I have assembled quite a collection of self help books. Call it an occupational hazard or just curiousity on what others are writing. I read a lot of business books, self help books and workbooks.

In fact, a woman at Barnes & Noble once looked at me with my stack of books and I'm sure thought I was having some sort of nervous breakdown. As I checked out it suddenly dawned on me that I had more books than most people read in a lifetime.

Yet, what I've noticed is that successful people keep learning and growing to reach their results. It doesn't matter if they are looking to improve at speaking, golf or their business, successful people ask for help. They read books. They hire others. They interview others that might know more than they do about how to put or promote their ideas.

We recently developed new products and a website for Dr. Jeff Spencer who has advised Lance Armstrong and the Tour De France team. He knows what it takes to make a champion. Are you ready to be a champion? Do you ask for help to improve your results? Check it out at www.jeffspencer.com

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!