Thank you to everyone who has supported me and the Awaken Your CAREERpreneur community since the launch of my book in 2010. While the AYC blog has come to a close, feel free to check-out posts from the last year-and-a-half from my team of writers and me regarding how to make career success a way of being.

If you haven’t visited me over at AlexiaVernon.com, I hope you will stop on by. You will learn how to make heart-centered, high-impact communication and presentation skills a way of being through my Step Into Your Moxie programs. Be sure also to check out my keynotes, presentations, and workshops. And most importantly, hop onto my Obstacles Into Opportunities list so that you can have a 3-5 minute burst of Alexia delivered straight to your inbox each week!

I believe that ALL sectors have MANY pros; however, the nonprofit sector has more pros than cons. The nonprofit sector offers:

• A LOT more exposure because it allows for the opportunity to interact with individuals from all types and levels of organizations, such as government, corporate, and the community at large.

• Nonprofits also offer more flexible working conditions and environments, which can be favorable to sector switchers, women and those just starting their career journey. Although the government and corporate sectors are looking at alternative options for its workers, and has started making some changes to their work cultures, the nonprofit world is light years ahead of them on such issues as working from home, flexible scheduling, job sharing, various types of leaves of absence, and other benefits.

• Bright individuals who are passionate and committed to their cause. They are working for their nonprofit organization because they believe they are making a difference in the world, or because they believe in the direction of their organization, or that they have a lifelong passion for the work that their group does. This is not often the case in the private sector, where money always is the bottom line, and many co-workers can be unhappy with their salaries, work conditions, and upward movement (or lack thereof) within the company.

So, the differences between the private and the nonprofit sector can be extreme, or strikingly similar. However, taking all of these factors into consideration is important before making a decision on whether sector switching is for you. If you decide that you are ready for a sector switch…you need to strategize, plan and even reach out to some experts in this area to help you map your career and make the journey as pleasant as possible.

You might figure out that you are NOT meant to be a sector switcher and simply need to change your area of interest, a new department or simply become your own boss by becoming an entrepreneur. Whatever YOU decide is right for YOU is where you should be. Most of us spend more time working than we do at home, with family or friends, so choose something YOU love, are passionate about and would do for FREE!!!

Which is why it always stings just a little bit when someone opts-out or, worse, opts-out with a complaint. Thankfully, neither happens frequently but even just a 0.29% opt-out rate unnerves me. Someone has just logged a vote that they don’t want what I’m offering…they don’t want me! Gasp!!

Whether personally  (e.g., dating) or professionally (e.g., job interview, client development), we all have done our share of rejecting, and we’ve all experienced being rejected. At some point we have heard or said a variation of the phrase: “It’s not you, it’s me.” For some odd (and misguided, in my opinion) reason, those words are uttered as a way of bringing comfort in hopes of lessening the blow that comes from hearing, in effect: “I’ve changed my mind; I am not choosing you.”

But the truth is…there is incredible power in “no” for both the person saying no and the one hearing it.

For the person saying it, they likely invested some time to evaluate whether something is meeting their needs and wants. And whenever you exercise self-reflection and choose what is best for you, that is incredibly empowering. And healthy.

Ironically, there is incredible power for the person hearing “no” as well. Yes, it may sting initially. But the sting presents an opportunity to take a step back and do your own self-reflection and evaluation. On the other side of rejection is a chance to gain clarity about not only what you want, but also who wants what you have to offer — regardless of the form your offer may take (e.g., e-newsletter, product, service, or skills and talents, etc.). In addition, the other side of rejection can help you determine what aspects of your offer need to be refined. Who knows, you just might identify a tweak you never would have considered and this tweak could end up becoming a game-changer!

Fortunately, the rejection I’m describing isn’t fatal. And, ultimately, hearing no can be a teachable moment.

As we near the end of 2011, now is a great time to think about how many times you’ve said no, along with how many times you’ve heard it. What insight do you gain from this trip down memory lane; how can this insight help make 2012 one of your best years yet?!

I know that as a result of reading her piece, I have been more aware of the times when I automatically say, “I’m sorry,” and I’ve been practicing being clearer about what it is I am asking forgiveness for when I say those three words to people close to me. A side benefit: It is helping to raise my consciousness, which is helping me be more present and aware.

As a result of her “I’m sorry” challenge, I started thinking about two other words we usually use in a rather unconscious way. When you and I say “thank you,” I’m sure we genuinely mean it, but I wonder what it would feel like to practice saying exactly what it is we are grateful for rather than stopping after “you.” For example, a few weekends ago, my boyfriend and I had a chance to get away for the long weekend. During a flashback moment, I recalled something he did that was “small” gesture but one that made me feel nurtured. So I told him, “thank you for doing “x” because it made me feel nurtured. ” I didn’t express my gratitude in this way to get a particular response, but his reaction made my heart leap with joy. I took both of our reactions as a sign that specificity when giving thanks can be a powerful gift – for both the giver and the receiver!

The American Thanksgiving holiday (my favorite) is tomorrow. As you gear up to relax and dine with family and friends, how much more powerful could your time spent with your loved ones be if you took a moment to share, “Thank you for (be specific).” If this isn’t a common practice, try it out and let me know what are some of the responses shared around your dinner table.

And, in the spirit of this post, may I openly say thank you to Alexia for providing me with another platform for me to work out and work on my purpose. And, I’d like to thank you – the readers – for reading and keeping me energized with your energy and comments.

Have an awesome Thanksgiving!

There are always LOTS of tasks and roles that need to be filled and completed.  However, there is often not enough human capacity on staff or someone with the right skills to get the job done. This is a great opportunity for a staff person to stretch their skills, volunteers to assist, a consultant to be hired and/or for someone to get some valuable hands on training in that area to ensure that the organization is able to get the work done. I truly attribute my many talents to working in the nonprofit sector and having to learn on the job or during a time where we did not have enough hands on deck to do things I never thought I’d ever have the chance to do (or want to do for that matter) and glad I had the opportunity.

Although there are numerous measurements of success in the nonprofit sector, they do not solely focus on revenues and profits, which characterize the business sector. Your P&L doesn’t necessarily define success in the nonprofit sector unless you stay in a financial role such as a CFO, Budget Director or a fundraising role like a Director of Development or Membership Manager. So, if these kinds of roles with fiduciary responsibility are not what you are looking for, but you are someone who has continually succeeded based on profit margin, you would need to adjust to a new way of measuring your success in your new role.

Also, many nonprofits are typically resource constrained or the funding is for specific programs, departments or events. This phenomenon can have an impact on management’s ability to implement change as well as increase compensation. With fewer income sources, and no margin of profitability, the trickle-down effect on your salary might not be as frequent nor be as lucrative, but there are still ways to get a raise in the nonprofit sector or demand other things, like more time off, etc.  However, there are plenty of nonprofit organizations and positions that are quite lucrative.  Most national organizations, foundations, colleges, universities, hospitals and specific areas of need such as health, environment, etc. tend to have better funding.  This allows for more competitive salaries, career advancement and longevity within the nonprofit sector.

The nonprofit sector tends to be more process oriented and consensus driven than the private sector, both of which can slow decision making. This can be frustrating for someone who is used to better-defined structure. However, with often less decision makers, the process can also be quicker or a decision YOU might be empowered to make for the organization in the role you play. In the corporate world, the pyramid-like organization seems like the process can quicken decision-making and implementation, but often has many more layers of bureaucracy to get through before a decision is made. Clearly, this also depends on your role and place in the hierarchy of leadership where you work, no matter the sector.

By the time the runners reach me, they are about one-third through the 26.2 mile race. Some people are running with ease, while others show visible signs of needing a little boost. And the Brooklyn onlookers certainly don’t fail them there! -;o)

As I reflect on this year’s race, I can’t help but think about the role of cheerleaders in our lives – personally and professionally. They are absolutely invaluable and indispensable!

We may do the work (be that running a race, building a business, nurturing a family, climbing the corporate ladder), but via their belief in who we are and what we are aiming to accomplish, our cheerleading squad provides inspiration, support, reassurance and encouragement. And depending upon the situation, they may also provide a second set of eyes and ears to help us see and hear what we cannot because we are too close to the situation at hand.

I don’t know Maria Lapetina, but I bet she was thrilled to pieces to see this sign as she was nearing the end of her 26.2 mile race. What’s more, what do you notice about the person holding the sign? She is beaming with pride! That’s an aspect of cheerleading that is usually overlooked: How wonderful it makes your cheerleader feel to see you succeed.

For me this photo is a great reminder that what we do for ourselves, we really do for others – our cheerleaders for sure, but total strangers as well.

© iStockPhoto/leminuit

“Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of a commitment to excellence, intelligent planning, and focused effort.”–Paul J. Meyer

Work hard..and don’t play. Or just plain work but how much have you done? Between surfing the internet for work, checking email, reading the news or whatever you spend your time online doing. What have you really done? If you’re looking for a job this is super important to know. If you are a small business owner you definitely need to know if you are spending more time on activities that make you money or not.

Three tools to help you figure out what you are actually doing:

1) RescueTime is a web-based time management and analytics tool. It’s automated to track how you spend your time, so that means no actual data entry is necessary.

One of my favorite features is the RescueTime Focus Mode; it allows you to selectively block the distracting parts of the internet..(Email, Facebook, Twitter…or whatever site you spend too much time on) for a period of time you specify.
Fear not if you want to give this a try Mac and PC versions are available.
View the Intro to RescueTime below:

Click here to view the embedded video.

3) If you can’t get anything done and money motivates you I would recommend giving StickK.com a try. Here you create a contract with yourself to achieve a goal/task. There are predefined goals or you can create a custom task. You can ask for support and have a referee who makes sure you stay on task (you can pick a friend you trust for this role or you can do it yourself but if you’re at this point outside assistance might be a great idea).

Here’s what I love about StickK, you can tie success to a dollar amount each week. If you are successfully you get to keep your cash. If you aren’t you will give that amount to charity. Some people have found picking an organization they hate motivating…they have zero desire to give their money to them; so they make sure they complete their tasks and submit reports on time.

There are certainly other tools out there – more complex, etc; anyone with a iPhone, iPod touch or iPad can start using the new Reminder app where your to-do list shows up in your iCal calendar. Tools are only good if you are consistent and actually use them. Don’t switch to something new if your old method already works. Try something new if you aren’t getting the results you want and need to stay motivated.

My system involves multiple apps, sites and plain ole paper…too complicated for some but it works for me. I’ve adapted methods, tools and tips from a variety of sources and take what works for me and forget the rest. Productivity tools are only useful if they help not hinder your process.

As I was working on the last minute details leading up to the September event, a good friend of mine who calls me by my last name kept saying, “Timmons keep it simple.” A good example of where his words of wisdom came in handy: my catering selection. I was initially planning to hire a private chef and while it would have added a nice touch, truthfully, it would have significantly increased my food and beverage budget. Costs aside, it also would have required much more effort and coordination than the route I ultimately took…ordering salad and sandwiches from a gourmet shop and wine from a local wine store. I kept it simple.

On the surface this example may not appear to be a big deal, but if we move beyond the “it” of the example to its “message,” it is HUGE! Why? Because keeping it simple requires discipline and it is not always such an easy thing to do. So with this as a backdrop, here is why keeping it simple is important; simplicity:

• Asks you to practice the “less is more” principle
• Asks you to remember your vision and to place the essence and content of what you are delivering above the appearance of what is delivered. (By no means is this an invitation to skimp on what constitutes “appearance,” but rather a reminder to separate the fluff from the substance.)
• Requires more imagination, creativity, and attention to details
• Demands that you acknowledge what is distracting you from keeping it simple while at the same time recognizing that simplicity is a derivative of the complex
• Aids your communication and productivity

Bring all of the above together and ultimately simplicity is the epitome of sophistication. Like I said, simple is (my) new sexy!

Photo by: wootang01

Seriously.

What’s stopping you?

Is it fear, commitment, insecurity, laziness?

I know that you have a desire to flirt with the idea of creating your own business.  I know that you have a crush on being a changemaker that brings real impact to your corner of the world. I know that you would say yes if social good and business savvy asked you to have an affair.

I’m here to nudge you.

I’m here to tell you that you can create a business that lets you wear a metaphorical, purple cape and a Green Lantern ring.

But, where do you even start? How do you get to where you want to go when you feel like you’re not enough or that you’re not ready?

Start with yourself. Go into discovery mode.

Ask yourself questions like these:

1. What social cause makes me cry?
2. What could I spend 9 hours a day doing?
3. What does my perfect day look like?
4. What are my strengths?
5. What are my weaknesses?
6. What are my life priorities?
7. What are my top 3 values?
8. Who are 3 changemakers that I admire, and why do I admire them?
9. How do I want to feel on a day-to-day basis?
10. If I don’t pursue what I want to do now, will I regret it in ten years?

Go deep.

Be honest.

Be authentic.

When discovery phase is over, then we can rendezvous.

As a career coach focusing on millennials, women, entrepreneurs and sector switchers, I get asked about my experience working in the nonprofit sector all the time, from all kinds of people. They are either curious, interested in changing their career path or trying to find out if the various things they heard about the nonprofit sector are true.

If you have never worked in the nonprofit sector, you might not know how different a career experience in the nonprofit sector can be from one in the corporate world—both in culture and in structure—but depending on the type of organization and position you desire, you’d be surprised just how similar they can be. Most people who come from the private sector don’t believe that you can make money in the nonprofit sector and those from the nonprofit sector believe that just about anything that is not nonprofit is evil or the “dark side.”

There are many companies, businesses and organizations that make up the nonprofit sector—it can be any type of public, private, or government organization that provides a service without the expectation of financial return or profit. There are also affinity groups that serve members, professional associations, unions, and those that serve the public, such as faith-based, charitable, and social welfare organizations. Many of these organizations have been a part of your life such as schools, churches, colleges, universities, YMCAs, Chambers of Commerce, Museums, and Bar Associations.

If you are thinking about working in any sector, you need to do your homework, but research is especially important in the nonprofit sector since there are usually multiple layers within each organization. Corporate and small businesses also have varying parts, but usually when you work in the private sector your role is more clearly defined with additional resources and more structure. Nonprofits also play multiple roles in society, and address a variety of issues that are not being met in the private sector. A nonprofit can be a foundation providing funding to other nonprofits. It can provide a service to the community, such as a school or a museum. They also provide a service to other nonprofits, such as consulting, legal services and social media training. 

Switching from a career in the business sector to the nonprofit sector needs to be a strategic decision and NOT just a leap of faith into and completely different matrix of culture and organizational dynamics. Even though nonprofits have been successful and are hiring more business individuals, there is a fundamental difference in culture between the two environments. Any individual wishing to pursue a career in the nonprofit sector should try to understand some of the pros and cons as well as planning before taking a career leap of faith and jumping into the cross sector transition.