by Clarence E. Stowers | Jan 20, 2009 | Communication, Leadership, Success
Half the battle to success is figuring out what steps you want to take to acquire it. Sitting down with your list of aspirations can be very scary. Your first thought will likely be, "Where do I begin?"
So far you've learned:
- KNOW WHAT YOU WANT TO ACCOMPLISH
- WRITE A PERSONAL MISSION STATEMENT
Today:
3. RESEARCH WHAT OTHERS HAVE DONE
Remember, there is no shame in copying successful behavior. I repeat, THERE IS NO SHAME IN COPYING SUCCESSFUL BEHAVIOR. In fact, it would be foolish to try to forge your own path to success when there are so many well-documented versions of the tried-and-true road to achievement.
4. ARTICULATE YOUR SHORT & LONG-TERM GOALS
To jump-start your plan, keep a list of short-term goals. These can be things you can accomplish on a daily or weekly basis that bring you closer to success. You can start by adding things you've been meaning to do but haven't gotten around to. Cross items off your list as you complete them. This will give you an immediate sense of accomplishment and keep you motivated to work towards your larger goals.
Consider what your long-term goals are. Do you want to obtain an degree? Start a business? Own a home? Write your long-term goals and put them in a visible place. Viewing the milestones you have yet to reach will remind you that you do have a plan and that it is to fulfill these goals.
by Clarence E. Stowers | Jan 14, 2009 | Communication, Empowerment, Leadership, Networking, Relationships, Success
Build Bridges – Not Walls
When you leave a job, church, organization, for whatever reason, be sure to leave on good terms; you never know when you will need to contact or utilize former employers or co-workers for recommendations or networking purposes.
If you leave with an attitude of "good riddance," others will not be inclined to maintain a relationship with you. Wishing other well, providing your personal contact information, and making every effort to stay in touch are great ways to leave lines of communication open.
by Clarence E. Stowers | Jan 13, 2009 | Communication, Current Affairs, Empowerment, Leadership, Networking, Relationships, Success
Anthropologists have found that for one person, a genuine social network – one in which you know the members and they know you is limited to about 150 people. In fact, Malcolm Gladwell, author of The Tipping Point found there is a "'cognitive limit to the number of individuals with whom any one person can maintain stable relationships."
So what does all of this mean to you: DON'T NETWORK JUST TO NETWORK! Whittle down your contacts to the most fruitful ones. Then rank them according to their importance until you've created 1st, 2nd, & 3rd tier networks.
by Clarence E. Stowers | Jan 7, 2009 | Communication, Empowerment, Leadership, Networking, Relationships
While attending grad school @ The University of Missouri I joined
Toastmasters (great networking opportunity & our church has a
chapter). While there, I ran across fellow
Toastmaster Jim Nudelman’s 4-step process for writing an Elevator Pitch.
The Pitch is a 10-15 second focused introduction of your “value proposition” that
can be given in an elevator when someone asks, “tell me about yourself.”
Here’s his process:
Step 1 — Begin with an ACTION PHRASE that is NOT a noun. (”I am a
__________” but don’t use a “label” in the blank. You don’t want
people to put you in a box.)
Step 2 — Add a one sentence statement about what you DO. (”I do _____________” What do you help people or businesses do?)
Step 3 — Give a statement of the SPECIFIC IMPACT. (”People who utilize my
process find _________” list one or two things from the perspective of your
potential employer.)
Step 4 — End with a CALL TO ACTION. (”I am looking to be introduced to
_______________” be specific! If you ask for something non-specific you
are likely to get it. What good it that?)
Here’s my pitch:
“My name is Clarence Stowers. I am a master of empowering people &
growing leaders. I teach people how to how to trust God and believe in themselves to accomplish great things. People who attend our church live empowered
lives and pursue excellence in every area of their lives. Please introduce me to people who you believe
are living beneath their potential.”
Thanks!
Let me hear your pitch…
by Clarence E. Stowers | Dec 4, 2008 | Book Reviews, Communication, Empowerment, Leadership
One of our members asked me for a list of my favorite business books. I thought I'd share my list here.
These are in no particular order. I may think of others, but these are the ones that come to mind first.
What are some of your favorites/recommendations that you'd like to share?
by Clarence E. Stowers | Dec 1, 2008 | College Life, Communication, Empowerment, Tools
The VisualCV makes a traditional resume come alive with video,
pictures and a portfolio of your best work samples and other supporting
documents. Informational pop-ups provide background data on the
companies you’ve worked at and the colleges you’ve attended. You can
securely share different versions with your own network of employers,
colleagues and friends, and control who sees what.
The Curriculum vitae (CV) dates back to 1902. The shortened form used in the United States and referred to as a resume was adopted shortly after World War 2. Either way, it’s a document format that
has not changed in decades, even though the Internet has revolutionized
the way in which we use and share resumes.
In a practice that continues in some professions today, job candidates used to bring to a first interview a portfolio
of compelling samples of their work, along with written references,
college transcripts, and documents detailing things like personality
tests, awards and even salary details.
Employers
typically screen candidates through phone and in-person first
interviews. Typically these interviews cover a standard set of
questions, which today can easily be captured in a video or audio file
housed on the Web.
VisualCV brings
both the CV and the resume into the modern Web 2.0 world by
transforming the way in which resume data is presented, accessed and
shared.
HERE'S MY VISUAL CV
