Is it the time to leave / change?

Is It Time to Leave Your Job?

I received a message from a friend of mine and wanted to share it with my subscribers.  He has personally asked that I don't share his name for obvious reasons, and so will of course respect that.  I have also slightly edited it to fit my readership. (I hope he approves.)

Hope you like it.

As we move past Eid Celebrations, Thanksgiving and now Christmas and into the New Year, it is often a time when we start making lists of the pros and cons of the jobs we have. The end of one year and the start of a New Year is the time when just about everyone takes stock of where they are with their work, and whether they are where they expected to be.

So if you would like to make a wish list for your career, ask yourself these five questions about your company, your colleagues, and your personal game plan for what comes next.

1. Does my company stand for something -- anything -- special?

It's hard to be thrilled with your job if the company you work for is struggling to succeed, or feels stuck and irrelevant. I'm not talking about obvious problems -- red ink and layoffs. I mean the nagging sense that the company will never be anything more than OK, just another ho-hum player in its field. In this hyper-competitive age, you can't do great things as a company if you're just a little better than everybody else. Does the company you work for really stand out from the crowd? If not, why on earth are you working there?

2. Am I excited to see my colleagues when I show up for work at the start of the week?

Lots of people sign on with a company because it's got a cool reputation, or it's prestigious, or it's got a great stock price. But quickly you realize that "working for" a company is an abstraction. The reality is that you work with the people closest to you -- those in your department, in your unit, in your region. Most experts say that over the long term, employees aren't loyal to a company as a company. They are loyal to the people they work beside day after day. Can you imagine not spending 40 or 50 hours a week with the people you work beside every day? If so, maybe it's time to make a move and fine a group of colleagues who stimulate you and motivate you.

3. Do I have a voice at work -- does anyone who matters listen to what I say?

There's nothing more depressing and demotivating than feeling that you don't matter as a person -- even if you're part of a group that's working well in a company that's doing fine. In this age of participation and communication, people are hungry for a say, a voice, a sense that their opinion counts. If you feel like your opinion doesn't count, maybe it's time to find a company where it does.

4. Am I learning as fast as the world is changing?

I first heard this question from strategy guru Gary Hamel, and I ask it of myself all the time. In a world that moves so fast, the most dangerous thing in anyone's career is the sense that you're standing still -- that you're not learning, that you're not being challenged, that you're stuck. If that's how you feel, that's a strong sign that it's time to make a change.

5. Am I making enough money?

Strange as it sounds, this is the worst reason to leave a job. Virtually every study I've seen shows that there's almost no connection between how much money you make and how satisfied you are with your job. There really are things that money can't buy -- and happiness at work is one of them.

I hope that you enjoyed reading this note and that it may have given you pause for thought.  Another way to read it of course is to say that if you answered "yes" to a lot of these questions, then maybe it is better to stay in the role that you are currently in then move.

5 Ways to stop hating your job - Must try

Does your day look like this: you dread driving to work, sequester yourself from co-workers, eat lunch alone, and hate the actual work and countdown the minutes until you can leave the office? We work forty plus hours every week, which means you're spending a substantial amount of time in a negative atmosphere and mindset. You may be making money, but you're living a skeleton of a life. You're probably not giving the job your best effort, which means you're sacrificing your expertise and knowledge to work in a position you despise.

The good news is that you can change your life and work at a job you love. Many successful people quote that you should follow your heart when deciding on your career path. You've probably heard about or read stories about business leaders who say they would work for free. It doesn't seem like "work" when you love what you do. How can you find your passion? There are a few common steps that will help you discover what's in your heart and guide you to a career you love.
1. Focus on activities you love. Make a list of what types of activities make you happy. Do this every day. What makes you feel good? Think about past jobs or hobbies. If you could earn money doing something you love, what would it be?
2. Be clear on your action steps. This can be harder step to take, as many people doubt that a career can bring happiness. Look at the activities from the first step. What kind of careers do you see? Without over-analyzing your answers, write what steps you need to take to work at your dream job. Don't let self-doubt stop you from making the list. Don't think about the steps in chronological order; it's more important to let the ideas flow.
3. Rid yourself of obstacles. The next step is to name obstacles. What's preventing you from finding your passion? What's stopping you from working at a job you love? It could be limiting beliefs, such as not believing you can truly be happy at work or thinking about the paycheck rather than your heart. Sometimes, we think the obstacles are larger than they are.
4. Change the old mindset. Not only do you need to see the possibilities, you need to feel the emotions attached to a new career. What do you feel about your present job? Imagine how you would feel living your dream. Recognize that fear of change is powerful and keeps most of us paralyzed, but it takes action and even baby steps to overcome it.
5. Find a coach. Did you know that successful people often credit a coach for boosting their business and personal success? A trained consultant will work with you to find out your personality, your goals, and your dreams. He or she will guide you to take necessary, action steps to finding your career or building your business.

Year 2011 - Astrological Predications by Zodiacs

Moon sign predictions for all the signs of zodiac have been framed as per Vedic astrology. The main parameters that have been considered while making the predictions are the planetary positions vis-à-vis the natal position of Moon in the horoscope during the year 2011.
Aries:
Good news for those who are planning to get married or who are in search of companion or life partner. The period after May, 2011 is good for soul-mate to enter as life partner.
Professionally, things may remain tough till May, 2011 but improvement may be noticeable after that. Major challenge causing obstacle in professional life may be relationship with seniors at workplace. Here again situations may ease out after May, 2011. Some career-related changes may be expected after November, 2011.
Natives of Aries may be interested in investing in property during the year. Speculative or risky investment should, however, be avoided especially before May, 2011. Gain from stocks is indicated towards the year-end. The time is good for those who are planning foreign travel or immigration. Health will be an area of concern and may need extra-attention and constant vigil.
Lucky days are Tuesdays and Thursdays, Lucky numbers are 2, 3, 6 and 9. Lucky colors are brown and maroon. They have compatible relationship with Gemini, Aquarius, Leo and Sagittarius.
Taurus:
Time is right for resolving all differences within the family because domestic tension is indicated in the horoscope. It is important for the natives to avoid harsh words and bitter arguments for problem resolution.
The year brings good news for those couples who are planning to have a child. The period is especially good for this till May, 2011. However, some health-related issues may create problems. It will be prudent to avoid tensions during the year and work for peaceful environment at home and office.
Investors should remain cautious while investing in property. Proper survey of projects should be done before investing. Some natives may have windfall gains during the year. Legal resolution of pending issues is also indicated. Chance of foreign travel is indicated after November, 2011.
Lucky colors are white and sky blue. Lucky days are Fridays and Saturdays and lucky numbers are 3, 6 and 9. They are compatible with Pisces, Cancer, Virgo and Capricorn.
Gemini:
For Gemini natives, the year may be very important. They may witness changes in career, residence etc. during the year. Professional betterment is the promise of the horoscope. Career-related changes may take effect after November, 2011. Marital discord is indicated and for precaution it is better to exercise restraint and avoid arguments. It may be necessary till May, 2011. Situations may improve after that.
Gains from speculation and investment are possible for some during the year. Caution should be exercised while investing in property. Lavish investment in expensive cars is possible by some natives.
It will be important for Gemini natives to remain cautious about health during the year. They should spend some time in gyms or doing yoga. Needless tension should be avoided at all cost.
Lucky color is green. The lucky day is Wednesday. Lucky numbers are 3, 5 and 9. They are compatible with Leo, Virgo and Sagittarius.
Cancer:
Traveling is likely for natives of Cancer especially during the first-half of the year. Gain from elders and people placed in high authorities looks possible. Unnecessary arguments are to be avoided. There should be a clear focus on career and professional growth. The year will reward their efforts.
Better options for career-growth and likelihood of professional gains exist in the second half of the year. 2011 may be good for those who are planning job-change. The period after May, 2011 may bring in good opportunities and good time for action.
The year is good for investment in property. They may have good options for property buying after November, 2011. Some of the natives may also invest in conveyance. It is better to stay away from stock market and risky investment.
Lucky colors are white and cream. Lucky day is Monday. Lucky numbers are 2, 7 and 9 and compatible signs are Aries, Taurus, Libra and Capricorn.
Leo:
Family discords are indicated for Leo natives. All possible caution should be taken to keep the anger under control because anger may further complicate matters. Avoid arguments, remain calm and keep patience during the year.
Many Leos may find time for traveling abroad. If the natives have any foreign assignment in mind or are planning for settling abroad, the period after May, 2011 will open new doors and opportunities. Professionally, things seem to be good for most natives. Period after November, 2011 is suitable for businessmen and entrepreneurs.
Investments may take diverse pattern. There may be investments in property, stocks and the like. Initially, investments may not seem to yield desired profit, but after May, 2011 investments will start paying. Some natives may also gain from stock market.
Lucky colors are pink, red and orange. Lucky days are Sundays and Tuesdays. The lucky numbers are 1, 4 and 8 and compatible signs are Gemini and Scorpio.
Virgo:
Virgos may witness many changes during 2011 including changes in job and residence. Health of mother or maternal relatives may be a cause of concern for some. This may be a cause of worry.
The year is good for sorting out all outstanding issues in personal and family life. The changes in overall situations are going to affect significantly for a longer period. This may have positive impact in the long run. Financially, things seem to be favorable after November, 2011.
The time is good for Virgos planning for marriage or those seeking permanency in relationship. However, they should see that marriage gets solemnized by May, 2011. The newly-married may face adjustment problems after May, 2011. This can be resolved by seeking guidance from friends and family members.
Lucky color is Green. The lucky day is Wednesday. Lucky numbers are 5, 3 and 9. The compatible signs are Gemini and Sagittarius.
Libra:
The year is good for those with high aspirations. They may be able to achieve their desired goals. Librans shall have their say in almost every sphere of life which may include business, finance or career. It is like Midas-touch. Whatever they touch will become gold. The period after November, 2011 may prove to be highly eventful.
The year is good for entrepreneurs also. The period after May, 2011 is good for marriage, alliance, relationships or new partnerships. Situations may not remain bright before May, 2011. Luck shall enter into life after May, 2011.
Time is good for planning foreign travel. The year is also good for seeking foreign assignments and for settlement in foreign country. Health may be a cause of concern during the first half of 2011.
Lucky colors are white and sky-blue. Lucky numbers are 3, 6 and 9. Lucky day is Friday. Compatible signs are Aries and Sagittarius.
Scorpio:
The year is good for cultivating new relationships. Possibility of long-lasting friendship exists in the horoscope. The year is good for planning children. Natives of Scorpio may be blessed with a child during the year.
Possibility of gains from foreign lands exists. If planning for foreign settlement or travel, the time after November, 2011 is good. The year is also good for those who are in the process of improving career prospects. They can take up a new course and appear for competitive examinations. They may have a chance for job-change in the first half of 2011.
Financially, the year is very good. Investments may yield handsome returns. Promotions and financial increments may also materialize during the year. There may be windfall gains from various sources.
Lucky color is red. Lucky numbers are 3, 6 and 9. Lucky day is Tuesday. Compatible signs are Taurus, Leo and Aquarius.
Sagittarius:
The year is going to be eventful for natives of Sagittarius. The focus will remain on career building and family matters. They will be able to make an impact on both.
The year is good for buying new property. Investment in luxuries is also possible. The year is good for fulfillment of all material desires. Financially, things may be better from November, 2011.
Job conditions may improve for some natives. The period after May, 2011 may be important for financial gains. They may get it in the form of promotion or a pay hike. Health concerns can be there for some which may need attention. There can be gains from travel.
Lucky colors are cream and orange. Lucky day is Thursday. The lucky numbers are 3, 6 and 9. The compatible signs are Gemini and Pisces.
Capricorn:
Natives of Capricorn may remain on toes throughout the year. Things may be hectic both in professional arena as well as personal life. There may be lack of focus on family and pertinent problems. They should take care of their health and family concerns particularly during the first half of 2011.
The year may prove to be lucky with respect to career and finance for natives of this sign. They will be able to do well in both after May, 2011. Expenses are also likely to soar during the year. They may expect promotion or financial increment after November, 2011.
The period after May, 2011 is good for investment in property. However, possibility of loss exists. Care should be exercised in choosing property and finalizing deals.
Lucky color is sky blue. Lucky day is Saturday. Lucky numbers are 1, 4 and 8 and compatible signs are Libra and Pisces.
Aquarius:
The year 2011 is eventful for the natives of this sign also. Possibility of change in career and residence exists for the natives during the year. The changes may become more pronounced after May, 2011.
There may be gains from elders and from people placed in authority. The natives may have to suffer from enmity arising from professional arena this year. However, the year is good for finances. There may be gains from various quarters including windfall gains from inheritance. Period after November, 2011 is good for traveling and for gains from boss.
Health may be a cause of concern for some which may need attention. Some natives may suffer from depression or anxiety which may be removed by yoga or meditation.
Lucky color is sky blue. Lucky days are Friday and Saturday. Lucky numbers are 1, 4, 8 and compatible signs are Taurus and Sagittarius.
Pisces:
For the natives of Pisces, 2011 is going to be an eventful year. The key areas of focus for them will be career and family life. They may have to work hard during the year to make an impact. They may see improvement in career prospects and family welfare with effort.
Many changes during the year may perturb them. Things may look uncertain initially and they will not be sure of their steps. But, things may look more certain after May, 2011 and they will march with confident steps.
Natives of Pisces may have health-concerns caused by anxiety and depression during the year. There may also be relationship problems. Health of spouse or partner may also be a cause of concern. Piscean should remain extra-cautious about these matters particularly after November, 2011.
Lucky colors are yellow and cream. Lucky days are Thursday and Monday. Lucky numbers are 3, 6 and 9 and compatible signs are Sagittarius, Capricorn and Taurus.

4-Steps to Financial Success (Improve Your Brain) IYB toolkit

Great question; here are 4 steps that will bring you financial success, enjoy:
1. Become an Expert – In order to become financially successful, you must become an expert doing something. If you look at any financially successful person, they have an area of expertise. Donald Trump is an expert on real estate, Michael Jordan is an expert on basketball, Bill Gates is an expert in computers, Tony Robbins is an expert motivator, Tiger Woods is an expert golfer, Brad Pitt is an expert actor, Tyra Banks is an expert model, and Warren Buffet is an expert investor; you get the point. The greater your expertise, the greater your potential for financial success.
If you’re not currently an expert at something, you need to change that; you should develop at least one area of expertise in your lifetime.
It would make sense to become an expert doing something you enjoy. Why? Because you’ll become an expert much faster, and you’ll enjoy the process.
Your expertise should incorporate your uniqueness. You have unique experiences and perspectives that can never be duplicated, use this to your advantage.
If you really want to increase your earning potential, strive to become the best in your area of expertise.
How do you become an expert? You’re going to have to “put-in-the-time,” there are no short-cuts or elevators to becoming an expert; you have to take the stairs. They say it takes approximately 10,000 hours of training to become an expert, so get started today!
2. Create Socially Perceived Value From Your Expertise – When I said you have to become an expert doing something, I didn’t mean doing anything. Your expertise must have socially perceived value. In other words, “people must value your expertise.” If you are an expert at saying the alphabets backwards, it probably won’t make you rich.
Your expertise should aim to fill a social need, such as entertainment, fashion, business, informational, etc. You could start a clothing line, become a CFO, become a public speaker, write a book, or open a jewelry store.
The point is, “people must value your expertise,” so much so that if you didn’t exist their lives would be inconvenienced. How do you know if people value your expertise? They talk about it, they tell their friends about it, they are excited about it; …they feel it can not be duplicated.
3. Promote Your Value – At this point, you’ve become an expert and created value. Now it’s time to tell the world about the value you’ve created, and inform them as to how they can benefit from it. You need to “get-out-there” and become your own best marketer. If you’ve written a book, schedule an interview with almost anyone who will take you. Don’t overly limit your market. There are people who ONLY want your service or product. As an example, the only time in my life that I ever watched basketball is when Michael Jordan was playing, I was drawn to his expertise. When he stopped playing, I stopped watching. There are people who only want to learn from you, they will only listen to you. So let as many people as you can learn about your unique product or service.
The truth is, you can have an awesome product, but if know one knows about it, it doesn’t do anyone any good. I can think of some great books that I’ve read, books that others would have gladly paid for, they just didn’t know about them. The singer David Cook, from the American Idol television show, said that he only sold 1,000 records the year prior to going on American Idol. Three months following the release of his next album, after leaving the American Idol tour, he sold over one million records. Was he a “thousand times” the singer after leaving American Idol, probably not, but a “thousand times” the people knew about him.
You need to passionately share what you believe in, but don’t fake it. If you’re not passionate about marketing your product, you need to find out why. Maybe you don’t truly believe in the value it gives to other people. If you don’t truly believe in its value, don’t sell it to anyone else!
4. Deliver Your Created Value to the Marketplace for a Reasonable Fee - So now you’re an expert, you’ve created a valuable product or service, and people are excited about the benefits your service can bring into their life.
The next step is to consistently deliver that value for a reasonable market price (this step may be done in conjunction with step #3). You can do this step via your publisher, if you’ve written a book, via the World Wide Web if you have a product, or via a physical store, to name a few options.
If you’re truly an expert, and you’ve created genuine value that people are aware of, delivering the goods for a reasonable fee will be the easiest task, so have fun!

7 Must-Read Lessons on the Power of Faith:

Book Review:

1. Faith Requires Action
 “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”  – Martin Luther King, Jr.
The scripture says “Faith without corresponding action is dead.”  In other words, faith without action is not really faith at all.  If you believe, you will act differently.  A person who knows they’re going to win plays differently from someone who thinks they’re going to lose.  A person who is expecting a child acts differently from a person who is not expecting a child, expectation determines faith.  Expectation is a sign of your faith.
Do you have faith in your dreams?  Are you expecting them to be manifest?
2. Faith Makes the Impossible Possible                          
Without faith a man can do nothing; with it all things are possible. – Sir William Osler
The faith that I’m referring to will actually cause your desires to be manifest.  It’s the strangest thing, having faith that you will succeed, will actually cause you to succeed.  Your faith will attract to you the components necessary for your success.
3. You Can Grow Your Faith
“You block your dream when you allow your fear to grow bigger than your faith.” -  Mary Manin Morrissey
The Apostle Paul said, “Faith cometh by hearing.”  I say, “Fear also cometh by hearing.”  So guard what you hear, guard what enters your thoughts, because what you continually hear will grow on the inside of you, be it faith or fear.
4. Have Faith in Faith
I would rather err on the side of faith than on the side of doubt. – Robert Schuller
Without being fully convinced that what you want to happen is about to happen you won’t take the steps necessary to make it happen.  When you believe something is going to happen, you get prepared, you start making changes, you get ready for the pending modification that you’re about to experience, you’re certain it’s about to come.  You’re telling people about it and you’re getting excited it, not because you’re “faking,” but it’s a natural reaction from your belief system.
5. Fear is Faith
Fear is faith that it won’t work out. – Author Unknown
If you’re using your faith, use it for your benefit.  Since you’re going to believe something, you might as well believe something positive.  Use your faith to do the impossible, dare to do what’s never been done before.
6. Faith Feels
Faith is a bird that feels dawn breaking and sings while it is still dark. – Rabindranath Tagore
Faith does not “hope” that you succeed; neither does it wish that one day you succeed.  When you have faith, you know that success is yours, and you act like it.
You act differently when you “have faith!”
You may not be able to see anything in the physical world, but you know what’s about to happen, you can see it in your mind; you can sense it in the atmosphere.
7. Achievement Requires Faith
“Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination, and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe.” – Gail Devers
Faith is a power that can shape your destiny and that will alter your life!
Without faith that your dreams will come true, without knowing that they will come true, they won’t come true.  All achievement requires faith.  They weren’t surprised when they landed on the moon, they believed it was possible.  What do you believe is possible?

Entrepreneur in an Emerging Market - Harvard Think Tanks

Strategy and Execution for Emerging Markets

Q&A with:	Tarun Khanna and Krishna G. Palepu
Published:	June 21, 2010
Author:	Martha Lagace

Executive Summary:

How can multinationals, entrepreneurs, and investors identify and respond to new challenges and opportunities around the world? In this Q&A, HBS professors and strategy experts Tarun Khanna and Krishna G. Palepu offer a practical framework for succeeding in emerging markets. Plus: Book excerpt with action items. Key concepts include:

• The ambition level of large, fast-growing emerging markets around the world rivals that of companies in the United States in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
• Khanna and Palepu outline how to identify and respond to institutional voids in product, labor, and capital markets.
• Investors and entrepreneurs can respond to niches in institutional infrastructure in the private sector, such as the need for information analyzers and advisors, aggregators and distributors, transaction facilitators, and more.
• A useful starting point for managers is to construct an institutional map to identify institutional voids—which may themselves present business opportunities.
• Western multinational companies as well as local entrepreneurs are innovating products to attract the emerging middle class. Such innovations could potentially benefit consumers living in mature markets.

Russia, India, and China—entice and intimidate. When managers are asked what is special about emerging markets, they typically point to rapid economic growth, potential competitors, and vexing problems including but not limited to corruption, financial crises, and weak intellectual property rights.

HBS professors Tarun Khanna and Krishna G. Palepu, authors of the new book Winning in Emerging Markets: A Road Map for Strategy and Execution (Harvard Business Press), offer an actionable framework to help potential entrants answer the following key questions:

• In this particular market, which market institutions are working, and which institutions are missing?
• Which parts of our business model can be adversely affected by these institutional voids?
• How can we build competitive advantage based on our ability to navigate institutional voids?
• How can we profit from the structural reality of emerging markets by identifying opportunities to fill voids, serving as market intermediaries?

For Khanna and Palepu, an emerging market is anyplace where buyers and sellers cannot easily and efficiently do business with each other. The scholars therefore focus their research worldwide, not just on the BRICs.

"Often the main prize today is the emerging middle class, which aspires to consume world class products at lower price points." -Krishna G. Palepu

"We have been studying emerging markets for about 15 years," explains Palepu in our interview. "We've wanted to learn about the challenges of the process and the challenges of companies in those markets trying to compete on a global platform. We are also curious how international companies have been able to intimate themselves into the conditions of those markets."
Palepu, whose current research and teaching activities focus on strategy and governance, is the Ross Graham Walker Professor of Business Administration and Senior Associate Dean for International Development. Khanna, the Jorge Paulo Lemann Professor at Harvard Business School, has studied and worked with multinational and indigenous companies and investors in emerging markets worldwide.

Energy drink for life - Passion

Passion is Energy

Inertia is the state of existence in the same state.
To move out of it takes energy.
Passion is energy.
It jolts you out of a rut. It gets you moving. It keeps you going.
Any endeavour, project or mission you set out to accomplish, when

backed by passion, is pre-destined to succeed. In time.

Passion will keep you going until that time.

Without a driving force, it is easy to jump ship before port is in sight. Far too often, 'failure' is a result of premature

abandonment rather than futile effort.
When you lack passion, it is easy to give up.
And when you have it, it is almost impossible to do so.
Because passion is energy and energy empowers!