Archive for June, 2009
Different Approach to Job Hunting
The last time I tried job-hunting the traditional way, I wasn’t able to find anything but McDonald’s. I didn’t have enough experience for a lot of the nicer jobs, or they just weren’t hiring. I did manage to get a better job, but it wasn’t until I changed my approach.
I had always just focused on getting a job. I used to just pick up the wanted ads and call everyone I could. I would hop on a bus, and apply to every group of buildings I saw. I filled out tons of applications, and the only job that helped me get was McDonald’s.
While at McDonald’s I figured that if I couldn’t get McDonald’s right than I was in trouble. So I did everything I could to really do everything I thought McDonald’s should do, and I did it by my standards. I didn’t use the quick sentences with our customers even when I was rushed because I knew that it made a bad impression. At first my manager was upset because this made me a little slower, but I eventually got faster, and customers kept on complimenting my customer service.
When I showed that I could do a good job, and that I did it consistently at a place where no one but the managers were expected to do a good job people started noticing. I didn’t know it than but my next job which was listed as one of the best places to work at would come out of that drive through window.
That was my first experience with networking to job hunt, and now I am at a point where I am going to be job hunting again, and while I have a lot to learn about networking I know that that is the approach I want to take. So here is what I’m doing this time. I’ll let you know how it goes on my blog, and if you have a better idea please leave a comment.
I’m going to be using meetup.com to start clubs, I’m going to be joining clubs, and I’m going to be volunteering. Anywhere that someone can see how I work is what I’m after. Most job hunts these days are done through networks, and I’m going to have to build a new one.
Here is a great post by Penelope Trunk that focuses on many of the points I’m going to be working on so that I can find a job.
Add comment June 30, 2009
Sir Ken Robinson TED talk
I missed posting this morning as the internet was down, and now I really can’t seem to focus enough to write. So instead I’m going to treat you to a great video, by a great author. Enjoy.
Add comment June 29, 2009
Bruce Lee Quotes
Forget his movies the mans life was absolutely amazing. Any insight that this man had is worth listening to. These are some of my favorite things that Bruce Lee said.
It’s not the daily increase but daily decrease. Hack away at the unessential.
I’m not in this world to live up to your expectations and you’re not in this world to live up to mine.
To hell with circumstances; I create opportunities.
Use only that which works, and take it from any place you can find it.
I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who had practiced one kick 10,000 times.
Adapt what is useful, reject what is useless, and add what is specifically your own.
Mistakes are always forgivable, if one has the courage to admit them.
Time means a lot to me because you see I am also a learner and am often lost in the joy of forever developing.
The key to immortality is first living a life worth remembering.
The meaning of life is that it is to be lived, and it is not to be traded and conceptualized and squeezed into a pattern of systems.
Art calls for complete mastery of techniques, developed by reflection within the soul.
Everything you do, if not in a relaxed state will be done at a lesser level than you are proficient. Thus the tensed expert marksman will aim at a level less than his/her student.
1 comment June 27, 2009
Justice and Mercy
I’m reading Plato’s Republic for an online class off of academic earth. In the book Socrates and his friends are challenging the old definitions of justice and looking for one that satisfies their reason. Everything else they talk about seems to branch off of this conversation about justice, the advantages/disadvantages of such, and what a just man looks like. While I enjoy reading Socrates I did not agree with all of the conclusions that he and his friends came too, and while I would of very much enjoyed having a discussion with Socrates on some of his ideas that is not the purpose of this post. I would like to talk about justice though.
When asked what law is most important Jesus famously answered with an answer that shows up in every religion, and every culture. To do unto others as you would have them do unto you. To judge others by the same standard that you wish to be judged by. I also believe that things normally work out this way. I’m not sure whether it is all in this world or the next, and I’m not sure how it works, but it is a point of faith for me, and its made me a more patient person.
When I started looking at justice this way, it made me really start getting conscious of my decisions on who was guilty, and than I started thinking that their are a lot of times when I would much prefer that I be judged with mercy. Through this point of view I started realizing that justice and mercy are not opposites, but in many situations, they are one and the same.
The biggest thing I’ve gotten out of this is that I had to ask myself when do I feel that I would deserve a punishment, and what punishment would that be. I than try to put myself in others shoes, and than judge accordingly. I know I’m not perfect at this, but I really do believe that one way or another I will be judged by the standard that I judge others. So justice will come through in the end.
Add comment June 26, 2009
Latent Super Powers
When I was little I really really wanted to be a superhero. I liked the idea of protecting people. I also liked how superhero stories usually had some good lessons like “with great power comes…” oh come on I don’t need to finish that one, and you know it. So I really dived into studying superheroes, and comic books in general. I even ran a comic book group at the Barnes and Noble I worked at for a while. While I was running said discussion group we had an evening that the answers ended up being particularly deep.
The night I went to focus on super powers I was expecting things to be cheesy and we were just going to have a good time. I got more than I expected and I was thrilled. The question I asked was if you could have one super power what would it be, and how does that fit you? The answers went right down to peoples core values, and self-image.
Than it was my turn to share, and I didn’t know what power would of been worth having. Super strength wouldn’t of helped me as I was clumsy, and I would be libel to accidentally hurt someone. Flight would probably end up with me in a laboratory being dissected. Hearing peoples thoughts would be not only a headache but I don’t want to take away that privacy, and than it hit me. Before I ask for more power, even if we were just goofing around, am I using all the powers I have as it is?
We were each born with unique talents, and the ability to add to those talents. But how many of us really know how to use them, or ever use them to their fullest. Honestly if we had extra powers all of the sudden how far would we take them? The answer goes individually, and it should be kept in mind that power is far easier to abuse than to use properly.
In the end I decided that the best power to have, may very well be in my grasp. The power of self mastery… to use all of the powers that I have to the fullest, and more importantly to use them appropriately. I’m trying to learn this power now, and sometimes I do better than other times. So far the powers that I have found so far that we each have are; the power to set limits on ourselves, the power to change those limits, we have the power to reinvent ourselves, and we all have the power to get better, and the power to learn from our mistakes thus turning even defeat into a form of victory. This is what I’ve started with, and its leading on an interesting journey.
May you tap all of your powers, and may this journey go well with you. I’ll keep posting the things that have made a difference for me, and hopefully this will help.
Add comment June 26, 2009
