November 2006

In This Issue

News from Joan (right)

Is it ADD or Modern Life Syndrome? (below)

Quotes for the Month

Job Seeking Tips: Resume Flaws to Avoid

Quick Links

 

 


News from Joan:

1st Annual Artisan
Holiday Market

The Houston
Decorative Center

November 16

11 AM to 7 PM

Along with seven other artists, (including some who create wearable art like handbags, jewelry and shawls) my paintings and prints will be displayed for sale at CABINET INOVATIONS, #219, in The Houston Decorative Center, located at Woodway and Sage. (713) 461-6424.

If you are looking for art for your home or to give a unique personal gift come see this collection and enjoy some great pre-holiday food with friends. See details

What clients say about Joan:

“Joan has been there and done that. She understands the corporate and business world and frequently works with companies that are laying off workers. She is insightful, practical and caring.

If she asked me to describe her passion and mission, I would say that it is to help people to know and understand themselves. Then, they can pursue their passions and find and mold their jobs to match. Joan provides practical tools, coaching and assignments to help us get there.”

Evalyn Shea, Owner
Shea Writing Solutions

Need a Speaker
for your business association or
network group?

Give Joan a call at
281 293-8864

Schedule a FREE, no-obligation consultation TODAY! Call 281 293-8864 or email me.

Click here to learn more about Joan’s services!


 

 

Is it ADD or Modern Life Syndrome?

3% of the adult population suffers from ADD.

90% of my corporate and entrepreneurial clients believe they have ADD.

The reality is that the pace of our modern society brings out the characteristics that mimic ADD. The question then becomes, are you suffering from Attention Deficit Disorder or from Modern Life Syndrome? Reflect on a few of the ADD symptoms:

  • Trouble focusing attention for more than a few seconds
  • Tuning out in the middle of a conversation
  • Tendency to be restless, continually in motion
  • Likely to have many projects running simultaneously
  • Always in a rush and impatient
  • Feeling of being overwhelmed by daily life
  • Difficulty getting organized
  • Problems with time management

Do you know anyone who does not exhibit some or all of these traits? The truth is that society has evolved to bring those tendencies to the forefront for all of us. We are now suffering from Modern Life Syndrome as every part of our lives is barraged by messages demanding attention. Just picture for a moment some basic daily routines.

Opening a website page

  • pop-up dialogs springing into view
  • boxes of ads and comments lining the sides of the pages
  • multiple colors screaming out at you

Driving down the freeway

  • billboards, high and low
  • radio ads interrupting the traffic report
  • your cell phone ringing

Watching your favorite television show

  • Floating announcements advertising other shows
  • Information strips scrolling weather updates
  • Blaring commercials at the peak drama moments

All of that is before you get to the office. The frenetic pace continues as deadlines loom and you cope with constant interruptions. End results are often that you have to work late, bring work home with you, or come in early. You become tired and stressed, which makes it even more difficult to focus.

I read of one person who would leave the office and go sit in his car when he had papers he needed to absorb and on which he had to form a decision. It was simply impossible for him to concentrate in the office.

Whether you are suffering from Modern Life Syndrome or ADD, you need to employ processes that will limit distractions and increase your productivity. The strategies are similar. To read the rest of the article click here

I highly recommend Denise to help you to get your office at work and home organized. When she has gotten you on your way, give me a call to help you stay organized and accomplishing your goals.

For a free consultation on career strategies and options give me a call at 281-293-8864 or send me an email.

 

Quotes for the Month

“Remember that fear always lurks behind perfectionism. Confronting your fears and allowing yourself the right to be human can, paradoxically, make you a far happier and more productive person.”

—Dr. David M. Burns

“My definition of a free society is a society where it is safe to be unpopular.”

—Adlai E. Stevenson Jr., US diplomat & Democratic politician (1900 - 1965)
Speech in Detroit, 7 Oct. 1952

”You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don't try.”

—Beverly Sills, US opera singer (1929 - )

”Anger makes you smaller, while forgiveness forces you to grow beyond what you were.”

—Cherie Carter-Scott, "If Love Is a Game, These Are the Rules"

Job Seeking Tips: Resume flaws to avoid

SAN FRANCISCO, CA -- Are you sabotaging your job search? Nothing slows a busy reader faster than sections of text that go on and on. Try to limit all paragraphs in a resume to three or four lines at most this will make it easier to read. Resumes with five or more different fonts and sizes, look like they have been pasted together. To avoid distracting readers, limit yourself to two fonts in your resume.

If you need miniscule letters to fit the text of your resume onto one or two pages, you're hurting your chances. A font smaller than 11 points will cause readers to […] pitch the offending resume.

A jam-packed resume will look unprofessional. Try to leave a margin of at least 0.5" along the top and bottom, and 0.9" on the sides. A two-page resume is perfectly acceptable, so feel free to use more than one page if you just can't cut the content. Follow these guidelines to avoid the design flaws that prevent employers from giving your resume serious consideration. When in doubt, run your resume by at least three friends for their honest input.

If you want to power up your resume, job search and interview skills, give me a call at 281-293-8864 or email me at joan@bolmer.com for a free consultation.


 

Quick Links

Note Cards, Paintings and Prints<

Questions To Ask A Prospective Employer

Quality Self Care

My Fabulous Editor/Designer, Phaedra Cook

My Marketing Consultants, Cognovi


Check out Joan's paintings, prints
and notecards


Fall Trees


Insights
©2006, by Joan Bolmer, all rights reserved. Permission is granted to reproduce, copy or distribute this newsletter so long as this copyright notice and full information about contacting the author is attached.