Analysis Paralysis

http://focusnjoy.com/daily-inspiration/sowharvest/#.VLZX9dKUf-s

I've been really enjoying these holidays, especially considering that it may be my last 3 month holiday as I should be graduating next year. So what have I been up to? Going to the gym, finding new recipes, reading up on articles, getting my regular dose of my favourite youtubers, seeing friends, decluttering, selling things, helping around the house, volunteer work, hiking and doing a nutrition course. What did I plan on doing these holidays? All of the above but also having either an internship or part time job. And why haven't I gotten a part time job or internship?

I came across an article the other day which I found described my situation perfectly. It was called analysis paralysis. It explained analysis paralysis as delaying something you've been meaning to do because in your mind, you keep telling yourself that you're not prepared enough or you keep waiting for the right time or optimal conditions. Excuses are constantly made, the perfect time never comes and the task never gets done. (So I may have paraphrased). A good example of this is starting a healthy lifestyle. Sometimes people think that they have so much weight to lose that they don't see the point in trying. Or, they might compare their journey to others and feel overwhelmed, think that they may never come close to the level of others and think that it would be better off sparing themselves the shame.

This is exactly what I have been doing with job searching. For the longest time, I put off writing a resume and finding a job because I felt that my resume would be quite dull and inadequate. I didn't look for a job as I knew that most employers wanted someone with experience, something I didn't have. (Experience is always something you get right after you need it.) I felt disadvantaged because it seemed like everyone had a job at 16. My parents did not approve of me having a job in high school. As tragic as that was, what I should have done was just get out there and try anyway as soon as I graduated high school. But instead, I used it as an excuse. Even though I didn't have a long list of awards from high school, didn't become school captain, didn't have a resume as sparkly as others, didn't mean I could keep putting it off until the last minute. Comparing myself to others never really does me any good.. I guess I got so overwhelmed that I never gave myself a chance.

http://healthypsych.com/compassionate-ways-increase-motivation/

This year, it will be different. While many accounting students have internships or accounting jobs in their second and third years, I will not let that deter or overwhelm me because I know that I have a lot to offer. Instead, I will use that as motivation. End of pep talk.

Chapter One.

I was reading The Naked CEO by Alex Malley and while I planned to write a post on the entire book, I decided that it would be much too long because there is so much in it. So in this post, I will just be talking about the first chapter.

Firstly, I like the style of the book. It's an easy read and doesn't over-complicate. It really feels like Alex Malley has taken you under his wing as he tells you about his own personal experiences. Each chapter also ends with an anecdote of a past mentee.

Reading chapter one, I found myself nodding in agreement and thinking, 'wow that is so true.' This was especially the case when he explained the importance of self awareness. It feels like that today people are so concerned about crossing off the things in their daily to-do lists that they often don't realise what habits and quirks they develop along the way. Some people are so fixed with having things pan out in a certain way that they don't realise how they treat people and how they make others feel. And after years and years of developing habits and continued behaviour, before they realise it, they can become someone that they barely recognise. A little dramatic, I know, but self awareness is a crucial part of being critical of yourself in order to deal with your issues and become a better person. And not to go off on too much of a tangent but I think that a large part of this is reliant on having emotional intelligence.
Having emotional intelligence can earn you a great deal of respect (and possibly prevent embarrassing situations). When you are able to pick your battles and have control over your emotions then you do appear more.. well intelligent!

This chapter is all about learning to let your guard down in order to be your genuine self. Somehow, I had gotten the impression that in a work environment, you needed to hide your personality so that you would be taken seriously but after reading this chapter (and talking to industry partners) I've discovered that this is definitely not the case and your personality can work to your advantage.

Personal Branding and Networking

Our second reflection was all about the importance of personal branding and networking. We were instructed to compare and contrast 3 linked in profiles of accounting professionals. We were also to discuss the strengths of their profiles. Then we were to create a linked in profile then assess it, in relation to the three profiles of the professionals. This is what I wrote about my profile at the time;

Currently my Linkedin account has skills such as financial statements and journal entries listed. The background section is empty. I have included the ‘Causes I care about’ and “Organisations that I support’. Listed in ‘Education’ are Macquarie University and the Sydney Institute of Business. I have also included my hobbies, that I am a member of the Accounting Students Association and that I am bilingual. Hopefully by the time I graduate, future employers will see me as qualified, someone with outside interests and employable.

A strength in my personal brand is that I feel comfortable at social events and consider myself friendly and easier to approach so I will not find networking as deterring as other students in my position.

The biggest weakness in my personal brand is my lack of experience. One action I can take to strengthen my personal brand before graduation and joining the accounting profession is to gain some experience. I currently have no experience in the workforce which can be a large disadvantage for me when competing against graduates who have had experience. Getting a part time job, an internship or even taking up volunteer work will instantly enhance my personal brand.

Since this reflection, I have changed my profile by adding my volunteer work. I am still yet to add a profile picture which would actually be very beneficial for my personal brand and image.

2015 resolutions?

First post of the year, happy 2015! In the past, I've usually been a cynic towards the whole 'new year, new me' mentality many people adopt in the beginning of each new year but this year I have set (and written down) some goals. After all, a study conducted by Harvard in 1979 showed that 3% of the surveyed ended up earning an average of 10 times more than the 97% who had no goals or did not have their goals written down. My goals range from performing 5 consecutive chin ups to continuing to get credits and above in my uni grades. Getting an internship would be amazing too.

I am both hopeful but slightly anxious for 2015 as I am entering my final year of my degree. It won't be long until I'll be trading my late nights and early mornings studying, for late nights and early mornings in the office. Random fact: in my 15 years of education, I have never had to pull an all-nighter, or failed a subject which doesn't sound like much but more than others in my position can say (not to brag).. I plan to keep that record. 

This year, I will be sure to make the most of the last of my uni life. Join a bunch of clubs and get involved on campus. Do something to stand out, who knows. I learnt so much from 2014 and I hope that this year will be just as unforgettable.