Welcome to the Fulfillment@Work Newsletter
Published by Joel Garfinkle, Dream Job Coaching
ISSN: 1533-3906

Message from Joel

Welcome new subscribers! Thank you for your recent feedback regarding Fulfillment@Work. We will be cutting back the length. This longer format will appear once a month and the inspiration of the week on a more regular basis.

The Fulfillment@Work is proud to be part of your inbox each week, thanks to your loyal readership, we've grown tremendously in the past year. We invite you to share this newsletter to all who may need it.

Joel

Contents

1. Feature Article: Working Miracles
2. Love Work Tip: Raising the Stakes
3. Dream Job Tip: Balancing Supply and Demand
4. Quotes of the Week
5. We Recommend: Total Training Network
6. What Joel's up to: Executive Coaching!

Feature Article

Working Miracles

"The Lord didn't burden us with work, but rather blessed us with it." This is a concept I heard recently that I have truly taken to heart. No matter how religious or spiritual we are, so many people see work as a burden, rather than the divine blessing, especially in today's unpredictable economy, that it truly is. Let's face it, if setting our wages was entirely up to us, we would all write ourselves a blank check. But in the real world it isn't that simple.

If you constantly find yourself unthankful for your job, then I encourage you to review the following lesson of workplace supply and demand.

Regardless of what you do or whom you work for, whatever you produce or service you provide is a commodity that is sold. The selling price has to include the cost of the materials or equipment you use to get your job done, taxes and general operating expenses for your employer to remain in business. The rest is your wage. If your particular job results in more of the profits, then naturally the higher your salary.

On the other hand, if your job contributes less, then of course your take home pay will be substantially lower. The less you produce efficiently, the more it costs your employer to keep you around. The more the product costs the consumer, the fewer people will make a purchase. The fewer customers who buy it, the less demand there is for your work and the less job security you have.

As you can see prices, wages and, ultimately, job security are largely a question of efficient production and employee attitude--all of which are solely your responsibility. Imagine if you were to meet Pope John Paul, the Daili Lama, Jesus, Moses, Muhammad, Mother Teresa or any other religious or non-religious hero you might have. As you bask in the experience you feel blessed by simply having them acknowledge you and touch you with their presence. Depending on how "blessed" you feel as the result of the encounter you will feel somewhat changed and energized by becoming "fully alive" in them knowing you and "blessing" you.

Imagine if this same state of "Nirvana" could be "miraculously" applied to your job, making work a blessing rather than a burden or something you have to do every day. Sound impossible? The next time, you find yourself feeling overwhelmed or out of control, stop, take a breath and make a list of at least five blessings/positives in your life that have come as a result of your work. Then, take a moment to reflect on those things and to cherish them.

In most cases, focusing on the positive aspects of your job instead of dwelling on the negatives will calm your mind as you realize that the blessings greatly outnumber your burdens- allowing you to return to your daily workplace routine refreshed and renewed.

If all else fails, remember the parable of the oyster and the eagle. When God made the oyster, he guaranteed him absolute economic and social security. First he built the oyster a house with a sturdy shell to protect him from his enemies. When hungry, the oyster simply cracks open his shell and the food rushes in. However, when God made the eagle, he decreed, "The blue sky is your limit. Go build your own home and hunt your own prey." And the eagle went out and built his house on the highest mountain peak where storms threaten his survival every day. For food, this majestic creature often flies through miles of rain, wind and snow. As a result, the eagle, not the oyster remains the enduring symbol of America.

Work is a blessing to be enjoyed and to be truly satisfied. Just like the eagle, you must face and complete your tasks in the spirit they are truly meant to be done! Every day you are not fulfilled by the work you do, you are missing out on a blessing that has been given to you. Allow yourself the permission and strength to come out of your shell and make the job you are searching for or already have the one you've always dreamed of.

If you want to learn how to Find Your Dream Job, click here:
http://www.dreamjobcoaching.com/coaching-overview.html

If you want to learn about Executive Coaching, visit:
http://www.GarfinkleExecutiveCoaching.com

~ Joel Garfinkle
Dream Job Coaching:
Live Your Dream Life!

Love Work Tip
Raising the Stakes

In these questionable economic times you might think it's impossible to ask your company for a raise. However, if financial satisfaction is what you crave you will never be truly happy if your income fails to meet your required standard of living. But if you pick the right moment and follow the tactful tips listed below, an increase in income may not be out of the question after all:

1. List your skills and contributions to the company.

2. Find out what others are making with your level of expertise and occupation. If you can document that you're paid substantially less than your contemporaries, you can lessen the odds of being turned down.

3. Properly gauge your boss's state of mind and availability. If they seem to be in a good mood choose an appropriate time to negotiate.

4. When discussing a particular amount shoot higher to increase the likelihood of getting the salary you want (For example, if you want a 3% raise ask for 5%.).

5. Decide how you'll respond if a lower amount is offered.

6. If your boss turns you down, take the time necessary to regroup to avoid losing your temper.

7. Pick another appropriate time to re-negotiate. If the answer is still no, consider other options besides more money such as more vacation time, flexible hours and so on.

Dream Job Tip
Balancing Supply and Demand

No matter what Dream Job you decide to pursue, there are certain skill sets that you can leverage to earn even more favor. Concentrating on the skills you're already have good is a great way to make a solid first impression with a potential employer and, of course, so is indicating an interest developing some of the others.

The most important thing, is to make sure that whatever you're asked to do fulfills your Dream Job requirements. So without any further ado, here are the top ten skills that employers prize above all according to the book, "I need a Job, Now What?!" by Janet Garber:

1. Multi-tasking
2. Prioritizing
3. Leading, directing and motivating others
4. Getting along with others and fostering teamwork
5. Communicating well
6. Handling pressure
7. Number-crunching
8. Respecting authority
9. Negotiating
10. Computer Literacy

Quotes of the week

"No person was ever honored for what he received. Honor has been the reward for what he gave."
~ Calvin Coolidge

"Knowing others is intelligence; knowing yourself is true wisdom. Mastering others is strength; mastering yourself is true power. If you realize that you have enough, you are truly rich."
~ Tao Te Ching

"They can conquer who believe they can. He has not learned the first lesson in life who does not every day surmount a fear."
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

We Recommend
Total Training Network

Free training courses at Total Training Network. "We accomplish this (improving business performance) by focusing on the process of development of the "whole" person to ensure personal, family, and business success." Take time for free training courses, including a Time Management module, at www.totaltrainingnetwork.com Click on Free Courses.

What's Joel Been Up To?
Executive Coaching

I am being asked to do more executive coaching to top-level management, directors and staff who want to bring coaching into their company. If this is for you, I recommend you:

1) Contact Joel Garfinkle to discuss your professional needs or the individuals in the organization. Call at (510) 339-3201 or email at joel@dreamjobcoaching.com.

2) Experience a coaching session so you can understand the lasting impact and value for all employees and the organization. Most sessions are done via telephone so call today!

3) Choose 4-6 employees as a pilot group to do coaching. Once you gain results from this group, coaching can be delivered to other parts of the organization.

"Joel helped me to make a personal commitment to change my work habits and re-invigorate my daily efforts with my current employer."
~ Jason Bowen Business Banking Officer Bank of America

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Would you like to exchange website links with Dream Job Coaching? Just visit our link exchange page.

Coaching Services

Joel Garfinkle is available for coaching. Send him an email at joel@dreamjobcoach.com or call (510) 339-3201.

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Copyright 1998-2006, Joel Garfinkle, all rights reserved. Permission is granted to reproduce, copy or distribute DreamsWork so long as this copyright notice and full information about contacting the author is attached.