Job Self-Discrimination

 

Applying for jobs can be very frustrating. Been there?

 

If you've applied for many jobs at all, you likely have "been there". And, like many others, you've likely had some of the following questions pop up in your head when you were rejected for some of the following  reasons:

     - "You have no experience." O.k. I understand that if I'm applying for the job of a BRAIN SURGEON! And, yes, I know that there are some positions that DO need experience but, at the same time, I have been turned down from jobs that really didn't require any special talent...just experience. So, like me, perhaps you wanted to ask, "How am I supposed to get experience if you won't hire me?"

     - "Sorry, you're OVER qualified." This one REALLY drives me nuts! There have been times in my life where I was willing and ready to take ANY job - no matter how menial - just to put food on the table. But, because I had a college diploma and because I had previous jobs that paid much more than this particular job, they were afraid that I wouldn't stay long because I was "OVER qualified". I did actually ask the following question: "Yes, I understand that but, if I'm willing to do ANYTHING necessary to put food on the table, what does it matter?"

 

Perhaps you feel that you've faced some of the following situations that kept you from getting a job:

     - Too young or too old

     - You're a woman OR you're NOT a woman  (same as, you're a man OR you're NOT a man)

     - You're a minority OR you're NOT a minority

 

So, yeah, many times, we can feel that we are fighting an uphill battle in the area of trying to secure a job even to the point of feeling as if we have been discriminated against.

 

But, are you ever guilty of "SELF-DISCRIMINATION"?

Huh?

Let me explain...

Sometimes we put up those walls all by ourselves and we "disqualify" ourselves from jobs and opportunities WITHOUT someone else ever even telling us those things.

This may be especially true if you have been in the job market for an extended period of time and you begin to feel like giving up. You begin to "self-discriminate" when you - all by yourself - begin to tell yourself the following things when looking at a "help wanted" ad (for example):
     - I'm too young (or old)...they'll never hire me.
     - I have too much (or too little) education...they'll never hire me.
     - I'm UNDER (or OVER) qualified for that position...they'll never hire me.
     - They'll never hire me because...(fill in the blank with whatever you wish).

STOP ELIMINATING YOURSELF with "SELF-DISCRIMINATION"!

You MUST maintain your level of confidence in yourself and your abilities, especially (again) if you've been in the job market for a while. It can, indeed, become frustrating, depressing and, at times, even dehumanizing.

Stay connected with information such as this and the podcasts as well as other positive information to help keep your mind focused on what is POSITIVE!

Many times - not always - companies are more interested in hiring the "person" more than they are in filling the "position". With many jobs, there are MANY that can fill a "position" but, the right "person" can do that and more.

BE THAT "PERSON"!

Yes, even in jobs that you KNOW that you are "overqualified" to fill, do NOT be afraid to approach such an opportunity (especially if you are needing to do whatever you can to provide for you and/or your family). Yes, your qualifications may exceed the "position" but, you are THE "person" that can fill that "position" and, at the same time, bring a needed positive impact to that "position" AND the company as a whole. Don't you think that this company could likely use a little extra "positive injection" among their workers at this level?

Think about it.

Do NOT give up and, DO NOT allow yourself to get hung up in "self-discrimination" before you ever even get started.

PEOPLE NEED YOU.

Never forget that! And, as you go about your day, always be sure to...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Future You University    "Like" FYU on Facebook!

Podcast on iTunes    Podcast RSS feed

The Final Four Road to 800

Four more podcasts will get me to #800 for my Future You University program. After that, I will take a break from the podcasts for a while...not sure how long.

 I'm also not sure when these next four podcasts will take place...I want to make sure that each of the four are some of the best that I've produced so, I will be taking my time to do so.

 Keep an eye open here for updates on THE FINAL FOUR.

Even after that, I will still keep my blog going from time to time but only when I have something that I really want to share. I do not ever want to put out podcasts or blogs just because I am trying to keep up with a schedule.

As always, I welcome your feedback and comments at any time.

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Future You University    "Like" FYU on Facebook!

Podcast on iTunes    Podcast RSS feed

Blog Article Notice

I have nothing to post as far as a new series or article at this time.

It happens.

When I do, I'll post again...hopefully before too long!

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Future You University    "Like" FYU on Facebook!

Podcast on iTunes    Podcast RSS feed

Continuous Growth

It's been a long week. I'm tired and I'm late on getting this blog article out for you to read.

 

Hey, my guess is that many - if not most - of you could say some of the same things or even more, am I right?

 

I'm going to sum up this series by pointing out a couple of things that aren't mentioned on the podcast but I also want to really encourage you to do that - LISTEN TO THE PODCAST! Same topic, additional material since I don't have a script that I follow and the podcast and blog are done at different times. Seriously, why invest 1/2 when you have so much more available to you and for you?

 

So, here we go with the "blog additional material" aspect of the equation...

 

Look at the picture of the old oak tree in the picture above. I have no idea how many years that tree has been around but you know, as do I, that it began with a very small acorn many years before. And, you also know that this tree experienced many storms and, likely, many seasons of "too dry" weather but, it survived.

 

Here's the one main thing I want to get across to you in this article:

YOUR GROWTH CAN PROVIDE FOR OTHERS.

 

What do I mean by that?

 

Just like the oak tree provides shade, protection and a home to many animals and birds, so can YOUR growth end up providing good things for many others.

 

Your growth can provide encouragement. Your growth can provide strength through that encouragement. Your growth can provide hope and promise. Your growth can provide confidence and a path to examine and possibly follow.

 

Your growth can provide LIFE for others around you and, yes, even to some that you will never know.

 

Think about that and let it sink in. And I mean REALLY think about it. Examine it from every angle that pops into your head.

 

And then, NEVER CEASE TO GROW.

 

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

 

Mike

Future You University    "Like" FYU on Facebook!

 

Podcast on iTunes    Podcast RSS feed



Grow Or Die!

 

You do know, don't you, that the oppositie of GROWTH is DEATH?

 

Simply put, you either GROW or you DIE...pretty simple deduction. Easy to "see" but hard to "understand" and "live".

 

Wouldn't you agree?

 

And, so that we not fool ourselves, there must be "measured" growth...growth that can actually be measured in a way that indicates that, indeed, growth has taken place.

 

GROWTH - as opposed to just being in a rut - is not easy. As a matter of fact, GROWTH is a struggle that builds strength and stamina while that particular "thing" is growing.

 

Look at the plant in the picture above. Do you really think that even getting to that stage of growth has been easy for that plant? Do you realize the "work" that has been done in order for that plant to push up through the soil to get to the sunlight? It really is an amazing feat that demonstrates, perfectly, how important it is to "push through" obstacles and difficulties if you want to grow and flourish.

 

Whether it's a plant, a puppy dog or a human being - if food and nourishment is not gained, it will DIE.

 

And, as you already know, it's not a "one-time thing"!

 

There must be CONTINUED FEEDING in order for continued growth to take place.

 

Now then, let's stop talking about plants and puppies and apply this to us...make it personal in this process.

 

"If I want to continue to grow, get stronger, and live, then I must continue to feed!"

 

You are doing just that by reading this blog. Be sure to listen to the podcast as well (see the links below) and then share both with as many "seedlings" as you can. Think about that...there are many people out there (you may not even be aware of who they are) that are struggling to "grow" and struggling to gain much-needed nourishment in order to grow. You may be "the one" to help in the "watering and nourishing" for that person by sharing this material.

 

Again, the choice is yours.

 

Stay in a rut and have all decisions made for you and just go wherever the rut may take you, OR, instead, make a decision - an actual decision (which is not allowed in a rut) - to actively pursue growth, even when it is uncomfortable. Remember the growing pains I talked about in the last article?

 

The choice is yours... GROW or DIE.

 

Choose wisely...your very life (yes, I'm serious) depends on it.

 

Until next time...

 

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

 

Mike

Future You University    "Like" FYU on Facebook!

Podcast on iTunes    Podcast RSS feed

Growth Pains

The opposite of being in and staying in a rut is GROWTH!

As opposed to being in a rut (as we discussed in our last series), GROWTH is not always easy. And, as a matter of fact, GROWTH is sometimes - if not always - PAINFUL!

Take a look at the picture above and, as if you can't do this without me pointing it out to you, notice the guy wearing jersey number 21. See him? Can you pick out which one I'm talking about?

Of course you can...he's kind of hard not to miss, isn't he?

I love seeing the different shapes and sizes of kids around 5th - 9th grade. They come in all shapes and sizes and it doesn't matter if they are boys or girls. There are some (boys OR girls) that are "behind" on the growth and maturity scale, there are some that are about where they should be and then there are others - and they stand out - that are way ahead on the growth and maturity scale.

Like number 21.

I have a picture somewhere of me in the 6th grade after our team won a basketball tournament. Now, I wasn't as tall as the guy in the picture above but I was still "head and shoulders" above the rest of my team mates. I remember, specifically, while in Jr. High School being in my bed at night, after a basketball game, "kicking" my legs in my bed at night because my legs hurt so bad. I was experiencing "growing pains".

It's a fact of life.

Anytime you choose to GROW (or growth takes place as a natural part of life) it's a challenge and, again, it's often - if not always - painful.

Growth requires CHANGE which, again, is not always easy!

Here's another way to think about it: Though painful, those very pains let you know or reminds you that you are, indeed, GROWING and that you are NOT "stuck in a rut".

So, again, you can choose to stay in that rut and never be challenged with having to make a decision or face a choice. But also remember that you have no "say so" in your life for the rut will make all decisions for you.

Never cease to grow. NEVER give in to the "pain" or "uncomfortableness" of necessary growth.

Giving up is the "easy" way out.

Be sure to join me for the next article in the series entitled, "Grow or Die".

Until then, whatever you do, always be sure to...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Future You University    "Like" FYU on Facebook!

Podcast on iTunes    Podcast RSS feed

Ride Rutless (Conclusion)

I also thought about calling this concluding article, "From 'Rut-Ro!' to 'Rut NO!' " Take a moment to listen to the podcast (see links at bottom of article) and you'll find that I was having a little fun with possible titles. 

I'm going to try to keep this article short and really encourage you to do just what I suggested: LISTEN TO THE PODCAST!

Here's the main point of this concluding article: The best way to avoid getting into a rut in ANY area of your life is to continue to ask the following question:

WHY are you doing what it is that you are doing?
WHY are you working at the job that you have?
WHY are you with the person that you are with "romantically"?
WHY do you spend the time doing the things that you do?
WHY do you spend the time doing the thing(s) that you do that takes up the MOST of your time?
WHY - WHY - WHY

The moment that you stop asking yourself this all-important question, you have begun the path to a rut OR you are already in a rut!

Sometimes these questions are hard to answer - especially if you have already gotten into a rut in any or all of these areas in your life...BUT THEY MUST BE ANSWERED if you wish to avoid the rut.

Remember, a rut is "EASY" because a rut does all of the work for you. You don't have to think, you don't have to make any choices and you don't have to make any decisions at all. You just stay in the rut and go with the rut and allow the rut to take you where the rut will.

Again, that's easy.

But, you know what? Life was not intended to always be EASY.

When you are faced with a tough choice, be thankful because it is a part of life that reminds you that you have a CHOICE and a DECISION about that choice! (A great sign that you are not in a rut).

Ask yourself this question as often as you can - even constantly in order to keep your focus on WHY you do what you do.

Don't settle for EASY...strive to LIVE LIFE!

And, by the way, LISTEN TO THE PODCAST! :)

Until next time, whatever you do, always be sure to...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Future You University    "Like" FYU on Facebook!

Podcast on iTunes    Podcast RSS feed

RUTS: Duplication and Repetition

Once again, here are some of the original thoughts that I had jotted down from a recent sermon that I heard on "ruts":
A path or routine you follow day after day
A rut is fixed, rigid
A rut is not creative
A rut is not flexible
A rut cannot change easily
A rut is a route that is safe and gets me there
** "A rut is a grave with both ends knocked out"

I've pointed this out every time I've spoken about in via the podcast or even in writing through the blog but, DID YOU NOTICE THAT LAST ONE?



Today, I'm going to discuss the FACT that even "duplication" and "repetition" can become dangerous ruts.  Like most ruts, they can be something that brings about good, positive results but, as already mentioned, they can also become very dangerous and detrimental.

 

If you are involved (or have been involved) in any "work-from-home opportunity" or "home business" then you are very familiar with the terms, "duplication" and "repetition". For those of you that haven't, "duplication" is the word used to describe a program that has an "easy to follow system" that can be "duplicated" (or followed and copied) by anyone that follows the system or pattern. "Repetition" simply speaks to the idea of then following and implementing that "duplicatable system" over and over again.

 

Many times those promoting duplication and repetition will compare the process to that of following a recipe. If you follow the recipe for an apple pie, you won't come out with biscuits and gravy.

 

Makes sense, right?

 

However, if someone gives you their own personal recipe for a cake they have never cooked because they have never cooked ANYTHING before then, chances are, the "cake" that is produced is not going to be much of a cake (if even that!) even though you follow the recipe exactly. And, no matter how many times you follow - or repeat - that "recipe", the result will always be the same.

 

Does THAT make sense?

 

It should and, yet, so many people "blindly" follow a "recipe" that is doomed for failure and are surprised and disappointed when they end up with exactly that...FAILURE.

 

So, if what you duplicate and repeat is a system that produces failure or inferior results then, guess what? You'll get the same thing. Sometimes, there actually may be a better way to do what has been done before. Rarely is this not true. At some point in time things change and improve (including ideas, thoughts and opinions).

 

I'm sorry but, if someone promotes their recipe for an "incredible - the MOST amazing - chocolate cake that has EVER been created then - guess what? - they should be able to produce a sample of their own product that has come from following that recipe. Right?

 

If you ask them for that "sample" and they tell you, "Well, I have never been successful at making that cake BUT I know someone else that has!" Then, if you ask them if it was the person that gave them the recipe and they say, "No, but it was the person that first introduced this recipe to the person that gave it to the person that gave it to the person that gave it to the person that told me about it"...will you be convinced of the "incredible and amazing" features of this recipe?

 

NOPE.

 

I know this flies in the face of just about every "opportunity" out there and the system by which so many in these "opportunities" swear, but friend, how does this mindset even make sense?

 

Be careful WHAT you follow, WHO you follow and WHY you choose to follow them.

 

Think about this: the blind can easily lead the blind in a rut. Why? Because, again, a rut controls your path and direction. That's the very nature of a rut.

 

Take the time to listen to the podcast (see the two links below) to get more of my thoughts on this, but here's the thing to be aware of even with "duplication" and "repetition": BOTH of these (duplication and repetition) could be a rut or turn into a rut if you are not careful.

 

I will close out this series in the next article, be sure to join me then. Until that time, always be sure to...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Future You University    "Like" FYU on Facebook!
 

Podcast on iTunes    Podcast RSS feed

RUTS: Get In or Get Out

Again, here's just a quick reminder of the things we've noticed about ruts...
A path or routine you follow day after day
A rut is fixed, rigid
A rut is not creative
A rut is not flexible
A rut cannot change easily
A rut is a route that is safe and gets me there
** "A rut is a grave with both ends knocked out"

Now, chances are, there are some of you (is it YOU?) that think that you couldn't ever get in a rut. If so, please go back a few weeks and re-read and listen again to the podcast on the series, "3 Dangerous Myths to Avoid" and be sure to listen to #3: "That Would Never Happen to Me!".

 

Yeah. I'm guessing that ALL of us get into some sort of rut at one time or another...don't think that you are immune to these pitfalls.

 

Too, there are some of you that think that you can stay in the rut and that you can "handle" or "control" that rut. Here's a FACT that you need to know:

You don't control or handle the rut - the RUT handles or controls YOU!

 

Don't let your ego keep you in that rut. More than likely, if you think that you can't get in a rut or that you are not in a rut, you ARE in a rut and the reason you can't see it is because the rut is so deep that you can't see over the "sides" of the rut!

 

Make sense?

 

Again, don't think you can "handle" the rut - YOU MUST GET OUT! The only way to do that is to take or develop a different route. Changes must be made! You don't have to turn your life upside down while doing this - you may begin a "new path" next to the rut and then pay attention to when that "new path" needs maintenance. If you don't, that path will, again, turn into a rut. And, at times, you may need to take a completely different direction.

 

We must always be alert and paying attention to that needed maintenance or we will continuously find ourselves in those defeating ruts.

 

Take the time to listen to the podcast to hear more of my detailed thoughts on this part of this series and, please, share both the blog and the podcast with as many people as possible. I appreciate your help.

 

As the "sign" in the graphic above states, "Choose your rut carefully...".

 

How about this instead: "Choose to get out and stay out of that rut!"

 

In the next article and podcast we will discuss how "duplication" and "repetition" can also turn into a rut. Join me then and, between now and then, continue to...

 

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Future You University    "Like" FYU on Facebook!

Podcast on iTunes    Podcast RSS feed

RUTS: Why This One?

Here's just a quick reminder of the things we've noticed about ruts...
A path or routine u follow day after day
A rut is fixed, rigid
A rut is not creative
A rut is not flexible
A rut cannot change easily
R - routines and rituals
( a route that is safe and gets me there)
** "A rut is a grave with both ends knocked out"

As I type this article, I experienced some of these very things with some "snow ruts" (like those in the picture above) as I drove around town earlier today after a late-winter sleet and ice storm overnight. I could get out of the ruts as needed but, more often than not, I could not STAY OUT of the rut...the rut would "win" and force me back into the rut.

This caused me to add another "item" to the list above: RUTS CAN BE DANGEROUS!

If you followed through with the "homework" that I assigned to you in the last blog and podcast, then you spent some time identifying YOUR ruts. Did you? What did you discover?

This article presents a new question to ask about these ruts of yours: "Why this one?".

In other words, how did you get into this rut? What was it about this rut that caused you to repeat the activity that created the rut?

 A "cow trail" is a type of rut. Whether across a pasture or field or even through the woods, somewhere along the way a cow decided to take a certain path and others followed. Even this original "path-finder" cow began to follow that same path/trail again and again and, before long, there was a visible trail or rut that had been made by this cow and the other cows that followed along the same path.

So, with that in mind, why are you in THAT particular rut?

Did you begin the rut originally or did you follow someone else into that rut? This really is important to consider because it may be a key ingredient in not repeating the process in the future. 

This whole thing definitely goes under the "easier said than done" category. I understand that. I also understand that I'm giving you a LOT of things to consider and am really giving very little "guidance". I can't give you the answers, friend. However, I can bring up things for you to consider and then suggest more things to consider as far as possible remedies.

I do hope you will join me as we continue examining RUTS and how they impact our lives. Until then, whatever you do, always be sure to...

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

Mike

Future You University    "Like" FYU on Facebook!
 

Podcast on iTunes    Podcast RSS feed

RUTS: What Are They?

 

Before I get started, I wanted to share the "credits" for the "new" music that I'm using beginning with today's podcast. It's by the same person that was responsible for the "theme" I've used for six years now and I use more of his music now. Check it out for yourself for your own needs:

"Carefree" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

 

Now for the start of this new series on "RUTS".

 

As I mention on the podcast (see the two links below to access the podcast), these thoughts came from another sermon I heard from my preacher this past Sunday. As I listened I realized that the points that were being made about ruts applied to our every day lives and activities as well as spiritually.

 

Let me start by sharing a list of things about "ruts" that we will be using for our discussion in this series:

   - A path or routine u follow day after day

   - A rut is fixed, rigid

   - A rut is not creative

   - A rut is not flexible

   - A rut cannot change easily

  - A rut involves routines and rituals

  - A rut is a route that is safe and gets me there

** "A rut is a grave with both ends knocked out"**

 

Wow, read that last one again! If that doesn't get your attention then I'm not sure what will!

 

Now, let's understand this - routines and rituals that are done on a daily (or almost daily) basis are not necessarily bad. Think about it, putting on deodorant and brushing your teeth on a daily basis is NOT a bad thing! I've come across a few people that NEED to get into that habit or RUT for sure!

 

Be sure to listen to the podcast to get more than what I'll share with you in this blog and get in the habit, routine and, yes, even call it a "rut", of doing both every time.

 

But DO notice that, even though ruts may feel "safe" and they may "get you 'there'" they are fixed, rigid, non-creative, non-flexible and "a grave with both ends knocked out".

 

"Safe" is not always a good thing, friend! This kind of "safety" (which is a false sense of "security") can often lead to your own "death" along the way.

 

Think about that. Listen to the podcast. Identify YOUR "ruts". Join me next time as we continue this discussion.

 

And, until then, whatever you do, always be sure to...

 

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

 

Mike

Future You University    "Like" FYU on Facebook!

Podcast on iTunes    Podcast RSS feed

Celebrating 6 Years!

Yes, absolutely, it's hard to believe that it's been SIX YEARS since I did my first blog and podcast back on March 2, 2009. But, it's true and here we are today...SIX YEARS later!

 

First and foremost, I want to THANK YOU for being a part of this journey. Some of you may have been a part of FYU from the beginning and, others of you, may have just now found this avenue of positive information and encouragement.

 

Either way, I humbly say, "THANK YOU!".

 

For those of you that have followed along for a while you will know that what I'm about to say is true: The journey that I have taken with Future You University is simply a representation of LIFE.

 

There have been high points and there have been low points. There was actually even a period of time when I had to "close up shop" and stop doing both the blog and the podcast, but I came back after a period of time.

 

THAT'S LIFE in a nutshell, is it not?

 

Sure, you can say (and I even use the phrase on the podcast) that I "quit" for a while but I'd rather look at it as that I took a break until I got some things straightened out and then I cam back and picked up where I left off.

 

Am I where I want to be after six years? Am I satisfied with my progress at this point?

 

NO!

 

And I won't give up...I'll never give up.

 

And, neither should you. You WILL get knocked down but, friend, don't stay down and don't give up - GET UP and KEEP PUSHING FORWARD!

 

Take a few moments and listen to the podcast and enjoy some "different" music that I put together myself for this podcast. Well, actually, I had used it for another anniversary in the past but, I put it together and used it for that purpose.

 

I would be amiss if I did not mention that today is also my son, Jeremy's, birthday as well! What a great day!

 

And, finally, as I step out moving on toward year seven, I seek your continued support and input. Please visit the links below and become a part of the fan page on Facebook. I'd love to hear from you.

 

Until next time...whatever you do, be sure to...

 

"Make it an AWESOME day! (Who else is going to do it for you?)"

 

Mike

Future You University    "Like" FYU on Facebook!

Podcast on iTunes    Podcast RSS feed