Bev's Tips for a Better Work Life

Tips for a more rewarding and resilient career

For almost 20 years, Bev has been coaching
professionals to thrive at work, navigate
transitions and grow as leaders.

changing your life

Try this recipe for job satisfaction

Posted by Beverly Jones on

Here’s one man’s formula
for loving his work life

I book my haircuts three months in advance because Jason Holloway, my hairdresser, has a full calendar and a long waitlist.

Jason sometimes works just 4 days a week, and he sees clients only 6 to 8 hours a day. Unlike other studio owners I’ve known, he never double books in order to squeeze in a second client for a quick cut while the first in that time block waits for her color to take.

Hair stylist Jason Holloway

I love that, once I reach Jason’s chair, he is always ready for me, on time and focused entirely on me and my hair. But I know that his small business has substantial overhead, and I suspect that he could make a lot more money if he were to put in more time or serve his clients at a faster pace.

So I asked Jason if he’d consider adding hours to his studio schedule, or finding ways to fit more clients into each day. “No,” he said, “if I’m just grinding it out, it shows in my work.”

In earlier years Jason operated on a high tier of the salon industry, crisscrossing the country to teach L’Oreal customers about the latest trends and techniques in hair design. He liked being a trainer, he enjoyed the opportunity to be a player in the fashion industry, and he was making more money than he had time to spend.

But Jason was exhausted by the constant travel. And he wanted to find “peace.” So he decided to leave the big time, move from the D.C. area to little Culpeper, Virginia, and create a career that would support the life he wants.

Now, with his own small salon, Jason is proud that clients book months ahead, perhaps driving 50 miles or so for an appointment. Most important, he seems to be a happy and self-aware man, one who keeps revisiting his most important values, as he continues to tweak his balance of work and life. Here is the career formula that helps Jason to remain joyful and productive:

• Start with the people. Once he launched his studio in Culpeper, Jason moved carefully to find compatible workers. He trained the apprentice who has become his sidekick, April Carter, and he recruited two friends as part-time colleagues. And he builds real relationships with his clients, focusing on each one intently and looking forward to visiting with his regulars. Jason understands what Gallup polls have shown — that having friends at work is incredibly important to your job satisfaction.

• Value what you do. Jason loves doing hair, including for people who may face the ravages of cancer or other special challenges. He says, “The way we appear in the world, our personal style, speaks volumes about us. This is why the connection between stylist and client is so strong and personal … Because to help reveal someone’s ‘spiritual grace,’ you have to know them.” He regards hair as a kind of calling, a combination of art, science and service to others. Jason has a sense of mission. And research consistently shows that people like him, who find meaning in their work, report better health, well-being and resilience.

• Leave room for side gigs. Jason is passionate about his salon and takes pride in staying ahead of the trends, but he wants more variety in his career. So he leaves time for producing and selling art, including images where tiny, cropped photographs become a type of brushstroke. And he teaches the occasional Ashtanga yoga class. His combination of activities means that he is always learning something new, which is key to a satisfying work life.

• Maintain autonomy. Many studies show what Jason has figured out for himself: workers who have substantial control over how they meet their goals are happier and more productive than those kept on a tighter rein. Jason doesn’t enjoy the accounting and compliance tasks that are part of running a small business. But for him, the benefits of making his own decisions outweigh the more tedious aspects of being an entrepreneur.

Jason’s formula for loving his work includes having a mission, building strong relationships, traveling along multiple learning paths, and staying in control of his days and weeks. That is a pretty good starting point for many people.

What is your formula for staying passionate about your career?

How to reboot when work is a drag

Posted by Beverly Jones on

 So things are tough at work?

These 5 strategies can help.

 Most of us have periods of misery, when it seems like our careers are caught in a downward spiral. Sometimes the trigger is big and in-your-face, like the arrival of a new leader who wants to change everything about your job and mission. But at other times you just gradually lose hope, until thinking about your career leaves you wallowing in despair.

So what do you do if you can’t find a way to leave your job, but it feels like it’s only going to get worse from here?

Time to boost up your energy? (Image by gingerwisi via Fotolia)

The first thing is to understand that doing something is better than doing nothing. Chances are that nobody else will rescue you. So you’re the one who’ll have to shake things up and scramble toward paths leading to a better place.

If you’re caught in the mire, it’s time to get moving, even if you venture out only a little bit every day. As you look around for starting points, consider five strategies for bringing positive motion back to your career:

  1. Build valuable expertise.  One reason to develop greater subject matter expertise is that it will increase your job satisfaction. It takes long hours to acquire deep knowledge or technical skill, but people who have it and use it are more likely than their peers to find their work to be inherently rewarding. Beyond that, becoming an expert may translate into greater job security in the near term and a wider array of opportunities in the future. When you’re thinking about broadening your areas of know-how, don’t just jump on the bandwagon for whatever is hot today. Instead, focus on emerging issues that may become prominent down the road. Then position yourself to become the go-to answer person for next year’s questions.
  2. Embrace technology.  Change is tiring and it’s normal regret losing the old ways, particularly if that’s where you’re an expert. But this is the digital age, and — regardless of your profession — your future is being reshaped by changes in technology. If you drag your feet when it’s time to learn the latest system or application, colleagues may assume that you just can’t do it, perhaps because you’re too old or lack the education. Don’t fall into stereotypes or allow yourself to be marginalized. Instead, show interest in new trends and learn the latest relevant App. A good starting point can be social media. Professor Karen Riggs, who leads an SM program at Ohio University’s Scripps College of Communication, says, “Social networks have low barriers to entry for professional use and can give you a way to show that you’re not intimidated by tech.”
  3. Learn something.  When you’re in the doldrums, a smart method for working your way out is to learn something new. This might mean expanding your expertise, but the approach works well even if you focus on a topic that has nothing to do with your day job. Being in learning mode changes the way you see the world. You become more alert, less bored and, perhaps, even less boring. You are more likely to spot opportunities and make connections among seemingly unrelated issues. And, while you’re gathering information outside your normal patterns, there’s a good chance you’ll try new experiences and broaden your network.
  4. Focus on people.  When you’re struggling in the morass, it’s easy to stumble into self-pity. But self-absorption will make your situation worse. If all you can think about is how unhappy you are, it’s time to shift your thoughts and start noticing other people. To get started, look around your workplace and ask yourself, “Is there any way I can help.” If you’re in a situation where others are struggling too, an easy way to add value is to listen carefully to what they have to say. Another is to be a positive force in the office, whether that means complimenting and thanking co-workers or consistently sounding upbeat and friendly. Many people find it satisfying to help out by mentoring or assisting colleagues or others in their professional community. And if you’re really feeling frustrated at work, volunteering in some kind of unrelated non-profit activity might help you regain overall perspective.
  5. Enjoy other parts of your life.  Most of my coaching clients were “A” students at school, and now they still want to feel like they’re regularly earning accolades and moving ahead. But a sense of achievement is seldom enjoyed at a steady pace in today’s long careers. There are times when trying too hard to get ahead may be self-defeating. In some difficult periods, the smart move may to do the best work you can, but then give yourself permission to stop striving so hard in your professional life. There are other ways to find enjoyment and satisfaction, and get your mojo back. One strategy for escaping career doldrums is to pursue a healthy hobby so passionately that you are energized and in better shape for your work life. The best path to a reboot at work may be to take a great vacation, vary and expand your social life, or try a new sport.

Want more ideas for creating a thriving, resilient career? Check out my book, “Think Like an Entrepreneur, Act Like a CEO: 50 Indispensable Tips to Help You Stay Afloat, Bounce Back, and Get Ahead at Work.”

If you’re wondering “what’s next?”

Posted by Beverly Jones on

Ready for a career shift?

Read Kerry Hannon’s tips.

 Are you thinking about a launching a new career, but don’t know where to start?  Then here’s good news.  Acclaimed journalist Kerry Hannon has just released a revised paperback edition of her book, “What’s Next? – Finding Your Passion and Your Dream Job in Your Forties, Fifties, and Beyond.”

 Since 2006, Hannon has been writing in leading publications about “Second Acts,” the new careers that many of us are launching in our later years.  Hannon knows as much about this trend as anyone around. And, while she certainly understands the data on jobs trends, she developed much of her understanding firsthand, through hundreds of interviews with people, aged 40 to 70+, who have made big shifts in their work lives.

In “What Next?” Hannon offers portraits of 17 people who have chosen new paths.  For example, there’s Ken Rynne, a Washington energy lawyer who decided to live his dream and become a professional performer.  He launched Planet Washington, a rollicking musical act featuring timely political satire.  And there’s a clinical nurse who opened a knitting store, an AT&T executive who became an Episcopal priest, and a former IT specialist who is now a licensed acupuncture therapist specializing in fertility issues

Kerry Hannon with Zena
Kerry Hannon with Zena.

 The individual profiles are both inspiring and instructional, but the book is made even richer by Hannon’s insights, lists of resources, and specific advice about how to change your career.  And, while the book’s personal stories tend to involve people who are reinventing their work lives to pursue new passions or long-held dreams, the book is a useful guide for anybody considering a significant job shift.

 While Hannon touches upon everything from the value of volunteering to the ABCs of franchising, one theme she emphasizes is the power of networking.  She points out that the years you’ve spent years building up a circle of contacts can translate into a rich opportunity.

 I also particularly like Hannon’s suggestion that you prepare for your transition with a three-part fitness program: [Read more…] about If you’re wondering “what’s next?”

Self-growth tips from a great American coach – Ben Franklin

Posted by Beverly Jones on

Want to be better person?

Learn from Ben Franklin!

 I love sitting in a train compartment, sipping a glass of wine and glancing at the scenery as we read or chat.  So a while back I felt mellow, as my husband and I rode the Amtrak Capitol Limited from Washington to Chicago. 

 We sat reading in bed as the train traveled through Pennsylvania. Along the way, I was reminded that the Keystone State was the adopted home of one of our most intriguing Founding Fathers, Benjamin Franklin.

 Moving from Kindle to paper, I jumped around my reading stack, from a self-help book, to periodicals, to a novel.  In that brief time, I happened to come across three references to Franklin.   

Benjamin Franklin free image via Wikipedia.org
Benjamin Franklin free image via Wikipedia.org

For me, Franklin was an important influence, not so much for his great historic contributions but because of how he coached himself into living a successful life.  As a kid, I read his autobiography, where he described his youthful efforts to become a man who would do well by doing good.  Riding in the train, I recalled that book, and the “aha” moment when I realized we can shape ourselves into the kind of people we want to be.

One way Franklin helped form the national character was through that posthumously published memoir.  He said he wrote it to teach Americans how to grow into their full potential.  In his view, practice and a little help from our friends can make us better, more successful people.  [Read more…] about Self-growth tips from a great American coach – Ben Franklin

Start 2014 with resolutions that work

Posted by Beverly Jones on

 New Year’s Resolutions

 can create real change!

I like to start each year with a list of New Year’s Resolutions, and some years my list has been more successful than in others.  But even when I abandoned my commitments before Spring, the process was worthwhile.  There were periods in my life when I didn’t devote much time to self-reflection, so starting out a year by taking a close look at myself was a good thing.

As I often do in December, in recent weeks I asked some of my coaching clients about what they’d like the next year to bring.  What will success look like in 2014?  Where do they want to focus their energy this year?

When I ask clients about their goals or intentions for the coming year, I generally don’t frame my questions in terms of “Resolutions.”  The concept of “Resolutions” sounds dated, and it makes some people feel defensive.  They have so many responsibilities to juggle already that the idea of taking on new rules or promises may feel like an unnecessary burden.

But for me, the process of resolving to do better in the coming year often leads to progress, even when my energy doesn’t last for the whole 12 months.  So today I’m working on my annual slate of Resolutions, and coming up with action plans to get things moving.  Care to join me?

If you want New Year’s Resolutions that make a difference, try these tips: [Read more…] about Start 2014 with resolutions that work

To create a stronger career, find a bigger mission

Posted by Beverly Jones on

 

To make greater progress,

Find a goal bigger than yourself

When I first met Gayle Williams-Byers in the early ‘90s I was impressed by her determination.  At the time, she had begun a coveted internship in the White House.  She was supposed to be writing a paper about her learning experience as an intern, for 12 hours of academic credit from Case Western Reserve University, where she was a junior.

Gayle’s problem was that the only work she was given at the White House was making photocopies.  She needed those credit hours, but didn’t feel she would be able to claim them because she wasn’t learning anything.

Gayle found her way to my Washington office through an acquaintance.  She requested a few minutes of my time, then pretty much announced that she’d be transferring her internship to my team.  She said that she’d do anything, that she’d make it worth my while to take her on, but that she needed a challenge and she absolutely had to learn something.

Today both of Gayle’s parents have PhDs, but when she was growing up no one in her family had attended college.   And as one of her family’s three first-generation college students, Gayle was anxious to learn as much as possible.  She regarded the semester in Washington as the opportunity of a lifetime, important not just to her but to her family and community as well.  She wanted a full experience, even if it meant walking away from the White House and inventing something new.

Gayle returned to my office after graduation and kept working for the company while completing a joint JD/MBA program.   Then, during her last years in DC, she was counsel to a Senate Committee.  Along the way she encountered many challenges, from racism to breast cancer, but I never doubted her ultimate success. I knew she just wouldn’t quit hustling to develop her potential because it meant so much to her supporters.  [Read more…] about To create a stronger career, find a bigger mission