“We are where we should be, doing what we should be doing. Otherwise we would be somewhere else, doing something else.” - Richard Stine

How we get from Point A to Point B is directly related to what actions we take to get there. If we are out of milk we need to find and purchase milk.

Many variables can come into play which could slow our progress, distract us or seemingly prevent progress from Point A to Point B. However, how we handle, manage and/or navigate these variables directly impacts our success in accomplishing anything.



You either have milk or you don’t. You either have a job or you don’t. You’re either committed to an outcome or you’re not. Life isn't as black or white as those choices because there are many places to be in-between points, goals and accomplishments. But how you move between one to the other is the question. How committed are you to the process and the outcome?

“I’m giving her all I got, Cap’t!” - Scotty from Star Trek

A large percentage of people looking for work are giving their job search everything they’ve got. They have people in their lives who are impacted by their paychecks (or lack thereof) such as children, life partners, mortgage companies, landlords, etc. People seeking employment also want to contribute their intellect and talents to the success of something worthwhile – this a motivational aspect as well.

What are you committed to? Can you put your head down on your pillow tonight and honestly say that you gave your job search (or reaching your goal) everything you got?

“People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing - that’s why we recommend it daily.” - Zig Ziglar

Motivation is a great fuel for taking action and like fuel we need to continually refill the tank. In addition, commitment is the added ingredient that actually moves motivation into action. I encourage people daily to find or generate something that will motivate them into action. The thing that motivated you yesterday may have a greater or lesser motivational effect today.

Does your goal motivate you? Does the next thing on your To Do list? Find what motivates you and get into action. Each day without a paycheck is one extra day of dealing with those who are affected by your lack of one.

Think of life in a similar context to a plane, train or automobile. The vehicle itself isn’t responsible for getting you from Point A to Point B; the vehicle is responsible for delivering you from here to there. YOU are responsible for checking the schedules, buying the ticket, packing your luggage, knowing when to get on and when to get off. Life moves along, just like a plane, train or automobile moves along. None of these ‘vehicles’ are responsible for making your life happen.

What motivates you to move along?

“I’ve missed more than 9000 shots in my career. I’ve lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I’ve been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.” - Michael Jordan

If you’ve created an employment campaign, have identified goals, created a future to live into and you are giving it everything you’ve got you are still going to experience failure. And failure, contrary to popular belief, is a fantastic way to succeed. What? Really, ask anyone who has succeeded and they will have multiple stories of failure. With failure you have the opportunity to assess what didn’t work and make changes. You have the opportunity to increase your level of self-efficacy, fine tune your personal brand to a deeper level and take that knowledge and apply it to a larger risk. It’s a challenging context, but the more you fail, the better you become.

“Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Whatever it is that you want in life: employment, a loving relationship, more time, etc., take the first step towards that goal and commit to reaching the top of that staircase. The first step could be admitting to yourself that you want to attain this goal or dream. That first step could also include sharing it with your friends, family and colleagues; share with them what you are up to and request that they keep their ears and eyes out for opportunities that will fulfill upon your goal. That first step could also be scheduling time to talk with a mentor or leader who has already fulfilled that dream.

“Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right.” - Henry Ford

You are responsible for your life and how you handle or manage the outcomes. Granted there are things you don’t have control over like accidents, natural disasters and death. But how you handle the situation is going to have a direct impact on how you move through the experience. If you think you can attain your goal, you will.


Life isn’t responsible for making sure you are happy, employed and successful. Neither are your family, friends and peers. They can contribute to the experience but you are ultimately responsible for your outcomes.

If no one knows you are looking for a job, how will you get an interview? If no one knows you are single and looking for someone with whom to be in a relationship, how will you go on that first date? If your community doesn’t know what you are up to how will they know that they can contribute to your success?

Commit to a goal, take action, fail, succeed and fail some more and make sure you tell someone what you’re up to. This blog isn’t just for the unemployed it’s for anyone who has a goal, a dream. There is more freedom in being responsible for your life than there is waiting for life to happen.

“The irony is if you don’t go in, you can’t find out.” – Richard Stine