7 Career Mistakes That Turn Your Mojo into Nojo

 Special Guest Post by:  Dr. Maynard Brusman

If you’ve been working hard for any length of time, in any field, chances are you’ve experienced at least one humiliating career failure. Career “hiccups” can kill your spirit and make it difficult to regain your intrinsic motivation and drive.

Some of the “bad” things that happen to hardworking, well-meaning, capable people each day include:

• Missing the big opportunity

• Getting passed over for a promotion

• Getting demoted

• Losing a lot of money

• Getting fired

• Going bankrupt

What happens to us when our worst career nightmares come true?

There may not be scandalous headlines in the local papers, but with the emotional turmoil you’re experiencing, there may as well be.

Public or company humiliations suck the air out of one’s spirit, making it hard to carry on with dignity and drive. Our lifeblood and mental energy are drained.

Career-altering events can happen to anyone — and they do. But when they happen to us, they seem incomprehensible, largely because we’ve worked so hard to be nice, dedicated and well-meaning.

But even when we can partially blame the economy, there comes a time when we must take a hard look at what we could have done differently. Despite faltering companies, imperfect leaders, coworkers who don’t like us and other external variables, we must eventually engage in private, honest introspection. It’s time to ask: What part did I play in the events leading up to the career crisis?

One of the most powerful questions you can ask yourself is “Am I maintaining my career mojo?” Emotionally intelligent and socially intelligent organizations provide executive coaching and career development for leaders who want to be maintain their career mojo and be fully engaged at work.

About Dr. Maynard Brusman:

Dr. Maynard Brusman is a consulting psychologist and executive coach. He is the president of Working Resources, a leadership consulting and executive coaching firm. We specialize in helping San Francisco Bay Area companies and law firms assess, select, coach, and retain emotionally intelligent leaders. Maynard is a highly sought-after speaker and workshop leader. He facilitates leadership retreats in Northern California and Costa Rica. The Society for Advancement of Consulting (SAC) awarded Dr. Maynard Brusman “Board Approved” designations in the specialties of Executive Coaching and Leadership Development.  To learn more about Dr. Brusman, visit his website:  Working Resources

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Is Stress Stressing You Out?

As we age, it seems like we become more and more hard-pressed to fulfill those, yet unfulfilled, dreams. We’re working harder, having less fun and setting ourselves up for some medical issues down the road if we don’t slow down. Are you living on a street known as “Stressful Alley?”

Stress is predicted to be the biggest health problem in the 21st century and if stress is spoiling the quality of your life, then you need to take some necessary action to reduce stress naturally and find some much needed relief.

Feeling as if you’re trapped in a rut or that your life is going nowhere is another part of stressful illnesses and this feeling can trigger depression. Doing the same routines day in, day out isn’t good for us and although we do need some security, needing it too much can cause problems. Take yourself out of your comfort zone and try something new. Start a fitness program, try a new sport, learn a musical instrument, go on a activity holiday or take up a new hobby. New experiences add to the pleasure you get from life and keep your spark alive.

When you’re suffering a stressful, depressive or anxious episode, a feeling that somehow, it’s your fault can creep in. In blaming yourself this way, guilty feelings arise and you feel even worse. But you’re not at fault in anyway, you didn’t suddenly decide to suffer from stress, depression or anxiety and I know you’d ditch them right now if you could! Stress, depression and anxiety have specific causes that certainly aren’t your fault. Never blame yourself and concentrate on treating the causes instead.

Burnout is an ever increasing problem in our society. As if a full working day isn’t enough, many people return home and have to do even more work to run the family home, prepare meals, time for the children and a multitude of other activities and people all clamouring for attention. So make “me time” a priority. Have at least one 20 minute break away from your work station where you can relax in peace. At home, schedule periods each day so you can rest and relax. These times are so important to both mental and physical health and they’ll help relieve stress, depression and anxiety.

It’s been said many times: What you focus on becomes your reality. It’s true and in life, little things can make a big difference. If you continually focus on problems, on little things that annoy you, on the irritating habits your loved ones have and on all of the inconveniences we all experience in daily living, your going to be unhappy. Instead, focus on the little things that make life worthwhile but that many of us take for granted: a sunrise, a smile, an act of kindness, a star filled sky, a hug from your children, a kiss from your lover or support from your friends and family. We all have many wonderful things we can focus on everyday instead of expecting them without regard and the more you focus on these little things, the happier you’ll feel.

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Body Weight Can Affect A Woman in Business

You have two women vying for a managerial position. One is petite. The other candidate is visibly overweight. Of the two, the heavy set woman is better qualified for the job requirements. Who will get the job?

When it comes to job hiring or career advancement, a common phrase is “it’s not just what you know, it’s who you know,” but research on weight–based bias suggests “it’s how you look.”

Does being extra heavy or obese hinder the opportunity of getting a job or moving up the work ladder?

A recent study conducted at Wayne State University in Detroit, MI, shows that, yes, obesity can and does have a denigrating effect in the workplace.

“There are a whole set of stereotypes that go along with being overweight, and a lot of them transfer into the workplace in terms of people’s judgment about others’ abilities and appearance in relation to job performance,” said doctoral candidate Cort Rudolph.

But that’s not necessarily the case when it comes to doing business on the internet.  People are less inclined to consider body image when conducting business.  Your integrity is more important by far.  Can you produce RESULTS or do you have a product the customer needs?  What you look like tends to be irrelevant.

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