In Just - by e.e. cummings

This is one of my all-time favorite poems from childhood, and the first day of spring got me thinking about it. Enjoy!

in just-

in Just-

spring when the world is mud-

luscious the little

lame balloonman

whistles far and wee

and eddieandbill come

running from marbles and

piracies and it's

spring

when the world is puddle-wonderful

the queer

old balloonman whistles

far and wee

and bettyandisbel come dancing

from hop-scotch and jump-rope and

it's

spring

and

the

goat-footed

balloonMan whistles

far

and

wee

e.e. cummings

Restarting or Changing a Career...

A recent Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) survey found that 75% of the nation's employees are looking for a new job. So, if you’re planning to restart your career or search for a completely new kind of job, you’re not alone. It’s important for you to see this journey as both a challenge and an opportunity. All it takes to reach your career goals is some common sense and hard work. So… where do you begin?

1. Get clear about what you want.
You can’t go out into the world and find your perfect career if you have no idea what it will look like when you see it! The first step in any job search or career change is to get very clear about what you are seeking in your next position. Not just the job title or industry, but the way your days will unfold and how your new career will serve you in your personal life.

2. Set a strategy.
Just as you would with any business initiative, a career change begins by understanding the “context” and setting priorities. So, once you’ve figured out what you want – that’s the context. Setting a strategy now requires you asking yourself ‘how do I go about getting what I want?’ Reconcile your own ideas with the input of others to target your optimal job, layout a plan to get interviews, and land that perfect position! Think about the steps you must take to get your dream job and start working through them logically one at a time.

4. Discover how to sell yourself.
Accept it – when you’re looking for a job you’re a salesman. And the product you are selling is YOU! Know your pitch inside and out. Get so comfortable talking about yourself that you can do it in your sleep. Figure out what differentiates you from all the other people clamoring for work, and make sure you get those points across in all of your job search activities.

5. Network, Network, Network!
We live in a networking world. A large percentage of the work force found their current job through a friend, family member or business associate. Especially during career changes, when your resume might not be enough, connecting with potential employers through other people gives you a powerful boost in an interview. So network, but always ask yourself, “How can this discussion move me one step closer to my objective?” Also, be sure to express gratitude for the favors you receive.

6. Prepare.
Go into every interaction, whether a formal interview or a networking meeting, having done research about the company and the people with whom you are meeting. Restarting a career or looking for a job in a field where you have little experience already puts you at a disadvantage, so don’t walk in blind. Show everyone you meet that you care enough to do your homework!

AND FINALLY …
Stay confident and trust yourself. Making a career transition is pretty straightforward – so dive in and enjoy the journey!

A Mindmapping Exercise

Mindmapping is great way to put thoughts down visibly on paper. Whether you are using it to think through a project, attain a goal or review your life overall it is an excellent way to get the right and left-brain working in unison.

Mind Mapping...And Loving It!

Business continues to be more complex and rapid planning seems to be a daily requirement. When faced with a large project, or when pressured to reach tall goals or even when you are trying to fix a reoccurring problem...Mind Mapping is the perfect tool. In this article, you will learn the three steps for creating a clear and well-organized "front-end" approach to resolving your most challenging problems or developing your most inspiring dreams! Mind Mapping will also allow you to discover new patterns, see untapped concepts and link unforeseen ideas.

Getting started: Begin by scheduling 30 minutes of uninterrupted time. Allow no distractions such as ringing telephones, loud noises or knocks at your office door. Start with a blank sheet of paper and draw a large circle in the center of the page. Next, place the name of your project, goal, dream or problem in the center of this circle. Next, draw 10 or 15 lines around the circle, like the spokes of a bicycle wheel. Lastly, on each spoke, list one idea or concept relating to the words inside the circle. Do not edit or judge the words you are placing on each spoke while you are brainstorming because you want to generate as many ideas as possible.

Tip: If you are an auditory rather than a visual learner you may want to use a tape recorder to build your Mind Map, then transfer your words to paper as the second step. If you find your ideas are not flowing, then take a break to refresh your mind or share your progress with your manager, a peer or a close friend. Sometimes having another person's perspective is just enough to get your creative juices flowing.

Developing your action words: With your initial Mind Map now complete, take a second sheet of paper and list the first "spoke" topic in the center of a new large circle and draw another five or seven lines around this circle. These lines are now the action words for completing your project, fixing a problem or realizing your dreams. When building these action words, do not make any quick assumptions but remain open to unusual ideas or solutions. Try to look at this project or task from a different level by asking yourself, "How will this impact my prospects, my owner, the clients I manage or my sales team?"

Tip: Some of the best Mind Mapping is done when we look to other industries, other professions or other successful individuals and see how they have addressed a similar problem or opportunity. Many "great" ideas are just inches from where you are standing this very minute but you have to look closely and have your "antenna" up, to see and hear them.

As a small step, try reading trade or business magazines unrelated to your current industry and you will find that "re-inventing the wheel" is seldom necessary. Plus, exposure to new ideas in other industries will help you become a "Futurist" on your own behalf...a special trait!

Taking words to action: Now comes the fun part! Take each of your Mind Maps and put them in outline form. Next to each action word, place an action step and specify the exact date for completing each task or step. Also, if you are going to delegate portions of this project, include the name of each person who will be responsible for a specific step and be certain they receive a copy of your Mind Map so they can be clear on the purpose of your request. Lastly, take the action steps you are going to personally complete and place them directly in your appointment book. By scheduling time for each step on this project you are bringing this project to "life".

Tip: Once you have completed your first Mind Mapping, pause and reflect joyfully on what you have accomplished. This process is specifically designed to support your thinking process and will get easier and easier, with practice. Remember, Mind Mapping is meant to be fun and can be done in large groups, at your next big meeting or any time you need to visualize ideas quickly!

Mind Mapping Resources:

Mindmapping: Your personal guide to exploring creativity and problem solving. by Joyce Wycoff

"BrainMapping" by Dudley Lynch, published by Brain Technologies Corp., Denver, CO

Tony Buzan, 'The Mind Map Book: How to Use Radiant Thinking to Maximize Your Brain's Untapped Potential".