|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ruts: the routines in our work and lives that have become uninteresting and bothersome.
Everyone has a favorite rut or two. They are comfortable, familiar and undemanding. If you stay in them long enough you begin to equate them with who you are and buy in to the belief that remaining steadfastly in them is all you can expect out of life.
Ruts are furrows, gullies, creases and (dare I say) wrinkles where we tend to live life cheerfully and without much thought. We find one way of doing something, and continue the pattern. It does not matter whether it is the best or logical way, we keep on doing things in a certain manner, like taking the same route to work, or going to the same restaurant for lunch and ordering the same identical meal every time.
Just in case you do not think this applies to your situation, here are a few ways to tell if you are in a rut:
Grooves: Innovative paths where talent and tradition merge with affinity and enjoyment to create challenging, interesting and rewarding outcomes.
When you are in a groove, you are able to create and see things differently. Grooves are characterized by:
Turn Your Ruts into Grooves
Based on the descriptions above, are you currently in a groove or a rut? Which one do you want to be in at this time? The choice is yours and it is not difficult to make. You will have to count the cost and sacrifices associated with getting out of your current rut-whether on the job or at home, and determine if you are willing to pay the price to get in and stay in a perpetual groove.
If you are currently in a groove, resist the urge to pat yourself on the back. Instead, evaluate your groove regularly to make sure it has not quietly turned into a rut. Celebrate your accomplishments and prepare to use what you have learned to help others turn their ruts into grooves.
Althea DeBrule, entrepreneur and seasoned human resources executive, has focused for more than 30 years on helping people achieve their career goals. Creator of The Extreme-Career-Makeover? and a founding partner of RADSGroup Organizational Consultants, she is recognized for her bottom line and practical application of career development and management strategies in a way that penetrates hearts and compels action. She speaks and teaches with inspired talent, humor and contagious zeal at management conferences and leadership retreats nationwide, and has been featured in CFO Magazine, Strategy@Work, Human Resource Executive Magazine. Althea is the author of Bosses & Orchards, a compelling and candid book about how to make your work relationship with your boss succeed. To discover how you can take your career to a new level, visit http://www.extreme-career-makeover.com/




Working abroad can be an exciting, rewarding and horizon broadening experience; and if you take the time to plan ahead carefully before you go, you will make... Read More
For many years, you looked forward to that day when you would bid the world of work a fond farewell and ride off into the sunset of... Read More
I coined this word to draw attention to the nervous and apprehensive way of saying something in the job search that makes you feel like a buffoon.... Read More
The Super Bowl is a game but, like sports in general, it offers useful life lessons that we can take with us . . . if we... Read More
Do you find yourself easily becoming bored or tired at work for no apparent reason? If that's the case, then pay close attention. Research has shown that... Read More
Here's a list of the top 10 tips you can use to advance your career: 1. Don't be afraid to say "I don't know." If you don't... Read More
The world sure is changing, and if you look at job employment you will see what I mean. Let's just go back to our grandparent's generation, even... Read More
Millions of Un-Sung Heroes are born every minute! They are found everywhere-on street corners, in our homes, offices, and communities-wherever there are people in need of rescue.... Read More
One-day you're minding your own business and your boss comes in and says "You're Fired", perhaps he was a bit more polite than that but the end... Read More
Being a current job seeker can be quite a challenging prospect as there are many changes in the workplace. Life-long employment is no longer the norm and... Read More
Any online recruitment agency can help you to submit for vacancies to the agency by employers.Online recruitment agencies are used by employers for many purposes. Get help... Read More
While most professionals hire a professional resume writer, some draft their own resume. People who write a lot for business usually have more success in putting together... Read More
These days, job interviews often consist of a panel of three-to-six interviewers.A "team approach" to finding the best candidate can be beneficial for the employer. Each member... Read More
"Doing a good job is one of the most important ways to move up the ladder", says Dr. Don Bagin, Professor of Communications at Glassbro State College.If... Read More
I like Simon, one of three judges on American Idol. I find his feedback refreshingly honest. And while his words startle me with their ego wounding potential,... Read More
First of all, to fully understand and appreciate the answer, a couple of givens must be taken into account. What I believe to be the most important... Read More
Ask survivors of the most popular reality television shows and they'll tell you "If you have to eat a cockroach, don't spend too much time thinking about... Read More
Mention "outsourcing" to a programmer and you may as well be uttering profanity. The word suggests all the evils that have befallen the Information Technology sector since... Read More
"Roger, you must get those contracts completed for this month's sales and don't forget, we have a meeting tomorrow at 9:00. Don't be late again!"Roger was a... Read More
Mental preparation is probably your most important task as you proceed in your job search. This not only needs to be worked on right from the start,... Read More
Thinking of a career as a proofreader? Then you will most likely want to know about salaries. Are you hoping to hear that you will make thousands... Read More
Mystery shoppers visit businesses "disguised as normal customers," and do the things other customers do-ask questions, make a purchase, make a return-but with a twist. These undercover... Read More
Searching for a job can be a daunting and confusing task for anyone, whether he or she is just entering the job market, looking for a better... Read More
Not everyone is cut out to be a mortgage processor. Find out if you or a team member has what it takes to be a dynamic processor.A... Read More
Lots of times I see and talk to people who are tired, bored and burnt out of their current jobs. I'm not sure what causes this dis-... Read More
Are you a new graduate with little or no work experience? Sometimes it can be tough to get a job without experience, and how do you get... Read More
Gain an audience by recognizing opportunity There's a sexier method to salsa into a great career with less tripping and more flair. Look for problems to solve... Read More
Looking for work is an energy-devouring ordeal, often leading to running in circles and not getting anywhere. A systematic approach can help you focus on your goal,... Read More
Look upon yourself as a company with a product or service to sell. Understand your market and devise a dynamic marketing campaign, remembering that companies hire employees... Read More
Are you in the job market? Sick of every blog-byte cramming down your throat that you have to get out there and network? Feel like your traditional... Read More
When you're looking to get hired or get promoted, what do you think is your most important asset? Your experience? Knowledge? Skill? Talent?While all of those are... Read More
You have to ask --- IS a FRANCHISE FOR YOU?There are NO guarantees. You invest your money and take your chances. My own experiences include franchises for... Read More
Have you used feng shui around your desk? It's a great way to "test drive" feng shui, to see how well it works for you.In feng shui,... Read More
My experience working with thousands of leaders world wide for the past two decades teaches me that most leaders are screwing up their careers.On a daily basis,... Read More
Whether you've been downsized, are looking for a career change or are just starting out, your resume speaks volumes about you. If your resume doesn't make it... Read More
Many people never consider entering the cleaning business because of the images it has."Be a janitor (or cleaning lady or maid)? Me? That's too demeaning!" is a... Read More
Family is the driving force of our lives. You need family to support you and in most homes you need money to support your family. You work... Read More
If you have ever experienced any of the following, you have had a career crisis:? Losing your job? Being fired? Burning out? Not wanting to do your... Read More
Learning how to type a resume may feel like a daunting task. Even the most affluent writers have asked themselves, how to type a mind-blowing resume. Follow... Read More
One of the biggest mistake for job seeks is to not follow up an important interview with a thank you note to the people who interviewed them.... Read More
"James is so restless and energetic. I wonder if he's hyperactive.""Nancy seems to be all over the place. She's got a dozen projects going at once!""Harley does... Read More
If you are thinking of breaking into the petite modeling industry and wondering if you should hundreds of doll ars on modeling school or classes you need... Read More
How can you find writing jobs? Do you have proven skills that can propel you in the right direction? If so, then why are you looking for... Read More
How many people do you know who think they deserve a pay rise, but are too scared to ask? You might even be one of those people!... Read More
As children we often used to read stories where magical words can open caves filled with treasures or magicians using words like abracadabra... sim sim.. and magically... Read More
If you're looking for that promotion or pay rise then you'll need to be noticed by your employer, so here's a few tips to stand out from... Read More
Why Career Advice Is So ImportantChoosing a career presents a nerve-racking decision, as it can have a life-long impact on you. Do not fret, as you can... Read More
One of the best things you can do to increase your career advancement opportunities where you work is to do more than expected.It's often not enough to... Read More
After establishing a trusting relationship with the safety officer, it would be helpful to document what was talked about with the safety officer. What kinds of information... Read More
Growing up on a Delaware farm was a wonderful and rewarding experience for me.I grew up in an area where a couple of dozen families in an... Read More
Were you once a successful, professional woman who had a significant status level and received adequate remuneration for your work?Have you re-located to a new country where... Read More
During a job interview, a potential employer asks, "Can you take on more than one project at a time?" If you respond, "Yes," you may want to... Read More