Goals and Goal Setting.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? What about the next 2 years? What about the next two weeks? What are you doing today? How will your actions today affect your goals for tomorrow? Goal setting is an important factor in the art of finish. It begins with two questions the first being: “Where do you want to be?” After you answer this question examine your past accomplishments small and large and the means or method you used to achieve them. This will enable you to answer the second question which is: “How are you going to get there?” As you thumb through your history of completion, or lack there of, a pattern will emerge. The pattern you are observing is a behavior pattern. Think about what you did and how you did it, the pitfalls you encountered and who or what assisted you throughout the process. Now from your past experiences and present aspirations you can devise a plan that dictates daily and weekly goals. Remember some goals are simple and may only entail something as small as making a phone call or sending an email. What is important is not the grandeur of the goal but what you do immediately to further your cause. With that said it is important to never discount your small victories and track of your successes, because if you dismiss everything you have accomplished in the past it will be impossible for you to see how you could attain anything in the future.

To the right is a diagram that illustrates the different types of goals and their relationship to one another.

Cross Train Yourself

In this recessing economy you have to be ready to get another job at the drop of a hat. In this case it is always better to have a more plentiful array of positions to choose from. Cross training may be easier in some fields and offices than it is in others, but there is no doubt it will quickly distinguish you from your competitors when applying for jobs. Here are a few tips to help you familiarize yourself with other aspects of your companies operations: Read more

The Boss Who Never Relaxed

I worked at a PI firm in Philly. My position was assistant to the office manager. The business was largely process service from local attorney, who are always late and missing deadlines or providing too little lead-time for a job. I got hired as a last stitch effort to lighten the office manager’s workload. It also happens that the office manager was a workaholic with a marriage on it last leg due to his excessive albeit unnecessary office hours. The work was very simple data entry at best, and the occasional couriering to City Hall, the work flow was light to medium, and though the office was small anybody with strong organizational skills could easily navigate the filing system. And the office had a good vibe. The only problem was the office manager still insisted on working late  into the night on projects that could wait until the next day, because we received them late and they couldn’t be sent out until the next afternoon. Read more