Bulletin No. 22 | July – August 2004

REMARKS FROM THE EDITOR

There are many ways to Rome, that’s the old saying. In today’s competitive environments, we have wider opportunities to expand our career ideas. We are the ones who control our own future. Do you know how great you can be? What your potential is? Each of us creates a mental framework that holds our belief and assumptions about our capabilities. We make daily judgements about what we can do and cannot do with our skills and abilities. Thus our beliefs influence our behavior and through our beliefs, we talk ourselves into or out of what we want to do. 

Work is changing so rapidly, we should be more responsible than our previous generations for managing our career. Yet, it is getting harder to manage our career in this competitive world. Career resilience is based on self-knowledge. That knowledge provides direction in a work characterized by constant change. If we believe in our own abilities we are more able to remain in control of our careers and find direction in spite of perpetual change. 

Whatever career we are in, we need to communicate with people. Building relationship is the essence of communication. We need some experts who can convince and inspire us in removing old mythos – limitations and opening up to the world of career particularly if we choose career in public relations. You will explore the state of the art of public relations as a strategic management function, rather than a means of marketing activity as most people perceive. Deciding on the work that is most meaningful to you begins with an open mind, free from self-imposed restrictions and constraints.

Let us listen and discuss with the guru of public relations – Dr. James E. Grunig, from Maryland University College Park, USA. Dr. Grunig will be addressing the issues on : PUBLIC RELATIONS EMPOWERMENT IN NEW INDONESIA, on Thursday August 12th, Asean Room, Jakarta Hilton International – luncheon and interactive dialogue. See you there!


Elizabeth Goenawan Ananto, FIPRA
Editor

TIPS OF THE MONTH

Self Confidence, Adaptability and Creativity

Why are  some able to set goals and attain them while others drift through life, tapped in dead-end jobs and get pension in an unfavorable environment? Self confidence – usually makes the difference, rather than ‘money’ as most people say.

Pessimist explain life’s events as permanent (these things always happen to me), pervasive (everything is ruined) and personal (it’s all my fault) 
Optimist respond to adverse events by explaining them as temporary setback, limited those events, and external (not necessary my fault)

• Stop the negative thought immediately and reframe it into a positive one
• Build on your strengths in small ways to increase your self confidence, as self confidence comes from repeating successful behaviors
• Decide what dreams you want to turn into reality. Set realistic goals, but don’t lower your expectations because you lack self confidence to attain them 

We naturally adapt to changes in our environments. In fact, like our body which makes millions of change everyday, if our sells aren’t changing, we are not alive.

• If the changes are monumental, we react immediately. If the changes are incremental and happen a little everyday, we often overlook the changes until it is too late
• Don’t stay long in your comfort zone – it is easy to ignore the facts and believe that things will always be the same
• Try new things and expand your thinking
• Open your eyes to new possibilities

Creative people believe that failure is not a waste of time. Failures trigger new ideas.

• Ask yourself what you think you should do and do the opposite
• Ask good questions to explore career options
• Develop a mind map
• Creativity is your gift – to be opened throughout your life

(Source : Career Patterns, L.H Tuck, A. Price, M. Robertson, 2000)