Success Strategies from Dondi Scumaci, Inc.

January 2009

Design a Successful Year

Greetings!

It's no secret that 2009 will be a year of unprecedented challenge, rapid change, and uncertainty. Here are 5 things you can do to design a successful year:

Make networking a real priority. The best opportunities are located and secured through personal and professional networks. This is not the year to "go it alone." Sign up, step up, and get involved.
Get a mentor and be a mentor. Mentoring is one of the ways you take charge of your personal and professional growth. Mentors help you navigate change and challenge, test new approaches, and develop growth strategies.
Manage your focus! What are you listening to, watching, and reading about? In 2009 resolve to "be informed, not afraid." Focus on the actions you can take, and results will take care of themselves. (I promise.)
Quit looking for and worrying about job security! Really, there is no such thing as job security, so get it over it. Focus on being more valuable to your organization and your buiness partners. Value creates opportunity. (Always.)
Release "toxic relationships." Surround yourself with people who are looking up, rising to the occasion, and growing through the challenges. AVOID NEGATIVE, TOXIC PEOPLE at all cost.

This can be your year of breakthrough and success... all by your own design!

All the best,

Dondi

For more information on these topics and more, visit Dondi's BLOG Archives.

"Grow" Joins "Designed" on the Bookshelves

Designed for Success celebrated "her" first birthday on January 2. On the heels of that celebration, "Ready, Set...Grow!" is preparing to make her debut. Grow is available for pre-order now and officially releases on March 3, 2009.

Here is a sneak preview of what you'll see in Dondi's second book, "Ready, Set...Grow!":

If you're like millions of women who are on the go-grabbing for the brass ring, focusing on your family, or trying to shatter that glass ceiling-it's past time for you to take a step back and concentrate on finding the real you.
Discover and set your passions free by digging deep into who you are and where you want to go.
Realistically confront the obstacles to living an inspired life.
Be encouraged and empowered through personal accountability.
Incorporate the spiritual into your everyday life.
Learn how to break the worry habit and release your internal "brake."
Learn how to "find your balance" and set your boundaries.
Grow through adversity.
Rediscover your passion, overcome your fears, and create the life you've always wanted!

Reserve your copy today!

Designed for Success Book Clubs are Stepping Up!

We are delighted to see Designed book clubs and discussion groups popping up around the world! Corporations, associations, and personal networks are using "Designed" has a guide for growth and mentoring. (In one corporation we were delighted to see the gents signing up in equal numbers. Bravo!) What a marvelous way to network and take charge of your personal and professional development.

Here's how we plan to support your efforts:

Each month in 2009, we will publish a chapter discussion guide. These guides will help you dig deeper, isolate your own action items, and assist in mentoring others.Visit the "Resources" page at dondiscumaci.com to pick up your chapter guides.
Once a month Dondi's BLOG will frame a chapter offering new insights and "real-time" examples. Look for the blog at Dondi Scumaci, Inc.
If you leading a Book Club or would like to, contact information at Dondi Scumaci, Inc. for tips on getting started and staying the course.

Here are five questions to get you started on Chapter 1: The Call to Action:

What do people (even women) expect from women in the workplace?
What stereotypes do you recognize, and what would you add to the list?
What preconceived notions do you suspect you are encountering at work? What tells you that may be true?
How might you be "typecast" in your role?
What examples do you have of women demonstrating confidence, assertiveness, and the ability to think strategically? What do these traits "look like" in real time?
Successful strategies include career planning, networking, and mentoring. What steps are you taking to leverage these success strategies?

Explore dondiscumaci.com to download the full discussion guide for Chapter 1.

A Year of Success - First Edition