via 10 reasons that your interview technique is failing and costing you the best candidates. | Sarah Socha | LinkedIn
Lessons of a Job Search — TatiyanaCure
I was recently fortunate enough to travel to Cuba and get inspired by the everyday struggle the natives face. I will tie this back to what we can learn from this and how to implement it in the job search. But first, I’d love to share the inspiring photos: The first and most important lesson […]
New Openings this week…..
NEW!!!!
- Senior Tax Accountant or Supervisor – Family Office – Downtown
- Senior Accountant – Small Accounting Team – Fast Paced Environment – Midtown
- Senior Staff Accountant – GL, Month End – SW Houston
- Staff Accountant – 0 to 2 years of experience – Downtown
- Assistant Controller – 5 to 8 years of experience – Small company – Galleria
- Internal Auditor – Staff or Senior – Galleria
Still HOT!!!!
- Corporate Director FP&A – Downtown
- IT Audit Lead – West Houston
- IT Auditor – Galleria
- E&P Tax Manager or Director – Downtown
- Controller – Start Up – Greenway Plaza
- High Net Wealth Tax Manager – Greenway Plaza
- Internal Audit Senior – 40% Travel – Downtown
What to Do If You Can’t Answer an Interview Question | POPSUGAR Smart Living — Randy The Recruiter by Randy Schwartz, Executive Recruiter
via What to Do If You Can’t Answer an Interview Question | POPSUGAR Smart Living
Senior Staff Accountant – SW Houston – dlemaire@cfstaffing.com
Job Responsibilities:
- Prepare, analyze and/or review various internal and external financial statements, reports, depreciation schedules, and variance analysis in accordance with GAAP, with a high level of accuracy while ensuring deadlines are met
- Ensure accurate and timely close process through preparation or review of monthly close schedules, journal entries, reconciliations, etc.
- Assist in the coordination and completion of annual financial audits and preparation of audit schedules
- Prepare reconciliations as necessary to ensure the accuracy of the books
- Prepare bank reconciliations on a monthly basis
- Develop and implement procedures by analyzing current processes and recommending changes; monitor the implementation and maintenance of internal control procedures
- Ensure financial records are maintained in compliance with accepted policies and procedures, including document storage for reports and working papers
- Provide excellent customer service to both internal and external clients
Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in Accounting
- Strong financial background including two or more years of work experience,
- Strong Excel skills including pivot tables, v-lookups, interest calculations, present value calculations and other advanced formulas
How to write a thank you note after a job interview – Business Insider
Post by @RandyRecruit.
Source: How to write a thank you note after a job interview – Business Insider
I’m An Accountant….
Happy Friday…..Accounting Humor!
Career development beyond office walls via http://cfstaffing.blogspot.com/
Career development beyond office walls
One could argue that when it comes to advancing your career, it’s not only what you know, but who you know. While networking is very beneficial, there are other ways to develop professionally and help take your career to the next level:
Take a class:
Whether you sign up for an online course or decide to enroll in a certification program, you can never go wrong with continuing your education. Educational development shows a desire to continuously better yourself and illustrates that you are taking steps towards your future career. By expanding your knowledge base, you enhance your skills and give your resume a boost.
If you feel that you don’t have the time or the extra cash to enroll in a course for credit, there are many websites that offer free classes specializing in a variety of topics. The length of each program varies- some programs only require one class a week! Committing 1-2 hours a week towards something you are genuinely interested in is not a bad deal.
Volunteer:
Dedicating yourself to a cause you are passionate about not only feels great, but it also makes a difference. Whether you have time to volunteer once a week, once a month, or a few times a year, you can always have an impact. You will meet other people who share the same beliefs as you, which is a great way to add to your network as well. In addition, hiring managers agree that volunteer work makes a candidate stand out. It illustrates dedication, philanthropic goals, and passion.
Join a Club:
As life gets chaotic, it can be difficult to do the things we love. Once you carve out the time to join a club though, you become more committed to it since other people are involved- they can hold you accountable. Don’t misinterpret because this commitment should not be seen as a chore. Rather, it’s a chance to escape your hectic life for a little bit and do something you truly enjoy. Employers will see this as you being a well-rounded person with impeccable time management skills. They will even applaud you further if you take on leadership roles within the club. Everything is an opportunity to hone your skill set, whether you are in the office or spending a day on the tennis courts.
Exercise:
As many of us already know, it’s recommended to get at least 30 minutes of exercise each day. What does this have to do with your work life? When you maintain a healthy mind/body, the benefits include lower stress levels, deeper focus, higher energy levels, etc. As you begin to feel these effects, your work will reap the rewards as well. As you become less stressed and more focused on the job, you will get more accomplished in a shorter amount of time, something that managers and colleagues will notice.
What else do you do to develop your career? We want to hear it so please comment below!
Are you on the job hunt for a new career? Our recruiters are here to help! Check out our latest job postings here, or find a CFS office located closest to you here.
Unemployment Rate by State March 2016
May 2016 Newsletter for Accounting & Finance Professionals in Houston
May 2016
Industry News and Updates:
Boom or Bust? Neither! The first question I seem to get when I speak to both hiring managers and candidates is: “How is the market doing?” My answer is: It’s not 2014 where every company in Houston seemed to be hiring, but it is also not the 80’s bust either (I personally have only heard stories about this time). Houston has come such a long way and has diversified from being just an oil town since then. We are so much more! Don’t get me wrong there are industries in Houston that are truly hurting, but there are also industries that are doing just fine. The price of oil does impact our economy directly and indirectly, but I am so excited to report that it seems to be ticking up every week. Today the price is around $45 a barrel. Most economist will tell you that we need to get to $60 dollars a barrel and a lot of them have predicted we will hit that number by the end of the year.
It is harder to find a job today and you have to use multiple resources. You cannot simply go online, upload your resume to CareerBuilder and wait for the phone to ring. First, you have to make sure that you have a good resume (there are some links listed below with resume writing tips) and then you have to use great recruiters, your network, LinkedIn, networking functions, ads, niche job boards and yes CareerBuilder. One source is not enough in the present job market. The great news is that our unemployment rate is still below 5%; which technically speaking, means that we are at full employment. As you know, I always like to see the bright side of things!
See you again in July 2016
Local Statistics:
- National Unemployment Rate: 5.1 (last year 5.6)
- Houston Unemployment Rate: 4.9 (last year 4.3)
- Oil Rig Count: 437 (last year 976)
- Price of Oil: 45.9 (last year around 55)
- Industries hiring: Consumer Products / Service related companies, Chemical, Real Estate, Non Profit, Legal, Public Accounting Firms!!!!
- Positions in demand: Staff & Senior Accountants, Tax, Audit, Management level roles in Accounting
Interesting Articles:
- 5 Things on You Should NEVER Say or Do on a Resume: http://wp.me/puDjI-1g2
- How to: Write Your LinkedIn Summary Like a LinkedIn Influencer: http://wp.me/puDjI-1f7
- Time saving tricks for your job search: http://wp.me/puDjI-1eM
- Did you know: 5 tips when updating your resume: http://wp.me/puDjI-1fg
Local Searches:
Galleria area:
- Financial Reporting & Consolidations Senior – must have public – Galleria
- GL Accountant – 59 & Main
- Associate Manager / Manager – Professional Services Firm – Consulting on high profile projects – full time role – need at least 2.5 year of public accounting and maybe a splash of industry to qualify
- Senior Compliance / IT Auditor
- Senior Federal & State Tax Accountant
- Payroll Manager with PeopleSoft
- Senior Internal Auditor – low travel
- Reduced work week hours: Tax Manager or Supervisor – small public accounting firm
- Senior Accountant, Great Plains preferred
North Houston:
- Senior Accountant – NW Houston
- Senior Insurance Accountant – NW Houston
- Staff Auditor – Woodlands
- Senior Staff Accountant – Woodlands
- Senior Auditor – Woodlands
- Junior Property Accountant – Greenspoint
- Accounting Manager – Real Estate – Woodlands
Downtown/Central:
- Senior Auditor, Downtown, 40% travel
- Staff Accountant (big 4) – 2 openings
- Audit Manager – Non Profit – 10M dollar Budget
- Tax Staff Accountant – Galleria
- Senior IT Auditor – Galleria
- Tax Supervisor – CPA Firm – are you a senior ready for the next step?
- International Controller
- Director of FP&A (must have MBA)
- Treasury Analyst, DT, Must have Big 4 Audit
- Billing Specialist with Elite
West Houston/Energy Corridor:
- Accounting Director (public accounting background)
- Payroll Coordinator – Rosenberg
- Audit Senior – 70% travel – West
Consulting & Temporary Roles:
- Accounting Assistant – Hospitality
- 4 Fixed Asset Accountant – West
- Interim Controller with Dynamics – West
- Contracts Analyst – Sugar Land
- Receptionist, Southeast
- HR / Recruiter – Non Profit
- Receptionist – Non Profit
San Antonio Openings:
- Bank Auditor-Top San Antonio Employer (Up to 122k)
- Staff Bank Auditor- Top San Antonio Employer(up to75k)
- Audit- Sox with Exotic Travel (Insurance Industry, up to 75k)
- Tax Analyst- Federal & State Tax, (Renewable Energy, ~70s)
- Controller- Implement new policies & procedures (Automotive Industry, 120-150k)
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Senior Accountant, Med Center Area, dlemaire@cfstaffing.com
Mid size and fast growing healthcare related coming is looking to add a Senior Accountant to their team. If you love to have you hands in all aspects of accounting and love a fast paced environment this role is for you!
The Staff Accountant reports to the Accounting Manager.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Prepare and analyze the monthly budget/forecast to actual variance reports;
- Perform general accounts analysis and reconciliations, including bank statements, fixed assets, employer’s benefit costs, accruals and prepaid expenses;
- Heavy Excel- pivot tables, v-lookups, if statements, formatting;
- Assist in the preparation of financial reports such as balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow.
- Ability to work in and out of 10 different softwares to pull reports when needed.
- Assist with tax preparation- pulling reports, docs and liaison between CPA firm
SKILLS & COMPETENCIES
- Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize workload in order to meet tight deadlines in a fast-paced and dynamic work environment.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
- Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Power Point, especially Excel).
QUALIFICATIONS:
- 2-4 years of relevant experience (accounting operations and/or audit).
- Experience in the healthcare industry is a plus, but not required.
- Must have a degree in Accounting.
Napoleon Hill, Think and Grow Rich
“If you think you are beaten, you are,
If you think you dare not, you don’t.
If you like to win, but you think you can’t,
It is almost certain you won’t.
If you think you’ll lose, you’re lost,
For out in the world we find,
Success begins with a fellow’s will –
It’s all in the state of MIND.
If you think you’re outclassed, you are,
You’ve got to think high to rise,
You’ve got to be sure of yourself before
You can ever win a prize.
Life’s battles, don’t always go
To the stronger or faster man
But soon or later the man who wins
Is the man WHO THINKS HE CAN!”
Controller for Start Up Company Houston – dlemaire@cfstaffing.com
Our client is bringing their accounting in house. They are currently on QuickBooks. This is a VERY hands on role until the company starts taking off. They are expecting a huge amount of growth in the next 18 to 24 months. Please email me at dlemaire@cfstaffing.com for more details.
Primary duties include but are not limited to the following:
- Prepare monthly, quarterly and annual internal financial reports, including Profit & Loss Statement, Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Statements.
- Prepare scheduled and ad hoc financial reports and analyses for internal and external audiences.
- Financial Analysis & Monitoring. Develop and maintain tools for financial analysis. Keep CFO apprised of existing or developing financial and/or cash flow issues.
- Accounts Payable – Disbursements. Approve payments, prepare and input AP.
- Maintain & reconcile cash, balance sheet, and payroll-related accounts monthly and resolve any discrepancies.
- Responsible for the month-end and year-end G/L close process as well as maintenance of all accounting ledger.
- Accounts Receivable. Develop receivables policy to keep days receivables to a minimum. Manage preparation of all invoices/billings. Prepare complex billings/invoices. Review and approve invoices in general ledger. Oversee systematic implementation of receivables collection procedures.
- Cash Receipts. Manage all coding, deposits, data entry, and posting in GL.
- Develop annual operating and departmental budgets.
- Recommend benchmarks for measuring the financial and operating performance while paying special attention to the major profit/loss centers in the company.
- Manage debt balances and ensure proper and timely payments as required, including accrued interest and capital lease accounts.
- Provide financial perspective and analysis on business decisions including profitability, cost analysis, and cost savings initiatives.
- Serve as primary liaison for external CPA firm relationship including all financial, tax and consulting matters.
- Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state and local regulatory reporting requirements and guidelines.
- Ensure adequate controls are installed and that substantiating documentation is approved and available such that the company would pass independent audits.
Qualifications
- Accounting Degree
- 10 to 12 years of accounting experience
- Strong experience with QuickBooks and Systems Implementations a plus
- Expert knowledge of Excel
- Must be able to work both strategically to develop and manage integration plans as well as tactically to develop routine reports to support business operations
- Experience with professional services billing procedures strongly preferred
- Experience with SOC 1 and SOC 2 preferred
What’s the price of oil today?
| Crude Oil and Commodity Prices May, Thursday 12 2016 – 09:44:37
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5 Things on You Should NEVER Say or Do on a Resume
MAY 12, 2016 BY
Sometimes when I am reading resumes I feel like I should be a third grade English teacher rather than a recruiter. Why do I say this? I am simply amazed by the mistakes made on resumes. The misspellings, the run on sentences, the formatting, and the blatant lack of attention to detail are simply astounding. I need a red pen to mark up the resume. As I have said more than once, even in the age of social media and LinkedIn, resumes are essential in your job search.
Do you know the song by Tim McGraw called “I Like It, I Love It” where he says “I throwed out my shoulder”? Even if you aren’t a fan of country music, that song has been played on every radio station across America for the past decade. Every time I hear it, I feel like someone is running their fingernails across the chalkboard. It is “I threw”, not “I throwed”! Why, oh why, would he say such a thing?!! That is EXACTLY how I feel when I look at resumes that aren’t done well.
There are common errors that need to be eliminated. I want to share with you some of those common errors and hopefully you will NEVER make these mistakes. After all, a resume is a first impression and you may never get to an interview if your resume isn’t done correctly.
Here are 5 things you should NEVER say or do on a resume:
- Apply to a job that you have NEVER done without a Cover Letter or explanation. I am really struggling with this one. This is my #1 pet peeve. It is kind of like putting diesel in a car that only takes unleaded. Why? Okay, if you want to change careers, that is cool, but tell me why you want to make a change and how you are able to do the job. Simple enough?
- Never apply to a job without a LinkedIn URL. Why in this day and age would you not have a LinkedIn account? I just don’t get it. If you are in the job market, don’t you know I am going to check your social profile? Also, if you want to hear more about how I feel about this, read here.
- Never compromise your resume & career by trying to cram everything on one page. The one page rule in my mind is ridiculous. Who cares? If you have had an established career and want to highlight what you have done, then please, by all means make it longer. I think 2-3 page resumes are the norm today. With all of the technologies and skills that are required of candidates, you better make sure you list the right skills the company is looking for in a candidate. Do you think they care how long their job description is? No!
- I don’t need your physical address or home phone. Guys, this is not 1995. Everything is electronic, on social media, or on your mobile device. I need your e-mail, phone number, blog site, LinkedIn (I’ll say it again), Twitter account, or whatever relevant information you can give me so I can research you. I need to know what city you live in, but I don’t need to know your physical home address. I really don’t want your home number either. A cell is all I want and need. I don’t need your grandmother answering a phone call and taking down your phone number.
- Please tell me CLEARLY what you did at your job (in CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER), what you accomplished, and what skills you have acquired. I don’t need all of your skills jumbled together with your company name and dates of employment at the bottom of your resume! What are you hiding? Look, if you have gaps in your employment tell me what you have been doing. Have you been consulting? Have you been going back to school? Just spell it out for me. I’ll likely pass on your resume if I can’t figure it out in 6 seconds, so make it simple!
Of course I am only scratching the surface here, but this is a good start. Next week I’ll give 5 more pointers. Please whatever you do, don’t “throwed” out your shoulder between now and then.
Read more at http://bullseyerecruiting.net/5-things-on-you-should-never-say-or-do-on-a-resume/#dZ0S27ZIkksZMw8w.99
10 Ways to Boost Your Productivity at the Office-Article written by Lori Lynn Smith for Lifehack
10 Ways to Boost Your Productivity at the Office
 |
| Article written by Lori Lynn Smith for Lifehack |
You stagger into the office five minutes before your are suppose to start, you have a coffee in your hand. You do like your job, but it is hard to hit the floor peppy and productive every single day. It feels even harder when you find yourself sitting for so long at one time. That is the nature of the job, but how can you change things up a little to create an environment that is more productive and more enjoyable?Here are ten strategies that can set the tone and keep you motivated to be productive:
1. Plan
Get to your desk about 15 minutes early and write out a daily list of tasks and plan out your day before it begins. This will help to keep you focused and on track throughout the day. Set out your top three most important tasks to do first.
Get to your desk about 15 minutes early and write out a daily list of tasks and plan out your day before it begins. This will help to keep you focused and on track throughout the day. Set out your top three most important tasks to do first.
2. Power hour
Commit! Dedicate the first hour to getting as much done as you can. Avoid your email inbox, favorite blogs, and voicemails, and get right to work. This sets the tone for the day and gives you a great sense of accomplishment that can follow you through to home time.
Commit! Dedicate the first hour to getting as much done as you can. Avoid your email inbox, favorite blogs, and voicemails, and get right to work. This sets the tone for the day and gives you a great sense of accomplishment that can follow you through to home time.
3. Recess
When we were kids we probably loved recess more than school, but our teacher knew that we needed small breaks to help us learn better. The same is true for working. Allocating specific time periods when it’s okay to become distracted can help make the rest of your day more productive. Just keep them short and then get back to it.
When we were kids we probably loved recess more than school, but our teacher knew that we needed small breaks to help us learn better. The same is true for working. Allocating specific time periods when it’s okay to become distracted can help make the rest of your day more productive. Just keep them short and then get back to it.
4. Time chunking
By shifting your focus between tedious and repetitive tasks and those that are more engaging, you can keep yourself more happily involved in your work throughout the day. Give each task category a time frame and alternate back and forth between them for best results.
By shifting your focus between tedious and repetitive tasks and those that are more engaging, you can keep yourself more happily involved in your work throughout the day. Give each task category a time frame and alternate back and forth between them for best results.
5. Rock the clock
Rather than working on a project until it’s completed, resolve to work on a project for a set period of time, then change your focus. This will keep you productive and eliminate some of the tedium associated with working on the same project for long periods of time.
Rather than working on a project until it’s completed, resolve to work on a project for a set period of time, then change your focus. This will keep you productive and eliminate some of the tedium associated with working on the same project for long periods of time.
6. Organize your email
You can increase sanity by keeping your inbox organized, especially if you get a lot of correspondence on a daily basis. Use folders and filters to keep your email inbox organized and it will be as beneficial as having a tidy desk or cubicle. I personally like to strive for Inbox Zero: daily is great, but definitely by Friday afternoon.
You can increase sanity by keeping your inbox organized, especially if you get a lot of correspondence on a daily basis. Use folders and filters to keep your email inbox organized and it will be as beneficial as having a tidy desk or cubicle. I personally like to strive for Inbox Zero: daily is great, but definitely by Friday afternoon.
7. Listen to music
Music can help you settle into your work routine. Low-volume music can drown out noises in the office without interrupting other people around you. Choose music that helps you focus without distracting you. It has been shown that while listening to Classical music your IQ actually increases—you might want to give it a try!
Music can help you settle into your work routine. Low-volume music can drown out noises in the office without interrupting other people around you. Choose music that helps you focus without distracting you. It has been shown that while listening to Classical music your IQ actually increases—you might want to give it a try!
8. Drink up
Hydration is important for a variety of health reasons. Fill up a personal water bottle and keep it with you all day. Keeping a water bottle by your side will prevent you from having to get up over and over to get more water and ensures that you stay hydrated throughout the day. I love to use a 1 liter bottle, and drink one before lunch and one after lunch.
Hydration is important for a variety of health reasons. Fill up a personal water bottle and keep it with you all day. Keeping a water bottle by your side will prevent you from having to get up over and over to get more water and ensures that you stay hydrated throughout the day. I love to use a 1 liter bottle, and drink one before lunch and one after lunch.
9. Leave your desk for lunch
Having a lunch break away from your desk can disrupt your productivity routine, but it does provide some much-needed relaxation and respite from your work. Enjoy your lunch break and return to your work with renewed energy and focus. Exercising during lunch, even if it is just a quick walk around the park, will also help to keep your energy up.
Having a lunch break away from your desk can disrupt your productivity routine, but it does provide some much-needed relaxation and respite from your work. Enjoy your lunch break and return to your work with renewed energy and focus. Exercising during lunch, even if it is just a quick walk around the park, will also help to keep your energy up.
10. Keep it professional
Respond to personal emails and deal with personal phone calls on your own time. By clearly separating work and home, you can focus yourself better during the day to get more done. If you have important personal tasks that need to be done, use your break or lunch, but walk away from your desk.
Respond to personal emails and deal with personal phone calls on your own time. By clearly separating work and home, you can focus yourself better during the day to get more done. If you have important personal tasks that need to be done, use your break or lunch, but walk away from your desk.
Hit your stride
You can stay productive during work hours if you plan out your day and really think about what you’re doing at work. It doesn’t take much forethought to have a good workday, but the time you put into planning can pay off big time!
You can stay productive during work hours if you plan out your day and really think about what you’re doing at work. It doesn’t take much forethought to have a good workday, but the time you put into planning can pay off big time!
Read the original article posted on Lifehack.
Industry Roles for Public Accounting Professionals! dlemaire@cfstaffing.com
We have several clients interested in public accounting Auditors and Tax professionals. Please email me at dlemaire@cfstaffing.com for more details.
List of Openings:
- Internal Auditor, Downtown, 100 year old business, 40% travel, domestic & international
- Senior Accounting Analyst, Med Center, Top 100 Employers in Houston
- IT Auditor, Westchase, 7 Billion Dollar company over 50 years old
- State & Local Tax Accountant, Galleria, Multi-Billion Dollar Energy Services Company
- Federal Tax Accountant, Galleria, Multi National Manufacturing Company
- Financial Reporting Analyst, DT Houston, Oil & Gas, Position open due to growth
- Internal Audit Manager, Non Profit, Galleria, Start an Audit Department from scratch
Senior Auditor – Houston & Charleston, W.V. – dlemaire@cfstaffing.com
SENIOR INTERNAL AUDITOR
CPA (parts past) or CIA Required
Why take a Senior Internal Auditor role with this company?
- Exposure to multiple business units
- Key part of a newly created finance/compliance team
- Opportunity to work domestically and internationally
- Ability to grow within the internal audit department and/or move to other area of the organization
What the Senior Internal Auditor will do…
- Financial audits (process, accounting, tax, controls, corporate finance, compliance)
- Assist in developing and implement audit principles, programs and tools
- Evaluate internal controls
- Prepare Audit Reports
- Analyze business processes
What the company needs in a Senior Internal Auditor:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting, Finance or a related field; CPA/CIA i
- 3+ years of audit experience from a small or local CPA Firm
- ACL expreince a huge plus
- Ability to travel up to 40% domestically and internationally
Perks of the Senior Internal Auditor role:
- Strong medical benefit package
- Work for a 100 year old company!
- 401-K with match
- Tuition reimbursement
- Exposure to all areas of the company’s finance infrastructure
dlemaire@cfstaffing.com
9 Powerful Affirmations Successful People Repeat Every Single Day By Jeff Haden
9 Powerful Affirmations Successful People Repeat Every Single Day
Successful people think about their work — and themselves — differently than most. And so can you.
If you’re not achieving the success you hope for, whether personally or professionally, take a step back. The problem may not be a lack of education, or opportunity, or connections, or even luck.
The problem could be what you believe — and as a result, what you do.
What do the most successful people believe and therefore do differently? Here are some of the affirmations successful people make very day:
1. “In one way, I will always be last.”
Everyone likes to be first. But often it’s better to be last: the last to give up, the last to leave, the last to keep trying, the last to hold on to principles and values.
The world is full of people who quit. The world is full of people who pivot (pivot is sometimes just a fancy word for “give up”).
There will always be people who are smarter, more talented, better connected, and better funded than you. But they don’t always win.
Always be the last to give up on yourself.
2. “I will never equate acquisition with satisfaction.”
Psychologists call it “hedonistic adaptation,” a phenomenon in which people quickly push the buzz from a new purchase toward their emotional norm.
That “aah…” feeling you get when you look at your new house? It quickly goes away. The same is true for your new car, new furniture, and new clothes. So to recapture the “aah…” feeling, you have to buy something else. The cycle is addictive. And so you’re never satisfied. You can’t be. That’s not how we’re made.
Real, lasting satisfaction comes from doing, not from having. Want to feel good about yourself? Help someone. Knowing you’ve made a difference in another person’s life is an “aah…” that lasts forever.
It’s also a cycle that’s addictive — but this time, in a really good way.
3. “I will never mistake political gain for achievement.”
Infighting, positioning, trying to look better by making other people look worse: Playing politics can help get you ahead.
But if you win through politics, you still ultimately lose, since political success is based on the impulses, whims, and caprices of other people (often other people you don’t even respect or like). That means today’s success can be tomorrow’s failure, and success or failure is largely outside your control.
Real achievements are based on merit. They can’t be taken away by anyone.
4. “I won’t let the fear of criticism hold me back.”
Try something different. Try something others won’t try. Almost immediately, people will talk about you-and not in a kind way.
The only way to keep people from being snide, disparaging, or judgmental is to say and do what everyone else does. Then, of course, you live their lives and not yours. And you won’t be happy.
See people talking about you as a sign you’re on the right track-your track.
Your track is the happy track. Not theirs.
5. “I will go ahead and ship — and then ship again.”
As Seth Godin says, we’re naturally afraid to be “done” because then our idea, our product, or our service has to sink or swim, and we’re desperately afraid it will sink.
And maybe it will-but if you don’t put it out there, it can also never swim. No product can be successful until it’s shipped. No application can be successful until it’s released. No service can be successful until it’s in the field.
When in doubt, ship it out. Then make whatever you produce next is a little better. And ship that. And keep going.
You can’t feel proud until you ship. So ship — a lot.
6. “I will see my rsum as the journey, not the end result.”
Many people collect jobs and experiences in pursuit of crafting a “winning” rsum.
That’s backwards. Your rsum is like a report card: It’s just a by-product of what you’ve accomplished, learned, and experienced.
Don’t base your life on trying to fill in the blanks on some “ideal” CV. Base your life on accomplishing your goals and dreams. Figure out what you need to do to get to where you want to be, and do those things.
Then let your rsum reflect that journey.
7. “I will refuse to wait.”
For the right time. The right people. The right market. The right something.
And life passes you by.
The only right is right now.
Go.
8. “I won’t collect stuff; I’ll “collect” people.”
Walk around your house. Or look around your office. Look at your stuff.
Now have your extended family over for dinner. Or get together with friends. Look at your people.
Which is more fulfilling?
Thought so. You can love your stuff, but your stuff will never love you back.
9. “I will always maintain perspective.”
Close your eyes and imagine I have the power to take everything you hold dear away from you: family, job or business, home, everything.
And I exercise that power. All of it, everything, is gone.
Would you beg and plead and offer me anything to get that life back? Would getting that life back mean everything to you? Would you realize that what you had was so much more important than what you didn’t have?
Would you realize that what I just took away was pretty freaking awesome?
Of course you would.
Now open your eyes, literally and figuratively, and never forget how much you’ve accomplished — and how proud you should be.
PUBLISHED ON: MAY 11, 2016
Houston's F&A Recruiter and Talent Connector 