Business Inspiration From The Hermit: Simplicity

“Steve Jobs gave a small private presentation about the iTunes Music Store to some independent record label people. 

My favourite line of the day was when people kept raising their hand saying, "Does it do [x]?", "Do you plan to add [y]?". 

Finally Jobs said, "Wait wait — put your hands down. 

Listen: I know you have a thousand ideas for all the cool features iTunes could have. So do we. 

But we don't want a thousand features. That would be ugly. 

Innovation is not about saying yes to everything. It's about saying NO to all but the most crucial features.” 

- Derek Sivers

Remember to keep it simple.

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The Emperor - Following Ambitions with Vision and Autonomy

The Emperor is the archetypal authority figure; he represents the father, the boss, government, police and the law.

His purpose is to bring order to chaos, create structure and solid foundations, organise and manage people.

With his visionary ideas and strategic thinking, the Emperor also sets big and bold goals for the future, which he is determined to achieve.

Astrologically, the Emperor is linked to Aries; with his fiery energy he follows his aspirations and ambitions with decisive action fuelled by enthusiasm, confidence and a distinct competitive streak.

If necessary, he doesn't shy away from conflict always believing that conquest and victory are within his reach.

When the Emperor appears in a reading about your work and career, he may ask you to

• set yourself an ambitious goal or target; dream big, create a clear vision and build a framework of where you want to be
• put your plans into action and persevere
• stand up for yourself; don't let others control or intimidate you
• re-organise your workspace, team or business to improve efficiency and productivity
• observe your boss, a business leader or successful entrepreneur in your field of work; explore how they got to where they are today. What can you learn from them?
• focus on logic, reason and left-brain thinking
• take responsibility not just for your work and career but for people, too. How can you set a good example for your team and co-workers? How can you inspire others to fulfil their potential? 
• find your career niche, the place where your skills are recognised and in demand, and where you can make a difference
• look at the bigger picture
• view an obstacle as a challenge rather than a problem
• be authentic and true to yourself rather than trying to fit in with other people's ideals and expectations
• make an important decision
• work more independently
• resolve a conflict amicably

Promotion and success may well be within your reach, but also remember that the higher you rise, the deeper you can fall. 

For the Emperor, failure isn't an option, but don't let your achievements get to your head.

Avoid: impulsiveness, lack of foresight, mistrust, being a control-freak, getting entangled in details, perfectionism, fear of delegating (tendency to micro-manage), mistrust, stress and burn-out, winning at all cost, unfair tactics (eg. backstabbing), power-tripping, abuse of power, complacency, running out of steam, being emotional.

Tarot Magick: meditate on the image of this card to manifest

- increased confidence - new ideas - a promotion at work - success of a project - effective leadership skills

Related Minor Arcana Cards (linked to Aries): Two of Wands, Three of Wands, Four of Wands

What message does the Emperor hold for you in your work and career? 

Warmest wishes,

Christiane



Transform your life this year:

Tarot Readings - Insightful guidance when you need it
Learn Tarot - A magickal, inspirational tool for life.

For more inspiring quotes and affirmations for each card, check out my ebook Empowering Messages from the Tarot

Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

Learn How To SUMO

Eek! Beat those stressful situations with SUMO

Millions of people suffer from stress in the workplace.

The causes are diverse - from having to meet targets and deadlines to irritating co-workers and bosses, to name but two.

Often it is easy to blow small incidences out of proportion (who's taken my holepunch again? Grrr...), or we tend to succumb to victim mentality and become all bitter and resentful, for example when overlooked for promotion and a colleague is chosen instead. Ouch.

By the time someone goes off sick due to a stress-related illness, that person may well have experienced many little incidences that one day have led to the final straw, and BOOM - a Tower moment!

Nervous breakdown,
a good day to start again

Before you get to that point, I'd like to share with you a stress-busting technique, which I learned many years ago whilst still working my socks off in the corporate world.

I learned how to SUMO.

The person, who taught me, was Paul McGee.

S.U.M.O. stands for Shut Up and Move On.

It sounds harsh at first, but in order to avoid getting stressed about stuff, it is necessary not to get worked up so easily. Simply let go and move on.

How many people needed
to put up a f*cking tent?

It doesn't mean you have to take every crap they throw at you, but look at each incident that annoys or upsets you with more logic and reason.

How can you do that?

Here are the 7 questions to help you SUMO:

1. Where is this issue on a scale of 1 - 10 (10 = death)?

Compared to death, most people will rank their issue low and often feel much better as a result. They realise it's not that bad and move on.

2. How important will this be in six months time?

Think: most issues are just water under the bridge six months later. If this is the case, then you may not need to answer the following questions, and skip along happily with a refreshed mindset.

3. Is my response appropriate and effective?

Or do you have a flair for drama? If yes, for God's sake, move on. And if you want to speak your mind, choose your words wisely.

4. How can I influence or improve the situation?

Yes, some issues are ongoing and linger in the background. They really need sorting out. You either address them appropriately or decide to accept them. Acceptance helps you reduce your stress level. Acceptance helps you to move on.

Defeat, hollow victory,
win at all cost, betrayal

5. What can I learn from this?

Sometimes we have to deal with big issues, such as change in the workplace, job losses, poor career prospects, disagreements and personality clashes that can be challenging. These situations always offer us a lesson to help us grow. Avoid self-pity and disillusion. Make sure, your answer to this question is empowering...and then move on.

6. What will I do differently next time?

Apply your lessons learned. This way you are moving on.

7. What can I find that's positive in this situation?

Losing your job or being overlooked for promotion aren't necessarily moments of joy in your life, but they can be opportunities in disguise. Every cloud has a silver lining. Time to move on.

Of course, you can use the Tarot to help you answer some of the questions above, if you are facing a stressful situation at work or, yes, even in your personal life. Any situation that irritates you, keeps simmering in the background or even makes your blood boil.

 Shuffle your deck and pick a card for each question:

1. How can I influence or improve the situation?
2. What can I learn from this?
3. What can I do differently next time?
4. What can I find that's positive in this situation?

I have been using the SUMO technique for many years, and learned to look at seemingly stressful situations from a new - more constructive - perspective. I hope it will serve you well, too. 

Let go of being a victim, learn to SUMO instead. 

Warmest wishes,

Christiane

PS: Make sure you visit the SUMO Guy and watch him in action. Funny and inspirational.



Transform your life this year:

Tarot Readings - Insightful guidance when you need it
Learn Tarot - A magickal, inspirational tool for life.

For more inspiring quotes and affirmations for each card, check out my ebook Empowering Messages from the Tarot

Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

The Curse of Information Overload

Seven of Wands: challenge, stress,
overwhelm, struggle, perseverance

If you are building your own business, want to learn a specific skill or more about how to advance your career, then there is no shortage of free information and advice on the internet.

Have you noticed, how many teleseminars, telesummits, webinars and live recordings are out there in the virtual world?

I keep getting invitations to watch, listen and join loads of them, and if I did, I wouldn't have any time to actually run and develop my business.

Someone said to me recently: "Oh, I listen to the recordings while I drive to work in the morning."

But when I once tried to learn Italian whilst driving to and from work, I quickly realised that I was concentrating more on the traffic than the instructions on the tape.

And of course you cannot watch a video clip while you are driving.

My tip: get back to basics.

You don't need to listen to an hour long recording only to come away with "3 secrets to success" (and in return you had to sign up to that mailing list, too, which will clutter up your inbox).

You don't need to watch all those videos. (If a video doesn't grab you with some awesome stuff within the first 60 seconds, switch it off).

You don't need to join a tedious webinar to make a breakthrough.

Instead, keep it simple: read. Pick up a recommended book on your chosen subject. Visit a recommended website with good quality content that you can refer back to.

Yes, it is tempting to fall for anything that is offered for free, but all the fancy multimedia stuff is distracting and stops you from getting on with building your business or advancing your career.

Too much information isn't necessarily useful. It can make you feel inadequate. It stops you from focusing on what is important - getting things done.

You don't need all those fancy apps on your phone to get organised or become more productive.

What you need is the desire to create and share, an instinct to produce great work or be a shining light in your chosen career.

Sometimes you will have the urge to refresh your knowledge or learn something new, but don't get lost in it.

Perhaps you think that you have to stay up-to-date with the latest information in order to get your business or career where you want it to be.

But the truth is you don’t need any more information – all you need is DIRECTION – clear step-by-step guidance without the frills. Here are some ideas:

1. Make a plan / Set your goal

2. Find support to implement your plan and reach your goal. This can be a family member, a good friend or someone, who shares your aspirations.

3. Be prepared to work hard without immediate success. 

4. Figure out, who your ideal client /employer is, so you can target these people in your marketing  and networking. Be as specific as possible. 

5. What do your ideal clients / employers want? What products / services / skills are they looking for, and how can you give it to them? This also includes their hopes, dreams, fears and problems they need to resolve. How can you help them?

6. Craft your marketing / CV based on your ideal clients' / employers' wants and desires.

7. Get paid. Don't give your time away for free, consider a reduced fee trial session instead.

If you are looking at internships or work experience placements, you may not get paid in money, but make sure they will offer you a great learning experience, that will widen your horizon and generate new prospects and opportunities.

8. Keep on marketing / networking. Use social media strategically to focus on your goals.

As you can see, the "secret to success" is all about planning, taking action and staying focused. No need to enrol on numerous courses, webinars and telesummits to reach your goal.

Relax, make use of what you already know and just GET THINGS DONE.

Warmest wishes,

Christiane



Transform your life this year:

Tarot Readings - Insightful guidance when you need it
Learn Tarot - A magickal, inspirational tool for life.

For more inspiring quotes and affirmations for each card, check out my ebook Empowering Messages from the Tarot

Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

A Seasonal Message From The Sun

Christmas Tarot (c) Corrine Kenner 

"Christmas gift suggestions:

To your enemy, forgiveness.
To an opponent, tolerance.
To a friend, your heart.
To a customer, service.
To all, charity.
To every child, a good example.
To yourself, respect."

Oren Arnold

Affirmation: I endeavour to share my gifts with the world at all times.

For more inspiring quotes and affirmations for each card please check out my ebook Empowering Messages from the Tarot

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Long-term Unemployment - The Pull-Yourself-A-Job Tarot Spread

If you have been out of work for a long time and sent off loads of application forms and CVs without success, I can imagine how terribly disheartening that must be.

Not only does long-term unemployment knock your confidence, it also creates anxiety and despair about the future; after all, the vast majority of people on benefits want to get back into work as quickly as possible, so they can earn money and make a decent living.

If you have recently lost your job, here are my top 3 tips to implement immediately for a speedy return back into the workplace:

1. Get your CV professionally done
You might think that your CV looks good and reads well, but chances are, it's not quite right yet to attract the attention of employers and get you interviews.

Many people make the mistake not getting their CV done as soon as they have lost their job, and they end up wondering, why they hardly get any interviews. A couple of months down the line without any success is wasted time and money.

Here in the UK, you can access free support at your local job centre, or ask them to refer you to one of their contractors. Sometimes you need to push for this, because they tend to offer this service only to people, who have been unemployed for more than six months - but you don't want to be out of a job that long before you take a second look at your CV!

If this fails, search online for "professional cv writing service". Make sure you search for a service provider in your country, as the requirements for CVs often vary.

At this stage, be clear on the type of work you want to do but also are prepared to do, so the relevant skills, knowledge and experience are included in your CV.

2. Looking for a new job is a full-time job
Only because you lost your job doesn't mean you can now sleep in. Make sure you establish a daily routine of getting up early, do your job searches, contact potential employers, network, etc. Keep active, including regular exercise, which will help you stay energised and motivated.

Why not join a work club, where you can get support and meet other people? This way you will also feel less isolated. Again, search online for "work clubs" to find one in your local area.

3. Do your research
Whether you want to stay in your existing career, are thinking about a new direction or even self-employment, now is the ideal time to think your options through and find out more about new possibilities. Talk to people in your chosen field, or even try to find some voluntary work that will keep you busy, connected to the work place but also will teach you new skills - and it looks great on your CV!

If you have been out of work for longer, and you have followed my 3 tips above, then you could ask the Tarot for more insight to help you set up a new back-to-work action plan for the next 4 - 6 weeks.

Shuffle your deck and pick a card for each question:

• What kind of jobs am I currently attracting? - Do the jobs you attract align with your skills and needs? Are you happy with what you are attracting, or do you need to make any adjustments in your presentation or the kind of jobs you are focusing on?
• What impression does my CV make, when potential employers receive it?  - Does it catch their attention? Does it stand out? What impression do they get about your personality when they read it? What improvements can you make to it regarding content and presentation?
• What impression do I make in an interview? - The vibes you are radiating, e.g. energetic, positive, enthusiastic, knowledgeable, shy, introvert/extrovert or unprepared, deflated, detached etc.
• What do I need to change in order to improve my chances of getting a job? - Just one task you can focus on to make a difference and change your fortune.
• What is coming up over the next four weeks that I need to pay attention to and can turn to my advantage? - Watch out for opportunities, options, obstacles, communication issues...the card in this position contains possibilities as well as ideas how to handle them.

The Tarot is an excellent tool to stay focused at a difficult time; it's not easy getting back into employment after having been out of work for a long time, especially when it has affected your self-worth. But fortunately, there is much you can do to turn your situation around.

Try this spread, and please do let me know in the comment box below, what new insights you have gained from it. 

I'd also like to hear from you, how you have been keeping a positive mindset, how you have got back into work and any tips you'd like to pass on to others, who are currently going through this difficult situation. 

Thank you!

Warmest wishes,

Christiane



Transform your life this year:

Tarot Readings - Insightful guidance when you need it
Learn Tarot - A magickal, inspirational tool for life.

For more inspiring quotes and affirmations for each card, check out my ebookEmpowering Messages from the Tarot

Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

The Empress - Gift of Creative Abundance

“There is no time for cut-and-dried monotony. There is time for work. And time for love. That leaves no other time.” 
Coco Chanel

The Empress is the creative driving force at work. As the archetypal mother figure, she is firmly in charge with love and her urge to nurture and create. She brings life into dreary surroundings with warmth and a caring attitude.

In a reading about work and career, she represents productivity, abundance, harmony and gentle but firm guidance.

Astrologically, the Empress is linked to the planet Venus, named after the Roman goddess of love and beauty. She loves her work space organised and tidy, with pretty pictures, plants and ornaments around to inspire her and to make her feel at home.

She also takes good care of herself; not only does she dress well (the Empress prefers comfortable clothing that also make her look attractive, enhancing her sensual nature), she also knows when she needs to have a break to unwind and refresh.

Associated with the element Earth, the Empress thrives on stability and security; major changes she has little or no control over can easily make her feel threatened and unhinge her emotionally. But she is also a practical person with the ability to stay calm in a crisis situation.

The Empress endeavours to create a healthy work-life balance. She isn't a career woman making frequent business trips away from home or working late into the night (unless her work is home-based). Her family will always come first, so she will choose the kind of work that will fit in with her family life, not vice versa.

When the Empress appears in a reading about work and career, she may suggest

• following your creative instincts
• letting your ideas blossom and turning them into reality
• nurturing and making use of your natural talents
• combining passion with a more thoughtful approach
• ruling with love; treating co-workers and associates with warmth and kindness
• looking after your well-being
• combining business with pleasure
• promotion at work or a pay rise
• being established in your position and well-respected
• finding new inspiration in nature to stimulate new creative flow
• focus on practicalities when considering ideas
• imroving efficiency and cost-savings
• building and nurturing confidence by practising self-care

The Empress also suggests success; embrace her energies, and you will get that job, win new clients/customers, produce amazing art or simply just become top of your game.

But be careful - have you noticed on the image how comfortably the Empress is resting on her throne of cushions? Is she resting too comfortably perhaps? 

Don't get complacent when things work well. Always take notice of what is happening around you. No one is irreplaceable, and sometimes ideas can dry up. 

Just like a mother looking after her children, get distracted for too long, and chaos is brooding in the background ;)

The Empress in a reading is a sign that you are buzzing with creative energy and you need to make use of your inherent talents to feel happy and fulfilled in your work.

However, if she comes up at a time when work isn't going that well, breathe new life into your career by following her advice and embracing her vibrant spirit.

Warmest wishes,

Christiane



Transform your life this year:

Tarot Readings - Insightful guidance when you need it
Learn Tarot - A magickal, inspirational tool for life.

For more inspiring quotes and affirmations for each card, check out my ebook Empowering Messages from the Tarot

Connect with me on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.