Determination and willpower are traits you need to reach your goal when you have a burning desire and you've made decision to take action and make something happen. There may be obstacles on way to your goal, but strength of mind and fortitude can help keep you on track. It doesn't matter how fast you are moving toward your goal as long as you keep moving in a positive direction. You should be resolved to turn your desire into a reality no matter what it takes.

Discipline can sometimes be hardest D to handle. We may have best of intentions, but a moment of weakness can throw us off track. It takes self-control and restraint to make sacrifices and stick to plan we decided upon. Every so often, we have to be strict with ourselves and remember that goal we seek is worth effort. If it becomes too hard to follow plan, we might need to revise plan or time it takes to get there.

Usually, what we desire most, is not goal itself, but benefits that we experience when goal is reached. The following is a list of some goals and possible benefits:

Goal: lose weight Benefit: look/feel better, more energy Goal: plant a garden Benefit: fresh food, exercise, nature Goal: learn to play golf Benefit: exercise, recreation Goal: buy a motorhome Benefit: travel, family outings Goal: work at home Benefit: freedom, more time with family Goal: make more money Benefit: better lifestyle, prestige

Take a moment to think about your desires. Chances are good that you have desires that are strong enough for you to make decision to take action and make things happen!

Control your interviews - Most people go into a job interview in a passive, controlled state. They answer some questions, take a few tests perhaps and fill in a few forms. Virtually everything is under control of job seeker.

I've found a more assertive approach can be more fruitful, and certainly it feels more fulfilling. Go into interview with a pad of paper and writing materials. Be sure pad has a list of questions for your potential employer, as well as some notes about their company. When you meet employer, introduce yourself assertively. Listen well, but also ask lots of questions and, most importantly, show off your knowledge of company, position and if possible, your interviewer. Show person you have done your homework.

Search for problems - Find out what kind of problems your potential employer is attempting to solve. Ideally, you should try and do some of this before interview (with good research) if you can. However, it's perfectly acceptable to ask interviewer about position and about situation. Once you find out what they are attempting to solve by hiring you, then you can inform them how you can help them solve those problems.

Build a rapport - Be friendly and listen. Listen well. Keep your ears peeled for anything which you and your interviewer have in common. For example, if you determine that he likes opera and you just saw "Cats", then you might get into a discussion about it. Back off fast if you find it's not a good subject - otherwise, be animated and happy about it. Why are you doing this? Because a huge part of interview process is interviewer is determining if you are someone he or she wants to work with. By having common likes (or dislikes) you make yourself more friendly to them.

An example - Let's say you are being interviewed for an accounting position. You got reference from an interview a few days ago, and person who referred you explained last person left without notice, and they needed someone who could figure out mess fast. The night before interview, you check out company on internet and find out some basic facts (what it does, how many employees and so on). While waiting in lobby, you talk to receptionist and find out person doing your interview likes movies, especially science fiction movies.

When you get to interview, you can use information about movies and science fiction to relax your interviewer and get into some conversation. Now as interviewer explains what job is about and asks usual questions, you can mention that you are very good at stepping into chaotic situations and organizing them. If you have past experience at this, you should mention it. Drop some facts about company into conversation as well to show you are informed and care. You might give some examples of how you got handed a project from someone who dropped ball (but do not criticize anyone) and brought it to successful conclusion.

Conclusions - Finding a new job can be a demanding, difficult task. You must treat it with priority it deserves and get out there and hussle. Reading want ads is worst way to look for jobs - and personal contacts are best way. Go on, put on your walking shoes and pound pavement. There is no better way to find a job.