Own your future : how to think like an entrepreneur and thrive in an unpredictable economy

It used to be that if you studied and worked hard, you could be assured of an extremely satisfying career. But in a world of constant layoffs and dying industries, it has become increasingly difficult to ""plan"" your way to success. Own Your Future shows how to apply the same approach successful entrepreneurs use to maneuver in an unpredictable economy. Instead of picturing your perfect career and working backwards, simply begin with the direction you want to go and take a small step. Then evaluate the lessons you learn from that first step, build on them, and take another step in your desire. Read more... This insightful and helpful resource gives you the tools, tips, and techniques you need to succeed—no matter what comes your way. Not everyone has the means and resources to become a successful entrepreneur. So does that mean everyone else must hinge their success on the hopes that they survive the next set of layoffs and that their chosen field doesn't become the next dying industry? Not at all! The successful methods that the leading entrepreneurs used to find their niche in today's marketplace can be applied by all in their pursuit of a long-lasting, rewarding career. Own Your Future shows you how to take the same small steps forward they use to reinvent the way you maneuver in an unpredictable job market. You will discover how to: Act—Thinking alone will never change your life; you must take that first step. Learn—What lessons did you learn from that first step? Build—Take what you learned and apply it to improve upon that first step. Repeat—Continue this process until you have achieved your goal! Too often, people picture their perfect career and then think through all the steps backward to plan out their path to career success. There is very little assurance that your chosen job—perhaps even the industry itself—will even be there by the time you maneuver through the long path of continuing education and promotions. Don't rest your success on the mercy of an ever-changing marketplace. Filled with stories of professionals of all kinds who have profited from this proactive approach, Own Your Future will teach you how to take control. Not everyone has the means and resources to become a successful entrepreneur. So does that mean everyone else must hinge their success on the hopes that they survive the next set of layoffs and that their chosen field doesn’t become the next dying industry? Not at all! The successful methods that the leading entrepreneurs used to find their niche in today’s marketplace can be applied by all in their pursuit of a long-lasting, rewarding career.Own Your Future shows how to take the same small steps forward they use--Act. Learn. Build. Repeat.--to reinvent the way you maneuver in an unpredictable job market.• Act--Thinking alone will never change your life; you must take that first step.• Learn--What lessons did you learn from that first step?• Build--Take what you learned and apply it to improve upon that first step.• Repeat--Continue this process until you have achieved your goal!Too often, people picture their perfect career and then think through all the steps backward in order to plan out their path to career success. But today there is very little assurance that your chosen job--perhaps even the industry itself--will even be there by the time you maneuver through the long path of continuing education and promotions. Don’t rest your success on the mercy of an ever-changing marketplace. Learn to take control! Filled with stories of professionals of all kinds who have profited from this proactive approach, Own Your Future gives you the tools you need to succeed--no matter what comes your way. Cover CONTENTS PREFACE INTRODUCTION: "We Love the Idea. It's Just Too Darn Depressing to Publish." SECTION I: DID THE EARTH MOVE? YES. IT DID. CHAPTER 1: Why Everyone Will Have to Become an Entrepreneur CHAPTER 2: What Happened? CHAPTER 3: Don't Bring a Knife to a Gunfight SECTION II: GET OUT OF THE HEADLIGHTS, DEAR CHAPTER 4: Begin Moving Toward What You Want CHAPTER 5: Obstacles Welcome SECTION III: WHERE DO YOU WANT TO GO? CHAPTER 6: Choosing Between Love and Money CHAPTER 7: Creating Your Own Job. SECTION IV: YOU DON'T HAVE TO BE AN ENTREPRENEUR (HOW TO THINK AND ACT ENTREPRENEURIALLY WITHOUT STARTING A BUSINESS)CHAPTER 8: Practice Outside of Work CHAPTER 9: Using the Act. Learn. Build. Repeat. (ALBR) Model to Find a Job CHAPTER 10: You Must Remember This: Concluding Thoughts APPENDIX A: Teaching the ALBR Model APPENDIX B: Using ALBR in the Public Sector INDEX A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z ABOUT THE AUTHORS FREE SAMPLE CHAPTER FROM THE ECONOMY OF YOU BY KIMBERLY PALMER. This book helps you apply the simple model used by successful serial entrepreneurs--Act, Learn, Build, Repeat--to reinvent the way you maneuver in an unpredictable job market.