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Jay White2008-03-21T12:56:43.031-05:005 Reasons You Should Quit Your Job</h3><content type="html"><div id="write"><h7 class="write">Written on 3/20/2008 by <a href="http://www.theratingblog.com/about/">Alan Johnson</a> of <a href="http://www.theratingblog.com/">TheRatingBlog.com</a>.</h7></div> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/fuzzcat/22019163/"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_dH0q9hvpVHg/R-KBcIp0ErI/AAAAAAAABlA/NP528fiPOfs/s400/work.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179844841788674738" title="Rusty at work" border="0" /></a>Everyone that I know has a job; some are good some are bad. I'd imagine that most of you have jobs as well. At some point or another, you will get the itch to storm into your boss' office and leave, once and for all. However, is there a good reason aside from the, "I don't like it" mantra repeating itself in your brain? Perhaps. Today we'll discuss some reasons why it may be acceptable to leave your current job. Next week, we'll flip the script and discuss reasons why you won't quit. So with that, let's go through five situations that may cause you to quit. While none of these may be strong enough to hold water on its own, those of you that go 3 outta 5 may be at the tipping point. <ol><li>You Hate What You're Doing Do you really want to spend the next years doing something you absolutely hate? Will that make you happy? Sure, your paycheck could be decent, but I'll tell you this much: if you currently hate what you're doing then, as far as your potential is concerned, you are leaving a lot on the table by not quitting your job. </li> <li>It's Not Challenging Enough A lot of folks, due to the fact that they're as lazy as it gets, prefer to limit themselves to a job that allows them to coast through each day unchallenged. You cannot be one of these people (could you?). Look deep down inside yourself. Challenging doesn't equal stressful to don't be afraid to open yourself up to more responsibility. </li> <li>You Don't Like The People You Work With As your personal productivity level is concerned, it will be very difficult to maximize results if you are not exactly thrilled about the people you work with. We all have quarrels with people at work but if going to work becomes a chore simply because of the people, it's time to give it some thought. We could be talking about fellow employees or we could be talking about your boss, it really doesn't matter. The bottom line is that if you are not able to get along with them then you are most likely better off trying something else on for size. </li> <li>You Are Not Satisfied Financially Are you not satisfied with your current paycheck? Do you know how it stacks up with other people in the industry doing the same thing? While money is not the key to happiness, it's nice to know if the company across the street would pay you an extra $10K for doing the same thing. A site named <a class="snap_shots" href="http://www.indeed.com/salary">Indeed</a> has a comparison tool that will give you some preliminary data comparison for your position. Check that out but the point is that you should never make the mistake of sticking around simply because you are afraid or lack the confidence. When it comes to this point, knowledge is power. </li><li>There Are No Promotion Opportunities Does the thought of doing the same thing over and over again and never taking things to the next level sound all that appealing? Of course not, and you can rest assured that, if there's absolutely nothing which motivates you to become better at what you're doing, you simply won't. No matter what angle you choose to view the situation from, you will never be truly happy with a job which doesn't motivate you enough. As a result, I'm sure that it's more than obvious what you should be doing next. </li></ol>So what do you think? How many of these apply to you? If it's 4 or 5 are you already looking for a new job or planning to start a business? If not, what is holding you back? -Alan <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~a/DumbLittleMan?a=7Oszev"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~a/DumbLittleMan?i=7Oszev" border="0"></img></a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?a=SbdLOSf"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?i=SbdLOSf" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?a=5spJr7f"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?i=5spJr7f" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?a=pfS9gqf"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?i=pfS9gqf" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?a=HixfR4f"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?i=HixfR4f" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?a=XKtpouF"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?i=XKtpouF" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/DumbLittleMan/~4/254977674" height="1" width="1"/></content><author><name>Jay White</name></author></entry><entry><updated>2008-03-21T13:28:50.226-05:00</updated><title type="text">You Can't Look Miserable if You Want to Meet People</h3><content type="html"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/damek/286843931/"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp2.blogger.com/_dH0q9hvpVHg/R-Jgeop0EqI/AAAAAAAABk4/30PTKDE3H-Y/s320/cubes.png" alt="cubicles" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179808600854631074" title="cubicles" border="0" /></a>I spend a lot of time at the offices of some huge companies. Every time, without fail, I walk past huge cubicle farms. An occasional balloon may be hovering over some birthday boy's workstation, but aside from that, it's a sea of muted faces. If I had to guess, I'd say that less than 10% of the people I see actually smile, let alone say "HI!". Who can blame them; I am a guy in a suit. Suits scare people but us sales guys have to dress the part when we're meeting with executives. Maybe it is me. Maybe I not the giving off the warm and fuzzies either. Who knows? What I do know and what I have learned is that everyone can and should do what it takes to become more approachable. John Wesley of <a class="snap_shots" href="http://www.pickthebrain.com/">Pick the Brain</a> thinks the same thing. <blockquote>"Maybe you’re tired, nervous, or a person who doesn’t enjoy big crowds. In these cases, you can actually put yourself into a more likable mood by assuming more likable body language."</blockquote>Heck, I am so introverted I don't even 'reply to all' in email. For me, these tips are critical to my existence because I chose a very social occupation. John's article today was good as he shares some ideas on becoming more approachable as well as learning how body language plays a part in communicating. Give it a read and then consider how you act at work or even at home. What vibes are you sending out? <a class="snap_shots" href="http://www.pickthebrain.com/blog/rock-the-party-how-to-appear-friendly-and-approachable/"> Rock the Party: How to Appear Friendly and Approachable</a> at Pick the Brain. -Jay <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~a/DumbLittleMan?a=JlPyU8"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~a/DumbLittleMan?i=JlPyU8" border="0"></img></a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?a=wi5VVzf"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?i=wi5VVzf" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?a=aN4Uc5f"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?i=aN4Uc5f" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?a=sywaOFf"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?i=sywaOFf" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?a=bPKyPdf"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?i=bPKyPdf" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?a=RN3NaWF"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?i=RN3NaWF" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/DumbLittleMan/~4/254910458" height="1" width="1"/></content><author><name>Jay White</name></author></entry><entry><updated>2008-03-19T19:02:41.459-05:00</updated><title type="text">How To Get People Addicted To You And Take Control</h3><content type="html"><div id="write"><h7 class="write">Written on 3/19/2008 by Alex Shalman, creator of the <a href="http://www.alexshalman.com/blog/">Practical Personal Development</a> blog.</h7></div> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/pixel_addict/397641110/"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp3.blogger.com/_dH0q9hvpVHg/R-EqF13JO2I/AAAAAAAABko/mBWi0MHf0ws/s320/addicted.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179467326298864482" title="love is in the air" border="0" /></a>There is a special little secret ingredient which is responsible for getting people addicted to you, to love you, and to think of you as an irreplaceable person in their life. Right away you are thinking of how valuable it would be to have such power in romance, friendship and business. People would love you, adore you, and want you to succeed. How famous, rich, and powerful would you be then? This universal principle applies to any person, and can be executed at any time, but keep in mind that you will be completely exploiting them, so take this knowledge and let the use of it rest on your own conscience. In any relationship the thing that defines how much you care, feel, and want the best for them, has nothing to do with who they are. It has everything to do with who YOU are. You could equally love the prom queen or a troll, that's not based on who they are, it's based on who YOU are. The secret to making yourself care for and love someone is simply to give to them. Give them your caring, give them your love, and give them an investment of your most valuable asset- your time. Why does a mother always love her child more than vice versa? This is because the mother has given more to the child. How come the children of parents who give them absolutely everything they ask for grow up to hate their parents? This is because the parents did all of the giving, and the child gave nothing. The parent gave and grew to love, the child took and grew to hate. The key to a mutually loving relationship is a mutually giving relationship- the trick is in the balance. By now you can see that it's easier for you to make yourself addicted to them than vice versa. In one sense this is true, but there are a few techniques you can execute in order to facilitate their giving, and thus their loving. <ol><li>Get Out Of Their Way. You will notice that often times people offer to help, and you can tell they really want to, but you decide to deny them and do it yourself. Knowing what you know about giving you can now step aside, let them help you and invest time in you, and then give them a simple 'Thank You.'</li> <li>Ask and Receive. When they're not offering to help, make the offer for them by asking. You might think that causing even a slight inconvenience to them will not make them love you more, because they're having to go out of their way. Wrong. The more they just had to sacrifice and go out of their way, the more they have given and made an investment.</li> <li>Spend Some Time. Engage them in a mutually enjoyable activity. In this case you will both like it, both invest time in each other, and both associate positive emotional states with each other. As you can see, you're both going to get addicted to each other- win-win.</li></ol>Can you think of other ways to get someone addicted to you? Share in the comments below. -Alex <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~a/DumbLittleMan?a=YEnmml"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~a/DumbLittleMan?i=YEnmml" border="0"></img></a><div class="feedflare"> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?a=xzYHsVf"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?i=xzYHsVf" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?a=k8zHkrf"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?i=k8zHkrf" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?a=Xpi8Snf"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?i=Xpi8Snf" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?a=Fx6Hknf"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?i=Fx6Hknf" border="0"></img></a> <a href="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?a=YybFj4F"><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~f/DumbLittleMan?i=YybFj4F" border="0"></img></a> </div><img src="http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/DumbLittleMan/~4/254341456" height="1" width="1"/></content><author><name>Alex Shalman</name></author></entry><entry><updated>2008-03-18T11:36:33.816-05:00</updated><title type="text">Protect Yourself Against Energy Vampires</h3><content type="html"><div id="write"><h7 class="write">Written on 3/18/2008 by Craig Harper, a <a href="http://www.craigharper.com.au/" title="Motivational Speaker">Motivational Speaker</a></h7></div> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/smitherines/137981053/"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer;" src="http://bp0.blogger.com/_dH0q9hvpVHg/R9_uYl3JO1I/AAAAAAAABkg/128Iaeu5phU/s320/complain.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5179120202747034450" border="0" /></a>They live among us, in human form. To the untrained eye, it is almost impossible to tell the difference. Typically they look like you and I, but they're not, they're not like us at all. They are Vampires and their modus operandi is not to steal your blood but rather, your precious energy. Your life-force. Your mojo. To drain you emotionally and psychologically. To frustrate you with their repetitious, self-indulgent, attention-seeking diatribe. They are often bitter, angry and resentful...and they want you to share their pain. They don't want solutions, they want pity. They don't want constructive feedback, they want attention. They don't want to take responsibility, they want to blame and vent. They seem to revel in their own misery. Day in, day out. They have the same conversations about the same issues with the same people and produce the same result; no change. They major on minors. They bring others down. They have a gift for finding the negative. They are emotionally exhausting to be around. They inhabit our work places, our families, our schools and they permeate every corner of society. Note: I will point out that Energy Vampires are not to be confused with the vast majority of people who simply need help, support, direction and care... and are serious about working on themselves and their situation. They are also not to be confused with people who are genuinely looking for answers (not attention or sympathy) and are prepared to accept responsibility, be accountable and be proactive. No, the people I'm talking about here are relentless in their negativity and their 'woe-is-me' ness (a Craigism). As most of you know, I am serious about helping people create their best life and I choose to spend much of my life working with a wide range of people to help them confront and deal with their issues and create their own version of amazing. But, I'm not about letting people monopolize my time and energy and I won't buy into their poor attitude or their negativity. I don't care how messed up someone's life or situation is, if they have a good attitude, I'll help them. Gladly. If they're a Vampire, I'm outta there. See ya, wouldn't wanna be ya. It's great to be a giver, a carer and a feeler (sometimes), but now and then we need to take a stand with certain people.. because if we don't, we begin to suffer and then nobody wins. So here are my tried and proven tips for coping with Energy Vampires. (Not every tip is appropriate for every person and situation but you might find some of them useful) <ol style="color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><li>Identify the Vampires in your life, acknowledge the impact they have on you and make a resolution to change the way you communicate (interact with, exist with) those people. </li><li>Don't buy into their life's-not-fair-and-nobody-understands-me monologues. Feed it and you'll create a monster. </li><li>Be straight with them and tell them that you will not have the same conversations about the same issues any more (yes this takes courage). </li> <li>This sounds harsh, but some Vampires need to be avoided. </li> <li>Don't give them too much time. When a Vampire walks into my office I stand as if I'm about to go somewhere. I'll give them a few minutes and if I feel we're heading down the same old path, I'll start walking and shut the conversation down. </li> <li>Ask them questions like "so you've identified the issues, tell me how you can change things for the better?" </li> <li>If you have a Vampire who is in your life to stay (family perhaps), create some rules of engagement... "I will not talk about 'these' issues again until I see you doing XYZ." </li> <li>Choose your friends and acquaintances wisely. Make sure you spend (lots of) time with people who will drag you up, not down. You need to keep your tank full. </li></ol>Spending lots of time with Vampires is draining and unenjoyable. 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