I remember when I lost my job many years ago I took it very hard. I walked around for over two years with a persona of defeat. Everything I touched turned to soot; never gold. Life is a funny thing, what you choose to focus on, you will become. It will express itself on the physical plane through your body language and behaviour. Put simply, your body is an instrument of the mind. If you think you are a winner, you will act as a winner; but if you think you are a loser, your outcome will be just that. As I look back, I now understand why things were turning to soot; my failures were the fertilizer to my dreams.

Here are 3 powerful questions to ask when looking for work or new business:

1. Historically, How Have Your Business And Personal Relationships Been? Many people share with me how they are tired of having evil bosses and co-workers in almost every job they have had and it never seemed to change. This makes me wonder about the probability of this actually taking place. How is it possible for a person to be so unlucky that no matter the workplace, the people around them were always so horrible? Perhaps a time of reflection is needed. What have people said about you over the years? Are you the kind of person who gives only an inch or are you the kind of person who gives a mile? Are you constantly in confrontation with people? If you are unsure, start a conversation with people from your past but please be open to criticism. Think of it as opportunities for growth to build a better you.

2. How Is Your Present State Of Mind? Is there any anger or other issues you need to address? Are you the kind of person people feel comfortable being around? I believe in the saying, “If you change your mindset you will change your reality.” Change your mindset from being the victim to being the victor. When I was unemployed I felt defeated and helpless. It was not until I changed my mindset to “I am strong and able to overcome,” that things quickly changed and I found new employment and a new calling to help others succeed in life. As I look back, had I not been let go I never would have become the man I am today. Sometimes a good kick in the pants is a good incentive to get a person on their correct life path.

3. What Skills Do You Bring To The Table? Dreamers do make the world go round, but there are times when you have to face reality. Would you let your mechanic operate on you because he always dreamed of being a surgeon one day? Of course not! Dream jobs still require a person to actually have practical skills. Do you have all that an employer or a potential new client is looking for? Would you add value to a specific job? What problems do you solve? Research the labour market extensively to determine exactly what employers are looking for. If you are unsure how to proceed, look at a number of job postings and you will start to see a trend. In your downtime, take courses that will make you more sellable (i.e. appealing) to potential employers or clients. Take the time to grow yourself.

In closing, when looking for work or new business, start to Understand Your Past Relationships With People, Understand Your Present State Of Mind and Know What Skills You Bring To The Table. To make a change in your life, be your worst critique and your best advocate. Make necessary changes along the way so that one day soon you can honestly say, “Yes, I Would Hire Me!”