Optimism

And back after being away for sometime.

I realized that I used on-line activities, such as Blogging, Facebook, LinkedIn and also other applications within these applications as procrastination. I originally used my blog as a way of collecting information that I was keen to remember and use in my work but made a goal to finish my master's then come back to blogging. I have now attained my Master of Career Development, although recognize I'll never quite master career development because change is constant and people are as different as they are similar.And what is happening to the world of work?

Chaos theory helps to explain these contradictions for me. I'm fascinated by the calming effect that chaos can actually bring. There is a lot for me to learn about chaos theory but I think one aspect of this theory, Fractals, are at the heart of beauty in nature or at least something that attracts me. Try an Image Google Search for *fractals* to see just how attractive that is!



Pattern, reflection, rotation and transference. My favorite maths topic - geometry. Here is me on a tangent so if you are not aware of M.C. Escher then search Google images for his art. You may wonder where I am heading with this discussion, so hope you also see the relevance. "M.C. Escher... is an architect of perfectly impossible worlds who presents the structurally unthinkable as though it were a law of nature. The resulting dimensional and perspectival illusions bring us into confrontation with the limitations of our sensory perception".

Check out this also http://www.dragonguys.ch/visite/escher.htm Someone applied a hyperbolic paraboloid so you can fly through or zoom into the picture. Note the people on the bridge or the boats in the water. Woodblock art showing pedantic detail.

I didn't even manage to get onto optimism. Next post I'll try to stick to the topic. :)

Wisdom

Knowledge, experience and understanding together can describe wisdom. It is the power of judging rightly and following the soundest course of action. Being wise is a good goal in life and the following is a list of important points.

• A wise person can discern the core of important problems.
• A wise person has self knowledge.
• A wise person seems sincere and direct with others.
• Others ask wise people for advice.
• A wise person's actions are consistent with his/her ethical beliefs.

Many, but not all, studies find that adults' self-ratings of perspective/wisdom do not depend on age. This stands in contrast to the popular notion that wisdom increases with age. In the following video by Andrew Zuckerman, Judy Dench says she thinks as she has got older she has become more silly. Check this out- http://www.wisdombook.org/

Wisdom should not be taken for granted.

Take the test - http://www.nytimes.com/packages/flash/multimedia/20070430_WISDOM/?mkt=magazinelink3 to see how wise you are. This is a good one.

The Systematic Problem Solving Model

• What is the problem or situation?
  
• What have you tried?
  
• What else could you do?
  
• What is your next step?
  

 

Career Distraction #2

Learning to continuously broaden and deepen self-understanding, and skill sets (and learn quickly) is a principle of employability.

What would I like to get better at?

What do I do really well? Do I want to carry on with doing this?

Why do I find this really easy to do/learn/understand?

How could I apply this elsewhere?

No matter what stage you are at in your career take some time to consider these questions if you are interested to maintain your employability.

Self Efficacy

It matters more what you think about yourself, rather than what others think about you.
I like the work of Prof A Bandura!
This is where I got this quote from:

"If I have the belief that I can do it,
I shall surely acquire the capacity to do it
even if I may not have it at the beginning."
Mahatma Gandhi

Employability principles

There are four employability principles

The first principle highlights the need to continue to learn and grow as a person so be mindful about your own learning.

1. Learning to continuously broaden and deepen self understanding, and skill sets (and learn quickly)

Some questions to ask yourself related to this principle are:

What would I like to get better at?
What do I do really well? Do I want to carry on with doing this?
Why do I find this really easy to do/learn/understand?
How could I apply this elsewhere?

The second principle follows on from learning about yourself and encourages looking outward.

2. Integration to combine and transfer unique skill sets and personal attributes to different settings and teams

Questions to ask of yourself and others.
What skills am I still wanting to work with?
Who could make use of my skills?
Who could I help with my skills?
How can I show the links between what I have done and what I want to do?
What evidence have I established about my skills?
How would I like to work?

Those who have successfully survived have been flexible! The third principle reminds me of what fate is like - nothing stays the same therefore learn to go with the flow in a positive way.

3. Flexibility and a willingness to quickly adapt and thrive on changing opportunities and realities.

When has there been a time that you have shown that you are flexible and can adapt? Remind yourself of those successful transitions.

The last principle I think needs a bit of creativity and imagining - dream about it!

4. Exploration is required to continually explore/create work, learning, relationship and life style opportunities.

We learn best from experience - do it, try it, give it a go. This way you can be really sure of what you are doing. Be an explorer!

Whether you have yet to start your career or are just trying to remain in employment or thinking of a change, these principles help to maintain a sense of self control over your work/career/job and life!

These principles were listed in my course work and established in this easily understood way by Judy Denham(2003).

Happiness

There has been some discussion at work lately about happiness. This came about with the news that Auckland University has a new website called Calm - http://www.calm.auckland.ac.nz/2.html Have they put this information online because they think people will not be as happy this year!? Is it a cost saving measure so that the over worked counsellors are not trying to teach people how to manage relationships, manage stress etc? In Dunedin some students get SAD (seasonal adjustment disorder) due to lack of sunshine and grey days (in winter time anyway). I am an advocate for mid winter holidays in the sun. The sea on the Gold Coast is warmer in their winter than it is in Dunedin's summer!

*Now I could have a few adverts by Google - as I am thinking how do people make money from blogging! Yes, like Ty, I would like a money spinner. Someone told me they wrote a book and got it published and this provides some passive income. Yup sounds good to me. I'd like to have some of that*

Back to happiness - at anytime one should know what makes them happy.

Yes, is your glass half full! If you are feeling blue what do you do to lift your spirits? - listen to music, go for a walk, sail, run, fish - anything that will ignite a bit of dopamine - natural of course.

Check out the Authentic Happiness site for some interesting tests that I think have some insightful information.

http://www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu/questionnaires.aspx