It’s amazing to see how many people go unprepared for what could be the most important meeting of their lives–an interview. I’m going to share 2 points with you in this blog, and I have started writing an article which I will post in my newsletter later this month. My first point is that you should dress up. What I mean is no matter what job you are going for, dress like you are ready to go to work that day. My second point is to be prepared to tell your prospective employer 3 things you can do to help their business. It could be your how your contacts can help bring in new business. It could be in the area of cutting costs, or it could be how you believe you can raise the performance of your prospective peers. If you want to win at the Job Game today, you must be ready to play it with something meaningful for an organization.

For the past few months I have been thinking of what I can do to stimulate a positive change for non-profit organizations. I’ve decided to launch immediately a corporate social responsibility challenge, whereby organizations can book me to speak at community service events for no honorarium. The bottom-line is I need everyone to spread the word. Let’s get rocking today and thanks for all of your support. You can get the details with this link www.robertvanarlen.com/corporatechallenge.php.

In just an hour I’ll be speaking to an organization of community service professionals at the Arizona Biltmore that are near and dear to my heart: the Maricopa Association of Governments Continuum of Care professionals. I’m particularly excited about this group of individuals because of all the difficult, important service work they do to end homelessness in Maricopa County. Being involved with them is how I pay it forward. Thanks, friends.

Just a few days ago, I was thinking about the simplest of things that make me feel good. What came first to my mind were shiny shoes. During our challenging economic times it’s important to do something for yourself that makes you feel good. Your shiny shoes can be anything—taking a walk or a bath, even a good book. Just don’t forget there is only one of you, so do something positive for yourself every day.

I’m known as someone that likes to travel light (with no baggage), but for some reason I’ve managed to accumulate a lot of stuff. After 5 moves in 10 years you’d think I could let go. I’m truly ready now, and upon my 6th move I’m planning to unload as much as possible. I’ve started giving stuff away already and am in the middle of planning the world’s largest garage sale (it’ll probably only be the second largest, but only because my friend Roseann Higgins just had what I heard was the “mega sale.”) Why now? This economy is making me rethink what’s truly important, and to be lean and nimble now has a personal connotation. I believe in order to be truly focused, you need to let go of your baggage. Just the thought of getting rid of stuff I don’t need anymore is making me feel lighter, secure and most of all, energized. It’s also allowing me to help others, since as they say, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.” I hope someone can benefit!

Just a few days ago, I was having a bite to eat, and a friend of mind made a profound statement that I remembered hearing somewhere before. It is very timely, based on what’s happening in the world right now and the profound effect it is having on each of us individually. The quote was “It only takes one match to light a fire”. In this environment you have to focus on what is going on right now, be in the present. The past won’t help you, and the future holds no guarantees.

My coach explained it to me this way. She said, “It doesn’t matter if it takes 99 attempts to reach your goal. The only thing you need to focus on is your daily journey. Every day you get closer to lighting your own fire of success.” The bottom line is to not give up and know that you are getting closer every minute.