The Foundation for Rapid Employment – and ALL Success

Work Harder On Yourself Than You Do Anything Else

It was my secret weapon for 35 years when I worked with job seekers at all levels.  And over the years, as I’ve watched the evolution of the resume writing and career coaching professions, I find that this strategic weapon still gets very little attention, if any at all. 

Mind you, this secret weapon was the foundation for turning my own life around 35 years ago, after being fired by a best friend at age 39, and not having a clue what my place was in the workplace.   I worked with a coach to try and find clarity and purpose.  He said, “Mr. Block, you must work harder on yourself than you do anything else.  Work harder on yourself than you do on your job search and career, your marriage, or anything else because when you grow, every aspect of your life follows.”  I did, and everything changed for me – and untold clients I’ve worked with.

So, in celebration of National Career Development Month (Every November since 1967), as I am about to officially conclude a 35-year career in our industry at the end of this year, I didn’t want to leave without passing along this secret weapon to you… and it’s a message I shared with every client I worked with, no matter what their situation or circumstance: “Work harder on yourself than you do your job search.” 

The phrase, “work harder on yourself than you do the job search,” suggests that the deepest driver of success in a challenging, often uninspiring process like finding work, isn’t just résumés, filling out applications, networking, or interview training, but rather the person a job seeker becomes in the process.  Though there are many more aspects to this philosophy, it pretty much means, It’s not what we get in life that matters most.  What matters most is who we become as a person in pursuit of what we want.  Below are a few aspects of how I believe personal growth ties into a more cohesive and effective rapid employment (job search) process, where job seekers become fully engage in their pursuits of a better job – a better future.

A Word about Personal Growth in Seeking a Job

The job search process is unpredictable, with rejection, uncertainty, and setbacks all along the way. If job seekers treat it only as a search or hunt for employment, they’ll often feel drained – overwhelmed. But if they genuinely perceive it as an opportunity to grow – to develop new skills, expand resilience, clarify goals, and design their futures on their terms, job seekers come out stronger, regardless of immediate results.  They learn to enjoy (or become fully engaged) in the journey – in pursuit of landing the right job. 

1. Personal Responsibility

The two major causes of underachievement are blame and excuses. Sadly, few people seem willing to take personal responsibility these days. Taking responsibility means accepting any type of wind that might blow, knowing that it’s not the wind, but rather the set of the sail that makes the difference between unemployment and gainful employment, between remaining in a stressful job and securing the perfect job. Taking responsibility means that if it’s going to be, it’s up to me and no one else.  Responsibility means going the extra mile with a smile, knowing that going the extra mile is the best investment a job seeker can make in their future. 

2. Discipline

Discipline is the bridge between employment and unemployment, between underemployment and meaningful employment. Discipline means doing those things that others aren’t willing to do and hanging in there long after everyone else has let go. Discipline is the foundation upon which all success is attained. An abundance of discipline leads to an abundance of job offers. In reality, job seekers have one of two life-changing choices to make: to employ discipline today to achieve their  job objectives, or neglect to employ discipline at the expense of their goals.  In a sentence, discipline is doing what we prefer not to do, in pursuit of what we want.  

3. Change in Attitude

Attitude plays a pivotal role in determining the success of a job search. More than just skills or qualifications, a job seeker’s mindset pretty much shapes how they approach challenges, setbacks, and opportunities. A positive and proactive attitude fosters resilience, allowing job seekers to persevere when facing rejections or periods of uncertainty. Rather than viewing rejection as failure, those with the right attitude see it as feedback – a chance to learn, adjust, and move closer to success.

Additionally, employers are not only evaluating work-place ability. but also the person behind the résumé. A job seeker who demonstrates optimism, confidence, and enthusiasm during interviews (and throughout the entire process), sends a powerful message: they will bring that same energy into the workplace. Conversely, frustration, negativity, or desperation can subtly surface and undermine even the most qualified candidate. Attitude directly influences body language, communication style, and the ability to build rapport, all of which weigh heavily in hiring decisions.  A positive, resilient outlook transforms the job search from a stressful ordeal into a growth and engaging experience, positioning candidates for long-term success and fulfillment.

4. A Positive Sphere of Influence

Will Rogers may have said it best when he said that, “The quality of life is often a result of the people in life you avoid.” It’s important that job seekers consistently assess the people they spend time with, and determine if these people are helping or hindering their rapid employment process.  

Presidents of corporations are affected by those serving on the board of directors. World-class athletes and entertainers surround themselves with world-class coaches and advisers. Job seekers must also have a positive, high-energy, and world-class group of advisers to help them meet their job and career objectives. 

This sphere of influence can consist of two people, or a team of ten.  It can consist of support groups, coaches, therapists, family members, friends, etc.  Influence can be subtle, so job seekers must always be aware and evaluate those people they spend most of their time with.  Once aware of their sphere of influence, they have 4 choices:  1) Identify people they need to spend more time with, 2) people they  need to spend less time with, 3) people they need to add to their sphere of influence, and 4) people they need to disassociate with – partially or completely. 

It’s true, our environment, especially the people we spend the most time with, impact our lives – good or bad.   So creating a powerful inner circle – sphere of influence – can be a job seeker’s lifeline when the going gets tough, and to celebrate with when the tough going leads to rapid success. 

5. Taking Action

All the planning in the world, all the processes, models, and strategies for rapid employment, mean absolutely nothing unless fueled by action. Action, driven by discipline, is what propels the process leading to an effective job campaign; to rapid employment. “Actions speak louder than words.” Action is the miracle piece to all success achievement, because when job seekers take massive action, they’ll get massive results.  Wisdom without action leads to painful underachievement.  But wisdom, fueled by massive action,  results in the most extraordinary job and career opportunities.

Final Word – Gratitude

I suggest that when we begin the process of working harder on ourselves than we do anything else, we begin the process with a deep sense of gratitude.  Having an intense appreciation for all we have today, in pursuit of all we desire tomorrow, is a most miraculous strategy because gratitude produces miracles – rapid employment… especially when supported by personal responsibility, discipline, a positive attitude, a powerful team of advisors, and taking action.  

When job seekers ask you how to begin a job search, you might begin, not by asking them what kind of job they want or by building a resume, but by asking them, “What five things are you most grateful for at this moment?”  (BTW: If they say nothing – give them a blind fold and tell them keep it on for a full day.  Then perhaps, they’ll appreciate their gift of sight). When gratitude is ever-present throughout the job search process, that’s the very foundation to employing the secret weapon to rapid employment: “Work harder on yourself than you do your job search – or anything else.”