Stein Career Consulting

March 4, 2014 — Recommended Book: “Fail Fast, Fail Often: How Losing Can Help You Win”

sjstein1 — Sun, 02 Mar 2014 18:15:02 +0000

A practical and common sense review of why it makes sense to try things, experiment and be open to “failure” in the pursuit of career and related goals. The authors Ryan Babineaux and John Krumboltz, both Ph.D.s, provide many examples of successful career outcomes that only become possible after first eliminating options through trial and error learning. Many people over-analyze things with the expectation that there is a precise formula for predicting success. There is an emphasis on seeking out activities and goals that provide positive feedback and that are fun, enjoyable and meaningful. The principles presented are applicable to all stages of life, especially when people are making changes, transitions or important decisions.

February 4, 2014 — How “framing” and language impacts our thinking.

sjstein1 — Mon, 04 Feb 2013 19:06:19 +0000

Recently I worked with a young person who was planning to work in Europe as a teacher upon his upcoming graduation from college. He was concerned that by working and traveling abroad he would be “behind” his colleagues and friends who were mostly committed to jobs in the USA. He talked about the work as a “year off” and that there might be a stigma associated with the term “year off.” We discussed this situation and it became clear that this was definitely NOT a “year off.” If anything, it was really a unique opportunity to continue to learn, grow and explore the world by working in a different culture. Sounds more like a “year ON” than anything. Years from now he will look back at time working abroad as enriching and normal.