So You’re a Writer
August 24, 2012
If you are really interested in becoming a writer, take a look at this list and pay attention.
That’s it, no further explanation is necessary.
My Father’s Day
June 14, 2012
This weekend’s holiday will have a bit more meaning for me. It will be my first without Dad.
But I thought I’d post a few memories.
Happiness is Everywhere
April 5, 2012
Suddenly, it seems that we are consumed with the search for one of our ‘inalienable rights.’ It’s not that Americans just rediscovered the Declaration of Independence, or Will Smith’s 2006 movie, but rather, it seems to be the latest social science trend.
Consider it the replacement for behavioral economics the science that became popular after the book Freakonomics tried to explain how economics could explain human behavior. For a few years there was a new book out every month explaining why humans are irrational and how we could be led to do anything with the right incentive.
Now, it seems that happiness, and the apparently futile search for it, has reached the top of the grad student research list. Last month Harvard Business Review (subscription required) focused a whole issue on employee happiness; two weeks ago I received a brochure advertising a full day seminar offered in 8 convenient locations guaranteed to provide me with “effective ways to measure happiness.”
Daniel Gilbert’s “Stumbling on Happiness,” a 2006 best seller may have sparked the recent interest. Gilbert’s book is a well-written and very interesting explanation of how humans define happiness, what it is or is not, and a slightly depressing conclusion that the human mind may never allow us to truly understand what will make us happy. He offers some solace that, at least now that we understand how the human mind works, we will know why we can never find happiness.
Interestingly the writing style and reasoning of the book is quite similar to many of the behavioral economics books, such as “Nudge” or Dan Ariely’s “Predictably Irrational.”
Andrew Weil’s “Spontaneous Happiness,” takes a different approach, offering suggestions for helping us find happiness. His is a less scientific approach and is more a lengthy essay on his own observations about happiness. He offers a number of suggestions of helpful methods to help his readers achieve a state of happiness.
If you are familiar with Dr. Weil’s work you will not be surprised that his suggestions run range from yoga and mindfulness meditation to more secular pursuits such as social activities or laughter. He even offers an ‘8-week Program for Optimal Well Being.”
Dan Buettner, author of “Blue Zones’ which explores circumstances surrounding the lives of the world’s oldest citizens has offered “Thrive – Finding Happiness the Blue Zones Way.” He investigates (and I use that term very loosely) the places around the planet judged to include the happiest populations according to annual surveys.
With apologies to Walt Disney, among the happiest places on earth appear to be parts of Mexico, Denmark, Singapore and San Luis Obispo, California. Even Buettner doesn’t seem to believe that any place in Mexico could be judged happy given the violence, but he doesn’t let that stop him from interviewing the population in an attempt to compile a list of factors that will lead to happiness.
After his trips, Buettner develops a list of “Finding Ways to Thrive” which includes items such as ‘put friends first,’ ‘grow a garden’ or ‘get into teaching.’ While many of his suggestions are valid, and some may apply to a lot of readers, his list is so long and tries to be so inclusive that it’s almost useless in trying to help anyone find happiness.
I have no idea what the answer is. Even Gilbert notes that happiness may be impossible to measure because we all use a different scale. A good friend of mine once suggested that unhappiness is caused by expectations not meeting reality. Maybe the answer lies in taking a more honest look at assessing what your own reality is. And that’s something a coach can help you figure out.
Business is Booming in the President’s Home State
March 15, 2012
Just got back from my morning walk , while on vacation on the Big Island, so I thought I’d pen a few random thoughts.
Traveling on United Airlines was never a great experience, but now that Continental has taken over, it’s worse. San Jose Mercury News had a nice story on the problem this week. People affected most are veteran travelers who use miles and upgrades. Not a good segment to anger since they make up most of your profits.
For my wife and I, it meant an unnecessarily late departure since gate agents had to come on to plane to sort out upgrades to First Class. Took an extra 30 minutes because the computers couldn’t deal with it. We flew coach because they only had one seat to offer. In the past we have been upgraded with no problem.
Otherwise flight was fine – no bumps. Had a nice long chat with flight attendants about what’s going on. They are not happy. But they gave us champagne because they knew we were upset about the seating issues.
Business on the island seems to be really picking up. Mauna Lani and Orchid Hotels seem very busy. Only new business at The Shoppes is a taco stand. Juice 101, where my wife gets her smoothies etc, was booming as was grocery store, as usual.
Spoke to one local dive shop who said it’s best business has been, in three years.
Rental agents say some units are at 95% occupancy over first three months of the year. Although they are hesitant to predict summer they are optimistic. They are even considering raising rates. Tourism is up some from Japan. JAL cancelled direct flights to Kona last year, but there are three charters coming this month. Louis Vuitton at Kings Shops is happy since it’s usually their first stop. Yen is dropping, so we’ll see.
On tour at Hawaiian Vanilla Company. The owner's son explains to visitors how the orchids are grown.
Real Estate folks say the market is improving significantly. One long-term renter I spoke to said she was having trouble finding a place for next year, since so many owners were able to rent short term for more money, or were trying to sell.
Whales seem to be only mammals staying away. Saw a few this morning, but until today, they were few and far between. Locals don’t have an explanation.
Trip to Hawaiian Vanilla Company was worth the drive to the Hilo side. Tour, which included lunch, was given by 18-year-old son of the owner, very poised. He knows his vanilla beans.Coincidentally our friends, Mike and Sallie, who live here, happened to mention the night before that they want to visit Madagascar – which is the world’s largest vanilla producer. Mexico is second.
Trade winds were pretty strong on the first two days, making the golf courses a real challenge, but they have let up a bit today. Went to the farmer’s market Tuesday. Bought bread so I’ll probably be gaining weight, despite the fact that I’ve been running on my walk.
No snow on Mauna Kea, but rain has been good this year and island residents are happy the drought has lessened at bit. Of course no, Hawaiian post would be complete without a gas price update. Yes, regular gas is approaching $5.00 per gallon. Rent a bike.
Dick Bolles Webinar
November 16, 2011
For the last few years, Dick Bolles, author of the well-known “What Color is Your Parachute” has offered week-long seminars at his home. Small groups have gathered to explore their own purpose and goals.
Now Dick says he’s too busy to continue with the seminars. He’s got 6 books to finish so he’s ended the sessions until he gets caught up.
But he has agreed to conduct some webinars, where you can hear his views on the current job market, simply by sitting at your computer. Use this link to sign up for the first event, January 13.
Bucknell Report
September 30, 2011
To download the Report:
The Campus Climate for Bucknell University Students: A Multifaceted Analysis
The president’s letter:
OpenLetteronCampus ClimateTaskForceReport
Comments are welcome.
Dealing with Pain
September 29, 2011
I recently got over a bout of cellulitis and it brought new meaning to a book I finished a few months ago: The Pain Chronicles by Melanie Thernstrom.
Cellulitis is an inflammation or infection that can settle in a joint and cause severe discomfort until you convince it to leave. I had gradually increasing pain for three days, and couldn’t even walk for a few more, before my crack medical team figured out the problem.
The point is not my problem, but the pain. After just a few days of it, I found new insight into the observations made by Ms Thernstrom and while I would have recommended her book anyway, I would now suggest it as required reading.
If you have ever been in pain, have a friend pain, or think you may ever be in pain, I would suggest you read this book. It really focuses on chronic pain, which is anything older than 6 months, according to medical professionals, but it will give you some insight into what’s going on. I have dealt with this kind of issue in past posts, but Ms Thernstrom does a much more thorough job.
It should also give you new empathy for folks, who have chronic back, knee, leg, neck or any other kind of pain but look perfectly healthy otherwise. Medical professionals know that pain is now recognized as it’s own disease and needs to be treated separately.
As Ms Thernstrom can attest, it can cause both physical and physiological changes that are extremely difficult to reverse. Ms Thernstrom’s book is a first hand account of her own chronic pain and her attempts to deal with it. It is also a well-researched history of how society, since the ancient Greeks, have tried to deal with the concept.
Like many books written by journalists, it is easy to read, clear and lays out the issues in a logical progression.
As we all age, and encounter more and more aches and pains, in places we never knew existed, we need to understand what’s happening both physically and psychologically. Ms Thernstrom does not have all the answers and sadly, she cannot say that she found a magic cure, but she tried a number of techniques and she can at least maintain a ‘normal’ life – something that I found hard to consider as I dealt with my short battle with pain.
The book recently became available in paperback or, of course, as an e-book.
Forty Years of Parachutes
September 20, 2011
At 84, you might think that Richard Bolles was ready to slow down. But the author of the seminal career coaching guide, “What Color is Your Parachute,” says that after 40 years of updating his work he has no intention of stopping.
Speaking at a recent meeting of the East Bay Coaches Chapter, Bolles left no doubt he has plenty of new ideas and that his books are still relevant as United States suffers through the worst recession in 60 years.
In an hour-long presentation that ranged from the humble beginnings of his book and career, to comments on modern politics he offered lessons on attitude, re-framing and relevance. Proving that he deserves the honor of the nation’s career coach.
He urged members to understand their own needs and experiences as a way to empathize with their clients. “What else do we live for? he asked, “than to use our experiences to help others?”
He suggested that coaches need to point out to their clients, depressed about lengthening unemployment, that despite the monthly numbers, there are still 6 million people who change jobs every month. “It’s all about attitude,” he told the group. Pointing out that if you think you won’t get the job you probably won’t. “Your job is to help your client be one of those 6 million.”
“Looking for a new job is now a survival skill, and we have to look at it that way,” he says. “just like food, clothing, or shelter.”
He says that while times have changed the basic dichotomy of how people look for jobs and how employers look for employees has stayed the same. “Employers just want to avoid mistakes, but potential employees still think that sending out millions of resumes will get them noticed. It won’t.”
Bolles has updated his “Parachute” books every year, except 1975, since it was first published in 1970. He includes a coaches appendix in the back but insists that, “people need to keep up. they have to have read my current edition, if they want to be included.”
Bolles, who lives in Danville, California, also had some pointed words for politicians, who he sees as short sighted as they cut back on the support system that US job seekers need, but more importantly he bemoans the lack of empathy he sees in Washington.
“I can’t believe that politicians and their supporters are cheering at the thought of people without health care, or the number of executions in a state.” he notes. Bolles says he has voted for both democrats and republicans, but adds, “this GOP is not mine, their only goal is to make sure Obama is a one-term President, so they can get his job.”
Bolles has been proclaimed “America’s Top Career Expert” and his books have been called among the most important of the last 80 years. But he says he plans to continue writing, holding workshops, and lecturing. “I’ll be updating my books,” he says “until I’m forced to say goodbye to my lovely wife.”
Finding a New Job-the Easy Way
September 19, 2011
I met a woman over the weekend who is starting a new job. In today’s economy that’s probably enough news for a feature story.
Since I’ve done my share of career counseling, I thought I would just chat with her for a few minutes and get some hard evidence that the suggestions I give people, really work.
I asked what skills she had that were transferable. Both of the jobs involve working with the public, but in much different ways. In her old job she was the office manager in a cemetery. In the new job she would be a public safety dispatcher. Other than dealing with people under stress I couldn’t find much in common.
Well, I suggested, maybe your networking paid off and you knew someone at the new company. “No,” she said, “I just saw the job advertised and applied. It was much closer to my home.”
Well, you must have certainly analyzed the job market and picked a field with opportunity. “No,” she reported, “I just wanted to do something different.” The fact that her new job is in the public sector, and was actually hiring, was a shock to both of us.
I continued to pepper her with questions about interview techniques, networking and the color of her parachute – all the sorts of questions I was sure would lead to some insight on how she used some valuable tidbit that would prove my techniques work.
Nice try Mr. Professional – this woman did it her way and it worked. She saw the job in the help wanted section, thought it would be interesting, applied, interviewed and was hired. Call the President, his new jobs bill is working!!
She was as amazed as me. She was just the right person, at the right time and she got the job. I guess that’s all you really need. Congratulations.
Local, World Politics
August 24, 2011
You never know when international news will make its way into your life.
I just got back from my local bank. It’s the only branch, in what qualifies as ‘downtown,’ in my little community of 5,000.
I had a bunch of checks to deposit and since there was no one else in the building, I listed them on the deposit slip and asked the teller to do the addition. While he was adding, I noticed his name looked Middle Eastern, and when he counted the checks in French I asked if he came from Northern Africa.
I guessed Morocco, but to my surprise he said, “Libya,” then added ,”It’s a good day to be Libyan.”
I couldn’t help but ask how felt about what was going on and it was clear that he was both proud of his native country and a bit worried. “I am very happy, not just for me, but for my father. He never thought he’d see the day…” His father is here with him but he admitted they were already thinking about when they could go back, at least to visit.
I asked what he thought would happen next and he offered,”It depends who takes control. If it’s a Muslim country – meaning the majority is of the Muslim faith, then it will not be a problem. But if the Islamists get a foothold and take over, it will be as if, a certain dictator never left.”
I asked about tribal conflict, which the Western press has been harping on, and he said, ‘The tribes are not a problem, It’s not like Iraq. The tribes are families, but they are all Libyan.” I wished him well and he offered his hand and a heartfelt,”thank you.”
You may think that international politics is far away, but to paraphrase Tip O’Neill “it’s all local.”