The Simple Secret to an Amazing Career

Written for Dave Kerpen for LinkedIn on August 7, 2013

Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary. - Steve Jobs

"If you're not happy, just quit. Like, today!" said a good friend to me one day in late 1999.

There's one job that I don't have on my LinkedIn profile, or on any resume, or in any book I've written to date, and that's because it didn't last long, and I hated it. In 1999, for six months I was a life insurance salesperson. I had just graduated from Boston University, and had made a good living and a name for myself as a Crunch n Munch sales person at the Boston Garden while in school. I had been recruited by a small affiliate of a major global insurance company, who had painted a picture for me that I'd be helping lots of people achieve their financial goals, and make a fortune doing so.

I got the appropriate licenses to work in the industry, and began my first professional job out of college. I hated it from the start. I was asked to make a list of basically everyone I knew, and then try to sell them whole life insurance. I tried to inject passion into my work, but I just couldn't love it. Moreover, I felt like the organization wasn't growing, and wasn't supporting me professionally.

The day I realized these things, with the help of a friend, I decided to quit. Even though I was making good money, and even though I had no other job lined up, I quit the next day.

I knew what I didn't love, but I didn't know what exactly what I'd love yet. So I turned to the best-selling career book of all time, a book I've written about before because it changed my life. I read What Color Is Your Parachute and it helped me identify not only what I've love to do, but the organizations I'd love to work for. While I was reading and self-exploring, I took a job delivering pizzas to help pay the bills. (So, I guess there are actually two jobs not on my LinkedIn profile.)

A few months later, I began a job in sales and marketing at Radio Disney, and I began an amazing career that has so far brought me immense satisfaction, enjoyment, fulfillment and wealth. I've had a variety of jobs and businesses in my career so far, but they've all had two things in common: I've done what I loved at organizations where I could grow.

There's personal growth and professional growth - ideally, since you spend more waking hours at your job than anywhere else, you get both - but in order to have an amazing career, you absolutely need at least one form of growth. Each time I stopped loving what I was doing, or stopped growing, or the organization I was working for stopped growing, I knew it was time for change. This way, I was always passionate about what I was doing, and growing in every job I had, which in turn contributed to organizations, and helped to build a great career.

In the last few years, I've had the opportunity to interview dozens if not hundreds of leaders for the books and articles I've written, and from talking to many successful, happy professionals, I've learned the following:

The simple secret to an amazing career is to do what you love at organizations where you can grow.

Some people love many things, and have more opportunities than others. Some people can't find organizations where they can grow, so they start their own! Some people, like Jack Dorsey, pictured above with me, aren't satisfied running one organization they love where they can grow, so they run two at once!

Are you doing what you love? Are you at an organization where you can grow?

The bottom line is, as I've learned from many mentors, friends, interviewees and leaders:

If you're not working at a place where you love what you do and can grow, then quit today. It doesn't matter whether you're 22, 42 or 62. Life is too short to waste, as Steve Jobs reminded us above.

If you're not sure of the answers to these two questions, then read What Color is Your Parachute, and/or talk to your boss, CEO, or HR group, to better learn the answers to those two questions.

Then you can have an amazing career too.

By the way, the last time I checked, my boss at the first insurance agency where I worked was doing time in federal prison. So I guess quitting that job worked out pretty well after all.

10 ways to make your office more fun

Written by Miles Kohrman for FastCompany.com on July 23, 2013

Is your office sort of blah?  Are your coworkers disengaged?  Fear not, we've got some quick productivity-boosting fixes so fun that you'll forget you ever wanted to go home three hours ago.

We feel like we've been a little harsh lately. So, like, mea culpa.

Recently we've told you what not to wear to the office in the summer and the productivity-killing (smelly) lunches that you should never bring into the workplace. Sorry for the tough love, be we felt like everyone could benefit from the reminders.

Today, however, let's not focus on the negative, and instead let's talk about fun. You want to work in a fun environment. Of course you do. Who doesn't?

Just listen to Kenexa, a Pennsylvanian human resources software company that lives by a simple principle: Employees just want to have fun.

And that fun doesn't result simply in smiles and laughs--it brings a tangible increase in workplace happiness and productivity. A more enjoyable workplace makes individuals perform better, in almost every aspect of their lives.

According to Kenexa, turnover among managers who feel pride in their company is 21% lower than among those who don't. Adds the Kenyan-born, Canadian-educated CEO Rudy Karsan: "When you're in a job that you enjoy and you're good at, you're not just a better worker. You're a better spouse, a better parent, a better citizen.

So, in the spirit of pleasant workplaces everywhere, here's a compilation of fast and fun things you can do to put a smile on your coworkers' faces--and boost productivity.

OFFICE DOG

It's no secret that we want an office dog at Fast Company. So far, this Pinterest board is as close as we've gotten. Meanwhile, we've written about this culture-enhancing canine desire in two previous posts, and Purina even made a video in an attempt to push us over the edge.

Office dogs can offer a huge boost to business and teach you how to work better. And let's be honest, they just make everybody happy.

KNOW THAT HAPPY HOURS ARE PART OF THE CULTURE

We can have fun outside of the office, right?

Grabbing a few drinks after work is a great way to boost morale, and bring your team together around things that are, well, not work.

Just don't overdo it.

COMMUNAL LUNCH

Everybody eats, so why not eat together, and get to know each other in the process?

You might discover a new food, or, you know, introduce yourself to somebody new.

Again, Just make sure you're not eating these foods.

DECORATE YOUR OFFICE!

What's that, not everybody like white walls, white ceilings, and soulless lighting?

Just because it's an office, doesn't mean it has to be an office. When you spend such a significant amount of time in one space, it's important that it reflects not only the culture of the company, but the people who make it run. (Related: Sometimes it's best to take meetings outside the office.

A nice work environement might even convince you to--gasp--look forward to work!

GROUP EXERCISE

Albany-based media company Overit takes a two-minute break every hour, on the hour, for its employees to exercise.

Read more ways to make your office more fun here.

What your desk says about you

Written by Heather Dugan for Salary.com

It speaks for you even when you're out of the office doing your thing to make the company wildly successful. Positive words? We hope. But it can also interrupt and speak out of turn, relaying completely unauthorized messages.

Your desk. 

What does it say about you? Does it convey the message "Respect the owner of this hallowed professional space?" or "Attention: creativity in progress?" Or does it warn "Caution: finding that file is going to take a while?"

Your positive words & actions still speak loudest, but they'll have less impact if your workspace sends a conflicting message. It’s worth a few minutes to make sure your desk is an effective envoy for your professional abilities.

l'd Rather Be Anywhere But Here

A couple of office appropriate vacation photos are fine, and give that faint bronze glow you're sporting some context. But a countdown calendar to your next getaway (272 DAYS!) or a predominance of souvenir drink umbrellas in your pencil holder might indicate that you're more invested in the cruise brochures pinned to your cork board than to next week's marketing presentations.

Confirm you're committed to the present and open for business by minimizing indicators that you'd rather be elsewhere.

A Clean Desk Is Good, But A Sterile Workspace is Creepy

While it's reassuring to know an employee isn't likely to max out his or her sick days, an overload of air fresheners and sanitizers could indicate an unhealthy obsession. Clean is commendable. Sterile is scary (unless you're in a medical or food field, in which case, as you were...). 

And please, no antibacterial hand washing while others are present. They'll either wonder where you just were or where you think they just were.

Fewer Toys.  You're Not a Kid Anymore

There is a bit of a double standard when it comes to office toys.  The stuffed monkeys, bobbleheads, lava lamps and mini basketball nets that often claim the desk space of those in creative fields can amplify that sense of an imagination at work. On the desk of a financial type, however, such toys may indicate a lack of focus (or potential toddlers lurking under the desk).

Take your cue from respected peers and your boss. In any case, don't replicate a toy store unless you have the inventory to back it up. Your desk should say "works well with others," not that you have more toys than a fifth-grader.

Sticky Notes = A Lack of Technology Skills

If a light breeze would pose a threat to your task organization, it's time to pull down the sticky notes and start compiling your lists in a way more befitting the 21st century. 

The problem with paper lists is they quickly become part of the landscape. They put down roots, colonize and quietly clutter your space without your realization, creating an illusion of control for you while projecting a picture of disorganization to others. Digital organization is the answer and calendar alarms will be ever more effective than even the most emphatic "Don't Forget!!!"

To see more about what your desk says about you, read the article here.  

What knick knacks or mementos do you keep at your desk?  Tell us below in the "Comments" section.  

5 Tips to increase productivity at work

Written by Amanda Barrell

Productivity combines time management, focus and hard work all together in order to create a healthier, happier worker and a more efficient work environment.  While we’re not saying you have to be a work-driven robot, there are things every employee can do at any stage to improve their daily productivity.  Below are just five tips that may help you be more productive at work.   

Plan ahead for your next day

This could include picking out your outfit the night before, preparing the coffee machine so all you have to do is press “Start”, or packing part of your lunch. However you choose to plan ahead, any time you can shave off in the morning to get you out of the house and in to work on time is good. 

Eat breakfast (seriously!)

We know you’ve all heard it so many times before that it sounds like a broken record, but breakfast REALLY is the most important meal of the day.  Eating breakfast within an hour of the time you wake up jumpstarts your metabolism and provides fuel for your brain function, which consequently and conveniently increases your productivity when you get to work.  For the biggest punch, opt for something with protein like an egg white omelet or yogurt with fresh fruit.  And don’t forget the coffee! 

Get off your butt

If you work full time, you should have at least a 30 minute lunch break (with two 15 minute breaks in addition) or a full hour for lunch.   Use this time to get up and away from your desk and out of the office.   Go for a walk and give your eyes a rest, stretch your legs.  More and more studies are showing that sitting at a desk for long periods of time is detrimental to your health; some even say that sitting is the new smoking. Yikes!

The power of “To-Do” lists

To-do lists have come a long way from the days of writing “notes to self”.  With the advent of the Internet, smartphones and Google, now you can find an app for practically anything, including to-do lists.

Utilizing Google Tasks, you can enter and track your to-do items from practically anywhere.  And because it syncs with other Google products, it makes it that much easier to keep track of things on the go.  For larger tasks, break down the project into smaller sections and complete them as you go.  You’ll feel more productive and more accomplished, checking off tasks from your list. 

Learn to say “no”

Almost every job in today’s world is bound to have ebbs and flows of busy times and slow(er) times.  On those occasions that you don’t have enough work to do, you might fall into the tendency to say yes to every project that your coworkers come to you with.  While you’re trying to be helpful, you’ll find that the problem comes later when your inbox increases to your normal quota and now you have too much on your plate. 

Saying no can be just as important a skill to learn as saying yes.  Make sure to manage your time well and really think about what your priorities are before committing to any extra projects.  That way, you can concentrate your focus on the things that really need doing first, without having to juggle important tasks with not-so-important tasks. 

What are your strategies for increasing productivity at work? 

   

How to write a follow-up email that will land you the job

Written by Drake Baer for FastCompany.com on Tuesday, July 16th, 2013. 

You had coffee with someone from a company you'd love to work for.  So how do you snag the gig?  Like this.  

A few years back, Alexandra Franzen had a problem: She was going after a copywriting gig but didn't have a ton of related experience. After an interview, the firm's director said that they "liked her spirit," but they couldn't hire someone with so few samples.

Feeling job-dumped, she was deflated. Then a light bulb when off.

"They wanted samples," the Daily Muse writer said to herself. "I’d show ’em samples."

But it'd be more than a mere sample: She'd send them pub-ready content for their soon to re-launch site. In so doing, she'd model the mantra of getting gigs gotten. Whether your quarry is Google, Amazon, or a raise, there are two parts:

• Show how well you can do the work
• Show why the company needs your work

The psychology underlying this practice of unstoppability: By showing what you're capable of and why the organization needs it in their life, you reduce the cognitive loadof whether-or-nots for the hiring manager.

In other words, we can make ourselves obvious hires.

The follow-up is part of that practice, as Franzen evidences. She did so by writing a concise, signal-filled email to the agency director, thanking her for her time and adding an ever-so-subtle addendum:

“Here are 10 tagline options to consider as you revamp your brand. No charge. Enjoy!”

The director's reply: 

“These taglines are better than anything we’ve come up with on our own. Thank you. Let’s set up a meeting so you can get started on writing the rest of our site content.”

So the prescriptive key to the follow-up email is actually two things, as per Franzen's example:

• Keep the follow-up concise
• Include a burst of organization-needed helpfulness

This is the sort of insight that informs just about any sort of communication, including, dare say it, writing for the web: We want our messages to be as easy to take in as possible and have surprising amounts of helpfulness. In other, shorter words, they should have the minimum transaction cost for the reader and the maximum utility. And like Franzen, we can become obvious hires.

Next step: Become concise.

Hat tip: Daily Muse

[Image: Flickr user S. Carter]

Is freelancing the right fit?

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By Amanda Barrell

“I’m sorry, but we’re looking for someone with more experience”

Never has a more frustrating phrase been uttered to someone trying to break into the workforce.  It’s no wonder new college grads may become disheartened in their job search, especially given the national unemployment rates and competing with more “experienced” professionals. 

If that’s the case for you, then perhaps it’s time you consider freelancing as an option.  While the benefits are significant, from conducting business in your PJs at home to working on some pretty neat projects for start-ups, it’s important to know what you’re getting into before you stick it to “The Man.”

You can be a freelancer in anything

From computer/IT services to writing, mural art to engineering, there is a vast world of opportunities for people looking to apply their skills and gain experience working.  Social media, blogging and basic computer skills (think Microsoft Office and how to work a Mac) are all skills in high-demand now. 

Think small

While bigger companies do occasionally hire on freelancers or independent contractors, ongoing projects are much more common at small to medium sized companies.  In those situations, an excited grad’s passion could (and often does) trump experience.  And having less experience might mean you work with fewer clients, encouraging a more personalized, one-on-one relationship between yourself and your client. Just don’t expect a mentor in these instances.  Your employers are expecting a polished product from you.  They don’t want to guide you through each and every step of something you claimed to know how to do. 

Need a resume boost?

If you’re looking to buff up your resume and avoid a huge gap from the time you graduate to the time you do score your dream job, you can freelance and call yourself a “__________ Consultant”.  Once the word gets out about your awesome services provided at “Penny’s Pet Consulting,” you can list the projects you’ve worked on in the description section.  As an added bonus, if you have a good relationship with your clients, you can ask them for a LinkedIn recommendation or even list them as a reference.  

These tips are just a few reasons to consider freelancing as a job option.  Do your research and weigh your options to decide if freelancing is the best fit for you.  

Important tips for new graduates heading into the working world

Written by Andrea Fisher for Brazen Careerist on July 2, 2013

As a recent college graduate leaving behind the world of academia, you’re heading toward new hurdles on the immediate horizon.

This is the time of the dreaded “quarter-life crisis.” Unpredictability seems to surround everything—particularly when considering employment opportunities and financial stability. You face a rocky start in an economy that’s still recovering from the Great Recession of 2008.

Amid this difficulty, you can stay ahead of the financial curve by following two basic tips:

1. Personal marketing trumps all other tactics for landing your first job

In the job market, a college degree doesn’t guarantee a job, nor does it give you a huge advantage. Yet, a degree is worth the hundreds of study hours you put in and the thousands of dollars you spent on tuition (or will be paying over the next 10 years). With the fragile labor market, you may have to make do with a position that’s completely out of your field. The good news is that if you have a college degree, you face half the unemployment rate as those with only high school diplomas.

According to a 2012 study from the National Employment Law Project, three-fifths of the jobs lost during the recession paid middle-income wages. Since then, the economy has improved, but many of the recently created jobs pay lower wages. Fewer jobs are available in certain fields, making the job-to-applicant ratio disproportional. It’s the perfect employer’s market, with a large pool selection of qualified candidates.

Adding to this predicament, recent grads must either climb the corporate ladder or become self-made entrepreneurs; all the while being 10 to 15 years financially behind graduates from previous years. Quite simply, a college degree won’t get you in the door, and it won’t mean getting paid top dollar. It simply provides one of the basic components that need to be checked off on your resume.

What will help you get hired is how you market yourself.

Today’s luck of the draw depends on the trainability and flexibility given from those four, five or six years spent in college. Research, write and ace the test. Translated to the real world, that means: create an effective resume and cover letter and leverage your LinkedIn profile to network and aggressively job hunt. The key is to be seen throughout the employment market and distinguish yourself from the competition.

With social media platforms, networking has never been easier. Job search platforms such as Indeed.com list millions of available jobs. As someone who grew up in this multi-faceted digital era, it should be easy for you to use online tools and mobile apps to increase your odds for success.

2. Stick to your budget and save

If you just graduated, frugal living might be a reality. But try to make it a priority, too. Putting that extra graduation cash towards bills or for a rainy day will help set the stage for financial success.

Today’s economic uncertainty makes it essential to budget, reduce spending and save. Begin by calculating all of the necessary monthly payments needed for rent, utility, gas and groceries. Find ways to curb spending, research the best deals for new appliances, Internet and other optional daily amenities. Or, simply do without.

Even if you’re making bank as you’re job hunting, saving should still be a priority. Check to see if your bank has special offers on savings accounts. When you make a purchase with your debit card, some banks will round up to the nearest dollar and automatically deposit the extra “change” into your savings. Even if it doesn’t seem like a lot, that money adds up and will come in handy if you need it.

For recent graduates who are looking to find their way in society, there’s plenty of opportunity. It may not be as accessible as in previous years, but by marketing yourself in this type of economy and learning to live on a budget, you can set yourself up for financial and career success.

Andrea Fisher is an online marketer and content specialist for DISH’s best internet and TV bundles. She is a published journalist and blogger with an English degree and political science minor from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.