I highly recommend you check out this cast from Mark and Michael over at Manager Tools. Having changed jobs a number of times, there advice is right on target for every worker, not necessarily just managers. -- Douglas

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Getting Laid Off - Finances Rule

November 19th, 2007



This cast reveals the most important concept a laid off manager must know: Finances Rule. it is the first in a series designed to help both prepare for and navigate through a layoff.



Most of us fear being laid off. It’s a good fear to have, frankly - being laid off is a difficult passage for anyone. The fear of being re-employed, the fear of loss of status, the loss of income, risk to one's family. All good reasons to be scared.



And yet, those who have been laid off express very different emotions than those of us who have not. When those who have been laid off are asked about it, it becomes clear why. It’s not JUST that they've, "been through it once and I made it." It’s what they THEN say: "I’m ready this time."



And that's why you’re scared: you’re not ready.



This cast tells you how to start getting ready. And, our entire series about layoffs will be geared to helping everyone get prepared, and helping those that DO get laid off make it through successfully.



Listen: Getting Laid Off - Finances Rule

(This podcast is pulled "from the archives" and presented here as a service to more recent listeners -- Douglas)







Anyone, no matter what their age, can find themselves in the depths of a rut. It can start out slowly. Going to the same restaurants, using the same software, listening to the same music. The next thing you know, there you are, in a rut. As I’m finding, getting older can make it even easier to get into a rut. There are days when I simply don’t want to face the trials and tribulations of daily life. I just want to do something familiar. Of course, a few days later, I wake up feeling bored…and boring…and not really knowing why. Even though I know the importance of finding new challenges, new passions and new input, I have to actively reach out and engage the world in order to find them.



This Friday: December 14, 2007: Two Career Situations to Avoid

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Douglas on MySpace | Douglas on Facebook | Douglas on LinkedIn

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Support Career Opportunities:

iTunes Review | Career-Op Forums | Digg.com | Podcast Alley | Reader/Listener Line @ 818-804-5049



Technorati Tags: career, job, jobs, work, workplace, podcast, podcasting, technology, high-tech, employment

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Instead of my typical holiday guide, this year I present a selection of items that I would love to receive for Christmas. Although I am a big technology hound, I don't often buy it for myself, so many of these items are sure to remain "wishes" for another year. -- Douglas



That doesn't mean the you might not find these items a great gift for yourself or someone you love.

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#08 Sennheiser HD 25 Dynamic Compact Professional Monitoring Headphone



I spend a lot of time wearing headphones, with all this podcasting work I am doing lately, so having a nice set of headphones would certainly be an improvement. Not only must headphones sounds good, they have to be comfortable, too, and Sennheiser tends to make headphones which are both.









#7 Moleskine Large Ruled Notebook



There are certain gifts that will make people happy regardless. For my wife, it is coffee, chocolate and books. For myself, coffee, wine and a nice Moleskine Journal like this. I always carry a book around with me wherever I go and the Moleskine books hold up better than anything else I have owned. They keep their covers, they have that nice elastic band to hold them shut and the paper quality is top-notch. Get one for yourself...and pick one up for me! (SMILE)









#6 Aliph Jawbone Noise Shield Bluetooth Headset- Black



If any of you have talked on the phone with me, you know my current Bluetooth headset tends to pick up everything in the room. Enter The Jawbone, with its high-end noise cancellation features. You can see a great demo on their web site.









Items #01-05



#05 Victorinox 10-Inch Chef's Knife

#04 TomTom GO 720 Navigation System

#03 Nikon D40X, 10 MP SLR Digital Camera

#02 iPod Touch

# 01 Apple iPhone and iPhone Accesories

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You'll find some other great gift ideas in The WelchWrite Store in association with Amazon.com.







Check out Douglas' Personal Wish List

Instead of my typical holiday guide, this year I present a selection of items that I would love to receive for Christmas. Although I am a big technology hound, I don't often buy it for myself, so many of these items are sure to remain "wishes" for another year. -- Douglas



That doesn't mean the you might not find these items a great gift for yourself or someone you love.

---

#7 Moleskine Large Ruled Notebook



There are certain gifts that will make people happy regardless. For my wife, it is coffee, chocolate and books. For myself, coffee, wine and a nice Moleskine Journal like this. I always carry a book around with me wherever I go and the Moleskine books hold up better than anything else I have owned. They keep their covers, they have that nice elastic band to hold them shut and the paper quality is top-notch. Get one for yourself...and pick one up for me! (SMILE)









#6 Aliph Jawbone Noise Shield Bluetooth Headset- Black



If any of you have talked on the phone with me, you know my current Bluetooth headset tends to pick up everything in the room. Enter The Jawbone, with its high-end noise cancellation features. You can see a great demo on their web site.









Items #01-05



#05 Victorinox 10-Inch Chef's Knife

#04 TomTom GO 720 Navigation System

#03 Nikon D40X, 10 MP SLR Digital Camera

#02 iPod Touch

# 01 Apple iPhone and iPhone Accesories

---

You'll find some other great gift ideas in The WelchWrite Store in association with Amazon.com.







Check out Douglas' Personal Wish List

Frank Castaneda had me on his show, The Struggling Entrepreneur, this week. We talk about working as an independent in high-tech, writing and new media.

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Struggling Entrepreneur

15- Doug Welch- From Writer to High Tech to New Media Entrepreneur



Listen this episode



In this episode of The Struggling Entrepreneur, we have an interview with Douglas Welch. I had the opportuntity to meet him in person at the Podcamp Arizona unconference in November, 2007. Doug is a high-tech consultant and recent New Media Entrepreneur. Coming from a corporate IT environment and also being a writer, Doug shares with us his road to becoming a successful entrepreneur. As a family man, he does this in concert with his wife and her career, as well. What is interesting are 2 areas that are mentioned in this 40-minute interview:



1. The need for the entrepreneur to be aware of the obstacles with affordable health care; and



2. How being a successful entrepreneur can enrich your personal and family life by “buying yourself time” for a quality life.

Download (38.7MB audio)