Level Up: Team Building

Options are endless when you understand the concept of perspective. Taking time to make decisions provokes a certain bravery that we all possess. Choices are powerful and are often forfeited through negligence. However, seeking change requires shifting into something unfamiliar. Before your willing to challenge others be willing to lead them. Determine who your teammates will be, and make sure they are willing to carry their portion or support those who are able to soar through the uncertainty of the growth. Managing stability builds trust. Maintaining productive relationships allow mediocre thoughts to mature and develop into workable concepts that do more than sound great and make money for a few. Big ideas will come and go. Remember, there’s more than enough to go around. Communicating the bottom line is not enough. Building on it is what captivates others to follow you through the ups and downs. Everyone should be very clear that growth goals are intertwined and independent. No one is obligated. Everyone is motivated. With that being said, complications should be minimal, and information should flow freely. Looking to level up, make sure you remove any weak links. Don’t carry burdens and be willing to restructure who is necessary and what’s needed to best suit the task.

Staying committed to progress is more valuable than the rewards of completing a goal. What’s next? If your imagination is limited, I suggest you think bigger. It may require adding more people to the team that don’t necessarily think like you but produce and perform at a measurable pace that helps you sore and takes them with you. Create ripples and waves. That’s where the action is; growth can never sustain itself.

Career Planning & Professional Growth

Career planning is challenging and requires insight. Understanding corporate values are important. Often times naive ambition can overshadow measurable results. Be creative in your search for more opportunities that encourage experience, collaboration, and accountability. Afterall, professional grooming is more than outward aesthetics. Engage your creative sensibilities. Take time to decide your work objectives, then research jobs that incorporate employee development and long-term growth. Your resume is more than a work experience overview report. Pursue a path equipped with knowledgeable leadership. If you’re looking to stand out approach a work opportunity with an open mind. Clearly define measurable goals that benefit your personal growth and support your team leaders. Every work environment has a unique business culture. Peer engagement is valuable. Stay focused and don’t miss the moments that build team momentum.

In a perfect world, what would your dream job be? Think outside the box. Make a list. Stay positive and grow in that direction.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: equity is a visible value. There are plenty of jobs out there. It’s okay to seek part-time or full-time work that provides fulfillment. Keep a work journal to record your professional journey and be open to critique. Before committing to a company consider the benefits. If your excited about an organization understand the attraction and make sure it’s mutual. Both sides have to be committed to making the relationship work.

Safety, Mental Health, and Safe Words

Public safety is a growing concern. As world events continue to unveil the dark side of humanity, it seems as though no one has been left unscathed by the mental taxation caused by civil matters of state, polarizing legislation, interpersonal relationships, and workplace dynamics. Lacking an effective strategy to maintain a balanced work life can make everyday tasks seem less manageable and more challenging often amplifying emotional imbalances leading to feelings of overwhelm and causing anxiety. Regardless of your work title, social obligations, political views, or home responsibilities; creating space for personal emotional reflections is healthy. Personal safeguards allow you to optimize your time and get the most out of your relationships. An elevated sense of awareness could be the perfect solution to any complex environment.

Your energy is your most valuable resource. Allow yourself the freedom to grow by prioritizing your emotional awareness. Acknowledge activities that boost your creativity, behaviors that support your personal development and everyday moments that keep you motivated. In addition, be mindful of complex inter-personal dynamics that can produce delays in your ability to bounce back emotionally. Don’t overreact. Sometimes the most effective response is to meditate and focus on yourself and not the “issue” by reflecting on how the moment and the context of information will affect your environment.

Character development is like building core muscle strength. The process requires strategy, commitment and active participation. Develop a vocabulary of positive words for daily use. Hold yourself accountable throughout the week by prioritizing quality conversations that elevate your expectations in order to project measurable and tangible results.

No Algorithm for Career or Romantic Ambitions

Working and maintaining personal relationships can be chaotic. There’s no algorithm for love or finding a best friend. Such a bold statement proves true for some and false for others, but that’s just the way the numbers go. Career and romantic ambitions are complicated. Nothing in life is ever simple. But like riding a bike you learn to fall gracefully as you continue to get back up. Although at times it may seem awkward the goal always (for some strange reason) seems achievable. Eventually, you believe you’ll get the hang of it. You’ll learn to glide and balance on two wheels. So, for those of us (including myself) struggling with the absolute cringe worthy experiences of online dating apps and coffee meet and greets it would be reasonable to assume that genuine connections require more than working your social networks and friend of a friend referrals. Finding authentic relationships take time. People have different needs. Either way, there’s no need to rush or waste time.

Be intentional with the way you choose to communicate with others. Clear expectations lead to measurable results. Take time to openly identify what your needs are and how you can become more transparent with the people you want to connect with. Vulnerability requires letting go. Create an experience. Although you can’t control the outcome rely on the experience to reveal how wonderfully rewarding living present in every moment can be. Most importantly, be ready to receive the people you attract.

The Career Path

Self-improvement, personal goals, professional growth and people skills are at the top of the list for over achievers and job seekers. There’s no need to be overwhelmed. Coming out of the pandemic, COVID -19 has changed the game and redefined normal. It does not matter your personal choice or opinion(s); whether you’ve decided to be pro vaccine or anti-vaccine we all are trying to move forward and rejoin the great outdoors in large groups. The age of what many have termed “the great resignation” has created much opportunity. Yet, is anyone prepared to enter into this new level of opportunity the next 10 years has to offer? Chances are your more prepared then you’re giving yourself credit for. Even if you’re starting a new career, trying to break new ground in a familiar trade, or boldly traveling outside your professional comfort zone; this new season will allow you to prioritize, strategize and focus on goal setting. Career objectives in the new normal are based on skill, collaboration, preparation, and team support. The next time you think to reach into your database of contacts, have clear intentions. Your experience is only a portion of what you bring to work. Application is key. Distinguishable ideas spark interests. You don’t have to know everything, but if you know what you’re not you’ll gain the right momentum to get where you want to be. Stay consistent.