Aug. 21, 2017 "Apply lessons from the trail to your career path": Today I found this article by Harvey Schachter in the Globe and Mail:
Early in his 29-day trek along Spain’s famed Camino de Santiago trail, Victor Prince saw two people who seemed ill-prepared for the journey. An experienced walker, he had carefully packed the essentials, confining them to a backpack.
But this couple not only had backpacks but also shopping bags with the overflow, making their travels more cumbersome. He found himself inwardly laughing at their naïveté. Then he wondered: “Why do I have to cut someone down to feel better? Why do I have to brag?”
But this couple not only had backpacks but also shopping bags with the overflow, making their travels more cumbersome. He found himself inwardly laughing at their naïveté. Then he wondered: “Why do I have to cut someone down to feel better? Why do I have to brag?”
He had not set out on a spiritual quest, intending to meditate on life and improve himself. He likes trail walking and, since he doesn’t enjoy camping, this was one of the longer challenges available to him. He had just ended a two-year stint as chief operating officer of the U.S. government’s new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and had some time before he turned to consulting. He was out for physical exercise but found the passport for the journey literally was a passport to a better life for himself and others.
On the back of the passport, which is used to get stamps as each stage of the walk is completed, he noticed seven simple reminders of things pilgrims should do while on the Camino, which he used as the framework for his book The Camino Way, since they applied to work as well.
Welcome each day, its pleasures and challenges.
He learned to appreciate the pace of having a simple goal for each day, usually completing about 15 miles to reach the next place he could sleep. At work, we face a blizzard of daily to-dos. But he tries to mimic the Camino pace by picking one out as the day’s centerpiece – perhaps a meeting with a client – and ensuring he does it extremely well.
On the walk, meals were celebrations of achievement and he suggests adopting that outlook for your day: Breakfast, for him, marks completing his daily exercise regimen and dinner, the end of the day’s work rather than simply a pause before more toil.
He learned to appreciate the pace of having a simple goal for each day, usually completing about 15 miles to reach the next place he could sleep. At work, we face a blizzard of daily to-dos. But he tries to mimic the Camino pace by picking one out as the day’s centerpiece – perhaps a meeting with a client – and ensuring he does it extremely well.
On the walk, meals were celebrations of achievement and he suggests adopting that outlook for your day: Breakfast, for him, marks completing his daily exercise regimen and dinner, the end of the day’s work rather than simply a pause before more toil.
Make others feel welcome.
On the trail, people take time to introduce themselves and find out something about others’ lives. That contrasts with his previous habits when running meetings, trying to be as efficient as possible and avoiding small talk. “I learned the value of small talk. Talk is never small if it makes others feel welcome,” he says in an interview. Throughout your work day, take time to make others feel welcome.
On the trail, people take time to introduce themselves and find out something about others’ lives. That contrasts with his previous habits when running meetings, trying to be as efficient as possible and avoiding small talk. “I learned the value of small talk. Talk is never small if it makes others feel welcome,” he says in an interview. Throughout your work day, take time to make others feel welcome.
Share.
Sharing is the Camino Way, as travellers help each other. But he was also taken by how, in northeast Spain, a winery has set up a wine fountain for the trekkers, allowing them to fill their water bottles. What could you – or your company – give away, at modest cost that might be memorable for others?
Sharing is the Camino Way, as travellers help each other. But he was also taken by how, in northeast Spain, a winery has set up a wine fountain for the trekkers, allowing them to fill their water bottles. What could you – or your company – give away, at modest cost that might be memorable for others?
Live in the moment.
Before the trip, he packed enough audiobooks to cover 29 days. But he never listened to one. “That changed my Camino. It opened me to others,” he says.
While walking he also never heard a cellphone ring, because people knew it would disturb their journey and others’ peace of mind. Yes, in the evening, there would be e-mail checks and calls, but not during the walk. Similarly, rethink how you use what he calls your “weapons of mass distraction.”
Feel the spirit of those who have come before you.
People have been walking the Camino for thousands of years and today’s pilgrims are inspired by that legacy. At work, instead of being so focused on getting data before a big decision, why not talk to others who faced a similar situation?
“They can prevent you from looking like an idiot as you miss something others know,” he says. And when you enter a new leadership post, respect rather than dishonour those who came before.
Appreciate those who walk with you today.
Every day, he would pass a woman from France who was older and walked slowly. That daily “bonjour” to her became a cherished ritual and, at the end, when both attended a mass at a cathedral, they hugged each other joyously. Every day, we meet lots of people; nurture those relationships.
Imagine those who will follow you.
There is little litter on the Camino since most people try to keep the trail pristine for those who follow them. Similarly, in your work, look at the impact on the future and others who will be affected down the road.
Before the trip, he packed enough audiobooks to cover 29 days. But he never listened to one. “That changed my Camino. It opened me to others,” he says.
While walking he also never heard a cellphone ring, because people knew it would disturb their journey and others’ peace of mind. Yes, in the evening, there would be e-mail checks and calls, but not during the walk. Similarly, rethink how you use what he calls your “weapons of mass distraction.”
Feel the spirit of those who have come before you.
People have been walking the Camino for thousands of years and today’s pilgrims are inspired by that legacy. At work, instead of being so focused on getting data before a big decision, why not talk to others who faced a similar situation?
“They can prevent you from looking like an idiot as you miss something others know,” he says. And when you enter a new leadership post, respect rather than dishonour those who came before.
Appreciate those who walk with you today.
Every day, he would pass a woman from France who was older and walked slowly. That daily “bonjour” to her became a cherished ritual and, at the end, when both attended a mass at a cathedral, they hugged each other joyously. Every day, we meet lots of people; nurture those relationships.
Imagine those who will follow you.
There is little litter on the Camino since most people try to keep the trail pristine for those who follow them. Similarly, in your work, look at the impact on the future and others who will be affected down the road.
You don’t need to walk the Camino to take those lessons into your own life.
Special to The Globe and Mail
Victor Prince Author of The Camino Way, Consultant
Victor Prince Author of The Camino Way, Consultant
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/careers/management/seven-lessons-from-the-trail-to-apply-to-your-career-path/article36029174/
Sept. 1, 2017 "How do you know when it's time to leave your job": Today I found this article by Gord MacKay in the Globe and Mail:
Sir- I believe it is time to stop presenting this pablum . There is already enough of this claptrap to fill a garbage dump , and that is where it should be- right next to all of the cheese that has been moved.
Sept. 1, 2017 "How do you know when it's time to leave your job": Today I found this article by Gord MacKay in the Globe and Mail:
Gord MacKay is a certified career development facilitator with 20-plus years of experience in manufacturing
Many people find it difficult to recognize the signs that it's time to start looking for new employment. Do they see them but hope that things will improve, making a move unnecessary?
It's more likely that they do recognize the signs but succumb to a common aspect of human nature: to procrastinate until forced to take action.
Many people are content to carry on in whatever situation they're in because it's comfortable and familiar. People don't generally like change, and this becomes more pronounced as we age. So let's look at the signs that indicate that it might be time to move on to something new.
You've been in your position for five years or more, and there's no sign that a promotion is coming.
I once worked with a man who had been doing the same job (inside sales) as me for more than 20 years. I was in my early 20s and he was in his mid-40s.
I once worked with a man who had been doing the same job (inside sales) as me for more than 20 years. I was in my early 20s and he was in his mid-40s.
I asked him one day how he could do the same job for so long. He said that he enjoyed the work, was happy with the company and got regular pay increases. It didn't matter to him that there was no challenge in it.
I left a couple of years later to take an outside sales role with a competitor. There was no way I was going to do that inside sales job for half of my career, no matter how comfortable it may have been.
I left a couple of years later to take an outside sales role with a competitor. There was no way I was going to do that inside sales job for half of my career, no matter how comfortable it may have been.
People who came after you are moving ahead of you.
This could indicate that management doesn't consider you to be the right material for promotion. Perhaps they feel you're at the limit of your abilities. It's also possible that you may have declined previous opportunities for various reasons and they have decided to leave you where you are.
This happened to my dad. He declined a couple of promotions due to the locations of the positions and that was it. He was never offered anything above his position again.
This could indicate that management doesn't consider you to be the right material for promotion. Perhaps they feel you're at the limit of your abilities. It's also possible that you may have declined previous opportunities for various reasons and they have decided to leave you where you are.
This happened to my dad. He declined a couple of promotions due to the locations of the positions and that was it. He was never offered anything above his position again.
You don't get asked for input.
Whereas once you were included in strategy or development sessions, you're now on the outside. You don't even hear about certain meetings until after they've happened. It's a sign that others feel that you have nothing to contribute.
While it could be argued that this might also be a symptom of "clique-ism," the social aspect of it should be secondary. If the people involved felt that you could make a valuable contribution, you'd be invited to the meeting whether you were one of the gang or not.
Whereas once you were included in strategy or development sessions, you're now on the outside. You don't even hear about certain meetings until after they've happened. It's a sign that others feel that you have nothing to contribute.
While it could be argued that this might also be a symptom of "clique-ism," the social aspect of it should be secondary. If the people involved felt that you could make a valuable contribution, you'd be invited to the meeting whether you were one of the gang or not.
You apply for a role and your boss tells you that you're "too valuable in your current job" and that it would be difficult to replace you.
That's the oldest line out there. You are not too valuable to move or lose. Nobody is. Your boss is gently trying to tell you that you are not going to be considered for that position. It may be that the opinion is that you've reached the limits of your abilities and they have no wish to prove that the Peter Principle is alive and well.
That's the oldest line out there. You are not too valuable to move or lose. Nobody is. Your boss is gently trying to tell you that you are not going to be considered for that position. It may be that the opinion is that you've reached the limits of your abilities and they have no wish to prove that the Peter Principle is alive and well.
There's been a change in senior management, possibly due to a takeover or reorganization.
The new people at the top either favour other people or want to bring in fresh faces. This is something I experienced when my employer and another company were purchased by the same individual and then merged to form one bigger company.
Unfortunately for me, the senior management of the other company was put in charge of the new entity and they did not like the people from my former company. Despite having a good performance record, I felt unwelcome, unappreciated and unhappy. I left within a year.
The new people at the top either favour other people or want to bring in fresh faces. This is something I experienced when my employer and another company were purchased by the same individual and then merged to form one bigger company.
Unfortunately for me, the senior management of the other company was put in charge of the new entity and they did not like the people from my former company. Despite having a good performance record, I felt unwelcome, unappreciated and unhappy. I left within a year.
What can you do if you're seeing any of these signs, but don't want to wade into the employment market?
What can you do to improve your chances of being promoted? There are options.
When was the last time you participated in professional development?
When did you last take a career-related course that wasn't mandatory?
Have you let professional certifications lapse?
Have you ever updated your file with Human Resources to reflect volunteering or community activities?
Is management aware of any new or enhanced skills you've developed?
If you don't think these things matter, you haven't been paying attention and you can't always count on others, such as your immediate superior, to keep everyone informed. While it may rankle you to "blow your own horn," if you don't, nobody likely will.
What can you do to improve your chances of being promoted? There are options.
When was the last time you participated in professional development?
When did you last take a career-related course that wasn't mandatory?
Have you let professional certifications lapse?
Have you ever updated your file with Human Resources to reflect volunteering or community activities?
Is management aware of any new or enhanced skills you've developed?
If you don't think these things matter, you haven't been paying attention and you can't always count on others, such as your immediate superior, to keep everyone informed. While it may rankle you to "blow your own horn," if you don't, nobody likely will.
HabFan410
1 day ago
This advice may make sense for those aspiring to climb the corporate ladder. But there are many employees who do not aspire to the grief that comes with being a supervisor/manager. Good technical skills don't always make for good management skills, and lots of people lack the skills or interest to lead others.
If you enjoy and are satisfied with your job, you are one of the fortunate minority. There is nothing wrong with enjoying the ride for as long as it lasts. Nothing ever stays the same indefinitely. If circumstances change such that you are no longer satisfied/motivated and don't look forward to going to work, then it's time to move on.
6 Reactions
sageantoine
22 hours ago
You nailed it. Exactly what I was going to say.
Hide 1 reply
Chances are if you enjoy your job, you probably aren't reading an article entitled "How do you know when it's time to leave your job"..
The jolly hangman
13 hours ago
One important sign if your job is going to go is automation and globalization. If your job can be done by an algorithm or a robot it will be gone in 5 to 10 years. Look at Canadian Banks.
Great profits for shareholders with poisonous user fees, but they are shedding jobs like a snake sheds its skin in a push to digitize. If your job can be done by a Mexican or Chinese worker for a tenth the cost then sooner. Late stage capitalism creates wealth not jobs.
Great profits for shareholders with poisonous user fees, but they are shedding jobs like a snake sheds its skin in a push to digitize. If your job can be done by a Mexican or Chinese worker for a tenth the cost then sooner. Late stage capitalism creates wealth not jobs.
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