Career Communiqué x-Press

A personal note from Annemarie...

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Friday 6, October 2006

Hi,

Welcome to another edition of Career Communiqué x-Press.

If you have been reading Communiqué x-Press for some time you may have noticed my picture [to the left] has changed quite considerably from the picture in previous issues. People who have not seen me in a while have been quite stunned at the difference between me 'now' compared to me at the beginning of the year. So what has changed?

Well, for many years I had been struggling with my weight, which seemed to be getting worse with every year that passed. Each New Year began with a new year’s resolution - that this year would be the year that I would change my not-so-positive behaviours and habits that were preventing me from achieving my weight goals. However, even with all the will power I could gather up, a few months down the track I would be straying from my goals and eventually back to where I started. That was until I changed my resolution to an intension, removed some unconscious roadblocks (through using NLP), set some realistic and achievable goals, and established an accountability partner who has kept me focused over the last 9 months. With these strategies in place, a renewed drive and intent to achieve my goals, I have been able to shed over 16 kilos and feel healthier, fitter and totally inspired to continue on with my quest.

That leads me to a question? Have you been setting yourself resolutions year in year out but not really seeing these to fruition? You may want to get out of the rut you are in currently at work and finally begin to live your life’s calling. Perhaps you have been meaning to put yourself forward for promotion. Expand your knowledge by undergoing further professional development. Or perhaps may want to begin exercising more frequently, or like me, wish to shed some 15-20+ kilos that have crept up over the years. Yes?

Whatever your goals you may unknowingly be setting yourself up for failure before you even begin! If you have been struggling year after year to see your goals and objectives through to achievement, you may like to read our article in Coach’s Corner this month. Resolutions? Don’t set yourself up for failure. [We originally published this at the beginning of the year, however I wanted to share this with you again to see how I have been able to finally achieve my goals through using the principles in this article.

Until next time,

To your success!

Annemarie Cross
Career & NLP Coach

In this issue...

Coach's Corner: Resolutions? Don't set yourself up for failure.

Ace that Interview: Compelling questions to ask a potential employer.

Monthly Specials: Slash 10% from any one of our Individual Coaching Packages

Resources & Tools to Catapult Your Career: Career Communiqué Live - listen in to one of our previous calls: Career Misconceptions: Avoid falling victim to these 6 common mistaken career beliefs | Powerful Resumes

Coach's Corner

Resolutions? Don't set yourself up for failure.

[Republished. Original article published January 2006]

The end of a year often has us reflecting over the past 12 months and establishing resolutions for the things we want to change in our lives.

You may have decided to look for a new job, or that it was time to dust off those runners (the shoes you bought at the end of 2004 which are still sitting at the very back of your closet) and get fit, or even to loose some of those extra pounds that have crept up over the past few years. Does this ring true for you?

Unfortunately, a number of studies have shown that less than 10% of people who set resolutions ever achieve them. Are you one of the 90% who make resolutions at the end of each year with 110% commitment, only to find as the year progresses, you stray and eventually loose sight of your goal? Have you been putting up something that you really want to change? What has settling for second best been costing you in terms of emotionally, physically or spiritually?

NLP states that whatever we think, say or do will become our reality. Therefore we need to be extremely vigilant in what we ‘tell ourselves’ either verbally, through our actions, or even through our thoughts. Our unconscious minds are in the background ever eavesdropping on what we (and others) say. “Oh, you’ve been making the same resolution to loose weight for the past 2 years. What’s going to make this year different?” Or, “You’ll never leave your job – you’ve been saying that you want to leave over the past 18 months, and you’re still there.” Does that sound familiar?

What steps should/could you be taking that will enable you to realise and fulfil the changes you want to make in your life?

A great strategy is to change your ‘resolution’ into an ‘intention’. An intention is far more powerful than a resolution, as it is a goal or outcome that you ‘intend’ to achieve that requires planned and deliberate action steps. A resolution is often a fleeting decision or declaration made in the spur of the moment without any real thought or planning.

To assist you in defining your intention and ensuring your goal(s) are realistic, measurable and specific, put each of your intentions to the test.

§	What specifically do you want? What is your intention?
§	What is currently within your control that you can do to obtain this?
§	Describe specifically how it will feel when you have this?
§	When, where and how specifically will you have this? [Put some parameters on your goal/intention].
§	What are the steps you will take to obtain this?
§	What resources do you require to obtain this?
§	What resources do you already have to obtain this?
§	How will you know when you have this? What is your evidence?
§	Does this outcome fit into your life and have no consequences to yourself and others that would be harmful or painful?

The following example should illustrate how you can alter a resolution to an intention:

Resolution	Lose Weight	Change Jobs	Get Fit
Intention	To be XX kg by the _____ and feeling wonderful, healthy and motivated.	To be working in a _______ role by the ______ where I can feel passionate and motivated.	To exercise 30 minutes three times per week to enable me to feel fit, healthy and fantastic.

See the difference? Once you have you established your intentions and measure them against the above questions, you should then be able to develop your action plan.

Here are a few pointers to keep you on track:

§	Remember to remain strong in your commitment to change. Visualise what you will achieve after having accomplished your goal. How will you feel? What will you hear after you achieve your goal?
§	Establish a strong support system to sustain you during difficult times. Having support will allow you to overcome any obstacles and challenges that may arise.
§	Keep track of your progress as this should motivate you to continue charging on toward your goal.
§	Remember to give yourself a big pat on the back. You may consider establishing a reward system along the way. [If your intention was to loose weight you may promise to get a massage and facial once you reach a certain milestone in your journey.]

§
[Note: be careful that the rewards you set will not block you from achieving your goal. If your intention was to loose weight and you rewarded yourself with a big piece of cheesecake, you may just find yourself devouring the entire cake].

Here is to you achieving your goals! Let me know how your intention setting and planning goes! If you feel you could benefit from some support during your journey, or would like to remove those internal /unconscious blocks (that are continuously preventing you from achieving your goals) I hope that you would consider working with me. It would be an honour to work with you. Drop me a line at: annemarie@annemariecross.com.

To your success!

Annemarie

Ace that Interview!

While practising for your upcoming interviews, an important factor to consider is the questions you will ask of the interviewer to ensure you and the organisation have the ‘right fit’.

An edition of HR Magazine provided some great tips for people considering a career change, to avoid becoming a casualty of the ‘bad-fit’ syndrome.

In summary, it is important to gain understanding around:

§	The ‘right fit’ - to ensure you perform better in your new position allowing you to advance…
§	Self awareness – do you prefer a stable, low-key role, or are you stimulated by change, challenges and a fast-paced environment…
§	The importance of research and preparation – comprehensive research to gain key information about the company, its culture, and the team you will be working with…
§	Management / leadership style –observe the responses for clues as to whether you will have a good match with your manager…
§	Seek Your Comfort Level – based more on your intuition rather than fact, what does your ‘gut’ tell you? Is it a dynamic work environment that you can get excited about? Does the idea of working with the company thrill you?
Here are three of the top 25 questions that can determine whether you would be a good fit with the prospective employer:
§	How would you define the company's culture?
§	Could you describe the company's management/leadership approach?
§	How have you found working for the company? And, what would be the two or three most important key elements?

Want to learn more about compelling questions you can ask a potential employer? You can!! Send me Ace that Interview today!

Monthly Specials

A 10% saving from any one of our Individual Coaching Programs.

	Advance your internal promotional candidacy
	Improve your organisational and time management skills
	Enhance your stress management abilities
	Optimise your leadership and communication skills
	Secure team performance growth and goal achievement through identifying and improving your interpersonal skills
	Develop confidence to assist you in overcoming arising workplace or career issues	Unlocking your true potential
	Explore, clarify, plan, and move forward in your career with confidence	Unlocking your true potential

To find out about our Individual Coaching Programs click here [To take advantage of our offer contact: info@annemariecross.com]

Resources & Tools to Catapult Your Career

Career Communiqué Live: "Unleash your true potential.
Boost your career success!"

Want to join the Career Communiqué Live community where you can access empowering topics to begin unleashing your true potential and boosting your success toward a career that you love?

Then join us on our complimentary weekly telecalls (each Tuesday from 8.00 pm to 8.45 pm AEST)

Topics we will be covering:
Resume Writing; Interviewing Techniques; Career Planning & Advancement; Work/Life Balance
Stress Reduction; Performance Enhancement; How to position yourself for Internal Promotion
and much, much more...

To register your interest go to: www.career-coach.com.au/live.htm

I hope you can join me!

Listen in to one of our previous telecalls here:
Career Misconceptions: Avoid falling victim to these 6 common mistaken career beliefs

Click here to download the Observation & Action Worksheet that accompanies the call

Misconception 1: The most qualified candidate always gets the job offer.

Misconception 2: The best approach to job searching is through recruitment agencies, internet postings and newspapers articles.

Misconception 3: As long as I continue to work hard for my current employer, my role will be secure.

Misconception 4: Once I have completed my formal education there is no need for me to undertake further professional development.

Misconception 5: My resume should include a career objective, my entire work history, training and all of the responsibilities associated with each role I have performed.

Misconception 6: As I am well established in my current role, it’s not really important to continue working on my career.

ATTENTION JOB SEEKERS! Want to seize control of your job search and ensure you maximise your chances of snaring that interview by making yourself irresistible to a potential employer?
Did you know that:
in today’s fast paced and competitive job market your resume will only receive about 15-20 seconds to make an impression, and
thousands of job seekers are loosing out on job opportunities due to a dull and uninspiring resume? So what lasting impact is your resume making? Powerful Resumes!: EXPOSED - 6 crucial writing strategies to Secure that Interview! e-Course shows you how to create a powerful marketing tool that will allow you to outshine your competitors and catapult your application to the top of the pile. [Fast-track your application to the top of the pile today!]

Want to use this article in your ezine or website?

You can as long as you include this complete copy with it:

Career & NLP Coach and author Annemarie Cross provides specialised services for people striving for success and fulfilment in their careers. With an inquisitive, inspiring and influential approach, Annemarie has supported and empowered clients from diverse backgrounds across Australia and the globe in their journey to regain clarity, confidence, contentment and balance within their lives and careers. To learn more about her book, 10 Key Steps to Ace that Interview!, and sign up for more FREE tips and solutions like these, visit her site at http://www.annemariecross.com

Have a question you'd like answered in this ezine? Submit your question to: info@annemariecross.com

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