High 5 Weekly Career Transitions Roundup: 4 Things to Do on Sunday to Reduce Stress for the Week

This is our weekly roundup of some of the best career-related articles, interviews, blogs, etc., we've read during the week. We share them so you have some great resources to prepare you for the coming week. Enjoy!

• 4 Sunday Prep Activities That Will Curb Your Stress All Week: "If we don’t have an attack plan for the week, it can feel like we’re fighting a schedule hydra: Once we finish one task, two more take its place. And that’s not a fun place to be."

• How to Show You're Passionate in a Job Interview: "To succeed in your next job interview, you need to figure out how to convey what matters most to you. Here’s how."

• Why Being Generous is Critical to Your Business Success: "Whatever you sell, whatever you stand for, if you want to stand out and reap more rewards, you have to give more. The receivers of your gift will give you more in return."

• Building Employees into Leaders: "We already talked about ways individuals can develop their own leadership abilities, but as a leader, there are some steps you can take to give your team a little push in that direction."
• Ten Habits of Incredibly Happy People:"Happiness spreads through people. Surrounding yourself with happy people builds confidence, stimulates creativity, and it’s flat-out fun."

High 5 Weekly Career Transitions Roundup: How to Reach Your Most Ambitious Goals in 20 Minutes a Day

This is our weekly roundup of some of the best career-related articles, interviews, blogs, etc., we've read during the week. We share them so you have some great resources to prepare you for the coming week. Enjoy!

• Reaching Your Most Ambitious Goals in 20 Minutes a Day: "This approach will require radical clarity. Trying to get something done in 20 minutes when you have a limp plan will be about as compelling as a limp handshake."

• 7 Lessons Entrepreneurs Can Learn From Elite Athletes: "You must be willing to invest time and energy into achieving each of those mini goals. You must be willing to go above and beyond to achieve each step of your plan."

• A Brainstorming Exercise to Come Up With Better Business Ideas: "Once all of your ideas are down on paper, begin working across the columns, and place a checkmark next to each idea that fits within the parameters."

• 4 Reasons Slowing Down Will Make You More Successful: "Slow down and make time for clarity. You can't see where you're going if you're too busy running with your head down."
• Finding Passion in Your Job:"leaders are more willing to invest more effort, time and energy into improving a competency they care about than one they don’t."

High 5 Weekly Career Transitions Roundup: 5 Strategies for Your Most Productive Workday

This is our weekly roundup of some of the best career-related articles, interviews, blogs, etc., we've read during the week. We share them so you have some great resources to prepare you for the coming week. Enjoy!

• 5 Strategies for Your Most Productive Workday: "Because of the constant distractions, we have forgotten how to truly engage in 'deep work'—that is, focused thinking where we make meaningful progress on our most impactful projects."

• Reinvigorate Your Career By Taking the Right Kind of Risk: "Figuring out what no one else is doing, and then doing it well, offers the greatest possibility of success, rapid acceleration, and hyper-growth."

• 18 Ways for Digital Nomads to Make Money: "Over the next decade, it’s predicted that 38 percent of the full-time workforce in the U.S. will be remote, and there’s a crop of job sites dedicated to serving this shift to remote jobs and those seeking them."

• 8 Ways Leaders Waste Valuable Time and Energy: "Develop habits and strategies to minimize your access to distraction, keep your focus on the task at hand, and improve your overall ability to concentrate."
• How to Foster a Lifelong Passion For Your Industry: "Magazines and blogs are other resources to help you stay sharp. Even if you know more than the basics of your industry, they'll keep you updated on trends, technology, and news."

Daily Leap Career Video of the Week: How to Start a Business

Each week we present our Daily Leap Career Video of the Week. The video we share presents news or advice related to career and life development, searching for a job, the economy and employment, and other career-related topics.

The video below from The School of Life discusses how to start a business, and suggests that one factor should not be overlooked: love and a desire to share a product or service that we love a little more intensely than most others with the world. Watch the video for more.

High 5 Weekly Career Transitions Roundup: 4 Psychological Reasons You Aren't Attracting Success Into Your Life

This is our weekly roundup of some of the best career-related articles, interviews, blogs, etc., we've read during the week. We share them so you have some great resources to prepare you for the coming week. Enjoy!

• 4 Psychological Reasons You Aren't Attracting Success Into Your Life: "We create the outcome we (consciously or unconsciously) expect. Once you start assuming the best in people and assuming there will be positive outcomes in all situations, you’ll be surprised how right you can be."

• To Be Successful Take the Stairs, Says Richard Branson: "Take the slower route. You’ll be able to learn from your experience and better prepare yourself for a future of success."

• 4 Times When Aiming for "Good Enough" is a Great Productivity Strategy: "So if and when you find yourself stuck in this endless loop of revisions, you’re better off just picking something and committing to it. Because, honestly, either way is likely just fine."

• Why It's a Bad Idea to Follow Your Passion: "Following your passion isn’t necessarily a bad choice for a career, but there are some drawbacks people tend to ignore. Consider them carefully before choosing a field you’re passionate about."
• 5 Things Most Leaders are in Denial About: "That information shortage hurts working people and their employers in several ways. It keeps people from being able to make the best decisions, and creates stress."

Daily Leap Career Video of the Week: Living Your Passion as an Entrepreneur

Each week we present our Daily Leap Career Video of the Week. The video we share presents news or advice related to career and life development, searching for a job, the economy and employment, and other career-related topics.

In the video below from Fast Company, Andrew Deitchman, CEO of The New Stand, talks about living your passion as an entrepreneur and getting up each day to work on something that excites you.

4 Tips to Renew Your Passion for Work

Yes, it happens.

You lose that passion and drive you once had for your job. Instead of getting up with enthusiasm you reach for the snooze button on the alarm, or you start to feel the anxiety creeping up on you throughout the weekend in anticipation of that Monday return to work.

Sometimes it's not easy to restore your passion and enthusiasm you once had for your work. It might not be as simple as taking a few days off.

Consider taking a look at things from a new perspective in the following four ways:

1. Attend a conference. A conference provides a great opportunity to learn new things and hear from some motivational experts in your field. It also provides a great opportunity to meet new people who can help shake up your perspective and see your work in a new light.

2. Check out a new podcast. This can be particularly useful if you have a long commute or spend some time at the gym. There are so many incredibly useful and interesting podcasts out there that can help you gain new understanding of your field and the world. Next week we'll take a look at some of these and recommend some podcasts to add to your playlist.

3. Read a book. If you have time and enjoy reading there's never been a better time to find a great read. Head over to the library and check out the books on the new book stand and you're likely to find several fantastic books to challenge your view of the work you're doing.

4. Attend a special training. Don't have time or the money to attend a conference? Attend a local training session or an evening workshop on a topic of interest to you. Wherever you live, it's likely you'll find some excellent training or workshops put on by local libraries, nonprofit organizations, or community colleges.

Implement one, or better yet ... all four tips, and you'll be on the way to feeling more enthusiasm and energy for your work and career!

High 5 Weekly Career Transitions Roundup: 5 Ways You Are Sabotaging Your Job Search

This is our weekly roundup of some of the best career-related articles, interviews, blogs, etc., we've read during the week. We share them so you have some great resources to prepare you for the coming week. Enjoy!

• 5 Ways You Are Sabotaging Your Job Search: "You may be planning your retirement, but never say it publicly. It sends a message that you won't be fully committed to the job."
• 3 Ways to Discover Your True Passion: "Perhaps we don’t really want a new job, but we’re seeking growth and meaning in our work that we’re not currently finding. Is a new job the only solution or are there other things we can try without leaving our current job?"
• 4 Ways to Create an Amazing Workplace: "People want to put their mark on something meaningful and exciting. Potential recruits want to have a voice in an organization. By attracting a few good talented hires it can start a chain reaction for other potential recruits."
• How to Keep it Real While Building Your Network: "Even when you’ve firmly established yourself and your reputation, you should still expect to be giving quite a bit more than you’ll be receiving. Give before you make an ask and you’ll eventually see the fruits of your labor."
• What You Can Learn From the Excuses You Tell Yourself: "If you feel stuck, it could be that an excuse you’re telling yourself is holding you back. In this case, purposefully engage in perspective changing."

Daily Leap Career Video of the Week: Motivation to Make a Difference

Each week we present our Daily Leap Career Video of the Week. The video we share presents news or advice related to career and life development, searching for a job, the economy and employment, and other career-related topics.

Need some motivation to leave your mark on the world and do something with purpose and passion? Check out the video below from Absolute Motivation:

High 5 Weekly Career Transitions Roundup: 5 Career Questions to Ask Yourself

This is our weekly roundup of some of the best career-related articles, interviews, blogs, etc., we've read during the week. We share them so you have some great resources to prepare you for the coming week. Enjoy!

© Bellemedia | Stock Free Images & Dreamstime Stock Photos

• 5 Career Questions to Ask Yourself: "You first need to decide what sort of life you want and what role work will play in it. You can then adjust your expectations and needs regarding your career."


• 3 Keys to Being Fully Charged: "It is easier to improve your own happiness — and the well-being of others — when you focus on doing it right now. Taking small, meaningful actions today is the best way to make changes."


• 10 Ways to Become a More Confident Person: "Confidence-building is a virtuous cycle. No one but you is in the driver’s seat. All you have to do is buckle up and try something you've never tried before."


• Purpose is Good for You and for Business: "We believe that if more institutions—from work places to educational systems—were to embed programs and policies into their work that consciously cultivate purpose-directed individuals, we would see more passionate, engaged and flourishing employees."


• 6 Ways Your Significant Other Can Boost Your Career: "It always seems to mean more when your significant other tells you that you are smart, capable and skilled at what you do."

High 5 Weekly Career Transitions Roundup: How to Network Your Way to a Job Promotion

This is our weekly roundup of some of the best career-related articles, interviews, blogs, etc., we've read during the week. We share them so you have some great resources to prepare you for the coming week. Enjoy!

© Bellemedia | Stock Free Images & Dreamstime Stock Photos

• How to Network Your Way to a Job Promotion: "Your goal should be to get your boss to endorse your career advancement plan and actively help you find the next level role."


• 6 Techniques to Connect With Influential People: "Be good to everyone and when you need a connection, you might be surprised who will come to your aid."


• 11 Steps to Happiness at Work: "A key to being happy at work is to let go of grudges."


• The Surprising Truth About Passion, Purpose, and Fulfillment: "Start being in service to yourself by taking care of yourself and start serving others with your talents."


• Avoiding Six Common Job Interview Mistakes: "Your answers should be like concise mini-essays with a clear beginning, middle and end. Too short and it looks like you have little to say, too lengthy and you’ve probably babbled and missed the point."

High 5 Weekly Career Transitions Roundup: 15 Habits of Mentally Tough People

This is our weekly roundup of some of the best career-related articles, interviews, blogs, etc., we've read during the week. We share them so you have some great resources to prepare you for the coming week. Enjoy!

© Bellemedia | Stock Free Images & Dreamstime Stock Photos

• 6 Tips for Becoming a Good Boss: "Think about the traits you want your employees to mimic, and practice them. This will build trust and respect in your ability to manage through consensus and understanding."


• 15 Habits of Mentally Tough People: "The mentally tough also know how to exert self-control by saying no to themselves. They delay gratification and avoid impulsive action that causes harm."


• 10 Words to Remove from Your LinkedIn Profile: "I would stay away from these buzzwords, though, because you sound like everyone else. These words almost lose their meaning the more that people use them."


• For Entrepreneurs Preparation Beats Passion: "New research on hundreds of founders reveals that passion has nothing to do with results a few years out. What matters is preparedness."


• 5 Reasons to Add Purpose to Your Business: "Customers will generally choose the purpose-driven product over the brand without the cause.... For startups, you can knit the cause into the fabric of your business and allow it to influence every decision you make."

High 5 Weekly Career Transitions Roundup: 3 Tips to Identify Your Life Purpose

This is our weekly roundup of some of the best career-related articles, interviews, blogs, etc., we've read during the week. We share them so you have some great resources to prepare you for the coming week. Enjoy!

© Bellemedia | Stock Free Images & Dreamstime Stock Photos

• 3 Tips to Identify Your Life Purpose: "Look for a unifying thread or pattern that's consistent throughout your past experience that's also consistent with your passion and skills."


• How to Follow Your Dreams and Pay the Bills: "Whichever path you end up taking, make sure you make an informed decision and understand the short- and long-term financial implications. Choosing a career for its intrinsic reward is fine – as long as you can repay your debt and cover your bills."


• 5 Habits of People Who Always Get Promoted: "A large part of any business is helping people work together well. Super-employees make that a top priority. They look at relationships as something that’s critical to success in the business."


• You Don't Need a Promotion to Grow at Work: "Expanding your influence through actively mentoring others, building internal communities of practice, or stepping up to represent your organization with external bodies can forge satisfying new frontiers without changing roles."


• 10 Steps to Millennial Financial Success: "The biggest monthly expenses that most millennials have are rent and transportation. Making some sacrifices to keep those bills as low as possible can have a huge impact."

Daily Leap Career Video of the Week: Why You Will Fail to Have a Great Career

Each week we present our Daily Leap Career Video of the Week. The video we share presents news or advice related to career development, searching for a job, the economy and employment, and other career-related topics.

In this video, Canadian educator, storyteller, and youth advocate Larry Smith calls out the absurd excuses people invent when they fail to pursue their passions.

Learn more in the video below:

Daily Leap Career Video of the Week: Find Wealth in What You Love

Each week we present our Daily Leap Career Video of the Week. The video we share presents news or advice related to career development, searching for a job, the economy and employment, and other career-related topics.

In this video entrepreneur Peter Diamandis recommends discovering "that thing in the world that you love so much that you would do it whether someone pays you or not."

Learn more in the video below:

Turn Your Passion into a Career

Have you ever had a job where time literally flew by, where you loved going to work every day, where you felt happy and fulfilled at the end of most days? Often times, this situation occurs when we are doing something that we are passionate about. I always tell people that we spend too much of our lives working to be unhappy with what we do.

Have you ever considered following your passion in life and turning it into a career? Let's explore some methods you can use to do just that.

Tap into Your Volunteer Work
When people are passionate about something, they often find a way to be in the environment - even if it means they don't get paid. If you have been volunteering in the career field you want to move toward, highlight this experience and insider knowledge on your resume and tap into networking connections you have developed.

I met a man who was in the Air Force. At every base, he found a way to volunteer for the Forestry Department. When he transitioned out of the USAF, he wanted to be a forest ranger. He had already done the job, he just had not been paid for it. His resume started with and focused on his volunteer experience;  his work experience was simply icing on the cake.

Turn Your Part-time Hobbies into Full-time Work
Your passion may be something you do in your free time, outside of work hours. When people are truly passionate about something, they learn as much as they can about the subject matter. You may not have been paid for your knowledge before, but you still may be a subject matter expert.

I know someone who brewed his own beer as a hobby. He was very knowledgeable about the methods, ingredients, and different procedures because of the trial and error brewing he did at home. When someone asked him if he ever thought of pursuing this as a career, he said it had honestly never occurred to him. Within a week, he had found an opening at a small craft brewery in his hometown and applied for the job.

Explore Your Options
Everyone has an affinity or natural talent for something, they simply need to discover it. I like to ask people this question, "If you knew you could not fail, had the resources you needed, and were supported by family, friends, and community, what would you do?" Open your mind to the multitude of possibilities and dream big. However, it is also important to be realistic. Here are some questions you should ask yourself:

• Will following my passion require me to start a business? Do I have the right personality, resources, and knowledge to be a business owner?
• Will I still enjoy my passion if I have to focus on it 24/7?
• Is my passion something that people are willing to pay for?
• Is there a demand for what I do in the market?

Daily Leap Career Video of the Week: Follow Your Passion

Each week we present our Daily Leap Career Video of the Week. The video we share presents news or advice related to career development, searching for a job, the economy and employment, and other career-related topics.

In this video Warren Buffett shares his career advice to find something you are passionate about.

Watch the video below for more:

High 5 Weekly Career Transitions Roundup

This is our weekly roundup of some of the best career-related articles, interviews, blogs, etc., we've read during the week. We share these every weekend so you have some great resources to prepare you for the coming week. Enjoy!

© Bellemedia | Stock Free Images & Dreamstime Stock Photos

• Second Acts: Turning Your Passion Into a Paycheck: "For many who have spent their first half working for other people, the soul-searching often leads to entrepreneurship."


• The Skills Gap That's Slowing Down Your Career: If your speed bump is a lack of the right skills, it helps to first do a quick cost/benefit analysis to see if investing in an upgrade will be worth it."


• How to Build an Antifragile Career: "Most of you will fail, disrespected, impoverished, but we are grateful for the risks you are taking and the sacrifices you are making for the sake of the economic growth of the planet and pulling others out of poverty."


• Success Will Come and Go, But Integrity is Forever: "Building a reputation of integrity takes years, but it takes only a second to lose, so never allow yourself to ever do anything that would damage your integrity."


• A Better Way to Plan Your Career: "To prepare for whatever surprises lie ahead, try to make choices today that will maximize your options in the future. Gain transferable expertise — in the classroom or at work — and form close bonds with your peers and colleagues."

Doing What You Can't Not Do

For the Social Capitalist Tahl Raz, co-author of Never Eat Alone, interviewed author, speaker, and entrepreneur Jonathan Fields about his book, Uncertainty: Turning Fear and Doubt Into Fuel for Brilliance. Jonathan spoke about the importance of passion and about finding your calling:

"If you feel like what you’re doing is a calling, it changes how you exist within what you do. You tend to become far more committed to that thing you do and very often far more willing to work, not for the money, not for the prize or for the power or for the ego, but because this is the thing that you can’t not do."

© Melis82 | Stock Free Images & Dreamstime Stock Photos

You can listen to the entire interview or read the transcript here.

Steve Jobs and your iCareer

The world is still mourning the loss of Steve Jobs, the technology visionary who helped popularize the personal computer. Leading a fascinating yet private life, he opened up to a group of graduates in his now famous Stanford Commencement Speech. His oration-particularly regarding his formative years in college-reminds us of the essentials ingredients of creating a career that is as unique as we are...an iCareer, if you will.

Stop "doing:" Jobs dropped out of Reed College after realizing that he didn't know what he wanted to do with his life but his schooling was driving his parents into poverty. Calling it the "best decision he ever made," he stopped walking down the traditional path of high school to college to job because he knew that it wasn't working for him. In essence, he stopped "doing." We tend to associate not "doing" with lack of ambition or motivation. Jobs, however, learned that sometimes to "do" one needs to "not do." It affected his life, and impacted the world, profoundly.

Embracing your circumstances: When Jobs was poor and in college, he described how he slept on friends' floors, collected and returned soda bottles for money, and walked great distances for one good meal every week at a religious temple. He didn't get mired down in the unfortunateness of his circumstances: he survived in spite of them. His example serves as a reminder that when it comes to our careers there are highs and lows; how we approach our problems determines the measure of our character and the level of our success.

"Curiosity and intuition:" Free of the college's requirements, Jobs "dropped-in" on classes and pursued his own interests. He speaks rapturously about-of all topics-calligraphy and how studying it greatly influenced the design of the Macintosh. He credited studying calligraphy and what he learned about design as being a key element to Macintosh's success. By pursuing his curiosity and intuition-without a concern about how he was going to "use" this knowledge-lead to the creation of one of the greatest devices in history.

The core message of Jobs's collegiate years is one of trust, realizing that you are not able to connect the dots at the beginning of your journey, only the end. Very few people will experience the level of success and influence that he has. But-and I feel he would agree with me-if we were to pursue our passions and trust in ourselves more than we currently do, there would be more magically alive people on this earth creating and designing wonderful things that propel us towards peace and prosperity.

Be relentlessly unafraid. Be hopeful. And, above all, trust yourself.