When I ask my clients "How often do you volunteer?"... most people's answers generally fall into one of two buckets:
🪣Bucket 1: I volunteer fairly often--I love giving back to my community (or to the world)! 🪣Bucket 2: I don't volunteer, but I wish I did! I don't have time... I don't know where to start... etc. Volunteering offers so many benefits for all humans, but this is especially true for anyone who has been unemployed for an extended period or perhaps anyone experiencing job loss for the first time. Based on hundreds of client engagements, thousands of hours of conversation, and countless more hours of personal experience and observation, here are the top benefits of volunteering (if you think I've missed any, please email me to let me know). Skill development and maintenance: Volunteering enables us to acquire new skills or maintain existing ones, which can be valuable when seeking future employment opportunities. It helps bridge the otherwise empty gap in our resume and shows potential employers that we have been actively engaged in productive and good-for-the-world activities. Networking opportunities: Volunteering exposes us to new people and professionals from various fields, expanding our network. These connections can lead to potential job opportunities, references, or valuable advice for our job search. Boosting self-esteem and confidence: Losing a job or being unemployed can take a toll on our self-esteem and confidence. Volunteering provides a sense of purpose, accomplishment, and value, which can help restore our confidence and improve our overall mental well-being. Plus, people who volunteer are often perceived as more attractive. We did not evolve as a civilization by being selfish but rather by being collaborative, helpful, thoughtful creatures who generally care about one another. Structured routine: Volunteering can provide a structured routine, similar to a work environment. Having a regular commitment and purpose can help us maintain a sense of normalcy and stability during the challenging period of unemployment. Exploring new career paths: Volunteering allows us to explore different industries, roles, and work environments. This exposure can help us identify new career interests or confirm our passion for a particular field, guiding our future job search. Demonstrating work ethic and commitment: Volunteering showcases dedication, work ethic, and willingness to contribute to a cause. These qualities are highly valued by employers and can set us apart from other job candidates. Reducing stress and improving mental health: Engaging in meaningful activities like volunteering can help reduce stress, anxiety, and feelings of isolation that often accompany unemployment. It provides a positive outlet, a sense of community, and an opportunity to focus on helping others, which can boost our overall mental well-being. If you feel stuck in a career (or life) rut, volunteering shifts the focus from navel-gazing (i.e., away from you) and toward other people. It can be refreshing and liberating in ways you can't imagine when you're busy feeling lost or sorry for yourself. Giving back feels good, plain and simple. It's a tool that requires our time and energy but is otherwise free. How often do you volunteer? --- Having read all this, what are your thoughts about volunteering? Is all of this obvious? Did you learn anything new about yourself? What are your volunteering goals for the next chapter of your professional or personal life? "There is no greater torment than the war we wage between love and fear."*
Everything you do--everything--can be traced to either love or fear. And this is just as true with personal life as it is with professional life. Change my mind; prove me wrong: Pursuing a career you're passionate about (love) vs. staying in a "stable" but unfulfilling job (fear). Speaking up about a new idea in a meeting (love) vs. remaining silent due to fear of rejection or criticism (fear). Investing in your professional development (love) vs. avoiding learning opportunities because of the time or effort required (fear). Collaborating with colleagues and sharing knowledge (love) vs. hoarding information due to fear of competition (fear). Providing constructive feedback to help others grow (love) vs. withholding feedback to avoid potential conflict (fear). Taking on a challenging project that stretches your skills (love) vs. sticking to familiar tasks to avoid failure (fear). Networking and building professional relationships (love) vs. isolating yourself due to fear of rejection or social anxiety (fear). Negotiating for a well-deserved raise or promotion (love) vs. accepting the status quo out of fear of losing your job (fear). Embracing change and adapting to new technologies like AI (love) vs. resisting change due to fear of the unknown (fear). Maintaining a healthy work-life balance (love) vs. overworking out of fear of falling behind or losing your job (fear). Doing my first full-length mud race (love), vs. feeling jealous of fit and active people on TV/social media while being a coach potato myself (fear). How long have you been acting in love? How long have you been living in fear? 1010 WINS has "You give us 22 minutes, we'll give you the world." My version as a coach is: "A 15-minute conversation can change your life." BOOK a no-nonsense (free) 15-minute conversation. I promise to be as kind (or tough) as you need me to be. --- *For anyone wondering, AI did not write that quote. I found myself waxing philosophical recently, and the notion came to me during a free-write/journaling exercise. I also have a painting in my home of a human being torn between a heart and a brain, and this feels very apropos... 🫀 vs. 🧠 Love vs. Fear Have you seen Billy Joel's music video for his new single ‘Turn the Lights Back On’? It was generated largely by AI.
As an executive coach, I don't create music videos, but I do have meaningful experience helping professionals harness the power of AI. I can't say it's been decades-long, because I've only recently started leveraging Artificial Intelligence effectively, but I've observed a common thread of apprehension and curiosity among those who are new to this transformative technology. What many people don't realize is that AI is already an integral part of their daily lives, quietly working behind the scenes to make tasks more efficient and personalized. You may not have been aware (or cared), but from the moment you open Google Maps for directions or perform a search, AI algorithms are processing vast amounts of data to provide you with the most relevant information. When Amazon recommends products tailored to your interests, that's AI learning your preferences and making intelligent suggestions. Even the spam filter in your email inbox is a likely leveraging AI, diligently working to keep your messages focused and clutter-free. I am reminded of my late grandmothers (who each lived until nearly 100 years of age, in Poland) and how fascinated they were with the iPod that I brought on a trip from the US many years ago. I played this incredible song with these alarmingly meta lyrics and placed the earphones in their respective ears. They were absolutely amazed that such a little piece of metal (or plastic, or whatever) contained an entire universe of songs, images, and other data. If my grandmothers did it, you can, too. I'm also reminded that you probably don't ride in a horse and buggy--that you drive a modern car, own a modern phone, and watch TV on a modern-enough screen. So even if you "tell yourself" that you're not good with technology, or you don't use technology, we both know that is probably not true. And that's okay. We all have blind spots. But back to artificial intelligence specifically. AI is not a force to be feared (though, yes, there are plenty of reasons to criticize, guardrail, and legislate it), but rather an invaluable tool that can enhance your work and personal life in countless ways. You might be thinking: how is it useful for me? I'm not in tech." Well, it's simple: Whether you're brainstorming ideas for a project, organizing your daily or weekly calendar, creating engaging visuals for a presentation, writing a challenging email, conducting research, synopsizing a long meeting, or simply looking to streamline your daily tasks, AI-powered tools like ChatGPT, Claude.ai, DALL-E, and Midjourney can help you work smarter and more efficiently. It can even, dare I say, help you be more empathetic to coworkers (email me if you're curious how). If you're ever feeling stuck, you can just start with ChatGPT or Claude.ai. They're great points of entry (I'm not affiliated with them in any way, and I've used both free and paid versions of their services). But if you are looking for something specialized and specific, that's great, too. For example, you can Google "best AI tools for teachers" or "best AI for writing emails" or "best AI for biotech sales" or whatever comes to you mind, and go from there... the possibilities are endless. I've trained, coached and introduced many people to the power of AI in just the last few months alone. People's jaws drop--every single time. Embracing AI doesn't require a deep technical understanding or a complete overhaul of your workflow. Not at all. Indeed, most AI tools are designed with user-friendly interfaces, making it easy for anyone to get started. By approaching AI with a spirit of openness and curiosity, I'm not exaggerating when I say that you can discover how it can help you gain a competitive edge in your field--no matter your job or industry. I've had the privilege of coaching and training a diverse range of professionals, from finance executives and marketing leaders to HR specialists and everyday individuals, on how to effectively integrate AI into their work and life. I've witnessed firsthand the transformative power of AI in delivering tangible results and creating a more fulfilling, productive experience. If you're ready to explore how AI can benefit you personally and professionally, I invite you to take the first step by booking a focused, 60-minute session AI coaching session with me. During our time together, we'll cut through the noise and develop a tailored action plan to help you harness the power of AI for your specific needs and goals. With a clear roadmap and expert guidance, you'll be well on your way to unlocking the full potential of this game-changing technology. To schedule your personalized AI strategy session, click here and select a time that works best for you. I look forward to helping you embrace the future of work and empowering you to thrive in an AI-driven world. |
About DawidPoly-creative and complex human who fills up his days as a career coach, executive coach, resume writer, and personal brand / communications specialist. Conqueror of excuses and doubts. Bakes a mean éclair and snaps thought-provoking photos, but is best known for helping clients achieve personal + professional growth and fulfillment. Archives
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