If at First You Don't Succeed, Try Tenacity

I have been dealing with some technical issues this morning, and now know the problem. Suffice it to say my new video will be coming to you shortly but not today.

Instead, today I'd like to share a bit with you about Tenacity. If you've read my book, "Conquering Your Goliaths: A Parable of the Five Stones," then you'll have an inkling of where I'm going.

Tenacity is one of those things that you incorporate in your life when you don't want to do something, but you know that this something matters. If you've just lost your job and you're having a difficult time finding another, then tenacity is one of the keys to your success.

You may have tried 'everything' when it comes to finding a job, only to be disappointed again and again.

When I looked for work after graduating from college at the age of 48, I thought I'd find something in the advertising or journalism arena. But if you remember 2009, you'll know that journalism jobs at the time were a dime a dozen (and things aren't looking up). I was also 48 years old, and although the interviews I went to (very few I might add) seemed positive and a job imminent, I wasn't called back, and I wondered if this was because of my age.

I am now grateful that I didn't give up. Sure, I stopped looking for work, but I didn't stop looking for a dream career.

And maybe that's what it's all about anyway. Opening your eyes; seeing what options are out there, outside of the box. Dreaming a little.

I want you to know that I've found my dream job but that success is a daily project. I try to Listen to God, and Trust in his word for me. With trust comes Optimism that everything will work out for my best good and that God cares about every (and I mean every) aspect of my life. Tenacity keeps me going even when the going gets difficult, and Constancy helps me to focus on what's most important knowing that God will always walk with me.

Will he walk with you?

I know he will.

It's not just a job...

I had a very rewarding conversation with a family member yesterday. It seems this family member is looking for work.

"I need a job that will help pay the bills," she said. "Can you help me with a resume?"

Photo by Mitchell, courtesy of Flickr

Well, I do resumes, but I didn't get the feeling that this particular family member really wanted me to help her with that. Probing a bit further, I discovered that she wanted to work at something she loved, and knowing her as I do, I knew exactly what that was.

I suggested that I could help her market her dream, get it out there so others knew her skills. We talked for a few more minutes and she seemed happier when we left the conversation than when we began it.

I don't know what she'll do, but I hope she chooses her dream. The older I get the more I realize that many dreams fall by the wayside because we're too afraid to reach up for them. It seems easier to get a steady paycheck, to spend our time with the jobs (few that they are) that are out there. Maybe a job isn't our particular cup of tea but it pays the bills.

This morning I was thinking of this very thing and realized that sure, we can search for a job, any old job that will "help pay the bills" or we can search within where all of the answers are in the first place. We can ask questions such as: What would I enjoy doing? What makes me happy? What skills do I have, what dreams haven't yet manifested in my life, and how will I get there?

I love the quiz set up by Lisa R. Preston on her website stepintodestiny.com. I took the free quiz this morning and discovered, yet again, that I am on the right path. My job is not just a job, it's an adventure in FUN!

Try it, if you dare! And let me know here what you discovered about yourself. I would love to hear!

Until tomorrow...