Do What It Takes To Make Things Happen

Last Thursday morning, I spoke with an individual who expressed dissatisfaction with how his job search was going. I asked him if he had had any interviews recently. He said he had one a few days earlier, and felt it had some possibilities. I asked him if he had sent a handwritten thank you note and he replied that it was a good idea, but did not. A few days later I asked if he had sent the handwritten note, and he told me he had sent an email instead. We talked a bit further and he agreed, that a hand written note would have been better. I told him that he could still send the handwritten note. He never did.

Excuses, Excuses, Excuses
You probably know people like that. They say they already know what you are talking about, but they never do any of it. They have all kinds of great excuses like:
“I didn’t have the time.”
“I didn’t think it was necessary.”
“That’s not my style.”
“It would be good for other people, but not me.”
“It’s on my to-do list.”

Someone once said, “To know and not to do, is not to really know.” Put another way, until you really internalize something and actually do it, you really don’t know it. You are aware of the concept, but do not really take it seriously. If you keep on doing what doesn’t work, you will only get more of the same.

Do it Now
Here is an exercise that will help keep your focus, and help you to get the results you want. Take a post it note and write on it the words: “DO IT NOW.” Every time you see this note, repeat the words out loud three times. When you do this repeatedly, it will encourage you to take action now.

Remember, if you are unhappy with what your career search has brought you, up to this time, realize things won’t change until you do. The key is to make up your mind to do what it takes to make things happen. When you can do this, you will put yourself on the fast track to a new career.
 

Tom Borg is president of Tom Borg Consulting, LLC. He is a business consultant, speaker, coach and author. He helps companies and organization become more profitable by increasing their value and lowering their costs through the professional development of their managers and employees.