Where Have I Been?

In February I was diagnosed with congestive heart failure which I inherited from my mother.

I spent over two weeks in Plano Presbyterian Hospital followed by over a month in rehab at the Forum on Park Lane.

Finally, I have returned home.  

I am trading in my Lexus Hybrid 300H for a Toyota Sienna which will house my Pride Scooter.  I am having difficulty in walking distances more than 100 feet.    

I plan to begin regular postings again.  

Please share your feelings about the problems of aging with readers of this blog by posting a comment or emailing at mailto:glynjordan@gmail.com.   

Thanks!  Glyn

Why is a baker’s dozen 13 instead of 12?

The next time you get the gift of an extra doughnut added to your dozen, thank crooked 13th-century bakers for the bonus treat. In the 1260s, British bread makers were notorious for shorting customers with skimpy loaves. King Henry III was so irked by the problem that he implemented a new law to standardize the weight of a loaf—selling puny loaves could result in beatings or jail time. Since bakers wanted to stay on the right side of the law, one common trick was to give 13 loaves to any customer buying a dozen. Even if the loaves were light, the extra would cover the shortfall. It was an easy fix for bakers, and since low-carb diets were still seven centuries away, customers rejoiced.

http://mentalfloss.com/article/32259/why-bakers-dozen-13

I was thinking how this old saying might also relate to our conduct at work. As bread customers often thought in the 13^th Century that they did not get a full measure when they purchased bread, perhaps bosses today are thinking that many of their employees are not giving the company its money’s worth in terms of service provided.

My suggestion to all employees today is that they always give their employer a full measure of production – equivalent to 13 doughnuts.  Another saying is ‘going the extra mile.’  My experience at work is that my bosses appreciated my extra effort when I provided it.  In retrospect, I should have been more consistent in my focus on the job.  

Do you think that giving this extra effort will be beneficial to your organization and your career?  Please share your feelings with readers of this blog by posting a comment or emailing at mailto:glynjordan@gmail.com.   

Thanks!  Glyn

Good Employment News!

We have heard good employment news lately.  The unemployment rate in US continues to decline, and there are numerous advertisements for open positions.  What will be the result of jobs being filled and a reduction in the unemployed?  At North Dallas Shared Ministries where I do counseling each week, the number of individuals seeking a job is declining.

I would think that we will be seeing increases in pay rates with or without a raise in the minimum.  Higher wages typically require great skills among competing job seekers. 

What is the message to the yet unemployed?  I think that you should make every effort to increase your skill set.  For many, it is essential that you obtain a GED or high school certificate.  Further is critical that you increase your technical skills because many job openings require computer and other such skills.  Further, it is important to obtain proficiency in the English language.  

What is your advice for the job seekers? Please share your feelings with readers of this blog by posting a comment or emailing at mailto:glynjordan@gmail.com.   

 

Thanks!  Glyn

Bring on 2015 – We’re Ready and Hopeful

An editorial in the January 3, 2015, of The Wall Street Journal, “Bring on 2015 – We’re Ready and Hopeful” by Peggy Noonan got me thinking about 2015. 

Are you beginning this New Year with a positive or negative attitude?  Noonan writes “I’m approaching the new year with hope, which is not the same as optimism.  Hope is not the just expectation that things will turn around for the better, but the belief that they can … It invites not passive anticipation but active repair and restoration.”

Historian Amity Shlades says “A good resolution for 2015: Humility in art. A second resolution: Cause the forgotten to be remembered – Looking forward by looking back.”

The article includes several positive comments about 2015 by Jeb Bush, Ohio Senator Rob Portman, Mary Kissel of the WSJ, Boone Pickens, Historian Harry Evans, former White House Secretary  Dana Perino, Maureen Orth of Vanity Fair, attorney Lloyd Green, and Washington entrepreneur Jeremy Shane, and Father Gerald Murry, pastor of the Holy Family in New York City.

I found these comments constructive for 2015, and I think that if we approach all situations with a positive attitude, good results will surely be found.

How do you feel about the potential of 2015?  Please share your feelings with readers of this blog by posting a comment or emailing at mailto:glynjordan@gmail.com.   

Thanks!  Glyn

What Will You Do When You Grow-up?

An article in the December 27, 2014, of The Dallas Morning News, “My job has been a privilege, passion” by James Ragland got my attention about selecting and pursuing a career. 

With 30 years The News, Ragland reminisced about becoming a journalist. After considering law school, he took an internship with the newspaper where he found his passion.  Ragland says that doing something that you are passionate about is a common thread among successful folks.

How does one find such a job?  I remember when I was in high school someone ask me what I was going to do with my life.  I said that I wanted to be a success.  I thought I should be an engineer since I was fairly good at math.  However, a course in drawing led me to believe that I was not passionate about sitting at a drafting table.  I found my passion in computers and education.

It is difficult for a person to know how he/she should earn a living.  Many are fortunate and follow in a parent’s vocation or pursue God given skills and talents in the arts; others have no clue.  My advice to others is to get a job that is your passion; if it’s not, then keep on looking!

 Please describe your job that you have found to be your passion by posting on this bIog or emailing at mailto:glynjordan@gmail.com.   

 Thanks!  Glyn

Christmas & New Year - Time to Retool

As 2014 winds down and you look forward to 2015, perhaps it is time for job seekers to evaluate 2014 and prepare for 2015.  If your job search has been unsuccessful in 2014, you should evaluate your progress in finding employment.

What activities seem to produce quality job leads and what activities have yielded nothing?  If you have been rejected for a job for which you were qualified, what happened?  Were there better candidates or perhaps you received no feedback.

In order to prepare for job seeking in 2015, what steps should you take?  Here are some suggestions:

1. Maintain a positive attitude and high energy level.

2. Research possible job postings that meet your qualifications

3. Reach-out to all members on your contact list by sending greeting cards, telephone calls, or emails

4. Prepare a job search action plan for January 2015 including specific companies to contact and meetings to attend.

5. Attend job fairs and network with attendees as well as hiring companies

6. Seek counseling from a respected individual in your church or civic organization

As our economy picks-up speed, 2015 is the time to retool all your efforts to become employed.             

I encourage readers of this blog to provide suggestions to the unemployed by posting on this bIog or emailing at mailto:glynjordan@gmail.com.   

 

Thanks!  Glyn

Paid Positions at Nonprofit Organizations

An article in The Dallas Morning News, December 12, 2014, edition, “Career Opportunities Abound in the Nonprofit Sector”, on page 1J by Metro Creative Connection identifies several paid positions in nonprofit organizations.

We often think of jobs in nonprofit organizations being staffed by volunteers.  While it is true that almost all nonprofit organizations depend on volunteers to staff many of their positions, they usually also employ a number of individuals in paid staff positions. 

In most nonprofit organizations, volunteers typically work one or two days each week.  Some volunteers work periodically with no set schedule.  Consequently, in order to functions effectively, nonprofit organizations require a staff of full-time employees.

The article describes the following full-time paid positions:

1. Executive Officer:  The executive director reports to the organization’s board of directors and has the strategic and operational responsibility for nonprofit staff.

2. Chief Financial Officer:  Depending of the size of the organization, the CFO position will vary in responsibility and scope.

3. Fundraisers:  Since fundraising is a key component for nonprofits, the job includes annual funds, alumni affairs, direct marketing, grant seeking, and donor relations.

4. Public Relations: Public relations or marketing professionals work with senior management to develop a communication plan for the organization.  Use of multi-media in order to communicate with organization volunteers, donors, and clients is important to the organization’s success.

5.  Administrative Roles: Accounting and financial professional, office administrators, human resources, information systems and IT workers are some of the administrative roles.

Many of the above roles are consolidated in to one position depending of the size of the organization.  However, the functions need to be addressed.

If you enjoy helping improve lives of those in need, a full-time position with a nonprofit organization can be very rewarding with a competitive income.

Individuals who have worked for a nonprofit organization are encouraged to share your experience in this bIog or email at mailto:glynjordan@gmail.com.   

 

Thanks!  Glyn