Jobs are scarce, the unemployment rate has hit a 26 year high at over 10%. Do you continue to wait it out plugging away at your current position, maybe you are unemployed?  Other options could include breaking into your own business either part time or full time.

Some useful resources and business ideas to get the mind thinking:

Master List of  Home Business Ideas

Business Ideas on a Budget

200 Ways to Start Your Own Business

Did something catch your eye? Start the brainstorming! Keep moving forward!

Five simple actions to enhance your work environment:

1- Say “Hello”

2-A “Please and Thank you” is nice.

3-Listen and acknowledge, it is nice to be heard.

4-Offer support, “anything I can do to help?”

5-“Have a nice day” is a good end to the work day.

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Often a little action here or there can brighten up a day.

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Many of us are going through uncharted waters as the economy tries to correct itself. It could be an opportune time to try getting a small business started.

Some ideas that come to mind…

Personal Trainer

T-Shirt Design

Ebay seller

Handyperson

Landscaper

Just to name a few. For many more inexpensive business ideas and useful resources visit:

Business Week, PowerHomeBiz, Best Blanks,

How about some Top Ten lists?

Dan Schawbel shares his Top 10 Social Networks for Entrepreneurs and his  Top 10 Social Sites for Finding a Job.

Stuart Brown and his Top 10 Most Common Passwords. (Somewhat outdated)

Alex Matsui has her Top Ten Best Newspaper Websites.

Top Ten Web Hosting of 2009 at PR Checker.

Any Top Ten lists to add?

For a few years now I have been on this crazy kick trying to understand why most individuals don’t respond, whether it be via email, voice,  pony express etc.  Initially I just accepted it as human nature…but why? Why don’t people respond? Is it  geographical a issue (laid back, too busy), procrastination, fear of being rude? Does the non-responding individual have an ego problem? Personally I have much more respect for an individual that is willing to share not so good news than an individual that hides and doesn’t respond. Don’t you?

I want to share with you one of my favorites chrisbrogan, his site is one that  I visit on a regular basis.  His post 10 Things You Could Do Better Today got my attention of course! Have a look at # 1 !

The list…

1. Improve your response time to requests. <–I might add respond at all.
2. Improve the brevity and simplicity of your email correspondence.
3. Connect with five new people and seven existing colleagues or friends each day.
4. Inspect your business process cycle from start to finish for improvements.
5. Rethink your approach to helping others succeed.
6. Increase the amount of times you connect others together to build new relationships.
7. Resolve three pieces of unfinished business, no matter how painful.
8. Live closer to your goals and your main points of focus, and less by reaction.
9. Take time to thank the people who make your life possible.
10. Rest and unplug.

The other 9 are very useful points as well! So why do you think people don’t respond? Is it intentional or unintentional? Does the mind start playing tricks on us when we don’t have an answer…….we deserve a response. Don’t we? Just respond darn it!

Now days everything is so automated. When applying for a job you might be in the company of 100+ applicants! So what does the hiring company do to filter out applicants? They use keywords to narrow down the prospects. I understand the logic behind it but I don’t necessarily agree with it for most positions. A doctor, engineer or maybe a chemist to name a few examples makes sense. Unfortunately this is how it is and I do not see it changing anytime soon.  So what does one do to get past the filter process and have a person actually look at your resume?

Some ideas:

1-Look over the position thoroughly and rearrange your resume using specific words to match the job description.

2-Use a cover letter that has appropriate keywords to match the job description.

3-Send multiple resumes with different keywords (same meaning).

4-If a phone # or email is listed call and email the contact person, it shows that you are assertive.

Extra effort is required in today’s world ….. Be assertive and stand out!

More on Keywords, How can keywords help with a job search?

During a typical lifespan, a human spends a total of about six years dreaming (which is about two hours each night). It is unknown where in the brain dreams originate, if there is a single origin for dreams or if multiple portions of the brain are involved, or what the purpose of dreaming is for the body or mind.

Some dream quotes:

“Dreams that do come true can be as unsettling as those that don’t.”- Brett Butler

“Hope is a waking dream.”- Aristotle

“Keep true to the dreams of thy youth.”-Friedrich von Schiller

“Dreams come true. Without that possibility, nature would not incite us to have them.”- John Updike

Why should you bother remembering your dreams?

1. Your dreaming mind has access to vital information that is not readily available to you when you are awake. Your dreams may reveal your secret desires and subconscious feelings.

2. In remembering your dreams, you will have an increased knowledge about yourself, bring about self-awareness and self-healing.  Dreams are an
extension  of how you perceive yourself. They can be a source of inspiration, wisdom,  joy and overall improved psychological health.

3. Learning to recall your dreams may help you become a more assertive person.  In remembering your dreams, you are expressing and confronting your feelings.

4. Dreams can help guide you though difficult decisions, relationship issues, health concerns, career questions or any life struggle you may be going through.

5. Remembering your dreams can help you come to terms with stressful aspects of your lives.

Maybe it is time to dream!

Sources: Dream Moods, Wikipedia

…………….“Gather and pass on what comes for the depths.” -Paul Klee

I have seen to often that an individual or an organization limit their opportunities by limiting their sources for ideas. Listen to ideas, welcome them. You don’t necesarily have to apply but keep an open mind.

Would you rather be liked or respected? For me it is simple…I prefer to be respected. I think one that commands respect would carry honestly and integrity into their actions.

How about you, respect or to be liked…what is more important?

Unemployment is up to 6.7%! I know many individuals that have been laid off over the past year and it doesn’t lo0k like we are going to see a slow down anytime soon! Fortunately most that are laid off  receive a severance along with all of their vacation pay whether you work for a private or public co. According to About.com a Typical salaried (non-union) severance benefit is two (2) weeks pay for each year of service — to a maximum of 26 weeks.

Typical executive severance benefit will be in the 6 to 12 months range.

For those that are just cut loose without a severance (rare but can happen), talk with your employer and hope that humanity wins out if not look into the State and Federal Laws regarding severance packages.

For more see Severance Packages.