How the GMAT Fits into your Business School Application by M

How the GMAT Fits into your Business School Application by MHow the GMAT Fits into your Business School Application by MThis isthe third and final installment of a three-part series on the GMAT from master of business administrationPodcaster on Vault.com. In the first segment, we talked about GMAT preparation,and our experts gave advice about how to get ready for the test. In thisarticle, we will discuss the GMAT in general and how it fits into your businessschool application package. We will also talk about how to approach the test,different studying options, and what to do to get the score you want. Ourexperts will also share their personal experiences taking and teaching thetest. As always,this is Diana Jordan with MBA Podcaster, here with our GMAT experts, ChrisRyan, director of ManhattanGMAT Brian Galvin, director of academic programsfor Veritas Prep Lisa Weale, executive director of the GMAT program at KaplanTest Prep and Admissions Jon Denning, director of operations for Power ScoreTest Preparation and Jose Ferriera, CEO of Knewton. The pressureis on to get the best GMAT scores you possibly can. There has an unprecedentedincrease of prospective MBA students taking the GMAT in the past year. JonDenning is the director of operations for PowerScore Test Preparation. Jon, howis competition impacting applicants? At no point ever, perhaps, has it beenmore important that people do all that they can to prepare themselves as wellas possible to take this test. Be it with a tutor, a class, a bookbut gonecertainly are the days when people would just go in and take this test andsay Ill see how I do and hopefully thatll be good enough. That doesntfly anymore. Liza Weale isexecutive director of the GMAT program at Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions.Liza, did you take the GMAT? Actually, the first time I took it I did not doso well. I took it right out of college and I got a 590 on it and fast-forwarda few years later, I was committed to making a career change and knew that Ineeded to get into a top-five business school in order to do that. So I knew my590 was not going to cut it. So I said, OK, Im going to change the way Iprep for this exam. Well before I came to Kaplan, I enrolled in a Kaplancourse and my score went up significantly. I ended up getting a 740. And I wasaccepted into MIT Sloans MBA program. So, Liza, how important is the GMAT?Fifty-five percent of business school admissions officers that we surveyedtold us that the GMAT is the most important factor in an application. So youwant to get the highest score that you can. And to do that you need to prepareadequately. Most people study for 100 hours or more, which assuming that youwork full-time translates to two or three months or maybe more depending onyour schedule. Jose Ferrierais CEO of Knewton. Is anybody a natural at this? They dont really have tostudy? No. These tests are unnatural acts. So its like bending your elbowbackwardand thats true in just about everybody. Some people who app ear to begood test takers have essentially done a lot of the test prep work alreadyintuitively while they were just going about their daily lives and thats justthe way their lives work but I have never honigwein anyone who came out of the wombgood at standardized tests. Liza withKaplan, how tough is the GMAT? Not only does it test you on things likeisosceles triangles and subject verb agreement, things you likely havent beentested on since high school or earlier. But the GMAT exam is also in a formatthat is probably unlike any other test youve taken. Its a computer adaptedtestor CAT, as it is often referred to as. And that means it adapts the questionsto your performance. But its a time test, so responding quickly is just asimportant as responding correctly. So you have enough time to get through thefull test. Jose, letsput the GMAT score in perspective. The most important criteria for businessschool are work experience (number one) and GMAT (number two). And if your workexperience is pretty good, above the average for the schools you want to applyto, you can probably get in with a GMAT score thats a little below theaverage. On the other hand, if your work experience is just average for theschools you want to apply to or even a little bit below average, youre goingto want to get that GMAT score higher to give yourself some insurance thatyoure going to get it. Brian letssay an applicant keeps getting mediocre scores, is it better to re-take theGMAT and risk getting that bad score over and over (showing determination), oris that detrimental? If Im the admissions director and I look at the GMATtranscript that says this person every other month for the last year has scored620, Im going to ask myself Well, why didnt they learn from the first threeof them and realize that they should have done something different? Or if theywerent going to do anything different, they are just going to repeat the saatkornmistakes and, quote-unquote, study harder but not necessarily s marter, then whynot realize that if youre only going to do the same thing over and over again,youre not adding any value and find a better use of that time? Liza, whatare your thoughts? If the scores are low, is it better to keep re-taking thattest or go with what you got? If your GMAT is close to or matches your targetschools average and you feel like you have a top-notch application outside orbeyond the GMAT, youre probably OK. But if the gap is pretty big, as it was inmy case, or if you really want your GMAT to help you stand out from the crowd,its worth your time to think about taking it again. Most schools willencourage you to take the exam again because it can show dedication andcommitment. But, theres a big if here, if you show that improvement. Chris, whatif your GMAT score keeps coming in low? If its 10, 20, 30, 40 points belowthe average at the school that youre targeting and you just cant seem toget it up beyond that point, well, you should probably focus on the otherasp ects of your application and send it in. If its well below that, then youmight want to think about getting a tutor or getting some professional help fromthe likes of our company or wherever you go in order to try to crack the case.But there is some point ... at which you should probably say, You know, I amnot seeming to improve on this, I should look at the rest of my application. Chris, how doyou know if you should take the GMAT again? Getting a 750 versus a 760 doesntmatter at any of these schools. I can tell you that, flat out. If youre belowthe average then, yeah, you should think about taking it again. And if you feelthat its too low, then definitely take it again. Now, you have to wait 31 daysbefore you take another GMAT. You cant take it any sooner than that. So youshould re-prepare if you do decide to take it again. You should absolutely dosome reflection on where you think you went wrong. Unfortunately, the GMAT doesnot provide any feedback other than a math and verbal brea k down (a sub scorein each section), but it doesnt tell you what question you got right or howlong you spent on them. Nothing like that. So you have to just kind of reflecton where do you think you went wrong, and less about content and more aboutprocess. Did you manage your time well, that sort of thing. And then set upanother focused preparation plan and re-prepare. Jon, ifstudents arent doing well, should they try tutoring? For some people, itsalmost magical how much they can improve with tutoring. The whole patina of itchanges. I think the student who can benefit the most from tutoring is astudent who either just doesnt learn well in a group environment or has atougher time, perhaps, concentrating and dealing with the inflexibility of abook. That person is really going to benefit from tutoring because its sopersonalized. I also think, too, that somebody is going to get the most of itif they can come into that tutoring situation with a high degree ofself-awareness, self-knowled ge about what they need help with. Brian, howwould tutoring help? The best part of having a one-on-one tutor, someone withthat kind of expertise, is the ability to diagnose. OK, you do have a pacingproblem, you are taking too long but you really only tend to take too long whenits a word problem that you cant set up quickly or its a data-sufficiencyproblem and you second-guess your answer three or four times. Or, lets justsay you re-read reading comprehension passages two or three times beforegetting it. Here are the steps that you need to take Try to figure out wherethose problems are coming from and then maybe enlist the help of someone tohelp you diagnose even more specifically what youre doing wrong and how youcorrect that quickly. If timemanagement is your issue, what is your advice? The GMAT is really challengingin that you are penalized if you run out of time before completing the exam. Soleaving a few questions at the end unanswered is worse than answering thosequestions in correctly. So in order to prep well for the timing aspect, you needto practice pacing. Thats not always easy when youre working on a computeradaptive test. Every time you get a question right, the GMAT will present amore difficult question. So imagine this the better you do, the harder itgets. Its really hard. Its a really hard mental block to get over. Thats whypracticing with computer adaptive tests as well as using pacing and targetquizzes is really important, because you cant skip questions on the GMAT or goback to previous questions. You will get into a situation where you were stuckon a given question. Its just because it keeps getting harder, its going tofind your limit. So part of performing well on the test is being able to make astrategic guess let it go and move on. So if youre not seeing a bigincrease, you need to get smarter about your practice and gaining comfort withthis approach takes practice and evaluation and then practicing again. Brian, how doyou handle practic e tests? Tests are good for experience, but they are alsoreally good diagnostic tools. So over the course of eight to 10 weeks, towardthe latter half, take one to two practice tests a week It tends to give youthat confidence and experience with the test, and also allows you to shore upthose mistakes and make sure that youre not giving away points that reallyshould be yours. For moreinformation, advice or to read a transcript of the full show, visit MBAPodcaster.com. Im DianaJordan with MBA Podcaster. Thank you for listening and stay tuned next timewhen we discuss another topic, it will help guide you through the MBA processand your career beyond. To learnmore about how to get ready for GMAT, read the other MBA Podcaster articles inthis series about GMATprep and testday advice on Vault.com.

Job creation neither surprises nor disappoints

Job creation neither surprises nor disappointsJob creation neither surprises nor disappointsJob creation neither surprises nor disappointsOn Friday, January 6, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released its monthly employment situation report for December, which is a widely used indicator for the health of the labor market. The December report met with slightly lower than expected job growth as the labor market expanded driving the unemployment rate a tad higher.Key InsightsU.S. adds 156,000 new jobs in December while wages surge to a 7-year highThe unemployment rate edged up to 4.7% as more people entered the labor force in search of workThe labor force participation rate ticked up slightly to 62.7%The size of the labor force increased by 184,0003rd-quarter GDP picked up the pace expanding at an annual rate of 3.5%, the best quarterly advance in two yearsIn 2016, employment growth averaged 180,000 jobs per month, compared with an average monthly increase of 229,000 in 2015. In December , employment gains occurred in health care and social assistance.Employment in health care rose by 43,000 in December and has risen by 422,000 over the year. Most of the increase occurred in ambulatory health care services (+30,000) and hospitals (+11,000). Health care added an average of 35,000 jobs per month in 2016, roughly in line with the average monthly gain of 39,000 in 2015.Social assistance added 20,000 jobs in December, reflecting job growth in individual and family services (+21,000). Social assistance added an average of 8,000 jobs per month in 2016, slightly below the average monthly gain of 14,000 in 2015.Employment in food services and drinking places continued to trend up in December (+30,000). Food services and drinking places added an average of 21,000 jobs per month in 2016, fewer than the average monthly gain of 30,000 in 2015.Employment also continued to trend up in transportation and warehousing in December (+15,000). Within the industry, employment expanded by 12,000 in couriers and messengers. In 2016, transportation and warehousing added an average of 5,000 jobs per month, down from an average monthly gain of 9,000 jobs in 2015.Employment in financial activities continued on an upward trend in December (+13,000). This is in line with the average monthly gains for the industry over the past 2 years.In December, employment edged up in manufacturing (+17,000), with a gain of 15,000 in the durable goods component. However, since reaching a recent peak in January, manufacturing employment has declined an average of 4,000 jobs per month in 2016.Employment in professional and business services was little changed in December (+15,000), following an increase of 65,000 in November. The industry added an average of 44,000 jobs per month in 2016, fewer than the average monthly gain of 52,000 in 2015.Employment in other major industries, including mining, construction, wholesale trade, retail trade, information, and government, changed little in De cember.Want to know more about the top trends in the job market? Check out the US Labor Market Update from Intelligence.

Questions to Ask Before Signing With a Modeling Agency

Questions to Ask Before Signing With a Modeling AgencyQuestions to Ask Before Signing With a Modeling AgencyWhen you first meet with an agency, theyll ask you all sorts of questions. Why do you want to be a model? What type of modeling do you want to do? Why do you want to work with our agency? What are your long-term goals as a model? These basic questions will help the agency get to know you and your personality so they can determine if youre a good fitfor their business. Questions to Ask a Modeling Agency But as important as these questions (and their answers) are, its also important to remember that youre interviewing them, too Before signing with a modeling agency, you need to show them youre professional, engaged and excited about your modeling career by doing as much research as possible (spend some quality time Googling them or calling around) and by asking them the right questions. Let the agency lead the interview, but dont be afraid to say whats on your mind when the t ime is right. And remember, theres no shame in asking the agent to repeat something or explain it further. Joining an agency is a big deal, and you need to be 100% sure of what youre signing up for Here are a few basic questions you might want to ask during your modeling agency interview. Do I Have to Attend Your Modeling School? There is nothing wrong with going to modeling school you just dont need modeling classes to become a model. None of the top modeling agencies in New York, Paris, Milan or Tokyo require that a model goes to modeling school before being signed. If an agency requires you sign up for their classes before they will represent you, you might want to look elsewhere. Is Your Agency Considered a Boutique Agency or a Larger Agency? Landing a contract with a great agency should be your top priority, but the size of the agency is just as important as their reputation. Large agencies with many models on their roster may have an endless stream of clients knockin g on their doorstep, but that also means theres more competition between the models. As a new model especially, you might not get the personal attention you need to further your career. So, if youre just starting out, you may find that a smaller, boutique-style agency is more your style. Who Are Some of the Agencys Clients? Hearing about the agencys top clients will give you insight into the quality of the agency as well as the types of markets they cover. Some agencies focus more on glamor type modeling, while others may book more jobs for commercial or vorwort models. There is no sense in signing with a high-fashion agency if you are primarily a commercial model. What Types of Jobs Do You Book for Your Models? Its useful to know the breakdown of the types of modeling jobs within the agency. How much is runway? How much is editorial? How much is commercial? How much is print? How much is promotional? Their answer will help you determine if your career goals match what the a gency has to offer. What Are Your Commission Rates? In the United States, legitimate agencies make their money off commission. The rate varies, but in general, agencies deduct 10 percent to 20 percent from what you earn. In other words, they only get paid when you get paid. The agency may also charge the client up to an additional 20 percent as a service fee. Keep in mind that models are considered to be self-employed contractors rather than employees of the agency. This means that its perfectly normal for models to invest in their own start-up costs that have nothing to do with the agency, such as model scouting services, website profiles, comp cards, photoshoots, etc.

ASME Sponsors Capitol Hill Briefing on the Value of Engineering Education in K-12 Schools

ASME Sponsors Capitol Hill Briefing on the Value of Engineering Education in K-12 Schools ASME Sponsors Capitol Hill Briefing on the Value of Engineering Education in K-12 Schools During the June 12 briefing, Christine Cunningham, founder and director of Engineering is Elementary (EiE) program, discussed EiEs NSF-funded work for elementary school education. Engineering concepts and the design process are an integral part of the recently released state-led next generation science standards (NGSS), a state-led effort to improve science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education in many states and local districts across the country. But many K-12 teachers are not aware of how engineering can be used to inspire and improve student performance. On June 12, ASME, the National Science Foundation (NSF) and DISCOVER magazine co-sponsored a Capitol Hill Briefing in an effort to share the characteristics of effective K-12 science, technology, engineering and mathematics ( STEM) education - described in an NSF-funded National Research Council (NRC) report entitled Success in K-12 Education - and to provide examples of innovative research-based tools for engineering education at the K-12 level, developed with NSF funding through NSFs Education and Human Resources directorate. Leigh Abts, research associate professor at the University of Maryland, spoke about his NSF-funded work at the high school level. Mo Hosni, Ph.D., vice president of ASME Education, provided opening remarks for the briefing, while Steve George, DISCOVER magazines new editor-in-chief served as moderator. Joan Ferrini-Mundy, Ph.D., the assistant director of NSF Directorate for Education and Human Resources, next presented an overview of the aforementioned NRC report, and also described NSFs proposed priorities for the Fiscal Year 20014 budget. Christine Cunningham, Ph.D., who is the founder and director of Engineering is Elementary (EiE) program at the Museum of Science, Boston, discussed EiEs NSF-funded work at the elementary school level, and presented some of EiEs findings and upcoming comprehensive program evaluation work. Finally, Leigh Abts, Ph.D., research associate professor, A. James Clark School of Engineering, and the College of Education at the University of Maryland, spoke about his NSF-funded work at the high school level. He highlighted his work on a proposed advanced placement (AP) engineering course, as well as the universitys work on a high school math course entitled, Introductory Mathematics for Engineering Application. For mora information about this event, or to watch a video of the briefing, please visit http//discovermagazine.com/events/stem-education. - Melissa Carl, ASME Government Relations

Thoughts on Accounts Payable Resume in an Easy to Follow Order

Thoughts on Accounts Payable Resume in an Easy to Follow Order The computer software is wholly free and simple. In addition, its possible to also download multiple music data files at same period thats lacking from many of apps. Where youre able to in a place to copy all type of files whenever possible. If thisAccounts Payable resume example was not sufficient for you, youre totally free to review several other samples and templates from our website. Using Accounts Payable Resume A look at the work description supplies you with information concerning the job responsibilities, the abilities and other requirements applicants should need to succeed at work. Its thus important generate a compelling objective for your accounts receivable resume if youre likely to get invited to an interview. What is Truly Happening with Accounts Payable Resume It can be relevant to include different facets of business administration since they may relate to accounts payable. The third section of the promotion program is GOALS. Several metrics will be able to help you determine whether your revenue management cycle processes are efficient and potent. One of the most frequent kinds of receivables isNotes Receivable, which isnt all that different from regular Accounts Receivable except for where payment deadlines are involved. A superb procedure to make certain your resume is flawless is to request the help of a professional continue writer. The truth is that hiring managers abflug looking for certain patterns, and you are going to be better off if you take advantage of an organizational pattern thats both logical and simple to read. Accounts Payable Associate Resume Preparation Preparing a resume for seeking a vacant accounts payable associate position is just one of the critical things you should do if youre thinking of obtaining a new job for this position. The duties and duties of the position found in the aforementioned work description are the proper items to u tilize in making the work experience section of the resume, which offers proof of your capacity to effectively do the job of an accounts receivable specialist if hired. Accountants also require great presentation abilities. Computer skills on resumes are becoming more and more essential for accountants. The very first key is to realize how resumes are organized. It is extremely important to experience company particular Resume. The consequent percentage permits the enterprise to gauge how strong their existing collections policies and procedures are and whether or not changes will need to get made. You will do a good deal of calculations. In just a few minutes, you will gain a better comprehension of accounts receivable and the way that it impacts your bottom line. There are a lot of unique things that you can do and tiny changes you may make to increase your metrics and overall accounts receivable performance. If You Read Nothing Else Today, Read This Report on Accounts Payable Resume To get a professional resume produced, you will need to devote an appreciable quantity of money. The accounts receivable specialist is liable for the accounts receivable and collection activities of a firm. You must know how to organize accounts so that you may keep an eye on them. 2006 to 2010 Managing the businesss accounts payable records is a significant job. By properly preparing and understanding the neighborhood economy, you may drastically increase your odds of locating employment. A proactive problem-solver and determined achiever whos on the lookout for a chance to prove himself. The goal of your resume is a great deal more than simply listing your prior career experience. Experienced account receivable specialist with a very good organizational skill, with the capability to prioritize tasks based on the most essential duties supposed to be completed first before any other. Knowledge is next as theyre heading to want to comprehend your encounter. S ocial Work Skills Provide counsel to aid family members in developing skills to handle and resolve social and individual problems. Excellent computer skills will be essential. What to Expect From Accounts Payable Resume? Supplies might not be delivered. No matter your industry, you need to always attempt to compose the best resume possible. Construction and labor jobs need hands-on experience utilizing specific instruments and techniques to acquire the job finished. Key Pieces of Accounts Payable Resume If youre an accountant looking for AP jobs, perhaps you will need to increase your skills on using the software if you want to be marketable because most from the companies are starting to use software. Offer Incentives Although some customers could possibly be excited for the idea to get started using email as your primary type of communication, others might be hesitant. Companies need to make sure the man or woman managing their cash flow is efficient. Since the debut of accounts payable software, fewer companies are providing AP jobs but the great thing would be that the computer software always has the choice to need people to operate them.

Ruthless Resume Writing Services for Strategies Exploited

Ruthless Resume Writing Services for Strategies Exploited The Ideal Approach to Resume Writing Services for Writing a waiver is essential for each and every student. Most resume writing firms appear to specialize in writing a specific kind of specialist document for a particular kind of candidate. Resume writing services have matured over the last few years and been sliced in two categories. Needless to say, its much important to find the help of some expert writer to prepare the greatest federal resume because the demands of federal resume are much different than resume required for private job. Choosing Good Resume Writing Services for There are some resume writing companies which do not provide expedited services. If you want to edit your resume, then its possible to tell the service to achieve that. Resume services will often provide a guarantee of some kind. Some resume writing services may not provide a refund should you not get the wanted results youve been promised . One other important issue is to look whether the writer discusses with you about your entire biography, experience and career aim. Resume writing is an intimidating undertaking for everybody. Resume writing experts can tell you what things to include in your resume anytime you desire. Therefore if youd like to receive your dream job, you might have to be noticeable and that happens with crafting a first-class resume. There are a number of Professional resume writing services Indiathat work online and offline so that you choose in accordance with your convenience. The expert writing providers know what things to leave out and what should be highlighted. Resume consultation is accomplished in a professional way by the CV writing services, so they can offer the finest possible resume to the clients. When you make an application for a specific job, you get a good resume to stick out among the thousands of different applications. As it comes to resume writing services, your e going to be rather amazed to realize that there are a lot of individual varieties and youll be considering ensuring you choose the proper type for the job which you desire. As stated earlier, the panel of resume writers are handpicked by these kinds of businesses and short listed dependent on the expertise they carry in each individual area. Drafting a resume which will truly make you distinguish yourself from the rest is no simple endeavor and with a huge amount of resume examples on the internet, we can run the chance of adding too much, too little or merely sending out carbon copy resumes which are dull and at times too simplistic.

Three very good ways to spend your time

Three very good ways to spend your timeThree very good ways to spend your timeAnd youll have to forgive me for this first one1. Saying noThe reason youll have to forgive me is because this isnt necessarily a way to spend time, but a way to SAVE time.Over two years ago I wrote a post which welches, to me, a life changing point in my career. I waxed poetic about saying no - a manifesto of sorts, it took off, and earned me time in front of audiences Id never seen before.Guess what?I am still terrible at saying no.Why? Because void of other meaningful activity, I cling to any work as validation for my existence. (This is a fancy way of saying When Im bored, I do dumb stuff.)Saying no is increasingly more difficult in the United States, I think. If we arent running from task to task, the world says we are lazy.Read that last sentence again. Now question it.If we arent running from task to task, the world says we are lazy.Who really says that? Who assumes we are lazy if we arent working? Has anyone ever told you that? Did Nancy from accounting see you at the bar one evening, then pull you to the side and mutter, Look, guy, people might get the wrong idea here. Why arent you working? Its only 10 P.M.No, instead, we assume we should be busy at all times for two reasonsa) FearIf youre reading this, you likely have a boss who represents you to a big company which determines a large portion of your income. Absent this income, your children do not eat and your bills do not get paid. Probably also your partner will leave you and call you worthless and then you will have to live in a cardboard box.So yes, you are going to pile on meaningless work to appear busy.b) Lack of real visionMany times, when I fall into projects I regret, it is because I welches unclear about what result I really wanted. The feeling I wanted was the feeling of busy, the feeling of productive, the feeling of hustle. I didnt care about the results. Or more accurately, I didnt look to see what results my work would actually bring.In most cases, it was less money, fewer opportunities, and a bitter taste in my mouth.On the flip side, when I have had the bandwidth to say YES to a good thing, it has been life changing.Just for today, have the courage to say no.2. Meeting life-changing peopleConfession - I almost named this bullet point Networking.Shortly after, I realized most of us are unhappy standing in circles with fake smiles plastered on our faces, clutching a handful of geschftsleben cards and trying to remember if the guy you met earlier is named Greg or Craig.Especially if you are an introvert like me, networking meetings are probably the closest imitation of hell you will ever experience.You need people, but it only takes ONE relationship to change your life.What does this mean? It means you dont have to do the business equivalent of speed dating in order to find new people. The internet has eliminated geography. Instead, each one of us has access to interest-based friends hips as opposed location-based friendships. This is likely why your Facebook annoys you while Twitter and Instagram bring you life. Zuckerbergs brainchild was birthed to help you keep up with the people you know. Networks after that were born to connect people, regardless of previous affiliation.Just for today, reach out to a potential friend.3. Becoming elite at what you do$522,406I couldnt believe my eyes when I saw the number.This number - $522,406 - is the dollar amount Amazon is estimating James Pattersons new book will make this month.How does that happen? How can someone make half a million dollars on a book in 29 days?The author is elite.Comment all you like on Pattersons seemingly impossible book release rate. Snark all you like about the ghost writers listed in small font on each title who are likely doing the brunt of the work. Complain about the unfairness of the publishing industry to devote so many resources to this man.No matter how you look at it, Patterson is elit e. He was elite when he graduated summa cum laude from Vanderbilt. He was elite when he helped write the line I dont want to grow up. Im a Toys R Us kid during his stint at an advertising agency. He became an elite fiction author. Now after 50+ years of work, his status is elite. A lot of benefits accompany elite status. How many other authors do you know who appear on the same cover as a former president?There is something to be said for mastery. As a matter of fact, there is no replacement for mastery. It didnt really take Patterson 29 days to make half a million. It took him 71 years.Now, for some good news There are far few people working at an elite level than you think.Why? Because being elite requires consistent involvement and attention. It demands all of you every day. It is exhausting This is why many CEOs work for 4 years, hop out of a company with their golden parachute, and then disappear to the golf course for the rest of their lives.Most of us believe becoming elite r equires a special connection. We think we need to have wealth or fame or a famous sidekick.In reality, elite performance only takes one characteristicObsession.Obsession - a nasty, dark word. Obsession will cause you to keep going when others quit. It will spur you to experiment when others play it safe.Taken too far, it destroys.Taken in the right measure, it will show you a world you think is impossible.Just for today, be obsessed.Much love as always ??- Todd BInfinite ideasIf I am elite in any area it is because of my ideas, both the quality and the quantity.I finally got my idea-generating process down in an ebook The Ultimate Guide to Infinite Ideas, which Im giving away for the price of an email address.Get your copy here.Thisarticlefirst appeared on Medium.

The 3 powerful steps to develop your daily routine

The 3 powerful steps to develop your daily routineThe 3 powerful steps to develop your daily routineYou need to learn how to select your thoughts just the same way you select your clothes every day. This is a power you can cultivate. If you want to control things in your life so bad, work on the mind. Thats the only thing you should be trying to control. - Elizabeth GilbertThe winter solstice recently passed and now, we find ourselves deep in the peak of shortened days, cold weather and lots of time inside with family and relatives. The lack of sun can really damper our moods and take away some of our energy. If we let it. Winter can make it challenging to find inspiration at times. But the days of less sunlight can also lead to great opportunities for solitude, reflection and contemplation.While it may be tough to feel as inspired, I find that wintertime often is great for planning and refocusing our priorities. Some of my best ideas, as well as my most productive planning and acti ons have taken place at this time of the year. In fact, the majority of the writing that I did formy first book, The Value of You, occurred during the wintertime last year. It was a special time Ill never forget.Following the holidays, there are less distractions. And as a result, there are more reasons to find things that inspire andlight the fire insideof our hearts.In this vein, I urge you to develop an inspirational routine each morning. It may come through the power of meditation, prayer, genuine heartfelt interaction with those that you love or from your favorite song. It could be a video that plays back the piano recital you played to perfection that brought the house down.It may be the words of this article or a book you find so profound and hold in such high esteem, you get the chills before opening the pages.Develop your routine. Ill show you what works for me and how you can integrate this into your life.Heres How to Develop YourRoutineGreat are they who see that spiritua l is stronger than any material force?- ?that thoughts rule the world.?- ?Ralph WaldoEmersonMake your routine an every day thing. As Ive climbed the mountain of productivity this year, I realize that I never want to come down. The ascension - the journey - has been a magical ride and it reassures me that all of my progress toward self-actualization, as well as greater harmony and rhythm in living the life of my destiny has been worth the pain and occasional doubts.Dedicate 10 minutes of contemplation time, ideally, at the beginning of each day. This sets the tone for your day and gets you feeling inspired. All you need are 10 minutes of deep, powerful thinking without distraction and with a beginners mind.Use this time alone in solitude, in a quiet place. Focus your thoughts on positive, stimulative thoughts such as romantic love, sexual love for a partner, girlfriend/boyfriend, wife or husband. Also, music, friendship and envisioning yourself attaining success or fame. Theres tre mendous power that comes through dreaming and seeing yourself standing in the winners circle.Get these positive thoughts going and keep them going. Write down these thoughts that come to mind. Keep referring back to them throughout your work day or school day. Think of them when youre out in the social world, during moments of difficulty or times of joy. Look at them again before you go to bed at night and reset your mind. Then rest and get read for the new day with excitement, anticipation and a clear mind for fresh, new thoughts.What has become truer for me by the day is the concept that we control our own destiny through the power of our thoughts. We emotionalize our ideas with the power of love, faith and hope. We take these thoughts and envision ourselves doing what we desire. And we put it into plan and take the action that weve dreamed of. It really is that simple. Do this and you will never be denied.There is no shame in any idea, as long as you believe in it and feel it wil l add value to your life and the lives of others. Dont concern yourself with the ingenuity of your idea. Your race, your cause is the one that speaks to the desires and dreams of your heart. Thats what makes you unique and special.Ive got a long way to go. Chances are, so do you. The way to cultivate and build momentum - which you can then transform into empowered thought and constructive action is through inspiration - the power of fire that lifts your spirit and brings you unbridled enthusiasm. Be inspired everyday.A Story ToTellAny idea, plan, or purpose may be placed in the mind through repetition of thought.?- ?NapoleonHillThis is a story I know well. Its the story of my best friend, my brother, Kevin. These days my brother is seen on national television five nights each week on ESPN. Hes a broadcast journalist and celebrity in his own right. Everything he has can be attributed to his natural talents, perseverance, desire and faith in himself.Kevin worked hard until he reache d the pinnacle of his profession. He reached the top because he envisioned himself reaching the top. He dreamed big and thought prodigious, stimulative thoughts. He had the mindset of a winner. But keep in mind, Kevins success did not come overnight.Kevin knew when he was in 8th grade what he wanted to do with his life. He started announcing sports scores over the intercom at our middle school. He did the same thing while in high school. Kevin used his basketball-playing ability to earn an athletic scholarship at the college level, where he attended a school with one of the top Radio TV programs in the United States.After graduation, he embarked on what is now over a 20-year career in sports broadcasting. He busted his tail for nine long years at a regional television station making meager money. There were moments of doubt, frustration and at times, loneliness. Kevin dreamed of being on national television or working in a big market. But it seemed so far away.He concentrated on ge tting better each day. He surrounded himself with inspiring thoughts, stories and images of fellow broadcasters who made the big time, as well powerful stories of athletes. He kept going. Kept believing.Finally, his big break came in 2006 when he accepted a job with WCBS radio in New York. Less than one year later, he was working on television for WCBS-TV. And in 2008, he reached the big time he was hired by ESPN. 11 years after graduatingfrom college, with a few lean years in between where he thought about quitting or changing professions, Kevin received an offer to work at the worldwide leader of sports.Your JourneyChances are, you will not find success orpersonal fulfillment in your first job. Few people are blessed with both the talent and foresight toknow precisely what they want to do with their livesright after college. Even less people know and possess this ability at a young age. My brother, Kevin, is one of those precious few lads who did know.We all have unique stories to share with the world. Where are you on your journey? Are you going through thedoldrums of doubt and fear? Do you see the proverbial light at the end of the tunell - the end-vision of your goal? And if you do, are you running into road blocks of creativity? What are your mental challenges? What are your emotional battles?Perhaps your path is as open as the Pacific Coast Highway at sunset in Laguna Beach. Maybe its a Midtown Manhattan traffic jam. Its all a state of mind. We need inspiration to help us create the beautiful landscapes of limitless possibility in our mind that serve as the foundation for our magical journeys.You are the creator of your world. When you are safe in the knowledge that you control your worldly destiny, nothing will ever stop you. Those with a winning mindset are never denied. They inspire themselves to achieve great things.Be inspired. Enjoy this winter season and take some time for yourself to develop a routine that positions you for fulfillment and prod uctivity. As St.Francis of Asisi once wrote,Start by doing whats necessary then do whats possible and suddenly you are doing the impossible.This article originally appeared on Medium.

Here are 4 ways to find out what you are good at doing

Here are 4 ways to find out what you are good at doingHere are 4 ways to find out what you are good at doingThe basic self-analysis tools are insightful questions. Doing things daily compounds quickly, so I recommend establishing some self-analysis habits. A few of disciplines you can do1. JournalingJournaling is the most common method of self-analysis among successful people.There are all kinds of journals both in the subject matter and technique of journaling. Handwriting activates your motor memory.I ask myself every morning an insightful question and answer on paper.A few question that will help you to discover your strengthsWhat I do I like to do?Which virtues are my favorites and which I need most?What are my unfair advantages?In which area have I a great memory?What information I register effortlessly?About what do other people ask me for advice/ help?When did I perform significantly better than my peers? Why?For what people praise me?On what can I focus effortlessly?Action It emsStart small.Aim for sustainability pick the method suitable for your lifestyle that will be easy for review.Review your journal regularly platzset a schedule and stick with it.2. MeditationThe biggest advantages of meditation is self-awareness.Meditation has many benefits including increased focus, memory, and productivity.Two main obstacles in starting the meditation practice areUnreasonable disquiet about this activity. (Many successful people attribute a lot of their successes to meditation its effectiveness is confirmed by university research.)Lack of time. (You may start from two minutes and can practice almost in any circumstances.)Action ItemsReserve a couple minutes of your time, preferably in solitude (not obligatory, but very helpful).Sit or lie and relax (not obligatory, but very helpful).Close your eyes (not obligatory, but very helpful).Breathe deeply for two minutes, focusing on the air coming in and out of your nostrils (you can also focus on any of your body parts or sense your body in general) when a thought crosses your mind, acknowledge it and get back to your point of focus.Congratulations. Youve just meditated for the first time in your life repeat this process ten days in a row and you will develop a stable meditation habit.3. Self-analysis surveysThey are not exactly comprehensive or accurate, but they are a good start.For example Personal Strengths Profile DISC self-assessment profile Understand yourself Tony RobbinsFor the price of your e-mail address, you can get to know your values and behaviors. I was amazed at how accurate some of the conclusions were.As you can see any aesthetic endeavors are out of the question for me.4. Direct feedbackThis is what works for Gary Vaynerchuck. He constantly listens to his employees, clients, audience and friends. He is not afraid to ask them about their opinions about himself.Instead of laborious self-analysis, he goes out to the people and listens what do they say. Instead of guessing his t alents he hears about them from others.If you have balls to take constructive criticism, its the fastest route.This article was originally published on Medium.