Update your resume. Start complying a list of your accomplishments in your present job. In particular, focus on quantifiable achievements. Bring home a copy of position description your human resources department has developed for your job. Use this position description to check content of your resume. If you need help, get it from Internet, resume writing books, or a professional resume writer.

Create a portfolio. Make copies of positive letters you have received from customers and letters of recognition you have received from your employer. If you have a job where you create materials that are not company confidential such as brochures or operating manuals, make copies of your work to show to potential employers during future job interviews.

Develop your list of references. Contact people you would like to use as references to ask their permission to be used as a reference. Obtain their current contact information and type up your reference list.

Have you ever experienced ‘downtime'? Or are you going through it right now? I have! When nothing seems to be working. When you have done everything you know how to do, yet there seems to be no progress. It gets frustrating when you find yourself stuck in an un-resourceful situation. Or when you find it is getting harder and harder to achieve your goals, despite everything that you have done. This is ‘downtime'. The system is down.

What do you do when things are like this?

'Engage in intense positive thinking?' 'Hope for best?' 'Expend more effort in your task?' Blame your luck, stupidity, grandmother, nature, whole world, or even God?'

Embrace your downtime! Because its one of those rare opportunities to sharpen your blade and to take a new look at yourself. That is message of this article.

How do you maximize your downtime?

1. Define your Success Assess your resourcefulness. Find those things that stand between you and your goal. If you do not have resources to remove those things, find ways to create resources that will do work for you. Do this so that nothing will stand between you and your goals!

Secondly, develop a sense of purpose. Know exactly where you are going and how you are going to get there.

Thirdly, apply persistence to your success. There is only one condition under which you may accept failure. Accept failure as a step in path of success!