Career-Limiting Tie

When I worked for a conservative company in London, I was a flop with a capital F, when I worked for the same company in Chicago, I was a success with a capital - OK we don’t need to spell it out. 

I was counseled out because of a career-limiting tie in London and complimented on my surreal sox in Chicago.  What was the difference?

www.ties.com

www.amazingsocks.com

Knowing who I was – a misfit – accepting it and then selling my differences.  Being myself was what made me a success.

Knowing yourself is the key to becoming a successful misfit.  One great way is to use the wisdom of Jung and Meyers Briggs. Take a free personality type test.
http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-twin/JTypes2.asp

Another way is to take The Successful Misfit Self Test.

Another good way to find out if you are a misfit – and how to be a success – is to stop and listen.  Take the time – make the time - to find out what really makes you tick, what you really like, what you are good at, and what your passion is. 

The Artist’s Way is my favorite book for making you reflect on who you are and what your creativity and passion is.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1585421464/104-3357087-9281511?v=glance&n=283155

Once you discover who you are then you need to celebrate that uniqueness and accept it. Then you can move on to a successful career from a challenging career. 

Firstly, give up the idea that you need to be in a different career, in a different job, in a different body.  You’re fine as you are.  What we need to do is focus on what you can offer an employer if you are employed, or a customer if you are self-employed.

Then you need to market yourself.  And market only means talking about yourself!  Extroverts often find this easy, but even for introverts this can be a breeze. 

This article from CareerJournal.com gives some great tips on self-marketing for the introvert, but they work just as well for the extrovert.

http://www.careerjournal.com/columnists/perspective/20050117-fmp.html

Know yourself and then market and sell yourself.

That is how I found myself being a winner in Chicago and a loser in London!  Find out more about you can become a successful misfit here.