10 Ways to Build Trust and Credibility for Career Success

Do you remember playing the "TRUST" game when you were a child? You stood in front of someone, held your breath and hoped that when you fell backwards they would catch you. It was nerve wrecking to let go and to rely on someone else to keep you from getting hurt. But after they caught you the first time you were more willing to stand in front of them again and again and lean back without fear. That’s because they earned your trust.
 
As adults that same kind of trust is important to build solid relationships for business and career success. Trustworthy people are invaluable to organizations. They are influencers that consistently demonstrate a pattern of behavior that enhances their credibility. Take these action steps to increase your leadership abilities and capitalize on opportunities of advancement:
 

1.     KEEP YOUR WORD! Your promise should be as binding as a contract.  Reliability is a primary component of trust.

2.     KEEP GOOD COMPANY! Surround yourself with people of high integrity. Your net worth => Your network.

3.     KEEP THE PEACE! Learn how to disagree without being disagreeable. Recognize the value in the opinion of others.

4.     KEEP CONTROL! It’s not only what you bring to the table it’s how you serve it. Professionalism is important. Manage your emotions when you are stressed or under pressure.

5.     KEEP THE VISION! You gain more by making others look good than singing your own praises. Sometimes it not all about you. Remember the overall goal.

6.     KEEP IT A SECRET! Words spoken in confidence are words spoken in trust. Open lines of communication are essential for your success.

7.     KEEP IT HONEST! Admit when you are wrong. Others don't have to guess your motivations or intentions when you're open and honest. You’ll be respected for truthfulness and transparency.

8.     KEEP YOUR PROMISES! Follow through on every commitment you make. Always under promise and over-deliver.

9.     KEEP RECORDS! Ask others to write a recommendation for you. Use their words to build your reputation.

10.  KEEP QUIET! Be a good listener. When people are speaking give them your full attention.  Your silence will speak volumes.

 

Gaining credibility and trustworthiness doesn’t happen overnight. KEEP these action steps in mind and demonstrate trusting behaviors to support you in getting there faster. Don’t get dismayed if at one time or another you let someone down. No one is perfect. But your history will speak loudly of your character if you’ve established a trusting foundation.

5 Things Mentally Strong People Do For Career Success

 

Will Smith is quoted as saying, “Make a choice and decide what you are going to be, how you’re going to be, and how you’re going to do it”. To achieve what you want in your career requires that kind of mindset. It’s literally impossible to attain success without mental fortitude. Amy Morin, a psychotherapist and licensed clinical social worker, wrote an article in LifeHack entitled, “13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do”. I’ve turned them around and added my thoughts to share 5 ways to use your mental muscle for greater career success.

• MAINTAIN YOUR COMPOSURE! Don’t give away your power. When you allow the actions of others to disrupt your mental stability you lose control. Emotional balance is the foundation for productive thinking and sound judgment. This was demonstrated on a recent episode of the BET hit series, “Single Ladies”. April told a colleague about her thoughts regarding new talent for the agency. Although David discredited them, he was non apologetic after he shared her ideas as his original recommendation during a business meeting. Instead of acting on her frustration, April used that energy to ignite her creativity and determination. Like April - know your strengths and manage the way you respond.
• TOLERATE DISCOMFORT! Resist the urge to act on emotions. When you are led by your feelings you are vulnerable of making poor decisions. Consider the example of a client who entered a contract with a vendor based on how she “felt” about the services. After the vendor missed two deadlines the client relented that more time spent on research could have yielded a different result. At times, it’s best to let emotions subside and seek the facts. Resist making permanent choices based on a temporary state of mind.
• BE WILLING TO FAIL! Everyone has a gift but most people never open their package. No poison kills more slowly or painfully than regret. The next time a challenging project is available accept the assignment. If you have services or products to offer don’t be afraid to ask for the business. You don’t know what you don’t know until you know it. Realize that when you operate in your purpose even your mistakes will work for your good.
• DON'T COMPLAIN! Refrain from wasting energy on things you can’t control. It is a choice you must make to maintain clarity and focus. Complainers don’t get promoted. And they often miss opportunities because they are not contributing to a solution they are inflating the problem. Your energy is a valuable resource and the way you spend it determines your success.
• EMBRACE CHANGE! Adjusting to change can be a struggle between mind over matter. No matter the situation, choose to gain from the experience. Often times change will expose new ideas and advancement. Your goal is to figure out how to benefit from those changes to increase your potential to be promoted, learn a different skill, meet new colleagues or serve more customers. You can travel on the paved road to change or ride the rollercoaster but each road leads to same destination.

Your mind is a steering wheel. Be positioned to go in the direction for success. Make it a habit to practice affirmations, read inspirational stories or listen to motivational messages to guide you on the course and strengthen your mental muscle.

Happy 2014! Make It Happen!

Take steps to get what you want in the next twelve months. Don't spend another minute thinking about it. MOVE FORWARD and make it happen!

The Power of Affirmations and Positive Thinking

An affirmation is a declaration that when repeated can create changes in your thoughts, improvements in your life and success for your future. Affirmations give you power, strength and courage to BELIEVE more, ACHIEVE more and BE more. It is literally a way of reprogramming your mind. Think about raising a child – in rearing you often say No. "No! Don’t touch that." "No! Don’t put that in your mouth." "No! Don’t say that." We learn by the negative. So now we have to train our brains for yes.

According to the World Health Organization, the cost of stress on the American economy is $300 billion. A separate study finds that 80% of employees are unhappy with their current work situation. Fifty percent of all marriages in the United States end in divorce. And suicide is the leading cause of death among adolescents. There is at least one commonality within these depressing statistics. It is this - somewhere a decision was made to believe something other than the best was possible for the situation. This means someone gave up on their dreams, hopes, relationship, thoughts, potential and opportunity.

Don't put limits on yourself. Affirmations and positive thinking are vital tools for success in life. It is believing the best. It’s about having courage in yourself and your abilities. You must declare it. "Yes! I can achieve that goal." "Yes! I can resist that slice of chocolate cake." "Yes! I will ace the next job interview!"

Believing is half the battle. The other half is action. Get in motion and stay in motion so you can experience the best of life. For most it is not an overnight process. It takes time and practice. Positive thinking must become a habit. You have to think about what you are thinking about!

If you want to experience more joy, success and career advancement learn to declare victory over the challenges. Develop a habit of affirming yourself. Replace negative thoughts with positive thoughts. Don't believe everything that comes into your mind.

Try these simple affirmations to get started:
• I am happy
• I am healthy
• I am loved
• I am courageous
• I am capable
• I am smart

Change your thoughts and you will change your life! For more affirmations visit Affirmyourlife.blogspot.com.

Jack Canfield's Top 7 Success Tips

LEARN FROM THE MASTER

1. TAKE 100% of RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR LIFE! One of the greatest myths that is pervasive in our culture today is that you are entitled to a great life-that somehow, somewhere, someone is responsible for filling our lives with continual happiness, exciting career options, nurturing family time and blissful personal relationships simply because we exist. But the real truth is that there is only one person responsible for the quality of the life you live. That person is YOU.

2. BE CLEAR WHY YOU'RE HERE! I believe each of us is born with a life purpose. Identifying, acknowledging and honoring this purpose is perhaps the most important action successful people take. They take the time to understand what they’re here to do-and then they pursue that with passion and enthusiasm.

3. DECIDE WHAT YOU WANT! One of the main reasons why most people don’t get what they want is they haven’t decided what they want. They haven’t defined their desires in clear and compelling detail…What does success look like to you?

4. BELIEVE IT'S POSSIBLE! Scientists used to believe that humans responded to information flowing into the brain from the outside world. But today, they’re learning instead that we respond to what the brain, based on previous experience, expects to happen next…In fact, the mind is such a powerful instrument, it can deliver to you literally everything you want. But you have to believe that what you want is possible.

5.BELIEVE IN YOURSELF! If you are going to be successful in creating the life of your dreams, you have to believe that you are capable of making it happen…Whether you call it self-esteem, self-confidence or self-assurance, it is a deep-seated belief that you have what it takes-the abilities, inner resources, talents and skills to create your desired results.

6. BECOME AN INVERSE PARANOID! Imagine how much easier it would be to succeed in life if you were constantly expecting the world to support you and bring you opportunity. Successful people do just that.

7. UNLEASH THE POWER OF GOAL SETTING! Experts on the science of success know the brain is a goal-seeking organism. Whatever goal you give to your subconscious mind, it will work day and night to achieve…To engage you subconscious mind, a goal has to be measurable. When there are no criteria for measurement, it is simply something you want, a wish, a preference, a good idea.

© Jack Canfield
Adapted from THE SUCCESS PRINCIPLES: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be by Jack Canfield with Janet Switzer (HarperResource; January 1, 2005; ISBN: 0-06-059488-8)
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Jack Canfield, America’s Success Coach, is the founder and co-creator of the billion-dollar book brand Chicken Soup for the Soul and a leading authority on Peak Performance. If you’re ready to jump-start your life, make more money, and have more fun and joy in all that you do, get your FREE success tips from Jack Canfield now at www.JackCanfield.com

Give Yourself the Green Light for Success

One of the challenges of moving forward is predicated by our natural inclination to seek approval. Our rearing and professional experiences have taught us to request permission with decision making. Think back to when you were growing up. There was always someone “in charge”.  Whatever you wanted to do, you first had to ask. Likewise, most of our assignments in the workplace are based on the directives of a manager or higher ranked business associate. But when it comes to pursuing your personal desires and dreams there’s only one person who can give you the “green light” to go ahead and that is you. Research proves employees who have an interest in personal growth are not only healthier, but contribute to the well being of an organization/business.

So what holds you back from giving yourself permission? There are four common reasons individuals apply the brakes on fulfilling their dreams.

(1)  You need validation. It is comforting to have someone agree with your plans and goals but this is your dream. It has to start with you.  A successful journey requires courage and confidence. Once you’ve decided to step out build a team of support for encouragement.

(2)  You need to know it’s the right thing. It may or may not be the right thing to do at this time but allow yourself to try. In order to discover new lands, you must be willing to lose sight of the shore. If you succeed you’ll reap the reward. If you fail you’ll gain knowledge for the next attempt. Give yourself permission to go beyond self imposed limits.

(3)  You are afraid. Until your confidence is greater than your fears you will always idle at the red light. The best way to overcome fear is through action. Accelerate past the fear of doubt and failure to arrive at achievement. As Brene Brown expressed, “You can choose courage and you can choose comfort but you can’t have both”.  Don’t allow the discomfort associated with change prevent you from moving forward.

You get from life what you have the courage to ask for. ~ Oprah Winfrey

(4)  You don’t have time. You must commit to your goals. Clearly stated goals will serve as ammunition, shooting down obstacles that don’t line up with your vision. Plan time in your schedule to dedicate to your dream. It is a step by step process. It simply comes down to ‘how bad do you want it’. You’ll be amazed at what you’ve accomplished when you assess your progress.

In the book, “The Blessing of Adversity”, Barry C. Black, (a two star Navy admiral and the first person of color in the nation’s history to serve as Chaplin of the US Senate) provides an action plan to help with the pressure:

ü  Remain independent of your circumstance

ü  Expect pressure

ü  Face challenges with courage

ü  Claim your victory

ü  Endure to the end

ü  Maintain a proper perspective

Don’t be discouraged about what others might say, at first they’ll ask WHY you’re doing it but later they’ll ask HOW you did it. Give yourself the green light! MOVE FORWARD and accomplish your goals!

'Tis the Season to Declutter Your Spaces

This month O magazine published an article called “Tis the Season to De-Clutter –An Easy Holiday Plan”. That’s much easier said than done. Most people will admit that de-cluttering is a challenge. I have the opposite problem. I throw away everything then spend days searching for it until I am reminded that I discarded it months ago. I don’t know which is worst but this is the season to release. De-clutter your physical and mental spaces.

When you pull out the sweaters, jackets and other winter garments, get rid of anything you haven't worn in the past 2 years. Stop telling yourself you will wear it because you won’t. Let them go and make room for a new sweater and other gifts to come into your life. On the other hand, don't put away anything that you haven't used or worn for the past two seasons. It's highly unlikely that the third time will be a charm. Take control. Use ten minutes of each day to get started.

Likewise, it’s important that your mental "storehouse" is de-cluttered as well to take advantage of the opportunities a new season brings. Get rid of “stinkin thinkin”. Let go of I can’t and add I will. Feed your brain healthy thoughts to silence the negative noise. Don’t worry about what can go wrong - get excited about what can go right.

Here are two things to remember if you get stuck in the process:

• You can do ANYTHING but not everything! Take on only what you can manage.
• Someday is NOT a day of the week! Set a date and make the time to accomplish tasks. Don’t leave it up to chance.

Free yourself! ‘Tis the season to de-clutter. Something new is waiting for you!