Recently, I had a visit from my granddaughter dressed up like a ballerina after her ballet class. She’s an amazing child, and in a metaphorical way, she reminded me of the different dances we all have had to do the past several years. With it being the last quarter of the year at this writing, I, like many of us, am thinking about how to plan our steps forward in the New Year. My recent book, "Revolutionary Results," contains a chapter titled “Finding Your North Star.” I’ve outlined it below as a helpful guide during these changing times. 

Recently I was driving to Mass, and the sign in front of the church really grabbed me:

“TRY SOME OF THESE 4-LETTER WORDS: LOVE, HELP, GIVE, CARE.”

I smiled, thinking how so many things these days — overall but especially in the recruiting sector in what I call the New Work World — perhaps bring different four-letter words to mind. But then I got to thinking that if we implemented the mindset that the words on the sign mentioned, perhaps better days could be in our future. And then I thought about trees and how they bend!

Have you ever had something that you felt was a symbol of meaningful change for you? For me that symbol has always been a dragonfly. It seems whenever I am pondering the outcome of a situation or unsure about moving forward in a particular area, a dragonfly appears. And because this symbol always seems to produce some kind of important change or outcome for me, I have done some study of them.

What does it really take to shine in a job interview? According to Ramon Santillan, it’s not about memorizing canned answers or trying to be someone you’re not. It’s about learning how to tell your story in a way that makes sense to the person on the other side of the table. Ramon is the founder of Persuasive Interview, and in this episode of Career Can Do he talks with host Chris Sandland about the unique challenges and strengths of neurodiverse candidates.

I was doing my weekly shopping at a local store I enjoy in Houston, Central Market, when a magazine on the rack seemed to beckon me to pick it up. As I opened the special edition of National Geographic titled "The History of Witchcraft," one headline really got me thinking: "Any Way, Shape, or Form. Some Witches Can Change Shape at Will." And I smiled thinking that, as a recruiter, I wish lately that I could wave a magic wand and change the happenings in the job market with the unprecedented talent shortages and challenges we are facing. And then I began thinking about the tradition of the holiday upon us, Halloween, that lets us become anything we want to be. What if we decided to carry that mindset beyond Halloween? What if we could make our own kind of magic without needing to become a sorcerer or wizard with a magic wand? Would it even be possible?

Charleston is significant for its well-preserved colonial architecture, its historical importance as the location of the first Civil War battle at Fort Sumter and its rich cultural heritage, which includes a vibrant arts scene and unique culinary traditions. It is also famous for many additional firsts in America such as the first public library, museum and playhouse. As a person who enjoys the arts and loves to learn, it made me especially reflect on the second step of the Faremouth Method™, “Ask Better Questions.”

What if the secret to finishing your story is simply finding the right people to cheer you on? In this episode of Career Can Do, Mary Ann Faremouth welcomes Alicia Richardson, CFO of the Houston Writers Guild, to talk about how the Guild helps writers sharpen their skills, connect with peers, and find encouragement in what can often feel like a solitary pursuit.

Alicia shares how critique groups, conferences, and community events foster growth and accountability, while also opening doors to inspiration and opportunity. Whether you’re brand new to writing or already published, this conversation shows the power of community in turning creative goals into reality.

We often consider feelings of pressure and stress as negative emotions, but they can create magnificent things. A diamond results from a combination of heat and incredible pressure. A caterpillar must break through the pressure of a cocoon to emerge as a butterfly. A clam has to put up with the stress of an annoying grain of sand as a beautiful pearl is made. And even flowers find a way to push through a crack in the pavement.

Many employers want that hunter mentality as they look to fill open positions. They want employees who will create solutions to the challenges brought about by the past several years and more recently with tariffs, for example. We can go much further by using all of the valuable lessons from hunters and the hunting experience. Just as a hunter works solo while still connecting with others as part of the great hunt, we are all learning that we can be part of a team while working independently. All in life is a hunt. Whether you are hunting doves or your own personal dreams, those same skills apply. Patience and precision are at the top of the list to actualize what we want, and relationships are about the shared experience.