Go To Your Happy Place

This isn't a Happy Gilmore reference, but notes from a talk by Happiness Guru and Harvard Professor, Shawn Achor. Who knew Happiness was the precursor to success?

Social Support

In order to be successful you need a network of family and friends to support you during challenges - because you WILL fail.
Facebook, Twitter & Linked-In are popular because of your innate desire to connect.
Take it a step further and build/strengthen
your face-to-face connections.
Nothing GREAT is accomplished alone and people open doors that we can't.

Be a Catalyst
Happiness starts with you.
How can you expect to spread happiness if you aren't happy yourself?
The positive changes you make create a "ripple effect" that creates cultural change
(ex. grassroots movements).
Smiles are contagious, just try it!

Cope with Hope
Bad things happen to everyone, but it's how you respond that reveals your true character.
Learn to control your "self-talk."
No one is harder on yourself than YOU!
Shawn Achor suggests creating a gratitude journal by writing 3 things you are thankful for daily. If you do this for 21 days in a row it becomes a life habit!

Positive Psychology links mindset to performance.
We choose how we view the world.
Companies such as Google, Zappos and Disney create fun environments where employees are engaged at work.
Social support, being a catalyst and improving your ability to cope are three ways to be more happy and productive!

Are YOU ready to make Positive Changes?
Partner with Coach Scott to achieve your career goals, boost self-confidence and work to your full potential! Just e-mail Scott and he'll take care of the rest!

Young Professionalism 101

In my experience as a Coach of Millennial Workers, I've observed the challenges placed upon them by Gen X & Baby Boomer Management. Let me decode the following unspoken expectations for Gen Y employees, based on generational differences in the workplace.


1) Work Ethic. Translation: We expect you to work as hard and long as we did. Baby Boomers and Gen X'ers earned their positions through hard work and sacrifice. They expect the same from you. As a Gen Y'er, you most likely value work relationships, autonomy and efficiency. When you finish your assignment early, ask your supervisor(s) if you can work on a new, innovative project.

2) Ownership. Translation: Take responsibility for your mistakes and think about the company's benefit, not yours. I've heard numerous complaints about Gen Y'ers not taking enough initiative. Management expects you to solve the problems in front of you, even if they fall outside your job description. Think of yourself as a business: What solutions can you work on today?

3) Interpersonal Skills. Translation: Spell check your e-mails, engage in conversations and carry yourself as a professional. The downside of technology is it rots our communication skills. As an employee of a company, you strengthen or weaken the company brand based on each interaction with customers. Take time to review all the details, learn how to improve your EQ and perform for the job you want, not the one you have. Remember, you represent more than just yourself.

Bottom line: Being professional is understanding what is expected of you, then surpassing the standard. The more adaptable (without losing your authenticity) you can become provides greater opportunities and positions you as an invaluable asset.

Want a Competitive Advantage? Work with Coach Scott to achieve your career goals, boost self-confidence and work to your full potential! Just e-mail Scott and he'll take care of the rest!

Up In The Air

In this movie, George Clooney was hired to let people go. During our recession, it makes us ponder: What's important? What should I expect? Let's take a look at some lessons we can learn from this picture:


1) What's in your Backpack? This was an analogy about what we carry with us. Life can be heavy and sometimes we need to discard the "junk." Figure out what's important to you, focus on those things, then dump the rest.

2) Make Connections. We live in a technologically connected, socially disconnected world. For example, we rob ourselves of intimacy by texting and talking on our cell phones during conversations with people in front of us! Connections are quality relationships. They take time and involve risk.

3) Overcome Obstacles. This week I've talked to many friends and colleagues who are much wiser and more experienced than I am. They all agree the uncertainty of our economy is scary. Most of us need to be focusing on Plan B in order to survive. It's inevitable that you're going to deal with obstacles - the question is, "How will you proceed forward?"

Up In The Air is about dealing with uncertainty. We need to unload some baggage, ask for the support of others and face reality. Take some time to prioritize your life and recruit a listening ear to help you cope and move forward.

Need a Professional Accountability Partner? What better way to start the new year than with a personal coach to help you clarify your goals, boost self-confidence and work to your full potential! Just e-mail Scott and he'll take care of the rest!

What Motivates You?

It's 2010...time to be inspired. In Dan Pink's book, Drive, he talks about the 3 things that motivate people. Take a look at the list below and see if you agree:


1) Autonomy. Nobody wants to be micromanaged. It feels like someone's spying on you. Pink states we must be actively engaged, yet self-directed in our work. Sure we need accountability for our results, BUT we also need the freedom to achieve it our way.

2) Mastery. Who doesn't want to get better at what you do? (If you don't it's probably a sign that you need to change careers) This is about intrinsic enjoyment. Imagine how our jobs would differ if we gave ourselves honest, monthly, performance reviews? We all strive to achieve in some area of our lives. That's why career coaching is essential in development. If we're not improving performance, we become a liability.

3) Purpose. Why? Your purpose is bigger than you. It's about significance and meaning. We all want to make a difference and contribute. What is your current purpose at work? If you believe in your purpose, you're most likely engaged at work. If you don't, you've considered quitting before.

I'd argue that you need all three to be fulfilled at work. When they are not available to us, we feel stifled. Evaluate your current situation and see how many of the three you have working for you now. Start this new year off right by being driven at work!

Need help with motivating yourself? What better way to start the new year than with a personal coach to help you clarify your goals, boost self-confidence and work to your full potential! Just e-mail Scott and he'll take care of the rest!

Imagine how much more successful you can be with the help of a coach!