Pragmatic skills, not just language, vital to immigrant integration

The authors conclude that although language proficiency is important, so are pragmatic skills and opportunities to interact with those who speak English or French. In particular, lack of proficiency in an official language combined with inadequate access to cultural knowledge can lead to limited opportunities for immigrants to fully participate in Canadian society.

Read the report.

Let your personality choose your career

FREE PERSONALITY PROFILE for Your Life, Your Career and Your Future

How would you feel, if you could wake up every morning WANTING to go to work? Imagine you were totally motivated in your job, finding every challenge and task a new opportunity, what difference would you enjoying your career have on your career progression, your life and even on your loved ones?

If you’re happy in your job you will live a happier life, gaining all the benefits that come’s with a perfect work/life balance, all you need to do is understand your personality type; what motivates you and what stresses you and which careers naturally suit YOU and your personality.

Click the below link to obtain your free personality profile.

http://www.employmentking.co.uk/Personal-profile.html

Become a Change-Master!

If you remember, one of the qualities of the  IEPs is that they are Change-Masters; The Sixth Quality: They Are Change-Masters

Herewith McGhee Productivity Solutions is sharing this productivity tip that will help you overcome the most common of your limiting beliefs and become more efficient and productive.

Back to Basics:  10 Beliefs That Limit Productivity

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When clients start to make positive changes toward improving their productivity, they often bump up against their unconscious limiting beliefs and find making the changes hard.  Therefore, it is a good idea to acknowledge the limiting beliefs ahead of time so that you can begin the process of turning them around (moving them from the ‘unconscious’ to the ‘conscious’).  Limiting beliefs, unconscious by nature, are usually buried beneath statements with which most of us are familiar.  We want to help you clarify yours by offering 10 of the most common statements we hear from our clients and the limiting beliefs that also accompany them.  Then we will look under each statement at a new belief and general solution to help you create and foster increased productivity:

There’s too much information coming at me too fast, and I can’t keep up.
LIMITING BELIEF: I should be able to handle all the information that is coming at me
NEW BELIEF:  There is a way to be in control of my email, and I can regularly have an empty Inbox
SOLUTIONS:  The volume of email isn’t really the issue; how you process and organize the volume is.  Learning how to use the “Four D’s for Decision Making” can transform this belief.

I get too many interruptions
LIMITING BELIEF: Interruptions are a necessary part of my day-to-day experience
NEW BELIEF:  I create boundaries that allow me to manage interruptions successfully
SOLUTIONS:  You can reduce the number of interruptions you receive and get your “real work” done during the day by implementing personal boundaries that allow you and your staff to create scheduled uninterrupted work time.

I don’t have the discipline to be organized
LIMITING BELIEF: I am an easygoing person – I’m not a disciplined person
NEW BELIEF:  Discipline is a decision, not a personality trait, and therefore I can be organized and use a system effectively.
SOLUTIONS:  Discipline is a skill that you already possess; you demonstrate it every day.  The key to discipline is creating the appropriate motivation to make the specific changes you want.  This enthusiasm then drives you to be disciplined.

I have to keep everything
LIMITING BELIEF: As soon as I get rid of it, you just know I’m going to need it
NEW BELIEF:  I don’t need most of what I keep, and so I am letting go and trusting my new system in which the Delete key is my friend.
SOLUTIONS:  OK, prepare yourself.  On average, the clients we weork with throw away 50% of their stored information, and they feel lighter, happier, and have more time.

It takes too much time to get productive
LIMITING BELIEF: My job is more important than the effort it takes to implement a new system
NEW BELIEF:  I’m happily investing in my system, and my productivity is increasing
SOLUTIONS:  You can save one to two hours a day using an Integrated Management System.  This fact alone more than justifies the upfront investment required to set it up.

I can’t find what I need when I need it
LIMITING BELIEF: My system doesn’t work and so I rely on my memory
NEW BELIEF:  Reference systems are easy to set up and they save me time.
SOLUTIONS:  Setting up a Reference System is a skill that anyone can learn, and it’s a skill that can save you 50 minutes a day.

Organization cramps my freedom and creativity
LIMITING BELIEF: It’s not possible to be creative and organized at the same time
NEW BELIEF:  It is possible to be organized and spontaneous; in fact, organization promotes my experience of freedom and creativity.
SOLUTIONS:  Organization actually fosters and supports creativity and spontaneity

I’m no good with technology
LIMITING BELIEF: Technology is hard to learn, and I’m not a technical person
NEW BELIEF:  I can learn to use technology and it supports me in being productive and effective
SOLUTIONS:  Using technology is a skill anyone can learn with the right education.  You’ll be surprised at the personal satisfaction that comes from using technology more effectively.

There is not enough time in the day!
LIMITING BELIEF: I should be able to do everything I want to do in a day
NEW BELIEF:  I can’t do everything, but by working effectively with my calendar, I can get the most important things done
SOLUTIONS:  Lack of time is seldom the issue.  The real issue is working in cooperation with your calendar and deciding on what you can do given the amount of time you have

I’m not organized by nature
LIMITING BELIEF: Organization is a gene that’s passed down the family line, but I didn’t get it!
NEW BELIEF:  I can learn to be organized and have fun with it
SOLUTIONS:  Organization is an exceptionally simple skill that you can learn just like any other.  In fact, it’s a skill that’s easier to pick up than are most of the skills you learned in your current career!

Take some time to review areas where you are being productive and areas where you are encountering obstacles.  Look at which one of these 10 Beliefs are most aligned with the problems you are encountering, and really practice letting go and taking on a new belief that supports your productivity.  Sometimes, the basics are the easiest part of the system to forget, so refresh yourself regularly and maintain control and organization around your productivity.

"Try not. Do or do not. There is not try." - Yoda

There is always a way out; you just have to find it.

Just came across this story and because of its moral, I thought it is an inspiring tale to remind ourselves that when we think we used all the resources and don't see another solution, then look again...

Tale of Two Pebbles

http://thewisdomwarrior.com/2012/01/18/the-tale-of-two-pebbles/

"No way is the way. No limitation is the limitation" - Bruce Lee

Do you feel stuck in your career?

Do you feel stuck in your career? Why can’t it be a Freedom 35 plan? This week's podcast is with New York Times best-selling author Timothy Ferriss. His book, The 4 Hour Work Week, has been a runaway success. He shares his insight on how to define your own career path and live a balanced and successful life. In Timothy's book, he lays out in a very clear and practical way, some of the major workplace myths. The essence of the book is to distribute success and retirement throughout your life. I call this the “freedom now” plan. Sit back, relax and learn! 28 mins

Leading, along the road with you!

Alan Kearns 

Friday Leadership Report|CareerJoy

Canada's Career & Leadership Coaching Company

Contact Information __________________________________________________________________ e-mail:  Alan@CareerJoy.com phone: 1-877-256-2569 web:  http://www.CareerJoy.com __________________________________________________________________

The Choice Map and You

Recently I came across the Choice Map developed by Marilee Adams, the author of the Change Your Questions, Change Your Life book. If you remember one of the questions asked in the exercise for The Second Quality: They are Optimistic, (if not, please read the post!), then you realize that the way you react in the face of the setbacks will define the output of your life. 


The Choice Map is a powerful tool for getting better results and it is simple to use. Use it and it will help you in solving a problem or making a decision. Get the mindset of the Highly Successful Internationally Experienced Professionals and be happy!


"You really can change your questions and change your life." - http://inquiryinstitute.com/

News You Can Use - Personal networks and the economic adjustment of immigrants by Derrick Thomas

In searching for explanations as to why recent immigrants are having more difficulty adjusting to the Canadian economy than did their predecessors, researchers have looked at aspects of human capital such as language ability, literacy, education and work experience. A factor that has not often been considered is the social capital of immigrants—that is, the personal networks that they are able to mobilize in their economic interests. Read more. 

Personal Branding Secrets Revealed by David Perry

Audio CD: “Personal Branding Secrets Revealed“

From David Perry - Co-author, Guerrilla Marketing for Job Hunters 3.0

Co-Creator, “The Guerrilla Job Search System”
- the content was designed to help job hunters but you'll benefit from the marketing concepts if you're looking for new clients, or just want to change areas of your life you're not a 100% happy with.  Here's the link to the download: http://www.gm4jh.com/free/gift-personal-branding-secrets-revealed-audio-cd/  

"Don't network. Focus on building..."

I'd like to share with you one of the messages that Alan Kearns shared in his "The Monday Morning Motivator" email. 

__________________________________________________________________ The Monday Morning Motivator | CareerJoy  Canada's Career & Leadership Coaching Company Dec 04, 2011  __________________________________________________________________

Good Monday morning, It is that time of the year, my first clue was something I saw on LinkedIn "Office Party Harassment? - Affordable 3rd party investigator available, discretion assured. Call now!" There are some unfortunate issues that can occur, when you bring together alcohol and a offsite party atmosphere. In December, companies take time to acknowledge & reward the good work of their employees, fortunately, most people handle themselves professionally at their holiday parties. There are some terrific door prizes as well at the most holiday parties. (Don't forget about our CareerJoy contest, $2600 of coaching programs. "Like" our Facebook page, to enter your name into the draw.) I was speaking with a client, we were discussing how to maximize this time of year to establish new opportunites for 2012. He was going to a number of holiday parties. It is a terrific time for him to reconnect with old colleagues & to establish new connections & raise his profile. The answer was quite simple.  WWBD? What Would Billionaires Do? Barbara Walters interviewed 4 billionaires  to determine the successful habits they have. What do they do this time of the year? How do billionaires view networking? "Don't network. Focus on building real relationships and friendships where the relationship itself is its own reward, instead of trying to get something out of the relationship to benefit your business or yourself." Barbara shared common sense wisdom. Whatever your financial status, people want to genuinely connect with others. Most people are uncomfortable with the idea of networking, as often, when they have been on the receiving end, it felt fake & full of false expectations. One of the best examples of someone that practices WWBD? is John Stanton. founder of The Running Room. You can listen to my podcast with him here. Or download on iTunes. This holiday season as you meet with others, focus on the WWBD? Be yourself, & be genuinely interested in the ideas your friends are exploring & what their hopes & goals are for 2012. That itself will be a good outcome. Trust this, good things will happen if you genuinely connect with people this holiday season. You can take that to the bank. CareerClass | Free Webinar- Get the Right Career Right Now! Invest 1 hour of your time to help identify the right work situation. Join me Thursday Dec 8, 12-1 P.M. ET. This complimentary 1-hour workshop is based on my book, The Canadian Job Search Kit. Take control of your career, all from the comfort & convenience of your own desk. Limited to 50 participants. Click to register. Looking for help with your personal brand? Who's your career coach? Need help with a professional resume, job search, and interview preparation? Invest in yourself & get the edge in this competitive job market. Take a small step and book an initial coaching session with me. Building real relationships, along the road with you! Alan  P.S. Looking to find the right career? Join our 1-1 Career Identity Program. Our certified coaching team, can provide the tools, coaching & practical experience to help you identify & land in the right career. P.P.S. Do you have CareerJoy?  Don't forget to "like" our Facebook page to enter our contest for a prize package of $2,600 worth of coaching services.     As well, if you didn't have chance yet to read this post The Ninth Quality: They are Natural Networkers, please do it now! Network and build relationships to your success!! "You will be the same person in five years from now as you are today, except for two things, the people you meet and the books you read." ~ Charlie "Tremendous" Jones.

News You Can Use - IEP Conference, Feb 10, 2012

A Unique Forum For Internationally Educated Professionals

Now in its 9th successful year, the IEP Conference is regarded as one of the most innovative and respectful events for Internationally Educated Professional newcomers seeking practical, effective career advice.

The next conference will be held on February 10th, 2012 at Lower Level of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

Free online registration for this IEP Conference is now open.

 Visit http://www.iep.ca/ for details.