​Civil conversations are engagements aimed at sharing views or information on topics of high importance in the lives of the general public. They usually stem from and are dictated by our analysis of what mainly influences our social, economic, and political lives, among other things.
 
However, the level of engagement and the success thereof is so much dependent on the personalities of the parties involved. Some people strongly dislike civil conversations citing that, depending on the mental state of the person one is conversing with, the conversations can move from simply sharing information to showing off one’s intelligence and trying to convince the other party that your views are more valid than theirs.
 
Where one is not open-minded, there is a tendency to want to defend beliefs or anything one holds dear to them, which defeats the whole purpose of the engagement. It can easily lead to arguments or fights while where verbal aggression and abuse are present, the focus is lost, and the time invested in the conversation is wasted.
 
Also, it is easy to step out of the line with civil conversations. Controversial issues may arise which may cause trouble for an individual or the company.
 
Colleagues are also the people that we spend the greater part of the day with, as such, it is important to be careful not to ruin our relationships with them to ensure that we remain the team the company can rely on to achieve goals.
 
The following points can help us engage in civil conversations without the risk of messing up our relationships:

​It is important to know how to get along with your coworkers. It is also very important to have the ability to tell when things are spiraling out of control and to know when to stop to avoid having the conversation turn into a conflict. We cannot control how other people react to us but always have power over our own words and reactions.

We need to always keep in mind that people go through various things daily and some are not strong enough to keep their emotions in control. This means that even people with whom we normally engage in conversations may not be ready for some topics or may react differently to them than they normally do.

Emphasize Key Points
 
Remember to write down key points when drafting notes for every meeting that you are going to hold and put emphasis on main points at the beginning of the meeting as well as the end. That is how you ensure everyone present retains the important information you want them to leave with.
 
Manage Your Time Wisely During Briefings
 
Do time management apps help your productivity? Perhaps it's a good idea to consider them. There is a plehtora of time management apps available. For example, individual time management is as important as project time management. 

Time management is crucial during meetings or briefings hence if your Monday morning meeting is supposed to last for an hour make sure you do not add 15 or more minutes. Keeping your meetings short is an excellent way of making sure everyone remains engaged. 
 
Use Emails And Visuals
 
Send formal emails outlining your goals when working on a big project to keep everyone involved up to speed. Keep your emails short and include important information only such as how far you have gone, changes that may have arisen, and upcoming meetings.
 
Don’t forget to use illustrations, charts, or visuals when communicating your vision, or when embarking on a new project that requires high levels of concentration and retaining knowledge.
 
Speak Clearly
 
Communicating efficiently involves avoiding repeating words or instructions when talking to other people. So, make sure you speak clearly. Ask for feedback and address concerns or questions that your team members may have before closing the assembly.   

There are great coaches out there. Once you find one, you’ve got to do your part to get the most out of coaching. Follow these top tips to be sure you get the best coaching and that you make the most of your investment. 

​

Deciding to change careers is a big plan. Perhaps you have been in a wrong career path. This post is designed to help set you up for career shifting success. 
 
The idea is to suggest you take action in as little as 10-15 minutes per day for the next few weeks.  Take one action each day from one of the suggested actions — or you can come up with your own task to tackle!
 
There are suggested actions in four categories:

• Future Orientation
• Research
• Mindset
• Putting Yourself Out There

 
Try to plan and track your activities. Here are three ways to do this: 

• Do one action item each day for 14 days straight
• Take action for six days each week (no Sundays) for a little more than two weeks
• Take action for five days each week (no weekends) for just under three weeks

 
Here are suggested actions within each of the areas:
 
Future Orientation

• Start thinking about the future by examining the past. Reflect on your career journey to date — how you got to where you are today. How did you choose your current career?
• Spend 15 minutes brainstorming what you want your ideal next job to be like in your new career fields.
•  Take a career assessment test (skills test) to identify opportunities for a future career. Free assessments include the O*Net Interest Profiler (https://www.mynextmove.org/explore/ip) or the CareerOneStop Skills Matcher (https://www.careeronestop.org/toolkit/Skills/skills-matcher.aspx).
• Take a career assessment test (personality test) to help find professions that would be a good fit for your personality. For example, the MBTI® instrument (a paid tool) assesses your personality type and helps you identify career options that might be a fit for you. Learn more here: https://www.mbtionline.com/en-US/Products/For-your-career
• Make a list of what you like — and don’t like — about your current job. What do you want to be different in your next career?
• Take a sheet of paper. On one half, write a list of the skills you already possess. On the other half, make a list of the skills required in your new industry.
• Spend 30 minutes and identify deficiencies in your current skills that would be needed in your next career.
• Think about volunteer work you’ve done that might lead you to a new career field. What hobbies and interests do you have that might transfer to your next career?
• Get important people in your life on board with your desire for a change. Talk with someone close to you about your vision for the future and where you want to go with your career.
• Set a deadline for yourself for your career change. It can be one month, one year, or longer, but put a date to when you want to be in your new career.

 
Research

• What skills, education, and experience do you have to offer (not just from your current job, but also consider volunteer work, hobbies, previous roles, etc.)? Take inventory of your competencies. Make a list.
• Review your strongest skills in O*Net and see which occupations are a match for your skills: https://www.onetonline.org/find/descriptor/browse/Skills/2.A/
• Explore your transferable skills and experience using a tool like the CareerOneStop mySkills myFuture tool: https://www.myskillsmyfuture.org.
• Spend 15 minutes researching a target profession. Use an online tool like the CareerOneStop Occupation Profile: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Careers/Occupations/occupation-profile.aspx
• Make a list of 10 job titles you’d consider in a career change.
• Google some of the job titles you’re interested in.
• Narrow down your choices and spend 30 minutes going in-depth on one of the job titles you’d consider in your job search. Research the specifics of “a day in the life” of that job using an online tool such as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook – https://www.bls.gov/ooh/
• Spend 15 minutes researching what skills and education and/or training you need to move toward your next career. 
• Check out free and low-cost training to boost your skills. Check out the list available here: https://www.careeronestop.org/EmploymentRecovery/ExploreANewCareer/training-options.aspx
• Make a list of 10 target employers you'd be interested to join in your next career.
• Spend 15 minutes researching the salary and benefit averages for your desired career.
• Write down the names of 10 people who might be helpful in making your career change. 
• While you'll be considering the cost of a career change, create a budget for this change. What do you need to make the transition? Will you be taking a pay cut with this change? How will you handle the loss in income? Develop a plan, cut your expenses, and start saving money now.
• Spend 30 minutes researching funding/grants to retain for a career change. (For example, if you lost your job in certain professions, some states have grant funding to help you make a change to a different career.) Look into Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) programs in your state. There are several job training programs available under this program.
• Consider whether you want to work for yourself in your next career. Research how to find contract work or become self-employed. Remember, freelancing is also considered as self-employment. 

 
Mindset

• Answer the following questions in writing: Why do you want to make a change? What do you want to be different in your next career?
• Write out a statement — a mission statement — that you can use to guide your career change. It should outline what you want your career to look like and how you will achieve your goal.
• Create a mental picture of what you want to do next … and then create a physical picture to match it! This can be a photo or image which symbolizes your career goal or even a Pinterest board that incorporates your idea.
• Think long-term. Really spend some time thinking about your next career and imagining yourself working in that field for the next 10-15 years.
• Don’t fear the transition. Spend some time dreaming about the future.

 
Putting Yourself Out There

• Register for a class, training, or degree that will move you towards your next career.
• Make an appointment with a career counselor to provide an objective point of view on your career change planning. Some even administer career assessments.
• Set up an informational interview. Arrange a meeting/call to talk to someone who does the job you want to do.
• Ask one of your contacts if you can “shadow” them at their job to see what a “day in the life” is like in that career.
• Reach out to your network and ask someone for help with something related to your career change.
• Start to explore a career change by volunteering. Is there an opportunity to get involved in your new career field by volunteering or interning?
• Join a LinkedIn Group for the profession you’re targeting. Read, listen, learn.
• On LinkedIn, follow five of the target companies you identified in your research about your career change.
• Find a mentor or accountability partner to help you with your career change.
• Learn how to customize your resume to highlight your transferable skills, experience, training, and education, towards your new career target.

If you’re feeling unhappy, bored, apathetic, or depleted of energy in your career, it may be time for a change — whether that means switching career paths or starting a business of your own. By identifying your greatest passions, you can earn a living by pursuing something you love, which will lead to more happiness and fulfillment in your personal and professional life. Here’s how you can get started.
 
Does your resume need a makeover? Whether you’re new to your career or moving toward executive status, Market-Connections offers several resume writing packages to help you stand out from the crowd.

​Once you’ve come to the realization that you’re unsatisfied in your career and ready for a change, the first thing you’ll need to do is identify your passion and think about how you could make a living out of it. Ideally, the passion you pursue should contribute to society, be profitable, and fulfill you personally and professionally. However, you shouldn't be motivated solely by money or you could end up feeling unfulfilled in the future.
 
After finding your passion, you’ll need to decide how you’re going to turn it into a career. A few ways to do so include:

• Starting a business of your own.
• Offering products and services as a freelancer, consultant, online course creator, or coach.
• Exploring jobs and career paths that align with your passions, skills, and interests.

 
If you’re still struggling to choose a career path after identifying your passions, it may be helpful to complete a career quiz. The Muse shares 13 career tests and quizzes on its website, including the O*Net Interest Profiler from My Next Move, Career Aptitude Test from 123Test.com, and Big Five Personality Test from Truity. 

​Once you’ve identified your passions, you may want or need to expand your knowledge and skill set before pursuing a new career. To learn business skills, for instance, you could complete a free online course in business management, entrepreneurship, personal finance, or self-improvement. Some of the best websites to learn new skills for free or at a lower cost include Coursera, Career Contessa, and Udemy.
 
Alternatively, you could further your education by earning an online degree. There are many online degree programs to choose from, so you will likely find a discipline that aligns with your passions. With an online bachelor’s degree in nursing, for instance, you’ll learn useful skills in healthcare management, health services coordination, and more. 

​As you get ready to pursue your passions, you may also choose to enlist the help of a career coach. A career coach can help you to launch a new business, update your resume, boost your interviewing skills, and pursue the career of your dreams. However, it’s important to note that not all career coaches are created equal. As such, it’s best to obtain recommendations from friends and colleagues, as well as check professional references before hiring a career coach to guide you in pursuing your goals. 

Once you’re ready to follow your passions and leave an unfulfilling job behind, you’ll need to market yourself and the products or services you’ll be offering. A few ways to do it are listed below:

• Building a professional website and/or portfolio.
• Updating your resume.
• Creating business pages on social media.
• Growing your social media following.
• Volunteering with local non-profit organizations.

​​When changing jobs, exploring a new career path, or starting a business, keep in mind that it can take some time to turn a passion into profit. However, it’s important to remain patient, use social media to your advantage, remember why you chose to pursue your passion in the first place, and — above all — never give up. 

It is Monday and you have the worst case of Monday Blues, you are tired and actually melancholic as you imagine the week to come, you get no satisfaction whatsoever when it comes to your job and you lack that enthusiasm or drive to face another day. You feel you are stuck in the wrong job or perhaps you need a midlife career change. When your job becomes a burden and constant source of anxiety-like this, it is perhaps time to leave the wrong career path and focus on something new. It may be time to think about how to get out of a career rut. This, however, is easier said than done. Some people remain miserably trapped in the wrong career for years until they fall into despair, negativity, and depression. One needs to let go of their wrong career choice before they reach rock-bottom. How then does one get to let go of a wrong career path?​

• Do not be scared of disappointing others

​Career shifting is not an easy decision. Many people stay in the wrong career just because they are scared to disappoint their families and loved ones. The job might be prestigious or high-paying that others might consider you a fool if you ever leave it. Let this not force your hand and get you to stay. If you are not personally satisfied, learn to let go. Being trapped in constant anxiety, stress and lethargy are bad for your health as many types of research have shown. It drains you of all vitality and leads to depression, affecting your relationship with others in a negative way. Be courageous and get let go even when others might mock you for your choice. Why do you have to sacrifice yourself just to please others?

1. Understand that letting go is not a failure

Many will never back down even from a very bad career path because they are afraid to look like failures. We are indoctrinated with piths like "winners never quit" from an early age that any motion of letting go is considered an intolerable weakness. However, letting go is never a sign of weakness. In fact, it shows some high strength of character and will. When we let go and pursue our passions, we demonstrate a level of non-conformity. We show that we are daring enough to choose that which defines us best.

• ​​​Understand why you are leaving 

For you to get the courage to let go, you need to lucidly go over 8 reasons why it may be time to change your job. This will help you reinforce the idea in your mind and help you not to walk the same road again in the future. Know what you love and hate and why you do. This will help to stay motivated and courageous about your plan. You may also want to look up a few tips to stay motivated. When everything is clear in your head, when your grievances are fresh and lucid in your mind, you can easily find the strength to break the cords that hold you back. That’s when you start to think about how to prepare to quit your job.​

1. Have a plan

Once you are resolute and are sure you have to let go, you need to have a plan so that you will not be stuck in another anxiety loop over a source of livelihood. Have a rough idea of what you really want to do. This will help facilitate the transition phase between what you are doing now and what you will be doing in the future. But of course, it is understandable when your desire to let go is imminent and you really have to leave before you have a plan. In such cases, you will need some strength and mental fortitude to carry the burdens that follow such decision.

1. Do not burn bridges

It is time to take that final step and leave. It’s important to learn how to quit your job too. Remember, do not burn that bridge. You might have some strained relationships with your bosses and colleagues, but this is not an excuse to burn it all down. You might need some references in the future so try to be courteous and professional when you leave. It might mean you might have to give some weeks' notice before you leave or to hand in a resignation letter. Try to communicate clearly and respectfully why you are leaving while remaining candid when it comes to appreciating things that you learned during your stay there

Leaving your comfort zone and following a path that you define for yourself is never easy. Sometimes you have to do it silently since others will not fully understand your grievances and reasons. Remember that letting go is not a sign of weakness, nor do you have to let go only when it is the last resort. Do not prioritize other's happiness and well-being over your own. It might be tough the first few weeks while you are transitioning but it will pay up eventually. All you need is courage and the right attitude. Never be scared to let go of a wrong career path. Follow your passions​

Have you ever wondered why it seems easier to hold on to pain and misery than to let go or move on? Think about the seasons in your life when a love interest has chosen to walk away. You know the relationship has hit a dead-end or that, sometimes; it has become toxic, but a part of you still wants to hold on. The sting of their rejection seems unbearable.
​
Maybe a business partner or a close friend betrayed you and stole an idea or cost you an excellent business opportunity. Years later, you are running your own business or have a superb job, and yet the pain of their betrayal seems to overshadow that. Instead of leaving your comfort zone and letting go of the pain of our past, you cling to it. Instead of freeing ourselves from what no longer benefits us, we hold on to it.

When you embrace change, you embrace growth. Knowing how to leave your comfort zone behind will help you uncover hidden talents and skills within yourself. When you embark on a journey in unchartered terrain, it forces you to learn to survive. You learn to adapt. Growth and evolution become close companions. You discover things about yourself that you would never have known if you did not have the courage to step out of your comfort zone.

You grow when you let go. In an unfamiliar environment, you unlearn certain habits and adopt new ones. You let go of things you believe to be true and become more open to new ideals. 
​
Leaving your comfort zone frees you from a place of limitation. It offers options and opportunities that open up our narrow view of life and how it works. Do not hold on for comfort. Let go for growth.

We hold on to situations that harm us and affect our overall wellbeing because somehow; we find comfort in our pain. It is easy for us to cling to the terrible experiences we had in our past because we find our identity in them. For some, their life story is not complete without the chapter of how someone walked away or how someone they loved died. Some people do not know who they are outside of painful events from their past or hurtful situations in their present.  

The concept of making new friends and meeting new people becomes more daunting as we grow older. Even though we have outgrown certain friendships from our childhood, we still hold on to them because they are familiar. We hang on to people who do not contribute to our growth because we are afraid that we will be alone. We justify their unacceptable behavior towards us because we need a reason to keep them in our circle, even if they no longer fit in it.

When opportunities present themselves for our growth, we turn them down in favor of what is comfortable. You shelve that application or that interview for a job that has the potential to stretch and challenge you so you become a formidable force in the corporate world. The opportunity to start something we are passionate about slides through our hands because we are afraid to make the move to pursue it. We dislike our job or the working conditions or our earnings, but we comfort ourselves because at least we have a job. So we drag ourselves out of bed every morning and make our way to work, all the while knowing that we have the potential to do better. Our comfort in the familiar does not release us to go out there and be great.

Leaving your comfort zone behind  is not failing. Many people hold on to people who no longer align to their vision. We cling to situations parallel to our goals and dreams.

When you have given something your best shot and it still cannot yield good things, then you are better off without it. Do not let the fear of what society thinks or what people may say keep you in situations that bring more harm than good. You are not a failure for walking out on unhealthy relationships. Knowing how to quit your job is not an indicator of some inadequacy on your part.

You cannot receive anything new unless you loosen your grip on the old that no longer serves you. There are many exciting opportunities on the other side of leaving your comfort zone.

Think about how wonderful it is to meet new people and make new connections. You can do that by leaving your comfort zone. Join a gym. Try out that new café. Travel more and learn new cultures. Unlock yourself from the prison of past connections that are hindering your growth. Apply for that new job. Start your own business. Attend a life-transforming seminar. Give yourself a chance to do the unfamiliar. Change is an agent of growth. It may seem scary to let go, but it allows you to explore who you are and what you are capable of. You will learn new things about yourself if you come out of your cocoon and spread your wings.
​
Do not tie yourself to people or environments that drain you. Set yourself free by letting them go. 

When you embrace change, you embrace growth. ​Leaving your comfort zone will help you uncover hidden talents and skills within yourself. When you embark on a journey in unchartered terrain, it forces you to learn to survive. You learn to adapt. Growth and evolution become close companions. You discover things about yourself that you would never have known if you did not have the courage to step out of your comfort zone.
​
You grow when you let go. In an unfamiliar environment, you unlearn certain habits and adopt new ones. You let go of things you believe to be true and become more open to new ideals. 
Stepping out of your comfort removes you from a place of limitation. It offers options and opens up our narrow view of life and how it works. Do not hold on for comfort. Let go for growth.

​You may not have been lucky enough to choose the right career from the beginning. You might wonder if there’s still time. Yes, there’s still time, but it’s important to make an effective plan for a 2021 Career Change. It’s necessary to be thoughtful, but you must also be a person of action.

MAKE A LIST OF YOUR STRENGTHS AND SKILLS.

• Unless you have a lot of money in the bank or a spouse with a great job, it’s important that your career change be successful. Now isn’t the time in your life to experiment on something with little chance of success. Your golden years are rapidly approaching.
• Make a complete list of what you’re good at and what you’re an expert at.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY?

• The path to success consists of combining what you enjoy with your skills and expertise.

 
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO LEARN?

• Any career change will require new knowledge. Have you considered the costs associated with a career change? Where can you get the training you need? Do you need to go back to school? Take an online course? Take a part-time job in the field? Put in time as an intern?

 
WHOM DO YOU KNOW THAT CAN HELP?

• You may have a friend, family member, or former employer willing to give you a chance in the career you desire. Assuming you’re at least 40, you’ve gotten to know a lot of people over the years. This is one of the advantages you have over the 20-something crowd. Leverage your resources.

 
CONSIDER BECOMING AN ENTREPRENEUR.

• This may be the only field that actually doesn’t care at all about your age. In the past, entrepreneurship required a brick and mortar store or office. That’s no longer the case. It’s easy to set up a business online at a minimal cost. Entrepreneurship is blind to your age.

 
ENSURE THAT YOUR FINANCIAL HOUSE IS IN ORDER.

• It can take a while to get back to your original income. Do you need to downsize your lifestyle? Do you have sufficient savings to make the leap to a new career?

​You can change careers after 40. However, the level of risk increases with your age. Ensure that you are able to handle the risks. There’s still time to enjoy a career that you love!

This is a poem by Bryce Angell; he is a cowboy poet. Angell was raised on a farm/ranch in the St. Anthony, Idaho area with approximately 75 head of horses. Horses remain an important part of Angell's life. Angell shares his poetry with Cache Valley Daily every Friday.

I am posting Bryce Angell's poem in this blog.

Source: https://www.cachevalleydaily.com/news/archive/2019/05/24/cowboy-poetry-appreciate-your-job/#.Xy8aYShKjIW

​My father always told me

“Being lazy is a crime. 
So, when you’re out there on the job show up and be on time.”
​
His lecture was so familiar that I’d memorized each word. 
And listened so intently for advice I hadn’t heard.

He said: “The Great Depression left its mark as you can tell. 
Back then a job was ‘bout as scarce as snowball fights in hell.

And if you found a job, you’d be the lucky one for sure. 
Others weren’t as blessed, and they were hungry, tired and poor.

But some would rather go without, than being on the dole. 
Welfare was a nasty word.  Yet, hunger took its toll.

So, when they saw their little ones with nothing left to eat,
they’d humbly ask assistance, head down looking at their feet.

The desperate men would ask if there was work that they could do
to pay for any food or clothes, or bill that might be due.”

And then my father said,:

“You young ones don’t know how to work. 
Your parents hand you everything which drives me plumb berserk.

Next time you’re on the job and feeling like you’ve got it tough. 
Just take this little test and, yes, for you it might be rough.

Skip a meal and visualize there ain’t no food for free. 
Your job’s what keeps you eating.  Then try skipping two or three.

An empty belly makes a man appreciate a meal. 
Remember while you’re working how your stomach made you feel.

Your job is what you make of it.  So, try to make it last. 
You’re better off than all those men who grew up in the past.

And when you’re out there on the job.  Show up and be on time.  
Demonstrate some interest if you plan to make a dime."

BRYCE ANGELL

Praise and rewards can do wonders to bolster an employee’s self-confidence and morale. No one can deny the effect praise and recognition can have on people. Even with your family at home, there are many ways you can reward people for a job well done.
 
When you praise someone, you let them know you’re aware of their hard work. You acknowledge they’ve put forth a great effort to accomplish something and you’re celebrating with them for their accomplishment.

• Be sincere in your praise. Don’t praise a worker merely to make them feel better. If your praise is insincere, you may be considered manipulative and you don’t want to give that impression.
  
  
• Give praise when it’s due. You cannot follow the old adage, “Better late than never,” when it comes to praising someone. Express your praise as quickly as you can when you see that someone has done something praiseworthy.
  
  
• Be specific about your praise. Sure, you can tell someone they did a great job, but what was so great about it? “Your research paper was direct, to the point, and full of facts,” sounds much better than telling them they had a nice paper.
  
  
• Praise them in front of others. Giving someone a pat on the back in private may make a person feel good for a few minutes. Recognizing their contribution or success during a staff meeting will extend that good feeling into days, if not weeks. There’s a double benefit to praising people in front of others: public praise may encourage others to work harder as well. 

​As with genuinely praising an employee or family member when they’ve done well, there are other ways to reward them without having to spend money.

Some people are happier and do much better work when they’re allowed to work on their own. Giving an employee more freedom can be an excellent reward.
 

• By giving your employees less supervision, you’re letting them know they’re trusted and you have confidence in their abilities.
  
• If you truly trust your employee to do their work without supervision, allow them the flexibility to work from home on occasion. Of course, whether or not you can allow your employees to work at home will depend on the work they do.