Written by Sherrie Brann, Central Region Workforce Specialist Living “within your means” is basically spending less than you earn. In today’s society, it is easy to develop a lifestyle of living beyond our means. This can be due to easy access to credit cards and loans or not paying close attention to our spending. Eventually, this lifestyle leads to financial stress, which is why many of us would like to …
Written by Sherrie Brann, Central Region Workforce Development Specialist Goal-setting is key to building confidence and success. It is important to keep our goals realistic, even as we stretch and grow. How do we set goals we can meet in 2018? There are several tools that can help: Write it down. Writing a clear goal with a specific deadline keeps you accountable. Break it up. Dividing …
Written by SarahJoy Chaples North Central/Downeast Workforce Development Specialist “Where are we meeting for coffee?” It’s time to sit down with my mentor for our monthly check-in. This one hour (sometimes more!) out of my month is one that I cherish. It inspires, refocuses, validates, and challenges me. Find Someone Who Can Guide You Through the Forest Do you know the saying “you can’t see the forest for …
Written by Laurie McDonnell (Workforce Specialist, Southern Region) These two powerful words, dare greatly, were uttered many years ago by Theodore Roosevelt in his, “Citizenship in a Republic” speech on April 23rd, 1910. They were reinvigorated recently by research professor and author, Brene Brown, when she wrote a book with those words as its title. As someone who has taught Building Confidence classes for years, I find these words …
Q. How did you learn about New Ventures Maine? I learned about New Ventures Maine through the Boothbay Region Community Navigator. I met with the Community Navigator staff about a year ago because I was struggling financially and I wanted to learn how better to manage my money, as well as find ways in which I could save money for purchasing a home. I was given a …
You set your goals. You take steps towards action. Yet it doesn’t turn out as you hoped. What do you do? One of the biggest challenges in sustaining your confidence and building resilience is dealing with disappointment. Whether you are going after your dream job, putting yourself and your ideas forward at work and in other leadership roles, running for political office, or closing the sale, …
How do you know where your path will take you if you can’t find your path? Just as you read the signs to stay on a trail, having a plan helps you reach your goals. Your career plan guides you through the many opportunities and challenges in finding a job, developing a long-term career that you love, and continually developing your skills and experience. Your business plan …
Accounts are now available! With Maine Family Development Accounts, you can save towards first-time homeownership, small business development, or your own education (i.e. associate degree, bachelor’s degree, certificate program, or coursework that will improve your earning potential). Here’s how it works: You save up to $1000 in your Family Development Account, and your savings get matched 4:1 (up to $4000). You can save over as short a time as …
As we conclude our spring Creating Your Future class in Brunswick with a strong cohort of career changers working on their action plans, we spent a considerable amount of time in this class discussing how to overcome obstacles. Obstacles ranged from “learn the plants of Zone 5B” (from a budding horticulturalist) to “find resources to fund my education” (voiced by many who need further training to pursue a …