Shine on!

Don't let words and opinions limit your dream. I like this from Mark Twain:

"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great." ~Mark Twain

I guess what I'm saying this morning is, get rid of limits imposed by yourself, as well as others. You have dreams, ideas, goals. Don't look for the ways you can't, look for the ways you can!

Shine On!

Image Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/alexandrasnowdon/

Hiring: It's a good thing!

"When I'm hiring a cook for one of my restaurants, and I want to see what they can do, I usually ask them to make me an omelet." ~Bobby Flay

You're in a bind. Business has grown beautifully, but there's too much work for your team. Everyone is doing their best, but it's overwhelming. Especially for you. You need help ASAP! 

Don't grab the first person with a pulse. I promise, the troubles you'll have in the future for poor planning far, far outweigh taking time to hire properly.

Hiring the right person for your position is like bringing in an extension of yourself to do the work you can't do alone. How do you make sure you're going to employ someone who will fulfill your expectations and get things done the right way? Let's take a look: 

There is a lot of work to do before you expand your workforce 

Question if you actually need a new position - Before you get started, make certain you are financially able to support an additional employee. Also, analyse your current team. Are they being assigned efficiently and are their talents and skills being utilized to the fullest?

Know exactly what you need - Take time to identify the job's essential functions. Then, note the key performance criteria. Are there specific skills and talents required to perform this work?

Formalize a job description. - Detail the specifics of the position based on the essential functions, performance criteria, and specialized considerations.

How much should you pay? - Do your research and base this decision on internal and external comparisons. One must ask if is the salary is competitive with the salaries and responsibilities of other positions inside your company, as well as similar positions out in the marketplace.

Attract qualified applicants - If you don't have a protocol for recruiting, utilize a recruiter  They will know the techniques of attracting and hiring the right person. Remember, advertising is not the only way to recruit.

Collecting and reviewing - Finally, this is the last preparation step. Once you have a good selection of candidates to choose from, begin selecting the most qualified people for further consideration. 

After clearly identifying what you need, you can now interview for the perfect match

The interview - Interview at least three qualified candidates. Interview the candidates three times. And, have three people evaluate the candidates. This may seem intense. However, hiring tough and never lowering your standards will allow you to manage easy. 

Select the most qualified candidate - That may seem obvious, however selecting person solely because you like them or because they really, really need a job is not being objective. Make your selection based on the person's proven skills and experience that has prepared them to meet the requirements of the job description.

References matter - Always, always take time to check references before making a job offer. You never know what will pop up.

Hire the "right" person - After going through all of these objective and important steps, and you've done your homework, you should have a very clear idea of who's right for the job and will be a good fit with the team.. Now, go with your gut and offer them the position.

Congratulations! Hiring, it's a good thing! 

If you find you don't have the time or ability to conduct a thorough hiring process, SHINE Consulting is here to help you hire the right people. Just give us a call or connect via email  at sahepler@gmail.com. 

God bless closed doors

"When one door is closed, don't you know, another is open." ~Bob Marley

I read something the other day that said the devil always comes looking good.

Oh boy, did that ever hit home as I recalled the few amazing guys, the dream jobs, and the really great opportunities that, upon closer examination, were not what they initially appeared to be. When I apply my rational judgment to one of these marauders, the veneer makes sense. Why would the devil (aka guy, job, opportunity) come looking evil and menacing? Of course not, the disguise is the hook!

Yet, how often do I actually use the piercing logic of mine, that skeptical part of my brain, when I really, really want what I see? Rationalizing and yearning set in. I just know it's Divine Intervention. Maybe it's that I'm finally getting what I deserve. Or, the power of my intentions is so keen I'm manifesting my dreams.

Admittedly, it's kind of pathetic.

There were times when I pushed and pushed at the door to one of these bad situations. And, after much effort, the door opened. Throwing caution and good counsel to the wind, I eagerly walked through, only to lament my foolish actions. Wishing that I had seen what was behind said beautiful door, I rued the day I committed to that path.

There were also times when I pursued a seemingly beautiful thing. Even after using all of my skills, powers of persuasion, or whatever good thing I possess, it wasn't mine to have. When the door didn't open to me, I chose to accept that it wasn't a good option. Yet, silly me, I pined and pined that it wasn't going to be mine

Oh, for goodness sake! What a waste of time. You'd think I would've learned by now that a closed door is more often than not a blessing! Seriously, just about every time I look back I see how the devil (yes...guy, job, opportunity) would have hurt me in some way.

The closed door was my protection.

To pursue a dream requires certain necessary steps to make things happen. It often means knocking, yes even pushing, at closed doors. Yet, it's a wise person who looks at those beautiful, closed doors and examines them for what they might really be.

How does one know when to push forward and when to pursue another course? Try these:

• Seek the counsel of those who've gone before you. Talk with mentors and advisers. It's always a smart idea to piggy-back on the efforts of those who have already done the hard work. They know the pitfalls and what's behind the door. Listen to these wise ones.
• Spend time in quiet reflection, pray, or meditate. Do you connect with a Higher Power? Examine your reasons for wanting that beautiful thing. Ask for direction and clarification. Listen to what is given to you.
• Find an objective source that isn't influenced by their feelings. Counselors, coaches and consultants are trained to examine facts when facilitating goal actualization. They will also help you see your blind spots. Listen to their rational advise.

When a door stays closed, bless it and move on remembering that the devil always looks good and maybe this was one of those times. And, when that new door appears and is opened wide, you can be grateful you left the closed one behind.

You might also enjoy these : A State of Acceptance and Yay for New Doors! 

Loving your gifts and talents

Lately, I've been reading and hearing so much talk about loving yourself -- that it's the first step to loving others, it's the only way to truly be happy in life, and, our success in our jobs and relationships depends on it.

But, what does it mean to love one's self? Some of us have so much bad that's been piled on us from broken childhoods, toxic marriages, demeaning work experiences, and a host of other damaging experiences, that the concept of loving our self seems crazy!

Greedy people suck, literally

First of all, let's say what loving one's self is not. It's not about putting yourself and your needs above or at the expense of another. That isn't love. That's selfishness. Having a greedy attitude with money, attention, power, or any other resource comes from a sense of neediness. And, neediness is not self-loving. Sucking the life out of others is most assuredly not loving others or oneself.

The martyr gives it all away

Also, playing the sacrificial lamb is not self love. Giving away your dreams, position, opinions or any other personal expression is denying yourself of joy and accomplishment. You wouldn't do this to your best friend or someone you cherish. Why would you think to do this to yourself? Never give your life force away without giving to yourself at the same time.

Loving your gifts and talents

Loving yourself, right this very moment, means celebrating the very essence of who you are. The God-created spirit who moves on the earth, who has been formed with gifts and talents built into your very DNA. It's pretty amazing when we think about it; we have ideas, inspirations, dreams, and adventures embedded in us. They are unique, too! Every single one of us has something to offer mankind that only we can deliver.

How does that translate to loving ourselves? 

When you have an innovative approach to how you or your employer does work, finding a way to honor that is loving yourself. When you speak your truth about a subject you know well, you love yourself. When you celebrate your ability to delegate, organize, inspire, envision, nurture or create, you love yourself. Hopefully, you get the picture here -- honoring your uniqueness, acknowledging your gifts and talents, all equate to loving yourself.

What if you don't know those good things

Some of us have been so busy with our noses to the grindstone doing the job or taking care of others, that we have lost the connection to who we are, what our gifts and talents are, and how to live our purpose. You might say that you don't have time for all of this esoteric, touchy-feely stuff. Okay. But, what if I told you by getting to know and love your core self you'd be a more productive business owner/parent/spouse, that you would have more energy, and people would respond to you differently, you probably would take the time, wouldn't you?

Most of us don't do this kind of work well on our own. Some of you think you do, however our blind spots, hurts, and beliefs almost always get in our way. I suggest that you invest in yourself by taking some time with a counselor, coach or consultant. These are professionals trained to help you mine the nuggets of gold deep inside of you.

And, once you know and own those nuggets, you can begin to love your gifts and talents!