Last week we attended a volunteer fair to find out who wants to give back to their community. Greater Paterson Opportunities Industrialization Center (GPOIC) is an organization that prides itself on serving the under served members of our communities. Through professional, technical and financial skills training we help all members of our community contribute. If you have an interest in Volunteer contact us to find out how to give back.
Sergio Abrams has found yet another way to brighten the hallways of GPOIC. By adding new pieces of airbrushed and inspirational art we will share with you.
With the explosion of AI in virtually all aspects of our lives, including the workforce, how you decide to respond to it is up to you. You can choose to resist the tsunami of change or embrace it and begin preparing yourself for success in the face of change. In terms of the workforce, in addition to developing the technical skills you will need for success, having the proper mindset is also a critical factor in the process.
These suggestions are not new, they are reminders of what you instinctively already know. They serve as either kick starters to get you going, or confirmations to keep you going. Here are 4 key mindset adjustments you’ll need to continue or adapt to increase your chances of success in this new AI centered world both personally and professionally:
- Embrace Life-Long Learning
Photo by Hurix Digital
In a world where not only technology, but knowledge in general, evolves rapidly, adopting a mindset of continuous learning is critical. This means making an active decision about acquiring new skills, staying updated with industry trends, and being open to new ideas. Life-long learning is not just about formal education but also about being curious and eager to grow.
Suggested Strategies:
- Allocate time each week for learning something new, whether it’s a new software tool, a professional course, or something related to personal growth and development.
- Attend webinars, workshops, and conferences to stay informed and network with like-minded professionals.
- Get into the habit of reading—books, articles, research papers—related to your field, or some other topic of interest.
- Develop Resilience
If there is one thing that is for certain, it is setbacks and disappointments are going to occur in life. Developing the ability to bounce back from setbacks is a defining trait of successful individuals. Resilience includes maintaining a positive attitude in the face of setbacks, managing stress effectively, and viewing failures as opportunities for growth rather than unbeatable obstacles.
Suggested Strategies:
- Create a regular practice, daily, if possible, of stress-reduction techniques such as meditation, exercise, yoga, or whatever works for you.
- Look back on past setbacks and remember what you learned from them. Many of us can remember experiences that, while upsetting at the time they occurred, turned out to be one of the best things that happened to us.
- Build a support network of colleagues, mentors and friends who can offer guidance and encouragement. There are few things in life as valuable as great relationships.
- Be Solution Oriented, Not Problem Centered
Are you a glass half empty of half full person? The cultivation of a solution-oriented mindset means approaching challenges with a positive attitude, focusing on finding solutions rather than dwelling on problems. This mindset is a choice and fosters innovation, creativity, and problem-solving, all of which are essential skills in a dynamic work or personal setting.
Suggested Strategies:
- When faced with a challenge, consider a variety of potential solutions before deciding on the best course of action. The key is to focus on finding a solution rather than searching for who to blame, or wallowing in woe is me thinking.
- Utilize your resources. You are not alone. Tap into your support network and create an environment where everyone is comfortable sharing ideas and offering possible solutions.
- Celebrate your small wins and move forward towards solving bigger challenges to maintain motivation and momentum. This serves as a reminder that you have overcome obstacles in the past, and you will overcome them again.
- Prioritize Time and Energy Management for Productivity
One of my core values is the effective, efficient use of time. Effectively managing your time involves recognizing and honoring your values, setting clear goals, prioritizing tasks, and using your best tools and techniques to manage your workload efficiently.
Suggested Strategies:
- Find a productivity tool you like such as a task manager app, calendar, or project management software tool to organize yourself and your work.
- Break down larger projects into smaller, manageable tasks and set time goals for their accomplishment.
- Practice working in time blocks using such tools as the Pomodoro Technique or some other time blocking system to maintain focus and prevent burnout. Balance is the key here.
- It helps to recognize when your peak hours of energy are present. Are you a morning person, a night owl, or somewhere in between. Schedule your most important task for the time of day when you are at your peak energy level.
Personal and professional success requires more than just technical skills—it demands a fundamental shift in mindset. By embracing continuous learning, developing resilience, focusing on solutions, and prioritizing time management, you stand a much better chance of navigating the complexities of modern life and achieving long-term success. Remember, a positive/growth mindset is a powerful tool. Cultivate it effectively, and you’ll find yourself thriving amid the rapid changes in both your professional and personal life. [
Hollis Nelson is one of the innovative and bold leaders at GPOIC. We highlight Hollis today because his passion to train in-spite of the difficult times GPOIC has gone through, he continues to push GPOIC to provide relevant and improved services.
2022 is here! As the year begins the COVID 19 pandemic is still very much in play, and new variants continue to pose serious challenges. There is a small glimmer of light at the end of the of the tunnel. While there are still restrictions in place, we can still return to doing some of the things we enjoy. In terms of the job market, things are also beginning to pick up. Recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has the current 4.6% unemployment rate at its lowest point since the outbreak of the pandemic in March of 2020.
However, one interesting occurrence in the job market was the number of people who decided not to return to their previous occupations. The BLS estimates approximately 4.4 million people have quit their jobs, and contrary to what some believe, this is not due primarily to anti-vaccination, or mandated vaccination issues. That is a small part of it; but there are deeper, more personal issues at play here.
Photo By: Gatot Adri
The COVID-19 pandemic changed the way we work, and as a result, enabled more reflective time to consider meaning, value, and “work-life” balance. It gave people a different experience, and time to slow down and reflect on what is important to them. Yes, some jobs did not return after businesses closed due to the pandemic, but millions decided that they no longer wanted to return to their previous way of life especially in terms of their work lives. Some will pursue their entrepreneurial dreams, while others will seek to make career changes and make a fresh start. They want to find and do work that provides meaning and value to their lives and the lives of others.
I want to share a few thoughts for career changers to consider as they embark on making that fresh start. There are at least three things I think you should make a part of your career change process.
First, consider your passions. Think about the things you enjoy doing in your own time, such as hobbies or things you do just for the pure fun and enjoyment of doing it. I believe this is a critical part in setting a direction for career change. For example, I am a tech enthusiast. I enjoy building gaming and business productivity PC’s and learning about new technologies and how they impact our lives. What you enjoy may be entirely different but identifying what you enjoy and have a passion for is important. You can have one passion or multiple passions; it doesn’t matter. Taking those passions into consideration as part of your career change is what is important.
This leads to the second thing to consider in making your career change. Ask yourself some key questions regarding your passions. They would include: What are the things I am skilled at in my passion? Am I learning new things and developing new skills in the areas of my passions? These types of questions are essential to the third aspect of the effective approach to career change.
The third piece would be to identify what industry your passions fall under. Is it the tech industry? Maybe its culinary, fashion and beauty, botany or the environment, retail sales, automobiles, just to name a few. By identifying your passions, skills, and industry, you have the foundation on which to build a satisfying and meaningful career shift, instead of pursuing a “job” because you need to pay bills – as so many do – finding yourself working but stressed and unhappy.
I have encountered many people who have jobs they hate but go through the motions every day because bills got to be paid. Impactful career change is about finding that right match of passions, skills, and industry. The career change search begins with establishing which companies are in the industry where your passions lie. You are probably already a customer with one or more of these companies. After you’ve assessed what your key skills are in your passion, you explore to find if there are positions available with companies in the industry that match your skills, and if not find out what skills are in demand that you may need to develop. Learning new skills centered around things we are passionate about comes naturally, so that’s an easy obstacle to overcome.
The key takeaway here is that career change is more than just searching for a new job. Doing work that brings meaning, personal satisfaction, and benefit to others involves finding that right combination of passion, skills and industry.
Of course, paying the bills and meeting the needs of life are important, but if you can do it in a space that has these three elements, you are more likely to experience career growth, rather than seek career change. I hope that 2022 will be the year that more people find careers that bring these three elements together. We will all benefit as a result. Namaste.
This article was first published on Transformation.net
The views and opinions expressed in this post are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the Greater Paterson OIC, its Board of Directors, or any other group or individual affiliated.