6 important disadvantages that can make you successful

6 important disadvantages that can make you successful6 important disadvantages that can make you successfulI grew up in a rural area and attended a small college. Then I moved into the fast-paced business world when I graduated. I didnt have the life experiences of many of my colleagues, or the sophistication that comes with those experiences. There were several times I felt my disadvantages would make me less than successful.Little did I know that my disadvantages would nurture the scrappiness Id need for success down the road.Disadvantages in life, especially big ones, can make us feel like a victim of our circumstances or situation. Those forces are often out of our control but, it is always our choice to decide whether were a victim or a survivor. We can choose to be strong or weak.Big disadvantages are full of opportunities to develop the mental toughness it takes to overcome them. I learned that I could struggle through in my circumstances and survive or, I could bust through them and use that momentum to become successful.Check out this list to landsee why your disadvantages in life were important and how can make you successful1. Money is shortWhen you dont have money, youre forced to use your imagination. Innovation becomes a way of life at a very early age - I discovered that sticks are excellent imaginary rifles and swords, and dried cow pies can be awesome frisbees.Poverty can leave scars because it withholds the things you need and want. As a child, I could either feel sorry for myself and cry like a baby, or I could be creative. Since I was trained at an early age to be creative and resourceful, those traits helped me be successful as an adult. The requirement of entrepreneurship is a mindset that is resourceful, scrappy, and innovative.How To Make It Work For You Cultivate an attitude that says youre out to set new levels of success and not just go along with how things have always been done. Create multiple plans to reach your goal, dont settl e for only one because you never know whats around the corner. Be prepared with a Plan B. And C. You will learn how to turn challenges into advantages.2. Parents and family dont coddleThere were many times as a child when I felt very sorry for myself, but I didnt come from one of those warm and fuzzy families that coddled their offspring.My grandmother had ammo on her Christmas list There are three things you never say to a grandmother who is a crack shot with a shotgun You do it. Its your fault. I quit.But in the process, I learned how to fend for myself. If I found myself in a tough situation, I had to rely on myself to get out of it.How To Make It Work For You You cannot whine, blame others, or point fingers if you plan to be successful. That means Snowflakes will need to take responsibility for their actions. As an adult, they can no longer act like a baby and cry out for momma.3. Mistakes dont go awayThe better part of my early life was spent as a hillbilly. I didnt have the po lish of a sophisticated upbringing and so I made a lot of mistakes, both social and professional.I learned from each one because I knew one thing I didnt want to make the same mistake twice. It hurt too much the first time to not take the experience seriously and glean as much knowledge and wisdom as I could from it.As I look back and see the path Ive traveled, I understand now that the past was nothing but training. It doesnt define me.How To Make It Work For You Maybe youre perfect and have never made a mistake. That means youre a delicate Snowflake who refuses to take a hard look at yourself. People who become successful understand that mistakes are only stupid if you dont take the time to learn from them. Pinpoint your mistakes, own them, and learn from them.4. Loser friends stick aroundSince our cattle ranch was in a remote part of Wyoming, I grew up with few friends. I was on a constant search to find other kids like me, but there just werent that many. At first, I wasnt picky about with whom I chummed up but that turned out to be worse than having no friends at all. If I surrounded myself with loser friends, I was better off alone.Instead, I learned to make friends and spend time with people who were very different from me. They stretched the way I thought because they were so diverse.We tend to spend time with people who are just like us, but when we do, we lack the feedback we need to force us out of our comfort zones and challenge us to question our beliefs.How To Make It Work For You If youre smart enough to pursue success, youre smart enough to know how to dump your loser friends. Be friendly to everyone, but be smart in how to deepen relationships with people who will inspire and challenge you.Ask questions about where theyre headed in life.Observe whether their actions are consistent with their words.Decide if their values are a match with yours (you do know your values?)5. No easy way outI had to work really hard to get good grades - they didnt come easy. As a result, I knew I would need to develop other traits if I wanted to be successful. I had to excavate my other talents and abilities. In the process, I learned how to tolerate discomfort, frustration, anger, failure, and rejection.Mental toughness requires you to become acutely aware of all emotions so you can make the best choice about how to respond when negative ones pop up. It requires you to accept your emotions but not let them control you.How To Make It Work For You Snowflakes are insulted by microaggressions that they feel are not respectful toward them. Get used to it because in the real world, the one your parents dont own, youll need scrappiness to be successful. No handouts instead, develop the right attitude to make your own breaks in life.6. Breakthroughs are hard-wonSeveral wrong turns were taken during my early years. Many of the breaks I had hoped for fell through so I picked myself up and started down another road. I continued until I finally found t he right path for me.Believe it or not, our best breakthroughs come from stress. Stress is produced when we place a great deal of pressure on ourselves to see how much we can take and how well we respond. This is the secret - the breakthroughs produced by pressure trains us for this thing called life. In a tough situation, stress makes you stronger.We practice over and over again until we have a breakthrough and become someone we had no idea we could become. We all know too much stress can be a bad thing but research shows that we actually need stress to perform at our best.How To Make It Work For You Always have a petri dish of things for which you dont know the answer. The chance for failure should be as great, if not greater, than your probability of success. Youll know the feeling of failure, and your response to it, in a safe environment. When it happens on your way to success, it wont derail you because youve been there before. And survived.Ironically, the disadvantages weve faced in the past were the ones that helped us develop the mental toughness we need to be successful.This article first appeared on LaraeQuy.com.

Supporting Documents for a Job Application

Supporting Documents for a Job ApplicationSupporting Documents for a Job ApplicationWhen youre applying for a job, an employer may want mora information than just a copy of your resume and cover letter. The company may request what is known as supporting documentation to complete your application. Knowing what to include and how to include it will help you stay in the running for the role. What Are Supporting Documents? Supporting documentation for a job application can include a resume, a cover letter, educational transcripts, writing samples, Veterans Preference documents, portfolios, certifications, a reference list, letters of recommendation, and other documentation as specified in the job posting. The information that is required varies depending on the job and the employers hiring requirements. Generally, employers will specify which documents they want to see included with your application. If not, feel free to ask the hiring manager or HR representative what kind of suppo rting documentation to send. Be sure to follow all their instructions about what to send and how to send it. (For example, official transcripts must usually be sent directly from the school or institution.) Why Do Employers Request Supporting Documentation? Getting supporting documentation from candidates helps companies evaluate applications. For many employers, a resume (or a resume and cover letter) provides all the information necessary. Other employers need more information to determine which applicants they will interview and eventually hire. The reason for requesting information is to get a full picture of you as a candidate, or to provide confirmation of the details listed on your resume or job application. For instance, requiring a transcript as supporting documentation allows employers to confirm that you graduated, as well as your GPA. Requesting documentation can also be a test of whether or not applicants can follow instructions. If a job posting mentions that candi dates must submit a list of references with their application, hiring managers can sort all applicants who did not submit references into the no pile. List of Supporting Documents The following is a list of supporting documents that may be required to be submitted with an employment application. ResumeCover LetterReference ListLetters of RecommendationTranscriptPortfolioWriting Sample (essay, articles, or other writing samples)Employment CertificateCertifications (teaching or computer certifications, for example) How to Submit Supporting Documentation For employers, gathering up all this information at one time, whether its during the application process or after an initial interview, is a huge convenience. It allows the hiring manager to have all the pertinent information about candidates on hand, and cuts back on follow-up emails and phone calls to request more documents. Applicants may find collecting and submitting documents to be less of a convenience, and more of a has sle. Some documents may require a bit of digging to locate. For example, where is your Project Management Professional Certification, and who can you call to get a copy if you cant find your own? Other documentation may require a bit of work to assemble. For instance, if youre submitting a list of references, youll need to ask permission to use them as a reference, and inform them that someone from the company may be in touch shortly. You should also brief them on the job description and remind them about your relevant skills and qualifications for the role, so that they can make a solid case for you. Label Your Documents With Your Name Carefully label and personenname all files, including your name and details on what is in the document. Your references, for example, could be named Sarah-Wong - References or Sarah Wong References. Avoid just naming them references since hiring managers tend to have a lot of files, and wont be able to easily identify your documentation. Follow a consistent naming pattern across all documents. This will make it easier for recruiters and hiring managers and give a more professional first impression. Follow the Directions in the Job Posting Once you have all the supporting documentation gathered up, follow the employers instructions as to how to submit it. Employers may ask for you to upload files or attach them in an email. If employers request specific file formats (PDFs, for instance), make sure to follow those instructions. Submit all your documents at once, with your resume or application. If youre missing something, try to get a copy prior to submitting your application. Save yourself a step and have copies of everything you might need to job search on your computer, ready to compile and send. Bringing Documentation to a Job Interview If the company requests that supporting documentation be brought to the interview, bring a photocopy of each of the requested documents with you to leave with the hiring manager. A lso be sure that you have everything else you need to bring with you ready to go. The employer may request originals of some documents, like transcripts. If thats the case, request them ahead of time from the institution where you received them. To request a copy of a transcript from an educational institution, send a written request to the registrar or guidance office, and ask to have your transcript sent directly to the employer. Some schools may allow you to request a transcript electronically, while others may require a formal letter. Schools generally charge a nominal fee for transcripts, often in the $5 to $30 range. For information on fees and other requirements, consult your schools website or call the office directly to inquire.

Before You Sign a Music Manager Contract

Before You Sign a Music Manager ContractBefore You Sign a Music Manager ContractA goodmusic managercan be instrumental in the success of your musikkapelle. Unfortunately, because your music career means so much to you, it is remarkably easy for a so-called manager to come along and take you for a ride, especially if you are relatively inexperienced. Any contract you sign for any part of your career should be carefully considered by you, but perhaps none more so than your music manager contract. Before you sign, brush up on your music manager contract basics so you can be aya you are making the right decision. Keep in mind that this info is general in nature - your deal may be different. Music Manager Contract Basics There are a few basics to keep in mind about music manager contracts. It Doesnt Have to be Complicated Especially if youre an indie band. Skip the fancy talk, and write a simple document that covers money, the division of labor, and the length of the agreement.It Sho uld be Mutually Beneficial Even if your manager has been at this longer than you, dont sign your life away for a crack at their expertise. A manager who believes in you wont expect you to do so.It Should be Signed in Good Faith If youre looking for loopholes before you sign, or your manager is, there is a problem. The Contract Term The length of your agreement with the music manager is a good place to start. You will need to agree upon a term and a contract cancellation policy. A fair contract term is a one-year agreement, with an option to extend the agreement at the end of the year if both parties agree. At that point, you can look at negotiating longer agreements, but a one year term is a good trial term for both parties. Be wary of giving the music manager options to extend without your agreement if you do, you can be forced to stick with a manager you dont want. Be sure your contract specifies how both parties can leave the deal. The Job Expectations What you expect yo ur music manager to do depends on where you are in your career. If youre a new band, your manager should be promoting you to labels, trying to get you gig, and generally trying to get things off the ground for you. If youre further along, your manager should be making sure other people are doing their jobs to promote your music. Simply be as clear as possible about what you need from a manager, and what they are willing to do. For instance, for an indie band, do you expect your manager to get merchandise made, or will the band take that on? Now is the time to get it all on the table. The Management Fee A standard management fee is usually around 15% - 20% of your earnings. Your manager takes a cut of proceeds from album sales, any label advance, and from the earnings from deals they have negotiated. Some do not get your money from your merchandise sales, your songwriting royalties, or from deals they have not negotiated (unless you have a prior agreement saying otherwise). Keep in mind that if you are a small band who hasnt started making an income yet, 15% -20% of nothing is still nothing. You may want to keep this earning potential in mind when you are nailing down the details of the job expectations. The Managers Expenses Your manager should not be out of pocket for business expenses for promoting your band, but you need to reach an agreement on how expenses will work. You dont have to pay for your managers phone costs or office costs, in fruchtwein instances. You do have to pay for business trips your manager makes on your behalf and reasonable costs like taking a label rep out for drinks. The best way to handle expenses is to pay them at set times, i.e., once a month. The music manager should provide you with receipts for expenses. Include a caveat in the contract saying expenses above a certain amount must be cleared with you first. Words of Caution Music manager contracts can be very specific to your circumstances, and so the advice above is a guide and does not represent not hard and fast rules. The best thing you can do is be as clear and specific as possible, anticipating every bump in the road. If youre a small band, and your manager is going to grow with you, be sure to re-examine your agreement often to make sure it is still fair to everyone. If you already have a record deal in place and have a new manager coming on board, you should seek legal advice to make sure your interests are protected.