How To Get Paid More Today

President Obama’s proposal for raising the minimum wage to $10.10 has pundits and economist-types arguing whether or not it’s government’s responsibility to demand raises for workers and what impact, if any, that mandate would have on business’s ability to retain current staff and add headcount. Those in favor claim that businesses are screwing over employees and, therefore, government must step in and force employers to “share the wealth.” As a coach, I’m not going to chime in on the merits of this initiative. I do, however, argue that no matter what the law says, it is, has and always will be up to the employee to prove her own worth and negotiate her compensation.

This may sound easier said than done. First of all, many professionals don’t feel comfortable tooting their own horns. Those that don’t mind it may fear being labeled as conceited and dread the repercussions of that. What’s more, employees in general feel funny about asking for more money, especially when companies are keeping their purse strings tight due to the current economic uncertainty.

But it doesn’t have to be so difficult and torturous.

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5 Reasons to Make Time for Yourself Right Now

It's instinctive for driven professionals, especially entrepreneurs, to work 'round the clock, making little time for themselves. These ambitious types swear off the New Age folks who spew rhetoric about work-life balance, insisting there are only 24 hours in a day and not a minute can be wasted on activities that don't include succeeding in business.

While such a high level of inner gumption will take you far, there comes a point in time when burnout sets in. Before this happens to you, consider these five reasons why making time for yourself on a regular basis is not only important to avoid burning out, but is actually a key ingredient for success. 

1. It clears and refreshes your mind.

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5 Small Personal Adjustments That Bring Big Career Results

If you’re unemployed, there’s good news and bad news about the labor market. The good news is that small business owners are hiring, the bad news is they say they can’t find qualified candidates.

According to a report released earlier this month by the National Federation of Independent Businesses, small business owners are struggling to fill open positions due to a lack of appropriate candidates. Their claim is that "this is not just a “skills” issue, but one of poor attitudes, work habits, timeliness, appearance and expectations.”

This means that sometimes it’s the job candidates themselves getting in their own way of landing a job. Before you get discouraged that employers’ expectations are too high, there are steps you can take to improve your soft skills and make yourself a more appealing candidate.

Read more here.

You Need Professional Help

And how to find a good one

Being an effective manager and an inspiring leader is tough work. It takes wisdom, knowledge and self-awareness. As we try to improve ourselves professionally, whether to rise up in the world or to better lead a company, we often find a gap within our inner circles, a lack of people who can help us sort through ideas or identify opportunities honestly and effectively.

That’s why career coaches are gaining traction. Career coaching has become widely accepted and increasingly valuable for professionals at all levels. But finding the right one — and for the right price — can be tricky.

If you’re considering hiring a coach, it’s first important to recognize what a coach is — and is not.

Read more here.

The One Tool You Need for Success? A Mirror.

Buy yourself a mirror.

When I work with my clients, I explain to them that my job is to be their sounding board, and also -- more importantly - their mirror. Mirrors show people for what they truly are, in an undistorted, simple way. Not every client likes this concept, thinking it sounds strange or, more often, afraid of what they may see in themselves. There is no harder person to face than ourselves.

Truth is, looking in a mirror is not only the best thing you can do for yourself. It's is the one thing that you owe yourself to do frequently - and it will have an instant, positive impact on managing your business.

Employees receive feedback on their performance at least once a year. For business leaders, especially entrepreneurs and C-level executives, that feedback is often harder to come by. No one wants to be the one to tell the boss...

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4 Ways To Stand Out in the Crowd and Get Hired

December’s jobs report was not only discouraging to the economic recovery, but it also left job seekers disheartened.

The number of jobs created in the last month of 2013 fell significantly short of analysts’ expectations at 74,000. What’s more, the unemployment rate fell to 6.7% as more people gave up their search for employment and dropped out of the workforce.

While the report was certainly sobering, finding a new career opportunity doesn’t have to be as difficult as it may seem. The job-hunting process can feel frustrating, but it doesn’t matter how many resumes you submit, interviews you attend and follow-up notes you send, if you don’t believe in yourself, you aren’t going to get hired. After all, if you don’t believe you’re capable of handling a position, no one else will.

Here are four tips to help you stand out in the overcrowded job market and get noticed with employers:

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