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Does Speed Reading Really Work?
Craig shares how he became interested in speed reading. Learn what type of results he achieved and if it’s worth pursuing yourself.  What type of improvement results are possible? Is a 3x read speed possible? If so, how about 5 or 10x? It sounds crazy but these results are achievable if you’re willing to work at it.

Listen in to learn how long Craig’s speed reading has been going, what type of results he getting, and how his memory retention is working.

Chapters
[00:36]
Craig shares a little more on his background.

[02:18]
Here’s where his passionate interest in speed reading began!

[03:07]
Speed Reading Course – Reading the Wright Way by Carol Ann Wright

[04:15]
Many of us read at the same speed we talk, even if we read silently.

[06:20]
It is possible to increase your reading rate!

[06:46]
The eye is attracted to motion. But, how does that help with speed reading?

[08:12]
You can read too quickly and end up not remember the material.

[11:10]
This speed reading course could potentially increase your reading speed up to 10x or faster!

[13:11]
Exciting announcements for 2021!

Late January – Resume Master Class Webinar.

Free download – Resume Booster which has some key tips taken from my Resume Master Class

[14:22]
Comment or Reach Out to us @CraigAncel on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram

Mentioned Links
We’d love to hear from you.
[email protected].

@CraigAncel on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram

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Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the Way
Moving into 2021 we have the opportunity to make choices. Will you choose to lead, follow or get out of the way?

When it comes to followers and leaderships there are two different personality types. There’s introvert and extrovert.

If leaders aren’t careful their best intentions can be sabotaged by moving from an assertive to an aggressive approach.

Leadership requires key attributes. Some say leaders are born, while that may be true, it also takes hard work, training, and course correction.

If you’re going to be a follower, how will you do it? When asked will you just perform the function or task as requested? Will you go about it blindly or on auto-pilot?

Or, will you challenge when decisions are made that you don’t understand? Will you seek clarification when confusion or uncertainty shows up?

This is where a strong follower mindset can help you transition into a leader mindset
But, it doesn’t happen overnight…

You need to allow time for growth, making mistakes, learning lessons, and eventually moving into a best-practices mindset.

Speaking of a challenging mindset, don’t forget our podcast tag lines: Turning problems into potential and issues into opportunities.

Chapters
[00:37]
Are you a leader or a follower? If you’re a follower and ready to step up your game, ready for change, this episode is for you!

[01:16]
Leaders and followers typically have different personality types: introverts and extroverts.

[01:38]
Sometimes extroverts can become too aggressive and even abrasive.

[02:10]
When you look back is there a strong team standing with you or a trail of dead bodies?

[03:04]
How do you follow? What mindset do you have?

[04:09]
Design and manufacturing charts related to cost of change. The earlier you spot the need for a change, typically the lower the cost.

[05:25]
If you are a follower do you have a questioning attitude? Do you recall my show’s taglines? Turning Problems Into Potential and Issues Into Opportunities.

[06:42]
Leadership roles are typically staffed by extroverts. Leaders may have an assertive nature or an aggressive one.

[07:58]
As leaders, we make mistakes, too! What’s important is to recognize them, log them down in the form of Lessons Learned. Use Lessons Learned in future tasks or projects as the foundation for Best Practices.

[09:22]
Warning: Dated Best Practices can and should be challenged!

[09:53]
Please consider sharing your practices and experiences as a follower or leader. @CraigAncel on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

[10:44]
You can directly reach me at [email protected] or our team at [email protected]

Mentioned Links
We’d love to hear from you.
[email protected].

@CraigAncel on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

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4 Tips to Boost Your Performance

In episode 31 I spoke about personal and professional growth. Many times those two provide cross-benefits. Meaning something you learn in one area of your life could be used in others. 

To learn something new you have to find the time. Where is your time wasted? Are there activities you do that add little to no value? If so, I call this busy work, your time is occupied but you don’t actually produce anything of value. 

Chapters
[00:25] The 4 Performance Boosting Tips: You’ll need TIME, the ability to FOCUS, keep an OPEN VIEW, and willingness to ACCEPT FEEDBACK.

[00:54] Sponsored by Craig Ancel’s Resume Master Class. Build, update, or redesign a winning resume with our step-by-step process. Progress at your own pace through our 6 module video course. 

[02.21] Tip #1: You need to find time for you. Find time to grab a special course, training, or self-improvement activity.

[04:22] Tip #2: You need to focus. You need to dial into your work life to challenge and remove complacency and comfort.

[06:00] We should challenge ourselves and ask “Why am I doing this task? What value does completing this task provide? Does this task need to be done now? Is there something of higher priority I should be doing?”

[08:18] Tip #3: Open up your views to true customer service. When you think of a customer, who comes to mind? Listen here to find out we all have upstream and downstream customers.

[10:20] Tip #4: BOLO – Be On the Look Out for Extreme Words! This ties directly into graciously accepting feedback.  Extreme words are often triggered by emotions.  This can cause us to become defensive and even shut down.  Learn how to accept feedback better.

[15:15] We’d love to hear from you. [email protected]. @CraigAncel on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. In 2021 we’re adding Twitter

[15:51] Build your first winning resume, update it, or totally redesign it today! Grab Craig Ancel’s Resume Master Class with lifetime access now!

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John Gray’s Book: Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus

How To Get A Better Performance Review

Are You 1 of 32? (What do you with your time?)

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How To Get a Better Performance Review

Unemployment is peaking due to the pandemic. Many are just happy to have a job. But doing the minimum at your job just won’t cover it anymore. First priority is to retain your job. Next, if you want to get a better performance review you need to earn it.  To earn a better performance review means that you deserve it. You’ve gone out of your way to perform above and beyond average.

You need to strive to do more, to excel.  It’s important to use a give-back mindset. Your performance is composed of what you do, but it’s also how you do it.  The how relates to the quality of your work. It also relates to how you communicate with everyone.

Finally, do you have a growth mindset? Listen in to find some ways to boost your personal and professional growth. Personal growth initiatives can apply to your professional, as well.  Sometimes these initiatives can be powerfully added to your resume, too!

Chapters
[01:13]
We’re on social media @CraigAncel on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

[01:26]
All-new digital product – Craig Ancel’s Resume Master Class

[04:10]
What do you have to around here to receive a better than the average rating?

[06:30]
It’s a good idea to meet with your supervisor mid-year and seek feedback.

[10:32]
Invest in your personal growth! Ask if your company has any training reimbursement programs.

[11:49]
Add dual benefit training to your resume.

[13:16]
Prepare in advance for your performance reviews.

[15:03]
Your past performance reviews contain golden information if you know what to look at!

[15:58]
We’re here to help! If you’d like to share your performance review, I can provide an independent review and growth feedback at [email protected].

[17:23]
Keep a strong record of your accomplishments!

[18:14]
Craig Ancel’s Resume Master Class. 6 Power-Packed video modules in a step-by-step format. You can create, update, or redesign your resume!

[20:57]
Connect with us by email: [email protected]; our website: craigancel.com and social media @CraigAncel on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. In 2021 we’re adding Twitter!
https://craigancel.com

Mentioned Links
Craig Ancel’s Resume Master Class w/ Lifetime Access!
https://craigancel.com
[email protected]

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CGME Best of 2020

Celebrating our 1 year anniversary we’re releasing a special episode – CGME Best of 2020!

See key content from some of our most popular episodes.

It’s no surprise that two of the top episodes revolve around resumes.

We start off by going all the way back to episode 2 and grab the highlights from Resume Holding You Back? 

Next, we give you some focused help from episode Overloaded by Email & Text.  See how to quickly trim down your overwhelming work emails and get faster, more accurate responses to your emails.

Third, episode 29 chimes in with No Job, No Resume, No Problem. Craig shares a little more background on his job loss and how he even considered hiring a resume service before learning how to re-invent himself and redesign his resume.

Our anniversary podcast closes out with the episode titled Worrying About What If? Regardless of where you are in your career growth journey if you have ever stalled out by worrying about What If, then this episode is for you! Learn 3 easy tips to break you out of an emotional state and get you moving again.

Finally, we’re super excited to introduce Craig Ancel’s Resume Master Class! If you need to create, update, or redesign your resume this class is for you.  You don’t need to hire an expensive, one-time use resume writing service that can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars. Craig provides the latest winning resume trends to structure, format, and build content by following 6 short video modules, the longest is only 15 minutes.

Don’t let another day go by if you:

• Don’t know where your resume is
• Don’t know the last time you updated it
• Are concerned it’s too lengthy
• Are unsure it showcases your accomplishments

For the new year, make a commitment and create or update your resume today!

Chapters

[00:40] Episode 2 – Resume Holding You Back? Learn 2 key functions you need to apply to your resume right now!

[08:54] New for 2021 – Craig Ancel’s Resume Master Class. You don’t need to hire an expensive, one-time use, online resume service. Using our 6 short, easy-to-follow video modules, we walk you through step by step to create, update, or redesign your own resume. This class put’s you in charge!

[10:00] Overloaded by Email & Text. We focus on the mountain of work emails we receive.  You can immediately use these key tips to cut down on ’email volleying’.  With shorter, more effective emails you’ll get your points across more quickly and also get more accurate answers to your questions.

[21:40] No Job, No Resume, No Problem! Learn a little more about Craig’s background and what drives his passionate focus on career growth. He also shares how he discovered the need to re-invent himself and redesign his resume.

[28:06] Learn what Shelly, a long-time IT professional, shared about struggling with her resume. Get a helping hand today with our Resume Master Class!

[29:13] Worrying About What If? If you’ve even been stalled out, make sure you

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No Job, No Resume, No Problem
Most people don’t associate positive thoughts with the word ‘resume’. For many, a feeling of anxiety or overwhelm can grip them. Regardless, if you’re out of work, applying for your first job, or an experienced individual, don’t let your resume hold you back.
In today’s uncertain times your resume should be: Updated. Concise. Expressive. Winning.
There’s one more thing your resume should have: Hidden Value.
Your resume needs to overcome the odds of online submission systems.
You don’t need to hire an expensive resume service or coach to get great results. You can walk through the step-by-step process to create, update, and redesign your resume. Get on the waitlist now for our new Resume Master Class launching Sept 28.

Chapters
[00:57] It’s 2008 but it wasn’t going to be a regular day in the office.
[03:40] Online resume services made many promises and ranged up to $1,000 or more.
[05:17] Resumes, cover letters, and interviews oh my
[07:06] Despite all my effort my resume content was still outdated, it desperately needed to be updated
[08:46] When I didn’t get any responses from recent resume submissions I decided to reinvent myself
[10:18] Still not getting many bites on my resume it was time to transform again.
[12:17] I vowed never to be caught with an outdated resume again. From that moment I have stayed current with winning resume trends, proven interviewing techniques, studied and applied high-performance growth.
[13:28] It’s my strong recommendation to have a resume and keep it updated. You always want to be ready for “What If?”
[14:14] This is how you create, update, or redesign your resume!
[15:13] Don’t let your resume fall victim and get rejected when submitting online. Find out which side of 75% you’re on.

Mentioned Links
Get our Resume Master Class Now!!!
Career Growth Made Easy: Episode 009 – 4 Year Degree Not Required
Email Craig

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Worrying About “What If?”

Summary
We can be paralyzed by fear if we live in a state of “What If?”. When we worry about what to do next, about making decisions, we don’t make progress. Learn to prioritize so that you can use your time, energy, and effort effectively. The ability to take action is based on the ability to make decisions!

Chapters
[00:00] We can become paralyzed by fear if we live in a state of “What If?”

[01:50] Moving you from you a “Now” state to a “Future” state

[04:22] According to the book titled “The One Thing” by co-author Gary Keller of Keller Williams Real Estate, The One Thing we suffer from most is prioritization

[06:14] Are there better parts of the day to make decisions? What is “decision fatigue” and how does it affect us?

[08:02] The ability to take action is based on the ability to make decisions! Unfortunately analysis paralysis can derail us.

[09:28] We can enter into our emotion state without knowing it. It has a of creeping up on us.

[11:36] Use this technique to help you move from an emotional state back to logical.

[15:01] Have you ever used a coworker for a peer check? Just getting someone else’s viewpoint or opinion can get us out of a stuck state. It can get us out of that “What If?” mindset.
 
[16:03] Episode recap including a few more tips for shifting out of an emotional state into a logical one.

[17:55] Something really special is launching in September. Make sure you subscribe and get our email list!

[18:25] A shout out to all the new listeners and email subscribers!!!

[18:41] I’m here to help! Please reach out directly to me.

Mentioned Links
Randy Deiss
Book: The One Thing by co-author Gary W Keller
Gary W. Keller (Keller Williams Real Estate)
Don’t miss our big September announcement – get on our email list, Now!
Career Growth Made Easy: Episode 23 Building Success Through Failure
Career Growth Made Easy: Episode 25: Give Yourself Permission

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That’s Not My Job! Closed Minded Thinking
Have you ever asked for customer service only to hear, “That’s not my job!”?

That response can cause people to become extremely frustrated, disappointed, and defensive.

When it comes to our roles at work, why would we ever want to say those dreaded words to a colleague or customer?

“That’s not my job!” is an expression that turns anybody and everybody off.

Learn how to view things differently and potentially change how you react in certain situations in this week’s episode of CGME, streaming now.

Chapters
[00:51] How much more of other peoples jobs do we have to do? And how do we handle ‘extra work requests’ from others?

[02:11] What type of approach do you take in your job role? Do you have an ownership mindset? Maybe there are broken communication links or processes that, without realizing, you’ve identified.

[03:07] Do you know you who your customers are? Hint: It’s not just the end paying customer. Listen to episode 21 Level Up Your Customer Service to find out more.

[04:08] What if you identify gaps in your work stream or work flow? Does this mean you have to be the one that compensates, always work late, puts in the over time? No, you don’t have to pick up every ball – you can be selective!

[04:59] How much more effort would it take to go that extra step, that extra mile? If you’re going to do it, do it from a good place in your heart.

[07:00] If you recognize the same extra work tasks are showing up repeatedly it could be an indication of problems. When those repeat tasks aren’t getting handled it could be because of assumptions…

[07:54] The past does not have to equal the future. We all have the opportunity to recognize the need for change and adapt. Closed minded thinking can be changed!

[09:57] Listener feedback is appreciated! Let us know what you think.

Mentioned Links
SIGN UP – get advanced notice of giveaways, podcasts, and special announcements.

CGME Ep 21: Level Up Your Customer Service

Author, speaker, Matthew Kelly’s book Resisting Happiness

Author, speaker, Andy Andrews book The Seven Decisions

Social Media: @CraigAncel
Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram
Website: CraigAncel.com

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Good Things Come To Those That Wait
We’re talking about your end of year work performance review. When that time of year comes, it’s your time to shine! But what happens if you don’t get the results you’re looking for?
If you’ve ever left your performance review with disappointing news, you’re not alone. 
Learn how to track your performance, year-round, and adapt if needed, so you’re better prepared for your review with your manager.  

Chapters
[01:06] A shocking and disappointing job performance review!

[02:36] Hopefully you get performance feedback throughout the year

[03:52] It’s important we take responsibility and monitor our own performance throughout the year

[04:26] How do we monitor our own behavior and performance at work?

[05:11] Using the “capture process” to log your performance and feedback throughout the year

[08:16] What is the background for today’s show?

[09:35] Don’t stay “in the moment” too long, it can feed your ego

[10:07] Andy Andrews: “We chose how we act, regardless of how we feel”

[10:48] Donald Miller: “I will succeed as a business, as a brand, when I figure out and solve my customers problems.”

[11:55] Do you work on the principle of creating ‘raving fans’?

[14:14] Does the ‘raving fan’ and ‘proving value’ concept really work? Let’s check out their sales, it’s a good indicator.

Mentioned Links
Andy Andrews book The Little Things, Why you really should sweat the small stuff
Career Growth Made Easy Episode 21: Leveling Up Your Customer Service
Building A Storybrand, Donald Miller, Episode
Chick-Fil-A Restaurants
Career Growth Made Easy Email Subscription

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Give Yourself Permission
If we’re not careful we can fall into the trap of waiting for someone’s permission to act, to move forward with a task or activity. There’s an old saying “It’s better to ask forgiveness than to beg for permission.” Hear some examples as I share how I struggled early on with career growth and how I overcame. Become proactive today and click play now!

Chapters
[01:10] There’s an old saying ‘It’s better to ask forgiveness than to ask for permission’

[02:00] There’s a limit to our willingness to take action

[02:24] I share a struggle I faced early on in my career with meetings

[04:06] You need to be perceptive enough to know when something isn’t going to work.

[04:34] Too tired to make a decision? Decision fatigue is real!

[04:58] Many companies define employees’ decision making power by using a process called LOA (Limits Of Authority)

[06:17] The ability to take action is based on the ability to make decisions!

[08:17] We’re not products of our circumstances, we’re products of our decisions.

[09:06] So what are you waiting for? Become proactive today!

[10:40] Podcast Listener Survey for a chance to win $20 Amazon Gift Card!

Mentioned Links
Podcast Listener Survey
Decision Fatigue – Episode #023: Building Success Through Failure
Author, Speaker Stephen Covey Quote
Author, Andy Andrews book “7 Decisions”
Arron’s Burr song from Broadway play Hamilton “Wait for It”

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