[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...]
Want to Reinvent Yourself? Personal Branding is Key
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?
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
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
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...]
Your Level of Discipline Could Equal Your Aptitude for Success
When I started this blog almost two weeks ago, I made a decision that I’d post at least one article a day for a certain period of time. It’s taken great discipline to come up with the story ideas, do the research to expand on those ideas, and then to actually sit down and write. As you know, my posts in general are in the range of 500 to 1,200 words. So, writing to this extent on a daily basis, while juggling other responsibilities, is never easy. But, thankfully for me, it's fun! Plus, it … [Read more...]
What’s Your Attitude? Is it Contagious? Or Does it Repel?
Are you a movie buff? Or are you a sucker for a good action film or chick flick? My favorite types of movies are those based on real-life events. And although I realize Hollywood fictionalizes some aspect of the true story to enhance the film, I always get chills during the part of the movie when the protagonist experiences sudden revelation or insight. One of my favorite scenes that serves as an example of this, is in the movie Remember The Titans. In case you haven’t seen it, Titans … [Read more...]
Are Your Talents Wage-Worthy?
What’s your secret talent? Are you an excellent writer? Do you make a killer cheesecake? As a parent or concerned citizen, have you raised funds for your local school that exceeded everyone’s expectations? Can you stitch a new garment out of an old tapestry that could rival that of any leading designer? Are you well-oiled machine when it comes to planning birthday parties and annual gatherings for yourself, family and friends? Up until now, have you done all of this for free, even … [Read more...]
What Will Be Your Legacy? Today, Meet a Legend. And Go Be Legendary.
In a recent post, I offered some suggestions on how you can advance you life and start pursuing your dream career. One of those suggestions was volunteerism -- as a way to get your foot in the door, gain valuable experience doing the very thing you love to do, and as philanthropy. There’s another type of volunteering out there that has nothing remotely to do with your needs or your future career. It’s called humanitarianism. Generosity. Brotherly Love. This type of volunteer labor isn’t for … [Read more...]
Are You Driving Your Destiny? Or Is Something (Or Someone) Else?
Growing up in Southwest Georgia, my family primarily used a riding lawnmower to cut the grass. Our yard was pretty large, and although my older brothers had at times mowed the lawn with a push mower, it was an obvious relief when they were old enough to use the riding version. As I grew older, my dad also allowed me to drive it in order to cut the grass. It was actually pretty fun and I enjoyed navigating up and down the yard, and maneuvering through bushes and underneath low tree … [Read more...]
Top 10 Do’s to Turning Your Passion Into a Dream Career
Last year, I quit my full-time job to stay at home with my daughter, rather than put her in daycare. I knew, within the first couple of months, that I didn't want to just sit around watching soap operas and court shows while eating bon-bons as she took her naps. (In a previous post, I explained how my daughter spent the first couple of months of her life in the NICU. During that time, I was home without the baby and had lots of time to think when I wasn't sleeping or pumping.) I needed … [Read more...]
How to Upgrade Your Image & Gain More Respect (And Opportunities!)
First, I’d like to start today’s post by saying “thank you” to all the folks who’ve supported the blog since its inception about a week ago. And to those who’ve recently joined the Career Pioneer bandwagon, you’re in for a great ride. I realize in today’s cluttered world, you have many other sites vying for your attention, so your stopping by to visit and considering the blog a sensible resource is greatly appreciated. Your continued and overwhelming support will not be forgotten. You can … [Read more...]
“No Excuses,” I tell myself. “I’ll get started right away. . . But first, I need a nap.”
In a recent post, I briefly talked about some of the negative thinking and excuses we make. We allow these thoughts to swim through our heads, breeding fear and insecurity in our hearts and minds and keeping us from pursuing our dreams one hundred percent. Well, I stumbled upon this video on the internet today. Some of you may have already seen the year-old ad campaign. But even if you have, it serves as a great reminder that nothing is impossible for those of us who believe AND who also … [Read more...]
