I read this wonderful piece on The Standard Newspaper. The article is titled:

Stages that define your career path

By Murigi Macharia

When Irene Atieno left the university five years ago, she was optimistic she would land a good job within the first six months.

She had hoped that her First Class Honours degree, network of well-connected friends and ‘tall’ relatives would help in the hunt.

Irene was lucky to get a job and started her career life with energy, and enthusiasm. But five years after graduation at the age of 21 she’s still unsettled.In that short span, Irene has changed jobs three times and is now hunting for her fourth employer who would give her the dream job.She is not alone in this. Many of her classmates are anxiously scouting for that ideal job, that promises quick career advancement.

They are all going through what human resource experts describe as the exploration stage, where young employees keep ‘hopping’ between jobs in search of the ideal employer.

Here, employees strive to improve their competiveness, by seeking for jobs that would solidify their career objectives. Once job hunting is over , the young employee finally enters the establishment stage. It is then that the employee seeks to establish his identity, seek acceptability and integration within the organisation.The employee strives to make full contribution to establish his worth.

Critical stage

At this stage, the employee learns all ropes within the organisation. Besides seeking full involvement with the operations of the organisation, the employee also develops confidence to seek intimate involvement with colleagues. Because this is a critical stage, employees are concerned about advancement and opportunities. The third stage is maintenance, characterised by uncertainity and fear. As a result, each employee seeks to protect himself from all manner of workplace threats. Although a few employees continue developing and growing their careers to higher levels in this stage, many enter the stagnation then deterioration. For those who are still relevant to the organisation at this stage, their roles largely revolve around creativity of new working methods, coaching and mentoring younger colleagues.

The decline stage defines the final lap in one’s career life before retirement. It marks serious reduction in the mental, physical, emotional and psychological abilities of older employees.

http://www.eastandard.net/business/InsidePage.php?id=1144007618&cid=474&

It very easy to get into the decline stage.

One only needs to get a decent job where he/she is comfortable.Many people stop developing at an early age. By developing I mean learning a new trick, new trade, constantly updating oneself in the respective sector or simply reading to keep the mind sharp. People start to wither and soon than later more knowledgeable people come along and you are the first to be given a sendoff.

My advise is:
1. Set career goals
2. Develop strategies to achieve the set goals
3. Constantly upgrade your skills (reading or taking new courses)
4. Network well
5. Have mile-markets to assist you evaluate your progress along your career journey
6. Seek feedback from someone who can give you an honest opinion (this will help you see areas that you need to improve)
7. Do not get comfortable (always have a contingency plan)
8. Enjoy/celebrate your success: this will help/motivate you work even harder

simple message

I read this in a book and I have been sharing it with my friends.

"we can not control all the things that happen to us and around us, but we can control how we react to the happenings."
Positive attitude will take you far while negative attitude will get you nowhere.
if you did not get that interview or position that you interviewed for...do not get depressed...just recognize the things that you could have done better and move on. Prepare for the next interview and maximize the opportunity.
Positive attitude is my message for this weekend.
work on it and your self-esteem will be pretty high.
people appreciate positive attitude.
:) be happy with who you are and work towards better (ing) yourself.

Uniqueness

Hi,
Dont have much to say today so I am sharing a blog topic from Kenya Capital Investmnet Group

http://mjengakenya.blogspot.com/2009/02/does-what-you-do-reflect-your.html

hope you can find your uniqueness and use it as a weapon to get ahead.

Body Talk

Have you ever looked at yourself talk to other people...or at least asked for feedback concerning your body language?
Researchers say that body language speaks louder than words. Human Beings (except for the blind) get more information through sight than any other sense.
So you should be very concerned about the way you appear to other.
As I have mentioned in an earlier post...a recruiter will make up his/her mind about you in the first 25 seconds of your meeting.
Always remember that the people invited for interviews have already been pre-qualified (meaning that the recruiter thinks they can do the job...based in their qualifications) So all the recruiter wants to really know about you during the interview process is: are you the right person to do the job?

Your
1. Gestures,
2. Posture
3. Eye contact
4. Hand shake
will be some of the determinants.


Assertive Gestures:
Genuine smile
Firm Handshake
Good eye contact
open hand gestures
balanced and upright posture
listening
and relaxed.

Some of these gestures take work. You should definitely get feedback from a professional or someone you trust.
Try recording yourself...and then watch how you appear and behave while talking. You will be surprised of the number of things things that you do without noticing.

Need assistance? do not hesitate to get in touch:

Hoseah Njuguna
0734 609 741
empowerkenya@gmail.com

Making yourself indispensable during hard times

Many companies are laying people off in attempt to cut cost during these hard times.
If you are employed, your company may be next to lay people off.
So how do you make yourself indispensable or at least one of the last few standing?
Well, I wish there was one answer to this question but it is a combination of things and if you have not been doing it, you better get busy!
1. Make sure you are well qualified for the responsibilities you were hired to do.
2. Continue to improve and learn new things on the job.
3. Continued education: get more certification, membership to relevant organizations etc.
4. Relate or attempt to relate well with your coworkers--especially management.
5. Share your vision of the company with your superior so that they see you have the organization at heart.
6. Do not become a slave to work, but show dedication while you are at work (forget the Facebooks and blogs while you are at work)
7. Less personal calls while you on duty (it shows irresponsibility and lack of respect for the person who has hired you.
8. Stay abreast on the market trends of the particular industry that you are in.
9. Network widely...make sure you establish enough friends in other companies who can serve as a positive referral or assistant in job seeking process
10. Always have a plan B...do not think that your job will always be there...think what else can I do if this job went up in flames?
11. Have a social life...your friends outside your job will be very helpful if you lose your job
12. Start a project or small business for supplemental income while you are earning--this may turn out to be your bread-n-butter if you are laid off and cannot find another position promptly.

So please do not sit comfortably and let destiny determine your future.
Do something about it!

The little things that matter

They say it the little things that matter...and I believe it.
If you can not take care of the small things, how can an organization allow you to take charge of their bigger things?
In your job search process kindly make sure that you have taken care of the little things such as:
1. Spelling mistakes on your CV
2. Providing the right contact information
3. Removing anything negative that can affect your chances of being called for an interview
4. If you have been called in for an interview...do your research and find out what the organization is about and who the leaders are
5. Dress properly...do not allow your attire overshadow all your achievements. First impressions are very important
6. Grooming and hygiene...brush your teach and use mouthwash, shave that beard, nails should be trimmed, take a shower, and do not overdo it on the perfume or cologne
7. Arrive on time for the interview
8. Turn your phone off!!!!!!!!!!!
9. Make sure you have two more copies of your CV
10. Rehearse responses to the most common questions...do not memorize answers but have a clear indication of what you want to say
11. Relax during the interview...you are not infront of the judge...the worst that the person interviewing you can do is not offer you the job.
12. Have some intelligent questions to ask the interviewer
13. Thank the interviewer for taking the time to interview you

If you do these simple 13 things, your probability of getting the position will have shot up by 50-80%.
If you want the job, you have to work for it....the least you can do is get prepared!

I wish you luck and if you need assistance do not hesitate to ask for it.

Hoseah Njuguna
empowerkenya@gmail.com
0734 609 741

How is my Image?

This is an excerpt borrowed from Walking Tall by Lesley Everett

If you want to improve your personal power and impact, you first need to look at the image you currently present and establish what you like about it, what you dont like, what works and what doesnt. Because no matter how powerful and assertive you may feel inside, it is the non-verbal messages yo give out that can initially propel you forward to greater success, and without which you could get left behind in a competitive environment.

An easy way to explain personal image is to use the "Johari Window", which was developed by two psychologists, Joseph Luft and Harry Ingham. It makes the process of understanding yourself clearer and easier to achieve, and provides a great basis for improving the impact you make on others.

The Public Self is the part of you that you are happy and confident about showing to the world. It is the part that everybody knows and understands about you.
The Private Self is the part that only you know about--the elements of you that you are not necessarily happy to share with others, but it can also contain your goals and dreams. Only your closest friends and family get a look at the Private Self.
We all have Blind Spots - these are the parts that others see about you that you cannot see about yourself. Last, there is the Unknown Self, the untapped area of your personal potential which is unknown to you and to others.

With the aim of improving your personal image you need to look at the private self and tap into areas of your personality - what do you want to achieve and what do you want to project to others? Then, by looking at your public self and your blind spots, you can establish those elements of your appearance and behaviour that are working towards this goal and those that are holding you back. By becoming aware of the blind spots, both negative and positive, you can improve your projected image, personal power and inner confidence. Having analysed the public self and blind spots, you can start to uncover the Unknown self and to unlock some of the unknown potential you have for enhancing your personal image.

I will continue to cover the portrayal of image because this is an important topic that is overlooked by many. Trust me...education and skills are not the only things that can get you a job. So I will provide some tips that can better you image and hence better your chances of getting that dream job.

Hoseah Njuguna
empowerkenya@gmail.com
0734 609 741

Moving Forward

"Be not afraid of going slowly; be only afraid of standing still." Chinese Proverb.

According to research, 67% of people set goals for themselves. Of those 67%, only 10 have made realistic plans to reach their goals; And out of those 10, only 2 follow through and actually make them happen.
I can totally relate to those statistics; I can not count the number of times that I have set goals for myself only not to follow up on them or even initiate the process of achieving those goals.

There are a couple of reasons for failure:
1. Never getting started
2. Not setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely)
3. Not implementing your goals
4. Fear of failure

They say that the greatest ideas are foind in the grave yard and I believe it!
Many people fear failure so they do not get to the implementation stage.
Teddy Roosevelt once said "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself."

Unless you want your epitaph to read "Here lies a man/woman with great ideas." then I urge you not to stand still and keep on trying, moving towards the great potential that you know you have.

Understand your potential..n start living

"Wealth, notoriety, place, and power are no measures of success whatsoever." H.G. Wells
The only true measure of success is the ratio between what we might have been and what we have become. "Success comes as the results of growing to our potential." John C. Maxwell.

We can do anything, but we cannot do everything; so understanding our potential is critical towards success. "Many people let everyone around them decide their agenda in life. As a result, they never really dedicate themselves to their purpose in life." John C. Maxwell

It is good to get a job description from your employer. This will help you know what your responsibilities are and you will also avoid being a "do this, do that puppet". Once you know what you are good at, you are able to pursue it full-heartedly.
The same advise is relevant in life. If you are always available to others to the extent of not accomplishing anything of your own, then you will be known as the good friend without personal convictions.

Once you know your potential, you will not stay in a job that you dont like. Majority of people have not tapped 75% of the potential. It is easier to go through life doing the simple things, but I can assure you that you will never achieve success with that kind of mentality.

Remember: the worst a potential employer can do to you is refuse to employ you; and you would walk away knowing that you tried. So go out there prepare yourself for your dream job, apply for that dream job and go to that interview confidently, knowing very well that you are qualified and you are the right person for that position.

My advise is: Tap into your tremendous potential and start living!

Thinking outside the box

I have been very lucky to be able to do more traveling this year.
My travel expeditions involve two things:
1. Getting out of town and visiting new people.

2. Being the business man that I am, I am always scoping out for new ventures.
I am always curious of the prospects of any area.
One thing I appreciate is when I see people doing things differently. I really get annoyed when I see everyone growing the same thing or selling the same thing. I am always asking "where is your imagination?" If everyone is farming the same thing or selling the same thing, then who is the customer?

As you seek employment or seeking a career, kindly think how you can set yourself apart from the flock. I know employers like that, and you will also be more valuable that the others.
Some of you maybe asking yourself: But how can I be different?
Well I can assure you that it is not that difficult.
Remember Robert Frost talking about his walking expedition and he comes to a junction and he took the road less traveled. I challenge you to find that road that is less traveled.
Need assistance?
Do not hesitate to get in touch.

Hoseah Njuguna
0734 609 741
empowerkenya@gmail.com

Observe your Starting Place

"To become different from what we are, we must have some awareness of what we are."

Have you ever sat down and seriously examined yourself?
What are your strengths, weaknesses, experiences, education and resources?

I have started many interview sessions with the following question: "tell me a little about yourself" or " who is your name? And it is dumbfounding the number of people who do not know who they are---or at least find it hard to tell me who they are.
In an early blog I mentioned that life/success is a journey and it needs a reference point.

An employer wants to know your journey so far and where you are heading. Your "journey history" helps the employer understand the goals you had set in life and your accomplishments so far. Your "future journey" helps the employer determine whether you will make a good "travel buddy".
Any good organization will have a clear direction of where it is going, so your "future journey" needs to be heading in the same direction (for a given period) in order for you to be invited to journey together.
So my advise is:
Clearly examine your history and have a short statement that you can use to define your past.
Then clearly set out future goals and develop a short statement that you can use to define your future journey. If you are able to do that, then you will not only save many companies precious time, but you will also be able to determine whether to apply for a particular position or not.
The future is yours, dont keep it waiting.

Hoseah Njuguna
empowerkenya@gmail.com
0734 609 741

Mile Markers of Progress

Everyone like to progress, however progress is relative and it needs a reference point. Goals are the reference point. Goals help you see how you are doing and whether you are on track.
By setting goals, an individual is able to measure progress. Goals are like mile-markers on the success journey.
If you want success in life, then you need to define success and then break it down to achievable and measurable goals. If you want to be a licensed pilot you need to set goals on when to finish the class aspect, the simulation, the flight hours, the test etc. Without such goals, your desire to become a pilot may stay intact, however you will not be able to see progress.
"your dream determines your goals.
your goals map out your actions.
your actions create results.
and the results bring you success."

"Recognize the power and importance of goals. While you work on them, they work on you. And what you get by reaching your goals is not nearly as important as what you become by reaching them." John C Maxwell

So set your goals so that they assist you along the journey and they can continue to work on you as you work on them.

Shoot into a Basket (hoop) or Dribble aimlessly

We learn about goals early in life, but somehow forget about them along the way. Regardless of your age, everyone played games as a child. Majority of our games involved a target or goal. If you played basketball like I did, the point of the game is to shoot the ball into the basket (hoop). Success was the getting the ball in the basket. Though dribbling and passing the ball was part of the game; the end result was to get the ball through the hoop.
Life without goals is like playing basketball without a basket. Life activities will give you some pleasure, but sustaining them for any length of time is difficult.
Setting and meeting goals creates positive energy and motivates you to keep going, even when obstacles arise.
I hope you will not "dribble" through life, I hope you will dribble with a goal in mind.
Sometimes it helps to talk somethings out; find someone who cares to listen to you and vent out your desires and see if they are realistic.
All the best.

Success part II

If someone asks you what success is you will most likely say:
"success is finding a career you enjoy where you can move up, and working your way to the top of the organization." That means success to you is a definition, a place you tried your best to reach, but whose achievement depended on a lot of factors outside your control: circumstances, office politics, opportunities, and luck. It is a place that you hope to reach someday, though only a few ever do.
Getting that position and moving up the ladders is nice and all, however you need to start looking at life differently. Think of all the accomplishments that you have achieved so far: getting through primary, secondary and most likely University; you also have a bunch of friends etc. All of these as success stories, and unless you learn to appreciate those milestones, then you will never feel content no matter the achievement.
You have to look at life as a journey---a journey that involves interaction with others, disappointments, appreciation, opportunities, and growth.
Each day is an opportunity to grow in pursuit of reaching your potential.
Stop comparing yourself with others and start living your life.
You are successful; and employers are looking for people who will assist the organization become successful.
There is no way that you will assist any organization to be successful if you do not see yourself as a successful individual.
So start living and stop waiting for that dreamjob to come so that you can start enjoying life.
all the best.

Success

Success is very illusive for many.
If you ask a group of ten people what success is; you will most likely get ten different definitions.
Some may say success is:
Power
Money,
Family
Being well known in the country
A special feeling etc.
As you can see most of the definitions will have possessions involved in the definition.
Many Kenyans who are seeking jobs would most likely define success as getting that dream job.
Success is not a destination.
"Many people have what I call "destination disease." They believe that is they can arrive somewhere --attain a position, accomplish a goal, or have a relationship with the right person--they will be successful." John Maxwell
Success is a journey...
What does it take to be successful? "Two things are required: the right picture of success and the right principles for getting there.

Do not try to copy someone else...because no two success stories are the same. The process to be successful maybe the same but we do not arrive the same success level and at the same time.

I will continue to discuss "success" this week and emphasize how that job that you are seeking is not success; it is a milestone, but not success.
Stay tuned.

Hoseah Njuguna
empowerkenya@gmail.com
0734-609-741

Short term break

I decided to take a little break last week...I went to Ocha
My purpose for the trip was to survey the area and see what potential lies there.
I walked for miles and miles and talked to quite a few people.
I was shocked by the multiplicity that exists in the rural area. Everyone in my Ocha is a tea, coffee and maize farmer; most of them have at least one cow and maybe a goat.

Many of the people did not have a reason for doing the same thing that their father and grandfather did. The coffee and tea plants were planted before their maturity age so they are just continuing with the activities that they found there.
I have a problem with this type of living.
There are cash crops that are doing well these days that can grow in my Ocha.
Cabbage
Aloe Vera
Fish (tilapia)
Millet
Sweet potatoes and Arrow roots

I am thinking of venturing into fish farming; however that is not a shortterm goal for me so I will have to do the research and do it when I am ready.

I am back now and ready to go.
Have a wonderful week

What does a job mean to you?

Many Kenyans tend to distinguish themselves according to the type of job they have.
A job in a particular profession may have some prestige attached to it, but the important question that you want to ask yourself is:
What does this job mean to me?

In many occasions I have heard people say "work to live, dont live to work"
I totally agree with the above statement.
I believe a job should not define you, you should define the job.
By defining a job I mean through hard work, determination, character, relations with coworkers and customers, defining the satisfaction you want from the job etc.

I know my people who work 12hrs or more. If I am employed, I will personally not work that many hours if the pay is the same.
My former boss always used to encourage us to strive to do all we can in the given hours and not more than that. Jack Shiltz is by far the best boss that I have ever had. He shared the mission and vision of the company with every employee and encouraged all of us to have a mission in life; and he was very frank that work should not be our mission but a means to our mission. So he encouraged us to work hard at work since it was a benchmark in achieving our mission in life.

So my advise to you today is:

• Define your mission in life

• Find a job and a boss that will help you achieve your mission

• Define your working hours and stick to them (I can assure you that your boss will not require you to work extra hours if you are maximizing your efforts during working hours--so reducing your time on facebook (lol!))

• Communicate your mission so that others will not make requests that will hinder your efforts to achieve your mission.

• finally do not become a slave to work! Work enough to enjoy your life and not the other way around.

Do not hesitate to get in touch for a one-on-one assistance with your CV, Application letter, job search, interview skills etc.

Hoseah Njuguna
0734-609-741
empowerkenya@gmail.com

Are you a winner?

Leaders and recruiters in organizations are constantly seeking winners to add to their team. Do you have the "winner" qualities?
Here are some of the qualities that clearly define you as a winner:

1. Winners are less sensitive to disapproval and rejection---they brush it off.
2. Winners think "bottom line"
3. Winners focus on the task ahead
4. Winners are not superstitious---they say, :that's life"
5. Winners refuse to equate failure with self-worth
6. Winners dont restrict thinking to established, rigid patterns
7. Winners see the big picture
8. Winners welcome challenge with optimism
9. Winners dont waste time on unproductive thoughts

Kindly take a few minutes and see if you are a winner.
If not, what are you doing to better position yourself?

Many motivational books are known to state that "you are the change that you want to be"
This simply means that if you want to change, if you want to be impactful, if you want to see different results, then you have to initiate the change from within.

Start today!
Take the right steps in becoming a winner.