Competing and Coming Up Short

Competing and Coming Up Short Have you ever interviewed for a job, thought you did an excellent job, and not gotten the offer? Or perhaps you entered a contest, lets say a blogging contest, and not won?   Not getting the job or not winning, could possibly be the best thing to ever happen.   You know why?   It forces you to try harder and be a better competitor next time.   You have to remember, there is only ONE winner.   You wont quit.   You cant! Post mortem documentation, and by this I mean analyzing (not over analyzing) what you did well and what you can do better next time is the best lesson to come from that experience. Questions Try asking yourself some of these questions: 1. Did I know my audience well enough?   Did I do research to truly understand and be able to address their key challenges? 2.   Who did I reach out and ask for help from?   Did I get the help I was looking for or expecting? 3. Was I persistent in my requests and was my message clear and compelling? 4. Was my timing right? 5. Did I have a call to action? 6.   Was I passionate enough or did I hold back? 7.   Was I creative or did I sound like anyone or everyone else? 8. What didnt I say or do that I should have or wanted to but didnt? 9. Was I performing at my peak performance? 10.   What one thing didnt I do, that in hindsight, I should have? The Take-Aways If you are honest with yourself and you look objectively at your actions, chances are, there are opportunities for improvement.   Theres no sense it finding fault or blame.   We can only control what we can, so lets not go there.   Ultimately, it comes down toyour performance, your awareness, your interest.   Did you sell yourself?   Did you create a unique value too good to be turned down or let someone walk away from? Dont look back and dwell on the could-haves, should-haves.   You didnt.   Do it next time, because there will be a next time and you will be better equipped to compete! My Win You may know, I am, as usual, writing this for myself!   Jacob Share announced the winners of the 5th Annual JobMob Blogging Contest yesterday. I had my fingers crossed (not the best strategy, huh) that I would qualify for one of the top 3 prizes.   I really could have benefited from them.   I imagined they could have helped propel my blogging and business.   But alas, I am happy with the recognition of Most ReTweeted Article Congratulations to the winners: 1st:     Blessy Vaidian 2nd: Donna Sweidan 3rd: Danielle McGaw To see the full announcement for JobMob, read The Winners of the 5th Annual JobMob Guest   Blogging Contest I know what I need to do now, do you?