TED Talk Think of Near-Wins for Job Search Motivation

TED Talk Think of Near-Wins for Job Search MotivationTED Talk Think of Near-Wins for Job Search Motivation14In the YouTube TED talk video, Sarah Lewis Embrace the Near Win, Sarah talks about the importance of the near-win. As an art historian, she was studying painter Elizabeth Murrays works. When she spoke to Murray, she admitted that some of her works didnt meet the mark of what she wanted them to be. In fact, she put one out into the trash, and a neighbor picked it up because she saw its true value.In that moment, Lewis discovered what success truly meant. Success is a moment, she says. But what were always celebrating is creativity and mastery. She also tells the story of a group of archers who both make and miss their marks during a training session. She realized that success is hitting that ten-ring, but mastery is knowing that it means nothing if you cant do it again and again.Lewis points out that mastery is not the same as success. Success is an event, a label that the world confers upon youMastery is not a commitment to a goal, but to a constant pursuit, says Lewis.Thats why its important to value- and celebrate- the near-win.Heres how you can think of your near-wins for job search motivation and successYou go on job bewerbungsgesprchs- but dont get hired.It can be extremely frustrating to get all excited for a job interview, assume that it went well, and then never hear back from a potential employer. But before you blame yourself, use these near-wins as an opportunity for self-reflection. Maybe your interviewing skills need some polishing- if thats the case, you can practice answering typical questions (and some strange interview questions too) before going in for the interview. You can also view these interviews as a chance to perhaps realize that the job (or industry) you thought you wanted to be in is not something that you like after all.And you have to know that if you dont get the job, theres another one, a better one, waiting just around the corner for you. Promise.You do have a job- but you hate it.Sure you have a job and it pays the bills, but you abhor having to commute into work each and every day, sitting in a cubicle, and dreaming of what your life could really look like. While a job that you really dont like might feel like a mistake, its actually a near-win, if you think about it. Sometimes, doing something that you dont like prepares you for the next big thing. Youll know, as you start your job search, the types of jobs you dont want, which is almost as good as knowing exactly what it is that you want to doIn the grand scheme of your career, though, you will almost always find that every job, in some way, shape, or form, has helped contribute to who you are in your professional life. Maybe it was a certification that you got or an online class that you took, but every job, no matter how seemingly irrelevant it is to your life at the time, will help you in your career.You have a passion that isnt profitable.Lets say that you have a day job that you like, but you have a hobby that you live and breathe for. Although you might think that its unsuccessful because youre not making much (if any) money off of it, having a passion that isnt profitable is most definitely a positive near-win in your career. It will keep you moving forward doing something that you love, as you slowly become a master at what you do. Mastery is an ever-onward almost, says Lewis. Mastery is in the reaching, not the arriving. Whether you turn your hobby into a full-fledged career is actually irrelevant. Simply be grateful that you have found a passion that ignites a fire within you, and enjoy it, without worrying about numbers or earnings. Just enjoy the process as you become a master of it. According to Lewis, Mastery is about sacrificing for your craft, and not for the sake of crafting your career.The near-win is an essential part of your job search as well as your career. You will learn far mora from your near-wins th an you will from your momentary victories. Says Lewis Coming close to what you thought you wanted can help you attain more than you ever dreamed you could.Readers, what do you think of this amazing TED talk? How do you now look at your job search in light of your own near-wins? Does it help give you job search motivation? Let us know in the comments

Understanding Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) in Business

Understanding Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) in BusinessUnderstanding Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) in BusinessIn the world of big business, the concept of Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) is important for both buyers and sellers alike. As a buyer, the anfangsbuchstabe cost of acquiring the product may be relatively small when compared to the annual cost forthe maintenance and support of the product. Effective managers research their products in order to establish an understanding of the expected total cost of ownership over the life expectancy of the offering. As a seller, your clients will typically compare your offerings versus competitors from a Total Cost of Ownership perspective. Top salespeople understand their clients concern over TCO and incorporate this into their proposals in order to assist the buyer in the evaluation process. Basics of Total Cost of Ownership By design, Total Cost of Ownership(TCO) is a calculation designed to help people make mora informed financial de cisions. Rather than just looking at the purchase price of an object, TCO looks at the complete cost from purchase to disposal including expected costs to be incurred during the lifetime of the product, such as service, repair, and insurance. TCO is factored into the cost-benefit analysis. Total Cost of Ownership Is Not New Although TCO is often referenced in connection with Information Technology (IT) the concept has been around since the 1950s and 1960s when it was regularly discussed in the elevator industry. Some experts believe the concept (if not the term) dates back to Napoleons time when engineers began to pay very close attention to issues like the effectiveness of cannons and how easily they were moved and repaired, and for how long they lasted in active service. Total Cost of Ownership Varies by Industry The additional costs that must be added to the initial purchase price to calculate the total cost of ownership (TCO) vary by industry Information Technology Hardw are. TCO has been used extensively in the acquisition of information technology hardware. Estimates for the TCO of hardware typically estimates thecost for out-of-warranty repairs, the cost of annual service agreements, and the prorated cost of additional hardware and software required to leverage the hardware. As the number of web service providers continues to increase, more and more IT firms lease space from these providers, thus eliminating large investments in hardware and, consequently, reducing the annual costs and the TCO incurred for running a firms software applications. Traditional Software Licensing. For much of the history of the software industry, licensing was purchased based on an initial cost (or license fee) plus an annual software maintenance fee which was calculated as a percentage of the original license fee. Initially, this annual maintenance agreement included bug fixes and feature upgrades when available. However, this type of perpetual licensing has lost pop ularity in favor of subscription-based licensing whereby the client re-purchases the right to use the software on an annual basis. Automobile industry. Edmunds.com has a TCO calculator that adds depreciation, interest, taxes and fees, insurance premiums, fuel costs, maintenance, and repairs to the purchase price of a car or truck.Financial industry. Many mutual funds and similar products charge quarterly management fees and/or have withdrawal charges. These indirect costs must be considered when calculating the true cost of these investments. Considerations for TCO Calculations Consider the following nuances when attempting to understand the TCO of anoffering Hidden costs are always a concern. For example, a new software package might require initial training for users and supplemental training for new users moving forward.The method of financing will impact the total cost of ownership and the accounting treatment for deductions, capitalized expenses, and depreciation which will impact a detailed TCO calculation. Be sure to work with your accounting or finance department to ensure you have a complete picture of all of the implications (and costs or deductions) associated with your purchase. Dont forget labor costs. You may gain efficiencies from new investments, thus reducing overall operating costs. The benefits from these efficiencies may actually defray or outweigh, the actual costs. Conversely, you may incur additional labor costs as a result of the investment.Total Cost of Ownership often changes over time. Logically, your annual repair costs for an automobile will rise as it ages, as will the cost of servicing the car based on inflation. Make sure you factor in expected changes in costs over the lifetime of the vehicle.

5 Ways to Boost Your Job Search During the Holidays

5 Ways to Boost Your Job Search During the Holidays5 Ways to Boost Your Job Search During the HolidaysThe job market doesnt take the holidays off and neither should you. While your competition is busy sipping eggnog, take advantage of this opportunity to move your job search efforts ahead. Follow the five strategies below this season to get a head start on your search for the New Year.Make a listand check it twiceThere are only so many hours in the day, and chances are youll have your hands extra full with holiday preparations. Take a look at your calendar now and prioritize your activities. When and where can you invest in your job search? What holiday happenings can serve double-duty as job-search activities?Be merryYour attitude can make or break your job-search efforts. Remember, companies are still hiring in fact, many recruiters are under pressure to fill roles before the end of the year. Push away any thoughts of gloom and exude a confident state-of-mind, both online and offl ine, to move your job search in the right direction.Send seasons greetingsUse the holidays as an excuse to reengage with your rolodex of contacts. Send your well wishes in a holiday card or schmelzglas and invite key contacts out for a cup of hot cider to catch up. Send seasons greetings to recruiters youve worked with and employers youve interviewed with in the past to update them on your most recent job-search activities and reiterate your interest in working with them in the future.Turn events into opportunitiesTis the season for holiday parties, open houses, family get-togethersand networking Check your industrys trade associations for holiday mixers and attend parties hosted by your friends and family. Before each event, think about how you will modify your elevator pitch to suit the audience and occasion. Will they understand your industrys jargon, or do you need to discuss your potential value and job goals in broader strokes?Treat yourselfCapitalize on holiday sales to upda te your job-search tools. These could include anything from your interview and networking outfits, to a new briefcase or portfolio, to a professionally written resume or a set of geschftliches miteinander cards. Is your family nagging you for gift ideas? Scope out the stores and ask for specific items or gift cards to boost your job-search efforts.Try incorporating these strategies into your plans over the next few weeks and youll have a head start on the New Years revolutionists. Click on the following link for more information about job seeking during the holidays.