How to Spot Your Top Skills

If you're like me, you have a hard time deciding what words to use, when asked to list your top skills. "Well, there are a lot of things I'm good at...but I'm not sure if all of them are relevant," you may think to yourself. Never fear, the solution is here... There's really only one way to find out what your top skills are. The formula is simple:

Think of what kinds of activities and jobs you are naturally good at performing.

THEN...

Take note of which ones make you feel more energized upon their completion.

After you finish those two exercises, you should have a pretty clear picture of what your top skills are. It's super easy, and the results might even surprise you. Give it a shot, and see what you think.

Five Ways To Regain Control of Your Life

Life can be very difficult to manage sometimes. It's all too easy to lose track of what-and-who you are, outside of your job, your responsibilities, and the image that others may expect you to portray. But, if you want to stay productive, and SANE, you must make time for you in your life. Here are five ways to regain control of your...

KEEP A DATE WITH YOURSELF
Assign a specific date and time to treat yourself. Take things easy. Make it a statement that you will not let worries enter your mind during your date with yourself.

BE BOLD ENOUGH TO BREAK THE NORM
Surely there's something you've always wanted to do...something you love, but are afraid others would judge you for. You should do that thing. It's very liberating.

TREAT YOURSELF LIKE A GUEST
Tend to your needs and your well being. Treat yourself!

DON'T BE AFRAID TO SAY "NO"
This is another liberating, and emboldening, step. Learn how to say no to those things that you really don't have room in the day for.

TRY NEW THINGS
This one is pretty straightforward. It speaks for itself. Try new things! The famous writer Henry David Thoreau expressed this message over a century ago: "I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived." Obviously, he was open to trying new things. You should be, too!

Is Your Personality Working In Your Favor?

Once you take some time to figure out who you really are and what you really want, you'll find that your job search becomes much easier to manage. Here are three valuable ways that knowing yourself will help you in your job search.

You Will Narrow Down Your Options
By knowing well what you want and what you don't, you'll find that your list of options has been greatly narrowed. This will help you to focus and refine your job hunting tactics.

You Will Have A Better Knowledge of Yourself
You will have better confidence, in coming to terms with yourself; and it will show. Interviews will run much more smoothly, as you will effectively able to communicate your strengths and weaknesses.

You Will Avoid Unpleasant Surprises
This ties in with the first statement. You don't want to get hired for a position in a company that absolutely does not fit you. You can avoid that trap easily, if you just remain honest with yourself, and make your choices accordingly.

The Good Ol' Days: Visiting the Senior Citizens' Center

The Piggly Wiggly grocery store, which was purchased by the city in 1985, used to host and/or fund many activities around Eufaula. One of the activities the Piggy Wiggly upheld was monthly visits to the senior citizens' center, to honor those whose birthday it was that month. Above is a picture of a group visiting the center for that very reason.  

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The Good Ol' Days: College Days

I'm on the far right, wearing white. I was the President of the Young Democrats of Easter OK State College, at the time. In the light grey suit is former OK Attorney General, Larry Derryberry. On the far left is the Dean of the college, Robert Means. And, to my immediate left, is Jim Bradshaw, President of the Student Senate. 

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The Good Ol' Days: Remembering Fountainhead

Admiring the plaque which was placed on the wall of the Johnson Indoor Recreation Center, which was located at the Fountainhead Resort, is (from left to right) Fountainhead Manager Dave Hammonds, Speaker of the State of Oklahoma House of Representatives—and now Chancellor of Education—Glen Johnson, Senator Frank Sherton, and yours truly. The Fountainhead building still stands, even though the resort has been raised after its purchase by the Creek Nation. Currently, Creek Nation has plans to replace the Fountainhead building with a hotel and possible casino. 

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The Good Ol' Days: What About Bob Guiou?

Receiving a plaque for his many hears of service in the city of Eufaula is the long time City Treasurer and State National Bank Officer, Bob Guiou. He was not only an outstanding city servant but a great citizen, as well.

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The Good Ol' Days: Young n' Dapper

The Freshman Class President of Eastern Oklahoma State College admires the first plaque he ever received for being named Student State Senator of the Year. Don't I look cute? 

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The Good Ol' Days: Supporting the Eufaula Boxing Club

Here I am, on behalf of the Quarterback Club,presenting the Outstanding Boxer Award to Kirk Stingle. I assisted with the officiating of several of the boxing matches. The boxing tournaments were used to raise thousands of dollars in an effort to help Eufaula create and sustain sports activities on behalf of Eufaula Boxing Club. 

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The Good Ol' Days: Fireman of the Year Award

Each year, one of Eufaula's twenty-five member fire department would be selected to receive the Fireman of the Year Award. This award was presented as an honor to Eufaula fire fighters that went above and beyond the call of duty. Pictured here is the proud recipient of the award, Leonard Luna. 

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The Good Ol' Days: Toys for Tots Kickoff Campaign

Owner of the Eufaula Ford dealership, Brian Spielgene, is presenting a one thousand dollar check to kick off the Toys for Tots campaign. Designed to help provide gifts for underprivileged children during the holiday season, over three hundred and fifty children received toys from this program, all through donations from great citizens like Brian Spielgene. 

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The Good Ol' Days: Funding Toys for Tots

Clasping hands are myself and the President of Booker T. Washington High School. Here, we are both making contributions to the Toys for Tots Organization. This organization, which was founded by myself Tommy Akers, the Director of Juvenile Services, was created to provide gifts for underprivileged children during the holiday season. Also pictured are Booker T. board members, including Treasurer Eula Gregory, in the middle. 

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The Good Ol' Days: Honors from the Green Country Press

Here, I am being named the most popular elected official in Eastern Oklahoma, by the Green Country Press. Looking on is his wife Beverly. The former recipients were Governor George Nye, and U.S. House representative Carl Albert, before him. I look back in gratitude for having been granted such a high honor. 

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The Good Ol' Days: Furnishing the Hospital

Presenting the very first check to furnish a room during the construction of the Eufaula Municipal Hospital is Robert Badcock, President of the Eufaula Lions Club. The presentation is being made to me and the hospital’s first administrator, George Okie. All of the 33 bedrooms were furnished by contributions by individuals and organizations which helped get the hospital opened in 1976.

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The Good Ol' Days: Judge Layden's Retirement

This is me honoring the late Judge Robert Layden on his retirement from his many years on the bench. Mr. Layden was an outstanding civic leader and was recognized statewide for his legal services.

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The Good Ol' Days: The Preservation of the McIntosh County Courthouse

Former Judge Jean Mowry and myself honor the late Associate District Judge, Kirk Powell, for his assistance in maintaining the historical integrity of the McIntosh County Courthouse.

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The Good Ol' Days: Les Hall and the Gang

Here, the Main Street Director Les Hall is being presented with a Certificate of Appreciation for his outstanding work in the development and revitalization in the city’s Main Street program. Mr. Hall was the first main street director, and went on to be hired by the state as the State Director of the Oklahoma Main Street Organization. Looking on (left to right) is Vice Mayor Glenn Pitman and Main Street Board Directors Marty Rucker and Brian Spielgene.

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The Good Ol' Days: The Beginning of the Eufaula Municipal Hospital

In 1975, during the construction of the Eufaula Municipal Hospital, one of the first contributions was made by the friendly Lake Eufaula area supporters. Here, Betty Price is presenting a check to me. I was appointed the Hospital Board Chairman. Looking on is Debby Burns, Eufaula’s first EMS tech. The hospital was constructed, completed, and owned by the city. It stayed that way for over ten years. In 1985, it was sold to private enterprise. The hospital is still in operation on the hill. Every room has a view of the lake.

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The Good Ol' Days: Robert Lane Receives The Key To The City

Mayor Joe Johnson is presenting the Key to the City to former County Commissioner, Robert Lane, for his assistance in helping the city of Eufaula with many of its growing projects, while saving the city many thousands of dollars. Robert played a lead role in helping Eufaula in many ways. In particular, he helped to extend Front Street, connecting it to Lakeshore Drive (behind Braum’s), thus opening that area up for development. Not only did this construction allow that area to develop, but it alleviated the traffic congestion on Main Street, as well. For Mr. Lane’s assistance, Johnson got the city to name the stretch after the Commissioner, himself. It is now called Robert’s Lane. 

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The Good Ol' Days: Roger Barton...

Presenting long–time Eufaula mayor Joe Johnson with the outstanding volunteer from the Department of Human Services of McIintosh County, is director Roger Barton. The award was given annually to whom the staff felt contributed most to helping better the lives of the underprivileged in Eastern Oklahoma.

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