Q & A: Scared For My Daughter. Any Suggestions?

Q: Hi Al, I have a 20 y/o daughter who has gone through  two semesters at school. Two different schools. She doesn’t believe school is for her so she wanted to join the marines but her test score wasn’t high enough. We live in [a very small town] and jobs are hard to come by here. I realize she’s not alone in her quest for employment but I don’t know how to help her. I am worried and scared for her. Anything you can suggest will be greatly appreciated. —Phyllis F.

[VIDEO] Duncan Nugget® #77: When The Pot Is Hot

Any great cook or professional chef knows that it’s best to start cooking when the pot is hot.

That goes for ovens, pans, and grills, too. They should be the ideal temperature when you start cooking. This small, vital step is one of the secrets to cooking a great dish.

It works the same way with ideas or things you want to get done. The best time to build momentum is when you first think of an idea or start on a task.  The motivation is there. The excitement is there. The desire is there.

The pot is hot.

Take some immediate action steps that you can use to measure your progress. Wait too long and your pot gets cold.  The motivation is gone. The excitement is gone. The desire is gone. Not cool.

Million-Dollar Question:
Isn’t it time for you to start cooking up some more success?

5 Steps For Dealing With Worry

NOTE: Be sure to answer the discussion questions at the end of this article.

After a seminar one day, I was talking to a young lady who spends too much time worrying. She was worried about getting off to a great start that semester. She was worried about getting into graduate school. She was worried about how she was going to do on her finals.

Really?!

She hadn’t even been to a class yet!

She and I sat down for about 20 minutes and worked on getting the “worry weeds” out of her head. Here’s a snapshot of what we talked about.

[VIDEO] Duncan Nugget® #198: Outside Or Inside Your Head

“Mr. Duncan, this is crazy! My biochemistry book costs $120!”

“Didn’t you just spend $125 getting your hair done?”

“Yeah.”

“So, it’s cool to spend that kind of cash on the outside of your head, but not on the inside?”

“I never looked at it like that, but real talk, Mr. Duncan, I gotta get my hair done.”

—conversation between Al Duncan and a college student

What’s in your head (and heart) determines what’s in your life.

Nice hats, expensive sunglasses, earrings, haircuts, and hairdos cost you thousands of dollars. A book on personal or professional development might cost you $25 and could help you make thousands, maybe millions, of dollars.

There’s nothing wrong with taking care of the outside of your head, but take care of the inside too.

Million-Dollar Question:
Do you spend more time, money, and energy on the outside or inside of your head?

[ACTIVITY] Soft Skills Questions You Could Be Asked During An Interview

Here are 29 sample behavioral-based interviewing questions that companies and organizations use to help assess a person’s leadership ability, teamwork and other soft skills.

Below the questions there are two activities you can do with your group.

To be a rock star at answering these questions you have to tell clear, concise, and compelling stories and give relevant examples of your skills and actions.

If you want an easy method for doing this, read How To Tell Your Story In Professional Settings.

Some of the questions can be tough to answer if you haven’t properly prepared for your interview and obviously, a few of these questions are only for people interviewing for  leadership or management positions. If you have any others to add, please let me know.

[POSTER] Duncan Nugget® #257: Giving Up vs. Getting Up

Sometimes, when it seems like you’re giving up…
You are really GETTING up and moving on.

Million-Dollar Question:
Is it time to walk away or try harder?

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ACTION STEPS/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

[VIDEO] Duncan Nugget® #56: Point Of Differentiation

*Yawn*

After interviewing a dozen students for a job in the restaurant that I was managing, that was all I could do—yawn. They all gave similar answers:

“I’m a hard worker…

“I’m a fast learner…”

Boring.

Many professionals, entrepreneurs, and students are pushing the same old stuff. Where’s the differentiation? Put some salt and pepper on it. Season it up.

For example, one guy asked me, “What’s the hardest thing to make on your menu.”

“Well…there’s this souffle…”

He interrupted, “If I go back there and make it, will you hire me?”

“Yes.”

He did. I hired him.

Here’s another example:

When Vitamin Water first hit the market, they didn’t put it on the aisle with juice or soft drinks. It was on the aisle with water. It was the only colorful drink on the aisle. Brilliant. That’s differentiation.

Million-Dollar Question:
In today’s competitive market, what’s your point of differentiation?

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ACTION STEPS/DISCUSSION QUESTIONS