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1 Jan 2011 - Happy New Year! Come into the new year with a grateful heart and an indomitable spirit. May it be a year of safety, peace, health and overall growth on all sides. New songs, new beginnings but never new for the sake of new. It should be new for better. But good intentions are never enough.

Start by taking a look at your plans and vision. What are your dreams?  What is your essence? Why are you here?

Everything starts with a dream. It's a new year, hope is alive, never give up on your dreams. We fool no one with rituals. It isn't enough for IT to be in the picture. Don't play games or waste energy on meaningless activity. Ask yourself questions that matter. Where are you? Where are you going? Which new issues affect your journey?

Though there is no special time for planning, this time of the year might be a good time to review and update your plans. What is working? What isn't? Have a good look at where you are, rethink your strategy and refocus.

The IT Career and Entrepreneurship ride can be an exciting ride but remain solid in the fundamentals, know what matters and what works. New and the Fundamentals It isn't helpful to get carried away with noise and shows signifying nothing. For instance, as you invest what drives your investment decisions - substance or style? And while exploring new avenues don’t neglect professionalism. Maintain focus and let it show.

Fundamental to growth is your personal and professional brand. What do you represent? A consistent sense of purpose and direction should emanate from you. Find ways of differentiating yourself. Get out of your comfort zone. Open your eyes, get creative. Don't be satisfied doing what everybody is doing. Who cares if you look strange? So did all the creators of new IT products and services when they started out. By disrespecting the status quo you are simply being entrepreneurial. Think beyond your current scope or range of activities. Checkout the environment and imagine the new that will be required today. The IT space always needs and rewards creative thinkers and doers.

Most importantly, new or old, growth in Information Technology is an inside job. You can't afford to allow yourself to be swayed by the environment. Uncertainty and hurdles are real. So are mistakes and setbacks. There are no guarantees. Rather than let the environment crush you use this same environment to show what you are made of. "Try me NOT Why me". Use it to develop your spinal power - your backbone.

Learn to encourage yourself. Go forward without minding criticism. Fault finders are part of life. Focus on your goals not your fears. Keep your Database dreams alive with persistence, confidence and enthusiasm. It's your life, your career, it's up to you. Don't let anything condition you to failure. Make sure your mind is number one.

Stay in the loop by staying informed. Be aware of things happening around you, get to know the new that can affect you. keep learning or you become a dinosaur. The IT world waits for no one. "Stand still and you're going backwards." Use books, events, career seminars, learning programs (formal and informal), as well as work experience to feed your brain. It's always important to be prepared for present and future challenges and opportunities. As Denning says: ”Learning is not compulsory… neither is survival.”

Another fundamental requirement is the development of your information, communication, persuasion and positioning infrastructure. Your technical expertise is important but are you really positioning yourself for growth? Quit whining. How well positioned are you to take advantage of your Java or Networking strengths? Will your new location help you in setting yourself apart? And in your search for new opportunities don't just provide information, be persuasive. Don't do it because it's expected. Do it because you mean it - because you have the drive, the passion, the desire to contribute. There is no certification for desire.

No man is an island. Continue to build and expand your network of personal and professional contacts. Connect with like minds. Find and reach out to others you can learn from. Remember that it's not just about you. Your colleagues, partners, clients and friends must know you are interested in the overall growth of all. Share your skills, knowledge, time, presence and insights in an enthusiastic, inspiring and professional manner. Infect others with your enthusiasm otherwise what is point? Be generational in your thinking and doing. Go past your personal achievements; desire significance - making impact that is bigger than you and bigger than today.  Remove all limits. Think beyond you. Certification is more than certification. Don't be satisfied with just being the Microsoft guru when you can be the Information Technology experience.

Looks easy, new is looking good, sounds straightforward? The jam, the roadblock can be our refusal to step into today. Sometimes we bury ourselves in the past, lose touch with reality, instead of letting the past RIP. Unfortunately nobody's waiting for you to wake up. Enough with the regret, analysis, guilt or over glorification of yesterday. Learn from the past and move on. Wake up to your now, your reality. Our great future is ahead not behind.

I conclude by reminding you that the tool of IT is for growth, opportunity and justice - creating the future.  We therefore need clarity not confusion. It requires empowerment and sustainability not lip service. We must think not only of today but also of future generations. The opportunities out there are for us to live better lives and make a difference. There is work to be done. So it's time to WAKE UP! Nobody us coming from Mars to get us to where we should be. Let's get started NOW!

It's a new year - Thank God and let us all be grateful for the opportunity. I charge you to move forward with an indomitable spirit that cannot be conquered, that cannot be held down, that will make significant impact. The Jidaw team is counting you. Happy New Year!

Jide Awe

Founder, Jidaw.com

"planning is so important. so plan carefully and with purpose. but planning is no excuse for inaction. life won't wait."

 

	Get the job You deserve. Wishing you the best in your Job hunt. Be Creative and Persevere ...You will get there

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