The ABC of Personal Branding

The ABC of Personal Branding Sometimes in the world of marketing, we get a little “cart before the horse”. Everyone is always focused on marketing a brand, selling a brand, pushing a brand. This is all well and good, but how does one create a brand? What are the steps required to make sure that the brand created is functional and memorable? In short, how is a brand made? While it can be daunting to attempt to boil any idea, business, or physical entity, down into a recognizable two-dimensional visual representation, there are some steps one can take to make the process easier and more successful. Since branding can take many forms, for the sake of this article, we will focus primarily on the process of personal branding, and the effective creation of a personal business identity. A brand is what was formerly referred to as a trademark. As defined by the American Marketing Association, it is a “name, term, design, symbol, or any other feature that identifies one sellers good or service as distinct from those of other sellers.” In the case of a personal brand, it is also referred to as a “trade name”. To generate a personal brand successfully, use the three steps below as a jumping off point. A. Define Yourself This is actually the most difficult step, and the portion of the process you should plan to spend the most time developing. Ask yourself how people perceive you. What words do they use to describe you and your business? What aspect of yourself are you attempting to sell or market? What aspect of yourself or business is unique and sets you apart from other similar types or companies? What is your niche market? Look at the answers to these questions. It may also be helpful to create a map, or plan of what you hope to accomplish by branding yourself. Make sure that you use the information you glean from those around you, to further your goals for yourself. Finally, create a name, based on these ideas. B. The Two-Dimensional You Remember that a personal brand is, in essence, your visual package. It’s the athlete on the box of Wheaties at the grocery store. The baby, sitting in the Michelin tire. The little boy fishing that opens every motion picture produced by Dreamworks. Now that you have defined yourself, it’s time to create a visual representation of that definition. This visual representation of yourself needs to appear everywhere, on any and all media associated with you. Do not be overly esoteric with your design. It is helpful to sit down with friends or associates and brainstorm how the verbal definitions you discovered via Part A, can be visually represented. Once you have some ideas, look at them across media. Print some out on your computer and see how they look as stationary, as homepage images, as logos on business cards. Ask strangers what the various logos mean to them. Once you are clear about which logo or design is most effective, you are ready to begin to brand yourself publicly. C. The Media Juggernaut If you are at the point of creating a personal brand, it is assumed that you have already examined and defined where you want your business to be in one year, three years, five years, etc., and that you have created a solid business plan. It is important to have these ideas in place before you begin to introduce your brand to a wider audience, because the last thing you want to have happen is for your brand to gain negative associations because you were unprepared for business. Creating a positive reputation is much more effective than attempting to repair a poor one. If you have not yet created a solid business model, do that, then proceed with Part C. In order for people to find you, you must place your brand where it can be discovered. In today’s market, that means, literally, everywhere. Create an online presence with a clear and recognizable email address, a personal website, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn profiles, blog posts, press releases, Internet business cards and email marketing, the use of an online portfolio, and targeted online advertising. Create a physical presence with business cards, resumes, reference documents, and carry representative work on your handheld device, CD, DVD, or flash drive, so that it can be shown to somebody immediately, if necessary. With all of these marketing tools, the presence of your brand, the design that represents you, is vital. Your personal brand should appear on everything. Repetition breeds recognition, so the more you can get your name, and the images associated with it, out there into the public eye, the more successful your brand will be. Bottom Line Though it may seem like a lot to take on, personal branding is incredibly important in the development of a thriving personal business. Done correctly, it can propel you, and your product or company, into an incredible future. You owe it to yourself to take the time to create the best representation of yourself that you can. Remember, you never get a second chance to make a first impression, and in this age of multimedia and online marketing, that first impression is your brand. Susan Black is a tech and web geek who spends most of her working week reading and writing on marketing techniques, both online and off. She writes here for discount sofa specialists sofasandsectionals (dot com).

Best Resume Writing Services In The Business Sector

Best Resume Writing Services In The Business SectorThe demand for resume writing services in the business sector is on the rise. Although there are a number of job seekers who are making use of this service, there are also a number of people who are hesitating to do so because they feel that it will be too much of a hassle for them. In other words, they feel that the service that they are getting from resume writing services in the business sector is already too much.Resume writing services in the business sector are indeed quite helpful indeed is when it comes to your business venture. You can avail the service of professional resume writers in the business sector with ease and speed if you go online and find out some companies that can provide you with such services. However, it is imperative that you check the credentials of the company before taking them on as your business partner.If you go online and look for websites that provide resume writing services in the business sector, you will find many such companies in operation. You will definitely get to read things that are negative about these companies but that does not mean that all of them are not legitimate. There are indeed legitimate and trustworthy companies that are offering such services but you have to do your homework well and check the credentials of the companies that you are looking at.If you do not know the qualifications of a company, it is still possible for you to ask about the resume services that they are offering. Ask them if they have satisfied and happy clients who can vouch for their services. Also, you can make use of their testimonials and feedback to help you decide whether or not you should hire them. It is also a good idea to check out what these companies are offering in terms of resume writing services.Resume writing services in the business sector usually include editing and proofreading services as well. These are services that you can avail of only after they have complete d the project for which they are working. They will not be able to provide you with such services, if you approach them before hand. You can look for resume writing services in the business sector that are willing to provide editing and proofreading services to you after the completion of the project.It is always advisable to hire a professional resume writer because you never know when something might go wrong. If you do not want to spend a lot of money on hiring a professional writer, then you can always use the services of someone who is just starting out. These people have been known to produce top-notch resumes after some time has passed.After you have consulted the service provider about the requirements of your project, the next step is to ensure that you hire the best resume writing services in the business sector. This is an aspect where you have to take care of because you would not want your project to be compromised. Ensure that you have a contract between you and the se rvice provider so that you do not have to go through any embarrassment when the project is done.Resume writing services in the business sector are a great help when it comes to enhancing your business image and increasing your brand awareness. However, it is imperative that you look out for professionals who can give you top quality work and deliver the same within the stipulated time period. Therefore, it is a good idea to hire a professional resume writer in the business sector because they can take care of your needs and fulfill them in the best possible manner.

How to Deal with Post-College Graduation Stress and Anxiety

How to Deal with Post-College Graduation Stress and Anxiety You were in such a hurry to graduate from college. You had a great time, but you were ready for the real life and you wanted to experience it without delays. Now what? That’s the question most people have when they graduate from college and start looking for their first job. Remember how difficult it was for you to make a transition from high school to college? Now, you have to make the most serious transition in your life: from being a student to being a full-time grownup. The American Psychological Association releases an yearly report from a survey called Stress in America. The results tend to be steady regarding the stress that young people face. Millennials reported higher average stress levels. 88% of them are likely to engage in stress-management techniques, and 30% of them feel like they are not doing enough to manage the stress.   It’s the good-old post-graduation stress and anxiety that most people go through. The question is: how will you deal with it? We’ll suggest a few tips for you to follow. Stay Healthy Now that you’re out of school and you still don’t have a job, you don’t have the lack of time excuse. Even if you do have an internship or job straight out of college, you still have to make time for your health. There is an indisputable connection between the food you’re eating and the mood you’re experiencing. A survey conducted by the Harvard School of Public Health, NPR and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation showed that more than a third of the participants changed their eating habits during stressful times. How did they change them? More sugar and refined foods. When you’re stressed out, you see ice-cream as a comfort, don’t you? The problem is: instead of calming you down, sugar is making you even more stressed. Eat well. Work out. Get enough sleep! Stay healthy and you’ll start feeling better. Understand: This Is Just a Phase The hard transition from high school to college was just a phase. You got through it and then you started loving college. This is just a phase, too. Once you get through it, you’ll start loving your life… hopefully. It all depends on you and the choices you make. The first step towards success is figuring out what you want after graduation. Once you get that sorted out, you’ll go through the transition in a heartbeat. Make a Plan Uncertainty makes you anxious. College gave you a feeling of security. You knew what you were going to do each day, each week, each term. Now, you don’t have such structure in your life. When you don’t know what will happen, you’re insecure. Roberta Ruddick, a career expert from BestEssays, suggests a solution: “The best way to deal with the anxiety caused by the unknown is to make a plan. Create a strategy for your career and finances. You can also include your hobbies and family plans in the details. When you have a plan to push you forward, you’ll have a direction. You’ll find determination and you’ll know you’ll get on safe ground again.” Take Long, Calming Walks Start getting up early in the morning, so you can get a nice stroll. You’ll be surprised to find out that walking boosts your brain’s functions. This simple physical activity makes you think clearly. A walk in nature, in particular, has great power to reduce anxiety. You won’t get tired. On the contrary; you’ll feel full of energy and enthusiasm after a long walk. You can share this experience with a person you like having long conversations with. However, it’s totally fine to enjoy your time alone during a nice morning stroll at your own pace. Don’t Let Fear Make Decisions for You This is the time to be bold. You’re the creator of your own future. That responsibility makes you anxious, but it’s also wonderful. Don’t settle for what other people think what you should be doing after college. You have a degree and you worked hard for it. How do you want to use it? Be very brave with the decisions you make. Your life journey should make you happy. When you trace the path to a lifestyle you would enjoy, the anxiety will go away. Meditate You’ve never tried meditation? Now is the right time to start practicing it! Meditation techniques have gained on popularity lately. Whenever you complain about being stressed out, there’s someone who will recommend: why don’t you just meditate? It’s not just a new trend. It’s a very old, tried and tested technique that reduces stress. Science proves its effects. When you meditate, you give yourself a break from the outside world that’s stressing you out. You focus on the inside. You start thinking more clearly, and start recognizing the causes of stress and anxiety. When you identify the causes, it’s easier to fight them. Good guidance is the key to success. Find a good meditation teacher in your area and attend real classes. Online guidance is okay, but it’s not personalized. Do Something New, Something Cool So you always wanted to try paragliding but you weren’t ready for it? You had a goal to read War and Peace but couldn’t find the time for it? You want to commit to a volunteering activity?  Or maybe you want to join a travel club? Seize the moment. Start doing something exciting; something that makes you feel alive. You get an opportunity to enjoy yourself before you get into the circle of real grownup life. Use it well! Can you find comfort in the thought that you’re not alone in this? Every recent college graduate is going through the same struggles. However, everyone goes through them in a different way. You will be less stressed out when you’re stronger. Hopefully, the tips above will help you go through this period of transition quickly and effectively. This guest post was authored by Joan Selby Joan Selby is a life coach and a blogger; a graduate of California Institute of the Arts and a fancy-shoe lover; a writer by day and reader by night, giving a creative touch to everything. Find her on Twitter and Facebook

5 Ways to Prevent Prostate Cancer

5 Ways to Prevent Prostate Cancer If you’re a man, you’re probably concerned about prostate cancer. Preventing prostate cancer can be tricky, since doctors don’t yet understand all of the factors that contribute to its development. Some risk factors, like genetics, age, and race, remain forever beyond your control, but there may still be some steps you can take to protect yourself from this disease. One important way to protect yourself from prostate cancer â€" and cancers in general â€" is to take good care of your health. Exercising regularly, eating a healthy diet, and maintaining a healthy weight can protect you from a range of diseases including prostate cancer. Some studies suggest that regular sexual activity can also prevent prostate cancer, as can avoiding a vasectomy. 1) Watch Your Weight Obesity is a risk factor for prostate cancer, as it is for many other cancers, so maintaining a healthy weight is an important way to protect yourself. While the increase in prostate cancer risk associated with obesity is small, a review of the evidence suggests that obese men are more likely to develop an aggressive form of prostate cancer than men who aren’t obese. If you are already overweight or obese, talk to your doctor about a plan to lose weight through diet and exercise. If you aren’t overweight or obese, take steps to keep your BMI at a healthy level. 2) Exercise Regularly Exercise is an important way to lose weight or maintain a healthy weight, but it also has a range of health benefits. Physical activity protects your heart health by boosting your HDL or “good” cholesterol and lowering your triglycerides. Regular exercise can also protect you from type 2 diabetes, depression, arthritis, falls, stroke, and a number of cancers besides prostate cancer. Exercise can boost your mood, help you sleep better, improve your sex life, and more. If you’re having trouble finding the motivation to exercise, choose a physical activity you enjoy, like dancingor playing sports. Even a 30-minute walk with the family dog will suffice. Try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise a day at least five days a week. 3) Eat a Healthy Diet Some studies suggest that eating a low-fat diet rich in fruits and vegetables can protect you from prostate cancer. Take it easy on the meat, nuts, dairy and oils. When you do eat fat, try to eat fat from plant sources, like nuts and olive oil. Fatty fish, like trout, salmon, or sardines, are also good parts of a healthy diet. In addition to eating a healthy diet in general, there are some specific foods that may prevent prostate cancer. A glass or two â€" but no more â€" of red wine each day may lower your prostate cancer risk. Ten grams or more of garlic and scallions per day may also cut your prostate cancer risk in half, according to a study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. Using spices like ginger, rosemary, and oregano may be helpful, as may drinking green tea. Foods like soy, chickpeas, lentils, kidney beans, and peanuts contain isoflavones, which may reduce your risk of prostate cancer. 4) Engage in Regular Sexual Activity According to an Australian study, frequent sexual activity may significantly lower your risk of prostate cancer. Graham Giles of The Cancer Council Victoria and his team surveyed 1,079 men with prostate cancer and 1,259 healthy men about their sexual activities. The researchers found that the more frequently the men ejaculated over the course of their lifetimes, the less likely they were to develop prostate cancer. Those men who enjoyed sexual activity five times or more each week throughout their 20s were the least likely to develop prostate cancer, although men aged 30 to 50 also enjoyed protective benefits from regular ejaculation. 5) Avoid a Vasectomy A recent study by the Harvard School of Public Health has produced more evidence that vasectomy could cause prostate cancer, so you may want to reconsider the procedure, especially if you already have a high risk of prostate cancer. The results of the study found that men who had received vasectomies were 20 percent more likely to later be diagnosed with advanced prostate cancer and 19 percent more likely to die of prostate cancer. However, researchers stress that the overall risk of developing prostate cancer due to a vasectomy is small. They also point out that birth control for women carries potentially life-threatening risks of its own, so you and your partner should carefully consider all of the options before ruling out vasectomy. While you may be helpless to change some of the factors that influence your prostate cancer risk, that doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do. Take good care of yourself, maintain a healthy weight, eat a healthy diet, engage in regular sexual activity, and weigh your personal birth control decisions carefully. With good self-care and a bit of luck, you can avoid a prostate cancer diagnosis.

Tips For Writing Words Resumes

Tips For Writing Words ResumesWriting words is not something that a person who is just entering the workforce can do. It is a skill that is acquired over time and it is something that one must constantly work on as a way to become a better writer. If you are someone who has a decent amount of knowledge about writing words, you will need to start working on the right habits of writing.The best way to go about learning how to write is to be sure that you are always quality writing. There are a few ways to make sure that you are writing quality words. One way to ensure that you are writing quality words is to not read other peoples writing while you are writing. We often think that we are original when we are in fact not, so it is important that you do not allow other people to take your ideas.Another way to make sure that you are a good writer is to never settle for the first idea that comes to mind. You have to let the ideas come to you, as well as the problems that arise from them. T his is the way that a good writer makes sure that his or her ideas are original. When you listen to what other people are saying, you are not being original and you are not creating a well-rounded resume. People always want to have a resume that is unique and original.Quality writing is something that you should work on consistently. You should write at least four times a week to ensure that you are writing quality words on a consistent basis. One of the best ways to ensure that you are writing quality words is to simply write more. If you are not writing a great deal, you are making a big mistake that will eventually show up in your resume.Writing resumes has been a tough process for many people. However, with some patience and some practice, you will be able to become a better writer. If you are looking for tips on how to write a resume, you will find plenty of information on the Internet and in books about resumes.Writing a resume can be difficult, but it can also be the best thi ng that you ever did. It is something that you should strive to do on a regular basis, especially if you are someone who is ready to enter the workforce. If you do not write a great resume, you are going to end up with a resume that is more for show than anything else.If you are looking for tips on how to write a resume, you will be able to find lots of information on the Internet. You should look for some tips on how to write a resume and work on your skills. A lot of tips are available, so you should find plenty of resources to help you out. This can be a fun way to get into the habit of writing quality words and creating a great resume.If you are ready to add quality to your resume, you should follow the tips for writing. If you want to make sure that you are writing quality words, you should also find the time to write as much as you can. This is the best way to ensure that you are not taking anyone's ideas. As long as you are consistent, you will be a better writer.

The Biggest Executive Resume Writing Mistake - Executive Career Brandâ„¢

The Biggest Executive Resume Writing Mistake You sit down to put your resume together and ponder what should go in, and what should  NOT go in. You want to make an excellent first impression. You want your email inbox to be flooded with requests for interviews. You may think  one of these resume mistakes is the worst thing you can do: Wrong formatting Leading with a self-serving objective statement Employment gaps that send up red flags Too many pages While these (and others) may all be bloopers that can sabotage your chances, the biggest mistake any executive job seeker can make with their resume â€" or profile, other online profiles, or any career marketing materials â€" is: NO CLEAR CAREER TARGETING That is, not determining at the start of your job search which companies and positions within them are a good mutual fit. Think about it. The purpose of a resume is to qualify you as a potential candidate â€" both in personal character and in skill sets â€" and to make people reading about you feel compelled to want to meet you and learn more. Recruiters and hiring decision makers assessing you through your resume (or profile, etc.) don’t have time to sift through irrelevant information. They need to quickly and clearly see your ROI value to their company. How can you write about what makes you a good fit for a company, if you haven’t chosen target companies, don’t know what challenges they’re facing right now, and can’t align your qualifications with their pressing needs? And how can you define your executive brand if you don’t know your target audience? You wont be able to create brand messaging that will resonate with anyone. Your resume needs to speak to and market your promise of value to specific employers, so that they can picture you there, positively impacting the company. You may need to tweak your resume to customize it for each company. Here’s what you need to do: Compile a list of 15-20 (or so) target companies. Research each company and your industry. Look for well-written job descriptions (even if the geographical location isn’t right for you) that look like a good fit. They will be loaded with the relevant keywords that need to be in your resume, and will outline required qualifications and skill sets. Make a list of the keywords, areas of expertise, qualifications and skill sets that crop up consistently in your research. Write down specific examples, with metrics, of contributions and accomplishments you made in the past in those areas, to demonstrate your ROI value. If you don’t do these things, you’ll end up with a generic resume, trying to cover too many bases, and not hitting home with anyone. Know where you’re headed so you can focus the entire resume in one direction. Make it very clear that you’re the right person, in every respect, for the job you’re targeting. If you’re not really a good fit, and you know it, then you’re probably wasting everyone’s time. Related posts: How to Write An Irresistible C-level Executive Brand Resume in 10 Steps Is the Executive Resume Dead or Dying? Resume and Brand Story for President-CEO-COO Manufacturing Turnarounds 10 Brand-Diluting Phrases That Can Ruin Your Executive Resume What’s Wrong with Copying an Executive  Resume Sample? photo by Drew Coffman 00 0

Our clients are winning! - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog

Our clients are winning! - The Chief Happiness Officer Blog IT company ElbekVejrup celebrate their win. How amazing is this!?! Two of our clients got first place in the Danish Great Place to Work 2018 rankings: DHL Express Aviation won in the large companies category Elbek Vejrup won in the mid-sized category And a few other clients made it to the TOP 5 in their categories: AbbVie (3rd in mid-sized companies) Middelfart Sparekasse (4th in mid-sized companies) Sparekassen Kronjylland (4th in large companies) Just to make it clear: We are not taking credit for any of this we are so proud of the work they have been doing! Thanks for visiting my blog. If you're new here, you should check out this list of my 10 most popular articles. And if you want more great tips and ideas you should check out our newsletter about happiness at work. It's great and it's free :-)Share this:LinkedInFacebookTwitterRedditPinterest Related

The Recession is Bullhonkey Lukasz Story - When I Grow Up

The Recession is Bullhonkey Lukasz Story - When I Grow Up This is part of  The Recession is Bullhonkey series, where I share stories of those who have gotten hired and/or started their own businesses (or sometimes both!) since 2008.  Lukasz Laniecki started tweeting me a couple months ago, and when I heard a snippet of his story (leaving litagation law to consult and speak and then start a parenting blog all in the course of under 3 years!) I asked him to write it up for this series. Im thrilled that he obliged! My story is not of an abusive or micromanaging boss. I have not gotten fired. It is not a story of escaping a cubicle job or ditching the corporate world. I was never even a part of that world. No, none of this happened to me. I did not have a feeling of hating what I was doing. I had a sense that what I was doing was normal, or fitting the definition of a successful career. My story is about grand awakening. And since this awakening happened during the recession I hope what youll read below will inspire you. Sometimes it is not courage that we need, but awareness. It was end of summer 2012 and I knew that my career as a litigation lawyer was over. After having spent nearly 10 years on legal education and apprenticeship I suddenly knew I needed to quit. I had to do it for my sense of self-worth and in order to stay sane and healthy. Three years earlier I myself was in the middle of a court battle, something only few of the practicing lawyers anywhere in the world experience. Experience being in the middle of a fight (really feeling it with every part of your body), and not merely watching it from the outside and moving chess pieces across the board as so many lawyers do day in and day out. I was one of them. It was then that I realized how hopeless things can get for two people (closest family members in my case me and my mom) if they fail to communicate and decide to put their fate in lawyers hands. Luckily, we managed to get out of this mess and regain control. But it was also something I was supposed to do professionally for the rest of my life. Help people prove their opponents wrong with every means available. That’s what is all about. In 2010 I was about to take the bar exam. The last milestone on my path to becoming a litigation lawyer. In spite of the fact that I studied like crazy for this exam, I failed it. During the next 2 years I fought a court battle (yes, another one â€" which puts me among a tiny percentage of lawyers who have actually been there themselves) to have my exam paper properly reviewed and scored again. I had found out that there were people elsewhere who offered the same solution as me and managed to pass this exam with outstanding scores. All this to no avail. The whole procedure only added to my confusion. I never really grasped what happened and I lost faith in the fairness of the system entirely. All I knew was that I’ve had enough and I didn’t want to go through this again. Meanwhile I took interest in alternative dispute resolution and negotiation, which were the very things that helped me get out of the inhospitable environment of a court room the first time around. I also thought this might be my chance. I could be a lawyer who helps people negotiate various deals and get out of court or I could switch careers entirely. It was then that I started to notice possible upside of my situation. As a lawyer I would probably have to stay in my country for the rest of my professional life. It is very unlikely for a lawyer to leave his or her country and practice law in another country because of the differences in law systems, possible language issues and lack of connections within the legal profession. Now, as a mediator and negotiator I knew I would at least have the option of moving to a different country. And it felt quite good. Another upside was the possibility of putting my creative mind into practice. Legal profession is not a place where creatives thrive. Yes, lawyers need to be creative to some degree but they are also very prone to conventional thinking. That’s not me. So I started reading about negotiation and dispute resolution (books, blogs, articles). I entered a postgraduate one-year program called Negotiation and Mediation. I figured out that there arent many interesting blogs about this topic in my country (Poland) so I started a blog. Then I figured out that lawyers knew little about the art of negotiation so I resolved to blog especially for them. Three months later lawyers talked about and shared my blog articles and I, to my utmost amazement, appeared on national radio and talked about mediation. A year after that I was already quite comfortable with public speaking. People would invite me to speak at conferences, seminars etc. I even lectured to young lawyers during their professional training program. Then I thought a TED-like conference for lawyers would be a good idea. And we pulled it off. After the conference more offers were coming in three of them concerned postgraduate programs where I would teach others about negotiation and mediation. It really felt like this thing was taking off. Apart from it I was able to raise my consulting rates by 100% because my services were (and still are) that rare. Meanwhile my friends who practiced law, faced with an increased competition, were struggling to keep their rates at an existing level. But two years into this new thing I realized that lawyers are not my ideal target market. So, I decided to pivot again. I figured out I can blog in English and have a much broader readership. Thats how the idea of blogging about parenting was born. Why parenting? I have a son and my top priority in life is to be a world class parent to him. Many of the concepts I learned in the last 2 years are very useful in parenting (psychology of conflict, dispute resolution, negotiation) and my tempestuous relationship with my parents seems to be more than a good reason for such a mission. Ive launched the blog three months ago. So, how can this story help you? I realized the predicament in which I found myself in 2010 brought my career as a litigation lawyer to an end but on the other hand it saved me. Today I know that this failed exam was one of the best things that have ever happened to me. And the court battle against my mom brought us closer together than we’ve ever been before but most importantly it made me a much more aware parent and led to my decision to inspire other parents through my blog. It was as if my eyes suddenly opened. I went from believing (and living) a myth about a happy and safe life with a job to realizing that I don’t have to be someone I don’t want to be (a lawyer) for the rest of my life simply because I’ve spent 10 years getting this education. I realized that the world has changed dramatically over the past two decades and people really do have other options. I remember having done one exercise which was absolutely pivotal â€" I put that predicament aside, I calmed my thoughts down, I fast forwarded my life a few years and I asked myself: “Is this what I want to be and what I want to do my whole life?” And my answer was “NO”. Lukasz Laniecki is a former lawyer turned parenting blogger. His focus is on awareness, connectedness, parenting in the digital age and future careers. He is also a negotiator and mediator helping people handle their differences and conflicting needs. You can find him on his blog Grow Champions At Home. You can also connect with him on Quora where he answers questions about parenting and Twitter.