August 2011
CareerTips
"Thoughts, Feelings, ACTION!" The Power of Conscious Choice
by Kyle Pertuis
 I once read that we don’t have to believe everything we think; our brains appear to be incapable of not thinking - at least on the subconscious level - so that may be a good thing. Nevertheless, it is a powerful revelation to comprehend that we don’t have to BELIEVE everything we THINK. Consider this: our thoughts are the only thing standing in the way of accomplishing our goals. It is our thoughts that create the Limiting Beliefs, the assumptions and the interpretations that are the blocks and barriers from achieving our full potential. And let’s not forgot the most obvious one- that little voice, or “Gremlin” as I call it, that is constantly feeding your mind a negative message such as “you’re not good enough”, “you’re not smart enough”, “wait until next year”, “you’ll never get that job”, “you’ll never finish that project anyway” and so on. Sound familiar?
It is important to understand in basic terms how the mind works. Simply stated - Our thoughts create our feelings which create our actions! Everything we do starts with a simple thought which is based on a core belief we hold as truth. When our core beliefs are tested in different situations throughout the course of the day, it leads the way to our feelings (emotions), which elicit the response or action (possibly even inaction) we take. Feelings are simply our mind’s natural reaction to our thoughts and, depending on the type of thoughts we experience, our mind and body feels a certain emotion. Negative thoughts yield negative feelings and positive thoughts yield positive feelings!
Our feelings will serve as sensors or “warning signs” when we are aware of them. In fact, our entire energy level revolves around some very basic emotions. Our ability to maintain a higher level of consciousness allows us to engage in more positive action. On the flip side, when we are fully conscious of negative feelings entering our mind, we have the opportunity - the power of choice - to make better decisions.
When it comes to making decisions about achieving our full potential, it’s important to be fully aware of 3 key areas:
1. Our Core Values
2. Our Core Beliefs (Including Limiting Beliefs)
3. What we truly want (Goals)
Improving your level of consciousness in these 3 areas can dramatically change your energy level, your attitude and perception of yourself and others around you, as well as your ability to fully engage.
If you think about it, it is really quite simple to understand; the challenge is in making the decision to take action on the steps necessary for self-mastery!
What action will you take?
Contributed by Kyle Pertuis, Head Coach & Owner of MindFit Coaching,
Optimizing Personal & Professional Development
www.mindfitcoaching.com or kyle@mindfitcoaching.com
Strategies for Managing and Leading Generation Y
(continued from July 2011)
by Myles Golden
 Last month I wrote about a book I had read and actually met the author, Michael McQueen, titled New Rules of Engagement, a guide to understanding and connecting to Generation Y. I met Michael in New Orleans recently at a convention and bought his book on the spot. I shared with you last month the bullets, so to speak, of how to manage and lead Generation Y, the most tech savvy generation ever, 70 million strong and buying power of $100 billion dollars. Michael reminds us that managing this generation may be more high touch rather than high tech. Here are his suggestions from last month:
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Put Relationship before Role
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Focus on Outcomes Over Processes.
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Adopt a Facilitator Role
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Give Regular Positive Feedback
To pick up on where I left off last month I will share with you his remaining suggestions. I found them quite interesting so here we go:
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Set Short Term Goals - Generation Y has grown up in a fast-paced, constantly changing and technology-driven world of sound bites so it is no wonder the yardsticks of performance used in much of the business world are just too long. Example: If your firm usually conducts annual performance reviews you might consider a shorter timeline for Generation Y. Gen Y‘s will respond to shorter term goals that are more motivating.
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Use Stories to Make Your Point - When it comes to Generation Y, never underestimate the power of narrative. This postmodern generation is nowhere near as interested in whether something is right as they are in whether something works. In his book, The Heart of Mentoring, David Stoddard affirms this point: Principles communicated through story have a far more profound effect on people and their lives than ideas presented outside the scope of human experience.
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Go for Commitment not Compliance - Gen Y has the reputation of being a generation of free agents. In other words, they have their own agenda, are unyielding and not collectivist by nature. Achieving cohesion and cooperation from a group of free agents could perhaps be described as a challenge akin to herding cats - not an easy task by any measure. Compliance is all about rules, expectations and “should’s." It places a great emphasis on obedience. The problem with compliance is that it only gives two options- to comply or not to comply. On the other hand, Commitment is characterized by the opportunity, buy-in, motivators and outcomes. It is cause driven and offers a reason why a young person would respond rather than simply dictating what is expected in terms of behavior, action and response. If you are going for commitment over compliance, the first key is to respond well to the classic question ‘why’ from this generation.
Regardless of whether you are the parent, a teacher or employer and leader of thousands you have been given an amazing opportunity to guide and influence the next generation. In my opinion, Michael McQueen’s New Rules of Engagement, a guide to understanding and connecting to Generation Y is a must read if you want to be successful with these future leaders.
Click here to read an article by Michael McQueen ~ The 7 Biggest Myths About Generation Y.
The Ten Principles of Influencing Others
(Author Unknown)
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Influence can only occur if you get people’s attention.
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Success is a function of how well you learn to navigate the terrain.
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Persuasion is more about how you make people feel than what you say.
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The better you understand a situation, the better your chance of achieving your objective.
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When you know what’s important to others, they will make what’s important to you important to them also.
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Influence is more than having a good time…it’s connecting with your audience one-on-one.
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Differentiate your message by differentiating yourself.
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Research is the secret weapon of effective persuasion.
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Communicate in the language of your audience.
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Everyone is a salesperson. Only a few do it for money.
Helping Others Helps You Too ~ Volunteer!
 Joust for Fun - To benefit character and ethics education in elementary and middle schools.
On October 1, 2011, the Greenville Evening Rotary Club will host its second annual Joust for Fun Jousting Event and Medieval Festival from 10 am to 3 pm at the Riverbend Equestrian Park located at 175 Riverbend Road, Greenville, SC 29617 near Furman University. There will be fun, festivities, even catapult contests, as well as a live jousting match performed by the Knights of the Guild. To volunteer, contact Ann Golden at agolden@goldencareerstrategies.com or 864-527-0425. For further information see www.greenvilleeveningrotary.org.
Ongoing Volunteer Opportunities
 United Way agencies
Ready 4 Reading
Habitat for Humanity
Mauldin Miracle League
Greenville Literacy
Meals on Wheels
Greenville County Library System
American Cancer Society
Greenville Area Opportunities
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Golden Career Strategies Speaks:
Recent Speaking Engagements & Sponsorships
GCS ~ Silver Sponsor for GSATC (Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson Technology Council)
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