So its been a week and a few days since I made the commitment to blog regularly. I guess the second post is what sets the boundaries of what regular really means.
Today I had a conversation with a friend about jobs and working for the man. He currently works for a company and he remarked to me how much he would rather be working for himself because he feels unappreciated and unmotivated to work hard. The reasons for this are that he sees the benfits of his hard work paying for nice houses, and expensive cars for the bosses.
It made me think about my attitude. I have never allowed those thoughts to effect me to the point of expressing the same thoughts he did. Of course I often thought about how much a particular CEO or Director made, but my default attitude was that they worked hard to get there.
Also, my mindset has always been that I have been hired to do a particular job for a particular pay that I agreed to. At the point I no longer like the terms of the agreement, I have the power to change it by seeking new employment. Additionally, I can look back at the positions I have had and remember the personal satisfaction I got out of those jobs....plus I got paid to do it.
This may sound to some naive, but I promise you I am not. I think the real difference comes from my attitude and how I approach each day. I always make sure that first, I maintain a positive attitude-regardless of the type of day I am having. Second, I am constantly setting goals for myself.
If you are thinking positive, it is so much harder for the troubles of the world to barge in on your life and derail you. Also, what good does it do you to have a sour attitude? Most of the things that happened to you have or will have happened to almost everyone else, what makes you any different?
Second, by setting goals for myself, I ensure that there will be growth, motivation, and satisfaction in my life striving to check off those goals and make new ones. I think this is important because it keeps me from becoming complacent and stagnant in my current situation, while also giving me hope for the life I will be living when I attain some of my longer term goals.
So is my friend stuck with a bad attitude and no hope for the future? No! I have no idea what his thought process is in regards to how satisfied he is with his life. I simply used that conversation to evaluate my own thoughts on the matter.
In conclusion, sure, the boss man may have a fancy car and a nice house -BUT- I have daily satisfaction knowing that I approach each challenge with the mindset that I have already succeeded and I have a plan for the future
Also, I know that God is my ultimate provider. Everything that I have is because of him. My house, my car, my future job and my finances. This week has really put that in perspective for me as I realize that really need to lean in into him and trusting God to meet my needs.....and he is faithful and just.
Happy Groundhogs Day to you all, Punxatawny Phil says we will be having more winter. Im good with that as I have really been enjoying the recent snowfall we have had here in Kansas.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Im going to give regular blogging a second shot.
Ok so, daily blogging is not a thing that I will probably ever continue for any amount of time. However, I think that I will try and write something at regular intervals. I am going to start with a broad goal of once a month. Really, this is shooting for the stars when you consider that I started this a year ago and in that time I only posted 5 times.
This is long, but as I said early on when starting this blog, it is for me. Plus, If I kept things short it wouldn't be an accurate reflection of me anyway. I am usually a very thorough (pronounced: Long winded) person.
So to answer the question that I estimate I have been asked over a million times, no I have not yet found a new job; though it is not for lack of trying....and trying....
I have been on many interviews and I have received much fewer calls back alerting me to the fact that they are not interested in me. Most of the "No's" I received came when I called the company back to inquire why they never called as promised. In college, I was adivsed by my Engineering mentor that when waiting for the call back, you should expect them to call you back by the deadline set. If they do not specify a date, it is appropriate to ask. What I am finding is that there is a diminishing sense of respect from corporations in regards to the treatment of potential employees. Most would not call me back, or at the very least to email and tell me they are not interested. My ideal action would be that they should respond back to me via the highest level of communication we shared. For example, if we spoke, we should speak again when you have made up your mind. Common decency. If I come in for two interviews, you better call me to tell me no instead of ceasing all communication. Just Saying....
I have a couple stories to tell where I was left with my jaw on the ground after chattting with the interviewer/recruiter. I will not post them in a public forum, but they convinced me that maybe I did not want to work with them anyway. Live and Learn...
Moving on from job talk. I've had ups and downs. Most of the ups preceed job activity and the downs creep up afterwards. I really can see why being unemployed can harden a person and make one cynical and bitter. I refuse follow that path.
To close this one up, the sermon at church this morning was about our Dreams. God has big dreams for us, we just need to make sure we are doing our part to tap into those dreams. We only got to the first point today, so the rest will have to wait till next week. The first step to dreaming God's dreams for us to step out and do something. We have to get out of our comfort zone and into God's realm.
The part that struck me was the following question: Who do you get your security from? If it is the world, then you are missing out big time. If our security is firmly planted in Christ, then we can tap into the Dreams that God has for us. How cool is that?
1. God has dreams and hopes for us
2. We can have them!
I really need to focus more on allowing God to take care of me. I crave control over my little bubble and have a hard time allowing anyone in. Finances are tight but I wring my hands and panic instead of pressing closer to God and allowing him to provide for me. God continues to provide for me but I also give myself a migraine and rub my hands raw fretting. It all ties back to the fact that instead of resting in the secure arms of Christ, I am wandering the cold reality of the world. I'm pretty sure I am missing out. I just struggle with the process of relinquishing control. THe funny thing about all of this is that I really do not have control over most of the things I worry about. The bills, the trucks faulty transmission, the broken vacuum cleaner, the refridgerator that is on its last legs...
Ok, so this is really long now, but I am getting stuff out of my head and onto 'paper'. I am going to give it a shot to post again tommorow. I do not have too much planned, so we shall see what happens.
This is long, but as I said early on when starting this blog, it is for me. Plus, If I kept things short it wouldn't be an accurate reflection of me anyway. I am usually a very thorough (pronounced: Long winded) person.
So to answer the question that I estimate I have been asked over a million times, no I have not yet found a new job; though it is not for lack of trying....and trying....
I have been on many interviews and I have received much fewer calls back alerting me to the fact that they are not interested in me. Most of the "No's" I received came when I called the company back to inquire why they never called as promised. In college, I was adivsed by my Engineering mentor that when waiting for the call back, you should expect them to call you back by the deadline set. If they do not specify a date, it is appropriate to ask. What I am finding is that there is a diminishing sense of respect from corporations in regards to the treatment of potential employees. Most would not call me back, or at the very least to email and tell me they are not interested. My ideal action would be that they should respond back to me via the highest level of communication we shared. For example, if we spoke, we should speak again when you have made up your mind. Common decency. If I come in for two interviews, you better call me to tell me no instead of ceasing all communication. Just Saying....
I have a couple stories to tell where I was left with my jaw on the ground after chattting with the interviewer/recruiter. I will not post them in a public forum, but they convinced me that maybe I did not want to work with them anyway. Live and Learn...
Moving on from job talk. I've had ups and downs. Most of the ups preceed job activity and the downs creep up afterwards. I really can see why being unemployed can harden a person and make one cynical and bitter. I refuse follow that path.
To close this one up, the sermon at church this morning was about our Dreams. God has big dreams for us, we just need to make sure we are doing our part to tap into those dreams. We only got to the first point today, so the rest will have to wait till next week. The first step to dreaming God's dreams for us to step out and do something. We have to get out of our comfort zone and into God's realm.
The part that struck me was the following question: Who do you get your security from? If it is the world, then you are missing out big time. If our security is firmly planted in Christ, then we can tap into the Dreams that God has for us. How cool is that?
1. God has dreams and hopes for us
2. We can have them!
I really need to focus more on allowing God to take care of me. I crave control over my little bubble and have a hard time allowing anyone in. Finances are tight but I wring my hands and panic instead of pressing closer to God and allowing him to provide for me. God continues to provide for me but I also give myself a migraine and rub my hands raw fretting. It all ties back to the fact that instead of resting in the secure arms of Christ, I am wandering the cold reality of the world. I'm pretty sure I am missing out. I just struggle with the process of relinquishing control. THe funny thing about all of this is that I really do not have control over most of the things I worry about. The bills, the trucks faulty transmission, the broken vacuum cleaner, the refridgerator that is on its last legs...
Ok, so this is really long now, but I am getting stuff out of my head and onto 'paper'. I am going to give it a shot to post again tommorow. I do not have too much planned, so we shall see what happens.
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