Re-post: Why You Should Be An Entrepreneur – Part 1

“Find something, found something, or fund something.” – Bob Shank Recent news stories point to improved job prospects and increased pay to go with them. This is encouraging if you have the credentials (read: degree and/or certification) your prospective employer is looking for, but what if you don’t? At a recent convention I attended, I […]

Re-post: Comparison Is The Thief of Joy

“But godliness with contentment is great gain” – 1 Timothy 6:6 (NIV) The title of today’s post is a quotation attributed to American president Theodore Roosevelt.  The truth of this statement is so blinding, I am partly tempted to let it stand on its own.  If I did that, though, you might think I was […]

Rader’s Rules: Great Career Advice — UPDATED

Here's some time-tested wisdom. Now put it to work

“Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men. – Proverbs 22: 29 (ESV) When I was a graduate student, the Institute had a series of guest lectures intended to enhance and broaden our thinking.  Attendance was mandatory. I can’t recall all the […]

Re-post: The How and Why of Saying No to Your Boss

Daniel and the limits of obedience

“Learn to say ‘no’ to the good so you can say ‘yes’ to the best.” – John C. Maxwell In a previous post, I explained the debt a man owes to his employer. (If you weren’t paying attention then, you can read it here.) In that post I presented a general rule that employees should […]

Re-post: The Debt of Submission

How to render unto Caesar without selling your soul

“Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar’s and render unto God that which is God’s.” – Jesus Call me cynical, but I am hearing and seeing more instances of employers behaving in a high-handed and indifferent way toward their employees. This is not an indication that human nature has descended to a new level of […]

Re-post: What Your Boss Wants

Shine at work by mastering these old-school basics

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” – Colossians 3:23 (NIV) Congratulations! You got the job! Now what? If you’re just entering the work force, or changing to a new job, you wouldn’t be human if your excitement didn’t also contain a bit of […]

Why You Should Be An Entrepreneur – Part 1

And why you should expect to fail at first

“Find something, found something, or fund something.” – Bob Shank Recent news stories point to improved job prospects and increased pay to go with them. This is encouraging if you have the credentials (read: degree and/or certification) your prospective employer is looking for, but what if you don’t? At a recent convention I attended, I […]

Re-post: Why It Pays to Pay What You Owe

Default shouldn't be your default

“A good name is more desirable than great riches;     to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.” -Proverbs 22:1 (NIV) A couple of years ago, the New York Times published an op-ed piece by Lee Siegel titled “Why I Defaulted on My Student Loans” in which the author explained — duh! — why he […]

Prepare Yourself Now for the Work of the Future – Updated

Can you be replaced by a robot?

“When we are out of sympathy with the young then I think our work in this world is over.” – George McDonald Recently, I ran into a former colleague and her high school aged son. As we caught up, I asked the young man about his plans following high school. He replied: “College, of course!” […]

Re-post: Three Vectors of Emotional Health

Identity, Stimulation, and Security -- Got 'em?

“All the world’s a stage.” – William Shakespeare Some time ago, I read an article expounding on the theory of 20th century playwright and anthropologist, Robert Ardrey.  In his book, The Territorial Imperative, Ardrey states that once a creature’s survival needs are met (Think Maslow’s hierarchy: food, clothing and shelter), there is a hierarchy of […]