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У Yoda Гордый: Медитация 101

Медитация относится к государству, в котором ваше тело и ум сознательно расслаблены и сосредоточены. Практикующие этого искусства сообщают о повышении осведомленности, сосредоточенности и концентрации, а также о более позитивном взгляде на жизнь.
Медитация чаще всего ассоциируется с монахами, мистиками и другими духовными дисциплинами. Тем не менее, вы не должны быть монахом или мистиком, чтобы наслаждаться его преимуществами. И вы даже не должны быть в специальном месте, чтобы практиковать его. Вы даже можете попробовать его в вашей собственной гостиной!

Хотя существует много различных подходов к медитации, фундаментальные принципы остаются теми же. Наиболее важным из этих принципов является устранение обструктивных, негативных и блуждающих мыслей и фантазий, а также успокоительное ума с глубоким чувством сосредоточенности. Это очищает ум от мусора и готовит его к более высокому качеству деятельности.

Негативные мысли у вас есть – те из шумных соседей, властный officemates, что парковка билет вы получили, и нежелательные спам-говорят, чтобы способствовать “загрязняющих” ума и закрытие их позволяет для “чистки” ума, так что он может сосредоточиться на более глубокие, более значимые мысли.

Некоторые практикующие даже закрыли все сенсорные входные данные – ни достопримечательностей, ни звуков, ни ничего на ощупь – и пытаются отделить себя от волнения вокруг них. Теперь вы можете сосредоточиться на глубокой, глубокой мысли, если это ваша цель. Это может показаться оглушительным на первый, так как мы все слишком привыкли постоянно слышать и видеть вещи, но, как вы продолжаете это упражнение вы окажетесь становится все более осведомлены обо всем вокруг вас.

Если вы обнаружите, медитируя позиции вы видите по телевизору угрожающие – те, с невозможно арочные спины, и болезненный вид искривления – вам не нужно беспокоиться. Принцип здесь заключается в том, чтобы быть в удобном положении, благоприятном для концентрации. Это может быть, сидя скрестив ноги, стоя, лежа, и даже ходить.

Если позиция позволяет расслабиться и сосредоточиться, то это будет хорошей отправной точкой. Сидя или стоя, спина должна быть прямой, но не напряженной или жесткой. В других позициях, только нет-нет сутулый и засыпает.

Свободная, удобная одежда очень помогает в этом процессе, так как жесткая одежда, как правило, душит вас и заставить вас чувствовать себя напряженным.

Место, где вы выполняете медитацию, должно иметь успокаивающую атмосферу. Это может быть в вашей гостиной, или спальне, или в любом месте, что вы чувствуете себя комфортно дюйма Вы можете осуществлять коврик, если вы планируете взять на себя более сложные позиции (если вы чувствуете себя более целенаправленной делать это, и если акробат в вас кричал для освобождения). Вы можете иметь место расположены так, что это успокаивает ваши чувства.

Тишина помогает большинству людей расслабиться и медитировать, так что вы можете тихой, изолированной области вдали от звона телефона или гудение стиральной машины. Приятные ароматы также помогают в этом отношении, так чулок на ароматические свечи не такая уж плохая идея либо.

Монахи, которые вы видите по телевизору, изготовив эти монотонные звуки, на самом деле выполняют свою мантру. Проще говоря, это короткое кредо, простой звук, который для этих практиков имеет мистическое значение.

Вам не нужно выполнять такие; однако следует отметить, что сосредоточение внимания на повторяющихся действиях, таких как дыхание и гудение, помогает практикующему войти в более высокое состояние сознания.

Принцип здесь фокус. Вы также можете попробовать сосредоточиться на определенном объекте или мысли, или даже, сохраняя глаза открытыми, сосредоточиться на одном виде.

Один образец рутины было бы – в то время как в медитативном состоянии – молча назвать каждую часть вашего тела и фокусировки вашего сознания на этой части. При этом вы должны быть осведомлены о любом напряжении на любой части вашего тела. Мысленно визуализировать освобождение этого напряжения. Он творит чудеса.

В целом, медитация является относительно без риска практике, и ее преимущества хорошо стоит усилий (или не усилия – помните, что мы расслабляемся).

Исследования показали, что медитация действительно приносит полезные физиологические эффекты для организма. И в медицинском сообществе растет консенсус в отношении дальнейшего изучения последствий такого. Итак, в ближайшем будущем, кто знает, что мистическая, эзотерическая вещь, которую мы называем медитацией, может стать самой наукой!

What is Personal Mastery

 

Personal mastery is about approaching life from a different perspective.

Sometimes people would refer to it as a journey towards continuous improvement. Personal mastery is guided with key principles like vision, personal purpose, creative tension, commitment to truth and understanding the subconscious mind.

One of the most important fundamental aspects of personal mastery is personal vision. Personal mastery when combined with personal vision can create a framework or guiding philosophy on how we can operate and live our lives. Some people would say that personal vision serves as a guide that would keep us on track.

Personal mastery is about loving yourself and expressing your gifts to its fullest. Some would think that personal mastery is controlling and limiting oneself, but actually it is about understanding your personality.

To control or overcome some habits, it would be important to identify how and why those habits occur. The more we suppress things, the more we will have difficulty in conquering and overcoming them.

Personal mastery is self-discipline. It is about taking responsibility for the direction that our life is going to take.

You will slowly realize that you can do anything with faith the aid of your skills and talents. Discipline will clarify and deepen your perspective in life. Those who quest for personal mastery will develop patience and see life objectively.

Personal mastery can help us become successful in life. You can say that you have developed personal mastery when you are starting to fully understand your strengths, talents and your purpose in life.

Personal mastery enables you to be inspired, energized and happy with your life. You start to show a sense of commitment in changing your perspective in life and the world.

It is also important for a person who is on a quest for personal mastery to develop integrity, humility, justice and industry.

These are “rules” on how we should conduct ourselves personally, professionally, socially, and spiritually.

Peter Senge said that attaining personal mastery has no shortcuts or no “quick fixes.” Sometimes it takes a lifetime for personal mastery to be attained.

Personal mastery detaches a person from self-interest or selfishness and encourages people towards providing care and service to other people.

Also, individuals who follow personal mastery see the connections in their surroundings and perceive everything.

To summarize, personal mastery guides you to developing being aware with your beliefs, attitudes and behavior impacts. It also enables you to accept yourself and be responsible with your own action, attitudes, and thoughts.

Experts would say that personal mastery could be truly gained by living purposefully and by living with integrity.

Living purposefully would include showing talents, gifts and strengths to achieve goals and be successful. Living with integrity is by integrating your ideals, standards and behavior.

Some would say it’s always trying to be the best we can be!

 

Motivation Lessons

It happens to the best of us.

Sometimes, the drive, energy, enthusiasm, interest and passion just drain out. The problem is, most of the times we are not calling the shots. We have to move with the rhythm of our environment which always asks us to stay ready and up and moving.

So, what do you do in times when you just don’t feel like doing anything?

Or when too much needs to be done and all you ever want is to quit?

Check these out:

Imagine the consequences.

Worst comes to worst, you will lose the opportunities you are trying to pursue or lose your sense of enjoyment in life.

When lacking in motivation, think of the worst case scenario that may happen because of it. Then, maybe, just maybe, you’ll be in the mood to get off your butt.

Just begin.

Quit the mental chatter. Quit the debate in your head. Quit the whiff-wharf of dialogues that push and pull you from doing whatever it is that you need to do.

Realize that hesitation doesn’t do you any good, it wastes your time at best. So why do it?

Stick with the plan.

Given that you have already started going for your goal, the next problem you’ll be encountering is sticking with it. It is never easy to stick with the plan because the temptation to give up or give in to the lures of rest, relaxation or slacking is too strong. No matter what happens though, just stick with it.

Never, for one second, turn your back on your goals. Keep your eyes on them

Crave for it.

Be passionate about what you are doing, even if it’s the most boring, tedious job in the world.

Do it for compelling reasons.

This is actually pretty much like the tip above, but it’s worth repeating. Do it for a compelling cause. Do it because you are burning with passion for it. Do it because it really excites you.

If it doesn’t, then make it interesting. Motivation jumps out the nearest window if you don’t have an iota of interest in what you are doing.

Be careful when listening to that tiny voice.

The worst battles often happen inside the head, not during the act. What limits us in most cases is the self-talk that convinces us of the negative sides of goal, of our self, or of our dreams.

Shut this voice out and you will find it is easier to be motivated.

Skip the five-minute habit.

The five minutes leading to doing the task is said to be the least comfortable of all. This is when hesitation kicks in.

If you really want to be motivated, forget about this part and get on with doing the job.

Don’t get overly excited.

This is an absolute motivation killer. Many people commit the mistake of jumping right into the task. This is good save for the fact that excitement drains away with motivation. Manage your motivational level by trying to build up anticipation.

Set a date, moderate your expectations, construct realizable goals, and sustain your energy.

It is easier to get and stay motivated this way.

Is there Everyday Spirituality

Everyday spirituality can be found in all of us. From our first days on this earth we have been influenced by the ideas of society telling you what kind of person we should be. From that first cartoon show to the latest version of Downton Abbey, the media shows us how perfect our lives should be.

These ideas and life events have molded and shaped us into what we are today. Our inner spirit has taken a back seat crowded out by all these ideas and notions of who should be and how we should live your lives.

Seeing spirituality everyday looks beyond the TV screen passed the physical, it looks beyond into our individual spiritual center. Use your awareness to recognize it in all beings.

The best way to begin is to set your mood by just thinking of the people and things that make us happy:

listening to your favorite music
the sounds of nature on a quiet spring day
a neighborly act of kindness
a peaceful time for meditation
reading a good book or inspirational story
your loved ones
the sounds of happy children

We can experience that moment when we rediscover our own inner spirituality and that of the world around us. If we recognize all the good in our lives and give it the attention and recognition it deserves, we will experience the spirituality that surrounds us every day.

Spirituality is all around us, what is spirituality? One definition of spirituality is “Spirituality is that which relates to or affects the human spirit or soul as opposed to material or physical things.”

Spirituality touches that part of us that is not dependent on material things or physical comforts. We can bring spirituality into our everyday lives, if we want to.

Bring your awareness into the here and now, you are not thinking ahead or thinking of what has past, you are in the moment. Make notes to yourself as you go through your everyday tasks and events so you will remember the spiritual aspects of whatever it is you are doing. Practicing being completely in the moment is an excellent way to build your awareness of spirit.

Live Your Best Life Now! Make today a new beginning live in and through your spiritual center. Ain’t no guarantee on tomorrow!

When you find yourself in that negative frame of mind just recall the things that make you happy. Remember the small things in life that truly make us smile. The positive events and people in our lives. This will help diminish the effects of that negativity. It is not an easy, but with practice it becomes easier and you will gain so much from it.

Your life will start to evolve into the life you’ve always dreamed of. Take one step at a time, build your awareness of everyday spirituality by recognizing it in the people and things around us.

Start living your best life now, start recognizing the spirit in you now, and the spirituality that surrounds you now.

How to Find Your Passion

Following your passion brings personal power and awakens yourself to the beauty of the world.

It leads you to the heart of spiritual journey as it changes your thoughts, perceptions, and feelings. Finding your passion does not promise an easy life rather a rich life open to hopes and possibility.

Speak your truths clearly – To find your passion you must speak your truths and ready yourself to new adventures

Know what really matter to you? What truly makes you happy? Know the things you do best and makes you feel complete.

Be open for support – You must also keep in mind that you are not an isolated being – you need the support of family, friends and positive-minded social circle that will help you reach your goals

Open up your senses – When you open up your senses, you tend experience God’s blessings and you feel more peaceful and serene

This allows you to be more patient and be reminded the cycle of nature. When you experience this, you become more positive and calmer.

Give yourself a time for pleasure – Waking up in the morning away from busy schedules and having the freedom to do the things that brings you pleasure?

But this view of pleasure is a matter of opinion. Gentle pleasures are good to your health and are productive. By allowing yourself time for pleasure you become more focused and passionate in your job.

Liberate yourself – A person who finds her passion is a truly wise person. Doing a work that reflects your personality and values promises you a lifelong happiness and contentment

It is easier and liberating when we accept who we are and we allow other people to accept us too. The human psyche is a holistic system, to numb one part of our being is to numb the rest and create constant struggle

Feed yourself with affirmations – Affirmations are important in finding your passion in life as it makes you feel secure and optimistic about reaching your goals.

A lot of people don’t get to their destinations out of fear of failure. You should allow yourself to get upset by some downturns but remind yourself to pull yourself together past and get on track again.

Some people might influence you into thinking negative. It’s not so easy to shut them out of your life. But it’s easier to practice blocking the negative energies that they bring into your life.

It keeps your sanity.

Finding your passion is an endless song.

When you do the things that you are passionate about you allow you let your life to flourish.

You let yourself connect to everything you are – in mind, in heart, and in spirit.

You are a stronger that can face challenges better because you are reinforced by being able to do the things you love.

You feel more alive, positive, self-respecting, and determined. You live your life with confidence and high morale.

And you feel you are contributing goodness and positivism to the people in your life.

Welcome

Change Doesn’t Happen Alone!

Most of us wish we could improve certain things about ourselves.
But lasting change is difficult, because many of our habits are deeply rooted within our core.

If you look up a definition of self-change (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary); the word you’ve entered isn’t in the dictionary. Click on a spelling suggestion below or try again using the search bar above.

I’ve never delivered a baby, so I’ll say change is at least one of the hardest challenges that any of us will ever have to face.

We are social beings – meaning we need each other to survive. We need interaction and exchange with other people to get feedback to let us know where we are so we can gauge our progress. Not to mention relationships and support.

I believe that change is participatory and involves getting help, giving help, and learning to help yourself as well as sharing your and others knowledge and experiences.

That’s why I created this site PablosHelpDesk

To create an exchange of ideas and hope for change.

We can all change. With a little hope, effort, determination, and a dash of faith, it is possible to be the person you want to be. Even the oldest habits can be changed to some degree.

My goal is for us to come together to openly share experiences and offer mutual support as we struggle through this chaos we call life.

So thanks for coming, please leave us feedback, so we can learn and grow. If you like share comments, and/or leave us some ideas on items that are important to you.null

Your Brain Preforms Better If You Feel Better

Now, isn’t meditation just the right boost to your brain power?

Through meditation, your concentration will be strengthened, thus you can fully focus on any mental activity that you are working on.

So you should learn to control your mind and use it efficiently for your own goals, do this by starting with breath techniques moving further to simple meditation.

Breath Watching

Find a spot where you can sit and relax comfortably. There, give close attention to your breathing for a few seconds.

Basically, you just have to clear your mind for a moment and have a quiet time on your own. Here are a few tips to assist you.

1) Find your spot

Since you are only a beginner, you may want to find a quiet place where you can meditate.

As you become more expert in meditation, you will notice that you can already meditate anywhere you want to.

For the meantime, find a spot where you can feel at peace.

2) Be comfortable

Look for your position which will keep you at ease but not asleep.

For most people, crossing their legs is their meditation position.

If you are the kind of person who can lie down without falling asleep, you may also try lying down for this may be your most comfortable position.

Just keep yourself perfectly still and comfortable but not asleep – this should be your meditation position.

3) Let Go of the Tension

Observe which part of your body is most tensed. You should learn how to tense up those parts and then release the tension in such part.

You may experience the release as your body begins to be drained from all the tension. If you repeat the process, you will later on learn how to relax easily.

4) Breathe properly

Breathe properly through your nose. In doing so, the air can easily pass through your lungs.

You may notice that your diaphragm, abdomen and chest expand more when you breathe through your nose.

This is how you should breathe.

5) Pay attention

There may be instances when your mind may be disturbed by other thoughts, but you should always remind yourself to go back into paying special attention to your breathing.

With constant reminder, the thoughts that may disturb you will soon fade away.

You may want to perform this meditation for at least five minutes. And then as you practice it more and more each day, you may want to perform it for a longer time.

You should then be able to realize that these meditations can really help you clear your mind and increase your focus.

By feeling better, your brain also performs better.

 

Building A Dream

Motivation is an intriguing stuff.

Sometimes, you need big things – life events that have the power to turn you around – and sometimes, you only need those tiny motivators – a cute saying on a poster – to make you feel like you have to power to call your own shots.

Build a dream and fuel it.

Big or small, it really doesn’t matter. So long as you have a dream, a goal, an objective, something you can hold on to, something to work for…that’s good enough to get you started. Once you have identified that something you want to achieve, hook yourself into it. Believe in it. Fuel it and keep the fire inside you burning for it. Give all you can for that dream to be achieved.

Oftentimes, it is easy to bargain that dream for something less, like things that can immediately provide us with passing gratification. But don’t fall easily into that trap. If possible, don’t buy it at all.

Just get on with it.

Don’t feel like getting out of bed? Don’t think this is the best time to start a new project? Don’t feel ready yet? Shut these negative ideas out. Feel like you truly are ready for something. Realize that every day is just as good to start new things as any other day. Always make yourself feel ready about everything, even when it is tempting to have a few minutes more of nap.

The most critical part is always the beginning. It is where hesitation, self-doubt and all those nasty ideas that hold you back comes in. But, refuse to listen to these. Instead, gain the momentum and get on with it. Start with simple things. Take the baby steps. It is easier to be continuously motivated when you know that you are achieving something every time you try. Afterwards, it is much easier to push yourself to finish the task or goal you are trying to pursue. Only then you can start to shoot for far larger stars.

Keep on believing.

Life knows how to deal with us. It can sense whether we are hot or cold towards our dreams. When we are on fire, it throws at us experiences that will shake our beliefs in ourselves, in the dreams we are trying to pursue.

When we are damp, it tries to mellow down to lessen the doubts we are feeling. It is when you are already near the achievement of your goal that you should be careful. Because it is during times like this that you will have to prove to life that you truly are serious about pursuing your dreams.

In this critical moment, don’t back down, no matter how strong the urge to forget about everything you have worked for. Keep a positive outlook.

Reward yourself.

Motivation can be rewarded in many ways, on many occasions. Throughout your journey, you will have little successes. And at the end, you have that one huge success.

Whenever you overcome each of these successes, reward yourself. It is easy to keep on moving when you know that you are getting one step closer to realizing your dream.

Better Your Brain Power

The human brain is a multifaceted organization of cells and around fifty million neurons that work with utmost complexity in order to keep you going healthy and strong.

It is believed to be five times bigger than an average brain of a mammal with the same body size. In human beings, the frontal lobes and the forebrain are especially expanded since these parts are the ones responsible for self-control, planning and reasoning.

Thus, for you to have a stronger and healthier body, try to better you brain. Healthier mind means healthier body.

It is during our childhood, or the early stage of our lifespan that the development of the brain and the central nervous system is critical. As we grow older, the body’s capacity to absorb nutrients is weakened.

Thus, it becomes more difficult for us to protect ourselves from illnesses, injuries and stresses. Simultaneously with our aging process, we also lose neurons, or commonly called as the brain cells.

Unlike the other body cells, the neurons do not regenerate nor do they replicate; and they do not have the capacity to repair themselves. Because of this, our brain is not able to perform as well as when we were younger.

Thus, in order to keep our brains performing well, we must follow some do’s and don’ts.

What to do:

See to it that you exercise regularly and that you engage yourself in physical activities that can help you maintain your vitality.

Your mind is exercised more if you participate in active learning. Try new experiences so that you can learn from such experiences firsthand.

Maintain your social life as well. Do not isolate yourself from your social groups; instead, you should keep in touch with each of them. A happier life would mean a healthier life.

You should always be in control of your life. Do not feel as if you have no power over things. Maintain a positive self-image and a positive outlook on life.

Do not be overwhelmed by stress. You should know how to handle them all.

A balanced diet will definitely keep you healthy. So, as much as possible, you should eat a balanced meal and foods that are rich in antioxidants and vitamins.

You should get enough rest and sleep. Professionals believe that you should sleep for at least six to eight hours a day.

If you have any health problems, you should give attention to them as early as possible. Never take your health for granted.

What not to do:

Avoid drinking excessive alcohol and smoking too much cigarette. Also, do not do illegal drugs!

Never forget to inform your doctor of your mental condition. Important changes should always be reported.

Do not miss a visit to your doctor when these changes occur.

Never self-medicate because some drugs may interact negatively with your mental status, especially if you are taking more than one drug.

Do not live alone by isolating yourself from the others.

Never stop yourself from experiencing new things.

Be ready to face all the challenges that life may bring, and never lose hope! Be in command of your life.

How to Build an Edge: Develop Your Talent Stack

Talent Stack

Talent stack is a concept coined by Scott Adams, creator of the Dilbert comic. It’s the idea that you can combine normal skills until you have the right kind to be extraordinary.

An example is Scott himself. He’s not the best artist — there are better artists than him. He’s not much of a business expert — there are more savvy experts. He has never taken a college-level writing class. Yet, he created Dilbert, a famous comic strip that appears in 65 countries.[1] Scott is said to have a net worth of $75 million, majority of which comes from Dilbert.[2]

As he says, “When you add in my ordinary business skills, my strong work ethic, my risk tolerance, and my reasonably good sense of humor, I’m fairly unique. And in this case that uniqueness has commercial value.”

Understanding how a talent stack works is important. Normally, people think that success comes from developing talent in one skill. This works well in some fields. In medicine, the natural progression is to pick a specialty. In sports, you train to become best in your field, like Tiger Woods (golf) and Michael Jordan (basketball). In acting, you develop the best acting chops, like Robert De Niro and Morgan Freeman.

But besides becoming world-class in one skill, talent can come from having a unique stack of skills that no one else has. You can utilize different skills to create value in a way no one else can, thus becoming one-of-a-kind in your own league.

More Examples of Talent Stack

Lisa Elfridge is a celebrity make-up artist on YouTube. She was already known prior to starting her website and YouTube channel. But after she started her channel focusing on beauty and makeup tips, her authority and success rose to a whole new level.[3]

Reason? She is one of her kind in her field.

  • Celebrity makeup artists work with their clients for photo shoots, appearances. They don’t publish their work online. Most of their self-marketing happens offline, through networking, connections, etc.
  • On the other hand, online makeup gurus generally show how they do their own makeup. But they are not professionally trained. They cannot give professional advice on what is the best makeup for different skin tones, or for skin that is not like theirs.

Lisa has a unique talent stack to navigate the ultra-competitive beauty space:

  1. Makeup skills. She has professional makeup skills.
  2. Industry knowledge. She has real experience working with celebrities.
  3. Presentation skills. She communicates her makeup tips in an easy-to-understand way. White backdrop, no frills or production gimmicks. No music. Just her and her beauty tips.
  4. Video creation skills. She knows how to create professional-looking videos, or at the least she hires people with the right skills.

People in the celebrity makeup world have the first two skills. Online makeup gurus have the latter two skills. But Lisa is able to harness all four skills, hence becoming extraordinary in her field. That’s her talent stack.

Example: Blogging

When I started my blog, I was not much of a writer — I have never taken a professional writing class. I have average web design skills. I have good marketing and business strategy skills. I have very strong analytical skills. And I have a strong passion for growth.

Put these together and I was able to create a coaching business that thrives despite stiff competition. My blend of skills is strong enough to stand out in the market:

  1. Marketing and business strategy. Most web business owners do not have professional marketing knowledge. What was common sense to me, in marketing my business, was alien to everyone else. After entering the field, I realized no one really knew what they were doing in terms of business strategy and management. Many bloggers were just randomly blogging but no one was thinking about their blog as a strategic platform for their business, not until the 2010s when the commercial potential for blogging became obvious.
  2. Design and coding. Many web business owners do not have web design or coding knowledge. In the end, they get stuck with technical issues as running a web business has become super complicated today. You can hire a designer but you get stuck in the to-and-fro and trying to convey your ideas to them. Even when paying high fees for good designers, there’s still a gap between intention and execution. And that’s not even talking about ongoing maintenance which is part of any website today.
  3. Coaching. My coaching has a unique edge because I can analyze and break down intricate problems, with a focus on solving issues by tackling their root cause. On the other hand, most coaches provide surface solutions and some form of emotional support, but their clients continue to deal with the same problems becauss the root issue is never addressed.
  4. Writing. I am an average writer, but at the very least my writing is passable and good enough for blog articles. I’m also constantly working on my writing skills.
  5. Analytical skills. For everything else, my ability to learn and analyze things helps me fill the gap.

Since starting my blog, I have built new skills to further stand out from the competition: public speaking, podcasting, video editing, and networking skills. With a diverse mix of skills, I’m able to stay ahead despite constant market changes.

How a Talent Stack Works

A talent stack works in this way:

  • You leverage on the skills that you have to create an edge. Marketing, networking, technical, design, etc.
  • Even if you don’t have a skill, you can learn it to set yourself apart from others.
  • You mix seemingly normal skills together and become extraordinary in your own right.

Example: Recruitment

Let’s say you are a software engineer. You are great in your field. You design and develop software with ease. However, you are stuck in a job that pays you almost the same amount every year.

Many software engineers are technically competent but lack the savviness to market themselves. They are simply not taught how to market themselves in engineering and computing classes. A possible talent stack here can be:

  • Technical. You already have this skill if you’re a software developer.
  • Networking. You form positive relationships with people across the organization. You have high visibility among the management. You form relationships with recruiters, headhunters, and peers in different industries to expand your job options. You know how to use Linkedin to connect with industry peers and get potential job offers.
  • Presentation. You can present yourself well, and your ideas eloquently.
  • Marketing. You know how to market yourself and sell your strengths. Your resume is filled with achievements but not responsibilities. You know how to present your skills and job history in the best way.

You don’t need to be the best in networking/presentation/marketing. Just knowing some networking, presentation, and marketing skills puts you at a sweet spot, ahead of others. Because everyone else (in your field) lacks these skills.

One of my recent clients is a technical developer. In the past year, he learned different technical skills (that are emerging in the market now) to widen his skills set. Doing so increased his appeal as a job candidate. At the same time, we worked on his self-marketing skills — giving his resume an overhaul, focusing on achievements rather than responsibilities, learning to position his skills and capabilities. He also began networking — with recruiters, headhunters, industry peers — to get himself out there.

In the end, he got a job offer that paid him 60% more than his previous job.

If he didn’t upgrade himself, chances of such an attractive job switch are virtually zero. He would be locked in his current company, subjected to the offer presented by his company. In fact this was what happened in his previous jobs. But because of his skill sets, he can navigate the industry easily and get the best offer. He’s not the best marketer. He’s not the best networker. But having decent skills in these are enough to put him ahead.

The goal of a talent stack is to stack different skills to create a sweet spot. A sweet point that dramatically raises your value in a competitive field. This applies whether you are a blogger, salaried employee, business owner, baker, software developer, coach, or something else.

3 Questions to You

My questions to you:

  1. What industry are you in? Blogging? Health and fitness? IT? Coaching? Online business? YouTube? Others?
  2. In your industry, what skills do people compete on?
  3. Given that everyone has these skills in #2, what new skills can you learn to 10X your market value?

Another Example: Music

For example, electronic music tends to be very loud music that is used for raves, nightclubs, and festivals. Kitarō is different. He uses electronic and other instruments to create instrumental, East Asian music that is soothing and pleasing to the ear. In the American music industry, his music is a refreshing change.

He is not the best synthesizer player. He’s not the best flute player or drummer. But his ability to integrate western style of music with eastern elements makes him one of the most prominent musical acts of New-Age music, with more than 100 million copies of his 50 albums sold worldwide.[4] Kitarō’s talent stack lies in his synthesizer skills, his general knowledge in music (self-taught), his familiarity with the Eastern culture (he was born into a family of Shinto-Buddhist farmers), and his connection with nature (he lives in the mountains to get inspiration for his music).[5][6][7]

Wrapping Up

What new skills can you learn? If you have absolutely no idea what to learn, some true-north skills that are great for stacking are:

  • Public speaking
  • Marketing
  • Coding (Because the world today is so digitized)
  • Social media marketing
  • Business management
  • Whatever you are passionate about

Again, you don’t need to be the best in every skill. Simply learning a new skill opens up so many options. For some, learning and combining different skills may be the answer to discover your passion and talent — rather than something that you discover by sitting around and waiting for life to happen.

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