CAREER
Can You See This Far?
By Dan Miller
48days.com
CBN.com
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Can You See This Far?
Chuck promised his 7-yr-old son Johnny that he would take him fishing on Saturday. The little boy waited eagerly for the day to arrive, but he awoke Saturday morning to the sound of rain. Johnny grumbled all morning, complaining and sharing his disappointment with everyone. But by 2:00 the rain ended, the sun came out and Johnny and his dad headed off for the fishing hole. The conditions seemed to be just right, and they came home with more fish than they had ever caught in an entire day.
At supper that evening, Johnny’s mother asked him to say grace. Johnny did – and concluded his prayer by saying – “and Lord, if I sounded grumpy earlier today, it was because I wasn’t able to see far enough ahead.” (Adapted from a James Ryle sermon -- http://www.truthworks.org/)
So how far ahead are you seeing? Are you just looking at the rain in your life today? Or can you see past that to the sun that will likely be there tomorrow?
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Performance Review
This is the time of year many of you will be facing the annual performance review. Does it really matter? Won’t you be guaranteed a raise because you’ve been there another year? The answers are Yes and No!
See the process of discussing your performance review as an opportunity to draw attention to your best contributions. Here are some tips for making it a positive addition to your career path:
- Keep your own record of special accomplishments.
- Get compliments in writing. When you go above the call of duty, ask for a brief written record of that from the person in charge.
- Be prepared. Don’t make the process confrontational. Offer evidence of what contributions you have made this year.
- Practice even your body language – don’t assume a defensive stance. Stay relaxed and friendly.
- If you have not had a performance review in at least the last year, ask for one.
- Check sites like Salary.com to see what the range should be for your position.
- Seniority means little in today’s workplace. Being there one more year does not assure a raise. Productivity and added contributions will get rewarded.
- Be prepared by knowing the reasonable salary range for your level of responsibility. Your age and length of time on this job has nothing to do with how you should be paid. Only your contributions and areas of responsibility determine what your compensation should be.
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But I Thought the Paint Was Wet!
There is a story about Russia in the days of the Czars. In the park of St. Petersburg Winter Palace there was a beautiful lawn, on that lawn a bench, and next to that bench, two guards. Every three hours the guards were changed. Yet no one could explain why these guards were guarding the bench. One day an ambitious young lieutenant was put in charge of the Palace Guard. He started wondering and asking questions. Finally, he found a little old man, the Palace historian.
“Yes,” the old man said, “I remember.” During the reign of Peter the Great, 200 years ago, the bench got a fresh coat of paint. The Czar was afraid that the ladies in waiting might get paint on their dresses. So he ordered one guard to watch the bench while the paint dried. The order was never rescinded. Then in 1908, all the guards of the Palace were doubled for fear of a revolution. So the bench has had two guards ever since.*
Every once in a while it’s wise to ask, “Why am I doing this?” The modern definition of “insanity” is to continue doing what you have been doing and yet expecting different results. Are you ignoring years of experience and knowledge only to continue doing what you have always done? If you want different results, you will have to do something different. If the paint dried years ago, move on! Plan now to stop guarding old paint in 2007.
* Paul Lee Tan, Th.D., Encyclopedia of 7,700 Illustrations
Quotes -- How to Change the World
This is the time of year when we talk about change. Here’s a good starting point: This is an inscription on the tomb of an Anglican Bishop in Westminster Abbey:
“When I was young and free and my imagination had no limits, I dreamed of changing the world.
As I grew older and wiser I discovered the world would not change –
So I shortened my sights somewhat and decided to change only my country, but it too seemed immovable.
As I grew into my twilight years, in one last desperate attempt, I settled for changing only my family, those closest to me, but alas, they would have none of it.
And now I realize as I lie on my deathbed, if I had only changed myself first, then by example I might have changed my family. From their inspiration and encouragement I would then have been able to better my country,
And who knows, I might have even changed the world.”
Dan Miller is the bestselling author of 48 Days To The Work You Love and a renowned Life Coach specializing in career fulfillment. His weekly newsletter reaches 70,000 subscribers. Dan’s articles are featured here at CBN every Tuesday, and you can find out more about Dan at www.48days.com.
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