To successfully achieve our goals in life, we must capitalize on both our conscious and unconscious minds.  Study after study confirm that successful people have clear-cut goals, which implies a clear vision.  When we create a clear vision of what we want and who we want to be, our conscious mind defines the action plan while our unconscious mind helps us work toward those goals.  One way to keep your vision strong is to create a vision board.

A vision board can be created on poster board, on a bulletin board, on a PowerPoint slide, or whatever your imagination can come up with.  You can use magazine pictures, articles, photographs, slogans, quotes, affirmations, anything that represents your goals and inspires you.  You can use drawings, markers, sticky notes, note cards, etc.  You may want to add motivational words such as, “Joy,” “Smile,” “Success,” “Believe,” and others.

Use your imagination and create your vision board today.  Put it where you will see it often.  When you are in job search, having a vision board can act as a motivational tool and a reminder of what you are working toward.  Let it guide and inspire you to take daily action toward your goals.  With a clear vision and defined action steps, you will be amazed at what you can achieve.

Note:  I currently have a few openings for one-on-one clients.  If you are interested in getting some help to discover your ideal career or in taking control of your job search, click here to schedule a free consultation and let’s discuss your needs and how coaching can help you achieve your goals.

Research shows that our environment has impacts on our behavior that we are often unaware of it.  Psychologists refer to these influencers as primes.  One research study found that people who were shown sad movie clips spent 300 percent more money on a bottle of water than a group of people who were shown neutral movie clips.  Every person who watched the sad movie clips insisted that the movie clips had nothing to do with the price they paid for the water.

Stop for a moment and take a look at your surroundings.  What things in your environment are having a positive impact on your work and what things are having a negative influence on you?  Here are some suggestions for positive primes that people have used:  (1)  Change your cell phone ring tone to a song that motivates you or reminds you of a happy event.  (2)  Add an inspirational quote to your email signature.  (3)  Make sure the slogan on your coffee mug is a positive one.  (4)  Keep a list of your goals where you can review them daily.  (5)  Hang a picture of someone you admire where you see it often.  (6)  Choose an object that inspires you and keep it within your range of vision as you work.  Change your primes and you can change your behavior.

Note:  I currently have a few openings for one-on-one clients.  If you are interested in getting some help to discover your ideal career or in taking control of your job search, click here to schedule a free consultation and let’s discuss your needs and how coaching can help you achieve your goals.

You know you need to approach finding a job as a full time job but you find yourself distracted by other things that need your attention.  You keep telling yourself that you will get focused tomorrow or next week or, absolutely, you will get serious starting on Monday.  You want to get back to work, you need a job, and you can’t figure out why you aren’t motivated?

Often, lack of motivation is really lack of clarity.  Do you know exactly what type of work you want to do?  Do you have a list of companies you would like to work for?  If not, take some time to clearly define exactly what you want to do and where you want to do it.  Once you have identified your target, it will be much easier to map out the path to get there.  Get off the carousel today and start moving toward your future!