In a previous post I wrote "Hard Work Does Not Guarantee Success." I still believe it but it begs the question - Then what else do you need to do to guarantee success? One answer that many people would agree with is - self promotion - make sure important people (like your boss and their boss) know what a top performer you are. That's easier said then done. How to finesse self-promotion without coming off too boastful or self-centered is tricky.
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How to Communicate Bad News to Your Manager
I don't have to tell you that not everything at work is always smooth sailing. Sometime things are delayed, mistakes are made, wrong numbers are published. It may be your fault, it may be a bad circumstance, or a combination of both. What do you say when your boss wants a progress report and things are not going so well?
Believe in Yourself – You are “Beautiful”
This post is not about external appearances. This post is inspired by a recent show I saw onVH1 called Storytellers: Christina Aguilera. It’s in a format where a music artist sings to a small group, and talks to the group about herself, her music, and her inspirations. Christina’s story about her song “Beautiful” really caught my attention. ...
Laid Off? Now What – 5 Things to Do
You have just been laid off. Now what? This can be a confusing and stressful time, and sometimes well-meaning friends don’t know what to say or how to help. Don’t worry! Your fellow readers Tamara, Ajantha, Judy and I have some great tips for you. The best way to move forward after being laid off is to stay active. I categorized the tips into five sections: Immediate, Practical To-Dos, Determine Your Path, Motivate Yourself, Start Job Search, and Enjoy Yourself. ...
Acknowledge Your Effort for Showing Up
“Acknowledge your effort for showing up.” That is what a Bikram teacher used to say to us at the end of every class. To this day, I still repeat this phrase to myself during class. It reminds me to appreciate myself for simply making the class, regardless of how inflexible I was, or how imperfectly I was able to do the postures during that particular class. ...
Success is about Working Smarter Not Harder
Growing up Asian, we are told that hard work is always what is needed to achieve success.Like a good Chinese girl, I followed that advice and worked my butt off at McKinsey, my first job.Fortunately or unfortunately, I learned quickly that hard work is not enough, and sometimes does not even help. ...
Resilience – Fall Seven Times, Stand up Eight
A good friend of mine (thanks Jamie) forwarded this video to me, and I thought it would be fitting to share it here. More than half of the battle in a job search is actually the emotional aspect — thinking positive, staying in action, and “standing up” when you feel “knocked down” by the lack of results. This type of resilience is what will separate those who give up from those who persevere. ...