Digital Solutions – SiMar

Job Hunting: What Skills Should You Have?

Allison Todd — Sun, 05 Nov 2017 09:25:20 +0000

Are you a new graduate looking for your own place in the sun? Or are you looking for greener pastures? Do you want to know the secret of employability? Many people these days no longer see themselves working for the same company for a lifetime. This could be due to the millennial theory of being always on the get-go for something bigger or simply a strategy to find more opportunities for growth.

To ensure that you get to easily move from one job to another, you need to have versatile or adaptable skills set. This particular skills set should not only be focused on one career path but must be broad-spectrum in a sense that it can fit to most, if not all, employment sectors. Employers are looking for people who have “employ-ability” skills or skills set that can fit to various job roles. So, what are these skills?

Communication Skills. Be prepared to have both excellent written and oral skills. Your own resume and its cover letter will deliver the “first impression” on your written capabilities while your interview will sound off that of your oral skills. Make sure to demonstrate articulateness when speaking while writing succinctly and with clarity. Employers look for these as it helps to carve a growth mindset, creativity, and aptitude.

Interpersonal Skills. Unless it’s a one-person mission to the moon, you will most definitely be working with co-employees, customers and clients, bosses, and so on. This is why the need to have good interpersonal skills is essential. This allows you to effectively partake as a team member, negotiate, and make good decisions. It also helps in satisfying client expectations as well as customer satisfaction. Excellent interpersonal skills usually stimulate empathetic listening leading to ease in building rapport with everyone.

Critical Thinking. Employers will also be on the lookout for your problem-solving and decision-making skills. Critical thinking is the ability to gather and evaluate relevant information—and the eye to pick the best solution. Along these lines, people with good critical thinking skills are also known to be effective in terms of planning, organizing, and getting things done efficiently.

Leadership Skills. While many believe that leadership skills are mainly focused for managerial or supervisory positions, this one is virtually being deemed essential on all new hires. This ability is about influencing others to achieve goals. Often, self-confidence is the best gauge being looked at by employers.

Computer Skills. This is the information age when everything is driven by technology and the Internet. Aside from knowing basic computer skills, some employers also look for specific requirements like ability to use apps, e-mail platform, social media, or programs related to their operation will be sought out.

Creative Skills. Bring your innovative and inventive mindset when applying for a new job. This skills are no longer just limited to marketing and designing but in many aspects. Finding new ways and means to make systems and procedures more effective and efficient has always been a target of businesses.

Numeracy-Presentation Skills. These two skills set are often interrelated. Presentation often require the ability to understand certain data like statistics, surveys, graphs, demographics, and other aspects essential to decision-making and reasoning. Numeracy skills can also become irrelevant if presentation skills are lacking.

While these skills sets are often on the table for employers and headhunters to consider, it is also important to develop positive attitude towards people, work, and the company you wish to work for. Expertise may be required in some aspects particularly in highly technical jobs but, all in all, employers will always choose someone who is willing to develop, learn and grow with the company.

Correlating Rapport Building and First Impression

Allison Todd — Sat, 04 Nov 2017 20:18:31 +0000

For many young people, socialization can be such an easy thing to do—online. Social media allows millennials to easily reach out to others. The same interests can draw them together and regardless of familiarity, will often allow them to interact freely. Anonymity is another factor that allows them just that. But bringing that into actual conversations, presentations or business dealings is somewhat of a challenge. Building rapport, or harmonious understanding, is the first step to a successful interpersonal relationship and this requires time. By knowing how to create that killer first impression and then, consistently building up such connection will do the trick.

First Impression Lasts

Millennials or not, first meetings can bring out anxiety in anyone. There is simply nothing more unnerving than being sized up by the other party. It is also but natural to want to be liked and be given the amount of attention and respect. But the need to create a killer first impression is the first step in building rapport, a salient aspect in excellent interpersonal skills.

People naturally feel intimidated or unsettled when being entrusted into an unfamiliar environment. But confidence and optimism will help you overcome situations like this. But while many millennials are touted to be oozing with confidence, building rapport still needs consistency and constant practice way beyond the ease of first meet-ups. To build rapport, certain skills set like verbal and nonverbal, motivational, active listening, sense of humor, and empathy must be utilized.

Rapport Building Behaviors

Building rapport is the very process that turns a killer first impression into a lasting one. This is where trust and mutual respect usually comes in. To start, here are some important behaviors to consider:

Be sincere when you meet people for the first time. When you are sincere, your smile is usually brighter, your handgrip tighter, and your warmth can be felt by the other person or the other group.

It is recommended to talk on a first name basis to build rapport but be wary of cultural differences. Japanese, for instance, prefer last name basis for formal talks.

Make good use of easily understood terms so you will not sound condescending. Using jargon not familiar to the other party can easily turn a conversation to a bumpy start.

When talking, try to keep eye contact and let your nonverbal cues mimic what you are saying. Lean towards the person you are talking to. Keep your hands open and your legs uncrossed. A relaxed manner will help the other party feel welcomed. It also makes you feel more relaxed.

Practice empathetic listening by being attentive. Nod every now and then or make appropriate sounds and gestures. Ask questions to make the other party know that you are listening.

Clarify any confusion or unclear matters. This will prevent misunderstanding. When in agreement, always openly say so to motivate the other party and build trust. When you disagree, however, always give the reason why.

Be genuine and be honest. It is best to admit a mistake or acknowledge some points that you have no idea of. This helps to build trust.

Don’t forget to offer compliment and maintain politeness all throughout.

Building rapport by starting strong on your first impression can be tricky. Experts believe that first impressions carry a huge weight in dealing with other people. While it may be true, it still takes a lot of consistency and constant communication to tighten such rapport. Practice and mentorship will help largely on this aspect. When done accordingly, you can guarantee building lasting relations with everyone else—and often to your advantage.

Mompreneurs Guide To Meal Planning

Allison Todd — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 12:24:45 +0000

Juggling family life and business can be tough to any woman. Being a working mom and being able to feed your kids with home-cook food can be tough but not impossible. So many women have to undergo all the trouble of doing the balancing act and often, the lure of fast-food and take out goodies win. Mompreneurs, however, developed strategies which make the whole meal planning experience efficient and effective.

1. Go into the specifics by breaking down your meal plan. Try focusing on a full dinner at least 3 nights a week. A healthy and complete diet usually includes a protein (meat or poultry), vegetable, and carbs while low-fat or Paleo requires you to skip the carbs. Try to cook in excess to have leftover nights every other day. On other nights, try simple meals like omelet, bacon and hot dogs, pre-seasoned chicken or meat for deep-frying, and so on. Or you may head to a local diner or a local farmers market.

2. Keep things fresh, simple yet delicious. There are vast resources for recipes online. Feel free to download apps like Big Oven, Yummly, AllRecipes, CookPad, Epicurious, and much more. Many of these apps list down ingredients, where to source them out, calorie count, and cooking hacks presented in video tutorial form.

3. Invest in a good stove or oven to maintain freshness and taste. Nuking food in a microwave may seem the easiest thing to do but it also carries a lot of risks. Note: Frozen leftovers must be thawed before re-heated to ensure safety, too.

4. Make plans for the week and do it ahead of time. Last minute cooking should be minimized at all cost. Consider planning on a Saturday then, do grocery and prepping for meals in pre-packed Ziplocs on Sundays. Feel free to cook the night before while the kids are already in bed. Re-heat them at least 30 minutes before dinner time.

5. When cooking, do it in big batches. Cook at least twice the usual in preparation for leftover nights or simply freeze them for another day. Make a broth out of your chicken bones and store in airtight containers then, freeze. Preserve pickles and sauerkraut. Make your own mayo and ketchup. Have a slab of cheese handy. Those Jamon Iberico or Serrano also makes good kitchen investment.

6. When eating, we mean sitting down as a family, talking about each others’ day, exchanging ideas about the recently concluded elections, of the Supermoon, and all things some people may think as mundane. Part of the breakdown of families with both partners working or doing business is that communication seems to be focused on phone calls, emails, SMS, and perfunctory hi’s and hellos. Talking, laughing together, and exchanging ideas as well as sharing challenges when done in person always make it easier to handle.

7. Be flexible and best of all, stay positive. Though challenging, being both a mom and an entrepreneur is a privilege and must be dealt with joy and openness. Yes, you will grill a too-well- or not-so- done steak. You may even burn a few omelets and pancakes. Yes, you will lose some form of Nirvana but you will love it! Real food is love—especially when shared with family.

How to Get Hired—Fast

Allison Todd — Mon, 30 Oct 2017 09:13:29 +0000

Will you be job-hunting in 2017? While there seem to be speculations on how the turnout of the current elections will fare with all the problems sprouting nowadays, it is still important to keep a positive attitude that a robust growth will ensue next year. There will always be new jobs to fill. If you want to get hired, here are some tips to get you at the top of the jobseekers heap:

Be willing to risk and, in so doing, you must learn to leave your comfort zone. You will be asked about what you fear or your weakness. You will be asked to further expound on these fears and weaknesses, and most importantly—how you will address them. Admit about your self-doubt or on why you are hesitant or fearful of a situation. But beyond those points, it is imperative that you will show an open mind to address such.

Brandish a unique yet carefully organized resume. Graphical resumes are making a comeback putting more focus on what prospective employers usually look for—skills and experience. A personal website showcasing your personal and professional portfolio will be of utmost importance. Social media profiles highlighting skills such as that of LinkedIn are also deemed “a must” in today’s highly innovative jobs market.

Networking is the new word of mouth. Connect with the right kind of people. Employee referrals have been rock-solid for quite some time. Simply put, companies put more trust in their own workforce in adding like-minded individuals into the fold. This is the perfect time to connect with college seniors or friends of the family currently thriving in the industry you wish to pursue. You may also want to enroll in career coaching sessions or sign up for a professional group. The key is to connect to the right people in the very industry you wish to thrive.

State salary expectations on a realistic level. Sure, it’s great negotiation strategy to set a higher price for your equally topnotch skills or decorated academic record or your vast experience in the field OR to set it too low— and anticipate a counter-offer. But, in the real world, companies have already set a salary range for every job they offer. Find out about current wage rate on the particular job of interest and start from there.

Always come prepared to an interview. Do research on current issues and trends in the industry. Be “in the know” but make sure that your data are based on facts. This will show the prospective employer not just your sincerity on learning the ropes but more so, on your proactive attitude.

Buff-up your self-confidence. Enroll in a coaching crash course. Professional coaches allow you some of the industry’s best-kept secrets in anticipation of the interview ahead. Learn how to be suave in both verbal and nonverbal communication. These professionals will teach you precisely how to capture the attention of your interviewer.

Hone your skills through training. You will most likely be waiting for scheduled exams and interviews. While doing so, enroll in online certification programs to pad your professional portfolio. Find skills which are aligned to the industry you wish to pursue.

In everything else, be sincere and consistent. The moment you sit on an applicant’s chair, the headhunter already has a clear grasp on everything about you. Show a positive attitude. Be cheerful without being too annoying. Be earnest and courteous but make sure to show them your worth.

Top 6 Innovations Advancing The Business Arena

Allison Todd — Sun, 29 Oct 2017 12:59:35 +0000

The business arena is always evolving. Along with technology and the Internet, various innovations are continually being developed to deliver solutions and to open new opportunities. In the last 10 years or so, more and more innovative solutions are being developed to cater to the growing needs of businesses. Some of these innovations have changed lives not just for business owners but to consumers as well.

So, what are the most notable innovations hailed as “game changers” in business these days? Here are some of the thriving ones:

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Drones. What used to be a hobby-based industry, drones have become a must-have commodity in the agricultural and industrial market. Farmers and factories make use of drones to improve their operations as well as make better monitoring of field works. Commercial services like that of Amazon are also earning praise for their use of drone and we can expect more to come in the years to come.

Perpetual Connectivity. Wi-Fi will become a thing of the past. Telecommunication signals will become more available as tech innovations focus on nano-sensors. Wireless gadgets will repurpose radio signals to power their own selves and communicate.

Ultra Encryption. Privacy issues are continually gnawing at the root of communication channels. Today, companies are gearing for ultra-encryption allowing voice calls, SMS, files and attachments, emails, and other online communication to be protected from “eavesdroppers”. Smartphones will come equipped with such encryption software and tools to secure data and tighten privacy.

Collaborative Mobile Platform. New apps like Quip help to correct the current infrastructure in work collaboration. Now, you and your team can work together every step of the process in the same digital environment. This makes current workflows more efficient and more productive.

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Virtual Reality. Facebook’s purchase of Oculus Rift has opened a whole new world in virtual reality. While immersive video games are becoming ultra-popular, virtual reality’s impact to businesses has also become more profound. Now, the same technology is extending an arm of support to emergency response training, architecture design, therapies, training, and much more.

Voice Tech. It is time to forget typing search terms when looking for something. Alexa, Siri, Cortana, Google, and a hodgepodge of voice recognition system will become a norm. Voice technology will make more effective speech interfaces leaving tech usage more interactive. This technology, though not yet perfect, will eventually deliver a more nimble future to businesses.

As technology continues to soar, more innovative processes and solutions will be available for businesses to become more productive. Be on the lookout for fresh new ideas in the market. Do not be left behind in utter obsolescence.

Of Trial And Error—And Its Impact to Business

Allison Todd — Sun, 29 Oct 2017 09:55:41 +0000

How many times have we heard the adage “Try and try until you succeed.”? Does this matter when doing business?

Many entrepreneurs, particular startups, are leaning heavily on this dictum. Far beyond feasibility studies and market data watch, entrepreneurial wannabes with no formal business education or no managerial experience whatsoever have to rely on their instinct and survival skills to keep their ideas going. The same people are also known to handle business on their own, directly learning from what is happening on the ground. Hence, the era of learn-on-the-job mentality came into fruition.

The Debate Is On

Others, however, debate about the effect of the trial-and-error approach to business. These old-school entrepreneurs believe in systemizing and controlling everything. While the concept of systematic entrepreneurship is known to have produced successful ventures, it cannot be denied that some have also veered into the rollercoaster ride of the trial-and-error approach. This is even amid the upsurge of smart data as well as analytics opportunities available for businesses nowadays.

But the trial-and-error learning is a long-time approach used in businesses. While other entrepreneurs may very well deny leaning on this approach, it cannot be refuted that there are just certain matters about running a venture that will push one to try without the aid of data or analytics, or for the sake of knowing if it will work or not. This is precisely the reason why some products and services in the market have to be updated every now and then.

Rise of Millennial Startups

Millennial business startups are also more engaged with the trial-and-error learning approach as they continue to drive for changes in the business arena. Amid their MBAs, extensive market research capabilities, and circle of experienced mentors, these go-getters rely on their gut feeling on various entrepreneurial pursuits. They love to innovate and one way of testing such fresh ideas is to try.

Yes, it is risky. It is not fun noting the fact that one’s whole life savings or credibility is on the line. But like other entrepreneurial geniuses who have tried and failed 99 times and only to hit it big on the 100th time, the concept of trial-and-error is one that can make or break one’s business pursuits. Persistence, it seems, is the very key that can unravel the meat of the matter. Like growing tulips, businesses that engage in trial-and-error plant their ideas on the ground hoping against hope that the chill of winter will not prevent the colorful bulbs from blooming when spring comes.

Indeed, the trial-and-error approach is far from becoming obsolete. Many successful entrepreneurs still live by the tale of trying and learning along the way. The only challenge for many robust businesses is this—how to keep up. It must be noted that the rules kept on changing. By the time an entrepreneur already managed to learn how to run a business, another challenge crops up. So, it is essential to never stop trying and learning—a never-ending cycle that makes the business arena truly meaningful and exhilarating.

The Impact of Mindfulness to Business

Allison Todd — Sat, 28 Oct 2017 12:32:32 +0000

Without a doubt, mindfulness continues to rise as a billion-dollar industry. No wonder many CEOs, senior executives, and entrepreneurs are getting into the groove of office meditation as a way of practicing mindfulness while doing business. But apart from this, why do many successful entrepreneurs embrace mindfulness as part of their daily regimen?

Mindfulness At A Glance

Practicing mindfulness, or the state of being deeply aware or focused on the present moment and wholly accepting it without judgment, regret, or prejudice, is known to be the secret ingredient to success in many business successes. A key element in happiness and compassion, mindfulness benefits come three-fold: physical, mental, and emotional. It helps to relieve stress, improve sleep, and alleviate various health, mental and emotional issues.

Cultivated through meditation by way of repeating a “mantra”, the body and mind are systematically being placed at the center of your being to focus on matters at hand. Some make use of instructional videos and books while others listen to MP3 or recordings. There are also those who enroll in support groups and bring such practice into their daily grind to stay motivated and in control of the moment.

Benefits

As an entrepreneur, you will be constantly bombarded with highly stressful situations in both your personal and professional dealings. Stress management will be an integral part of your day—and mindfulness meditation can deliver the following benefits to ensure success in your chosen endeavor:

1. Mindfulness helps build resilience and boost performance even when under stressful situations. Entrepreneurs are often under duress due to the demands of their daily grind. Spending a few minutes of meditation will help keep their composure and find solutions to problems without growing panicky.

2. Mindfulness enhances emotional intelligence, a salient element in today’s highly competitive market. Through mindfulness meditation, entrepreneurs strengthen their ability to control emotions particularly frustrations and anger. By boosting one’s EQ, entrepreneurs make more lucid decisions and build a much deeper relationship with their employees.

3. The creative mindset is further enhanced with mindfulness. Some of the greatest insights as well as innovative breakthroughs come when the mind is in a relaxed or more meditative state. Eureka moments often appear when the mind is more focused.

4. Practicing mindfulness meditation daily will easily put the mind into clear focus. With all the distractions entrepreneurs have to contend with day in and day out, the mind easily wanders into oblivion leaving a gaping hole in their psyche. Meditative mindfulness allows one to strengthen the ability to focus and boost memory and creativity in the process.

5. Relationship-building is another important aspect of mindfulness. This practice helps to enhance your sense of compassion and connection to others. This, in turn, develops a sense of mutual trust and respect essential to running a successful business venture.

Self-care, though often taken for granted, is essential in nurturing business success goals. Mindfulness is one way of taking good care of your well-being. Through constant practice, you can create that much-needed balance to become more productive and effective in both personal and entrepreneurial endeavors.

Home Office Tips That Deliver Good Results

Allison Todd — Fri, 27 Oct 2017 09:23:05 +0000

With the robustness of online employment, career-oriented individuals are shifting to home-based employment these days. Aside from the increased growth of opportunities online, there are quite a number of benefits when working from home such as flexibility, autonomy, less stressful working conditions, versatility, and so on. Gone are the days when one has to brave bumper to bumper traffic to clock in at 9 o’ clock and then experience the same horrors again after 5. This also negates the presence of overbearing bosses who, at some point, love to prey on hapless junior associates.

While working from home has become an open source of employment, the idea of customizing a healthy and productive workspace is another matter. Some simply make good use of their bedroom corner without minding much about the furniture they use to keep their creative juices going. But do you know that designing a healthy home office can deliver more positive results? To kickstart your new employment opportunity at home here are useful tips to get you started:

Invest in the right work desk. It may be easy to convert an old kitchen table into your workstation but will it be healthy for you? Look for a desk with a standard height of around 30 to 34 inches or in accordance with your own height. Too short will hurt your back while too high a desk can generate repetitive stress injuries to the wrist and shoulders. To maximize space, use work desks with storage and slats to hold documents, gadgets, and so on.

Use an ergonomic chair to provide good support for the lower back and to evoke good posture. Non-ergonomic work chairs can develop excruciating back problems which can recur and worsen as you age. Ergonomic chairs prevent not just back pains but also in preventing development of circulation problems and muscle cramps debilitating to overall health in the long run. Without the issues caused by an ill-fitting working chair, you can gain more focus and traction in doing your job.

Make use of good work lighting. Aside from cutting electrical costs, good lighting will allow you more productivity and good eye health. Think about installing overhead lighting and task lighting. If possible, try to enhance natural lighting in your workspace. Be reminded also that the type of lighting you choose must be appropriate for your age. The older you get often means the more intense lighting system you will need to support your eyes.

Be active even when working. Sitting for longer periods of time is one of the primary causes of heart ailments as it directly affects circulation and obesity. You can choose to invest in a treadmill or buy a standing desk. There are also different types of desk converters to aid in this concern. Perhaps, a simple stretching exercise routine every 20 to 30 minutes or so will also suffice to get your blood going.

Infuse green plants into your workspace for both physical and psychological benefits. Plants help reduce stress, eliminate anxiety, depression and anger, and revive the system from fatigue. This also helps to increase productivity as plants emit clean air that diminishes the presence of disease-causing microorganisms.

Make your space both inspirational and functional. Paint it with relaxing hues. Make sure there is proper ventilation. If possible choose a space where you have a view of the outdoors. Place plants or other green stuffs within eye vision. Looking at greens also help one become more creative and focused.

Start your home employment going by designing your workspace accordingly. The right office furniture, lighting, and other fixtures will not only enhance its functionality and ambiance but also help improve your health and quality of life. With this, you can also guarantee more productive output and a thriving career albeit based at home.

Leadership Spotlight: How to Foster A Healthy Work Environment?

Allison Todd — Tue, 24 Oct 2017 12:59:49 +0000

It is common knowledge that employees always feel being burdened by how most, if not all, management work. While the company may want to create a culture of collaboration and cooperation, some higher-ups simply get into employees’ skin for their management skills or lack thereof. These often marginalized employees making them feel like slaves being horsewhipped to submission through fear and coercion.

Truth be told, this strategy has no place in today’s business arena. This flawed leadership style does not only put employees in a state of anxiety and malcontent, it also hinders creativity, respect, and productivity. If you happen to be getting a lot of bad rap from employee feedback sheets, it is high time to have that paradigm shift via these tips.

1. Practice humility by fostering mutual respect with your employees. While you may still have full authority, it is imperative that you treat employees with respect. You need to understand that bosses do not have the monopoly to excellent ideas. Good leaders easily relate to their employees by being approachable.

2. Be constructive and compassionate. Yes, be ready to criticize but offer proactive solutions. It is easy to put the blame on employees but to humiliate or make them suffer is definitely out of the lead frame. When an employee makes an error, correct in private, encourage to do better, and to offer a solution to prevent recurrence. Brainstorm with everyone when mistakes happen and focus on key learnings as well as solutions.

3. Be appreciative. One of the biggest management problems today is the lack of appreciation to employees. Why is it so hard to say “thank you” or “good job”? Shout it out in your company’s social media pages if you may. Recognize them during weekly or monthly meet-ups. Incentivize such by offering free lunch or anything that will make them feel appreciated. This will help raise their spirits and encourage more productivity.

4. Be a role model by walking the talk. Character and value formation is often mirrored by employees. If you want them to be productive, work alongside them practicing what you preach. The values you pursue will eventually trickle down to your employees. Engagement as always starts with you on top.

5. Learn to have fun every now and then. All work and no play stunts creativity which, in turns, negatively impacts productivity. Infusing merriment like going on a fun team-building or group training will allow employees to develop camaraderie with their co-workers, loyalty to the company they work for, and more push to deliver excellent results.

6. Engage employees in the virtue of volunteerism. Crafting a culture of “giving back” to society will help open their eyes that there is more to the company than mere profit-making. Such sensitivity to other people or another marginalized sector will open employee consciousness to become better individuals and, in return, as better workers.

7. Learn how to practice the virtues of compassion, trust, respect, humility, and cooperation. Leadership is all about “giving” (or channeling) pieces of such virtues to others. Be reminded that you can only give what you have.

Fostering a healthy work environment, indeed, is no rocket science. To generate high performing employees, you need to strike them where it matters the most: their inner needs. Look after their happiness and tap on their inner strengths. In doing so, they will care more about their work and perhaps, even about you as their boss.

Carving Your Career Path: Which Way to Take?

Allison Todd — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 23:17:19 +0000

For years, people are advised to find the one job they love and take the plunge. This, according to many, is the ultimate secret to a successful, longer-lasting, and fulfilling career. It is the pinnacle of finally arriving in a destination that you long to have. But what happens when you love two or three or more things? Should you abandon all others and just choose one?

Most, if not all, people have multitude of interests they are most willing to pursue. While many decide to settle for one where they will likely get hired, some go the painstaking route. It should not be that way though. When it comes to carving a career path, you have within your power to carve a path for yourself where your interests can intersect delivering you a complete sense of fulfillment. To do that, here are some insights to take note:

Be practical and try to look beyond the “love” factor. While passion is indeed one of the main driving forces in landing a job, fulfillment can be somewhat subjective. A flight attendant or a pilot whose main passion in life is to travel may, at some point, find themselves in a grueling position in the quest for work-life balance. This is also the same to artists and musicians who follow their passionate path only to end up somewhere they don’t actually want. Be practical. Go for a full-time job that will bring you sustainability and fulfillment while still pursuing other interests on the sidelines. No one is stopping musicians like Bono and the Edge or Justin Timberlake from pursuing their passion while crafting businesses. Do you know that actor Tom Selleck also tends to his avocado farm? Diversify if you must, but find a sustainable one, too.

Never go into short-selling yourself. Society tells everyone to “sell themselves” in order to get hired, and just because there’s low vacancy doesn’t necessarily mean you have to settle for a mediocre job. You are meant to succeed, but it is entirely up to you to ensure that you do. Your talents and capabilities are untapped potentials. All you need is to focus on your strengths, recognize your weakness and find ways to go around them, pursue the seemingly impossible, ignore regrets, and learn from your mistakes. You do not really have to conform to what society designed for you. Always find ways to live beyond what society touted you to be and adjust your thoughts and behaviors on this pursuit.

Take risks, even unprecedented ones. You have heard it many times and you will hear it over and over again—success is failure turned inside out. Many individuals do not dare to take the plunge in pursuing jobs overseas or cross-country because they set limitations upon themselves. Many do not pursue new opportunities because they are so attuned to their current jobs, even when it pays them peanuts or does not offer avenues for growth. Seize the opportunity while still young. Risks are part of living. The idea is to use such risks to your advantage.

A dream job, stripped of all the back-breaking details in the office, is part and parcel of life. To end up in your happy place, you need to ensure that you keep a balance between passion and survival. Take the risks. Seize every opportunity that comes your way. Learn and believe. At the end of the day, the career path you take will become the very essence of what you need and who you really wanted to be.