Almost all of the good things that have happened to me in my life were a result of managing and cultivating relationships. Most people get jobs through people they know. Opportunities are usually created through networks. However, many people make the mistake of focusing on quantity rather than quality when they network. They think that having met someone now qualifies that person as a contact. Perhaps. But, meeting someone and leaving a lasting impression are two different things. For most of u…

Have you ever thought about your career or the work you do as art…as a form of personal creative expression? We can easily summon an image of the painter, sculptor, musician, writer or inventor in their studio, engaged in the wonderful process of creating a masterpiece. (One of my dreams is to model my office on a Leonardo Da Vinci-type studio, but that’s another story.) Try applying this analogy to you and the work you do. Your career…past, present and future is a canvas upon which you are pain…

1. WORK ON YOUR RESUME

Most people work on their resumes only when forced to. Make the time now to update first your resume data. Second, try and capture your projects and accomplishments since the last time you did this. Don’t make a huge production of it. Just get it done.

2. ASSESS YOUR SITUATION

What is the state of your industry, organization, and your position today? DO NOT automatically assume that you are immune to unpleasant or surprise changes. What can and should you do about it?

3. WRITE…

New Year Career Considerations

The New Year is a natural time to reflect on life goals, your career and the coming year. Allow me to propose the following questions, which might help in your discovery.

1. Are you happy doing what you do for a living? Are you happy doing it where you do it? When you do it? How you do it?

2. To what degree is your current assignment/job/project/enterprise a fit with the real you? In other words, to what degree, if any, are you putting on a mask when you go to work? (Hint: …

This is my 2nd time around in the ranks of the self-employed. The first was very successful. I sold the business. In between, I also had the great privilege of managing Monster.com’s self-employment / free agent market. Talk about interesting times. For the last 18 months, I have been working on my 2nd venture. I can tell you from experience, that the ultimate challenge of self-employment is managing yourself.

• How effectively & efficiently you use your time

• Focus

• Determination, persistence and visi…