OBTAINING  EMPLOYMENT             (June  2015)  (Underlined  texts  are  links  to  online  resources)  (For  a  copy  of  this  handout,  go  to  the  Stake  Newsletter  on  the  church’s  website  [www.lds.org;      click  on  “My  Account”  then  “Tools”]  …    go  to  the  “Employment”  area  of  the  newsletter)      As far as finding employment, we suggest taking the church’s Career Workshop. If it will be a while before it is offered, your ward/branch should have hard copies of the workbook (The Career Workshop - Participant Workbook), or you can order them online from the Church Distribution Center (www.store.lds.org). Do all the written exercises, starting at the beginning and going in order. ALSO, here are a few more things we suggest in seeking employment --

(1) Following this introduction, and included as part of this document is the handout we give everyone at the Career Workshop (CW), which contains loads of resources and information (thoroughly read over all of it and use these resources)! (2) First thing we recommend is getting on www.ldsjobs.org and filling out your profile to at least 90% complete (so employers can view your information). You will use your same username and password that you do with lds.org (assuming you are already registered on that website; if not, do so now)! Much of your profile comes directly from the written exercises in the CW workbook. After filling in your profile, there is a link you can click on to automatically generate a resume. (3) The most effective tactic for finding a job is via networking (see ldsjobs.org … also covered in the workbook). Learn all about it, and USE it! (4) Ask your ward/branch Employment Specialist (or if you don't have one, the counselor in your bishopric/branch presidency who is over employment) for a mentor to work with you (see Working Effectively with Your Mentor). This mentor could be your home teacher. [If you are the mentor, check out these articles -- How to Be an Employment Mentor and Being a Mentor on ldsjobs.org]  (5) Attached as part of this document is an article on using ldsjobs.org to search for specific jobs in the job postings for your local area. Use the link "My LDSJobs" at the top of that website to keep track of your employment-seeking efforts. (6) Here’s what appears to be a great resource for answering job interview questions – jobsearch.about.com (this website contains a wealth of information on anything related to job-hunting)! One thing they mention is to come with your own questions to ask them during the interview. Also, as you might suspect by now, the CW workbook contains an excellent section on job interviews. You will want to focus your efforts on those companies that offer the specific job you have trained for and to speak with those managers/employees who are involved in the work you are aiming to do! In the CW workbook, study the topic of "Informational Interviews." These interviews give you important information

about the job and enable you to eventually speak with the manager who does the hiring. Also, getting acquainted with someone in the company that does the same job you would like to be hired for will enable them to be your "advocate!" (7) Here are a couple articles on effective (focused) resumes -- Why your resume isn't getting traction a

Why 95% of Resumes Never Get Read and What to Do About It - Job-Hunt.org b

The one aspect of the personal profile/resume created for you by ldsjobs.org that helps you "aim" at the specific needs that company has which you aim to "prove" you can satisfy are those "Power Statements" which you include in your profile (how to write a Power Statement is covered in the CW workbook)! Each Power Statement focuses on a different need that one company or another may have which you, by your Power Statement, prove you have handled in the past and can handle for them.

Getting the right job takes effort ... focused effort, intelligent effort, enthusiastic effort ... and be sure to let your enthusiasm show! Your first job may not be exactly the one you want; if not, let it be a stepping-stone to one that is. Bob White Stake Employment Specialist Chattanooga Tennessee Stake The following attachments have been incorporated into this PDF file -- cwhandout.pdf [Career Workshop Handout] (6 pp) Job Postings.pdf [Accessing job postings on ldsjobs.org] Enthusiasm Sells Interview – Belief & Confidence Keep Playing Work – Life’s Firm Foundation

a (www.pbs.org/newshour/making-sense/ask-headhunter-heres-resume-isnt-getting-traction)

b (www.job-hunt.org/resumes/why-your-resume-doesnt-get-read.shtml) (10-17-15)  

Disclaimer: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Church") does not endorse or recommend any services or websites other than its own. Links to any non-Church websites are provided for convenience and informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement or approval by the Church of any products, services, or opinions therein. The Church is not responsible for the contents or reliability of any websites to which a link has been provided.  

Start Time Section Sub Section Page

9:00 My Goals 5Introduction 3

Coat of Arms 6-7

Skill List 8

I am, I have, I can 9, 27

Me in 30 Seconds 11-12

10:40 BreakExplore Career Options (homework) 9

Requirements for Career 10

Set career goals 11

Make a plan 12-13

11:30 My Resources 15Introduction 16

Build Network 16-18

Contact resources daily (keep a record, use forms) 19-23

12:15

1:00 Interaction with Resources 25

Introduction 26

Make powerful impressions (use power statements) 26-27

Contact decision makers 27-28

Get Appointments 30

Interviews/Planning 32-33

Turn Negatives into positives 33

Sample questions 34-35

Close interview 35-36

Mock Interviews 36

Written materials 37-38

Follow-up 38

4:00 My Continued Success 39

Introduction 40

Continue success 40-45

Questions & Answers

Certificates

5:00 Closing prayer

CAREER WORKSHOP (10/1/14)

LUNCH

CAREER WORKSHOP FOLLOW-UP Read through the workbook again to better understand what was taught, and complete any written exercises not completed in the workshop. Review workbook periodically (like the scriptures, you won’t “catch” it all in one or two readings). Register on www.ldsjobs.org … you will find that the information you supply about yourself on this website comes directly from the written exercises in the workshop! Once your profile is 90% complete, employers are able to view it and contact you! As stated in the workbook, if you are out of a job, your “job” becomes getting a job. Treat your efforts as such by taking 6-8 hours/day contacting your resources and setting up/ having interviews with prospective employers for either information or an actual job. Perhaps one of your goals is more training … take that course or those courses and study that material that will provide the information you need to become expert in … hire on as an apprentice to one who is already an expert, who can teach you their skills. Basically, you are just following and doing what is outlined in the workbook to do! Also consider the possibility of self-employment … starting your own business! The “Select a Career – Find Employment” document is an excellent resource. Have your ward/ branch Employment Specialist (or, if you don’t have one, your bishop/ branch president) assign you a mentor to advise and encourage you in your efforts (this could be your home or visiting teacher). Remember four primary ideas brought up in the workshop – (1) There is enough and to spare … you just need to be proactive (i.e. use your agency) to find it (see D&C 104: 14-15, 17). (2) “If ye are prepared ye shall not fear.” (D&C 38:30). One primary purpose of this workshop was to help you be prepared! (3) Once you get started in your career, it doesn’t end there … strive to become the very best at what you do, always seeking improvement. (4) Choose a career you are passionate about. Becoming expert in something you have a keen interest in is so much easier than in something that is just a job to earn money. (Granted, your first job may not be ideal; however, let it be a stepping stone eventually to one that is!)

Select a Career - Find Employment (January 2014) (Workshops and surveys are in the boxes) The church’s website on employment assistance—www.ldsjobs.org is by far the best resource. It is also one of the best networking “tools.” Every member ought to register on this website … those seeking employment, those with employment, and those offering employment. Following are two great workshops from this website -- Career Workshop (primarily for job-seekers) https://www.ldsjobs.org/ers/ct/articles/the-career-workshop?lang=eng Self-Employment Workshop (for those interested in starting their own business) https://www.ldsjobs.org/ers/ct/articles/the-self-employment-workshop-can-help?lang=eng Both have links to download the workbooks. You can also order copies of the workbook for the Career Workshop free from the Church Distribution Center. Possible Job Search Websites Indeed, SimplyHired, LinkedIn, CareerBuilder, Monster, Craigslist, Glassdoor, Dice, Mediabistro, TweetMyJobs, Simplyhired, Findajob, Aoljobs, Snagajob, Job, Beyond, theLadders, FindTheRightJob, ZipRecruiter, Bright (this list comes from two websites: www.ebizmba.com/articles/job-websites, and www.pcmag.com/slideshow/story/294523/the-10-best-job-search-websites) Other Sites: chattanoogahasjobs.com, jobs-to-careers.com, careerslocal.net, jobrapido.com, chattanoogatnstaffing.com, jobhutch.com, job-engine.net, jobs.timesfreepress.com, thesamaritancenter.net, wullo.com, chattanooga.careerlink.com, jobhat.com One good resource: the Knoxville Tennessee Employment Resource Center of the church. Their web address: www.ldsjobs.org/ers/ct/center/4009088?lang=eng (=spa, for Spanish) Also, the Southeast Tennessee Career Center: www.secareercenter.org “Your Career” (www.PSLinstitute.com/career.pdf) contains a link to a workshop & workbook.* (This workshop will help a person select a career and to focus their mind more effectively) From O*NET (nation’s main source of occupational information): www.mynextmove.org

Websites to help you start your Own Business sba.gov, startupnation.com, legalzoom.com, inc.com, Chattanooga.score.org Starting an Online Business If you want to start a business online, try searching the internet for assistance. Possible web searches: “Build your own business website” “Starting a web-based business” You can always add the word “free” to the above search topics. Here are two examples of websites from such a search -- http://www.bigskyfishing.com/Internet_Business/internet_home_business.htm, and http://www.stevepavlina.com/site-build-it (has link to “Site Build It”--www.sitesell.com) Three more are www.1and1.com, www.internetmarketing.com, and www.wix.com Again, these are just examples … check around yourself to see what suits you. (7/15/15) Questions/Comments? … Contact Stake Employment Specialist (Bob White, rcwhite3@bellsouth.net) [ access this handout online: www.PSLinstitute.com/employment.pdf ] * [An extended version of the workbook, containing Areas of Life & etc - www.PSLinstitute.com/workbooknow.pdf ]

 Using  www.LDSJobs.org  to  Find  Employment                (February  2015)    For  anyone  needing  help  with  employment  …  whether  you’re  looking  for  employment,  looking  for  employees,  or  helping  someone  find  employment  …  the  first  and  primary  step  we  suggest  is  to  become  familiar  with  and  use  the  church’s  employment  website  –  www.ldsjobs.org!    Just  look  at  what  you  find  on  the  home  page  –  At  the  very  beginning  is  the  article,  “7  Rules  of  Networking.”      In  the  Career  Workshop,  which  we  encourage  everyone  to  take,  you  learn  that  the  most  effective  way  of  finding/getting  employment  is  via  word-­‐of-­‐mouth  (networking)  …  and  here,  right  upfront,  you  learn  about  this  most  effective  tactic.    Following  this  you  can  scroll  through  these  articles  -­‐-­‐    Setting  Career  Goals?  Want  to  Use  Social  Media  in  Your  Job  Search?  How  do  I  Get  Started  in  a  Job  Search?  How  do  I  use  LDSJobs?  Suddenly  Without  a  Job?  Considering  Starting  a  Business?  Recent  Graduate?  How  Do  I  Find  a  Job?  Is  Your  Business  Struggling?  What  Can  I  Do  as  a  Bishop  to  Help  Unemployed  Members?  Returning  to  the  Workforce  Not  Making  Enough  Money?  Lacking  the  Skills  to  get  the  Job  you  Want?  Youth,  Looking  for  Ways  to  Make  Money?  As  a  Quorum  or  Relief  Society  Leader  What  Should  I  do  to  Help?  Want  to  Be  a  Successful  Employment  Specialist?    And  notice,  at  the  top  of  the  home  page,  you  find  the  following  categories  you  can  click  on  –  Job  Seeker,  Student,  Self-­‐Employed,  Employers,  Schools,  Small  Business  Organizations,  Stakes  &  Wards.    As  usual,  the  church  provides  by  far  the  best  resources  you  will  find  anywhere.    It  is  recommended  that  you  click  on  each  category,  in  turn,  to  discover  the  incredible  wealth  of  information  on  this  website  …  you  will  be  amazed!    Literally  anything  related  to  employment  you  will  find  here.    And  realize  that  this  is  not  just  an  informational  website,  but  a  working  site  by  which  you  can  locate  employment  and  employers  can  locate  you!    Be  sure  to  register  on  this  site  and  fill  out  your  profile  to  at  least  90%  complete,  so  employers  can  view  your  information.      [If  you  are  registered  on  lds.org,  you  are  already  registered  for  this  website,  and  will  use  that  same  username  and  password]      Notice  at  the  very  top  of  the  website  are  these  listings:    Employment  Resources,  My  LDSJobs,  Find  a  Center,  and  Article  Index.      To  further  make  this  a  working  website,  click  on  My  LDSJobs  and  you  will  find  a  means  of  both  facilitating  and  keeping  track  of  all  your  employment  efforts!            (4-­‐25-­‐15)  

The personality trait that most often predicts success By Drake Baer May 2, 2014 2:52 PM (Used by permission, all rights reserved) (More content available at BusinessInsider.com) (http://finance.yahoo.com/news/personality-trait-most-often-predicts-153124913.html) The only major personality trait that consistently leads to success is conscientiousness. "It's emerging as one of the primary dimensions of successful functioning across the lifespan," Paul Tough writes in "How Children Succeed." "It really goes cradle to grave in terms of how people do." Tough says that people who test high in conscientiousness get better grades in school and college, commit fewer crimes, and stay married longer. They live longer, too, he says. And not just because they smoke and drink less. They have fewer strokes, lower blood pressure, and a lower incidence of Alzheimer's disease. There's a staggering amount of research linking conscientiousness with success. A National Institute of Mental Health study found that conscientious men earn higher salaries. The National Institute on Aging also found that conscientiousness is linked to income and job satisfaction. Other studies show that conscientiousness is the most important factor for finding and retaining employment. How do you know if you're conscientious? Conscientious people tend to be super organized, responsible, and plan ahead. They work hard in the face of challenges and can control their impulses. Psychologists classify conscientiousness as one of the "Big 5" personality traits, with the others being agreeableness, extroversion, neuroticism, and openness to experience. The other traits can predict certain workplace outcomes — extroversion is a great fit for highly social gigs like sales and openness to experience often leads to creativity—but conscientiousness is remarkable for the way it cuts across roles. Research shows that arriving on time, doing thorough work, and being thoughtful toward your colleagues helps people regardless of their job function or workplace situation. "Being on top of deadlines is almost universally a good thing," one industrial psychologist told us. Moreover, within conscientiousness are the narrower traits of self control and "grit," which University of Pennsylvania psychologist Angela Duckworth has found to be more integral to children's scholarly success than IQ. Why conscientious people are so successful "Highly conscientious employees do a series of things better than the rest of us," says University of Illinois psychologist Brent Roberts, who studies conscientiousness. To start, they're better at goals: setting them, working toward them, and persisting amid setbacks. If a super ambitious goal can't be realized, they'll switch to a more attainable one rather than getting discouraged and giving up. As a result, they tend to achieve goals that are consistent with what employers want. Roberts also owes their success to "hygiene" factors. Conscientious people have a tendency to organize their lives well. A disorganized, un-conscientious person might lose 20 or 30 minutes rooting through their files to find the right document, an inefficient experience conscientious folks tend to avoid. Basically, by being conscientious, people sidestep stress they'd otherwise create for themselves. Being conscientious "is like brushing your teeth," Roberts says. "It prevents problems from arising." Conscientious people also like to follow rules and norms. You can spot the conscientious kids in the classroom. They sit in their chairs, don't complain, and don't act out — which also, of course, contributes to earning good grades from teachers. While conscientiousness doesn't correlate with high SAT scores, it does predict high GPAs. To spot conscientious people at work, Roberts says to look for punctuality. If someone shows up on time, that's a great clue toward conscientiousness, since a punctual person has to be organized enough — and care enough — to arrive on time. The bigger, and less visible, indicator is how people deal with setbacks. Do they give up or do they redouble their efforts? "The conscientious person is going to have a plan," Roberts says. "Even if there is a failure, they're going to have a plan to deal with that failure." From Business Insider  

Bishop's Guide: Employment (http://providentliving.org/bishops-guide/employment?lang=eng) “By the word of the Lord the sole mandate to care for and the sole discretion in caring for, the poor of the Church is lodged [with] the bishops.” (Thomas S. Monson, Conference Report, Oct. 1980, 132) Good employment is essential for members to better provide for their families and to serve faithfully in the Church. Those who are seeking to find or improve employment may be suffering financially, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. As you work with them, help them discover talents, set goals, and work with resources to develop a path to continued success. Seek to Understand Asking questions like these may help you better understand the member’s employment situation:

• What is your current employment situation? • What have you done in the past to support your family? • What do you want to do and what are you willing to do to achieve this? • What income do you need to survive and what is your desired income? • What is your plan for moving forward? • What are you doing now to find opportunities? • How can I help you? • Have you considered self-employment?

Help for the Individual and Family Identify existing resources.

• Make a list of talents, skills, relationships, possessions, money, or other assets that could help you find a job or generate income.

Build relationships with people in the occupation or field of interest. • Talk to people in that field every day to explore opportunities. • Develop 15 job leads, communicate with 10 contacts, and meet face-to-face with 2 contacts every day. • Consider working as a volunteer to gain experience and connections in the desired field.

Attend The Career Workshop. Pursue opportunities for education, training, or certification. Using Ward and Stake Resources Discuss individual’s situation in ward council to identify resources, contacts, & opportunities to help the mbr.

• Connect the member with individuals or employers who can help. • Assign a mentor to work with the member on a regular basis.

For members receiving welfare assistance, suggest meaningful work or service opportunities that lead to employment or increase the ability to become more self-reliant.

• The opportunity should build the member’s dignity and could be any physical, mental, or spiritual effort (such as taking a training course, gaining a skill, or performing community service).

Discuss job openings and resources in quorums and auxiliaries. Consider offering The Career Workshop in your ward or stake.

• Find an instructor who can motivate others with employment-related challenges. • Find materials on store.lds.org or ldsjobs.org.

Identify and encourage the use of local career service organizations and resources. Resources may include: • Government and private agencies. • Educational institution career service centers. • NGOs (nongovernmental organizations). • Apprenticeships, internships, or on-the-job training programs.

Additional Resources • Handbook 1: 17.1.30 • "Providing in the Lord's Way," Dieter F. Uchtdorf, General Conference, October 2011. • "This is Your Phone Call," Richard C. Edgley, General Conference, April 2009. • LDSJobs.org • The Career Workshop • Self-Employment Workshop • LDS Employment Resource Center • 24-Hour Welfare Help Line: [for leaders]

Access JOB POSTINGS & Submit JOB APPLICATIONS on LDSJOBS.ORG To use the job search features on www.ldsjobs.org, click on "my ldsjobs" and sign in with your user name and password (for church members, this is the same user name and password you use to access www.lds.org). Otherwise, you will need to register to get a username and password (to do so, you will need your membership number and your confirmation date, which you can get from your ward/branch clerk if you do not remember them). If you are not a member of the LDS church*, you can sign in as a "friend.” Then go to the "search" button. Job postings will come up in a blue bar with a place to put "keywords" so you can search by job title. There is a box to put the city, state or postal code you want to search. There is also a box where you can set parameters of your search (i.e. 25 mile radius). Hit the blue search button. When you find a job you are interested in, click on it for a detailed description. At the end of that description is a link to apply for the job! * The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints  

Enthusiasm Sells - Blast Every Obstacle From Your Path! by Paul J. Meyer (http://www.isnare.com/?aid=275418&ca=Business+Management) Over the last four decades I’ve started and grown a number of thriving businesses and, as a result, I’ve had the opportunity to meet and observe a great many people. You might be surprised to hear that intelligence or talent or even higher education hasn’t been much assistance to a large number of them. Their level of success was much less than you’d expect, mainly because they lacked one major ingredient that is absolutely paramount to accomplishing anything worthwhile. On the other hand, I’ve met others that had very little formal education, were fairly average in intelligence, and certainly didn’t excel in the natural talent arena and yet they were out-selling and out-producing their more “gifted” counterparts. As the President of a Transit Corporation so aptly stated, “A person who possesses one very important ingredient can out strip a person of greater ability every time.” What is that ingredient? ENTHUSIASM! Enthusiasm is that extra spark that makes you great; it’s the inspiration that wakes you up each morning with the desire to really live; it’s the persona that says to the world, “I’ve got what it takes” without you ever having to utter a word. Aristotle called enthusiasm “the regenerative force of conviction,” Victor Hugo referred to it as “the fever of reason” while Ralph Waldo Emerson described it as “the height of man; the passing of the human to the divine.” Enthusiasm spreads like a Prairie fire in the wind, blasts away every obstacle, and helps you sell your ideas and products with total confidence. Enthusiasm is powerful stuff! What is the source of enthusiasm? Enthusiasm is the outward manifestation of an emotion that originates deep within the heart. It is as impossible to hide as deep sorrow or abiding love. It is natural and unrestrained being neither flamboyant nor intentionally sedate. There are many kinds of enthusiasm - as many kinds as there are kinds of people. Your type of enthusiasm will fit your personality. Socrates had a quiet, probing enthusiasm while St. Paul had a palpable zeal for his newfound faith. Why is enthusiasm so important? The most important reason for having enthusiasm is this: Enthusiasm Sells! It is an outward reflection of an inner confidence, a knowledge indicator, an energy generator, an obstacle blaster. And it is highly contagious! Enthusiasm is your greatest source of: · Productivity · Power · Natural expression · Success. Many mistakenly believe that enthusiasm is only experienced after you make a sale but psychologist William James says it’s quite the opposite. The real steps are these: · A sales problem presents · You bring enthusiasm to your presentation · Enthusiasm stimulates an action that overcomes any objections · You make the sale! In other words, your customer sees and begins to share your interest in your idea or product, admires and covets your knowledge, and becomes caught up in your beliefs about your product, your service, and yourself. Result? Sale accomplished! How can I maintain an enthusiastic momentum? Everyone can experience a momentary exuberance such as the excitement generated during a championship football game. But sustained genuine enthusiasm can only come through one thing: the discovery of your purpose, the why behind whatever you have decided to do or accomplish. When you take the time to truly identify your purpose you have laid the foundation for sustained, consistent enthusiasm. By daily reviewing your purpose and what you hope to achieve, you will develop a deep belief in your idea, product, or work. By keeping it fresh in your mind you will be motivated to persevere through any obstacle, roadblock, or objection. Genuine enthusiasm unlocks all your talents, delivers consistent energy, and dispels all fear and indecision. It’s the source of your “can-do, will-do” attitude, the secret ingredient for a zest-filled successful life. Now, wouldn’t you agree…that’s something to be enthusiastic about!

Used with permission by The Meyer Resource Group,® Inc. Copyright © Paul J. Meyer ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

ONE  VERY  POWERFUL  JOB  INTERVIEW  From  the  Chapter,  “Discover  the  Power  of  Belief”  In  the  book,  The  Nature  of  Success,  by  Mac  Anderson      Early  in  my  career,  I  was  the  vice  president  of  sales  for  a  food  company.    One  time  I  was  in  Detroit  hiring  a  sales  person  for  the  market.    We  had  lined  up  eight  appointments  for  the  day,  and  the  morning  had  been  a  bust.    I  looked  up  and  my  1  o’clock  appointment  was  standing  at  the  door.    He  was  a  tall,  good-­‐looking  guy,  and  I  remember  thinking,  “This  could  be  the  one.”    We  talked  for  about  fifteen  minutes,  and  I  asked  a  question  I  always  ask,  “What  will  you  be  doing  five  years  from  now?”    I’ll  never  forget  his  answer.    He  said,  “Mr.  Anderson,  the  way  these  appointments  have  been  going,  I  might  still  be  interviewing!”    Well,  that  wasn’t  exactly  what  I  wanted  to  hear.    We  talked  for  a  few  more  minutes  and  I  excused  him.    Then  I  looked  up  and  my  2  o’clock  was  there.    He  walked  over  and  gave  me  a  confident  handshake,  and  a  few  minutes  later  I  asked  the  same  question,  “What  are  you  going  to  be  doing  five  years  from  now?”    He  looked  me  right  in  the  eye  and  said,  “Mr.  Anderson,  I’m  going  to  be  working  for  you.    This  job  fills  my  skills  and  my  needs  to  a  tee.    I  don’t  just  think,  I  know  I  can  sell  your  product  in  this  market.    And  furthermore,  if  you  don’t  like  my  performance  after  thirty  days,  you  don’t  owe  me  a  cent.”    Well,  you  could  have  knocked  me  over  with  a  feather!    He  had  just  made  me  an  offer  I  couldn’t  refuse.    But  the  offer  had  nothing  to  do  with  the  money  I  might  save;  it  had  everything  to  do  with  his  unwavering  passion  and  belief  he  could  do  it.    Within  a  year,  Sam  was  the  number  one  sales  person  in  the  company.    You  see,  whether  you  think  you  can,  or  think  you  can’t  …  you’re  right!       (Used  with  permission  by  Sourcebooks.com;    All  Rights  Reserved)    

DON'T QUIT - KEEP PLAYING The Concert When the house lights dimmed and the concert was about to begin, the mother returned to her seat and discovered that the child was missing. Suddenly, the curtains parted and spotlights focused on the impressive Steinway on stage. In horror, the mother saw her little boy sitting at the keyboard, innocently picking out "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." At that moment, the great piano master made his entrance, quickly moved to the piano, and whispered in the boy's ear, "Don't quit … Keep playing." Then, leaning over, Paderewski reached down with his left hand and began filling in a bass part. Soon his right arm reached around to the other side of the child, and he added a running obbligato. Together, the old master and the young novice transformed what could have been a frightening situation into a wonderfully creative experience. The audience was so mesmerized that they couldn't recall what else the great master played. Only the classic, "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." Perhaps that's the way it is with God. What we can accomplish on our own is hardly noteworthy. We try our best, but the results aren't always graceful flowing music. However, with the hand of the Master, our life's work can truly be beautiful. The next time you set out to accomplish great feats, listen carefully. You may hear the voice of the Master, whispering in your ear, "Don't quit." "Keep playing." May you feel His arms around you and know that His hands are there, helping you turn your feeble attempts into true masterpieces. Remember, God doesn't seem to call the equipped, rather, He equips the 'called.' Life is more accurately measured by the lives you touch than by the things you acquire. So touch someone by passing this little message along. May God bless you and be with you always! And remember, "Don't quit." "Keep playing." - (Author Unknown)

WORK – LIFE’S “FIRM FOUNDATION” Printed from Mormon Life, October 17, 2006 (http://deseretbook.com/mormon-life) … an excerpt from -- Jaroldeen Edwards, Celebration! Ten Principles of More Joyous Living, from pp. 19-37, © 2005 Deseret Book Co. Used by Permission.

… Work--basic order--is the foundation of all celebration. Don't you just love the parable of the woman looking for her lost piece of silver? (see Luke 15:8-9). … the woman lights the room. Now she can see the hidden dust, the cobwebs, the stacks of things to be sorted and put away, and she begins to clean. … At last her labors are rewarded: she finds what she is looking for, and in the process her house has been cleaned and made perfect. … she gives a huge party. But the party was purchased by her labors. Her celebration is not just about the recovered piece of silver but about the whole process of living--work, home, family, friends, the bounties of the earth, and the achievement of a goal. … Work accomplished gives us feelings of personal worth and self-esteem. When we finish tasks, we feel capable and valued--empowered. We feel renewed confidence when we are able to achieve orderliness in our environment and responsibilities. With our labors under control, we are relieved of feelings of guilt or unworthiness when we make time for play and celebration. Peace of mind is an important ingredient of happiness. (Notice I said when our work is "under control," not when it is "done." Work is never finished. Individual jobs may be completed, but the dimension of work itself is a moving boundary that we never reach.) …It is important to recognize the unending nature of work. Many people believe they will be able to rejoice only when the work is "done." The Lord does not expect that. Work is an eternal part of the process of living, even for the Lord. In Moses 1:39 we read that we are the Lord's work and his glory, and in that familiar scripture is verified the fact that glory and work go hand in hand and are eternal. So we seek orderliness and control of our work, not the end of labor. … Celebration means more to us when it is bought with anticipation, planning, effort, and sacrifice. Great celebration can only be created with great effort-- just like the earth itself. The tumult of creation was followed by the sweet celebration of the heavens and the Lord's joy: "It is good." Anticipation as we labor to prepare is part of every wonderful celebration, and it intensifies our joy. When tasks are finished or laid aside in an orderly way, there is such a glorious sense of relief and satisfaction that the moment itself becomes a celebration. … … pleasure has a timer, and when the timer rings, it ceases to be fun. It is then time to return to those basic things that give fun its meaning. Work gives purpose and importance to life, and that sense of purpose in all that we do is what turns fun into something more meaningful--into celebration.

Especially for women, the feeling of joy is consistently muddied by the sense of work undone… I have found I need to do two things to control those oppressive feelings. The first is to look more consistently at what I have done than at what I have not done. No one else has to recognize what I have accomplished--it is enough that I do. The second thing is to realize that I have power over my own work. It is my opportunity to decide what needs to be done, and when, and how. I am the planner and the doer--and if things need to be changed or done better or differently, I have the power to think it through, to use my own initiative and decision. … a good deal of my work (not all of it, of course, but much of it) [is] my own choice. That sense of ownership of my work [makes] homemaking seem more of a privilege, something to celebrate, and less like a punishment or an endless mountain I had to climb. … One of my favorite stories tells of a village in Vietnam where the women had for centuries swept the floors and the streets with short-handled brooms. An American doctor noted that the women of that village were bent almost double, shuffling in exhausted old age by their early forties. … Finally the doctor asked an old woman, "Why do you sweep that way?" "We have always used these brooms," she replied. "My mother, and her mother, and her mother before that. For as long as we have been a people. It is our tradition." The doctor gathered up the village brooms and replaced them with long-handled brooms. Some of the women resisted the change. … The wiser women, however, immediately saw how much better they could do their job--faster, more simply, with less effort and more control. What a simple thing! Long-handled brooms changed lives of drudgery and despair into lives of dignity and health. All of us need to discover ways to put long-handled brooms into our own lives. In some ways we are all sweeping with short-handled brooms and feeling unnecessarily stressed and tired as a result. The secret to making our work a part of celebration is not to work harder but to find ways to add joy to the work we are doing, to claim our work with a greater sense of ownership and vigor. …

When basic, habitual, daily order is established, then the rest of work can be balanced, performed, scheduled, prioritized, or dealt with expeditiously. A sense of basic order is fundamental. Here are a few tricks that have helped me establish that order. • Make your bed the minute you rise--without thought, just as matter-of-factly as you brush your teeth. • When you remove clothes, do not let them touch any surface but the place where they belong--hanger, drawer, laundry hamper, wherever. This same principle applies to mail and to laundry. Sort, stack, and discard on the spot. Try not to handle more than once anything that needs to be put away. • Do dishes the same way. Clean up pots and implements as you prepare the meal. The minute the meal is finished, rinse and stack dishes in the machine, or wash them in hot, sudsy water, rinse in hotter water, wipe dry, and put away. Your kitchen is clean and ready for the next meal in just a few minutes. If you stack the dishes in a drainer by the sink they may be clean, but they create clutter and represent an unfinished job. When you begin the next meal, the full dish drainer is usually still in the way. It takes only minutes to wipe the dishes and put them in the cupboard. Putting the dishes away immediately takes about half the time it takes to stack them, wait, and then finally put them away--that way you are handling them three times instead of once. Actually, I almost always do the dishes by hand for this reason, even though I have a dishwasher. The Finnish people understand this principle. They have created cupboards with slotted racks and open slats on the bottom--over the sink--so that the washed dishes drain right in the cupboard. They have eliminated an entire step of the process. Work smarter, faster, more effectively. Analyze, set better priorities, and identify methods you use out of habit that are not truly productive.

Part of the joy of creating our home is that we have the right to choose how we want our home to be. If we are unhappy or uncomfortable about the way our home looks, or the way in which we are maintaining it, then we must learn to believe that we are capable of making improvements. In that belief, anticipation and effort can be real sources of happiness. The smallest improvement can create a sense of great celebration. An entire garden begins with one primrose. If you would feel joy in your home, do not think of all the things you wish you could have--concentrate on what you can do to make things as they really are just a little better. For example, a young student couple moved into their first home, a tiny, old pioneer house. The house seemed dark and old-fashioned to them, but they had no money to spend. With energy and a feeling of celebration, they pulled up the worn, ugly carpeting and discovered solid oak floors underneath. It took effort

and time, but they sanded the floors, refinished them, and painted the walls of the house--and it became a splendid celebration of their dreams. We should not let our failings, mistakes, or inadequacies discourage us. We are all in training--in fact, that is part of the fun. As long as I have lived I have felt the thrill of discovery as I have become aware of ways to improve how I do things. And I don't blame myself for things I don't know or have not done well. I figure I just have plenty of room left for learning.

The following ideas are tools I have identified that help me keep my work and my life in basic order:

1. Identify the real problem. If something is troubling me about my home, it does not mean that I need to completely overhaul it. It does not mean that everything is wrong, that I am doing nothing right. It might simply mean that there is one thing out of control. … One good thing about celebratory change is that it can be done in small increments, in the midst of our daily life. Celebration is not the wardrobe of life, but it is the ribbon in the hair, the string of pearls, the flowers on the table, the grace notes that make the whole a delight.

2. Deal with each task directly. Sometimes we imagine we can put pending work out of our minds, but even when we think we have put off thinking about it, it hovers in our mind like a dark cloud. A better way to handle work is to deal with it as quickly as possible. There are three ways of dealing with a pending task: Do it. Plan it. Discard or delegate it. …

[The first alternative --] When something rises high enough in priority that it is in our minds and pressing on us constantly, the most joyful thing is simply to get it done and celebrate its completion.

The second alternative in dealing with a task is to plan when to do it. Many jobs hang over us like a nagging toothache: "I must get the windows washed." "I must get the ironing done." "My personal files are in complete disarray; I've got to get them organized." … The way to remove such work from shadowing our happiness is to plan when we will do it. It is a remarkable phenomenon that specifically and definitely planning something gives us almost as much relief as getting it done. Assign the day and the hours you will spend washing the windows two weeks from now. Write it down on your calendar as if it were any other appointment. Suddenly the grimy windows no longer nag or hang over you. You know that they are going to be cleaned. Planning our work gives us power over our own agenda, and nothing gives more satisfaction in any kind of enterprise. When we plan the work, we are in charge of the job; the job is no longer in charge of us. That is empowerment, and it is essential to our feelings of celebration.

The third choice when we confront a task that is confronting us is to discard or delegate it. Once I had a basket of ironing. …At the end of one long afternoon of ironing, I had finished most of the basket. … I realized that those same clothes had been in the bottom of the basket for months--possibly for more than a year! … The reason I had not ironed them was that they were basically unwearable--and ironing wasn't going to make them any more wearable. …With a moment's reflection I realized that if we had gone without those clothes for more than a year, we could obviously do without them for good. I tore up the bottom-of-the-basket clothes for cleaning rags and put them in my broom cupboard. For the first time in months my ironing basket was completely empty, and I felt great! When discarding or delegating--jettisoning--a job is appropriate, do not hesitate to do so. …

As we perform, plan, and discard or delegate our tasks, we should be certain that we have considered our relationships with others. We will probably encounter differences of opinion or feelings that labor is not fairly shared. We need to learn to organize, to negotiate, and to express our feelings and approaches to the tasks that must be performed. … Try making small improvements in your approach and methods, and you will be surprised what a building thing even small increments of change can be.

3. Use better tools. Hunt for the best bathroom cleaner you can find--one that does the scrubbing for you and removes the mildew and soap scum through cleanser reaction. Keep looking until you find it. Let hot water and time work on your side. Soak food-encrusted pans and stained objects. Use rubber gloves so that you can use stronger cleansers and hotter water. Use sharper knives, a good vacuum (a really good vacuum can do bare floors as well as carpet, and cleans better than a broom), good laundry detergents, and heavy-duty, quality pots and pans. Purchase them one at a time if necessary. A good pan will save its cost in food that is not burned or ruined.

4. Listen and learn from others in your profession. Don't be reluctant to talk about your work. When you see a job that is wonderfully well done, ask questions about the methods, tools, and approaches used to accomplish it. …

5. Turn work itself into celebration. Learn ways to make work more fun, both mentally and actually. I do absolutely love to work. I love the touch, the feel, the effort, and the completion of my labors. Some jobs I like better than others, but there are elements of celebration in everything I do. …

One of the sweetest things about work is that when we live with the habits of basic order, we can occasionally give ourselves permission to play truant from daily chores. Once in a while it is a source of sheer celebratory joy to run out of the house with our children to catch the morning breeze at the beach, or kick the soccer ball at the park, or go to see the new puppies at the neighbors', leaving the dishes in the sink, the laundry in the hamper, and the cobwebs in the corners. Work will hold, but certain opportunities for joy are as brief as the wink of a firefly and must be grasped on the instant. A life of basic order gives us the courage to make the choice to fly free because we know our string is tethered.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- “And see that all these things are done in wisdom and order; for it is not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength. And again, it is expedient that he should be diligent, that thereby he might win the prize; therefore, all things must be done in order.” (Mosiah 4:27) [www.PSLinstitute.com]