Avoid Burnout

If you think that Hell does not exist, put yourself through burnout. That is what happens to workaholics. With faith in God and self-discipline you can recover and find yourself on a firmer foundation with a much more effective and successful style. How do I know? I have been through burnout twice. Be Warned.

Elaine Bailey has also survived burnout. She lists five delusions workaholics suffer from:

1. I'm keeping the boss happy
2. I'm a hero
3. I'm better than others
4. I accomplish more
5. Successful people work long hours

Elaine does a good job of explaining each item in her full article.

People to Avoid

One component of success is avoiding those who will ultimately avoid success. Benjamin Franklin described that kind of person very pointedly. He gave four things to look for in the person's behavior. Mark Bowser first brought these to my attention.

1.  Whenever possible, they engross the whole discourse; and when other matter fails, they talk much of themselves, and their Education, Knowledge, Circumstances, Successes in Business, Victories in Disputes, their own wise Sayings and Observations on particular Occasions. It goes on and on.

2.  If anyone tries to seize the opportunity of saying something, they watch that person's words carefully. If possible, they find something either in that person's sentiment or expression, immediately to contradict and raise a dispute upon. Rather than fail, they criticize even the person's grammar.

3.  If another should be saying an indisputably good thing; they either give no attention to it; or interrupt him; or draw away the attention of others. If they can guess what he would say, they are quick to say it before him; or, if he gets it said, and they perceive the company is pleased with it, they quote Locke, Bayle, or some other eminent writer. Thus they deprive him of the reputation he might have gained by it, and gain some for themselves, as they thereby show their great reading and memory.

4.  When modest men have been thus treated by them a few times, they will chase ever after them to be silent in your company. They thus seek to shine on without fear of a rival; pressing modest people at the same time for their dullness, which will be to them a new fund of wit.

Read Mark's discussion of these four points: http://informationanthology.net/CareerMentor/Rules-For-Failure.html.

Becoming Happens Before Having, Doing, or Being

The title's insight is provided to us by Andrew Horton. He has found that career success happens when we invest our time into becoming, rather than acquiring. Experience has shown him that anything we pursue will elude us, whereas, as we grow and become, everything needed for achievement tends to be attracted to us. The people, resources and everything needed tend to gravitate toward us. He finds also that the real reward for setting goals and getting clarity about what we want in our future, is that we have the information necessary to finally develop a clear picture in our minds, about who and what we need to become, in order to attract success into our lives. The success, results, and outcomes we get to enjoy are merely the by-product of our becoming.

Read more of Andrew's remarks on this topic: http://informationanthology.net/CareerMentor/Become-Someone.html.

Micro-Tasking – A Productive Use of the Internet

Shopping areas, restaurants, colleges, libraries, and even governments strive to make internet connectivity available to the public. Along with connectivity, these entities also tend to provide space for people and their access devices. Once connectivity and working space are established, the possibilities for their use are unlimited to someone with suitable (yet inexpensive) equipment, imagination, and energy. (Some libraries even operate complete internet cafes that are free to the public.)

Micro-tasking is one way of bringing extra cash to the unemployed, students, retirees, and others seeking supplemental income. It is also a way of learning meaningful work habits and entrepreneurial engagement while one is in training for secure life-supporting jobs, a stepping stone on the way to a good career.

 

Micro-tasks are components of a larger project. They are small and short-duration activities, conducted by numerous people, that add up to a larger result. Such tasks expand on ideas such as day-labor, cargo load boards, and contracted professional effort. Taken in the broad sense, micro-tasks do not necessarily require internet access.

 

It is said that dreams come true when preparation, opportunity, decision, and action meet. Micro-tasking is an opportunity. My article helps you to engage. The decision and action are now up to you. Take responsibility for yourself and move forward to your future success. You can read more information at my website. A 5200-word electronic-format article on the topic can be purchased for $0.99. A free reader for your computer, laptop, or other device can be downloaded. Nook format is also available. None of these opportunities require a membership or registration fee.

No Substitute for Hard Work

There is no easy way to have a successful career. One can not just float down the river. Usiere Uko has recognized this. He says that, many take “work smarter, not harder” to mean that there is a lazy way to achieve success. If you tried short cuts before, you know that nothing could be further from the truth. There is no lazy route to the top. For sure, effort can be wasted if not applied intelligently. Working smart should be the norm. Hard work comes into play within the context of working smart. Without hard work, you cannot go far.

Read more of Usiere’s thoughts at http://informationanthology.net/CareerMentor/Success-Takes-Work.html.

Success Through Action

If a person is not worth their word, then what is their worth? If their actions do not match their words, then what? We all know someone like that; all talk, no action. To earn success, focus on what you can do to ensure that all the things you say you are going to do get done.

This advice from Elliot Zovighian comes with four categories of effort:

Conviction

Perseverance

Action

Documenting Goals

Read more of Elliot's thoughts on this matter: http://informationanthology.net/CareerMentor/Success-Through-Action.html.

Dealing with Numerous Career Choices

As I offer input on peoples’ career choices, an oft-encountered dilemma they face is a confusion of possibilities. While there is no perfection on this earth, it is possible to objectively consider many alternatives so that reasonable choices are made. That means you should use an approach that helps you systematically eliminate alternatives.

One technique is to employ a decision table. This gives you a chance to carefully consider career options relative to your personal values and your needs in a career. By using an objective method to evaluate career choices, you can come to very good conclusions. More information on this approach can be found in an article I wrote: http://informationanthology.net/CareerMentor/Evaluating-Career-Choices.html.