Would You Work for Free

Would You Work for Free Would You Work for Free Last week, I had the good fortune of attendinga work conference in Chicago. It wasnt your average work conference. The attendees wanted to be there. In fact, their companies didnt pay for them to go. They paid theirown way. And they went to all of the workshops offered even at the end, when everyone was tired.The conference is called Podcast Movement, and its purpose is to help educate podcasters about hosting their own programs. Its the second year Ive attended, and what struck me last year was how passionate this group is about their work. People told me how podcasting has changed their lives. A few podcasters even got teary-eyed when they were talking about their shows. Have you ever had a job that got you teary-eyed with positive emotion? Me neither.This year, the speech that stuck with me the most was given by Kevin Smith. You might remember Smithfrom movies like Clerksand Mallrats, which he directed (he also played the characte r of Silent Bob). Smithtalked about two main topics the importance of self-expression in your work and doing what you love. Smithsaid that he had the misfortune to get paid for what he loved to do early on in his career. For a time, it caused him to refuse to work on projects he loved unless he was paid.His talk brought up an interesting point. As we grow in our careers, we often opt out of anything work-related unless we receive a paycheck. Why is that? It could be that our personal time ismore valuable to us, or maybe were just accustomed to our companies paying for things like training, mileage, and cellphones.But what would happen if we explored our career interests a bit more even if we werent paid for it? Chances are good that new doors and avenues that we had never even dreamed of would open up for us. We might even enjoy our jobs a bit more.Perhaps wed change careers altogether. Thats what many podcasters are hoping for. Most podcast hosts create a show about a hobby or int erest they have thats unrelated to their day job. To put together a show, a host will often spend a large amount of their own money on microphones, educational workshops, and equipment. Some people even install sound booths in their homes for recording. They spend many hours each week planning individual episodes, seeking out guests, recording, and editing. Rarely are they paid for their work at least, not initially.These peoplelearn about their craft and invest in themselves and their podcasts because they love to do so. They aspire to one day make podcasting ajob they can live off of. Until then, they share stories about how podcasting has truly impacted their lives for the better.What inspires you? What kind of work would you do for free? If money were out of the picture, where would you invest your time and resources to grow yourself?A version of this article originally appeared onThe Memphis Daily News.Angela Copeland is a career coach and CEO at her firm,Copeland Coaching.

8 Ways to Guarantee a Successful Performance Review

8 Ways to Guarantee a Successful wertmiger zuwachs Review8 Ways to Guarantee a Successful Performance Review HR leaders tend to agonize over developing fair and functional metrics to analyze and track employee performance. Employees often stress about performance reviews too it can be difficult to distance yourself from the everyday demands of work to get perspective on your own fit, function, and goals. There is a wide range of paradigms when it comes to employee performance reviews, some can yield opportunities for salary increases , in other cases thats a separate conversation. While the format can be taxing for staff on both sides of the equation, performance reviews are worth it. The Society of Human Resources Management notes Research studies have consistently shown that employers with performance-enhancing cultures significantly outperformed those that did not focus on setting performance goals and holding employees accountable for meeting those objectiv es.This meeting gives you the chance to take stock of your progress and to forge a plan for how you can continue to evolve professionally. Heres how to embrace the opportunity Preparation is key to your success. So give yourself plenty of time to reflect as you populate the requisite forms, and amass data to accompany them. While your manager likely has a good sense of your contributions, s/he doesnt know the particulars like you do. Jennifer Lee Magas, Vice President of Magas Media Consultants, LLC and a Clinical Associate prof of Public Relations at Pace University, advises conducting a thorough self-evaluation The main goal of the self-evaluation is to highlight your accomplishments . . . List any leadership roles, internal processes or systems that you redesigned or improved, money you saved the company or the client, any special projects you worked on/led, any new programs, systems or processes you designed or implemented, any courses youve taken or certificates youve ach ieved, all awards and recognitions you won. Dont leave it to your manager to track your success.Don Raskin, career coach , author of The Dirty Little Secrets of Getting Your Dream Job , and senior partner at Manhattan Marketing Ensemble (MME) explains that there are two distinct types of employees those who faithfully execute their responsibilities, and those special employees who contribute more. Raskin provides these examples of qualities that make employees stand out It could be something directly relating to company goals or something that contributes to the social responsibility of the company.Raskin recommends demonstrating that youre the latter. He explains Any employee who asks in their review What can I do to become a value-added employee? is an employee who understands that they have a bigger purpose.Raskin defines PDL as progress, development and learning. He advises Ask for feedback on your PDL. Make aya the feedback you hear is consistent with how you feel. If anyth ing isnt aligned, address it in the meeting. Those employees with a positive PDL are more satisfied, happier and move faster in their careers than others.Goal setting tends to be a core function of performance reviews. Raskin notes the importance of identifying goals that are in sync with the companys objectives. Raskin advises informally meet with a supervisor before the review to get an understanding of the company goals for the upcoming year. Then, the employee should craft their personal goals around the company goals. Performance reviews are about growth, and so is mentorship . Make it part of your goal, whether you are an entry-level professional seeing a mentor, a midlevel pro seeking a mentee or if youre currently in a mentoring relationship. Mentorship invites engagement and connection, both are wholly encouraged in most professional cultures. If youre engaged in this work, or you hope to be, call it out. Being emotionally intelligent means that youre enthusiastic, flexi ble, thoughtful and aware of others emotional needs. Think about what you love about your job, team and workplace. Be able to clearly articulate it in a sincere and genuine way. Enthusiasm is compelling and contagious. It further demonstrates your emotional intelligence to show that youre aware of your managers needs. Magas recommends using a direct approach to foster an open dialogue with your manager. She suggests using a conversational prompt such as I know your time is valuable and I appreciate your honest feedback. What can I do to be more successful in my position and assist you in your role as my manager?Entrepreneur and business mentor, Pooja Krishna, founder of Maroon Oak, LLC explains that exhibiting self-awareness is key. She advises Particularly in senior or leadership positions, your ability to look at your role like your manager does can really help set you apart. So its okay to admit your improvement areas in a controlled manner. In fact, that actually undersco res your self-awareness and how well you can lead the pack.Krishna recommends handling your performance review as you would a job interview . She explains Your superiors are . . . assessing you for the next stage in the company, so dont get caught blind. . . Make sure you know what the next potential role for your entails (reading job description helps). But also demonstrate subtly that you are ready for the next role or skill set.Your performance review presents an important opportunity embrace it as such.

5 Phrases You Need to Delete From Your Cover Letter Now

5 Phrases You Need to Delete From Your Cover Letter Now5 Phrases You Need to Delete From Your Cover Letter NowYour titel letter is one of the most important pieces of your job application. In it, you have the opportunity to showcase your aptitude for writing as well as your experience, skills, and even your personality. Yet we often balk when crafting a cover letter, as the options of what to write about can seem overwhelming.Before you begin writing a cover letter, it can be helpful to start with knowing what bedrngnislage to write about. Here are some phrases never to include in a cover letter, along with alternatives to use in order to make your cover letter as compelling as possible.1. To whom it may concernAs the first line a hiring manager sees when reading your cover letter, the salutation you choose carries more weight than you might think. Using a salutation such as To whom it may concern or Dear Sir or Madam is an immediate red flag to the person reading your cover letter. Not only is it awkwardly formal and impersonal, but it also indicates you havent done your research to determine the anthroponym of the person wholl be reading your letter. Its best to take the time to do some research on LinkedIn or the companys website to find the name of the hiring manager or recruiter wholl be reading your letter. If you truly cant find the name of the person, use Dear Hiring Manager as your salutation.2. Detail-oriented outside-the-box thinker dynamicTry to stay away from clichd adjectives, as they dont provide any specific information about you that will distinguish you from other candidates. Being detail-oriented may sound impressive to you, but buzzwords like this are overused and vague. In your cover letter, strive to minimize the number of unnecessary adjectives and adverbs you use, including qualifiers like very and truly. Instead of describing yourself as being detail-oriented in your role as an event planner, you could say you corresponded with vendors daily, compiled a guest list, and developed a seating chart for a lunch-and-learn with 50 clients in attendance. Your focus should be on using action verbs to illustrate concrete results youve achieved in your role.3. This job would help meWhile you may be tempted to discuss how this given role would enable you to grow in your career, the employer is not interested in what you want. You are still in the very first round of the application process, so it is imperative to underscore what you can do to add value to the company, not what the company can do for you. You should wait until you have a job offer on the table before you even begin to discuss what you want from the company, such as specific experiences or benefits.4. The wrong company nameAlthough we all know how important it is to craft a unique cover letter for every position to which we apply, many of us are guilty of having repurposed sentences from past cover letters at one time or another. If you do lift sentences from a n old cover letter, it is crucial that you check to make sure youve updated the company name. Especially if you are applying to many companies in a short period of time, you may not notice that you have the wrong company name in the body of your cover letter. Thats why its vital to ask another person to look over your cover letter not only to check your spelling and grammar, but also to make sure you didnt make any jarring mistakes that would immediately disqualify you from the job.5. I think Id be a great fitUsing the phrase I think immediately calls into question your confidence in your ability to carry out the duties of role. You dont want to make the hiring manager have to think about whether youd be a good fit you want them to know. To this end, you should be confident and assertive about your accomplishments and discuss how they would translate to success in this new role. Of course, its important not to come across as arrogant- stay away from calling yourself the best or idea l candidate for the job. Objectively, you dont know what the rest of the applicant pool looks like, so it would be presumptuous for you to state that youre the best. Rather, focus on what you do know about your qualifications for the job. If you highlight your notable skills and illustrate how they would help you in this new role, you will be well on your way to writing a stellar cover letter.

2 words every public speaker should avoid

2 words every public speaker should avoid2 words every public speaker should avoidDuring the 2016 race for president, Republican rising star Marco Rubio came crashing down at a GOP debate in New Hampshire.Thats because Rubio used a single description of President Obama too many times, and his competition (namely New Jersey Governor Chris Christie) pounced all over it.When we fall back on the same words during a speech, the audience senses it right away. People start to think, Hes really doing that a lot. Kind of annoying.Whats that? A distracting tic or habit. For exampleToo much hand gesturingOn the flip side, standing motionless like a stoneGoing on too long with no idea the audience is boredToday, I will focus on a more widespread public speaking hiccup the use of the words uh and um.Yes, were all guilty of the two verbal crutches, but some speakers lean on them way too much. After a few minutes, the audience starts to wait for the next uh or um and may not process what you actual ly have to say.If weve gone years sprinkling uh and um into daily conversations, then the habit is magnified when were nervous in front of a crowd.Ladders is now on SmartNewsDownload the SmartNews app and add the Ladders channel to read the latest career news and advice wherever you go.So what to do? How do we break away from uh and um? For me, the answer is did you catch it?Thats right. Silence. If I dont have the right word or am searching for the next sentence, I dont say anything. I pause, stay quiet and plan my next move.Im not quiet for an extended length of time like 10 seconds. That would be awkward. Its more like 1-2 seconds, those little bits throughout a speech where I could drop an uhhhh and fill the gap. Instead, silence.The approach has another, more subtle advantage too - it helps to draw the audience in. If I create brief moments of quiet, it makes people lean in and think, Whats he going to say next?On the flipside, if I talk in a never-ending stream of sentences linked by uhs and ums, theres no time for the audience to absorb the thought. Its like a moving train they cant seem to board. Frustrating.With little pockets of silence, everyone (speaker too) has time to think about the most recent line and gear up for the next one.Next time you talk to a group (even from your seat at a staff meeting), try to pause rather than cling to uh and um.And if youre running for office like Rubio, ditch the robotic one-liners.Sure, the words will keep you afloat, but your message may be lost at sea.More public speaking tipsHow to tell if your speeches take too longHow to leave a proper voicemailWhy you need to hear the sound of your own voice (even though you dont like to)This article first appeared on Dannyhrubin.com.

The Confidential Secrets of Resume Experience Examples Revealed

The Confidential Secrets of Resume Experience Examples Revealed Generally, an objective on your resume can be useful if it concisely describes your immediate employment goal, but it isnt an important part of a successful resume. The direction you organize the info on your resume is nearly as critical as the resume itself. The clearest feature about resume experience is it ought to be able to supply evidence that you truly underwent what you claim to have done. The singular goal of your resume is to aid you to be selected for an interview. The Basics of Resume Experience Examples You can take advantage of a font that looks like its been typed from a typewriter. Although resumes are composed using standard elements, there isnt any prescribed format is effective equally well for everybody. A sample resume shows a sample of the way the complete version will appear. It resume is the key to writing a good resume. All you have to know to earn a stunning resume job description. Delve as deep as possible into the work description. You dont want all your descriptions to sound the exact same. When reading the work description included in the ad, search for keywords associated with your responsibilities. Ruthless Resume Experience Examples Strategies Exploited Take the time to fill in all of the achievement you received and how youll benefit the corporation. Normally, you dont will need to include more than the previous 10-15 decades of work experience. You dont need to incorporate every job which youve held, especially in case you have many years of expertise or have worked in unrelated fields. If you ensure that you include skills that are suitable for the desired position, you are going to stick out in a different way. Life, Death, and Resume Experience Examples To be successful in just about any kind of sales occupation, you require the skills to convince a person to purchase your businesss product. You need to understand how it works, what sor t of support your company may provide, and the way it meets the purchasers needs. By way of example, hiring teams often start looking for someone competitive. Below you can observe an experience letter template which is wholly free to download and any organization or company organization can use it in order to compose expert experience letters.Why most job applicants with valuable work history dont get to the job interview is they dont organize resume information thats found in the job history section. There are a lot of ways resume examples can grow to be a helpful job interview tool. In case you have any part-time work, that will go a ways towards an excellent experience section. There are a number of ways it is possible to present the info about each job. Resume Experience Examples Options Becoming in a position to listen and answer the debtor when paying close attention to their concerns can assist the collector negotiate a simplified, easier solution for the two parties. Be certain to enumerate the things which youve been doing and the tasks that are provided to you by your prior employers. Reporting and managing records is the most crucial factor to the position because you will need to appear back on notes on just what the debtor should be happy on a repayment program, what actions have occurred, and whether they are in fact making on time required payments. Resume examples at no cost will aid you in a step-by-step process regarding how you can write your resume. The Battle Over Resume Experience Examples and How to Win It There are two kinds of Resume Examples for Career Transition. When youve been employed as a professional for a couple of years, your Work Experience section will fill many your resume. Candidates with 1 to 3 previous positions should include all of the experience they need to demonstrate their value for a candidate. Therefore, if youre in the Sales profession and are seeking to draft your CV but are experiencing difficu lties, weve prepared a sample that you are able to use while applying for jobs. Work experiences will supply the info needed by the clients regarding the jobs that youve already done and the business that youve been involved with. Customer service is an essential element in many jobs and its imperative that you concentrate on that in your resume.

Understanding Resume Writing Jobs Pittsburgh

Understanding Resume Writing Jobs Pittsburgh The Start of Resume Writing Jobs Pittsburgh There are times that you understand what you need to write in resume but simply dont understand how to write in a professional method to create decent impression on employer. Applying with the work targeted resume for each job is an excellent practice rather than sending same resume for each and every job. First of all, you should make an effort to answer the employers specific requirements. Your employer needs to have a crystal clear picture what you could do for them. Resume Writing Services are efficient resource for having a decent resumes as application for those jobs. Match your Qualifications based on the job Requirements Its important to coincide with your present skills and qualifications based on the necessities of the job. Career objective is usually the very first section in the resume. Career objectives are really important as they can let employers know within seconds wha t you must offer. Top Choices of Resume Writing Jobs Pittsburgh Some career counselors support using career objectives in spite of the fact that there are others that are against the exact same. Capitalize on their experience and youre guaranteed to benefit. You have to highlight certain abilities and experiences while putting in an application for a specific job. For making positive influence on the recruiter, its important to get a unique resume portraying your job particular information. Make certain your resume writing provides the impression you would like it to make Thus, you can follow certain guidelines or suggestions to give the best resume, considering all relevant facets of the optician work. An excellent abflug is to utilize your action word once only, the same as any component of your resume. Flowery language and long words in addition to unnecessary verbiage dont have any place on your resume, save that for some upcoming project where good language will help y ou make a great impression. Understanding Resume Writing Jobs Pittsburgh As an example, volunteering may also be written in the shape of experience. If you havent ever worked before, youre annoyed in regards to completing the work history section. Evidently, you wouldnt like to miss any info that, at later stage, hampers your odds of getting employed. Each and every work type needs different sort of resumes. Professional appeal has an important part in raising the caliber of your application. Resume is not merely a document. however, it defines you and is the very first important key that ensures your prospective employer takes interest in you. The aim of the goal is to state your objective. The individual who is recruiting is the buyer and youre the true item. If You Read Nothing Else Today, Read This Report on Resume Writing Jobs Pittsburgh Sales managers and recruiters are really busy folks, and the job of reading resumes is an essential evil on their road to success . Choosing a resume writer is a good verstndigung im strafverfahren more than simply hiring someone type up our resume. The persons objective ought to be portrayed in such a way that in just one look the interviewer should have the feeling that the candidate is fantastic for the job. You might be asked to stop by their office personally for a thorough discussion.

A Deadly Mistake Uncovered on Teachers Resume and How to Avoid It

A Deadly Mistake Uncovered on Teachers Resume and How to Avoid It In case the employer is unable to determine if youd like to teach sixth grade math or kindergarten, then they may toss your resume to the side and move to the subsequent one. If youve got additional information you would love to share with potential employers, you can produce small, supplemental sections at the base of the resume. For example, if youre currently a Social Studies Teacher, whos seeking to transfer schools, but maintain the exact same position, simply state, Social Studies Teacher at the very top of your resume. You should be able to spell out the material in terms which are both accessible and meaningful to the students. The Teachers Resume Stories As you start looking for jobs as a teacher, take some opportunity to appraise your targets and techniques. If youre attempting to acquire work in accounting or finance you require averystrong resume. Transferable skills are universal skills that could transfer from 1 job to aleidher, in virtually any career field, regardless of the kind of work. You will also wish to highlight any abilities or awards related to the job. You cannot do the job all on your own. Do not list every job that you have ever had. Obviously, each job will call for various abilities and experiences, so make certain you read the work description carefully and concentrate on the skills listed by the employer. Dont turn into a shrieking shrew if youre not offered the job immediately. Take be aware which youre not permitted to teach unless youre certified. The objective statement is an excellent approach to present what you could do in a few sentences. If youre applying for at least one different kind of job, theres a very good possibility you will neglect to update your resume objective statement. A thorough list with spaces for the answers are going to have you ready right away. You also need to put work experience in the center section. Understan ding how to tailor your resume will obviously offer you an advantage. Knowing what you ought to include in your resume and cover letter depends upon the teaching position youre targeting and what you may offer that coincides with desirable abilities and traits to do the job. A specialist teaching portfolio is a fantastic way to introduce your abilities and achievements in a hands-on, tangible way. Choosing Good Teachers Resume Which leaves school officials in the place of having to locate a way to remove the inevitable bad hires. If it comes to what to include in a resume, remember that you need to offer information that permits the possible employer to see you as the partie theyre searching for. To be able to compose a good resume the very first thing youve got to think about is your audience. Even parents ought to be part of it. Whatever They Told You About Teachers Resume Is Dead Wrong...And Heres Why Include the position which you are applying for and why youre applyin g for it. The education section is critical since most professional jobs have some kind of education requirement only to qualify for the position. Any extra experience that is relevant to the teaching position ought to be included on the resume. For your objective statement to work, it has to demonstrate that as a teacher youve got the skills, knowledge, or experience to fit in the mission, vision, or aims of the school. Teacher resume examples are a vital source of information for everyone seeking to have a job for a teacher. Even if your information is in bullet format, it may still be tough to quickly recognize the pertinent abilities and accomplishments which are important to the prospective employer. If your work search is broad, you might require several versions of your resume. If youre considering using one in your teacher resume, there isnt any need. The Importance of Teachers Resume If you wish to land work in the education field, make certain to learn to make a nd use a teaching portfolio. As a teacher, your salary may vary greatly based on your training, your qualification, and the kind of school youre employed by. Accounting and finance managers are going to want to see your technical understanding. Teachers will have a hard time carrying out their responsibilities without the assistance of a Teacher Assistant. They have to be certified. They are some of the most hardworking, patient and reliable workers out there. New teachers frequently have tough competition when it regards an available teaching position. Job seekers deserve to discover decent content quickly. If you have little teaching experience, include volunteer positions and co-curricular pursuits that involve teaching in some manner.

Customize this Outstanding Claims Adjuster Resume Template

Customize this Outstanding Claims Adjuster Resume vorlageCustomize this Outstanding Claims Adjuster Resume TemplateWriting the Claims Adjuster Resume TemplateCreate Resume A resume is a quick and effective way to impress an employer. While the material you include on the resume is of prime importance, the way it is structured is crucial. A powerful Claims Adjuster resume template like that presented here is a great way to land the job you want.Resume Template for a Claims AdjusterCharlene HudsonProfessional SummaryAnalytically-minded Claims Adjuster skilled in client negotiations provides quick resolutions to claims. Applies independent work-ethic while traveling to claim sites. Interviews witnesses and examines claims for fault. Consults with policy holders on procedures for settlement. Ensures all results comply with local, state and federal regulations.Core Qualifications Xactimate Microsoft Office CPCU, AIC, ARM certification EDR InSight Fraud detection software RiskWise, LexisN exis QwikQuote, Simsol Indiana state licensedExperienceNational CAT Field Adjuster, December 2013 presentHomesite Insurance Indianapolis, Indiana Inspects claim applicants property for loss or damage Evaluates vehicle value and determines best curse of action for claim Gathers all relevant information regarding specific claims Interviews related witnesses for information Develops reports on loss/damage Negotiates with 3rd person parties for resolution of claim including other adjusters and repair contractors Educates insurance holders on claim procedures Handles necessary salvage issues, reports and closuresClaims Adjuster, May 2008 November 2013Great West Casualty Company Bloomington, Indiana Determined repair needs, labor and time required for repair or required total loss Negotiated pricing on repairs with body shops Documented repair facility performance and quality Kept customers updated on process and responded to inquiries Completed disposal process for any salvaged parts or vehiclesClaims Adjuster Trainee, November 2007 April 2008Progressive Evansville, Indiana Investigated policy coverage for claimants to determine liability and settlement amounts Determined fault and documented claims to resolve in a timely fashion Counseled claimants on claim and settlement proceduresEducation2007, Bachelor of Science, Insurance and Risk ManagementIndiana State University Terre Haute, IndianaCustomize ResumeClaims Adjuster Resume Questions1. What is the best design for a claims adjuster resume?A good resume should look clean, uncluttered, and simple. Dont overuse italics, bold, and capitals, features that you should use for emphasis only in a resume. It is best to avoid a lot of colors, shading, borders, or fancy fonts as well. Choose a font that is easy to read and that looks good on paper. Refer to the claims adjuster resume sample for a good idea of how to design your resume.2. How do you list awards on your claims adjuster resume?An effective way to make your resume stand out is to mention all the things that set you apart from the rest of the pack. One way to include this is by strutting your stuff and listing any awards or accolades you have received, even if theyre specific to a former employer. The experience section is a great spot to include any awards you received and explain why you received them. As shown in the claims adjuster resume sample, each sttte includes several bullet points, so in a new bullet point you could list something like earned Employee of the Quarter award for renegotiating repair prices with body shops and lowering costs by 15%.3. Whats the best way to include digital skills on a claims adjuster resume?Take a look at the claims adjuster resume sample for a helpful example of how to show off your digital skills. Under the qualifications section, the applicant has listed industry-specific knowledge and experience that will look great to a hiring manager. In some cases, it may be appropriate to separate you r digital skills in a section of their own. This can make it easier for an employer to quickly scan and understand what tech skills you have, along with all your other qualifications.4. Whats the best resume template to use for a claims adjuster resume? While theres not one perfect resume template out there, there are some good options. A strong resume template will make sure your contact information features prominently, yet simply, at the top of the page, followed by a summary statement and sections for your skills or qualifications, work history, and education. The claims adjuster resume sample is a clear example of a well-formatted document. Additional help is available through our resume builder, a step-by-step guide that helps make the resume writing process effortless.5. What should your education section look like in a claims adjuster resume?List your education and certifications in their own section so a recruiter can easily skim them. The claims adjuster resume sample has an informative example of an education section that is succinct and easy to read. You should list the most recent or advanced degree first and work backward in reverse chronological order. You do not need to add your GPA, but do include honors such as summa cum laude. This is also an excellent place to list any professional affiliations, ongoing education or training, certifications, or licenses.

Aim high and do everything in your control to become your best self

Aim high and do everything in your control to become your best selfAim high and do everything in your control to become your best selfThe world is full of paradoxes. One of the biggest is the tradeoff between having high and low expectations.On the one hand, we need to expect to win at life, otherwise whats the point of even trying? But on the other hand, we cant be discouraged when we lose.The two different concepts are perfectly explained by the following two quotes.You were born to win, but to be a winner, you must plan to win, prepare to win, and expect to win.- Zig ZiglarBlessed is he who expects notlagehing, for he shall never be disappointed.? Alexander PopeThe first quote says weshouldexpect to win, the second one says weshouldntexpect to win. So which attitude do you pick?This is a hard concept to wrap your head around. It took me years to find a balance that worked for me.The Importance Of A PositiveAttitudeYou need a positive attitude if you want to win. All kinds of succ essful people from different fields will tell you that.Theres no point in trying. When you do something, you must do it well, and expect to win. I think thats the attitude many winners share.But you and I both know that your attitude is only one part of the equation. Without putting in the work, you must realize that you will not win. You can have all the talent in the world, if you dont put it to work, you will never reach your full potential.Winning, becoming good at your job, getting recognition - it all requires a lot of work. To reach our full potential, we must prioritize learning over pleasure.That means we cant become greatandgo out every weekend, watch movies every night, play video games, go shopping, and just hang out on the couch.The Danger Of Low ExpectationsBut expecting to win can also be harmful if youre not mentally strong. Ive always been an optimistic person. That attitude has helped me a lot in life.However, in my early twenties, I almost got discouraged to reac h for my goals. Time and time again, I was disappointed by failure. Especially when I got out of college, I tried to start many different businesses. And everything failed except for the business I started with my dad.Naturally, I felt like I couldnt do it on my own. Look back, it was too early for me. But those high expectations almost made me give up. Im glad I kept going and stayed positive.The problem is not whether you fail or not. Its about this What do you want to do about it?Cry and moan and say, Why does this happen We all know thats not helpful. Instead, we must be indifferent tooutcomes.But still, I do think we must expect to win at everything in life Your career, relationships, and money. Aim high and do everything in your control to become your best self. Thats the most useful way to spend your time.Compare Yourself To Who You Were YesterdayI like this idea from Jordan Peterson, who talks about comparing yourself to who you wereyesterday, in his book12 Rules For Life.Wh en you focus on yourself, theres no disappointment about external factors.You do everything you can, and if you lose, you will do better next time. Nothing can destroy you.And if you fail? So what? Being sad or disappointed when things dont turn out the way you expected is completely normal. I still dont like to fail. But whats not normal is blaming others or yourself.Heres the thingDont take yourself nor life too seriously.We all know that blaming others is what fools do. You only create resentment and hatred by blaming other people for your losses in life.But sadly, many honest, self-aware, and positive people blame themselves. And thats also wrong.Expect The Best From Yourself - Not From TheWorldIn short, this is what Ive learned about high and low expectationsHavehighexpectations from yourself. Put in the work. Aim for becoming your best self.Havezeroexpectations from the world.Dont expect other people to hand you anything.Understand that you dont control externals. Never blame yourself for bad outcomes.But do blame yourself for not giving it your all.Thats something you control.There are always people who say, But what about this or that? And I often say that I dont know. Because its nave to say you have the answers.Were all trying to make sense out of our careers, relationships, and most importantly Our own actions.Its a never-ending process. We do. We fail. We learn. But we never give up.This article first appeared on DariusForoux.com.