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FIRST STEP —

Set short-term, incremental goals. Work up to larger plans later. Never put yourself under the gun right from the get-go. If you do… discouragement will be right at your doorstep. You’ll quit! Remember your New Year’s resolutions?

Set incremental time frames. Short-range goals are very important. Begin the first month and increase a little bit each succeeding month. Don’t give up too early in the game…. give yourself a chance to succeed. Continue reading →

Many people do not bother to look at their own magnificence and without that view it is not likely that we will recognize the need for strategies to maximize our strengths. When we buy an outfit for a special affair, we automatically try to coordinate each piece so that they enhance one another and amplify our sense of “looking good” from head to toe. A man will make sure his socks and tie are in sync while a woman will adorn herself with color coordinated makeup, jewelry, nail color, etc. But when it comes to our gifts and talents, we get extremely casual or sloppy and so we stack skills on top that don’t bring out our best and sometimes we are so off kilter, our skills are actually a tacky appendage that detracts from our gifts and talents. Continue reading →

1. GET THE POINT ? OF LIFE, THAT IS. How many of us will look back in our old age and wish we’d gone to more meetings or put in more overtime. The point? Despite pressure to “play it safe” by sticking with your day job (“…but dear, you have a good job, you want to be HAPPY too?”) you have every right to follow your entrepreneurial dreams. With the realization that life is for living comes the understanding that it is up to you ? and you alone ? to create the kind of life you really want. Continue reading →

I always look forward to the December issue of Entrepreneur magazine. That’s the issue that features the publisher’s annual pick of hot businesses, markets, and trends for smart entrepreneurs ? or those who aspire to be.

Some of the high tech businesses cited like mobile gaming or online learning tend to require six and seven figure start up costs. This can seem daunting (although not impossible) for the person just venturing into self-employment. So I’ve decided to focus on the markets, trends, and businesses that speak to someone operating on a somewhat more limited budget. Let’s start with hot markets: Continue reading →

Many job seekers tend to overlook job fairs. They can be crowded, busy, competitive and confusing events.  But they offer you the opportunity to contact many potential employers all within one place, and they can help you land a job. Continue reading →

These days, interviews don’t come easily. When you get The Call, make the most of your time — and go for it!

1. Investigate the company’s culture, markets, and finances. But resist the temptation to show off what you’ve researched: “I just read that you’re about to embark on a new product line”) unless you have a question directly related to your career. Continue reading →