I recently received this note from a bride-to-be:

"I am getting married in 5 weeks, and it's just busy and I have a lot on my "plate"--some stuff I can't control and some I can control.  I get stressed easily and uptight. I don't want every change, road block, or honestly my stubbornness to get in the way of the joy and abundant life God has for me and my future husband. I want to break free of this. I am a very organized and sometimes controlling person so when I get impatient or my plans are thrown for a loop I get stressed and in a bad mood sometimes.

I feel like there is no time for everything I want to get done in one day! It's frustrating."

She's not alone! This is a situation that plagues many brides-to-be or any one approaching a major emotionally involved event or project.

Here's my advice:

1. Recognize that this is a stressful time of life. You not only have a ton to do with
preparing for the wedding but also are going through the grieving process of leaving your
your old life of singleness and starting a new season. It's natural to feel sad/be more
sensitive.

2. Realize that you aren't going to be able to do everything you want to do. As you plan the weeks before your wedding, ask yourself two questions:
-Is this an essential or optional wedding activity?
-Is this something that needs to be done before the wedding or can it wait?

Then focus on the essential activities that must be done before the wedding. If you get
any of the optional or "could wait" items done, great but don't put pressure on yourself
to make them happen.

3. I understand the feeling of getting stressed or impatient when things don't go as planned. I wrote a blog post on dealing with this topic: http://tinyurl.com/lhf3n3 Also,
I've found it helps enormously when I start my day asking God what He wants me to
accomplish and praying throughout the day that I will focus on loving God and loving
people instead of just "getting things done."

Hope this helps all brides-to-be to take a deep breath and enjoy this beautiful season!

Take care,

Elizabeth

If you want to end your feelings of overwhelm and frustration and step into the future with confidence, check out www.ScheduleMakeover.com or contact me at esaunders@RealLifeE.com I can develop an ideal schedule for you that helps you get through stressful times.

Elizabeth Grace Saunders is a time coach and trainer who empowers women in business to achieve work/life brilliance™ through her exclusive Schedule Makeover™ process. Inc magazine, NBC, and The Chicago Tribune are just a few of the places where Elizabeth has appeared.

Are you back to work for the first time in a long time? Or have you recently become the primary breadwinner or a more important breadwinner due to a layoff or less work for your husband?
How's it going? What has changed around home?

I'm writing a story for SF Magazine about this transition time with moms heading back to work. Very interested in what you're feeling....You can email me offline or post here. dekapp@mac.com ---Best, Diana

Hi Everyone,

We've received an inquiry from Money Magazine. Please email Danielle if you wish to respond and please pass on to friends that might be interested.

MONEY Magazine is looking to do a story on moms returning to the workforce. We¹re looking for women who are just beginning to think about this prospect, and for whom the economy and possibly the insecurity or loss of a spouse's job have been a driving force. The person we choose to profile will get personalized advice from a career coach, as well as a financial planner.

If you or someone you know would be a good candidate, please email deg210@lehigh.edu as soon as possible with the following information:

• age and location
• the reason you (or the candidate) are considering going back to work
• what you (or the candidate) did career-wise before becoming a mom and
• what you (or the candidate) would like to pursue now
• what your spouse (or the candidate¹s spouse) does for a living, and how much he earns

Please include a recent photo.
If you have any questions, feel free to call me at 212-522-7655.

Thank you,
Danielle Gorman

I feel so guilty that I’m not spending more time with my family.
I feel so guilty for taking a vacation.
I feel so guilty for not getting that project done…

Sound familiar?

Many women in business and particularly women business owners and mompreneurs struggle with feeling guilty that they’re not doing enough, being enough, and putting enough time into each part of their life.

I can definitely relate. Before I discovered the keys to work/life brilliance™ (revealed through schedulemakeover.com), I would feel guilty for not working any time I had a spare moment. But after I decided to set my hours and the number of hours I worked per week, I strengthened my ability to focus during work hours and then gave myself the freedom to not work the rest of the time–Guilt Free!

I know some of you might think, “What?! I don’t want to be someone who just wants to clock in and out.”

Don’t worry. I’m not suggesting that you become apathetic. But I know from my own experience and those of others that if you are motivated and passionate about your work and don’t set hours, you will end up neglecting your life and often won’t focus on what’s most important when you are working. (See this WomenEntrepreneur.com blogger’s post on how the Schedule Makeover™ process helped her succeed both personally and professionally.)

To start thinking about what your ideal hours might look like, ask yourself these questions:

* What number of hours would I need to work in order to have time for the other activities I enjoy and for self care?
* When do I have the most energy?
*Am I most productive in the morning or at night?
* Are there particular days when I’m able to work more or less? (i.e. you may be more motivated on Mondays or have a class on Thursdays)
* Do I perform better working straight through lunch or do I function better when I take a break?

For Lauren Berger of WomenEntrepeneur.com and InternQueen fame, her ideal hours were: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Sundays.

I completed a Schedule Makeover™ on Lauren that worked within her preferred hours and gave her time for exercise, sleep, friends, and building her business–all without guilt!

Now that’s what I call work/life brilliance™!

Elizabeth

If you want to end your feelings of overwhelm and guilt and step into the future with confidence and enthusiasm, contact Elizabeth today. Why suffer from burn-out, overwhelm, and guilt, when you could be free today!!!?

Elizabeth Grace Saunders is a time coach who empowers women business owners to achieve work/life brilliance.^TM Inc magazine, NBC, and The Chicago Tribune are just a few of the places where Elizabeth has appeared, and she’s happy to be interviewed for your publication or broadcast.

I feel so guilty that I’m not spending more time with my family.
I feel so guilty for taking a vacation.
I feel so guilty for not getting that project done…

Sound familiar?

Many women in business and particularly women business owners and mompreneurs struggle with feeling guilty that they’re not doing enough, being enough, and putting enough time into each part of their life.

I can definitely relate. Before I discovered the keys to work/life brilliance™ (revealed through schedulemakeover.com), I would feel guilty for not working any time I had a spare moment. But after I decided to set my hours and the number of hours I worked per week, I strengthened my ability to focus during work hours and then gave myself the freedom to not work the rest of the time–Guilt Free!

I know some of you might think, “What?! I don’t want to be someone who just wants to clock in and out.”

Don’t worry. I’m not suggesting that you become apathetic. But I know from my own experience and those of others that if you are motivated and passionate about your work and don’t set hours, you will end up neglecting your life and often won’t focus on what’s most important when you are working. (See this WomenEntrepreneur.com blogger’s post on how the Schedule Makeover™ process helped her succeed both personally and professionally.)

To start thinking about what your ideal hours might look like, ask yourself these questions:

* What number of hours would I need to work in order to have time for the other activities I enjoy and for self care?
* When do I have the most energy?
*Am I most productive in the morning or at night?
* Are there particular days when I’m able to work more or less? (i.e. you may be more motivated on Mondays or have a class on Thursdays)
* Do I perform better working straight through lunch or do I function better when I take a break?

For Lauren Berger of WomenEntrepeneur.com and InternQueen fame, her ideal hours were: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Wednesday, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Sundays.

I completed a Schedule Makeover™ on Lauren that worked within her preferred hours and gave her time for exercise, sleep, friends, and building her business–all without guilt!

Now that’s what I call work/life brilliance™!

Elizabeth

If you want to end your feelings of overwhelm and guilt and step into the future with confidence and enthusiasm, contact Elizabeth today. Why suffer from burn-out, overwhelm, and guilt, when you could be free today!!!?

Elizabeth Grace Saunders is a time coach who empowers women business owners to achieve work/life brilliance.^TM Inc magazine, NBC, and The Chicago Tribune are just a few of the places where Elizabeth has appeared, and she’s happy to be interviewed for your publication or broadcast.

You may have read about the new YOR Virtual Classroom in our recent newsletter (http://bit.ly/7yAcD). I think this is a significant addition to the quality resources on our site.

Many women have asked for assistance in updating or refreshing their skills during the OffRamp period or when they begin the OnRamp process. I know this was a very important component for me when I was OnRamping. Coursework not only provided more current knowledge, but allowed me to re-access lexicon that I needed to become more confident in professional discussions and networking. However, my coursework required travel, significant time away from home, and great expense.

The biggest hurdles for re-skilling are often the issues of time and money. Our virtual classroom is a very affordable and convenient way to rebuild or refresh your knowledge and, as a result, your confidence. These high-quality courses are easy to navigate and intuitive. The YOR Virtual Classroom offers non-credit courses, similar to many executive education classes, which were developed using actual pedagogy from world-class institutions. 

I encourage you to explore the new YOR Virtual Classroom and select a topic of interest to you - something to refresh your knowledge or lead you in a new direction. Enjoy the intellectual stimulation!

YourOnRamp is excited to share an incredible tool with our members – Interview Mastery! Interviewing can be a frightening prospect for any professional. OnRampers dread being asked about “The Gap” on their resume and how they spent their time out of the workforce. Career changers may worry about how to demonstrate their transferable skills. After working through this thorough application, you will be prepared for nearly any question, and may even find yourself eager for the opportunity to explain your current value and relevance to a potential employer. Learn proven, research based strategies to feel more confident on every job interview and secure a great job offer.

Many of us have a nightmare interview experience that continues to haunt us. Sometimes this hurdle can be so big it prevents us from even attempting to get or change jobs. While previewing this tool, I was truly amazed how I moved past some of my old ghosts, clarified my personal value proposition, and found my internal “voice,” giving me the words to represent myself and my skills confidently.

Interview Mastery is a web-based e-Learning application that delivers interview skills training to job seekers. It helps them develop the skills to perform at their best during job interviews. It utilizes visual and auditory animation to create a compelling and engaging web learning experience.

In addition to all the topics you would expect to cover in an interview tool, there are other key topics covered. Do you know how to address AND overcome your weakness in an interview? (OnRampers, let’s face it, employers want to know about your employment gap and current skills.) Learn how to get an interviewer to share their concerns about you so that you have the chance to address them. Undisclosed concerns can certainly derail your progress past the first interview.

There are tips for how to handle being over-qualified for a position, which questions are illegal (and how to respond to those), along with guidance for career changers. You will learn which of your “experience darts” to throw at which time and how to clearly demonstrate the benefit of your experiences to an interviewer.

You may wish there was a magic wand to wave, changing you into an exceptional interviewee, and landing you the job of your dreams. The reality is that it will take a commitment to self reflection and practicing your responses, but Interview Mastery will take you down that path with the support and direction you need.

Click here for more information and to begin your journey toward the job you envision!

With the economy crumbling around us, we've been contacted by number of authors, writers and bloggers asking all sorts of questions. Is Opting-out dead? Do SAHM's wish they stayed at work? Do struggling OnRampers wish they never OffRamped? Do SAHM's wish they had kept their skills updated, and one foot in the door? Was Leslie Bennetts right...is opting out the Feminine Mistake?

Everyone has a different view on the subject, but we really want to hear yours. Share your views here.

This Online Word-of-Mouth Toolkit was written by Robin Stavisky, an entrepreneur who taught a fabulous course I took last summer at Stanford called "Web 2.0 and its Business Applications."

http://bitly.com/WoMKit

You can take it too - http://bitly.com/13YDYJ or just download and read the toolkit and save yourself about 11 hours!

This is the class that helped launch me in my new caeer direction doing Social Marketing at Intuit. Plus, I put my undergrad journalism degree to use and served as her editor for the Toolkit.

Hope you like it.

Gretchen
Founder, Works for Me

Let's Face It: Sometimes It's Who You Know
A Short Guide for Developing Your Network to Craft a Successful Job Search

by Erin O'Connor Jones, Director of Candidate Services

It is estimated that nearly 80 percent of jobs are never advertised. Many jobs are filled simply because someone knows someone who knows the right person. In this fiercely competitive job market, the more “someones” you know, the more successful you will be.

It is better to be “over-connected” than to minimize your networking efforts and, as such, your chances of being tapped for one of the many positions still being filled despite these tough economic times. That said, there are many different types of networking; some are passive and some are active, but the most important networking is the strategic networking you do with a particular goal in mind. Strategic networkers are thoughtful in their outreach, marketing themselves to potential employers in appropriate ways through contacts who can speak to their strengths and successes. Whether you are an introvert or extrovert, developing a personal networking strategy can make all the difference.

The following guide will help you develop your personal strategy for tapping your human resources as you launch your job search:

Get organized and set goals. With the jobless rate at its highest in 14 years and an unemployment rate among college-educated workers that has jumped 41% over the past year, job seekers will need a system make the most of their job seeking time. Draft a networking spreadsheet and timeline to help you to stay organized and consistently make progress in your job search. Set realistic goals along a weekly timeline, such as “Contact five people I used to work with,” “Research and register for a conference in my area of expertise,” or “Update my Linked In profile.”

Access your current network. Many job seekers underestimate the wealth of networking potential that can be tapped through current and past colleagues, neighbors, fellow volunteers, classmates, people who share your religious affiliations, your friends at the bakery and even the dog park. Begin the process of building your job search network by brainstorming about and writing down all the friends, colleagues, and contacts you have made over the years. Let your list of contacts know you looking for a new position and offer them a quick summary of what you hope your next job will be. You should be able to answer their questions about what job you want, when you want it, and how much you are willing to accept for compensation. Given the current economic pressures, you may also wish to consider the possibility of relocation.

Create an expanded network. After you have reached out to your close networks, it is time to begin networking outside of your comfort zone. This means researching and finding individuals who need to know about you even if they don’t already. If you have been shy about networking with new individuals because it makes you uncomfortable, take a moment to reflect on what about the interaction is most uncomfortable and why. While you may find it difficult to pitch your personal story, remember that you are not alone in your fear of networking and you will likely find folks sympathetic to your discomfort. Find an opening line or an ice breaker that helps you move past your anxiety and feel more at ease with your new contact. Also, the careful planning of your networking strategy and repetitiveness of the conversations will help keep each new conversation in perspective and ease your anxiety.

Be visible. Accept social invitations, continue your memberships, and attend relevant industry meetings and gatherings. Be aware of annual meetings and social opportunities and don’t be afraid to attend because you are no longer employed or are new to the sector. Attend and make an effort to meet as many new people as possible to bolster your networking. If you have colleagues or friends in attendance, ask them to introduce you to new contacts. Ask for the list of attendees, if possible, prior to an event and identify who you would like to meet in advance. This kind of outreach and strategic networking along with careful follow-up with each new contact can make the difference in a successful job search.

Use technology and online resources. In today’s world, online resources are extraordinarily rich, and social networking is an increasingly important tool in targeting talent. There are thousands of nonprofit networking groups and myriad blog postings related to finding and hiring talented, mission-driven staff. Using it wisely as a potential candidate is a skill that can exponentially expand networking opportunities. Learn to Twitter, join Facebook and LinkedIn, and explore other online resources such listservs in your area of interest and expertise. Take note of others who belong to these sites and listservs, and make sure to reconnect with any familiar names or faces. When you are researching online, look for job postings or personal profiles that match your goals and tailor your networking strategies to take advantage of their networks.

Maximize traditional resources. Despite the power of new technology, it is important to not overlook traditional tools. Remember to ask a trusted friend or colleague to review your resume, talk with you about your networking strategy, and help you define realistic professional goals. This is especially important if you are transitioning into a new field, such as moving to the nonprofit sector from the for-profit world. Some questions you can ask yourself include, “Are you using the right language for that community?” and “Are you looking in the right places and even networking with the right people?” A trusted colleague from your chosen field can add enormous value in this area.

Volunteer or work part-time. Even if you have the financial flexibility to remain idle while searching for your next job, consider a visible volunteer, part-time, or temporary position as an investment in your networking strategy. There are temporary positions available in the nonprofit sector and, while you may be overqualified for a temp job, that position may present opportunities to you that you would not have access to otherwise. Likewise, volunteering or working part-time can be a powerful tool in your networking. A smart networker will make the most of every opportunity to prove what s/he do.

Keep moving forward. Networking requires an enormous amount of time, patience, energy, and dedication and broad networking is a series of exchanges designed around common interests. It is an ongoing process and pushing yourself to get out there – and keeping notes of who you meet, where you have met them, and if you should follow-up with them – are important skills to develop whether you are job seeking or not. The rewards of an expansive network are plentiful: access to expertise, knowledge, and, hopefully, job opportunities within your area of interest.

http://nonprofitprofessionals.com/library/art_of_networking.htm

Let's Face It: Sometimes It's Who You Know
A Short Guide for Developing Your Network to Craft a Successful Job Search

by Erin O'Connor Jones, Director of Candidate Services

It is estimated that nearly 80 percent of jobs are never advertised. Many jobs are filled simply because someone knows someone who knows the right person. In this fiercely competitive job market, the more “someones” you know, the more successful you will be.

It is better to be “over-connected” than to minimize your networking efforts and, as such, your chances of being tapped for one of the many positions still being filled despite these tough economic times. That said, there are many different types of networking; some are passive and some are active, but the most important networking is the strategic networking you do with a particular goal in mind. Strategic networkers are thoughtful in their outreach, marketing themselves to potential employers in appropriate ways through contacts who can speak to their strengths and successes. Whether you are an introvert or extrovert, developing a personal networking strategy can make all the difference.

The following guide will help you develop your personal strategy for tapping your human resources as you launch your job search:

Get organized and set goals. With the jobless rate at its highest in 14 years and an unemployment rate among college-educated workers that has jumped 41% over the past year, job seekers will need a system make the most of their job seeking time. Draft a networking spreadsheet and timeline to help you to stay organized and consistently make progress in your job search. Set realistic goals along a weekly timeline, such as “Contact five people I used to work with,” “Research and register for a conference in my area of expertise,” or “Update my Linked In profile.”

Access your current network. Many job seekers underestimate the wealth of networking potential that can be tapped through current and past colleagues, neighbors, fellow volunteers, classmates, people who share your religious affiliations, your friends at the bakery and even the dog park. Begin the process of building your job search network by brainstorming about and writing down all the friends, colleagues, and contacts you have made over the years. Let your list of contacts know you looking for a new position and offer them a quick summary of what you hope your next job will be. You should be able to answer their questions about what job you want, when you want it, and how much you are willing to accept for compensation. Given the current economic pressures, you may also wish to consider the possibility of relocation.

Create an expanded network. After you have reached out to your close networks, it is time to begin networking outside of your comfort zone. This means researching and finding individuals who need to know about you even if they don’t already. If you have been shy about networking with new individuals because it makes you uncomfortable, take a moment to reflect on what about the interaction is most uncomfortable and why. While you may find it difficult to pitch your personal story, remember that you are not alone in your fear of networking and you will likely find folks sympathetic to your discomfort. Find an opening line or an ice breaker that helps you move past your anxiety and feel more at ease with your new contact. Also, the careful planning of your networking strategy and repetitiveness of the conversations will help keep each new conversation in perspective and ease your anxiety.

Be visible. Accept social invitations, continue your memberships, and attend relevant industry meetings and gatherings. Be aware of annual meetings and social opportunities and don’t be afraid to attend because you are no longer employed or are new to the sector. Attend and make an effort to meet as many new people as possible to bolster your networking. If you have colleagues or friends in attendance, ask them to introduce you to new contacts. Ask for the list of attendees, if possible, prior to an event and identify who you would like to meet in advance. This kind of outreach and strategic networking along with careful follow-up with each new contact can make the difference in a successful job search.

Use technology and online resources. In today’s world, online resources are extraordinarily rich, and social networking is an increasingly important tool in targeting talent. There are thousands of nonprofit networking groups and myriad blog postings related to finding and hiring talented, mission-driven staff. Using it wisely as a potential candidate is a skill that can exponentially expand networking opportunities. Learn to Twitter, join Facebook and LinkedIn, and explore other online resources such listservs in your area of interest and expertise. Take note of others who belong to these sites and listservs, and make sure to reconnect with any familiar names or faces. When you are researching online, look for job postings or personal profiles that match your goals and tailor your networking strategies to take advantage of their networks.

Maximize traditional resources. Despite the power of new technology, it is important to not overlook traditional tools. Remember to ask a trusted friend or colleague to review your resume, talk with you about your networking strategy, and help you define realistic professional goals. This is especially important if you are transitioning into a new field, such as moving to the nonprofit sector from the for-profit world. Some questions you can ask yourself include, “Are you using the right language for that community?” and “Are you looking in the right places and even networking with the right people?” A trusted colleague from your chosen field can add enormous value in this area.

Volunteer or work part-time. Even if you have the financial flexibility to remain idle while searching for your next job, consider a visible volunteer, part-time, or temporary position as an investment in your networking strategy. There are temporary positions available in the nonprofit sector and, while you may be overqualified for a temp job, that position may present opportunities to you that you would not have access to otherwise. Likewise, volunteering or working part-time can be a powerful tool in your networking. A smart networker will make the most of every opportunity to prove what s/he do.

Keep moving forward. Networking requires an enormous amount of time, patience, energy, and dedication and broad networking is a series of exchanges designed around common interests. It is an ongoing process and pushing yourself to get out there – and keeping notes of who you meet, where you have met them, and if you should follow-up with them – are important skills to develop whether you are job seeking or not. The rewards of an expansive network are plentiful: access to expertise, knowledge, and, hopefully, job opportunities within your area of interest.

http://nonprofitprofessionals.com/library/art_of_networking.htm

Let's Face It: Sometimes It's Who You Know
A Short Guide for Developing Your Network to Craft a Successful Job Search

by Erin O'Connor Jones, Director of Candidate Services

It is estimated that nearly 80 percent of jobs are never advertised. Many jobs are filled simply because someone knows someone who knows the right person. In this fiercely competitive job market, the more “someones” you know, the more successful you will be.

It is better to be “over-connected” than to minimize your networking efforts and, as such, your chances of being tapped for one of the many positions still being filled despite these tough economic times. That said, there are many different types of networking; some are passive and some are active, but the most important networking is the strategic networking you do with a particular goal in mind. Strategic networkers are thoughtful in their outreach, marketing themselves to potential employers in appropriate ways through contacts who can speak to their strengths and successes. Whether you are an introvert or extrovert, developing a personal networking strategy can make all the difference.

The following guide will help you develop your personal strategy for tapping your human resources as you launch your job search:

Get organized and set goals. With the jobless rate at its highest in 14 years and an unemployment rate among college-educated workers that has jumped 41% over the past year, job seekers will need a system make the most of their job seeking time. Draft a networking spreadsheet and timeline to help you to stay organized and consistently make progress in your job search. Set realistic goals along a weekly timeline, such as “Contact five people I used to work with,” “Research and register for a conference in my area of expertise,” or “Update my Linked In profile.”

Access your current network. Many job seekers underestimate the wealth of networking potential that can be tapped through current and past colleagues, neighbors, fellow volunteers, classmates, people who share your religious affiliations, your friends at the bakery and even the dog park. Begin the process of building your job search network by brainstorming about and writing down all the friends, colleagues, and contacts you have made over the years. Let your list of contacts know you looking for a new position and offer them a quick summary of what you hope your next job will be. You should be able to answer their questions about what job you want, when you want it, and how much you are willing to accept for compensation. Given the current economic pressures, you may also wish to consider the possibility of relocation.

Create an expanded network. After you have reached out to your close networks, it is time to begin networking outside of your comfort zone. This means researching and finding individuals who need to know about you even if they don’t already. If you have been shy about networking with new individuals because it makes you uncomfortable, take a moment to reflect on what about the interaction is most uncomfortable and why. While you may find it difficult to pitch your personal story, remember that you are not alone in your fear of networking and you will likely find folks sympathetic to your discomfort. Find an opening line or an ice breaker that helps you move past your anxiety and feel more at ease with your new contact. Also, the careful planning of your networking strategy and repetitiveness of the conversations will help keep each new conversation in perspective and ease your anxiety.

Be visible. Accept social invitations, continue your memberships, and attend relevant industry meetings and gatherings. Be aware of annual meetings and social opportunities and don’t be afraid to attend because you are no longer employed or are new to the sector. Attend and make an effort to meet as many new people as possible to bolster your networking. If you have colleagues or friends in attendance, ask them to introduce you to new contacts. Ask for the list of attendees, if possible, prior to an event and identify who you would like to meet in advance. This kind of outreach and strategic networking along with careful follow-up with each new contact can make the difference in a successful job search.

Use technology and online resources. In today’s world, online resources are extraordinarily rich, and social networking is an increasingly important tool in targeting talent. There are thousands of nonprofit networking groups and myriad blog postings related to finding and hiring talented, mission-driven staff. Using it wisely as a potential candidate is a skill that can exponentially expand networking opportunities. Learn to Twitter, join Facebook and LinkedIn, and explore other online resources such listservs in your area of interest and expertise. Take note of others who belong to these sites and listservs, and make sure to reconnect with any familiar names or faces. When you are researching online, look for job postings or personal profiles that match your goals and tailor your networking strategies to take advantage of their networks.

Maximize traditional resources. Despite the power of new technology, it is important to not overlook traditional tools. Remember to ask a trusted friend or colleague to review your resume, talk with you about your networking strategy, and help you define realistic professional goals. This is especially important if you are transitioning into a new field, such as moving to the nonprofit sector from the for-profit world. Some questions you can ask yourself include, “Are you using the right language for that community?” and “Are you looking in the right places and even networking with the right people?” A trusted colleague from your chosen field can add enormous value in this area.

Volunteer or work part-time. Even if you have the financial flexibility to remain idle while searching for your next job, consider a visible volunteer, part-time, or temporary position as an investment in your networking strategy. There are temporary positions available in the nonprofit sector and, while you may be overqualified for a temp job, that position may present opportunities to you that you would not have access to otherwise. Likewise, volunteering or working part-time can be a powerful tool in your networking. A smart networker will make the most of every opportunity to prove what s/he do.

Keep moving forward. Networking requires an enormous amount of time, patience, energy, and dedication and broad networking is a series of exchanges designed around common interests. It is an ongoing process and pushing yourself to get out there – and keeping notes of who you meet, where you have met them, and if you should follow-up with them – are important skills to develop whether you are job seeking or not. The rewards of an expansive network are plentiful: access to expertise, knowledge, and, hopefully, job opportunities within your area of interest.

http://nonprofitprofessionals.com/library/art_of_networking.htm

career hunting uk

When a child decides to pursue an acting career, the law requires that they must have an entertainment work permit. All the parents have to do now is get the form and fill it up.

You can get the entertainment work permit by downloading the form from the Internet. Keep in mind that each state has different criteria. Part of it will require getting approval from your doctor should your child still be an infant as well as the child’s birth certificate.

If your child is in school, the form must also be assigned by the school principal as some states require you to do so. If the principal is not aware of the entertainment work permit, explain to them what it is because they will only sign it and when they understand what this is all about.

Part of the condition for the principal to sign it will mean making sure that your child’s grades are not failing to as a parent, you have to do your share in making sure there is a balance between their work and studies.

So you will be able to get the entertainment work permit at the earliest possible time, make sure that you follow the instructions to the letter. If for instance you are told to mail it in, do so because these are the rules and you just have to accept it.

Before you mail it, make sure that you have a duplicate copy. You should also include a self-address stamped envelope so one it is approved, it can be directly mailed back to you.

The approval of the entertainment work permit could be from 3 days to 3 weeks and this depends on your state.

The entertainment work permit must be kept with your child at all times. You should keep the original at home while you carry around the photocopy. This must then be submitted to whoever is casting your child and signed at the back to certify that your child is part of the production.

Getting an entertainment work permit is easy and the best part is that it won’t cost you a thing. This has to be renewed every six months and since you don’t know when your child will have another part, you shouldn’t wait before you get one.

Apart from the entertainment work permit, your child will also be required to get a social security card. This is state regulated and designed to ensure that all payments for the project are given to your child. Just like the work permit, this is easy to obtain by simply contacting the Department of Social Security or by mail. For you to get one, you need to show your child’s birth certificate and any other form of identification.

If you child is below 18 years of age, he or she is considered a minor. For them to work in the entertainment industry, you are required to get a work permit and social security card which will enable them to pursue an acting career. Once the forms are filled up and those who are supposed to sign it have done so, there won’t be any problems when your agent has booked a job.

Just make sure that this is renewed before it expires to avoid any problems in the future.

For almost two years, I've aimed to build a business while working about 40 hours a week so I would have time for physical, relational, and spiritual health. But that doesn't mean setting time boundaries is always easy for me. On a daily basis, I have to combat the voices in my head that tell me "You are not working enough," "You are not successful enough," "You are not making enough," etc.....

Do you hear any of those  voices? Or if you can't quite hear a voice do you sometimes feel an inexplicable sense of terror at the thought of actually taking time to relax or slow down?

If so, this exercise can lead to freedom for you. (It's a cliff notes version of concepts in "The Worry Free Life.")

• Draw a line down the center of a piece of paper. Write "The Voice" at the top of the left column and "My Response" at the top of the right.
• Start to write down all of the voices that you hear in your head in the left column. If they come out in the "I" form, rewrite them in the "you" form. For example: "I need to work all the time" should be translated into "You need to work all the time."
• Writing these voices in the "You" form exposes them as an outside force negatively influencing you instead of you identifying with these voices as your own inescapable thoughts.
• In the right column, respond to these voices using this formula:
  For demands write: "Why should I (fill in demand)?"
  For statements write: "So what if you think (fill in statement)?"
  For questions write: "It's none of your business!"
• If you want to take your counter attack one step further, after your first response, write down truths such as: "I have the ability to choose when I will work." and "I can succeed without working all the time."

I know this sounds funny, but it works! I'm in the midst of building my time management coaching business and developing a couple of new products. This week, I've heard and fought off these voices of overwhelm in my head:

• You are a loser.
• You have to do everything at once.
• You'll fall behind.
• If you don't do everything at once that you can think of, you'll fall behind.
• You're not good enough.
• You're not working hard enough.
• It all depends on you.

I recognized these lies and responded to them using the above technique and was able to stay focused and move forward with confidence.

What voices of overwhelm are tormenting you? It's time to tell them to shut up and cast them out with the truth! Please use this technique, check out the book, and if you need extra help, be in touch with me about a coaching consultation. You don't have to conquer overwhelm alone!

Have a brilliant day!

Elizabeth

P.S.--If you have a friend who could benefit from this information, please pass it on! I'm also always open to e-mail introductions to women who could benefit from www.RealLifeE.com time management coaching.

For almost two years, I've aimed to build a business while working about 40 hours a week so I would have time for physical, relational, and spiritual health. But that doesn't mean setting time boundaries is always easy for me. On a daily basis, I have to combat the voices in my head that tell me "You are not working enough," "You are not successful enough," "You are not making enough," etc.....

Do you hear any of those  voices? Or if you can't quite hear a voice do you sometimes feel an inexplicable sense of terror at the thought of actually taking time to relax or slow down?

If so, this exercise can lead to freedom for you. (It's a cliff notes version of concepts in "The Worry Free Life.")

• Draw a line down the center of a piece of paper. Write "The Voice" at the top of the left column and "My Response" at the top of the right.
• Start to write down all of the voices that you hear in your head in the left column. If they come out in the "I" form, rewrite them in the "you" form. For example: "I need to work all the time" should be translated into "You need to work all the time."
• Writing these voices in the "You" form exposes them as an outside force negatively influencing you instead of you identifying with these voices as your own inescapable thoughts.
• In the right column, respond to these voices using this formula:
  For demands write: "Why should I (fill in demand)?"
  For statements write: "So what if you think (fill in statement)?"
  For questions write: "It's none of your business!"
• If you want to take your counter attack one step further, after your first response, write down truths such as: "I have the ability to choose when I will work." and "I can succeed without working all the time."

I know this sounds funny, but it works! I'm in the midst of building my time management coaching business and developing a couple of new products. This week, I've heard and fought off these voices of overwhelm in my head:

• You are a loser.
• You have to do everything at once.
• You'll fall behind.
• If you don't do everything at once that you can think of, you'll fall behind.
• You're not good enough.
• You're not working hard enough.
• It all depends on you.

I recognized these lies and responded to them using the above technique and was able to stay focused and move forward with confidence.

What voices of overwhelm are tormenting you? It's time to tell them to shut up and cast them out with the truth! Please use this technique, check out the book, and if you need extra help, be in touch with me about a coaching consultation. You don't have to conquer overwhelm alone!

Have a brilliant day!

Elizabeth

P.S.--If you have a friend who could benefit from this information, please pass it on! I'm also always open to e-mail introductions to women who could benefit from www.RealLifeE.com time management coaching.