“What you do speaks so loudly that I cannot hear what you say”

By: Janna Parke

Some may think that success is hard to come by, but according to Brent Beshore, Founder/CEO of adventur.es, success can be found in a few simple steps. Beshore explains this concept as “not being an idiot,” which gives the advantage. While reading these principles, take time to reflect on your career experience, personal life, or any activity you may be involved in. 

1. Follow Through: Just do what you said you were going to do when you said you were going to do it. If you quoted a price, stick with it. If you promised something, deliver.

2. Say “Thank You”: The world doesn’t owe you anything, so don’t act like it does. When someone acts in your best interest, thank him. If you’re given a gift, thank the person who thought of you. If you’re particularly pleased with someone’s performance...you get the idea.

3. Be On Time: Circumstances occasionally cause a justified aberration. But most of the time, tardiness signals self-importance, a lack of respect, and disorganization. As the saying goes, “Five minutes early is on time, on time is late, and late is unacceptable.”

4. Use Impeccable Grammar: This is the clearest canary in the mine. If someone can’t properly spell, punctuate, or structure a sentence, chances are he a) is not well-educated, b) lacks attention to detail, and c) doesn’t care. Any way you slice it, bad grammar is bad news.

5. Say “Sorry”: Being wrong is being human. Just own up to it, and everyone will move on. Apologizing conveys that you a) care, b) are humble, and c) are self-aware. It’s incredible how much a genuine “sorry” can make up for.

6. Be Intentional: We all have the same amount of time. You can choose to randomly stumble around, hoping to bump into money, meaning, love, friendships, and opportunities. Or you can be intentional. It’s your choice, every single day.

7. Question Why: The smartest people in the world know what they don’t know, and they aren’t scared to look ignorant. If you don’t understand, ask “Why?” until you get it. This simple technique is the greatest antidote for the illogical and inexplicable.

8. Default to Silence: There’s a reason you have two ears and only one mouth. If you don’t have something meaningful to say, keep your trap shut. This ensures that when a significant thought does arise, people might actually listen.

9. Set Expectations: The formula is simple: Happiness = Reality — Expectations. Changing reality is hard. Setting expectations is easy. Under-promise and fill reality with happiness.

10. Take Responsibility: We love to rationalize blame. While it feels good to play the victim, it’s incredibly destructive, leading to a cynical and jaded life. The far better approach is to say, “It’s all my fault.” It gives you control to change yourself and your circumstances.

11. Say “No”: Life is a game of opportunity costs. If you say “yes,” you’re saying “no” to something else. Have clear priorities, pursue opportunities that align, and say “no” to everything else.

12. Continuously Learn: If you wake up each day trying to get a little better, before long, you’ll find yourself ahead. Read, ask, and listen. If something conflicts with your worldview, dig deeper and determine whether you should embrace it or discard it.

13. Embrace Simplicity: Small bits of complexity add up quickly and exponentially. A little white lie can get you fired. A little gossip can ruin a friendship. A little kiss can end a marriage. Enough small splurges can lead to bankruptcy. Given a choice, always choose simplicity.

14. Gain Perspective: We measure ourselves by our intentions, but others by their actions. But you’re not a special snowflake. Everyone else, regardless of how convinced you are that they’re “doing fine,” is struggling with something. Remember that to have some perspective.

15. Check Yourself: As Warren Buffett says, “Negotiating with one’s self seldom produces a barroom brawl.” Surround yourself with people who will a) call you on your BS, b) thoughtfully help you reason, and c) genuinely understand your weaknesses.

16. Avoid Eating Crap: You were given exactly one container for this life, and the quickest way to damage it is by consistently eating lab-concocted, food-like substances pumped full of chemicals, hormones, and fake nutrition. Simply eat real food that came from something previously living in a recognizable form.

I have found myself in a variety of positions over the past few years. I have been in school, internships, jobs, and volunteer work, all of which involve a road to success. These steps seem simple, but are easily forgotten when I have been working the same positions for so long. It is hard to continue your drive, perspective, and be intentional everyday, but that is how you will make the greatest impact. Now is the perfect time for a new beginning, so I am going to take a few of these basic principles and apply them to my daily life in order to be the best me. 

 http://www.linkedin.com/today/post/article/20140106160108-21597783-16-basic-principles-for-avoiding-stupidity?trk=object-title

Profits of Nonprofits

By: Janna Parke

I have grown up around volunteerism. My family always spent time donating clothing, toys, and other various items to local shelters in Fort Wayne. As time moved on, I began to see a theme in my summer projects, including: mission trips all over the world, volunteering at Charis House (Women’s shelter), interning for the youth of various churches, and spending a summer in Chicago with A Safe Haven. As we grow up, talk about future careers becomes prominent, and I decided that I need to use my career to serve others, which can be done in a variety of ways.

One form of serving is through a non-profit organization, which is what I seem to be drawn to. After working in a variety of non-profit fields, I have seen first hand the culture, challenges, and benefits of working in the non-profit sector. At first, I was scared to even consider non-profit work, due to the myths and stigma provided by ignorant members of the workplace, but after having valuable experiences, I can better understand that there is more than what meets the eye.

MYTH: A nonprofit is a nonprofit is a nonprofit

Nonprofits are all run differently, have different goals, missions, and processes. There are soup kitchens, churches, groups working for social change, trade associations, and advocacy groups. None of these are the same. No company is the same, just like no for-profit company is the same. It is important to understand that each unique company has key differences in size, age, outlook, business model, and bylaws.

MYTH: Nonprofits are staffed mainly by volunteers

Most nonprofits are staffed by a paid professional staff. Just as any other company, they need people to do accounting, web design, management, database work, lobbying, human resources, and other positions you see in all companies. Understanding that without volunteers, some nonprofits would not be able to function, but in order to continue working as a business, having a staff is essential to the success of these businesses.

MYTH: You have to starve to work in the nonprofit sector

Yes, nonprofits do have a lower salary and are known for paying less than for-profit companies. There is no denying this truth, but there is also truth in the competitive salaries between nonprofits that are rising.

MYTH: Nonprofits are laid back, less professional

After working in various places, I have realized that professionalism is not taken lightly. Being the face of a business involves keeping yourself to a high standard, just like other companies. It is just as important to hold a professional office, as this sets the standard for how successful the rest of the business, company, or service, works.

Nonprofits are flat and Non-Hierarchical

As stated before, with professional staff comes managers, owners, employees, and a variety of positions that give dynamic to a company. If you are looking to start somewhere, then move up, there is no reason this cannot happen within a nonprofit company. When searching for a career, remember to ask about the opportunities to advance in the company, then see if it if a fit for you!

The myths may be scary at first, but one you take time to think about the opportunities and experiences that could come with a nonprofit, it is not as daunting to keep it as a possible future career option.

This information came from: 

http://casefoundation.org/spotlight/careers/myths

http://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/2011/10/24/10-myths-about-nonprofit-work 

If You Were a Salad Dressing, What Would You Be?

By: Janna Parke

“If you were a salad dressing, what would you be and why?”

Well… I haven’t actually thought about this topic in a while, or ever. It is questions like these that really could throw you for a loop in an interview. How did I answer?

French. I would be French dressing, because it can be easily paired with a variety of toppings, such as craziness, croutons, carrots, cheese, or seeds. This relates to me, because I get along with a variety of types of people in the workplace and we work together to make the best possible outcome (aka salad).

Interview questions that seem “out there” are used to analyze how well the applicant can think on their toes, creativity, what techniques that are used to think, if they are open to new questions, and if the applicant is able to understand that there is no right answer.

It is important not to rush your answer. Taking time to think about the question and why they might be asking it is just as important as the answer itself. How does this question relate to my life and my role in the company?

Below are some examples of questions from The Guardian Careers, and how to answer them effectively:

How many people are using Facebook in New York on Friday at 2:30pm?

This question must have a factual answer, but the journey to working that out is complex. Think what it might mean to you in your role. If it's a digital marketing role, they may be testing your awareness of key audiences and how and when they use social networks. Alternatively, they could simply be trying to get an understanding of how important you think social networks are in working life. Think about all the factors that could influence the answer and talk them through step-by-step.

What do you think about garden gnomes?

Not all questions are serious. You might be asked a question like this to show your sense of humor in an otherwise formal situation. It's still worth thinking about the question though and how it might relate to your role. For example, you could say that you admire their reliability as they often stay rooted to the same spot. If you were going for an engineering or construction role you could question whether they have the right tools for the job and so on. 

Now try to answer these questions with a logical response:

1.     If you had to get rid of one state in the US, what would it be and why

2.      How would you explain making an omelet to a child?

3.     Who do you like best, your mom or your dad?

4. How many times in one day do a clock’s hands overlap?

5.     Why are infographics so popular?

6.     If you were part of a bicycle, what part would you be and why?

7.   If you were given a free full-page ad in the newspaper and had to sell yourself in six words or less, how would the ad read?

Google "strange interview questions" and see what other questions people have thrown out there. I have only been asked a few crazy interview questions, but I have been prepared to answer, which makes a difference. Show the employer that you are able to handle a stressful situation with a strong response. Be memorable. 

Interview questions were found on this website:
http://careers.theguardian.com/weird-interview-questions