting interviews or even if you are getting interviews and you are not getting the jobs…STOP STRESSING, BEING DESPERATE and TRIPPING.

Ask yourself the below three questions?

  1. Today, if you had all the money that you needed to live for the REST OF YOUR LIFE what would you do?
  2. Today, if you went to the doctors and they told you that you had five more years to live what would you do?
  3. Today, if you went to the doctors and they told you that you only had 24 hours to live, what would you have WISHED you would have done with your life?

I can bet you that GET ANOTHER JOB is not the answer to any of those questions. IF you do still have a job…be grateful…some people don’t and can’t find one. So first be grateful that you have a job and if you have a job with a decent salary, benefits and a 401K/pension you should be getting down on your knees and praying to God or whoever you pray to because you are doing better than most people.  This is sad, but this the world we live in.

Bigger-Better-Bolder

Change your perspective about your life and start planning to do those things you WANT to do.  Figure that out.  What do you want to do? What do you want to accomplish? While you are miserable in your job, figure it out.  Nobody can get inside of your head and make you STRESS about your job, EXCEPT you.  If you take control of your mind (your thoughts) then you can manage to get up, go in and be THINKING about what you want to do and DOING something about it in your free time. What is that you say?  You’re depressed? You’re drained after your job?  Well JOIN THE CLUB.  It’s a worldwide problem, people.  It’s not just you. Know that this is a worldwide phenomena, of people working in meaningless stressful jobs.  

So, if your mediocre plans aren’t working out…GREAT…you’ve been spared…because…you’re supposed to do something BIGGER, BETTER, BOLDER with your life.

NOW….GET UP and GET STARTED

 

Saturday, May 21, 2016

Take Off Your Mask

Leaving the library to get Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh’s The Miracle of Mindfulness book I looked to my left and saw an art gallery that was new.  It was pouring down raining, but I circled back around and decided to check it out. What a find it was.  Beautiful gallery, shop, artwork and owner.

The below is a piece that I brought. 

Zero

He called it ZERO, because that is how the artist was feeling in his job. He was smiling on the outside but miserable inside. If you look closely you will see the Zero on his chest, and the hand removing the smiling mask.

The artist said the flames on the left is how he felt in his life and at that job and the bubbles on the right is where he knew his life could be if he followed his passions and love of art.

Well today, this gentleman owns a fabulous and beautiful art gallery, shop and studio. No longer a ZERO.  What about you?  Are you smiling on the outside but sad on the inside? Take off your mask. Be honest with yourself. Move to the right, set sail and soar.

Sunday, May 1, 2016

Why Not Basic Income?

“It’s something new…That will never happen…We’ve never done anything like that before…People need to work…People will be lazy…You shouldn’t get anything for free.”  On and on it goes….

If I did not get survey entries DAILY from people SUFFERING in jobs for one reason or another I would not know the extent of the problem.

People want to be creative and productive. They want to be happy.  They want to just  live.  They want to see their families. They want to use their greatest talents and skills. Mostly people just want to do something they love doing AND be – able – to – eat. That is not too much to ask.  It’s not. It is a reasonable request and getting a basic income could help make that a reality.   At a minimum it’s something to be considered. 

Today, May 1st is Basic Income Day and I will be tweeting out survey entries throughout the day so those in tweeter land can see that there is a WORLDWIDE need for a fix.Basic Income Day

The below is the ThunderClap for Basic Income Day. — It’s a great read with great reference resources and a call to action.

What would you do with a monthly salary, separate and in addition to any other salary, but earned as a right of citizenship and sufficient for you to meet your most basic needs for life? That’s basic income, and that’s what Basic Income Day is about in recognition of the 21st century.

Popularly known as May Day or Labour Day, May 1st has long been a day to internationally recognize the contributions of the global labor movement and its many struggles and achievements over the years. However, where unions once empowered labor and gave us the 40-hour week and the 8-hour day, globalization and advances in technology have severely eroded the ability of unions to effect change.

As automation of the workplace continues to the tune of potentially eliminating half of all current jobs by 2033, and in addition eroding any sense of financial security or consumer buying power through the growth of part-time jobs, low-paid work, temp labor, gig labor, freelancing, and zero-hour contracts, unconditional basic incomerepresents the ability to empower all labor on an individual basis. A newly gained ability to say “No” to any and all employers would have an undeniable effect on individual bargaining power. That means greater sharing of profits and higher wages, better hours and workplace conditions, more benefits, etc.

The achievement of basic income would be the achievement of a new voluntary contract on more equal footing between employer and employee, including the empowerment of the employee to become their own employer by UBI’s functioning as venture capital for the people. It would mean a new age of greater equalityinnovation,productivity, and entrepreneurship, where all are finally free to pursue the goals they wish to pursue, and all work could be recognized for its societal value, instead of only paid work as it stands now. Isn’t it time we started recognizing all the important labor going unpaid?

Even Andy Stern, former President of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) in a forthcoming book explains how basic income is the future of the labor movement, and the policy we must all together now strive for in the 21st century. It’s an idea whose time has come.

So what can you do?

There are many ways to support the idea and to help grow the movement for Basic Income. For one, take part in Basic Income Day by supporting this Thunderclap and by changing your profile photos and sharing basic income content across all social media networks on May 1st. Last year we reached 700,000 people. This year, let’s reach over 1 million!

In Switzerland there will be over 100 robots protesting with the demand for humans to let them do their work. Other robots all over the world are encouraged to join in with their own local robot protests.

What else can you do any day of the year?

Join the growing global movement to create an income floor for everyone.

This is the century of technological emancipation from labor itself. We made it. We’re here. We need only actually embrace it. Unemployment is not something to fear. It is something to welcome.

Without basic income, on the 1st of May we celebrate Human Labour Day.

With basic income, tomorrow we celebrate Machine Labour Day.