Decide Who You Are Before Deciding What You Will Do!

Francina R. Harrison, MSW
Francina R. Harrison, MSW
Approximately 7 million Americans are unemployed in the United States. Since August 2003, our economy has witnessed severe layoffs, plant closings and overseas relocations for white and blue collar jobs. As a college student you may be wondering, “In this depressed labor market, is it possible to have the “American Dream” and be successful in the workforce and in life?” Absolutely! The proof is in the person. Look at Oprah, Bill Gates, Denzel, Beyonce, Kweisi Mfume, and Sam Walton. They’ve found the way. In a nutshell, they focused on their potential, not the economic indicators. Successful people discovered who they were “before” they decided what they would do. It’s deeper than a job with these folks. It’s about delivering their passion, purpose, personality, and potential.

Surviving Pass Over

Torin Ellis
Torin Ellis
If I were a poet, I would have crafted a slick and instructive metaphor placing you in the value chain of contribution and preparedness. Instead, just enter this reading from the angle of being at the top of your game seeking the next challenge.

Somehow the promotion went to someone you trained or the contract for the gift shop in the brand new hotel went to another firm. Ask [yourself] me the question. What happens if I am wrapped in unwavering volition yet paralyzed by outside influences? My response: One of the hardest periods in a person's professional career is to be denied access and elevation when clearly they are deserved. The rejection is painfully mental; sometimes catastrophic forcing some to curl up in corners, on floors, weeping with dismay.

Ghettos of Our Minds

Darryl James
Darryl James
Across all socio-economic levels, we can find African Americans who refer to some portion of the Black community, or some Black behavior as "Ghetto," a word that was originally used to refer to any area filled with people from similar racial or ethnic background live, typically separated into inferior conditions. Historically, Ghetto was most used in reference to the areas where Jews were forced to live, particularly in Nazi Germany.

It is not only a shame that we have adopted a word that has always been negative, but is now no longer used in reference to anything original. Yet, the word "Ghetto" is now clearly and interminably, a Black thing, baby. And, that’s not a good thing at all.

Coaching

Torin Ellis
Torin Ellis
They say for 3 out of 10, Monday morning's are fantastic! Hard, down right difficult might be the sentiment for the remainder. It wasn't always this way. There was a time when love surrounded the work. Today far too many are longing for recognition, responsibilities, reward, and wonderfulness between the hours of 6 and 6 and that presents a problem. This week I promised to look at the Coach of the team we created last week. As usual, the twist lies in where we look. Shall we?

Writers Retreat

Pittershawn Palmer
Pittershawn Palmer
Writers from all walks of life are trying to find the secret. They want to know, how do I become a great writer? How do I create a body of work that will be remembered long after I am gone? These writers ask the questions that many have asked through the ages. And still, there are others who do not long for immortality, but only for their words to be heard, and they never realize that in wanting that, they will inevitably create a permanent place for themselves in history.

When Welfare Replaces Daddy

Darryl James
Darryl James
If we are truly concerned about the future of our children, then we would focus on the benefits, not the costs of amending the Welfare system, because as study after study has shown, our children are doing worse with fewer fathers in the home.

Teamwork

Torin Ellis
Torin Ellis
In business we (all) are part of a team. Education is business. Government is business. Non profit initiatives are business. Franchising is business. And in business, the difference in a team's performance, high performing and reaching extraordinary success lies in establishing mission-oriented goals and concentrated action towards those goals. Reaching a consensus can be exhausting yet mandatory. With execution at the core, let's quickly cover three steps to becoming part of a better team.

BRAND YOU

Torin Ellis
Torin Ellis
Understand that you are the brochure, business card, logo, and/or web site that is most important. . . most seen. Craig's List [founded in 1995] started as an online calendar to alert readers of various happenings around the San Francisco area. Today the website receives nearly 5 billion page hits and nearly 15 million unique visitors per month. A strong accomplishment for an organization of any size - a phenomenal feat for one that has less than 30 employees! A brand.

Subcategories

Business Advice 181

Spiritual 3