(NewsUSA) – Earning a bachelor’s degree can be a valuable step toward career success. Fewer than 5 percent of bachelor’s degree-holders over the age of 25 are unemployed, compared to a national unemployment rate that’s over 9 percent.
Despite the benefits of degree programs, many students don’t complete the process due to perceived barriers, such as a full-time job, family commitments or worries about achieving a balance between their personal and professional lives. Others are eager to start a career and make money.
Although they may think they are getting a “head start” on their careers, many of these students will find that former classmates who completed their degrees have quickly caught up with them professionally and are better equipped to achieve longevity and advancement in their careers.
“Job seekers drastically improve their chances of getting hired by developing what I call ‘the full suite’ — skills, experience and education,” said Joyce Barden, CPA, CBM and senior professor at DeVry University. “It all starts with education.”
Regardless of how long you have been out of the classroom, completing a degree program helps to ensure a competitive edge in the job market.
Here are four compelling reasons to re-commit to education and complete your degree:
Degree Completion: Removing Barriers to Career Success
Refuse Defeat in the Face of Obstacles
 NewsUSA) – Even the luckiest person imaginable will face an obstacle sooner or later — hurdles are simply a part of life. Unfortunately, hang-ups cause many people to question, if not abandon, their goals, when a little perseverance would have resulted in success.
The late Paul J. Meyer, author of the book, “Pink Slip Proof: How to Control All Future Paychecks,” encouraged his readers to cultivate “negative capability,” or the ability to bounce back from failure, overcome obstacles and take calculated risks. “Negative capability, the dogged determination to overcome every obstacle, to rebound after a defeat, and to take calculated risks is an absolute necessity for anyone planning on ultimate success,” wrote Meyer. “If you quit when you experience a set-back, you’ve made a pact to live in mediocrity.” Set-backs are inevitable. In fact, if you never meet any obstacles, it’s probably a sign that you are being too conservative in your risk-taking. Facing obstacles is a prerequisite for success, so you shouldn’t be surprised when they occur. As Meyer put it, “Never waste time in worry, not a second in doubt or frustration, and don’t even stop to wonder why you are faced with obstacles.” Instead of seeing obstacles as failures, try to see them as opportunities. For example, if you’re giving a presentation and someone raises loud objections, answer their questions in a way that supports your view. Explain yourself well enough, and the obstacle will become the tool that helps you achieve your goal. Don’t allow the negative forces in your environment to control you or your emotions. As soon as you start seeing obstacles as creative challenges and opportunities, you’ll stop fearing them. And those who do not fear failure will find themselves unstoppable. “Whatever you vividly imagine, ardently desire, sincerely believe and enthusiastically act upon must inevitably come to pass,” said Meyer. For more insight from Paul J. Meyer, read the book “Pink Slip Proof: How to Control All Future Paychecks.” |
Talking Through Teens’ Growing Pains
 NewsUSA) – Pop culture tells us that teenagers inevitably transform into hungry, rebellious, secretive monsters. But while it is true that teenagers seek autonomy, it’s not impossible for parents to keep the lines of communication open.
It might seem that you and your teenager have nothing in common — you cringe at their music and wince at their choice of clothes. And yet, with a little effort, you can find activities that will allow you to bond with your teenager. The first step? Accepting that your teen doesn’t want to listen to classical music or putter about in the garden. “Find out what they want to do,” says Karen Deerwester, the author of “The Entitlement-Free Child,” in an interview with SUCCESS Magazine. “It’s not about what you want to do. With teenagers, it’s about getting into their world.” Find out what your teen likes, then propose activities centered around that interest. A budding actress might want to see a play, while a sports enthusiast would prefer tickets to a game. If your teen likes your idea, let him or her plan out the details, like what play you will see. Teens need to feel that they have a voice in planning activities. Actually bonding during that activity might be a little more challenging. Turn off the parenting voice, but don’t try too hard to be their friend — teens want to “hang” with their peers, not mom or dad. In fact, it might be a good idea to allow them to bring a friend. That way, teenagers enjoy their friends’ company while also spending time with their parents. If activities spark discussion, let your teen talk first. Listen to what they say before you respond, and try not to fix their problems for them. Teenagers need to explore their own interests and face the consequences of their decisions, whether they be good or bad. If teens believe that they can’t talk to their parents, they will lie or manipulate to get what they want. And do accept that teenagers will need time away from you. “We want to spend more time with them than they do with us, and we have to be respectful of that.” says Ann Corwin, a parenting consultant, child-development educator and the creator of “The Child Connection” DVD. “Try not to take it personally.” To hear from more experts and get ideas for teenager-parent bonding activities, visit www.SUCCESS.com. |
Learn How to Set a Goal
 NewsUSA) – To paraphrase Mark Twain, “Giving up smoking is the easiest thing in the world. I know because I’ve done it thousands of times.” Setting a goal, whether it be to lose weight, earn a promotion or spend more time with your family, is easy — it’s carrying through that proves problematic.
And yet, the world’s most successful people are intensely goal-orientated. They know what they want, and they focus on achieving it every day. So what’s the difference between a top executive and everybody else? “The fact is that successful people fail far more than unsuccessful people,” says Brian Tracy, a top management consultant, in a recent Q&A with SUCCESS Magazine. “Successful people try more things, fall down, pick themselves up and try again — over and over before they finally win.” So how can you learn to quit giving up on your goals? SUCCESS Magazine offers the following tips for more successful goal-setting: - Write down a list of goals. Cynthia Kersey, author of “Unstoppable: 45 Powerful Stories of Perseverance and Triumph from People Just Like You,” suggests focusing on how you want to be remembered. “List the qualities, deeds and characteristics for which you would like to be remembered by your friends, spouse, children, co-workers, the community and even the world.” - Set out a plan to accomplish your goals. Tracy suggests listing what little steps will take you to your goal, then organizing them by priority and sequence. Figure out how much time and money you will need to accomplish your goals, and revisit and revise your plan accordingly. - Manage your mindset. Keep your focus by surrounding yourself with people who will help you accomplish your goals. Arrange your workspace and home so you’ll be reminded of your commitments. “When you form the habit of starting your productivity earlier in the day, associating with more positive people, managing the news and information you feed your mind, controlling the language you use — especially the ways in which you describe yourself — you will find it easier to succeed,” says Jim Cathcart, professional speaker and founder of the Cathcart Institute Inc. “Become the person who would achieve your goals and who would deserve them.” For more information, visit www.SUCCESS.com. |
Accomplish More By Doing Less
 NewsUSA) – You work hard. You arrive early at the office and leave late. At home, you continue to work by Blackberry or laptop. And yet, you watch others rise around you while your career stays stagnant. What’s the problem?
According to Darren Hardy, editor of SUCCESS Magazine, you may be able to accomplish more if you start doing less. “This behavior of constant busyness can actually take you off course from your high-value goals; tax your physical, psychological and emotional system; and even damage or destroy relationships,” writes Hardy in the October issue of SUCCESS Magazine. Superachievers actually work less than many others — but they accomplish far more in a smaller amount of time. So, instead of filling every waking moment with work, concentrate on becoming less busy, yet more productive. Hardy offers the following tips for Americans hoping to make the most of their time: - Stop doing the time-wasters. You need to figure out what you can stop doing in order to make room for the activities that will lead to success. “The only way you can gain more time is to stop doing something,” says Hardy. - Put a junk filter on your life. Start filtering incoming requests — identify who and what is important before agreeing to activities and projects. - Just say “no.” Don’t overcommit to please others. When you say “yes” to a request that does not further your objectives, you’re only saying “no” to yourself. - Receive what you tolerate. In life, you get what you accept -; if you tolerate disrespect, others will disrespect you. Life will organize itself around the standards you set, so set high standards. Don’t tolerate time-wasters or unreasonable demands. - Learn to delegate. If you empower others to execute your ideas, you can focus on the most important demands on your time. - Learn to value time off. Taking time to enjoy yourself isn’t sloth, but a vital part of becoming more productive. Working without breaks will destroy your creativity. You will become tired, and thereby less productive. It’s far better to schedule some downtime, then go back to work feeling rejuvenated. “Time off is an important component of hard-core achievement and productivity,” says Hardy. To read Darren Hardy’s full article, “Accomplish More By Doing Less,” and to receive more information about becoming successful in life, visit www.SUCCESS.com. |
How to Successfully Start an IRA
 NewsUSA) – Maybe your company offers a 401(k) plan. But even if it doesn’t, you need to get an IRA now. Because IRAs use compound interest and are not taxed by the IRS, contributing even a few thousand dollars a year can create a sizable nest egg.
And yet, according to the IRS, only 10 percent of the people eligible to create and contribute to IRAs actually do so. If you think you can’t afford an IRA, you’re wrong. Consider that Social Security typically pays $13,000 a year — unless you can live on that miniscule income, you’ll need to find an additional way to pay for retirement. How do you know if you’re eligible for an IRA? “Anyone who earns a taxable income or files a joint return with a spouse who earns an income can contribute to an IRA,” explains David Bach, the author of nine national bestsellers, including “Start Late,” “Finish Rich” and “The Automatic Millionaire.” Bach recently shared his insights about IRAs with the readers of SUCCESS Magazine, where he offered the following advice: - Start Early and Save Until Retirement. Thanks to the miracle of compound interest, those who start saving early end up with the largest nest eggs. “If you were to start at age 55, you’d contribute a total of $50,000 in the 10 years before you retire, at which point your account would be worth $72,433,” says Bach. “By contrast, if you started at 25, you’d contribute $200,000 over the next 40 years, and by the time you retired, your account would be worth $1.3 million.” - Invest Wisely. You can invest the proceeds from your IRA any way that you want, but some moves are wiser than others. Bach recommends “target date” or life cycle funds, which are specially designed for retirement savings. The fund automatically makes sure that you have investments appropriate for your age, acting more aggressively in your younger years and becoming more conservative as you near retirement. - Know When to Start Withdrawing. Legally, you can begin withdrawing funds from your IRA when you’re 59 and a half, but if you’re in a high tax bracket, you should put off withdrawals for as long as possible. SUCCESS magazine offers a balanced approach to successful living by covering topics on business, wealth, well-being and philanthropy. Visit www.SUCCESS.com and search the August issue to read the rest of Bach’s advice. |
Realize the Dream: Success in Business Requires Teachability
 NewsUSA) – Success in business and in life requires an open mind. In order to prosper, you have to be willing to learn — and that means becoming a student.
“Formal education will make you a living, self-education will make you a fortune,” says Johnna Parr, author of “When the Dream is Big Enough.” An entrepreneur who runs a successful network marketing business with her husband, Matt, Parr never thought of herself as a good learner. But when she was trying to start her business, she realized that she needed to absorb lessons from those who were already successful. “I listened and took in all of the knowledge of the leaders of the business,” says Parr. “I took the notes, reviewed them and implemented what I had learned.” Today, Parr is more teacher than student — she helps other entrepreneurs realize their ambitions. One of the first things she tells budding entrepreneurs? They have to make themselves teachable. Parr says that all business people experience different stages of learning: Stage 1: “I know nothing.” When people begin a new career, they tend to be enthusiastic learners — they listen to educational audios and conference calls, read books and follow formulas set by industry leaders. Their businesses begin to grow. But no one stays in this stage forever. Stage 2: “I know everything.” Sooner or later, everyone hits this stage — often destroying their business in the process. “Some people mistakenly believe that if they accomplish a goal, or have some success, they no longer have to learn or grow,” says Parr. But this stagnant mindset leads to stagnant business — know-it-alls either fail or stop being know-it-alls. Stage 3: “I don’t know everything.” Entrepreneurs in this third stage know that they can bring good ideas to the table, but they also realize the importance of others’ contributions. They form creative partnerships and never stop trying to grow and improve as leaders. Because they are good students, they also become good teachers. Their belief in themselves and their goal allows them to agree to disagree on important issues. Few people naturally possess the skills to succeed in business. Success is a journey that requires teachability and a desire to learn. Without these qualities, realizing the dream may be impossible. For more information, visit www.johnnaparr.com. |
Using Fitness to Launch You to Better Success
 NewsUSA) – Your journey through life should begin with one simple question: “What can I achieve with better health?”
“Look 20 years ahead in your life, and you will know there’s no success without health,” says fitness expert Shawn Phillips, author of “Strength for Life” and “ABSolution: The Practical Guide To Building Your Best Abs.” “You can’t sacrifice your health for your success. They are interdependent goals.” Health and fitness can impact your life, relationships and business ventures. Physical fitness can increase mental and emotional health, giving you more energy and a clearer mind. Phillips recommends using the following fitness goals to launch your personal success: * Set goals for the next 90 days, as well as a vision for the next year. Your vision is your ultimate destination — your personal definition of a strong life. Goals form the steps you need to take to realize your vision. * Don’t narrow your goals to just fitness, but also personal and professional goals. That way, you’re not only getting into shape, but also improving your ability to excel in life. * Establish two quantifiable goals, such as losing 10 pounds of fat or gaining three pounds of muscle, and two mental health goals, like improving a relationship or pursuing new interests. * Find ways to reinvigorate your mind and body, including eliminating refined foods, sugar and empty calories from your diet, getting restful sleep and taking up light exercise to help you get used to moving. “When you are strong, healthy and alive with energy, you are more effective, more confident and more in control,” says Phillips in an interview with SUCCESS Magazine. “Your results in life will improve as you do.” More of Phillips’ interview can be found by visiting www.SUCCESS.com. SUCCESS Magazine is a publication that gives its readers the information they need to achieve success in all areas of their lives, including the personal and the professional. People looking to push their achievements to new levels can subscribe to the magazine by visiting www.success.com/subscriptions/12i2999/?subkey=9SMH. |
Is Studying Causing a Headache? Try These Four Study Remedies
 NewsUSA) – How do children learn? Step by step. Skill by skill. Some students will be better at certain academic aspects than others. This is what makes each student unique. This can also keep some students from learning what they need to learn.
It is important for parents to intervene early. “Study skills are critical to succeeding academically,” says Lynn Fontana, Ph.D. and chief academic officer for Sylvan Learning. “Students who do not have good study habits may waste time engaged in unproductive tasks, they may be overwhelmed by school assignments, and they may become frustrated and fail to complete assignments. This can lead to poor grades.” It is never too late to build good study skills. Parents can help students overcome obstacles — no matter the students’ ages — with a few simple tips: - Form a Partnership. Maintain a constant flow of two-way communication. Together, with your child, decide what steps need to occur for her grades to improve while promoting knowledge retention. Allow the student to take responsibility for the learning process and for individual success. - Understand Your Child’s Learning Style. People learn in different ways. Students can be visual (learn by seeing), auditory (learn by hearing), kinesthetic (learn by doing) or a combination of styles. Parents should talk with their children to create a beneficial learning environment. However, it is up to the child to develop study habits that mesh with his personal learning style. If you help your children work in their individual styles, they will work more effectively. - Know the Purpose. Parents should encourage their child to approach the content strategically by breaking down the assignment into bite-size pieces. Discuss why the student is reading a specific chapter. Ask the student what questions she thinks she should be able to answer as a result of completing the assignment. - Celebrate Success. Set weekly milestones. For big projects or exams, get a large calendar for your child’s desk area, and help the student set short timelines to ensure that projects and studying aren’t left until the night before. Celebrate with your child when each milestone is met. For educational resources for children in grades pre-K through 12, please visit www.SylvanLearning.com or call 1-800-31-SUCCESS. |
Make Your Next Million-Dollar Idea a Reality
 NewsUSA) – How often do you have a great idea, only to leave it sitting on the back burner? Worse, how often do you see someone take an idea similar to yours, start a business and create their fortune? Well, the time has come for you to stop kicking yourself and to turn that million-dollar idea into a reality.
Most entrepreneurs follow similar paths to success. Sara Blakely, entrepreneur and founder of the multi-million dollar company Spanx, shared her keys to success in an interview with SUCCESS, a top magazine for budding entrepreneurs and established professionals. How can you turn your next idea into a million-dollar business? Follow Blakely’s advice: Differentiate yourself from the crowd. “Whether it’s in the marketplace or in those first few seconds you meet somebody — whatever it is — if you don’t know how it has been done before, you’re almost guaranteed to do it differently,” says Blakely. First impressions mean everything. “If you make someone laugh or smile in the first five to 10 seconds, you might get another 10 seconds,” she says. Be persistent. Work hard to win over manufacturers and prospective buyers who may be unsure about your idea or product. If you display enthusiasm and desire for your idea, they will begin to believe, too. Visualize your goals. “Take a mental snapshot of what success looks like for you,” she says. Keeping that vision of success in mind will help you through the tough times. Pay attention to opportunities. “There are a million ways to improve everything around us,” says Blakely. Making just one improvement could result in your million-dollar idea. Hire your weakness. Focus on your strengths, and hire well-qualified people to handle the rest. For more on Blakely’s interview with SUCCESS magazine, pick up a copy at newsstands, or subscribe by visiting their Web site at www.SUCCESS.com. |
