Since my very first job and job search I realized to have the lucky combination of knowing someone and having the desired attitude and experience increased my chances of getting hired.

I always set a goal to find a new job while in my current job. Except once. I'll never do that again, but then again, I own my own company.

The best method to get a job is to really think about what you want to do with your skills. What can you provide to an employer that will make their business grow. Make that list. Set a goal with a date and a desired outcome. Read as many books about job search skills and best practices as you can. Then find a few good mentors. And get to work on your 90 day job search plan.

Check your skill list each week: Good resume. Nice outfit. Strong skills. Maybe more school. An internship. Usually missing on your list of ways to get a job is volunteering. It's the best way to boost your confidence, improve your skills and meet other people who will help you network once they see your work ethic and know a bit more of you. While informational interviews are good, I prefer volunteering as a way to let others see your heart and your passion.

Best of luck with your job search this holiday season.

P.S. The photo is of long-time RockPaperStar client Harvey Mackay and his Chief of Staff Greg Bailey doing their annual bell ringing at Byerley's in St. Louis Park. Jon Nelson, head of The Salvation Army is also their watching me donate my daughter's change mug. This annual event is sure to bring in a few laughs, raise $$$ and connect. (The gentleman in the short sleeves shirt shows up every year to show off his Minnesota weather gear!)

Getting promotion happens in the most random ways. It's not always about writing an article, placing an ad in a newspaper or posting a tweet about your latest event.

The best thing you can do is have someone else rave about you or point out what makes you spectacular at what you do. No one likes a super self-promoter, yet every business, author and speaker needs promotion to connect to their fan base.

The long term relationships around you can bring your best skills to life. See this article about Investment Banker and New York Times bestselling author, Joe Sweeney and his lifelong "Wingman" owner of The Minnesota Wild hockey team Craig Leopold.

As always, keep playing your game and taking inspired action.

People are marketing ideas all day long and they may not even know it. First there's "your personal brand"--what are you about, what do you represent, what do you talk about, who do you hang out with. All of those say something about you.That's marketing since it's a message that others may pick up.

Then, say you run your own business or work for a company, you are marketing their ideas. What do you say about your workplace? Do you talk about your clients and customers? Your coworkers? All of that is marketing the ideas of the company. It could be intentional or it could just show up.

The speakers and authors we work with market their ideas through books, speeches, products and social media. For example for Harvey Mackay's upcoming book launch we just did a skype call with Chris Brogan--a social media ALL Star and a teleseminar with Sally Hogshead--a fascinating author and a powerhouse marketing agency. For Joe Sweeney and Nick Tasler we are connecting with audiences through teleseminars. Please join us.

Marketing your ideas is about putting what you want outside of your head, with a plan and a cohesive message. Start the conversation, listen, and you'll see what is working. Play Your Game and Take Inspired Action.

My friend Jeff Stafford is on a roll. Less than twelve months ago we attended a workshop in Los Angeles together and we each made a list of things we wanted to get done.

Jeff took his list and ran! In the past six months he's written and produced two books, delivered many many speeches and workshops to fund his product development, built a website, developed speech funded product, sold product and more. Every day, every week, every month he's accomplished things. It hasn't always been easy, but he's on a roll. That's how you get things done.

At the end of the month he's headed down to his first trade show to continue to introduce his expertise to College Counselors and Leaders in the industry.

Jeff, I'm thrilled to have the first Orange Slice Training pen and know that you are destined for a JUICY life. I'm honored to be cheering you along and celebrating in your success. You're a RockStar, changing lives along the way. Rock On!

Inspiration is a much talked about subject going way, way back in time. Yet it's such a personal decision to figure out what really inspires you and compels you to actually take action.

As you know, there are many, many books written on this subject and one of the reasons we love reading stories of others success is we find inspiration along they way towards our own impending success.

Yet I propose that inspiration is not something you get like a gallon of milk at the store. Inspiration is more like a river that you walk up to, assess and choose to wade into and see what comes as you float, move rapidly or swim against in your journey. Without drifting too far away from books and authors, here's an example. Some of the authors I meet with are so far into their work they can't see the impact of the inspiration they are giving to other people so they get frustrated. This stifles their inspiration and soon they've lost the ability to enjoy their work and really value the gifts they have to share with others. So I advise to reconnect with that genuine inspiration that creates really powerful work that they tap into their messages another way besides their own perspective. Instead, listen to how others repsond to your ideas. Ask questions about what they like and why? Invite inspiration to come back to you rather than trying so hard to control the flow of the "inspiration river". It is easier to be inspired than you think and much more enjoyable if you invite others to play with you.

Keep calm and rock on.