'If you do not change
direction, you may end up where you are heading. '
Lao Tzu
Want
to nail that job interview? Cultivate a happy state of mind.
Research
shows you can train yourself to develop a more optimistic mindset—making it
easier to answer interview questions in a positive, self-confident manner. Invest
in a journal, and train yourself to develop a more positive mindset to nail your
next interview. Choose one of these writing exercises to do daily.
Exercise #1: Write a
positive note to yourself or someone in your support network.
Believe it. No, this isn't pie-in-the-sky, Pollyanna thinking.
Happiness research shows you perform better under pressure with an
optimistic outlook. You can make significant improvements in your outlook in
three weeks with daily writing exercises.
Exercise #2 Write down
three things you're grateful for today.
Let go of anger and bitterness. Sure, if you've
lost your job 'getting happy' may sound easier said than done. But hold on to
anger and bitterness over 'how-they-done-you-wrong' in the last job and you'll
fail to land the next one. Interviewers weed out people stuck in the past.
Better to invest in your future by preparing for your next job interview
through boosting your happiness quotient.
Exercise #3 Write a
positive note to a former co-worker or boss.
Prepare by fixating on the
positive.
You know what you'd really like to say to the interviewer when she asks 'why
did you leave your last job' or 'how did you handle conflict with a previous
co-worker'. Without preparing ahead your mind fixates on the negative—and there
goes the job. Fixate on the positive instead.
“So often times it happens
that we live our lives in chains, and we never even know we have the key.”
From the song Already
Gone by The Eagles.
Thank you Carol Speller for this quote.
For more on creating a more optimistic mindset see Shawn Achor on Happy Secret to Better Work
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9 comments:
Hi, Sue -- Great ideas to create a more optimistic and positive outlook. I gave similar advice in two recent blogs (What Went Well and What You Think About is What You Think About) posted at http://capiche.us/blog/page/2. This isn't just woo woo stuff -- the US Army is using the WWW exercise in its soldier resiliency training and calling it "Hunt the Good Stuff!"
Hi Chris!
I love that we're on the same page for getting this uplifting message out there!
Yep...no Woo Woo stuff here--just solid good stuff! Love the Hunt the good stuff title!
Sue
I sometimes bristle at the thought of positive thinking. If I'm suspicious of others, I am even more suspicious of myself! I've recently learned a technique that works for me, though. It's similar to a technique that I learned from Sue many moons ago. At work, we call it creating new maps, but I think of it as coming up with new interpretations or putting yourself in the other person's shoes. It helps to have someone help you challenge your interpretation of events and see things from a new angle. If you've received a poor review, for example, your first reaction may be "they are trying to get rid of me now that I am finally making what I am worth!" Alternatively, though, the review may have been written hastily or the company may have changed review standards. Often, I can admit that there might be another explanation of events and just knowing that helps me approach the conversation without a brick on my shoulder! Just a thought! Thanks for writing and keeping me thinking. Love TMR
Tracy has left a new comment on your post "Nail that Job Interview--Let Anger and Bitterness ...":
I sometimes bristle at the thought of positive thinking. If I'm suspicious of others, I am even more suspicious of myself! I've recently learned a technique that works for me, though. It's similar to a technique that I learned from Sue many moons ago. At work, we call it creating new maps, but I think of it as coming up with new interpretations or putting yourself in the other person's shoes. It helps to have someone help you challenge your interpretation of events and see things from a new angle. If you've received a poor review, for example, your first reaction may be "they are trying to get rid of me now that I am finally making what I am worth!" Alternatively, though, the review may have been written hastily or the company may have changed review standards. Often, I can admit that there might be another explanation of events and just knowing that helps me approach the conversation without a brick on my shoulder! Just a thought! Thanks for writing and keeping me thinking. Love TMR
TMR---HaHa...once again you make me laugh! 'You sometimes bristle at the thought of positive thinking...and are even more suspicious of your own positive thinking!' I love the image of getting a brick off your shoulder. No chip here!
I'm still waiting for you to write your thoughts on all this stuff in the form of a poem. When are you going to indulge me? thanks for keeping me laughing anyhow!
Hi Susan-
Glad you enjoyed the lyrics. I didn’t even hear them when Already Gone was popular in 1974, but they sure jumped out a few months ago when I heard that song again.
Here’s another quote you might enjoy. When I saw it, I immediately thought of you.
“Flatter me, and I may not believe you. Criticize me, and I may not like you. Ignore me, and I may not forgive you. Encourage me, and I will not forget you.” -William Arthur Ward, college administrator, writer (1921-1994)
Keep on Uppin’!
Carol! I have become a Wm A Ward admirer of late. That's another thoughtful quote.
As for the Eagles' lyrics jumping out at you...it seems to work that way. We're always listening for something and at just the right moment it jumps out and grabs us. I know it spoke to me at this time too!
Sue, that's what I love about your blog - it's not woo woo stuff! In this post, I especially liked "But hold on to anger and bitterness over 'how-they-done-you-wrong' in the last job and you'll fail to land the next one." That applies in all areas of life, and I know some people ... And the Eagles line ... Good stuff, Sue!
Jean | Delightful Repast has left a new comment on your post "Nail that Job Interview--Let Anger and Bitterness ...":
Sue, that's what I love about your blog - it's not woo woo stuff! In this post, I especially liked "But hold on to anger and bitterness over 'how-they-done-you-wrong' in the last job and you'll fail to land the next one." That applies in all areas of life, and I know some people ... And the Eagles line ... Good stuff, Sue!
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