Are you happy with your career?

Most people are unhappy with their careers. The research proves that people need to find work that makes them happy.

You can’t rely on anyone else to make you happy.

The question is, “Why don’t the unhappy people find more satisfying work?”

I believe it’s fear.

I know it’s fear.

One more time from the mountain tops – Fear!

Most people would rather complain about their current crappy job instead of finding work that will make them happier. Your career alone isn’t going to be the magic happy pill. Your career is just a part of the whole system.

You may be unhappy in your current position and finding a new job will make you happy for a few months until you fall back into the same old habits. You usually fall back into these old habits because you are afraid of something – either the work, the people, or yourself.

The only way you are going to break these habits is by finding the core of the problem.

You have to walk up to your fear and have an honest conversation.

I like to call my fear my arch nemesis. It’s that little voice inside my head that says I’m not good enough. I actually gave him a name: Dr. Oatzel. By giving that voice a name, it became more tangible, as if I could go up to him and say, “Why do you want to wreck my happiness?”

Defining Your Career

Your career is dependent on how you embrace change. Within change is a big fat fear sausage. This fear, if you let it, will dictate your actions. If you keep taking the safe route you’ll end up with indigestion that never goes away.

Believe me, I’ve been there.

I’ve stayed at safe jobs to keep adding to my 401k, but I felt miserable the whole time. I was stressed out and hating my life.

It wasn’t until I created goals to help me launch my own business that I began to lead from my heart instead of my fear.

Career Bliss

The career that you are developing right now is either setting you up for happiness or sadness. If you are doing work you hate, you are creating a crappy existence. When you do work that engages your heart and mind you don’t worry about what you are possibly doing wrong. You focus on what you are doing right.

You must create a career that’s going to excite you to your core.

If you are just going through the motions, you are living to exist instead of thrive. I hate to see this. I want to see everyone using their superpowers so they can do great work

Fear to Fuel

Nathan Hangen and I created a product called Fear to Fuel – Stop Resisting and Start Creating. It was designed to help two different types of people.

Who this e-course is for

1. People who want to start a small business, but don’t know how to overcome the fear.

2. Small business owners who want to overcome their fear, so they can get unstuck and take their business to the next level.

Nathan and I are both familiar with procrastination that can exist in both of these situations. We’ve worked hard to engage these emotions and use them to our advantage. We know you can do the same thing.

This course is for the creative types. It’s for the people who want to share their writing with the world and actually make some money from it. It’s also for those artists who don’t think that they can make a living from their art. And lastly for people who procrastinate on doing work they love because it’s easier to do work they aren’t passionate about.

This course isn’t for everyone. We know that.

Who this e-course isn’t for:

If you are happy working for someone else then this e-course isn’t for you. Not everyone wants to go through the hassle of developing a business. Don’t worry, I’m creating an e-course for you too. You just have to be patient.

Your Fear

The fear that drives your procrastination is holding you back. If you are tired of letting your arch nemesis control your life, then the Fear to Fuel course is something you should seriously consider.

100% Guarantee

If you don’t love the course we offer a 100% money back guarantee. It’s a win-win. We do ask that you pass the information on to a friend who might be a better fit for the course.

Tired of Being Modest

I know I don’t usually promote my products on this blog. I was afraid of being too pushy. The thing is that I’m so proud of this product that I want everyone to know about it, so I’m not afraid to shout its praises on my blog.

Your Help

Do you someone that hates their job and she needs to take her career in a new direction?

You can be of great help. Let your friend know about this awesome product. You can email them, post on twitter or Facebook, or drag them away from the TV and show them how they could use such an e-course.

Why It’s So Good

Fear to Fuel has over 10 hours of audio, 9 PDF modules, 14 action sheets to go along with each interview and a marketing module. It’s a complete system that will help you launch or build a stronger business.

Comments are Closed

I closed the comments because I would like you to pass this blog post on to 3.5 friends. I know some of you have half a friend.

Download the Free eBook Work Happy the Google Way * Post from: Work Happy Now!

If I’m doing something hard, my brain wants to escape. My ADD kicks up a notch and before I realize it my focus has shifted and I’m doing something else.

I’ve figured out how to reduce my procrastination problem by 90%. I don’t want to give up that last 10% because I love day dreaming, doodling, and contemplating too much.

As I’m working, I have a “1 next thing” list. The task I’m working on and the thing that I will do next.

For example:

- Write “The Ultimate Procrastination Remedy” blog post.

What usually happens is I hit a small wall and my focus wants to shift to something easier. I’ll write this idea down (write an email response to Leo of Zen Habits), so I don’t forget it and I can get back to working on my present project.

1 Next Thing

This “next thing” is a lot easier than working on a blog post, so I’m drawn to it, but as you probably know procrastination hinders results when abused.

The best part is that I get to do something that I want to do next. I have a master list, but I’ve stopped forcing myself to follow this to the T for 8 hours a day.

Here is a sample of my super simple and bad ass “1 Next Thing” list:

• Edit eBook (Strike it out when I’m done or tired and move on to the next thing – this strike out technique is a must. It makes me feel accomplished)
• Write comment on Marelisa’s Abundance Blog
• Stretch for 5 minutes
• Write a Blog Post on the importance of taking leisure breaks

Why It Works

By writing down what I’m going to do next, I take the pressure off of myself. I know it will be done next, so this allows me to enjoy the work I’m presently doing.

Working in the present moment helps me stay in my flow. I know that I will get to that next thing after I’ve accomplished this present task first. I can stay calm and knock out what I set out to do.

By using this list, I’ve stopped trying to hop around between 5 tasks. If a third idea pops in my head, I write it on my main list to be considered for later.

It’s that simple and that’s why it works.

Try a “1 Next Thing” list for yourself and watch your enjoyment increase as well as your productivity. Yep, it’s really that easy.

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Working happy is all well and good, but if you can’t manage your finances then you can’t focus on being happy at work. That’s why I read Get Rich Slowly. The writing is superb and there are always so many great ideas on living a frugal and enjoyable life.

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If you liked what you read today then why not join in and get your almost daily work happiness article in your feedreader or your email. You’ll be glad you did.

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If your not sure how good the almost daily articles are then check these out:

• Work Happiness Expert – Tony Hsieh of Zappos
• 28 Lessons on Working Happy From My Icelandic Mother
• The Work Buzz

Download the Free eBook Work Happy the Google Way * Post from: Work Happy Now!

(If you have trouble viewing this video click here and watch it at Work Happy Now)

Stress can be a great teacher if we are willing to listen. I’m not always in the mood for listening, especially to my big bully “stress,” but lately I’ve been having civil conversations with these feelings and we’ve learned to become friends. 

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When I’m in need of a creative adjustment, I visit Lateral Action. They fix me almost every time.

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Twitter is a great work happiness tool, so join me and let’s work happy together @workhappynow.

If you enjoyed this video then check these unique takes on work:

• Unleash Your Creative Beast
• Enjoy the Nitty Gritty Details
• You Are Awesome

Download the Free eBook Work Happy the Google Way * Post from: Work Happy Now!

I’ve been working on my procrastination habits. Havi of the Fluent Self has a great procrastination program that many of you should consider buying if you have trouble with getting stuff done. Here is my review of her program.

Havi’s programs gave me the idea to design a little ritual to put myself in the right frame of mind before I continue working on a project. My problem was not being able to start. My problem has always been finishing. My procrastination kicks in when I’m in the final stages of the project. I begin second guessing myself and its direction.

My Ebook

My latest project is an ebook/series about Google’s best practices. I’m using it to entice people to subscribe to my RSS feed. Registration is in the upper right corner. If you’re not ready to work happy now then please don’t sign-up. (pause) Arrgh! I knew that you would probably see through my ploy (reverse psychology), but I thought I would give it a try. The ebook will be there when you are ready for work happiness tips from Google. I just know you are going to love this ebook when it comes out.

So first I’m going to make myself accountable and say that my ebook/series will be available by January 7, 2009. Don’t worry about this excellent resource costing you $19.95. It will be free. It’s free because I want to give more value to you my dear reader.

My issue with procrastination – every time I sit down to do the work, I end up checking my email or doing some blog marketing instead. It’s my Achilles heel. It’s easier to just jump into this other work because it doesn’t require as much intensive brain power. I’m also afraid of failure and I’m not afraid to admit it. The ebook isn’t perfect (what ebook is?), but it was written to help spread the brilliant ideas that Google uses to encourage great work.

Back to my Ritual

I love rituals because they help reinforce good habits. Praying before bed sets the mood for your sleep, or your morning routine before work helps look and smell terrific, setting the tone for the day.

Here is my ebook ritual that I use before I begin working on it. It’s helped me focus my energy, stay relaxed and accomplish high-quality work.

My Ebook Ritual

1. Clean off desk – (It’s almost always a mess, because I’m working on various projects. Putting my stuff away is a whole different issue that we’ll explore at a later date). This forces me to only focus on the task at hand.
2. Close all open windows on my computer - When I see other windows open I’m inclined to do a quick email check.
3. Put on music to fit the mood that I need to be in – intense (Bach or Mozart), calming (Yoga style trance), or exciting (dance style). It all depends on how I feel and the mood that I want to create. The volume also varies depending on what I need to get done.
4. Make a list of what I want to accomplish – No time frame. When I put myself on a time frame it stresses me out. I just set my goals and try to get them done. If you need a time frame then go for it. Sometime we need a little stress to motivate us.
5. A one minute relaxation – I take 60 seconds to calm my mind and put myself in a mindset that encourages good work. Click here to check out one of my favorite relaxations.
6. Self coaching – I ask myself, “How I can enjoy the work?” I think of the “present me” – actually doing the work and how I can get pleasure out of it. As well as the “future me” – how accomplishing this task will improve my life. This keeps me motivated throughout my work.
7. Get started – This is where I used to hesitate, but now I just jump in because I have prepared myself for what I want to get done.

It works!

My ebook (big project) ritual usually only takes 5 – 10 minutes, but saves me an hour of procrastination. I’ve stopped putting big projects off to later in the day. Your mind is most fresh after you wake up. By getting an early start on the big project I can exhaust myself then save the less intensive tasks (email) for later in the day.

This might not work for you, but try tweaking it. Maybe you want to light a candle to signify your burning desire to get your stuff done or maybe you want to do some push-ups to get your heart pumping. Whatever you do, I believe that a ritual helps set the tone for your project and encourages you. Instead of being a big bully, forcing yourself to do work.

By creating your own ritual you’ll promote the right frame of mind that accomplishes great work and also feels fun.

If you liked this post I have a feeling you’ll enjoy:

• 6 Exercise Hacks While You Are At Work
• 55 Tips to Make Work More Fun
• You Should be Celebrating Your Average and Tiny Successes

Download the Free eBook Work Happy the Google Way * Post from: Work Happy Now!

I’ve been blessed to do an interview with Havi of Fluent Self and her sidekick (Selma, her duck). Don’t tell Selma that I called her a sidekick.

Havi is an expert in patterns, procrastination, and calming techniques – all qualities that many of us are looking to improve. Selma is an expert in floating in the tub. Both of them make a great team. Let’s welcome Havi and Selma.

Thanks for joining me in this interview. Let’s get right into it.

Work Happy Now: After reading Procrastination Dissolve-o-matic (Havi’s procrastination program for people who want to work on their internal blockage so they can get their projects done) I learned some fantastic techniques, but I’m curious – can you describe the technique that works best for you when you are putting something off?

Havi: Lately I’ve mostly been using the focusing yoga mudra that I teach in the book to turn my attention inward, and then I actively let myself NOT WANT to do the thing I think I have to be doing. 

Once I’ve softened some of that internal resistance, I check in and find out if there’s something I can do differently. I also give myself five minutes to NOT do the thing and to not want to do it at all. 

WHN: The perfectionism syndrome that you described in your book really resonated with me. I too want my projects to be perfect and it keeps me from actually doing the work. How did you overcome this?

Havi: Oh boy. Lots of practice. Lots of reminding myself that everything you do is in flux. Things can always be improved upon, so it’s a matter of finding out: when are you going to just let things be the way they are right now? 

Also, one of the things I’ve learned from teaching is that I actually teach much better when it’s spontaneous than when I’m fabulously over-prepared. So that’s helped me get better at releasing the need for ridiculously intense hard-core preparation

WHN: The idea of actually enjoying the work is a difficult concept. Many of us were raised to push ourselves to get the work done, not actually enjoy it. It’s the “work for the weekend” attitude. How do we overcome such deeply ingrained resistance?

Havi: Well, you want to make sure you’re also not guilting yourself here with the whole “how come I can’t enjoy it” thing … it’s important to figure out which parts or aspect of the work trigger your resistance so you can shift your focus. 

The work is really just a reflection of your own relationship with yourself … and as you work on that relationship, it gets easier to be a bit more playful with the work. But the truth is that sometimes work does suck. It’s not always going to be fun. The question is, how can you meet yourself where you are when you’re not getting what you need from the work, and give yourself comfort and caring and better options.

WHN: Learning to be a detective with your patterns is a fantastic idea. I think it will help me avoid getting too caught up in my emotions. Can you explain why it’s helpful to become a detective with your patterns?

Havi: If you’re “fighting” your patterns, you get too involved in mastering them and kicking them. But when you’re noticing them, studying and learning from them, picking up clues like a detective — you have some emotional distance from your pain. 

This (paradoxically) allows you to get closer to what’s really going on with your patterns — so you can start giving yourself what you need.

WHN: Many of us are hard on ourselves. I’m my own worst critic. I’m learning to become more of a inspiring coach to myself, but it’s tough. How does someone cultivate as you put it “the lover” within themselves?

Havi: Well, as I think the point I tried to get across in the book is that this is really the advanced practice. You don’t start there. No one does. 

Instead you start with noticing where you’re hard on yourself  and asking yourself whether it’s possible to maybe eventually be able to stand being around yourself some day, despite the fact that you think you’re a mess and it’s all so miserable. That is absolutely step one. 

I don’t think we need to rush into pushing towards inspiration, since that often just triggers more resistance. I think it’s all about figuring out where you are and then meeting yourself there. 

WHN: I thought your blog post about Planting Clues was a great tool to stay on top of our stuff. You talk about this in your book. How does someone plant clues that will encourage them to do their project or task?

Havi: I have one client who has been putting off working on her new website. She decided that she needed reminders of how meaningful her actual work is for her and how much it grounds her. So we had her take a pebble from her garden and keep it in her pocket. It’s her “meaning and grounding” pebble. It may be a bit cheesy, but it totally makes her feel better. It’s a steady reminder of why she’s doing this work to put what she does out there into the world. 

WHN: I grew up looking at a mountain and only seeing more mountains. It creates resistance due to futility. When you are consulting with a person with this attitude, what do you recommend that they do to reduce their avoidance and get their stuff done?

Havi: Yeah, that’s really hard and frustrating. Sometimes it seems like there’s nothing but more horrible ahead, so you just do what you can to meet yourself where you are with that. 

Notice the avoidance. Notice what triggers resistance. Allow yourself to NOT WANT to do the thing, whatever it is. You’re entitled to not want to do it. Allowing yourself to feel like it’s all a big waste of time is part of the process of getting back to the point where you can get excited about where you’re going. 

That’s what’s going to help you find some of the playfulness and … who knows, maybe even a little adventure. 

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Thank to Havi for such a great interview. I know that this will help many of my readers overcome their procrastination. If my readers want to take their career to the next level I recommend Havi and Selma’s program. It’s worth every penny. Havi also does consultations if anyone ever needs to work through any roadblocks to optimal potential.

Click here to check out my review or Procrastination Dissolve-o-matic.

Articles Related to Getting Stuff Done:

• Procrastination Dissolve-o-Matic Program Review
• How Transitions Can Dramatically Improve Your Productivity
• Failures You Should Either Release or Keep Pursuing

Download the Free eBook Work Happy the Google Way * Post from: Work Happy Now!

Havi from the Fluent Self and her sidekick (Selma, her duck) have put together a fantastic “get your stuff done and stop beating yourself up about it when you don’t” program. I would give it four thumbs up if I had four thumbs. Four thumbs? I’ll just borrow yours. Believe me you’ll give this program two thumbs up.

The Procrastination Dissolve-o-Matic covers internal blocks and tried and true productivity techniques. As we all know the only way to get stuff done is to understand why we avoid it in the first place. We don’t avoid meeting our best friend at the local coffee shop. So why do we avoid that email or report?

We usually procrastinate the stuff that brings up uncomfortable feelings that we want to avoid. This program helps break these patterns down so we can change our habits.

Three A’s

Havi describes it as:

• Acknowledge
• Allow
• Act

The three A’s that help us overcome our emotional baggage.

We beat ourselves up when we don’t get our stuff done. We look back on the day and wonder where the time went. We know where the time went. It was sucked up by email, the phone, and meetings. It’s important to acknowledge these failures and stop trying to whip ourselves into shape.

If all we do is whip our asses into shape then we’ll just end up with sore asses.

We think that if we are hard on ourselves then eventually it will sink in and we’ll start knocking out the work. How naïve can we be? If our ass kicking hasn’t worked to this point then it probably won’t ever work.

We must feel these blockages, understand why the resistance is there, and figure out how to overcome them.

Gathering this self knowledge will lead you to make decisions that will help you use your patterns to overcome procrastination. Once you come to these informed decisions, all that’s left to do is act on them.

It Really is Up to You

It’s up to you to put yourself in a winning situation, that’s what the last half of the book is all about. This program gives you seven productivity techniques that will help you take action. My favorite was number #4 – Apply Pam’s Algorithm. Chopping down projects into smaller tasks and making them so digestible that it almost doesn’t seem like work. You can accomplish quick amounts of work and know exactly what to do next.

The program is a bit pricey at $108, but in my mind worth the effort, especially if you try these techniques and implement them. I’ve created a little preparation ritual to help me finish my ebook. It has done wonders for me. That’s all you can ask for in any knowledge based program – a few concrete ideas that you can apply to your life.

There is no magic fairy dust that will end your procrastination, although Havi does have a fairy dust method that has helped me calm my anxiety before I begin a project. I digress… It’s up to you to keep adding to your tool chest of good habits. Hopefully over time you stop beating yourself up about the stuff you don’t get done (You need some “me time” too) and appreciate all the hard work that you do for your family, your projects and your own happiness.

If you want a little sample of Havi’s program click this link here and you’ll get a little taste of her skills that will leave you wanting more.

When do you procrastinate? Why do you think you hold yourself back from just doing it?

Do you want more reviews like this? Then help me out and subscribe to my RSS feed and help me spread the Work Happy Now cause.

Check back on Sunday and I’ll have an Interview with Havi that will delight your senses. So much so that you’ll feel like floating away from your computer and doing some great work. You’ll laugh in the face of procrastination.

Related Articles that Will get Your Work Happiness Mojo Rising:

•  How Transitions Can Dramatically Improve Your Productivity
• 5 Fun and Easy Tips to Let the “Real You” Shine Through at Work, Southwest Airlines Style
• 30 Seconds of Laughing and a Few Minutes of Learning

Download the Free eBook Work Happy the Google Way * Post from: Work Happy Now!