Career Growth Made Easy

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Talk More, Email Less
In today’s fast paced, electronic world email and text are likely the preferred method of communication, but are they the most effective?
I share where the inspiration came from regarding today’s episode title and how I went about implementing it.
Sometimes emailing and texting just doesn’t cut it. Every now and then it’s good to pick up the phone or stop by to chat with someone. When speaking with someone there can be golden nuggets of information you receive that you just can’t get with an email or text.
The fading skill of quality, effective communication can be restored.

Chapters
[00:22] Take our podcast listener survey for a chance to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

[01:10] Where did the inspiration for today’s episode come from?

[02:17] Pick up the phone! What????

[02:50] What happens when your emails just don’t work?

[03:17[ A double win! Get some of your time back and re-engage your network.

[04:33] There’s a lot more to communication than just the words.

[05:05] Talking, especially in person, allows us to focus on the core conversation and really appreciate the person we’re speaking with.

[06:19] Picking up the phone can help build stronger relationships and get your questions answered faster, too!

[07:12] Too many emails, too many texts? Not getting your points across or not getting your questions answered? There’s help, listen to episode 3!

Referenced Links
Career Growth Made Easy Listener Survey – Chance to Win $20 Amazon Gift Card
Episode 3: Overloaded by Email & Text – Listen Here!

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Building Success Through Failure

All too often our lives are dominated by the fear of failure. So how are we supposed to get ahead? First, we need to know when and how to use our decision-making power wisely. 

Second, we need to understand our fear of failure has two parts – one internal and the other external. By recognizing this we can work to overcome it and plot our course for success.

Finally, we need to envision success, picture the end goal, the end game. With that in mind, it makes it easier to achieve that next step. And if we fail, we can pivot, jump that hurdle and take that next step!

Chapters
[01:02] Explaining Fear of Failure

[01:42] Our decision-making power is limited and it’s called decision fatigue!

[03:39] Fear of failure has two parts, internal and external.

[04:49] Albert Einstein quote “In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure.”

[05:29] Our external fear is being afraid of what people think.

[06:06] What are issues and risks and what do they have to do with success?

[07:36] The 3rd and final barrier to building success is our inability to see the end goal, the end vision!

[08:58] Slow but steady wins the race. Listen to NBA Basketball sports legend Michael Jordan’s quote on success.

[10:15] How did inventions like the incandescent light bulb get made?

[10:57] If fear of failure starts to grip you because the task is too big, break it down into bite-size pieces.

Referenced Links
Career Growth Made Easy Survey
NBA Basketball Michael Jordan quotes
Decision-making power, decision fatigue
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R Covey
Career Growth Made Easy Podcast Episode 14: “I Just Can’t”

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The Opportunity Cost of Your ‘Yes’
I’ve believed it’s human nature to interact with and to please others. That means all too often we might say “Yes” without really understanding the impacts.
When we’re constantly looking back at all we have to do, all we’ve committed to, it can be overwhelming…We don’t have the chance to look forward and see new opportunities, new challenges.
In today’s episode, I talk about the effects of your ‘yes’ including the opportunity cost it can have.

Starting With An Apology
If you find yourself all too often beginning conversations, emails, or texts with an apology this could be a sign that you are too busy, swamped, or overwhelmed. I share a connection about all too frequent ‘Yeses’ and being overloaded by email and text.

Your Brain Could Be Overloaded
My past episode ‘What’s In Your Junk Drawer?’ was a play on words, with the real focus of your mental junk drawer. There’s all that “stuff” floating around, constantly wearing on us, draining our energy. The more you say ‘yes’ to the small things, the less time and resources you have for the more meaningful opportunities.

Say ‘Yes’ Less
Prolonged, extreme workloads can wear us down physically & mentally. I reference a prior episode where I get personal and share some challenges I faced along with my changes to prevent this from happening again!

Listener Challenge
Are you up for a little challenge, to make a little change in your life? When that next ‘yes’ opportunity comes around, pause before answering. Perhaps take a deep breath and do a gut check. Do you really, I mean really, want to say yes? If you truly do, check your time and availability first…

Chapters
[00:52] The impacts of saying yes all too often

[01:13] When we constantly look back we don’t have the opportunity to look forward!

[02:08] When my yes was for 1 hour turned into 2-3 hours

[02:52] The signs of over-commitment

[04:04] Overload can come from our emails and text, too

[04:44] We can become mentally overwhelmed

[05:33] Learn how to ‘Say Yes Less’

[06:34] My challenge to you, pause before answering ‘yes’ to that next opportunity

Referenced Links
Ep 19 Don’t Start With An Apology
Ep 03 Overloaded By Email
Ep 05 What’s In Your Junk Drawer?
Ep 06 Say Yes Less

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Level up your customer service!
What does customer service mean to you?
Who is the ultimate customer? Is it the end customer, the paying customer?
In today’s episode I suggesting taking a broader perspective.
Looking beyond the traditional end customer, the paying customer as the only person we need to serve.
We can have many customers to serve, those that are upstream and downstream.

Chapters
[00:26] What does customer service mean to you? Who is your customer?

[00:57] We can become complacent in our job role and comfortable with our responsibilities.

[01:21] How do you really level up your customer service? You recognize and support both your upstream and downstream customers.

[02:16] Become a customer delighter by exceeding expectations and creating positive memories of the experience.

[02:32] The secret to customer service is to treat everyone as a customer.

[03:25] Take a proactive step, speak to your supervisor, and have that “Level Up” conversation.

[04:55] A recap of our “Level Up” episode.

[05:25] Want to learn more about complacency and see how it can affect you?

[05:37] Are you standing out at work?

[06:23] Grab your FREE copy of our resume tuneup tips!

[07:35] Listener challenge! Test your resume against episodes 02 “Is your resume holding you back?” and 11 “Is your resume old?”.

Referenced Links
Episode 012: How Does Complacency Affect You?
Episode 010: Are You Standing Out?
Free Resume Tune-Up Tips
Episode 002: Resume Holding You Back?
Episode 011: Is My Resume Old?

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Whether you are suffering from the effects of extended AWL (Alternate Work Location) or WFH (Work From Home) you are not alone. The bad news, there are some underlying consequences you might not be aware of. If you have repurposed an area of your home to perform daily work activities, it can have negative, lasting results

Chapters
[00:28] Does working from home have any habit-forming effects?

[01:11] The challenges of AWL (Alternate Work Locations) and WFH (Working From Home).

[01:33] During quarantine my “home office” was our dining room table.

[02:15] My “home office” gets a second monitor.

[03:21] The end of dining room table meals…introducing AML (Alternate Meal Locations).

[03:56] With the extended duration of WFH I was building unhealthy habits.

[04:53] From time to time we need to unplug or disconnect from our WFH activities and re-
engage in our personal lives.

[05:25] Designating and dedicating a location only for your WFH activities.

[05:45] Boost your resume with our free Resume Tune-Up Kit

[06:03] Uploading your resume online? Make sure you remove the most common mistakes that get resumes disqualified.

Mentioned Links
Free Resume Tune Tip Guide
Healthline Habit Information

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All too often we start a conversation with an apology.

Did you know that starting with an apology can weaken what follows? You can even cause someone to lose focus or get distracted from your core message.

Sometimes apologies are necessary. However, it’s important to limit them otherwise you may become known as someone that always has excuses. You read that right.

Think of someone that routinely starts off with an apology. Eventually, you will come to expect it as their first words. This can lead to a lack of confidence in this person. It even causes you to inadvertently shy away from them because you don’t see them as an action taker, problem solver, solution maker.

Chapters
[00:23] Too many times we start an apology

[00:29] Excessive apologies can be seen as excuses

[01:13] Apologies can weaken or water down our message

[02:01] First we’ve got to get our thoughts out of our head, then we can edit the message.

[02:32] Unexpected events may lead to an apology, but what can we do to minimize their impact?

[03:43] Too many apologies can translate into excuses

[03:56] How do we build confidence? We move from reactive to proactive, taking ownership and minimizing our risks

[04:13] When we become accountable we portray ownership and leadership traits

[04:33] Self-sabotage negatively reinforces our inward and external message “It’s not my fault” ultimately leading to being unaccountable

[05:12] When you had to apologize where was your focus?

[05:55] Most of our communication is by email and text – boost your performance and efficiency by listening to episode 3, Overloaded by Email and Text

[06:35] We want to hear from you!

[06:46] Free Resume Tune-Up Tip Guide

[07:54] What new podcast topics do you want to hear about?

Mentioned Links
Contact Us
Episode 3: Overloaded by Email & Text
Free Resume Tune Tip Guide
Movie: Rising Sun

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In March 2020 the WHO, World Health Organization, declared the Coronavirus, coded named “COVID-19”, a pandemic. 

Now is a great time to take a deep look at your habits, challenge yourself, and perhaps change to a more healthy approach.

Do you know what a “smear infection” is? I didn’t but recently learned and want to share this with you as well.

Praying for you,

~ Craig

Site: craigancel.com
Email: [email protected]

P.S. Grab our free download of Resume Tune-Up Tips – Mistake proof your resume by learning and correcting today’s most common format and content errors.

Chapters

[00:00] The Corona Virus COVID-19 is declared a Pandemic!

[00:15] What is a Pandemic?

[00:58] Do you have healthy or hazardous habits?

[01:30] The CDC, Centers for Disease Control, recommends hand washing with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

[01:44] Hand sanitizer with alcohol is an alternative to handwashing with soap and water

[02:14] Avoid getting a smear infection, avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose

[03:14] Perform a habit self-assessment check!

[04:35] Make an effort to change your auto-pilot habits to more healthy habits.

[05:27] When is the last time you wiped down your office equipment, computers, or cell phones?

[05:44] Using the “knuckle approach” for keypads and buttons rather than fingertips.

[06:25] Just because you’ve always done it that way doesn’t mean you’ve always done it right!

Mentioned Links
CDC – Centers for Disease Control & Hand Washing Recommendations

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Are you on auto-pilot in your day-to-day activities? 

Don’t just drone on. 

Find your passion and re-ignite your drive in your personal and professional life!

Site: craigancel.com
Email: [email protected]

P.S. Grab our free download of Resume Tune-Up Tips – Mistake proof your resume by learning and correcting today’s most common format and content errors.

Chapters

[00:33] Ever heard the expressions “They read it on his face” or “I could hear it in their voice”? They were lacking passion.

[01:02] Extreme words: “He’s always driven…always pushing through…” Believe it or not, your internal passion does affect your progress.

[02:05] If you don’t know where we are going, how are you going to get there? Just like in life we need road maps, a compass, or a navigator.

[02:48] Is your passion fogged up or cloudy? Apply the STEP principle. Stop, Think, Evaluate, Plan. If you once had passion, but now feel burned out, you can re-ignite your energy and drive with a little focus.

[05:14] Do you know your WHY? Listen to episode 016 to help you find your why. Our WHY can define us, our purpose, our mission in life both personally and professionally.

[05:35] Mini-Bonus Tip: “You are what you report.” It’s all in your presentation!

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What’s Your Why? Find your why and re-ignite your passion today!

In this episode, I share my incredible experience at Podfest Multimedia Expo 2020. The power and energy at this 4-day event were electrifying. What did all these incredible people have? Passion, an undying passion that comes from knowing their why.

Do you know your why?

Rediscover what’s your why and re-ignite your passion in both your personal and professional lives today!

Site: craigancel.com
Email: [email protected]

P.S. Grab our free download of Resume Tune-Up Tips – Mistake proof your resume by learning and correcting today’s most common format and content errors.

Chapters

[00:23] I won tickets to Podfest Multimedia Expo 2020!!!

[01:29] There were even gaming podcasts – shout out to my son Nicholas!

[01:41] KC Wayland Writer, Director, Audio Producer

[02:23] Central Florida’s Kimberly Design Love – Helping business people design a life they love

[02:41] James Early’s Podcast – The Bible Speaks to You, Discover the healing power of God in your life

[03:08] A special Thank You to Buzzsprout for the meet & greet bowling party at Splitzville

[03:26] Joon S. Han – Business Strategy Expert

[04:13] Brant Pinvidic – Exclusive Podfest Speaker: Hollywood director. Known for The Biggest Loser, Master Chef, Bar Rescue, and Extreme Makeover

[04:43] What do all these have in common? PASSION!!!

[05:45] You must know your why!

[05:56] Tell Craig Ancel what your why is and maybe it will be on a next episode

Mentioned Links
Buzzsprout – Podcast Host
KC Wayland – Writer, Director, and Audio Producer
James Early’s Podcast – The Bible Speaks to You
Joon S. Han – Business Strategy Expert
Kimberley Design Love – Business Design Strategist
Brant Pinvidic – Hollywood Producer
Contact – Craig Ancel 

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Exhausted and lacking the energy to get through most days?

If you feel like you’re dragging most days, whether you work or not, this episode is for you!

Learn some like hacks that have big benefits…

If a more restful night of quality sleep sounds good then listen up for tips on how to supercharge your sleep and declutter your mind.

If you frequently wake up in the middle of the night or have trouble falling asleep because of thoughts of all you have to do racing through your mind listen up as we tell you why it happens and how to improve it!

Site: craigancel.com
Email: [email protected]

P.S. Grab our free download of Resume Tune-Up Tips – Mistake proof your resume by learning and correcting today’s most common format and content errors.

Chapters

[00:46] Episode 014: “I Just Can’t!” – Is it because your exhausted?

[01:10] Fuel your body and your brain!

[02:05] Episode 005: What’s in your mental junk drawer? Too many thoughts racing around in your mind?

[03:00] Consider replacing your lunch with some type of outdoor activity

[03:45] Do you like tea, coffee, or soda?  What’s caffeine go to do with it?

[05:43] Did you know that the color of light affects our ability to sleep?

[06:00] Do sunrises affect our bodies?

[07:05] That sunset was sure beautiful, I’m starting to feel tired all of a sudden.

[07:22] Are you sabotaging your sleep cycles with blue light from SMART devices?

[08:20] You can set all your SMART devices blue light filter timers!

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