Essentials: JobHunt Lesson 6: Bees Can't Fly and You Can't Work?

Lesson 6: Bees Can't Fly, You Can't Work and Other Lies

Yup, for years there was a theory that the little bug, bees, could not possibly fly. Scientists and other really-smart-people said that these round, tubby creatures with itty-bitty wings can't physically or aerodynamically fly.  

They do, the story goes, because nobody told them they can't.  If somehow we would get word to the bees that they cannot possibly fly and that they should just stop trying, then millions of bees would suddenly fall out of the sky never to fly again. 

What Bees teach you in your job hunt...

In the 1990’s, scientists used really...slow...motion...film to show that bees actually had adapted a way of beating their wings that was unique – not up and down but in a circular motion that made what had been thought impossible to be possible. 

Let us Talk about YOU: 

Do you ever hear that there are things you can't do because you are too short, fat, old, dumb, bald, poor or just too (fill-in-the-blank)??  Others say the same sad things over & over to you or worse yet, maybe you are saying them to yourself.  

Repeating these lies about who you are and what you are capable of can limit you so that you may never “fly” to where you are capable of. 

Back to my original point – if bees didn’t fly, 

think of the flowers that would never get pollinated, 

the honey that would never be made – 

we are all better off because bees do not worry about 

what they “cannot” do and they have adapted a new way 

because they thought they CAN. 

How about you?  The world would be a sadder place if you do not take the steps to be more than ‘they’ (or you) may think you can become.  

Speaking Frankly:

My high school friend Frank had a problem.  He wanted a career, but his guidance counselor kept saying no.  

Frank just had to aim lower.  Don't aim high, his counselor said  - it would only frustrate him to get rejected.  Avoid the frustration he was told and just aim lower. Frank told me he had one thing in his heart, but the counselor must know something he didn’t know, the counselor was the expert for crying out loud.  

But Frank followed his dream instead.

It had been years since I had seen Frank when we met last year.  He was the same affable guy I knew growing up and he was home on leave from the Navy.  You see his title is now Admiral Frank.  He got there by listening to the one expert about Frank who would always be with him, 

Frank himself.   

Making it Work:

1. What are 3 stories you know of where “everyone” thought something would happen and it did not?  It does not matter where the story comes from – politics, sports, weather.   Now write them down.  

2. What are three stories you have heard about other people (like family members, Babe Ruth, others?) who were told they had limits but they went on to success anyway.  Write them down, too. 

3. What are three things you have heard about your limits?  

Write down 3 supposed limits – and take a long look at them.  List ways you can prove them wrong through hard work or, like the bees adapting to get things done another way.  

Through the Tool Kit Series together we will have fun proving them wrong.  

Please remember something I tell others at the groups I run:  

“Every great idea, every dream that ever was started with 

someone dreaming it and a thousand other people saying 

‘Are you crazy?’”  

Prove them wrong and Keep On Dreaming.

Other Lessons: 

Lessons from the Babe:  Lesson 2.

Essential: Where do you put YOUR but?  Lesson 3

Workshop 5 Essentials: Comparing yourself to Buddy...

Comparing Yourself to Buddy

You have great gifts and talents inside of you.  For those of you thinking 'hey, George, you don’t KNOW me, how can you be so sure?'  I know because I know “Buddy”.

Compare yourself to your favorite stuffed animal, like my favorite fictional person, Buddy - - a 'person' without ANY real skills or motivation (OK, he knows how to breathe in and out, but that is about it.)

From the days I taught preschool kids, I have loved the lazy bones who is “Buddy”.  Take a moment and picture him, folks.  He never went to school and has only hung around watching television, not developing any work skills, responsibilities, social skills or hobbies.   Now down to business...

Making It Work:

Below write down 25 ways you are different from Buddy.  

For a more advanced version, compare yourself to a 'Buddy' at your job, school or neighborhood  (Hint: you can spot him pretty easily at work, he acts a lot like the potted plants in the lobby).  Need help?

** List ways others have given you responsibility & you have performed well.  

** Write the skills you have gained, from playing guitar to cooking 

to not mixing darks & lights in the laundry.  

** Abilities for dealing with people, from selling cookies at fundraisers 

to giving compassion to others in their time of need.  

**   Ways you have proven being trustworthy (honest), loyal & brave (such as how you meet and beat the challenges you face each day).  

**  List how you have worked independently meeting goals/responsibilities.   

**   How do you respond to the needs of others? 

Remember when you babysat the terrible Tanner triplets 

and you all survived the night?  

Or when you had to learn about new medications 

your grandmother was on so you could better care for her?  

Or that school project you completed with others as a team? 

Have fun letting your mind wander when building your list.  Compare yourself to that stuffed animal or co-worker who never helps train other employees, never works overtime on short notice or working with difficult clients.  Keep in mind, how are you different from “Buddy” and do not worry about being too full of yourself because you are comparing yourself to a blank slate after all. 

Let your imagination roam to areas that may not seem job related, but that show your character and skills. 

Once you have listed the first 25 examples

add 20 more.

These set you apart from your job hunting competition.  Now put letters next to the items on your list:
H: Which ones are related to how you relate well to others?
E: Which relate to how you have energy and drive?
R: Which show your ability to learn things?
O: Which show you have integrity and honesty?

Keep this list handy, it will come up again in the Tool Kit and in preparing for your future.   Onward!

My ‘Buddy’ List

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4th FREE Workshop & Video - Are Your References Animals?!

Keep Your References From Becoming ANIMALS!

The Job Hunting Tool Kit provides the employer's point of view to help job hunters and the counselors and families that care for them.  
For now we return to Valentine's Diner with a message for you. 

I am George Valentine, owner of "Valentine's Diner", the best Diner on the 'net - here to give job hunters and counselors the point of view the employer - the only point of view that really matters in the job interview, right?  

Like references!  You would think an applicant would treat them well, but by the time I call them many have turned into animals. Here's how to keep this crushing mistake from happening to you.

First Up, the Owl!
Yesterday I got an applicant Willie Makit wanting a job at my diner.  First reference was Sadie Agen who quickly turned from a woman into an owl.  I mentioned Willie's name and she just kept saying "Whooooo?  Whooooo?" not recognizing his name.

It could have turned out better for Willie if he had tried to make Sadie feel like part of his success and keep her up-to-date on the job hunt.    He will get a job someday and Sadie could help him celebrate - but she's forgotten she is a reference and Willie has strike one.

Rough call
Next up is a woman named Betty Kant and she turned into a sheepdog!  I mentioned that Willie was hoping to work in a diner and I wondered if she thought it was a good or bad idea for him to work there.  I asked if working here would be a good fit for his skills and capabilities.  

She said "rough, rough".  After more thought about the fit, she said  "baaaad".

If Willie had talked with her of his experience and connected it with Betty to how his skills matched the work here at the diner, it may have worked but for now it is 'strike two'.

Fishy
Next reference looked encouraging, the Pepto Diner.  Quickly, the person I talked to there only mentioned date of hire and date of dismissal from the job.  Then that person turned into a fish!  All that person said was "glub, glub, glub".  No information at all.

I appreciate that in the 21st century, there will be employers hesitant to say more than this fish talk.  Willie should know that for ever one of these references, I need a real person.  Call that one a foul ball, still strike two.

Now I come to a fellow named Noah Wei, a personal reference.  When I called and asked about Willie's readiness to go to work, would he give a positive review?  Noah turned into a goat!  Every question was met with a "nahhhhh".  Come to find out that Noah was angry with Willie ever since he asked Noah to "use him as a reference".  In short, Noah felt just that way, used.

If only Willie had shown appreciation for his friend helping by taking an unannounced call from a stranger - that is what a reference does after all.  Take that as a lesson and show appreciation and don't strike out.

Making It Work:
Follow these four steps to keeping your references on your side - 

1. Keep your references up to date on your hunt and your efforts to find a job.  Don't say "no I did not find a job again today" but "here is where I am applying, I am still motivated". 

2. Related to that remember to tell people where you are applying and remind them of your experience with them as a helpful, thoughtful and valuable person.  

3. Know the employers who will give just the basic information.  You cannot change them but know that the next employer wants more so you will need another reference.

4.  Do not USE people as references but instead ask them to be part of your success.  Show them you appreciate their time and support even BEFORE you land that job. 

Now I have to go, I am all set to bring my grandson to the zoo to meet some real animals.   In the meantime, take my advice and keep your references connected, focused and appreciated.

FREE Workshop #2 - Learning from the Babe (bonus video)

As promised... HERE is your second FREE Workshop from the Job Hunting Tool Kit.  For you, the job hunter and for the people who care for hunters - counselors or family members.  

This one is a workshop (with a bonus video) with a lesson from a world famous man known to millions as "|The Babe" 

Enjoy...

George Ruth's Job hunting lesson for YOU

In his time, George “Babe” Ruth was one of the greatest and one of the worst ballplayers in the USA.  Sure, he held the record for most home runs -- many people remember pictures of him standing alongside home plate watching yet another shot fly over the outfield wall.

There are also pictures of Babe walking back to the dugout after just striking out... again.  You see the “Sultan of Swat” was the greatest striker-outer of his era, too. 

Think about that for a moment.  The Babe could have walked around with a mental picture of himself booming homers and had great confidence every time he played.  He could also have pictured himself and the hundreds of times he would walk sadly, slinking back to the dugout after 'striking out, again.  It is all just a matter of perspective.

In job hunting you are facing some of the things the Babe felt.   Throughout the hunt you have faced disappointment and you have enjoyed some levels of success (hey, you knew enough to get this book, right?)

It is all up to you and how you look at yourself in the mirror. Remembering your home runs is a whole lot more fun, more satisfying and gives you more energy than dragging your feet and keeping the picture in your mind of striking out again.  When meeting an employer, picture yourself cracking a home run.   It'll show in your stride.

Tom Edison, inventor of the incandescent light bulb, tried & failed over 2000 times to put together what later was one of history's greatest inventions.  Asked what he learned from months and months lost time and failures, he said ”I learned 2000 ways not to make a light bulb.”  It's all about perspective.

Making It Work:

Take a moment and draw two pictures of yourself.  In the first draw a picture showing you doing something you have accomplished (learned, did, and met an important responsibility).  Now write a caption describing the picture and what you are thinking at the time. 

Under the other draw a picture of you accomplishing something you want to be doing someday.  Now write a caption about how you are feeling about doing that someday soon. 

Hey, HAVE SOME FUN & draw the pictures. It’s OK to erase and rewrite, but please have some fun.  Make them things you will enjoy remembering in the days ahead when you hit home runs and make the occasional strike out. 

Remember that your life is an unfinished 'picture' with many miles to go and lessons to learn.

Picture #1

Picture #2