How Do You Frame Your Time (and what does it mean)
Posted by CathyG in entrepreneurship, time management on 04 20th, 2010A recent article in Psychology Today reported a counterintuitive finding.
Readers are asked, “Who’s most likely to donate time to charity? A lawyer bllng $400 an hour; an accountant billing $100 an hour; a parking lot attendant earning $10; or a teacher earning $45000 a year?”
The answer may surprise you. It turns out that volunteering is not related to wealth or income but to a style of framing perceptions about the value of time. Once you start working hourly, or billing your time by the hour, you start to be conscious of the value of time. My own suspicion: Those who are paid hourly but in fact work consistent hours are probably less conscious of their hourly rate.
I’ve noticed this response when people shift from free lancing to take a regular job, or “J.O.B.” They’re very conscious of the way employers waste their time. For instance, one friend was putting together an online program. She was told to, “Check the links to be sure they’re okay.”
“Aren’t there computer programs to do that?” she asked. She was shocked as she considered the value of time she was being asked to contribute to this mindless task that a low-cost piece of software could accomplish more accurately.
Going the other way, new entrepreneurs often have trouble making sure they use each hour effectively. “Time is money” takes on more meaning when you aren’t drawing a fixed salary.
On the other hand, the article points out, it’s easy for the hour-minded to start tracking all their activities, including leisure or family time. That’s going a little too far for some.
read comments (0)Considering an internet marketing career transition?
Posted by CathyG in career advice, entrepreneurship on 09 16th, 2009Internet marketing is, in my opinion, the best response to age discrimination. When enough over-forty folks can tell their employers, “Take this job and…” you’ll see a whole new respect emerging from employers.
But you can’t just head for the Internet unprepared. Thousands (maybe millions) of people hear stories of Internet millionaires (or at least hundred-thousandaires). Those stories are mostly true. But don’t believe everything you read about 4-Hour Work Weeks and overnight success. To put it bluntly, those folks work their butts off, at least when they are starting out.
You also have to watch for scams and schemes. Recently a smart young woman signed up for one of my online copywriting workshop courses. She had invested thousands of dollars in a program that promised to get her started on the Internet. Now she was almost broke. When I looked at the company’s materials, I was horrified: a bunch of outdated Powerpoints.
The best way to avoid these scams is to do just what you’re doing now: read blogs and talk to people who have been on the Internet awhile. You won’t find these consultations cheap because Internet marketers have opportunity costs. That means they can always be doing something to earn more revenue, such as writing an article to promote themselves, developing a product or writing a sales letter. With the Internet, there is no downtime. Expect to pay for your training and skip shortcuts, which usually lead to outdated or incompete jnformation.
To help get started, I’ve put together some resources that operate with integrity. I remove names from the list when I have any negative experiences. See http://www.cathyrecommends.com
One of the biggest money sinks: unnecessary web design and development. These days you can get an Internet presence with a WordPress website. With a little training, you can put one together in just a few minutes.
If you are seriously considering an Internet business, especially a service, I recommend the course I took myself the Website Creation Workshop. http://budurl.com/regwp
I feel so strongly about this course that I’m offering a 30-minute consultation to anyone who signs up through my link. Christina teaches you how to use WP to build your business – not just the technical how-to part.
Money Management: sometimes a latte is an investment
Posted by CathyG in entrepreneurship, hate job, money management, networking, relationship on 06 3rd, 2007In a recent New York Times article, Damon Darlin advises graduates to save money by skipping the lattes at Starbucks. Make your own coffee, he says. You’ll save about $2000 a year.
To read the article, you have to register (free):
New York Times site
I would tend to agree…except…
Freud famously said, “Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.”
I would say, “Sometimes a latte is not just a latte. Why are you drinking that latte? Who’s with you?”
Depending on your answer, those $3 drinks may be an investment in your future. For example:
(1)You’re sipping with the stars.
If your industry or company group hangs out at the local coffee shop, you’re not just drinking coffee: you’re gathering intelligence that you can use to advance your career.
Of course, if you get together to gripe and you’re drained by negative energy, gossip and whining, you’re losing a lot more than the price of coffee.
One small town business owner invested over $200 a month in coffee at two espresso hangouts. He was one of the few business owners who came by regularly to chat with the regulars and stay informed. His business was one of the few that demonstrated explosive growth in the downtown area.
(2) You’re forcing yourself to get some work done.
Those who work at home know all too well: sometimes you gotta get out of Dodge. You’re feeling enclosed by four walls. The refrigerator is way too tempting. And frankly, you’re just plain lonely.
Drop the dog into day care and head for Uptown Espresso, Java Joint, Bean City…whatever your locale has to offer. Nurse a drink and work with the wi-fi. Cheaper than renting an office…and if you meet with a client, you deduct the coffee from your taxes (if your accountant approves – I’m not an expert).
Bonus: I’ve met several business owners who made better connections over laptops at Starbucks than at those $50-a-pop networking meetings.
I’ve also spotted corporate executives hiding out in the corner, ducking yet another dreary meeting.
(3)You absolutely, positively hate your job and your latte gives you a break.
When people hate their jobs, I advise them to find something to enjoy, even if it’s just a picture on an office wall. Of course, I also advise them to get proactive about making some change. See
my free article on Ten Things To Do When You Really, Really Hate Your Job.
Sometimes you need to hang on because you need credibility, experience, time in grade, or basic survival funds. Looking forward to that latte may get you through the day and the week…and it’s a lot cheaper than therapy. I’d also recommend that you join a gym: exercise is a natural mood-enhancer.
If you need the prescription version of anti-depressants, you get to discuss the meaning of lattes, cappuccinos and decaf with your therapist. Not me.
And if you choose the coffee shop for the taste, or you get your coffee in takeout containers, then I’m with Darlin, the New York Times writer. You’re not investing in anything: you’re buying coffee.
From Self-Employed to Corporate: Step Back or Leap Forward?
Posted by CathyG in career change, entrepreneurship, self-employment on 05 2nd, 2007You’ve had your own business for the last 5 years. Your biggest customer is going away maybe your family clamors for a “real” job with benefits.
Can you survive in a cubicle after tasting the joys of flying solo?
.
Here’s what I’ve found.
For the first 6-12 months, back-to-corporate workers tend to have fun. It’s like playing a new game. And you may get lucky and find your new home.
If it’s been awhile since you did the job search thing, your resume may need a makeover.
Pick up a handful of books from the bookstore. Draft your resume. Get feedback from executives in the field and/or company you are trying to enter. If you get inconsistent or negative feedback, bite the bullet and work with a professional consultant.
Most of my clients hide their brilliance and don’t do justice to their many talents and accomplishments. These days, you have to be “out there.”
Avoid any service that promises to get you a job or get you “in front of” managers who can hire you. Stay away from the resume blasters.
(4) Expect to be amazingly productive in your new job.
Working on your own has given you perspective. You guard your time more carefully. You ask, “Do I really need to do this?” You’ve learned to figure things out yourself before you ask for help.
But once you’ve been on your own, you probably caught the bug. Now’s the time to plan in a leisurely fashion. Take classes. Visit the Small Business Administration. Attend networking events featuring business owners.
But be very, very discreet. Your company wants to believe you’re committed to stay forever, even though they rarely reciprocate.
3 Ferocious Career Killers (and how to avoid them)
Posted by CathyG in career change, career planning, entrepreneurship on 02 27th, 2007| In her book What To Do With the Rest of Your Life, Robin Ryan identifies 10 career killers. Today we’ll look at two and explore a third, all related to self-presentation. Click here to look up the book. Killer #1: Wait to be noticed. Expect that you’ll be recognized if you do good work, so don’t announce your successes. You just finished a degree, won an award and maybe got a paper published. Have you shared your news with those who have the power to reward you? Positive colleague and bosses want to hear about your successes. If their response is lack of interest or even jealousy, you’re seeing red flags all over the place. And if you’re a solo-preneur, share triumphs with customers and clients. They want to know they’re dealing with a winner. Killer #2: Demand credit you don’t deserve. Claim credit for the success of others. Brag about skills and talents beyond what you have. These days, most of us work in a spotlight. It’s too easy to be exposed for inauthentic self-promotion. Not worth the risk, in my opinion. Killer #3: Get noticed for the wrong reasons. Share potentially damaging personal information about yourself. Last weekend I saw the movie Notes on a Scandal, an outrageous example of inappropriate self-disclosures and weak boundaries. With coworkers and colleagues, you’re always “on.” Even experienced professionals can drop their guard and share personal information when they’re feeling stressed and/or lonely. We’re most vulnerable right after a major move or career change. (Did you see the movie Notes on a Scandal? An outrageous example of confiding in the wrong person, among other things.) During a career change or other transition, most people need 2 kinds of support: personal and informational. Personal support –from family and close friends — gives you a safe place to talk about feelings. Informational support – from professional colleagues, mentors and consultants – provides perspective: you get to figure out what’s really going on. Self-presentation can be a great career challenge for anyone. Ultimately, in my experience, it’s a combination of judgment and support. |
