Chocolate & Your 3-Week Recap

I currently work for one of the world’s largest chocolate and pet food manufacturers. The company has been around for over 100 years, and I was fortunate enough to land a position with them back in early 2020.?

But that’s how it’s currently going, not how it started.?

In 2015 I applied for a different position and was invited in for an interview. Although I could have answered some of the questions better, overall, I felt I had wrapped up the meeting on a high note. That’s until they asked me the final question:

Interviewer: “So what’s your favourite chocolate bar?”

Me: {Says competitor’s brand}

Interviewer: “Hmm, oh, ok that’s not one of ours.”

Me: {Makes awkward smiley face} {Internally slaps forehead}

In my preparation I overlooked one of the most fundamental principles when aiming to impress during an interview: knowing the difference between the company’s products and their competitors.?

Not saying that blunder was the only reason I didn’t get the job, but I’m sure it didn’t help my cause. A few years later, I had another opportunity to make up for it and the rest, they say,?is history!

I share that story because it's a great segway into my usual recap of reviewing the newsletter topics from the last 3 weeks. I believe in order to really learn something, it's beneficial to take another look at the principles. Maybe sometimes several looks. It’s about moving from just intellectually understanding them to putting them into action.

A few weeks ago, I talked about our ideas around failure and how we sometimes misunderstand how to deal with it. My failure to land an opportunity the first time around didn’t stop me from trying again a few years later. I also talked about Unlocking Our Creativity and continually Evolving in Our Career. Practicing both mindsets were essential in helping me make a significant career change in 2020.

If you’ve read the below editions previously, I encourage you to read them again, take notes, and identify practical ways you can implement them into your life and career.

Let's have a great week!

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Week 9

Failure is Not What You Think It Is

Key Concept: Failure is not the opposite of success, but a steppingstone to success.

Practical Step: Failure isn’t absolute. We don’t have to fall into the destructive cycle of wondering “what's wrong with us”. Reframing failure and developing a growth mindset can be our gateway to infinite, continuous improvement in every area of our lives.?

Week 10

How to Unlock Your Creative Potential

Key Concept: Out of the box or creative thinking is the answer to life and work's most challenging problems.

Practical Step: Regaining our creative spirit comes down to two actions: Believing we all possess creative intuition regardless of our professional background and winning the war over initial logical thinking. Once we do, the creative possibilities will be endless.

Week 11

Why We Need to Evolve In Our Career

Key Concept: Evolving in our career is about upgrading your skills and finding ways to solve uncommon challenges that arise in today’s economy. It’s about finding purpose and excitement each day in your work life.

Practical Step: Identifying opportunities that are not in our place of comfort or familiarity. commit to lifelong learning and professional development. build strategic relationships based on a willingness to serve and develop others.

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A Quick Note to All Subscribers

Sending a big THANK YOU to those who continually reach out with feedback! It’s encouraging to know this newsletter has become a part of your Monday morning routine and that you look forward to it each week. Continue to share it with others in your networks (on LinkedIn and other socials) who you think could use the boost each week.

Some Exciting News!

Keep an eye out for news for my very first LinkedIn Live Audio Event taking place early in 2023! It will be a great opportunity to connect together and further discuss some of the topics I’ve covered. I’ll have a few surprises too, so be sure to register when the link becomes available.??

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Sheldon Barrocks?is an author, freelance writer and?Award-winning?Supply Chain professional. Since 2010 he has published articles covering business, career advancement, creativity, pop culture, music, fashion, sports and more. He's provided creative solutions for major brands like?Mars, Kelloggs, General Mills, Conagra, B&G Foods, Ingredion, Henkel and more. Check out his book?Unstuck Mondays?and join his?mailing list?to level up in your creativity and career!