John Hood’s Post

Turning Setbacks into Opportunities Today, I received a job rejection. And yes, it's a Sunday. This looks and feels bad. We all know how important Sundays are for everyone. It's a time to relax and prepare ourselves for the week ahead, and receiving this particular email on the day can be extremely disheartening! But let's transform it into another opportunity. Rejections happen for many reasons, but how we perceive them matters. I strongly believe receiving job rejections on a Sunday feels more terrible than receiving them on a weekday. Why is that? Emotional Impact, Expectations, Timing. All these play a role in how we react. Sundays are typically associated with relaxation and downtime. Receiving a rejection email disrupts this vibe. We set expectations for Sundays to be stress-free and relaxing, so a rejection email shatters those expectations, leading to disappointment and frustration. Also, getting a rejection email on a "slow day" gives the feeling of being left behind or overlooked. How can we turn these feelings into motivation for the week ahead? Resilience: Every rejection makes us stronger. Let's use this as a chance to prove our resilience, determination, and motivation to work harder. Self-evaluation: Reflect on why this happened and what changes you can make in your plans for the coming week. Evaluate your goals, skills, and career path. What can you learn from this experience? How can you improve for the next opportunity? Network: Reach out for support and advice. You're never alone in this journey. Utilize your network to turn your setback into success. Recharge: Take this Sunday to recharge your batteries. Engage in activities that bring you joy and perspective. Remember, every rejection is just a stepping stone towards success! Not just for Sundays but every day. Let's make this setback the start of something great! ❤️ #Jobapplication #motivation #resilience #comeback

The less I tried to impress my employers the more they seemed impressed. Odd. But definitely a thing. Whenever part of me tried to impress (or its close cousin, avoid making a fool of myself) I was distracted with thoughts like: -   “Don’t mess up here, David”. -   “He’s frowning! What does that mean?” -   “She asked for my honest opinion. Is this a trap?” -   “They’ll probably replace me with a real professional after this” Such was my inner voice, never to be shared publicly (you won’t tell anyone, will you?). Over time, though, such interactions became less of a big deal. The biggest shift occurred in my last year. I resigned over 12 months early. Unexpectedly I felt more relaxed. Believe it or not, my performance went up! Having resigned, there was so far less riding on the outcome. Truth be told, this was always the case. Except in my head. Lesson learned: I should’ve resigned years earlier. Metaphorically, at least. Trying to impress is one of the many ways we worry about what others think of us. We do it for all the right reasons. Problem is, it tends only to interfere with our ability to be at our best. If you too know the feeling, here’s a few items I've found helpful to keep in mind: -   𝗬𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵: it may seem only you have self-doubts but most everyone else is thinking the same. If you’ve ever worried whether you’re normal, that proves you are!  -   𝗣𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗻: deep listening gives your brain something more useful to do than worrying about your performance. -   𝗛𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗹𝘆: of the countless variables at stake, very few are within your control. Don’t think you’re so special as to be held to a higher standard than others. -   𝗚𝗼 𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘆 𝗼𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳: whatever happens, you’ll be fine. Disappointments stimulate growth – provided we don’t make up stories turning them into something they’re not. If you have other tips people might find helpful, please consider sharing in the comments. #coaching #innercomms #betterme

If you’re feeling a bit frustrated in your current situation because things feel outside of your control. Here’s an easy way to flip the script. It can be agitating, discouraging, annoying or even anger-producing to feel a bit stuck in a situation that isn’t to your liking and feel like there isn’t much you can do about it. Whether it’s related to work, a job search, a relationship, your health, or whatever you've got going on. We have all been there. One thing you can do is simply start to focus on the positive vs. the negative. Yeah, yeah, before you roll your eyes and get annoyed, remember that this is 1 thing that you actually can control and WILL have a positive impact on the situation, regardless of what’s going on. > When you start to focus on seeing the positive, you shift your lens to see more of it and less of the negative. > It’s easier to shake off the frustrating things and stay focused on what matters. > You get to be the person in charge of your thoughts and mindset. > Things generally start to turn around for the better. So, for whatever situation is currently keeping you hot and bothered, I encourage you to write 1 sticky note per day about something you feel grateful for related to that situation and post it somewhere you can see it. Try it for 30 days and let me know how it goes. #Careers #PersonalDevelopment #Gratitude #Jobsearch

“Boost Your Job Search Confidence: Mastering Your Inner Dialogue” In the journey of job seeking, your inner conversation plays a pivotal role in shaping your mindset and outlook. Here are some pointers to ensure that your inner dialogue remains healthy and positive, empowering you to navigate the job market with confidence: 1. Practice Self-Awareness: Acknowledge any negative self-talk and consciously replace it with positive affirmations. 2. Set Realistic Goals: Break down your job search goals into manageable tasks. 3. Focus on Strengths: Remind yourself of your skills, experiences, and achievements. Embrace your strengths and believe in your ability to succeed. 4. Visualize Success: Visualizing success can boost your confidence and motivation. 5. Cultivate Gratitude: Practice gratitude by reflecting on the positive aspects of your life and career journey. 6. Surround Yourself with Positivity: Surround yourself with supportive individuals who uplift and encourage you. 7. Stay Resilient: Understand that setbacks are a natural part of the job search process. 8. Take Care of Yourself: Prioritize self-care activities that nourish your body, mind, and soul. Remember, the inner conversation you have with yourself can either fuel your success or hinder your progress. Choose positivity, cultivate self-belief, and approach your job search journey with confidence and optimism. #JobSearchConfidence #PositiveMindset #CareerSuccess #SelfEmpowerment

Hi LinkedIn Friends, It’s been a little over three months since I was laid off, and as I continue my job search, I wanted to publicly share my gratitude for this season of my life. Some may find this sentiment surprising. How can I not be stressed, worried, or overwhelmed without a job lined up? Simply put, I needed this time to rest, reflect, and reset. Rest: In the past three months, I've experienced a level of rest that was previously unknown to me. For the first time, I'd dare to say in my life, I haven't had commitments pulling me in every direction (no practices, no games, no homework, no meetings, no projects, no presentations... nothing). Instead, I've been able to recenter and focus on being present by nurturing my relationships, being a better mother, and deepening my spiritual connection. Reflect: In this season, I've also dedicated time to asking myself important questions: What are my strengths? What drives my passion? What are my priorities? What sets me apart professionally? etc. While I don't have all the answers yet, embracing and prioritizing this mindset has been invaluable as I navigate my next steps. Reset: Losing a job can be devastating, but I've chosen to view it as an opportunity for reinvention. I saw a quote recently that said “Reinvent yourself over and over and over and over and over until you find home. There is no timeline for the soul.” This quote really stuck with me and ignited a fire to embrace a new professional identity—Ashlee 3.0—who is unafraid to explore new career opportunities and will strive for balance in all aspects of life. Change can be daunting, especially for someone like me who values stability, but I boldly and vulnerably tell my truth today to say it's okay to rest, it's okay to embrace change, and it's okay to go at your own pace. Life is a marathon, not a sprint and it's nothing wrong with stopping to smell the roses along the way. Cheers to the next chapter! Ashlee 💛

"I want to give up," said TANUSHA When I asked, what was bothering her She shared, "I get frustrated in my career, and I don't know how to focus". When I fail, I get distracted and lose all my motivation. I don't know what to do. Can you help me?" I responded, "Sure, I can". I gave her three tips to reduce excessive frustration: 1. Embrace Gratitude: Be thankful for what you have to prevent losing it. 2. Focus on Positives: Find small positives in your career, even when facing setbacks. 3. Take Action: Act to upskill, seek new opportunities, and prioritize action over results. Upon hearing these tips, Tanusha said, "These are very basic points. How would it help me?" I replied, "At times, we often overlook the impact of simple steps by complicating the process." She agreed with my perspective and said, "You are right! I will surely focus on implementing these points to tackle my career frustration." You can also tackle your life problems by being 'HAPPY.' Want to know how? Then DM me now. #personaldevelopment #happiness #mentalhealth #mindsetgrowth

Happy Monday! I don’t know who needs to hear this, but wanted to share my morning thoughts: In our professional and personal journeys, we often encounter the sting of rejection, whether it's a missed job opportunity, a declined proposal, an ended relationship that seemed promising, or an unachieved goal. It's easy to interpret these moments as barriers to our success and or happiness. However, I've come to realize that rejection is not just protection from something (or someone)potentially unsuitable but, more importantly, a powerful redirection towards something (or someone) more aligned with our growth and potential. Rejection opens the door to self-reflection, compelling us to reassess our paths and strategies. It encourages resilience, pushing us to bounce back stronger, armed with new insights and determination. Most significantly, rejection often redirects us towards opportunities we hadn't considered, leading to experiences that enhance our skills, broaden our perspectives, and enrich our professional lives. Let's shift our mindset to view rejection not as a setback but as a guiding force, steering us towards our true destinations. Share your story of how a rejection turned into a pivotal moment of redirection and growth. #ProfessionalGrowth #Resilience #CareerDevelopment #Opportunity #MindsetShift

🌟 Monday Nuggets 🌟 Ever felt stuck with limited options? Society's career criteria can be daunting. If you're thinking of clicking "APPLY" but doubts creep in, here's a reminder: Don't let the fear of inadequacy stop you. 🚀✨ Even if you don't meet all the requirements, your experience matters. Give it a shot, because trying means you believe in yourself. 💪 Regardless of the outcome, remember, you've got nothing to lose but so much more to gain. ✨ Keep believing, keep trying! 💼🔗 #MondayMotivation #BelieveInYourself #CareerJourney

Weekend reminder 😊 Facing setbacks doesn't mean you're failing. It's part of the process. Keep going you're not alone in this. Experiencing setbacks is a normal part of the job search or promotion process. It doesn't reflect your worth or potential. Keep pushing forward, knowing that many others have faced similar struggles and have found success. our current job search challenges do not define who you are. Your skills, experiences, and potential are what truly matter. Maintain your belief in yourself and your abilities. Treat yourself with the same kindness you would offer a friend. #jobsearch #happylearning #positive

Congratulation everyone! It's Friday again! Mentioning of Friday, what is your thought? "Yay! It's rest days finally!" "Ohno, so fast.. Then we need to work again after 2 days of break." The way you see things become different depending on your mindset, whether it's always looking at the positive side or the negative side? Of course, it is not always easy to think positively. There will be times when we experience negative emotions such as sadness, anger, and frustration. But it is important to remember that these emotions are only temporary. They will eventually pass, and we can choose to focus on the positive again. Positive thinking is the practice of focusing on the good in every situation. It is about believing that everything happens for a reason and that there is always something to be grateful for. Positive thinking has many benefits. It can improve our mental and physical health, reduce stress, and boost our productivity. It can also help us to achieve our goals and live happier and more fulfilling lives. Think of the good part even when you're estimating the consequences. So it doesn't affect yourself from moving forward. Some starts to have self-doubt and self-reject before they even start their job search. "I don't think I can be a good fit for this role." "I don't think any company would hire me." Don't think like that! You can do it! Drop your #resume at https://lnkd.in/gyn9iUUq to get more exposure to job opportunities!