The Danger in Comparing Yourself to Others

My latest newsletter is out-- The Danger in Comparing Yourself to Others.
 
Do you compare yourself to others? Your accomplishments versus theirs? Your resume compared to them? Your clothes, even? 

We all do it, and for some reason, we assume it’s helpful. I’d argue it is just the oppose for a few key reasons. 

• First, you’re making a lot of assumptions about the other person, which may or may not be correct. You don’t see the entire picture – just the part they choose to present. 
• You’re minimizing your own strengths, and assuming the other person is in some way superior to you. You have your own talents that you want to showcase. 
• You don’t look outside the box for new ideas. If the best your competition did was to create a stellar resume, is that all you should do? Of course not. Just keeping pace with the competition is not enough. You’ve got to do your best; not their best.

Click here to learn about my recent trip to the NSBE Career Fair in Nashville, and read my 4 tips for being the best YOU you can be.

Subscribe to my newsletter here.

6 Tips to Spring Clean Your Career

My latest newsletter is out-- Spring Cleaning Your Career.
 
Happy first week of Spring! It’s so nice to see the bright sunshine again, streaming through my windows. If you’re like many folks, you’ve already started on your home cleaning checklist. You’ve paid extra attention to your baseboards, and your ceiling fans, but what about yourself? 

Spring is also the perfect time to get your career goals in order. You’ve made it past the hiring freezes over the winter, and jobs are popping up every day. Even if you’re not looking to quit your job tomorrow, now’s the time to work on yourself for three very important reasons: 

1. The best jobs are often found by chance. If a recruiter called you out of the blue tomorrow, would you be prepared? 
2. When you wait to polish up your personal brand (and your LinkedIn profile) all at one time when a job does come around, you raise suspicions at your current employer. 
3. You never know when you might be unexpectedly looking for a job. Even top performers are at risk when a corporation goes through a layoff.

Click here to read my 6 tips for spring cleaning your career.

Subscribe to my newsletter here.

Becoming Your Own CEO

My latest Memphis Daily News column is out, “Becoming Your Own CEO.”

I’ve heard the same story at least three times in the past two weeks. A high-performing worker went in for a performance review with the boss. The boss said something along the lines of, “You’ve done a great job. I appreciate you. I can’t offer you a promotion, or a raise, but please don’t leave. I need you here.”

To read the entire article and learn how to take charge of your career if you're faced with this situation, visit the Memphis Daily News site here.

Copeland Coaching on Local 24 Memphis

I hope you had a lucky St. Patrick's Day yesterday. A huge thank you goes out to the staff at ABC news channel Local 24, including Joy Lambert & Jenn Allmon!

Joy interviewed me about how to increase your luck when you're looking for a job.

In case you missed it, you can watch the interview below.

How do I improve my luck this St. Patrick's Day?

My latest newsletter is out-- How do I improve my luck?

Happy St. Patrick's Day! You may be asking yourself how you can catch "the luck o' the Irish" you've heard so much about from that cereal eating leprechaun. After all, it seems some people get everything handed to them. The best job, most money, and a life everyone admires. When will my luck change?

On this day last year, I was touring the Guinness factory in Dublin, Ireland learning to pour the perfect pint. But, my luck almost ran out and I nearly missed my opportunity to learn more about my Irish heritage.

Click here to read more about how I improved my luck, and how you can improve yours.

Subscribe to my newsletter here.

Learning to pour the perfect pint of Guinness in Dublin, Mar. 17 2013

Defining Luck

My latest Memphis Daily News column is out, “Defining Luck.” With St. Patrick's Day just around the corner, I found myself in a long discussion with a friend about what it means to be lucky.

Some people seem to have all the luck. From the outside, they appear to get every promotion, make more money, drive a nicer car and live in a nicer house. It’s like they are surrounded by a ray of sunshine all day. This seems especially true of celebrities, company heads and professional athletes.

How do they get so lucky, and when will my luck change? Read my entire article and learn how to improve your luck here.

Copeland Coaching on “An Education That Works” Radio Show

Huge thanks to Kenneth Kinney for having me on his radio show, "An Education That Works" Tuesday morning on KWAM 990.

I appeared with students and professors from Victory University, which recently announced their closing. It was Kenneth's last radio program, so students and professors shared their fond memories of the school.

I spoke about what to do when you're laid off unexpectedly, and how to get job experience when you're just starting your career.

My heart goes out to all of those impacted by Victory's closing. I wish them the best in their search for new schools, and new jobs.

Listen to the interview below.

Time for a change

My latest newsletter is out-- Time for a change.
 
Good morning! There's a decent chance that today you're a little tired. With the time change over the weekend, it seems that everyone's sleep schedule (including our animals and children) are a little off. The good news is we'll have more light to enjoy at the end of the day. That is, of course, after our sleep schedule adjusts to the new routine.  In the meantime, we're all a little grumpy about the entire situation.

Change is hard. It can be a long, sometimes painful process. But in the end, good things often come from it.

Are you someone who embraces change or who runs from it? If you got the impression your company was downsizing, would you start to look for another job, or wait for your boss to walk you out the door? I recommend the first, more proactive approach. It puts you in the driver's seat, and allows you to make your own decisions about your career path.

Read more about embracing change to grow your career here. 

Subscribe to my newsletter here. 

How to make the most of career fairs

My latest Memphis Daily News column is out, "Making the Most of Career Fairs."

In it, I discuss taking advantage of upcoming local career fairs - whether you're just out of college, or have been in the workforce for many years.

Read the entire article here.

**Note: the NSBE fair is in March, not April. I apologize for my typo.**

Copeland Coaching on An Education That Works with Kenneth Kinney

A huge thank you goes out to Kenneth Kinney who included me in his latest "An Education That Works" television show for Victory University.

He interviewed me and Alex Matlock from ContigoCreative about the upcoming Multicultural Career Fair, and tips for how to best navigate a career fair. Watch the show below to learn more.

Are you prepared to weather the storm?

My latest newsletter is out-- Weathering the Storm.

You’ve made it. It’s officially March. You’ve been waiting months for the cold weather to move on, and the possibility of warmer weather is starting to become a reality. But, your patience for freezing temperatures is dropping every day.

Similarly, you made it through the long stretch of the holiday season when hiring slows down, as recruiters and companies focus on their families, and wait for the New Year. Job postings are starting to pick up. You’ve been unhappy at your job for a while, and you’re ready to move on.

There’s just one problem: your bonus. Whether your annual performance payout for 2013 was 5% or 50% of your salary, the thought of walking away from it now is just not an option.

Read more about weathering the storm: http://bit.ly/1c5GCuv

Subscribe to my newsletter here: http://bit.ly/jobnewsletter

Networking With No Fear

My latest Memphis Daily News column is out, “Networking With No Fear.” In it, I discuss how much more successful we would all be at networking if we could leave our fears and worries at the door.

I tell a story of one of my 3-year old neighbors, and his ability to approach adults without the fear or baggage that we all pick up along the way. 

How much more career progress would we all make if we lived with a little less fear?

To read the entire article, visit the Memphis Daily News site here. 

Moore, Oklahoma Update on Local 24 Memphis News

Thank you to Sean Parker and Local 24 for a second amazing story today! Sean did an update on the Memphis To Moore fundraiser, and my hometown of Moore, Oklahoma.

Last May, Moore was hit by an EF5 tornado that was more than 1 mile wide. It caused damage to more than 1,400 homes and 20 of the 35 Moore Public Schools buildings.

As a former student from Moore Public Schools, I felt compelled to partner up with The Westin Memphis Beale Street, and RedRover Sales & Marketing to host a fundraiser for 200 Memphians to raise funds for the schools.

We raised over $34,000 in donations, including gym equipment for my junior high school, Highland East. The equipment was donated by Karen Wilder Fitness and shipped by Big League Movers (who donated 100% of their shipping services!!). Cash raised was donated to the Moore Public Schools Tornado Relief Fund to cover the needs of teachers and students impacted by the tornado.

In all, there was $55M in total damage to the school system. The three most badly damaged properties, Plaza Towers Elementary, Briarwood Elementary, and High East Junior High, are all still under construction. Most other school properties have been repaired, and students are back in school.

For those who have asked about my parents street, one home was beyond repair and was rebuilt completely. Two others were badly damaged and are almost completed. Other repairs are complete.

Thank you to everyone who donated their time, money, and energy for the fundraiser. I appreciate all of your help and support! Moore teachers, students, and residents send their thank yous to everyone in Memphis.

Read Sean's entire story here.

View the interview below:

South Main Recyles on Local 24 with Sean Parker

Thank you to Sean Parker, and Local 24 for a great story today about South Main Recycles!

My neighborhood in Downtown Memphis lost its recycling bins last year after our grant funded by the Office of Sustainability ran out. That's when myself and two of my neighbors, Bob Lundy and Sharon Leicham, decided to do something.

A visit to single stream recycling facility ReCommunity and a few phone calls later, we found that adding recycling back into the neighborhood was just $100 per month for everyone. We started an online campaign to accept donations from other neighbors. We were able to raise over $1,200 from donations as small as $5 and as large as $100. Then, the Downtown Memphis Commission generously matched what we raised!

Recycling is back! If you'd like to use the single stream bins, they're located next to the Memphis Farmers' Market at G.E. Patterson and Tennessee Street. If you'd like to learn more, or to donate, visit Facebook.com/SouthMainRecycles.

Read Sean's entire story here.

Watch the interview below:

Two voting days left! Your help needed!

Just 2 voting days left! I need ~300 more votes to make it to Round 2. Please vote & share! Thx for your help! http://bit.ly/CopelandCoaching

Make More Money This Year

My latest Memphis Daily News column is out, "Make More Money This Year." In it, I discuss important strategies for increasing your salary at your #1 income source: your job.

If you’re like most people, you created a list of new year’s resolutions at the end of December or in the beginning of January. One of your resolutions was probably related to your finances. It may have been to save more, to make more or both. Regardless of which you selected, increasing your income can achieve both goals. 

If you’re like me, your parents and grandparents worked at the same jobs for their entire careers. Companies were more loyal to their employees back then, and in turn, employees were more loyal too. You often stayed at a job for 30 years where you grew your career, got promoted, earned more money and, eventually, retired with a fat pension and a lifetime of amazing health insurance. 

Unfortunately, times have changed.... 

To read the entire article, visit the Memphis Daily News site here.

   

Just 7 voting days left!

Happy President's Day! We're up to 1,441 votes!

Just 7 voting days left! In order to move on to Round 2, I need to be in the top 100 of the over 5,000 companies entered. Right now, I'm hovering right around 100, so I need your vote to keep Copeland Coaching in the competition.

Let's keep voting daily!

Thanks for your support in the FedEx Small Business Grant Contest!

 http://bit.ly/CopelandCoaching
 
(Feel free to re-post this. Thanks!)

 

Working the (career fair) room like a pro

My latest newsletter is out-- Working the (career fair) room like a pro.

When was the last time you attended a career fair?  Five years ago?  Ten?  Never?  Chances are the last time you went to a fair, it was in college.

But, career fairs are not just something for college students anymore.  They can be a great way to find an in person connection to a company you've been internet stalking for months.  They're also an alternative to submitting your resume to the online application process black hole.

Read the entire newsletter here: http://bit.ly/1mlKooc

Subscribe to my newsletter here: http://bit.ly/jobnewsletter

Putting Your <3 Into Your Job

Happy Valentine's Day!

My latest Memphis Daily News column is out, “Putting Your <3 Into Your Job." In it, I discuss finding a job that aligns to your personal goals, and allows you to be happy each day when you go to work. Given how much time we all spend working, it's important to do something you love.  

The season of love is upon us. Is it fair to say you love what you’re doing for a living? Do you find yourself putting in your all every day, or is it a drag to get up in the morning – or worse yet, to go to bed the night before, knowing your next day’s work is looming over you?  

If you don’t enjoy what you’re doing for a living, it’s time to take stock of what’s important to you. Start out by ranking the following items in order from least to most important: Location, Career Fulfillment, Financial Stability and Career Field.

To read the entire article, visit the Memphis Daily News site here.

Where to start when you're starting over

My latest newsletter is out-- Where to start when you're starting over

It's been a surprising week for folks in Memphis. Like we've seen too many times over the past few years, companies are restructuring. When they do, it impacts the personal lives of their employees.

Unfortunately, unlike previous generations, the luxury of having an entire career at one company is rare. Workers no longer stay at the same job for thirty years and then retire with a great pension and excellent healthcare. In fact, staying at one company can often be looked at as a negative thing. More value is often being been placed on breadth, rather than just depth, of knowledge.

Read the entire newsletter here: http://bit.ly/LQ2CgH

Subscribe to my newsletter here: http://bit.ly/jobnewsletter