This morning my mind is on the “Harvest.” I had a conversation with my spouse that made me rethink the “Harvest.” She explained to me that when “one” plants a seed of a tree, “one” must wait for the tree to take roots and grow. Then once the tree is strongly rooted it will start to sprout and grow, but it still must take deeper roots in order to bear fruit for harvesting. This whole process takes a while. In order to have a strongly rooted tree, there must be some deep roots. This is the same for Spirit, in order for the things in life to take root, the seed of the Spirit must break open and go deeper. It is in the “going deeper” that growth happens. The “wilderness” is always dark, but the “harvest” always comes to light when the time is right. My choice is to enjoy the fact that I am “going deeper” for my roots to be firmly planted. The struggle comes with asking the questions of “why is this process taking so long?” The true of the matter is, Spirit is aware of the time needed – flesh is the one struggling with impatience. I choose to enjoy the seeding, the rooting and the growing.
Author Archives: Jenice Armstead
Interview Questions – How to Answer The Hard Ones with Ease
How do you work under pressure?
Interview questions are used to help the selecting official of a business or company to make a decision on whom would be the best pick for a job position. There are many varieties of questions that may be asked to include: General questions, yes or no questions, behavior questions, Open – ended questions, scenario questions, and general questions. The question of “How do you work under pressure?” is sure to come up during the duration of an interview.
This is a question that causes many people to feel intimidated because they are not exactly sure what to say or what not to say. Working under pressure is a skill, not everyone is able to work under pressure. It is important to state that. By stating this fact, you are showing the interview panel or manager that you have an understanding of what working under pressure consists of. You are showing them that you understand that not everyone is able to work under pressure; this is where you show off your skills and start to talk about what working under pressure means to you. You can give examples of times where you were required to work under pressure.
While you speak about your experience with working under pressure it is important to give specific time and job positions where you worked under pressure. This shows the interview panel that you took that situation seriously and that you are more than capable of working under pressure. Even if you are not asked to do so, be sure to give the situation of when you worked under pressure, the outcome of your working under pressure and what the result was of the event, which you were working under pressure.
This is a difficult interview question to answer, but if you come mentally prepared to answer this question you are sure to impress the interview panel or manager as well as give yourself a reminder of how competent you are and reaffirming your professional ability. Happy job hunting, you can do or be anything you want with persistence.
Monday Morning Mindset
Today’s Mindful Monday focuses on living courageously. In the face of adversity and with fear slathered all over your physical body, you must come to the cross roads of “Living Courageously” and “Fear.” Living courageously takes you toward your intention and awareness. Fear pushes you away from your goals. In order to live courageously one must be able to understand that you will fail, and you will have to start over at times. But, it is in the starting over and the failing were you realize your true nature. Your true nature is searching for the ability to live more courageously than the day before. Living courageously is something you embrace, knowing that the result will be for your benefit.
Forgiveness Friday: Going Deeper
Forgiveness is something that has been given to us freely by the Higher Source. Through forgiveness we are able to freely receive the ability to be our true selves. When we begin to understand the power of forgiveness, we are able to ultimately receive from the Higher Source, all which is possible in this life experience. When you have the ability to forgive, you have the ability to receive. Within our humanistic self, forgiveness seems to be difficult and unfair at times. The humanistic experience expresses that forgiveness as something which is hard, but in the spiritual realm forgiveness is something that is ultimately easy. It is important to take a “pause” within our daily and busy lives to identify “triggers” where un-forgiveness may hide. Within our spirits are able to identify where forgiveness may sometimes be held hostage within our bodies. Allowing un-forgiveness to dwell in ones body, causes the body to deteriorate faster than it would if truth and unconditional love dwelled in the body. This Forgiveness Friday focuses on the ability to “go deeper” within oneself and find “pieces” of un-forgiveness within oneself. Begin to release them in order to receive a more prosperous life experience, by choosing to forgive, one is choosing to receive. Do yourself a favor, and forgive.
Monday Morning Mindset
Forgiveness is the key to releasing validation issues in your life. The freedom to forgive allows people to move on with their lives, and allows for goodness to flow through their life experiences and into their soul. I realized in my life that forgiveness is something that is given freely with no expectations of acknowledgment of the hurt a person has objected upon my life. Forgiveness is best experienced in the awareness of one’s own truth about self. It takes a lot of courage to forgive somebody freely for hurts unspoken of. God forgives us freely, and then graces us with the ability to forgive others freely. We are to forgive in remembrance of Him, for He has forgiven us over and over for things that we’ve done. Forgiveness is the key.
Jenice
Understanding Strategic Management
Strategic management is a combination of external and internal environmental analysis, strategic direction, business and corporate strategy formulation, strategic control and strategic restructuring. Strategic management is the ability to analysis and organizations strengths and weakness. The resource an organization has is as important as the operating capital of the organization. It is important that the organization is aware of all business opportunities and conditions for which an opportunity can be taken. Just because a organization has analyzed and hypnotized over the possible threats does not necessarily mean the organization will not incur financial damages, this merely gives an “educated view point” to what could or could not happen in the organization.
Strategic management is vital and important to all organizations, without stratgtic management and organization would have no foundation to build upon. With the ability to analyze and learn from the business environment stratgtic management serves as a key element for organizations to establish goals, execute goals and satisfy key organizational stakeholders. Strategic management includes having a direction to the types of objectives the organization will peruse, long term goals are important for the overall mission of the organization. A well established strategic direction will give an organization the leverage needed to provide guidance to managers and employees who are in the positions to carry out and perform the duties for organizational growth.
There are many processes to stratgtic management starting with external and internal analysis. The external environment focuses on socio-cutural, economic, technological and political forces. With these of focus an organization is able to better understand the needs to their external environment as well as set logical goals to improve on services of their external enviornment. The external environment is broad and must be properly evaluated by the organization; competitive markets may include suppliers and existing organizations with similar mission statements.
Internal analysis consists of organizational resources and competitive advantages. Organization must have a healthy understanding of their sustainable competitive advantage as well as resource interconnectedness. The organizations human resources department is a fragment of top management involvement that must be included in all operational decisions. Employee recruitment, training and rewards are all facets of keeping an organization competitive.
Overall, the stratgic management process is all about the stratgic thinking focus of an organization. Although stratgic managment is a learned skill, most organizations figure it is a part of a creative professional business process needed to ensure an organization is successful. The focus is simple, to include long term growth, keeping external and internal points of communication flowing and keeping a competitive edge.
Reference: Harrison; St. John (2008) Foundations in Strategic Management. Publisher: South-Western Foundations in Strategic Management The External Environment
Jenice Armstead
Motivating & Understanding the “Online Student”
Message from Prof. Jenice Armstead
In my professional opinion, lecturing is a compilation of instructing students to understand a topic or concept and the ability to properly explain a topic with ease to students whom are less familiar with the topic. It takes practice to find what “type” of lecturing which is right for the students to receive the most out of the course. Lectures seem to have been given a “bum rap” because of the student’s perception of what a lecture is. When in fact, all topics have the potential of being exciting for all student-learning experiences. Traditional lecturing has strengths and weakness, which is one of the reasons I am always looking for ways to improve my course interaction and lecturing techniques for my students.
Motivating my students is one of the most important aspects of teaching. Positive learning environments stimulate academic growth of a student. Obtaining new online learning technologies is a way for improving lecturing techniques and developing a well-rounded academic environment for my students. As a professor, I utilized the “Learning Studio” for course interaction, discussion, electronic handouts, academic journals, class chats and assignment submissions. Learning online takes patience, dedication, motivation and constant communication. Without these key elements the success of a student is next to impossible. Professors and instructors have to be engaged and ensure that the lectures are interactive as well as informative. Implementing “interactive” learning methods and other new technology advances provide students with high opportunities for success in all courses.
After implementing the “Learning Studio” for all of my courses, my students are much more involved with the topics and are not afraid to ask questions or give an opinion during class. That was a part of my goal for implementing “interactive” lecture methods. I wanted my students to feel a sense of community and comfort with the topics being discussed. It has showed to be very effective in that student participation and communication has increased tremendously. When stimulating my students I use “blended” teaching methods. My students are heavily involved with the lectures. I make sure to have interactive questions for them to engage in the “Learning Studio.” I also make sure to have power point slides and direct “Live” Internet links to stimulate discussion among my students. The Socratic Methods are useful when teaching human resources and business management. The “Asking Instead of Telling” works especially when I want to have the class discussion on job structures and business ethics.
The four dimensions/factors for successful lecturing are: Attention (A), Relevance (R), Confidence (C), and Satisfaction (S) are attributed to learning comprehension (Guven, 2009). The attention span of a student is directly effective how the student learns. Is the student not attentive in your class? Why not? The lecture may need more “Pizzazz.” The way to give some life to a lecture is to involve you students more with their interests of the topic, or implement more of your real life professional experience into it. This is where the online relevance comes into place. How relevant is the topic to current events? Is there a way to implement current events into the topic? There is always something going on in the news or related to the Saint Leo Core Values one could use to increase the relevance of the topic. While building up the knowledge base of the student, the confidence of the student will increase. Which will increase student satisfaction of the learning experience overall (Guven, 2009). The success of the student in an online program strongly depends on the interaction, creativeness and motivation of the student as does it for the professor/instructor.
References
Guven, M. (2009). The Epistemological Beliefs of Distance Education Students. Turkish
Online Journal Of Distance Education (TOJDE), 10(3), 217-246.
Palloff, R. M., & Pratt, K. (2003). The Virtual Student : A Profile and Guide to Working
with Online Learners. Jossey-Bass.
Garlikov, R. (2012). The Socratic Method. Retrieved September 13, 2012, from
http://www.garlikov.com/Soc_Meth.html
Monday Morning Mindset
Do It In Fear
Fear is false evidence appearing real. Many times we don’t realize the blessing “fear” provides us. Fear can give you the ability to do anything & everything regardless of how you may feel about the situation or environment. What do you mean? You ask. The ability not to move forward is remaining in the negative thought of failing and falling on your face. Fear is an active reminder of the weakness part of you, this is a good thing. In this, you may find the worst part of yourself and recognize how to “strengthen” that part of yourself. I have come to realize that fear is one of my biggest strengths. Fear has given me the ability to push harder, go further and strive more than I ever would have if I didn’t “feel” fear in my life. Fear provides something that allows for the human spirit to feel, the ability to be more and achieve greatness. Fear is nothing more than your “strongest” attribute, pushing your “weakest” attribute to grow to a higher awareness of self. There are many times when I feel fear, the key is to recognize the feeling and know that you can “push” past it. Fear is something that resonates to your body, you can feel it and at times see it. At that moment, you can choose “strong thoughts” and learn to encourage yourself. You can teach yourself to embrace the weakness, and have the strongest part of yourself uplift it and focus on the feelings of great accomplishment. All you have to do, is trust and believe then “do it in fear” know that no matter the outcome – it is the best for you in that moment.
Inspired by Joyce Meyer “Do It In Fear” teachings
Thoughtful Tuesday – Blackness
Blackness
In the still of the night there was blackness
Blackness was and is the beginning of life
The earth and heavens were created out of blackness
The colors all migrate to blackness
A baby is conceived in blackness
The thought of a subconscious mind is pooled with blackness
Growth is in blackness
Your most informative self is derived from blackness
Your nutrition is distributed in blackness
You are all considered blackness from the original people
All good comes from blackness
All is black
All will return to being subdued blackness
Blackness is beautiful
By: Jenice Armstead
Wisdom Wednesday: Earning Veteran’s Preference
There are many factors to “earning” veteran’s preference when applying for a federal or government job.
The Office of Personnel has created a “Veteran’s Guide” to help those agencies ensure they are giving veteran’s the right preferences, this guide is the all tell all on seeing if a veteran has status or not. Yes, you read that right, just because you are a veteran doesn’t mean that you automatically are able to apply for government jobs. In order to apply you have to be a veteran and stipulations apply.
First thing is first, you must be a veteran or have some other kind of veteran status. This is just one of many criteria one must meet to become eligible for veterans status. To receive preference, a veteran must have been discharged or released from active duty in the Armed Forces under honorable conditions (i.e., with an honorable or general discharge). This is crucial because, if you have a dishonorable discharge you are disqualified from veteran status.
Note: Military retirees at the rank of major, lieutenant commander, or higher are not eligible for preference in appointment unless they are disabled veterans upon being discharged or separated from the military.
The key is know what type of Veteran’s preference you have, the following explains what Veteran’s preference actually is:
5-Point Preference (TP)
Five points are added to the passing examination score or rating of a veteran who served:
During a war; or
During the period April 28, 1952 through July 1, 1955; or
For more than 180 consecutive days, other than for training, any part of which occurred after January 31, 1955, and before October 15, 1976; or
During the Gulf War from August 2, 1990, through January 2, 1992; or
For more than 180 consecutive days, other than for training, any part of which occurred during the period beginning September 11, 2001, and ending on the date prescribed by Presidential proclamation or by law as the last day of Operation Iraqi Freedom; or
In a campaign or expedition for which a campaign medal has been authorized. Any Armed Forces Expeditionary medal or campaign badge, including El Salvador, Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, Southwest Asia, Somalia, and Haiti, qualifies for preference.
A campaign medal holder or Gulf War veteran who originally enlisted after September 7, 1980, (or began active duty on or after October 14, 1982, and has not previously completed 24 months of continuous active duty) must have served continuously for 24 months or the full period called or ordered to active duty. The 24-month service requirement does not apply to 10-point preference eligibles separated for disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty, or to veterans separated for hardship or other reasons under 10 U.S.C. 1171 or 1173.
When veterans with 5 point (TP) status apply for federal positions, 5 points are automatically added to their application scores. Yes, federal applications receive scores. When you complete a federal application you receive a score from 1 – 100 percent, applicant scores are tallied up once the announcement has closed. If your application did not receive a “high enough” score you should be contacted by the human resources of the position for which you applied. If you have any additional questions about your application, contact the human resources office of the agency for which you applied.
References:
Veterans Job Information: http://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/index.aspx
Veteran’s Guide: http://www.opm.gov/staffingPortal/Vetguide.asp
How to Answer Personal Interview Questions
What Important Rewards Do You Expect from Your Career?
IInterview questions are vital to the hiring process of any company, the key to answering interviewing questions is to practice answering them over and over again with professionalism and honestly.
When answering personal questions, it is important to keep a professional mindset while deciding how to answer the question. Personal questions about work ethic, work life, and over all work experience are not inappropriate. These are considered personal questions in relation to work. Remember that any personal questions dealing with sexuality, religion and political party preference or any other topics not allowed, under the Equal Opportunity Employment Commission (EEOC) these topics should not be asked during any interview.
This is a random personal work question that may or may not be asked by many employers. It is important to focus on the main subject of this question. The main subject is “important rewards” this is the main subject of this question because if you don’t plan on receiving any awards then that should be stated, but ensure to back it up with something positive such as “I don’t plan on receiving any awards because most of my work is behind the scenes and the work I complete for my clients is reward enough.” Your answer doesn’t have to be that cheesy, but it is important to always back a negative perceived answer with a more positive response.
If you have already received rewards from the work you have completed or done for previous employers it is important to mention this as well. Make sure to give details of what work was completed and the specific reward and time period for which the reward was received. Taking in mind that some positions on your resume are shorter than others, if there are awards you have received from related work or a retired status make sure to mention these awards for the position time frame. This helps the interviewer to realize that you take your work seriously and strive for greatness.
This is a difficult interview question to answer, but if you come mentally prepared to answer this question or a similar question, you are sure to impress the interview panel as well as give yourself a reminder of how competent you are and reaffirming your professional ability. Happy job hunting, you can do or be anything you want with persistence.
For more information go to “Pep Talks” the series
Welcome to “Smarter Not Harder LLC”
Dr. Jenice Armstead started “Smarter Not Harder HR” to provide a necessary and innovate service for growing human capital value and organizational management.
Smarter Not Harder LLC provides services to both individuals and businesses. Individual services include: mentor coaching, resume development, government job application assistance, business proposal assistance and help with how to start a business. Business services include: human resource management, human resource development, implementation and training courses for organizations to grow their human capital value.
Smarter Not Harder LLC portfolio includes management and technical resources, providing solutions devoted to job description development, job classification, job Stress Management, Affirmative Action Plans, Diversity & Inclusion and Government Regulation/Compliance. Our focus is to assist organizations manage human resources management, occupational safety standards and increase productivity.
Smarter Not Harder LLC delivers customer-value through addressing the challenges of a changing economy. Showing organization strategies as the foundation for human capital value to constantly grow and develop employees. The workplace is ever changing.
Smarter Not Harder LLC provides interactive subject matter expert knowledge for business solutions that make organizations more effective and efficient. Smarter Not Harder has all of your human resources management needs in one place.
Smarter Not Harder LLC Services Include:
Individuals: Cover Letter & Resume Services, interview preparation, professional portfolio development (Subject Matter Expert in Federal Hiring/Interviewing)
Organizations:
Employee Handbook Review, Customized Employee Handbook, Workplace Policies, Customized New Hire Booklets, Customized Separation Booklets, Evaluation Program Development, Disciplinary Actions, Performance Management, Complete HR Library with Customized Documents
Special Projects:
Compliance Audit, Termination/ conducted on-site, New Hire Orientation, Candidate Screenings, Workplace Investigations, Sexual Harassment Trainings, Management Trainings, Job Description Development, Department Development and On-Site Support
For more information about Smarter Not Harder LLC:
For more information about Smarter Not Harder HR services email:
Jenicearmstead@gmail.com
Groupon for Three Professional Resumes Or Professional Resume with Cover Letter from Smarter Not Harder (Up to 72% Off)
Jenice Armstead, Smarter Not Harder has launched her first Groupon for the Tampa, Fl area. Do you need a cover letter, resume or both? Then check out Groupon, Tampa, Fl and search Jenice Armstead, Smarter Not Harder Resume Services.
Choose Between Two Options
$75 for three professional resumes ($250 value)
$85 for a professional resume with a cover letter ($300 value)
Expires 90 days after purchase. Limit 1 per person. Valid only for option purchased. Limit 1 per visit. Appointment required. Willing to Travel 10 Miles Maximum from Zip Code 33647 Merchant is solely responsible to purchasers for the care and quality of the advertised goods and services.
If you need resume services and don’t live in Tampa, Fl … NO PROBLEM we can meet in my “Virtual Office” using Blackboard Collaborative – you will still receive the same individual services and detailed attention toward your professional needs.
“Jenice was very helpful and courteous. She made sure I had a very personal and professional service. She also gave me free advice.” Groupon Client 2014
“Very professional and the organizer is very in tune with today’s modern business world.” Groupon Client 2014
“Awesome! Very Thorough, professional and knowledgeable. Highly recommended. Great deal too!.” Groupon Client 2014
For more information click link to Groupon: Jenice Armstead Groupon, Smarter Not Harder
Press Release: Simple Academic Overview Vol. 3
This book provides the understanding of the comparison and contrast of three theories of organizational leadership, including their core concepts, strengths, and limitations. Each theory helps an organization develop effective leaders for the 21st Century. Human resources professionals use insights from each theory to craft organizational policy.
For more information go to “Simple Academic Overview Vol. 3”
Press Release: Simple Academic Overview Vol. 2
This book provides the understanding of the concepts of performance management is related to organizational development theory. Includes a description and critique of at least four key strategies of performance management. Human resource professionals are the point of contacts for explaining how to support organizational development through application of performance management strategies.
For more information go to “Simple Academic Overview Vol. 2”
Press Release: Simple Academic Overview Vol. 1
This book provides an historical overview of the development of management principles during the Scientific Management Era. Including key scholars, principles, and insights, as well as notable critiques of scientific management. Human resources managers today, explain principles of scientific management as the topics are related to organizational policy, organizational development and also promote organizational growth.
For more information go to “Simple Academic Overview Vol. 1”
Jenice Armstead GROUPON – Resume Services
Jenice Armstead, Smarter Not Harder has launched her first Groupon for the Tampa, Fl area. Do you need a cover letter, resume or both? Then check out Groupon, Tampa, Fl and search Jenice Armstead, Smarter Not Harder Resume Services.
Choose Between Two Options
$75 for three professional resumes ($250 value)
$85 for a professional resume with a cover letter ($300 value)
Expires 90 days after purchase. Limit 1 per person. Valid only for option purchased. Limit 1 per visit. Appointment required. Willing to Travel 10 Miles Maximum from Zip Code 33647 Merchant is solely responsible to purchasers for the care and quality of the advertised goods and services.
For more information click link to Groupon: Jenice Armstead Groupon, Smarter Not Harder
Barnes and Noble 2014 Local Author Event
I would like to personally thank everyone who came to the Barnes and Noble Local Author Event, it was a smash hit and I had a chance to meet and greet with wonderful people. I show cased the completion of my first business series “Pep Talks” all 5 vols. Thank you so much for your love and support.
For more information to go Pep Talks
All the Best,
Jenice Armstead
Thank You Mama Maya Angelou
A great and beautiful Soul has ascended unto Heaven and has given joy and encouragement to many. She has brought love and happiness to the world through her natural God given talent of physical, verbal and written expression. I am honored to have had the chance to be in her presence and hear her speak greatness. She has made me want to be a better woman, I remember the first time I read “Why the Caged Bird Sings” when I was in grade school, the first time I read “Phenomenal Woman” and the first time I hear her speak – it changed my views on life and people. Thank you Mama Maya Angelou for sharing your natural gifts with the world, you will live on through the power of your words.
Happy 3 Year Anniversary to “Lesbians Have to Eat, Too!”
It has been 3 years since I became a self-published author. I started with a cookbook, thinking that it would be “easy” to do and get my foot in the door of several publishing agents. Truth be told, writing any kind of book is hard work and time consuming. My first book “Lesbians Have to Eat, Too!” as no exception. I am happy to celebrate the 3rd successful year of self-publishing “Lesbians Have to Eat, Too!” My personal message to you is, never give up on your dreams. Press on, and press in – with diligence, dedication and determination you will succeed at your goal.
All the Best,
Jenice
Excerpt from “Lesbians Have to Eat, Too!”
Eating right is only half of the equation for living a healthy life. The first part of living a healthy life style is belief that it is possible. Your thoughts are just as powerful as what you can see with your own eyes. Thoughts are ideas, ideas start with the thought of the possibilities of what can come to life. Studies have been conducted on thoughts and it has been affirmed that a thought has a frequency. If a thought has a frequency than it must become as the thinker believes. Meaning, everything you see once started as a thought.
There were thoughts on how the idea would come about and then it would be so. As so is true for living healthy and eating right. If you have thoughts of “how hard it is too loose weight and eat right” then that must be your reality. If you keep these types of thoughts in your mind, you will make eating right and living healthy hard – when it does not have to be.
In order to start this new journey of living healthy and happy your new thought could start with the statement “life is great, I am living healthy and happy right now, my body is working for me, and I am treating it right.” Your thoughts are so powerful that you can create anything – including a better life for yourself.
Along with thinking positive and eating right, it is important to also start a regular exercise plan that is perfect for you. A good exercise plan contains three important elements: 10-minute warm up, 20-minute aerobic plan and 5 – 10 minute stretch or cool down period. Every single recipe in this book is designed to help you start and maintain a healthy life style as you see fit right for your body. Eating is a celebration of nutrition to the body – your body is your temple. Keeping in mind, we all have urges to eat things we know we should not…or eat too much food at any time in our life. This does not make you a “bad” person. Always remember you can change your thoughts and though changing your thoughts your reality will change as well.
For purchasing information go to “Lesbians Have to Eat, Too!”