The WorkNET » dreams

Dreams

Becky Roe-Smith — Tue, 05 May 2009 13:05:58 +0000

I recently fulfilled a 20 year dream of seeing a taping of the Oprah Winfrey show with my best buddy. Some may not agree with her philosophies but she has done some incredible things in her life and I hold her in high regard. It was a bittersweet moment as I sat in the audience and watched her on stage. I was realizing a dream! I kept the dream guarded as some of my acquaintances belittled the dream….and my dream was precious to me.

What might you ask does that have to do with career development and helping people find their place in the work world? Everything! On a daily basis I ask my candidates to share their hopes and dreams with us and we wonder why they clam up or even lie…well they may have shared them in the past with someone and were made to feel small or stupid. They went into protect mode! Kind of like I did after a few folks made fun of my dream.

Another aspect of achieving my “Oprah dream” is the question I ask myself now—“so what’s next?” I don’t have an answer. I have not thought that far ahead as at one point I gave up the dream. Seeing the show was always “out there somewhere/someday”. Now the dream has been realized.

I experienced first hand, up close and personal the reasons my candidates won’t share their dreams:

FEAR—someone will tease them.
WHAT NEXT—If it happens, how to top it.
DISAPPOINTMENT—It didn’t match my expectations.

So, for me as a Career Development Specialist, helping people sort out and achieve their dreams, I must find a way for my candidates to be comfortable enough with me for them to share their dreams.

Photo by Franco Folini

Swimming

Becky Roe-Smith — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 13:00:37 +0000

I saw this quote from Cathy Savage, a fitness coach “you may be an island, but in time, if you ignore your critics and stay the course of your dreams, many people will eventually swim to your shore.” This fits for me on so many different levels.

ONE: My dream is that my clients realize their own personal dreams. Doesn’t matter if it’s school, work or personal life issues.

TWO: Many people, when they hear I help former addicts and homeless people find employment, say I’m as crazy as my clients! Especially in these times.

There are days when I agree with the critics. But if I want to partner with my candidates in achieving their dreams, I can’t quit swimming. Many think they ARE an island and no one believes in them much less can help them swim to a better shore. So here’s my plan:

Figure out first IF they can swim!
Stand with them on firm ground and play “swimming show & tell”!
Jump in and show them how!
Get back out of the water, hold their hand and jump together!

Not only do we have to teach them to swim sometimes, help them figure out where the shore is, prop them along the way but then we must greet them once they make it to shore! I have to decide every day and remind myself, I’m in it for the distance.

Life is full of critics so I ignore them and I encourage my candidates to do so as well. Together we may not win any swimming medals, but we may win one for trying and so might my candidates!

Photo by jseattle

Move on down the road…

Becky Roe-Smith — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 14:00:02 +0000

One of my favorite movies is the Wizard of Oz. I like sparkly shoes and the thought of transporting yourself to new places. All the characters are fun but the one that “speaks” to me the most right now if the Cowardly Lion. If you remember, he was even afraid of his own shadow. Yup, I have my days where I would love to stay in bed with the covers drawn tight around my neck as I fear I won’t have what it takes to get through the day…my courage is lacking!

Of course, I love the movies ending where everybody (well almost everybody—Dorothy has to go home first) gets what they’ve been searching for. What does the lion discover? He had the courage all along! He simply needed to BELIEVE! The lesson is the same for me—it just need to believe and keep moving down the road! So here are some COURAGE tips:

BE COURAGEOUS—Do Something For Yourself
You may ask, “What is so courageous about doing something for yourself?” I see so many doing so much for others and they fail to do something for themselves. They may feel a sense of duty, loyalty or believe those whom they love might be disappointed. They may believe they don’t have the time. Doing something for yourself—if only a small, easy thing—is vital to your health and the ability to do for others. So find something you can do for you and do it.

BE COURAGEOUS—Speak Up
So often people remain quiet or choose not to voice their opinions around others. Again, they may fear rejection, looking stupid or a myriad of other emotions. Remember, like the Tin Man, you have a brain, a world of experiences and the right to be heard. If you choose NOT to share your thoughts, realize you are choosing to opt out of the experience and life in general. Say what you’re thinking in love and realize not everyone will agree or understand, but that’s not the point, is it?

BE COURAGEOUS—Follow Your Heart and Your Dreams
Most times you know what you want deep down inside when you look, but you fear what will happen if you follow the path. It may not work, you may lose friends or family, you may get your feelings crushed. All those things could happen and more. Imagine if Dorothy, the Tin Man, the Scarecrow and the Cowardly Lion had not banded forces and followed their dreams! For one, the movie wouldn’t have been the success it has been for over 50 years and I wouldn’t have a character to help me get through my courage-less days! So follow your heart and dreams knowing they pave the way for others to follow.

So, live life with purpose and have courage in all you do.

Photo by Brandon Fick