“You cannot afford to wait for perfect conditions. Goal setting is often a matter of balancing timing against available resources. Opportunities are easily lost while waiting for perfect conditions.” –Gary Ryan Blair
A popular mindset is to always be in search of excellence. We all notice and respond to excellence when it shows up.
Yet, age-old advice also abounds that it is smart to move forward even in the face of imperfections.
Voltaire is attributed with the oft quoted “The perfect is the enemy of the good.” And Confucius said “Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without.”
The idea of the “golden mean” is to find that point at which, in between extremes, the greatest benefit can arise. The 80/20 rule says that it takes 20% of the full time to complete 80% of a task, while to complete the last 20% of a task takes 80% of the effort.
And the concept of diminishing returns states that, at some point, what you get back from additional effort is not worth that effort.
What does this have to do with career goals or dream fulfillment?
Only that those started-but-not-followed-through-on intentions, initiatives or projects may need to be examined. Do they really need more effort and attention, or is there value in going forward or putting it out there as it is, beyond the wait for perfection?
Got golden means?
“March on. Do not tarry. To go forward is to move toward perfection. March on, and fear not the thorns, or the sharp stones on life’s path.” –Khalil Gibran
Q & A
Media Source: NJ Star Ledger
Topic: “Getting through or around the HR Department”
Reporter Query: “For my career column in the NJ Star Ledger, looking for stories or advice about how to get around or through the HR Department if you think you are a good candidate for a job but don’t have 100% of the requisites HR is looking for.”
CareerGuy Response: “Hi Lee, as to your query, the work I’ve done for the past 12 years has been exactly about this: how to bypass, or at least get the secondary or tertiary referral to HR…vs. HR being the first stop. When I say secondary or tertiary, I mean getting referred to HR internally, by the manager or executive that you first developed a relationship with and who is wanting to put you through the system personally. Ideally, that is when you meet HR: once you’ve become known and liked by someone already in the company who feels you’ll fit their needs. And that doesn’t happen by applying through the front door.
My work with folks in career transition focuses on behind-the-scenes, ‘backdoor’ or stealth job search techniques. It applies to any field or industry and CEOs to receptionists have used it…and I have many clients who have landed new opportunities and made entire career changes using just this method. It is especially golden for students and ex-military because everyone feels a moral obligation to help students and military. And yet it works equally well for moms re-entering the workforce and 55yr-old senior executives.
DARRELL W. GURNEY, Executive/ Career Coach and 20-year recruiting veteran, supports people at all levels to make fulfilling and profitable career transitions. His first book, Headhunters Revealed! Career Secrets for Choosing and Using Professional Recruiters, was winner of the Clarion Award for Best Book by the Association for Women in Communications and was reviewed in Publishers Weekly. His newest book, Never Apply for a Job Again: Break the Rules, Cut the Line, Beat the Rest, has been endorsed by bestselling thought leaders such as Harvey Mackay, Keith Ferrazzi, and Dr. Ivan Misner. A personal and business brand strategist, Darrell’s Stealth Method of networking has helped folks expand their reach within both careers and new client circles. He speaks, leads workshops, and is a media expert on subjects such as recruiting, networking, and finding one’s passion. He was recently named Networking Expert for BeyondB-School.com and offers webinars and programs that get MBA students and working professionals out, connected, and landed.
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