Archives for 2009 | The Career Pioneer | Motivation to help you change careers or start a business you'll love

Have All Your Eggs in One Basket? That’s Probably a Good Thing.

Who still says it’s wrong to put all your eggs in one basket? As kids, most of us were raised to believe that it’s absurd to expense all your energy into one discipline, that multi-tasking is a good thing, and that the more diverse your activities the greater chance you’ll end up becoming successful in at least one. We’ve all heard the figure of speech, “Jack of all trades, master at none” -- often used to reference a person who is considered a generalist, someone who has many skills but who … [Read more...]

How to Use 15 Minutes and Make It Count

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1. Pray and/or meditate. Start or end your day with a fresh, new perspective on life. Gain clarity through prayer and meditation. Recognize that life is much bigger than the proverbial cubicle in which you live. 2. Have a heart-to-heart with your spouse, relative, or a friend. When was the last time you sat down with the television turned off and the laptop aside, and spoke to your spouse or friend with intimacy? Share what’s really on your heart and mind, and allow them to be open and honest … [Read more...]

Achieve Your Career Dreams: How to Get Past the Talking Stage and Move Into The Doing Stage

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Don’t you just hate conversations when someone you know or an acquaintance blabs on and on about what they want to do. But when you prod a little, you discover they haven’t made any effort or taken any steps that resemble a course of action? Don’t you hate it even more when the person who’s doing the blabbing is you? We live in a world that gives more credit to people who are doing “big” things. Which, in my opinion, has fostered a generation that are big talkers, rather than big … [Read more...]

Profile: Elaine W. Hurt, Peace Corps Volunteer, U.N. Consultant  

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As a young girl growing up in Nairobi, Kenya, Elaine Wacuka Hurt imagined herself one day becoming either a judge or working in foreign diplomacy. As a 2004 graduate of Georgetown University in Washington, DC and former Peace Corps volunteer, she says she’s now well on her way to fulfilling her dreams of becoming a United Nations diplomat. Elaine is currently working as a consultant with the U.N.’s peace-building initiative. In the fall, she’ll be attending the School of International … [Read more...]

How to Create a Dreamboard. Plus, Take the First Career Pioneer Poll!

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[polldaddy poll=1847191] Hi everyone! Thanks for stopping by to participate in the first CP poll. Today, we're talking about dream or vision boards, which have grown increasingly popular over the years. Dijon, a devoted Career Pioneer and reader, shared in a recent post that he keeps a dream board on his wall in his bedroom and that his two young boys are creating one too. (Thanks for sharing that with us Dijon!)  How inspiring and fun is that?! I don't have a dream board yet. So, I did a … [Read more...]

Going Green’s the Going Thing in Jobs 

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Everyone's talking about being eco-friendly -- from what you wear to what you put in your body. But increasingly, more people are having serious discussions on what the job market has in store for workers and businesses that implement environmentally conscious design, policy, and/or technology to boost conservation and sustainability. This evening I attended an informational session focused on the topic: “What is a Green Job?” led by Reclamation Energy, a Washington, DC-based organization … [Read more...]

Want to Reinvent Yourself? Personal Branding is Key

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Today's post was inspired by football wide receiver Terrell Owens, aka T.O., and his new reality-based television show called The T.O. Show. Honestly, I was a bit . . . no, very reluctant to watch the show, which airs on VH1 Mondays. I'm not very familiar with his professional football career. But in the few times that I have seen him in the media, I felt he was generally portrayed as some bad guy slash conceited, hot head on and off the field. Because of that, I've never really had a … [Read more...]

Could Your Career Use a Dose of Wishful Thinking?

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Remember what happened when as a kid, you spotted a shooting star or the brightest one appearing in the night sky? What did you immediately do? Did you make a wish? Can you recall how devoted you were to that wish, often thinking of it weeks and weeks after the star had long disappeared? You imagined your wish as a future possibility. It was always crystal clear in your mind. And no one or nothing could deter you from believing that your wish would one day come true. Maybe you’ve matured … [Read more...]

“What do you do well?” And Other Simple Questions To Discover Work You Love

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Since graduating from high school, throughout college, and up until about a year ago, I went back and forth in my mind trying to determine what my true career path was. Along the way, I considered pursuing jobs in social work, education, public relations, theatre, film & television, sales and journalism -- without a doubt, an eclectic group of industries had crossed my mind. The one profession that continued to resurface was writing and journalism. It made sense. After all, I enjoyed the … [Read more...]

How to Get the Most Out of Self-Help Books, Blogs & Other Published Works

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I read a lot of self-help books. By reading them, I always seem to find the practical advice, insight or inspiration I need to get me through a slump. (Check out my Suggested Reading list for recommendations.) It was my collection of self-help books that inspired me during difficult and challenging times at work, through job transitions and career changes. The self-help genre even served as the primary inspiration for my creating The Career Pioneer blog. I had gotten to a point where I … [Read more...]

“Failure Isn’t a Set-Back, It’s a Step Up.” Plus, Famous Quotes to Live By

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Don’t you just love great quotes? They’re motivational, thought-provoking, and often wise words to store in your brain for those rainy, discouraging days. I created the title quote myself after scourging the Internet for famous quotes to share with you all today. Do quotes encourage you too? What quotes have inspired you to: Take Chances? Rise above the level of mediocrity? Tap into self-belief? Muster courage? Demolish all excuses? Dream again? As I started to think about … [Read more...]

Going. Going. Going. STOP! Know When to Hang It Up and Recharge 

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I felt so tired this entire week. Literally, fatigued. I have my hand in different projects, including writing daily for this blog. On top of that, my teenage cousin is visiting me from the state of Georgia, so I’ve been trying to find ways to keep him entertained in my normally boring little world. If that’s not enough, I’m also caring for a sick little girl -- my daughter is fighting a cold with a nasty, runny nose, and has been extremely fussy.   Needless to say, I was feeling pulled in so … [Read more...]

Interviewing for a New Job? Determine Your Salary Range Before Stepping in the Door

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Your phone rings. You look at the small caller-id screen, but you’re unfamiliar with the incoming phone number. As the digits continue to flash, you suspect it’s someone you know and that they’re calling from another phone line. You pick up and, with your “receptionist” voice, you answer: “HellOoo, this is . . .” “Hi. This is so-and-so from whachamacallit Company,” says the voice on the other line. “We received and reviewed your resume and cover letter regarding the XYZ position and would … [Read more...]