8/15/2014 
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Upwards to 70 % of jobs in today’s market are gained through personal and professional connections, with nearly 42% of jobs being filled internally. 

Why is this becoming a trend? Well cost for one thing. From a recruiting standpoint  it is cheaper to hire from within, and the amount and cost to train is significantly reduced when hiring an internal candidate.

How, with this knowledge, do you become the preferred candidate?  For starters you are critiqued from the first day on the job, so shine each day!  Be mindful that every day is an opportunity to either succeed or fail:

• Be professional in your demeanor, dress and conversations;
• Avoid gossiping and whispers;
• Remain loyal to your employer, supervisors and colleagues;
• Be seen as approachable and an active part of your team;
• Revew the strategic plan and research and voice constructive methods to reach your employers business goals;
• Volunteer to be an active member on specialized projects even if it calls for work outside the normal business day;
• Be willing to help others within and across departments.  Working across divisions aids in broadening your internal network, especially to decision makers;
• Ask for and accept feedback, then use that feedback to improve your skills and overall performance;
• Take advantage of all opportunities for personal development that your employer offers as well as training outside the worksite;
• Participate in industry related associations;
• Read industry journals, related magazines, and blogs;
• Take ownership of both the good and bad decisions that you make—remember making a mistake is not a bad thing, how you deal with it is the true test of your professionalism and growth.

Proactively prepare for the position that you want in the future to become truly qualified rather than doing nothing and  reacting negatively when you aren’t given an interview or selected for the position.

Remember: If you keep doing what you are doing, you’ll keep getting what you are getting!  If all is going well, no need to change.  But if you don’t like the results, do something about it.

8/1/2014 
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I took my first yoga class when I was a teenager and fell in love with it from the start.  Learning new breathing techniques to bring a sense of calmness when life in general tests my limits and finding new ways to stretch my body to maintain my flexibility as the years have progressed has been invaluable.

The physical, spiritual and emotional discipline has been one aspect that has transformed my body and mind and I use this same philosophy to bring discipline to my business.

As the hectic pace of our world continues to stretch my time and sometimes patience, making time for yoga has enriched my ability to clear my mind and focus, if for just a short time, on me.  When my mind is free of all the noise of what I have to get done, it’s when my creativity starts to flourish!  I’m never too far from a mini tape recorder or notepad so as not to lose an idea that flashes in my head.

At times I can devote a full hour to my yoga exercises and breathing, and sometimes to be honest I’m fortunate when I can squeeze in 10 minutes, however any amount of time that I have is an amazing opportunity to focus on what is important and to keep healthy: mind and body.  

The benefit you ask?  It allows me to return in full force to my business needs from marketing to client meetings to training and finally the quiet time in my office to dedicate time to complete client projects.

Whether you work for someone else or have your own business, taking time for yourself is critical in order to refresh, rejuvenate and open your mind to professional growth and development as well as making and maintaining professional relationships.   While practicing yoga doesn’t solve all problems or make them magically disappear, what it does, for me at least, is restore relaxation, build confidence with my ability to learn and achieve a new pose which in turn maintains my strength and flexibility.  It’s that same confidence that I then take into promoting my business as I network and meet new people from all across the US. 

In my work, each day brings a new challenge and the core of success for me has been how I tackle those challenges, be it by focusing on my breathing when stress takes over or getting in my daily exercise even if it means stealing a quick minute or two to perform a few yoga techniques while I sit at my desk.
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The next time that you are stumped on a project or feel that you have exhausted all avenues for developing a new business, consider what could happen if you removed yourself from the workload entirely and took a moment for yourself.