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25.01.2022 Overcome the fear of reaching out to strangers and be surprised at the results in your career. I’m still surprised that so many of my clients fear connecting with strangers. And I also know if you don’t have connections at your dream company, the only way to get some is to make them. Some of the mind chatter that stops people from connecting:... What if they don’t respond? What if they think I’m annoying and tell others in their network to steer clear of me? What if they flat out reject me? The ratio of those who respond to those who don’t is around 85% in my experience. That means the odds are with you. But there is a way to reach out to people. Don’t expect much if you don’t find common ground or you don’t provide any context in your connection message. The Quick Question is a great way to connect to strangers. Read about them online and find common ground with them, then reach out with a question about their work or their achievements and ask for advice. Most people like to and will help where they can if you show genuine interest, curiosity or enthusiasm. If you’re brave enough, ask them for a coffee catch up after a while and continue to build the relationship. Genuine relationship building will enhance your career and life in more ways than you can count. #connection #relationships #businesstips #careertips

24.01.2022 Our Reptilian brain is wired to focus on negativity, weakness or danger. So often we spend so much energy trying to fix weaknesses instead of focusing on our strengths. But research shows that playing to our strengths leads to better performance, productivity and less stress at work and in life. #strengths

22.01.2022 That time when I did a bunch of impulsive things. The year was 1996. I chopped my hair off, booked a trip to Cape Town on a whim, climbed Table Mountain one more time and discovered that wherever I went, I took my inner self with me. I’d been in Australia for almost ten years. My then relationship was a roller coaster and I felt lost. So I booked a trip to Cape Town; the city of my birth. I don’t know what I was searching for, but something drove me to the city of my roots. W...ithin days I made my way to Table Mountain. Table Mountain was the place of my youth where I’d trudged out my angst from the harsh environment seeping into every-day life. Apartheid was in full swing. There was a lot we worried about. But no matter how bad some days got, I found peace on that mountain. As I ascended the mountain again in 1996 and found the familiar caves and crevices where I stopped for rests, I once again found that stillness; that peace that can only come from nature. And I learned that I could access that peace at any time. It lived in the memory of the sanctuaries I’d first found it and those memories, like my troubles, lived within me. It was a strange lesson learning that my troubles and my peace lived within me and it was up to me which parts within I chose to visit often.

21.01.2022 In tight job markets the secret to getting eyeballs on your resume is to be short and sharp in conveying your key skills, experience and achievements. Use #actionverbs in comments to get my FREE list of 50 action verbs to spice up your resume and make it stand out And as always if there are any career or job related questions you'd like me to address either comment with #careerquestion or send me an email to [email protected] with the same hashtag in the subject line

20.01.2022 WHY GOOD WRITING SKILLS MATTER IN THE WORKPLACE Whether you’re a doctor writing detailed patient notes, a software developer writing easy to read instruction manuals or a job applicant crafting a resume, your writing skills matter. Your ability to communicate concisely and precisely what you mean could be a matter of life or death (in the doctor’s case), users learning a system properly (in the developer’s case) or you landing an interview and subsequent job offer (in the job... applicant’s case). Even in everyday working life we’re required to write emails, reports, updates. No-one is exempt. If you send emails filled with typing errors, poorly constructed sentences and grammatical errors, it could imply that you take a similar lax attitude to your work. So good writing skills is not simply about getting your message across but can also affect how you’re perceived. If you didn’t already know it one of the best ways to become a better writer is to read, read and read some more. All great writers are prolific readers. Three great books to get you started in the picture below. Anyone else have any other suggestions? Would love to add more to my pile. #writing #story #business #workplace

19.01.2022 Professionalism is about more than looking the part or saying the right words. It's a direct testament of character so it matters for ongoing and long-term success.

19.01.2022 As so many of my clients move to change careers during the current GFC, many are faced with that dreaded "you might be over-qualified" statement or question in an interview. Sometimes it's a polite excuse for interviewers to rule you out but if you remain steadfast in your answers and follow a few useful tips, you can enlighten them about why you are perfectly qualified for the role.

19.01.2022 Your first experience is not always the best one. Sometimes you have to have another shot. My first experience of NYC was in late 2003. I’d been living in LA for a year and took my daughter to NYC to meet her paternal family. It was in late November when wind tunnels bite so fiercely you feel like you’ll never be warm again. Only two good memories stand out for me of that time my daughter’s 6th birthday celebrated in the Big Apple and a photo of us captured by a friend whic...h is still a favourite picture today. I vowed I’d never set foot there again. Thirteen years later I broke my vow. This time I was fulfilling on a promise I’d made to my daughter to help her kickstart her modelling dream in the fashion capital of the world. And what a difference thirteen years made. The six months I spent in NYC in 2016 will go down as some of the best times of my life. I fell in love with a city I once detested. Perhaps it was the timing. We arrived in Summer. Maybe it was the straight shooting people. Or maybe it was the pulse of a city alive with dreams, eclectic neighbourhoods and creativity. Whatever it was, I’m glad I had another shot at NYC. It’s like Alicia Keys sings concrete jungle where dreams are made of; there’s nothing you can’t do, now you’re in New York

13.01.2022 When I get the same message three times in a short space of time, I tend to take it as a sign. This past week the recommendation to check out the Netflix series Outlander came from three different friends, so I finally clicked on the series. I’m not far into the series but had a private giggle about the fact that the lead character, Claire Randall, a combat nurse in 1945 is mysteriously swept back in time to 1743. I was amused at the fleeting thought I had of being swept ou...t of 2020 into another time. I mean this is definitely the year so many of us wish we could escape from. Where would I go I wondered? Would I be a Marty McFly escaping into the future or would I be Hermione in The Prisoner of Azkaban using my time turner to influence the course of events? As a die-hard Potter fan I think it’s the time-turner for me. Since we can’t time travel, can’t turn back time and can’t escape this year I suppose the next best thing is to wander off into our imaginations and escape there. Or dive headlong into a great novel. Or binge-watch something that will draw us out of our current reality and into whatever fantasy is being presented. Escapism is a quick and easy therapy that can temporarily turn off brain overload as long as its kept in balance. #TimeTurner #harrypotter #escape (Photo - trademark of Warner Bros and J.K Rowling)

13.01.2022 It’s World Dream Day today. Aside from dreaming about warmer weather on this cold, rainy day in Melbourne, I’m spending some time today looking at my vision board and simply thinking about my dreams. When times are challenging and dreary as they feel right now for many of us in Melbourne, connecting to dreams is a way to get through the drudgery. It doesn’t have to be lofty dreams about fame, fortune and glory. It is about what matters to you; what gives you a sense of purpo...se or what fills you with joy. Dreams are personal and only ever have to mean something to you. Fear stops many from thinking about their dreams let alone pursuing them. Nothing worth pursuing comes without challenges and often it’s the thought of the challenges that stop us. The well-worn phrase of feel the fear and do it anyway is a mantra to live by when turning dreams into reality. Taking small consistent steps in the direction of our dreams is the only way we actually get there. Thinking without doing amounts to nothing in the long run. Some things to keep in mind while pursuing your dreams Know that Fear is NOT Risk Be like Nike and Just Do It Consistent execution is priceless Create Impact Have fun along the way #dreams #visionboard #

13.01.2022 Apparently it’s National Colouring Day today. This past weekend I decided to try my hand at colour therapy. Anything to break the sameness of lock down days. Research shows that colour therapy has been used for centuries by ancient Greeks, Chinese Philosophers and Yogis for its impact on energy and mood. Before delving too deeply into the research, I decided to simply colour the picture of the owl mandala I had chosen. I have a thing for owls. For me, they are the mascot of w...riting and I don’t mind the written word. I was drawn to greens, yellows and blues while colouring and that surprised me. My favourite colour is purple, with pink and blue a close second and third, but this is the insight from the research about the colours I chose: Green promotes harmony and balance Blue promotes relaxation and known to create peace and serenity in the mind Yellow the colour of sunlight and known to uplift moods and clear mental fatigue I think my choice of colours are telling me something. I need a healthy dose of harmony, relaxation and balance and I definitely need some sunshine to clear mental fatigue. I can’t say my energy was boosted to the point of doing cartwheels but it was relaxing with a twist of mindless creativity. I’ll definitely try it again.

11.01.2022 November is the month of Thanksgiving. That’s when folk in the U.S eat turkey, dig into pumpkin pie and eat cornbread till you feel like a dough boy at least that’s what I did when I lived in the U.S during Thanksgiving. My favourite thanksgiving story is from Tony Robbins many years ago. Back in those days I consumed Tony's audios like water. He shared his 11-year old experience when his family had no money to celebrate. The knock of a stranger delivering food to their ho...me was a life-changing moment for him. Tony was so touched by the experience of a stranger caring that he decided he would do the same for strangers as soon as he was able to. He started his first Thanksgiving basket brigade at age 17, delivering food to 2 families and today that same brigade feeds over a million people every Thanksgiving. I love this story because it’s the one that pops into my mind every year around this time and reminds me to contribute in my own way to others. I’ve had angels like Tony’s Thanksgiving angel care for me during tough times and it has made all the difference to me. Sometimes it's been a life and death difference. For the rest of Nov 2020 I am offering FREE resume assessments. Send your resume to [email protected] with #thanksgiving in the subject line. Robbins-Madanes Training #thanksgiving2020 #giveback #career

10.01.2022 A tremendous moment for women as Kamala Harris became the first female Vice President Elect in the U.S. As a woman of colour, I have to say, I cried and cried yesterday watching her speech. I hoped for this day, but wasn’t sure I’d see it in my lifetime. Words from her speech that we should all hold dear and pass on to our children and grandchildren But while I may be the first woman in this office, I will not be the last, because every little girl watching tonight sees that... this is a country of possibilities. And to the children of our country, regardless of your gender, our country has sent you a clear message: Dream with ambition, lead with conviction, and see yourselves in a way that others may not, simply because they’ve never seen it before, but know that we will applaud you every step of the way. #bosslady #women #entrepreneur #KamalaHarris See more

10.01.2022 But I can’t relay all my awesome experience in a two-page resume? How many times haven’t I heard that? My answer is usually a version of this then you can’t sell yourself in a sharp, succinct way that’s going to get a busy recruiter or hiring manager’s attention. Where do you think your resume is likely to land especially in this super tight job market?... When it comes to landing an interview or having your resume tossed in the bin, only one thing matters: How quickly you can grab the reader’s attention with your skills, experience and achievements. If your resume is too long and full of cringe-worthy buzzwords it isn’t going to get results. If it’s too short and leaves out relevant skills and experience, that’s also going to hurt your chances. If you want better results, start focusing on delivering your value through sharp, succinct writing. That means get familiar and comfortable with good copywriting. Some resources I still go to for useful tips on writing tight copy or writing in general 1. This is Marketing by Seth Godin 2. Wired for Story by Lisa Cron 3. On Writing by Stephen King (an all-time favourite) And if you hate writing and hate reading, then bite the bullet and invest in someone who loves what you hate and does this for a living. #resumehelp #careertips #jobsearch #resumetips #careercoach

10.01.2022 My attention was caught the other day by the music video of Ed Sheeran singing Photograph on youtube. As I prepared ingredients for dinner, the thing that struck me in the montage of his life in the video was how musical instruments, joy and laughter were interwoven throughout. In the four plus minutes of that video I could see how Ed was destined to become the musical talent he is now known for. Yet his journey to success was not a straight line. This is a man who slept ...in London Underground train stations or on top of heating vents. He shared once of an arch outside Buckingham Palace that has a heating duct where he spent a few nights. It apparently is the place where he wrote his song Homeless. A few years on and he was playing at the Queens Diamond Jubilee. When I hear or read stories like this I think about what my high school German teacher and mentor told me on a hiking trail in my teen years if you give up on the steep and stony path, you’ll never round the bend to enjoy the view from the top It’s evident now that Ed Sheeran kept travelling the stony path to his musical success, even if it meant being homeless for a time. I suppose that’s the simple difference between success and failure in everything who gives up and who pushes on.#nevergiveup #mindset #success #edsheeran

09.01.2022 Honoring our word through actions is one of the most powerful ways to build trust. Something not to be underestimated on the path to career and life success

09.01.2022 Our puppy, Nala - a beautiful Yorkshire Terrier is sick. We have a vet appointment later today, but what I can say is that I am not concentrating very well today and feeling quite worried and out of sorts. I'm taking some time off today to simply be with her. Sometimes that's what we need to do - take a moment to be with loved ones or simply recalibrate. #timeout #pets #Dogs #petsarefamily

08.01.2022 When something is not working it usually means the approach needs tweaking or a complete overhaul. That applies to most things including the job search process. Some tips in the video to help you evaluate job search tactics

07.01.2022 Sep 11, 2001 the day the world watched as the twin towers came down in NYC. A day that will forever be marked in history as one of the most frightening and one that had us glued to the telly for days as horrific scene after horrific scene played out. It was also the day my family and friends pleaded with me not to take my planned trip to the U.S. in late Nov 2001. I didn’t heed the pleas and boarded the plane with my 4 year old daughter, excited about keeping my promise to ...her for a Disneyland visit. Some viewed me as stubborn, others as irresponsible and I copped all kinds of flak over that trip. But the truth is a little deeper than that. My biggest fear is to live my life in fear. Did enough of that growing up in the harsh and often unsafe environment of South Africa. When we migrated to Australia, one of my missions became to get as much out of life as I could and to let go of living life in fear. I don’t regret the decision to spend Nov and Dec of 2001 in the U.S. We got to see the Disney Christmas parade, ride the King Arthur Carousel, spin in the cups on the Mad Tea Party ride and so much more. And it’s a memory all the fear in the world can’t take from us. Like Baz Luhrmann said A life lived in fear is a life half lived and I once knew what that felt like. #fearless #september11 #livelifenow

05.01.2022 Kind words cost us nothing, but can make all the difference during challenging times. My daughter was ten years old when she wrote these words for me on the seashore one day. I’ve kept this photo all these years because it reminds me of a time when I doubted myself and these simple words in the sand boosted my confidence as a mother, a woman, an entrepreneur and the only provider for my daughter. She wrote it in her joyful play at the beach, with its unfiltered sentiment and ...the pureness of her ten-year-old heart. I knew the waves would soon wash it away so I snapped the picture. At the time I needed to hold on to those words for a lot longer than that merry moment at the sea. I was about to incorporate my project management and writing services into a company. I was about to play a bigger professional game and it terrified me. Self-doubt stalked my waking and sleeping moments. I needed clarity so we found ourselves at the beach where the sounds of waves and seagulls have often been good counsel for me. When I saw those words in the sand it reminded me that she had been the reason for so many of my choices since the day she was born. And at age ten that simple scribble in the sand pushed me forward to play the next big game for her and for me. #motivation

05.01.2022 I was hoping for a different outcome with our Premier’s announcement yesterday. On Father’s Day the current ‘father’ of Victoria dashed hopes of many small business owners when he announced continued lock down with only minor changes. Like many others I worry about the long-term mental health and the repercussions as businesses collapse one after the other and I definitely worry about the virus spreading. Talk about being stuck between a rock and a hard place. I don’t have an...y answers. None of us do, not even the leaders of states and countries. We’re battling an unpredictable beast. One that lulled a country like New Zealand into more than 100 days of security before it reared its ugly head again. It’s one of those times in life where we can only take things day by day. We have no idea what the new normal looks like. We’re muddling through in my household by managing what we can control our attitude, how we spend time with our loved ones and where we find our moments of joy. We started this huge photo tree in our house as we went into the first lock down. It helps every day to keep my attitude positive, stay connected to those I love and provides a smirk or smile as we cling to the daily joy it provides. How are you keeping your spirits up? #mindset #joy

05.01.2022 It’s my sister’s birthday today and one thing I often reference her for in my work is that she knows how to take breaks in her unique way. For several years now she takes the week of her birthday off. She’ll spend some of that time going to movies, one of her favourite things to do. She’s the lady who will watch all the movies on the Oscar Nomination list so she can do her own prediction of who deserves that sought after gong. She’s found her way to the Peninsula Hot Springs ...in Mornington for the last few years to do her dine and bathe treat. And at times she’s gone horse-riding on the beach. She’s a hard worker, but she’s also pretty great at taking time out her way. Taking breaks is important, but it’s a self-care practice that so many overlook. We often sacrifice our health, peace of mind and even our loved ones in the pursuit of professional success. But professional success without personal or relationship success is imbalanced success and not the kind that brings lasting fulfillment. So pause from time to time. Take a long weekend or a week or two or even some months off if you can. Tune out of work and go do the things that put a pep in your step. If you don’t give yourself permission to pause, no-one else will. #timeout #pause #selfcare #balance

04.01.2022 Today is my Dad’s birthday. He'll be the first one to say he's not perfect but he is the right kind of hero for me and my daughter. His journey has not been without big and small challenges yet he has always found the grit to get up that eighth time after falling down seven. Orphaned at a young age, he grew up in a children’s home run by Catholic nuns. His eyes sparkle with humour when he tells stories of his grey shoes - feet made grey from having to go barefoot and walking... miles on dusty roads. His tales of larking about inebriated on Table Mountain speak of youthful foolishness and carefreeness. Yet juxtaposed with that is an innate sense of responsibility. The day he married my mum is the day he became a teetotaller. Dad’s the storyteller who read Shakespeare to us and instilled an appreciation for books and knowledge in all his children. He was the champion who taught me to play chess and hunched over that board for hours with me until I’d learned to beat him. He introduced me to the solace of nature by taking me on my first bush and mountain hike. And he is the man who sacrificed everything to give his family a new beginning here in Australia. Above all dad is the man for whom these words from his favourite song were truly meant: I faced it all and I stood tall and did it my way (My Way by Frank Sinatra) #hero #dad #grandpa #mentor #love

03.01.2022 Remember the days when coffee meetings were as much a part of our working day as the hustle and bustle of city commutes? On International Coffee Day, I can’t help but miss that daily routine as we continue to work from home in the groundhog days of the current GFC. In 20+years in Corporate I’ve worked in and around some of the best coffee hubs in Melbourne. What I know for sure is that Melbourne Coffee Culture is as much a part of our city as the burgundy and gold City Circle... Tram. No matter the time of day, you’re bound to run into coffee lovers milling around cafes, either waiting for their morning take-away to fire up their day, their afternoon pick-me-up and every other brew in between. Ever noticed how no-one ever asks for a tea catch-up? It’s always coffee. There’s something about the aroma of roasted coffee beans in bustling cafes that makes the exchange of ideas, gossip and plans a lot more casual and non-threatening than it might otherwise be. Some of my most relaxed interviews, both as interviewee and interviewer, happened over an informal coffee meeting. #coffee #plans #melbourne My partner and I are doing our bit to keep the coffee culture alive by supporting all our local cafes still serving take-away. And we’re discussing plans over car coffee dates. Whatever it takes right

03.01.2022 How do get past the no experience, no job stumbling block when job ads have that frustrating requirement in their selection criteria? The one that says "experience in a similar role required". You don't get the job because you don't have the experience and you don't get the experience because you can't get the job. Play the game a little differently; that's how you get through this conundrum in the job seekers' process

02.01.2022 Artificial Intelligence (AI) good or bad? Trends are showing AI will be everywhere in the not too distant future, if it isn’t already. AI applications are virtually limitless and have the power to impact the digital market from cybersecurity, to social media and even across healthcare. AI specialist positions were among the fastest growing job titles in 2020 and is likely to continue through 2021.... Many headlines focus on the negative telling us that machines will take over our jobs, but some insist there are positives too. The reality of AI is that there is opportunity for people who can move to a STEM career or upskill in areas where they can contribute in the AI space. Yes, it involves technology, but it also involves creative thinking and problem solving. The scope to be involved is broad. Current research shows that AI can improve efficiencies in the workplace and amplify the work humans can do. When AI takes over repetitive tasks it frees up the human workforce to do the kind of work they do best tasks that involve creativity and empathy. The question is how far will we go with AI and will it be beneficial in the long-run? I genuinely don’t know the answer to that so am curious to know what others think. What’s your take on it? #AI #human #jobs

01.01.2022 With so many in the State of Victoria questioning the current leadership it got me thinking about and going to research on effective leadership in a crisis. The common train of thought indicates that no job is more important than taking care of your teams. And by that they mean taking care of the teams’ mental and emotional wellness. With such a strong focus on only one area of the current crisis the virus itself it’s perhaps why so many don’t feel part of the Vic Team.... Many feel left out in the cold and not heard as their livelihoods crumble with each passing day. Getting ahead of changing circumstances, boldly adapting where necessary, seeking input from diverse sources especially ones who have demonstrated success and not being afraid to admit, as a leader, that you don’t and can’t know everything are some other behaviors of effective leaders in a crisis. I don’t know enough to say with absolute certainty that we’re seeing or not seeing effective leadership here in Victoria, but based on the research I’ve done in the last few days, I believe there is room for improvement. I suppose that’s the crux isn’t it? When a leader recognizes that things can always be improved and sets about on a consultative path to do just that, that’s effective leadership.

01.01.2022 Starting over is never easy. 1987 was the year I arrived in Australia with my family; the year my hair was almost as long as Rapunzel’s and the year I doubted so much. Our migration wasn’t the rainbows and unicorns scene I had visualized during my life in South Africa. Migration to a new country never is. There are rules to play by, colloquialisms to learn, traditions and customs to understand and the big one getting through the longing for familiar faces of the ones you le...ft behind, all while studying and looking for jobs to support yourself. It takes longer than weeks or even months to adjust to a new country. For some it can take years. A big chunk of that year was spent in tears, confusion, doubting our decision to migrate, wondering when the promises of ‘lucky Australia’ would kick in. I suppose it’s like any new beginning where you often get through on trust alone and in our case dancinga lot. Music and dance is as much a part of my culture as breathing. It is the first thing we turn to during tough times. It’s what got my family through Apartheid South Africa and what kept us going through the early years of migration to Australia and what continues to get us through now. It’s like Mandela said It is music and dancing that make me at peace with the world #startover #newbeginnings #music #dancing