The Redundancy Club

26/08/2021

As a coach, my sole purpose in life is making sense of life's challenges, so that others might see their way more clearly. The only way I felt I could survive losing our son late in 2014, has been to 'write-it-out' as a project aimed at doing good and making sense of my own life.

Perhaps late in the day! But in the nick-of-time, please take a moment to watch my film, announcing the launch of my book, tomorrow night at midnight, Friday 27th August 2021.

My sole aim during the last 7 years of this cathartic project is to make sense and make good of what happened with my battle through cPTSD and the profound grief following the loss of our son Dirk.

All the time, my absolute focus has been somehow turning my sadness and trauma into a force for achieving good. 'I'm so, so, Sorry' is designed to act as both launch-pad and platform for my upcoming book, 'Meaning of Life' card game and social movement, 'Good Being'. All of which will become apparent in the coming weeks.

Please believe me when I say that, for the cost of a cappuccino, your buying this book and sharing this link, has the potential to do a huge amount of good. Because if all I achieve is help one person navigate bereavement as less of an ordeal, then this all-consuming project has been time well-invested.

And, you never know, together, we might spark a movement and generate a whole lot more love in the world during these difficult times. When so many are losing loved-ones.
My book is available via the following link in multiple formats: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1098887

Thank you for your support, understanding and compassion in helping me.

Love,
Duncan

'I'm so, so Sorry':This is a real-life story of love. Realising that the people who distil the purest sense of purpose are the most likely to navigate the mo...

04/08/2021

The Potential-Thieving Triangle - Lessons:

In a world increasingly obsessed with waste, what of the energies we so needlessly wasted in humanity? In the form of the potential vested in us at birth.

Please consider the many implications of my Potential-Thieving Triangle. Of course, stating that 90% of the people I meet are in the wrong job or not engaged by their work, is an outspoken statement. Is such outspokenness a bad thing, if it helps us think?

The fact is, we encourage fewer and fewer people in the World of Work to zero-in on their positive attributes and intrinsic qualities. For every person we do not switch-on to great work, the whole of the rest of society misses out. We waste all of that innate power.

In a world driven by the need for maximising the potential of every resource. What of the very people who comprise our increasingly uncivil world? I believe I know.

My fear is we stand on an abyss where even fewer people will recognise the difference they can make because - in pursuit of profit - leaders continually dumb down work. Within a decade, AI will threaten many jobs.

In fact, I would go so far as to say, this wasted pool of potential will grow, as we put more and more barriers between workers and their opportunities to individuate and be outstanding. To self-know. To self-identify. To truly self-actualise as a direct result of generating meaningfulness in their lives. To be fulfilled. To make a difference by contributing all of those uniquely special qualities - that EVERY unique one of us possess.

Before we dehumanise the workplace any further, let’s stop to think about the impact of unnecessary automation and the ravages of machine learning, just for the sake of making an extra buck. Because what credit on the great balance sheet of human endeavour we might win on the positive side, is guaranteed to be an historic negative on the debit side.

Duncan Bolam © 2021

04/08/2021

Do Not Fall Into The Classic Job-hunting Trap:

If you are looking for work, then beware of what I refer to as 'The Job-hunting Trap'.

Looking for work appears to be a completely counterintuitive strategy. Look at the diagram below; which I borrow from my great friend, Dick Bolles 's legendary bestseller, 'What Color Is Your Parachute?'. Also, referred to as 'the job-hunter's bible'. (Check out his information packed website: www.jobhuntersbible.com)

Sadly, Dick is no longer with us. But his wisdom lives on as his tangible legacy. Yet even a giant of his reputation found it a challenge to persuade his followers that job-hunters tend to seek work in the exact opposite way that hirers hire.

There is nothing more soul-destroying than a 'reactive' job search. Applying to roles in direct competition with who knows how many other applicants for the same job. Dick refers to this as a "numbers game". Especially, when we consider the statistical likelihood of success when applying to job ads on the internet, via the newspapers or those in the windows of high street recruitment firms.

Whereas, the success potential goes sky-high if your job-hunting is 'proactive'. Now we can fall into the trap of just thinking that a 'proactive' job-hunt is networking. When it is a whole lot more.

You see, a proactive job-hunt is fuelled by curiosity, passion and purpose. With the sole aim of sharing your passions for your field of work with another person who might just share the same passion. The beauty of this technique is that your knowledge, momentum and job lead generation goes up every time a new connection introduces you to someone they know will be able to help you.

You can guarantee, that if you meet the right people in your quest for information, your success rates are going to grow exponentially. As you build rapport naturally with people who you are almost certainly on a similar wavelength with. Each step, opening doors and helping to build confidence. Of course, no doubt, there are those dreaded rejections. But the probability of success is much higher.

A friend of mine in Germany, also a 'disciple' of Dick's. Assures his clients that they will land their dream-job within 40 informational meetings! They are 'that' effective.

So, as with so many life-hacks, mastery techniques, and productivity strategies, the best ones are often totally counterintuitive. Meaning, they are the exact opposite route than the one most people expect to take.

And that is why a proactive job-hunting technique will beat your competition to land not just any old job, but your dream job.

Confused by any aspect of this post, then please feel free to get in touch.

Good luck on your job-hunt,
Duncan Bolam

01/04/2021

Long Time No See:

It's been a while since I posted an update on my channel. Well, here is what has been going on. For a start off, we moved from one end of the UK to the other!

Watch this space for my exciting plans coming up in the next few months.

And remember, if you or your friends, family or connections would feel better for some coaching insights into life/ work planning, you know where I am!

It's been a while since I posted an update on my channel. Well, here is what has been going on. For a start off, we moved from one end of the UK to the other...

31/12/2020

Wishing All of My Friends, Family & Connections, a 'Happier' Year Ahead for 2021:

In a year when we needed hugs more than ever, we've been socially distant, locked-down, withdrawn and stuck. No questions, we've all been knocked sideways by the shock of the pandemic. Be that to our personal, psychological or socioeconomic wellbeing. Or the horrors of losing loved-ones, livelihoods and momentum in life, work and love.

So, stepping across the threshold of Hogmanay, how do we punctuate this moment? How do we draw lines? How do we absorb all the knee-jerks contained within the hells of the pandemic and why, now more than ever, do we need to cultivate optimism, anticipation, watersheds and hope. In order that we each prosper, thrive and seize life by the scruff of the neck in 2021?!

Lots of love to you all,
Duncan

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28/08/2020

Phoenix-rising - Spreading Reassurance:

Okay, I accept. Generating traction with a new service is not 'all' about 'Likes' and 'Shares'.

But they really do help! Endorsements speak volumes. So, if you know anyone in your social circle or professional networks experiencing the shock of redundancy, and feel the advice, guidance and insights that I am sharing on this page would shine light on their situation - more importantly, to prevent them harming their potential for job-hunting success - then can we crank-up the liking and the sharing, please.

Together, we can make a difference.
✊

25/08/2020

Why Common Sense Can Be In Short Supply; (especially when enduring the initial shock of being made redundant)!

So, you've been made redundant. Your first reaction - if you are like the vast majority of other people enduring this painful experience - is to fire-off CV,...

21/08/2020

Gratitude & Gauntlet: Job-hunting Success Is Counterintuitive -

Too many job-hunters and career-changers pour precious energy over their inevitable exhausted, shell-shocked state because they simply do not know how to do market themselves effectively. It does not have to be this way.  This short message touches on the subject of 'self-inventory' and developin...

20/08/2020

Killer Job-search Strategies & Hidden Approaches:

In this film, 'The Dangers of The Premature Reactive Job hunt and How to Avoid It', I explain how almost everyone launches their job-hunting campaign too early. Without having first thought it through and decided what kind of a job they stand the best chance of landing. Let's face it, if we are seeking work to pay our bills and keep the dreaded wolf from our door, we want to give ourselves the best chance possible to win through and land that pay-cheque. We're not being big-headed, braggadocios for wanting to be the best version of ourselves we possibly can be. 'The Path of Least Resistance' is for us to do our homework first, organise our self-marketing materials in such a way that they transmit the best signals we are capable of. That way, we radiate a positive signal to hirers and our networking contacts; with the net result being we increase our chances of landing a job that we love.

But do not get me wrong. This is not just some idealistic model where I flog that self-help, personal development bandwagon of being your best self! No, not at all. That is not what what this is about. The message I am transmitting here, is simple, pragmatic, proven, common sense stuff because it works. If we are going to a job interview ill-prepared, then we do ourselves a disservice because we are going to be more anxious, more worried and a whole lot more nervous than we need to be, if we invest the time to get our career strategy and job-hunting technique in order from the outset.

This is not an easy process. I am not saying that it is. I am speaking from bitter personal experience of someone who has endured long-terms bouts of unemployment in my life. And this is why I know what does and doesn't work. Do yourself a big favour. Take stock of yourself. Set up a work-station at home where you can really knuckle-down to invest the focus it takes to do this incredibly challenging introspection. In parallel, get out of the house and network (in a Covid-19 conscious and socially distant way). Get your LinkedIn profile right. Maybe print a business card printed to give to people you meet as a memory-jogger (Vistaprint is worth a look). Consider all of your work options - full-time permanent work, part-time work, self-employment, interim or temporary positions, a return to learning, upskilling, or a 'Portfolio Career' where you include all of the above. You will not generate any positive energy sitting at your computer. In fact, I would go as far as to say that your pc will rob you of energy because the chances are they amplify our feelings of isolation and loneliness just at the time when we need to feel connected and energised.

The saddest paradox during the tough challenge of a job-hunting campaign is that when we are hurting inside and struggling to come to terms with the pain of job-loss, the world expects us to sell the best version of ourselves! When we are feeling at our lowest ebb, our families, loved-ones, friends and future employers are judging us on our ability to be resilient, upbeat and optimistic. Yes, life really can be a bitch sometimes! Tell me about it!!

If you want an antidote to the pain, anguish and fearfulness of redundancy, take a step back. Sit down and take stock. Build your database of 'achievement stories' and start to remind yourself of how good you are at what you do. Or, alternatively, recognise that your career was not rewarding you and decide to reinvent yourself in a way that satisfies your values and maximises those talents you possess deep inside. Don't get me wrong. This whole process is difficult. But we can get there. There are resources available to you.

And that is what I am aiming to achieve with this channel. If I can be of any help, I will try. But watch this space and I will soon be launching a series of online workshops designed to help you generate momentum.

Please share if you know anyone that could use some practical job-hunting help.

How to manage your job-hunting campaign by getting the specificity of your aim right from the outset. Too many job-hunters - or 'work-hunters' as I prefer to...

20/08/2020

Do You Know Your 'Life's Imperative'?

Why take responsibility for knowing your life's 'Imperative':
The question is, when it comes to maximising our potential, self-actualization, the action of individuation, self-determination and living a fulfilling and rewarding life, have we ever truly grown-up until the moment we truly understand ourselves and take ownership of exactly what we are going to achieve with our life? Have you?

Leveraging the painful journey to my own epiphany and my 25 years experience since reinventing myself as a Career Guidance Practitioners in the mid-1990s, in...

20/08/2020

Beware The 'Reactive' Job-hunt Trap:

Why it is really important that you avoid the Numbers Game of the 'Reactive Job-hunt. How the statistical probability of hunting for work reactively is a soul-destroying, mind-numbing, uphill struggle. And why it is important to do the self-inventory required to be truly prepared for a successful, proactive job-hunting campaign.

Approximately 90% of the people I meet look for work reactively. Much-like most people wing their interviews and answer question on-the-hoof, reactively. So ...