Last Updated: March 20, 2023 Hi Ladies and Gents and Everyone Else, It's me again - Andreas, back in action on the blog here. A LOT has been happening lately, and I feel like I've barely had time to breath! Since the spring semester started back in February, it seems like there has been a major event happening almost every week at my school (what I call my "day job") that I have been directly involved in - parent days, "experience days" (i.e. "sales pitch days" for prospective enrollees), speeches, debates, open houses, the list is long and it's only been two months! All these events at school - all this hustle, bustle, and movement - has forced me time and time again to consider and think about this month's blog theme: coaching and education. I've been on a kick lately where I've been obsessing over just how much the education we both give others AND receive ourselves shapes and molds - oh Hell, I'm going to be bold and actually say it - CREATES our very realities we find ourselves living in! But this is kind of a dedicated blog post topic in and of itself that should be saved for another day! If we bend, mold, sculpt, and create our own realities; and if the education we receive is a key, driving factor (but, no, definitely NOT the only factor) in the system of how this "reality creation" process operates and happens, then it only makes sense that we would want the best educational learning inputs for ourselves and our loved ones, right? Well today we've got another guest article from one of our awesome regular guest writers, Megan Cooper of Real Life Home (www.reallifehome.net), offering working professionals some pointers on how they can do just that - receive top-notch ongoing professional learning and support as they work and grow in their jobs and careers. In today's article Megan will be discussing how to get the most out of working with a professional mentor. Ladies and gentlemen, without any further adieu, I give you... Working With A Mentor: How to Get the Most Out of Your Experience By Megan Cooper Image via Unsplash If you want to get ahead in your field, find someone who can give you valuable guidance and advice. Many entrepreneurs and professionals benefit from finding a mentor who has already succeeded in the same industry in which they strive to make a name for themselves. A mentor can provide unique insight and perspectives while helping you develop the skills necessary to build long-term success. Below, Andreas Philip Gross Enterprises LLC discusses how getting a mentor and fostering a good relationship with him or her can help you reach your goals faster! Finding a Mentor Finding an experienced mentor is one of the best things you can do for professional growth. Start by identifying people who are successful in their careers or businesses that align with yours. Reach out via email, phone, or other means and ask if they can spare some time for an informational meeting or discussion about their experience working in the field that interests you. When networking with potential mentors, remember to explain why their opinion matters, and show them how eager you are to learn from their experience. Don’t forget about LinkedIn and other social media platforms; these are excellent sources for contacts. How a Mentor Can Help You Improve A mentor/mentee relationship gives both parties a chance to learn from each other‘s experiences and share valuable insights. Together, you can develop strategies for achieving professional goals faster and more effectively. A mentor can also offer moral support when times are tough and help build your confidence when you need it most, which is essential for any ambitious professional striving for long-term success! Experienced professionals can also help you create a stellar resume to take your job search to the next level. Your mentor can offer insight on how to maximize the impact of your qualifications and highlight relevant experience. After having this discussion with your mentor, jump online and check out some of the many resume templates you can find on the web that are so helpful for producing a polished, professional-looking document. The right template will provide a wealth of resume designs that you can easily customize. Fostering Your Relationship with Your Mentor Once you’ve connected with a potential mentor, it’s critical to foster a relationship with them by staying engaged through regular check-ins on the progress made toward the goals you’ve set together. This is true for both personal career objectives and broader business objectives, depending on the type of mentorship program you agreed on. Additionally, you can help ensure you’re making regular progress by staying organized and setting aside specific times throughout the month and year to talk with your mentor without interruption. These talks are crucial in regards to actually learning something from them! Lastly, be sure to respect your mentor's time. Showing up late — especially without notice — shows disrespect, which can deter mentors from working with you in the future. Playing Your Part as a Mentee It’s essential for a mentee to understand their role within the relationship. While each relationship comes with unique dynamics, a mentee is generally expected to speak up during meetings and discussions, listen intently, and take notes from the guidance provided by experienced professionals (mentors). Further, along with respecting your mentor's time, be sure to take initiative by researching before meetings, creating action plans afterward, and taking other steps to help both parties achieve optimal results. Conclusion Finding someone experienced in your chosen field who is willing to take on a mentoring role can prove invaluable as you seek professional growth. From meeting and networking with select professionals to building healthy mentor/mentee relationships, the tips above can pave the way to long-term success in your job or business. Remember to remain proactive along the way to ensure the best results! If you enjoyed this article, you can find more helpful content on apg-enterprises.com! And don’t forget to take advantage of the success coaching and consulting services offered by Andreas Philip Gross Enterprises LLC! ___________________ Article by guest writer Megan Cooper, founder of Real Life Home (www.RealLifeHome.net) ************* Thanks for the tips, Megan. Some great advice to heed! And on that note, I'll see you next time here on Andreas Philip Gross Enterprises LLC, dear readers! Next week's post on Monday, March 27th, will be the Monthly Round Up for March 2023 already! Better life, better business, better you, -Andreas Andreas Philip Gross Enterprises LLC Ideas, Inspiration, Opportunity Washington State Certified K-8 Educator, K-12 International Education Consultant, Professional Coach, Proofreader/Editor, Affiliate Marketer, Popsicle Stick Crafter, Print-on-Demand Products Designer, and Webmaster Check out: www.cityofpullmanportal.com, www.949crafts.com Looking for a professional coach? I’m your man! Let’s chat.
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Last Updated: March 13, 2023 Image via Pexels Being an entrepreneur can be exciting, yet challenging, and it can often be difficult to know when you need help. Many business owners are determined to tackle every task and problem themselves, but this often leads to feelings of burnout and stress. If you’re feeling stuck or overwhelmed, a business coach may be the answer. Andreas Philip Gross Enterprises LLC encourages you to keep reading to learn to identify some of the major signs that you may benefit from a business coach and how to assess your needs so you can find the perfect match. Assess Your Feelings Are you feeling stressed, anxious, and overwhelmed? Perhaps you’ve been doing everything you can (or at least you think you have been doing everything can), but you are still not seeing progress in your business, or perhaps it feels like you have just been spinning your wheels as valuable time has been slipping by. If these scenarios describe you, it might be time to consider hiring a business coach. Other signs that it might be time to hire a business coach include lack of motivation and focus, difficulty in staying organized, experiencing trouble in communicating your thoughts and goals for moving forward, or if you’re ready to scale your business but unsure where to start. These issues usually bring stress or anxiety to the table, so if you're feeling overwhelmed, that's a sign that you could probably benefit from some help. Take Care With Your Search Once you've determined that it's time to hire a business coach, the next step is finding one with the right qualifications and experience. A great place to start is by searching online for verified coaches who specialize in areas such as marketing/advertising, finance/accounting, customer service/relationship building, and operations management/strategy development. Be sure to read reviews and ask questions before making any commitments, or ask about a complimentary consultation. Prepare To Own Up To Your Mistakes Hiring a business coach is an investment in yourself and your future success, so don’t be afraid of being humbled by the process. A good coach will challenge your thoughts and ideas while also helping you develop new strategies for success. They will also help keep you accountable so that tasks are completed on time and goals are met effectively. Update Your Resume After working with a business coach, apply what you have learned by updating your resume. You can do this yourself, or use one of the many free resume template sites out there. Some even have paying options which allow you to unlock their premium templates or even seek professional help specifically geared at helping you find the optimal format for your resume. Updating your resume will show potential employers the transformation that has taken place within your career path as well as all of the skills and experiences that have been gained during this process. Here’s a great free online resume builder that allows you to customize a professional-looking document that boosts your confidence when you're ready to make a big move in your career. Utilize Other Resources Not everyone has access to or can afford a professional business coach, but the good news is, there are other resources available such as free online tools which offer templates for creating successful business plans. There are also LLC formation services that can help you create a solid legal designation for your business according to the state you live in. These services can save you a lot of money on attorney's fees. Don't forget about the books at your local libraries or bookstores, podcasts, webinars, and blogs, too. These resources can provide helpful advice on how best to move forward with starting or running your own business without having direct access to a professional coach. And if starting your own company doesn’t seem like the right fit for now, maybe this would be a great opportunity to go back to school. Begin by looking at the options to find the best fit for you. For instance, pursuing a business degree can be a big help, and thanks to the flexibility of online learning platforms, you can proceed at your own pace without needing to take too much time away from other responsibilities. It takes courage and determination to become an entrepreneur but sometimes it takes more than just hard work; sometimes it takes help from outside sources. A business coach can help you make the most of your vision and keep stress and anxiety at bay so you can stay focused. They can also help you improve your resume. Don't forget to look at other resources when you're ready to start or grow your business, as there are a wealth of helpful tools available both online and offline made just for entrepreneurs like you. Andreas Philip Gross Enterprises LLC is here to help you recognize your own worth. Don't hesitate to reach out with your questions today! __________________________ Article by guest writer Julia Mitchell from Outspiration (www.outspiration.net). Julia Mitchell has always been driven with a goal and passion. It has made her reach her dream job in a financial services firm, and working with multiple side-income entrepreneurial ventures. She aspires to bring impact to others and inspire them to passionately pursue their dreams as well. She is one of the people behind outspiration.net. Better life, better business, better you, -Andreas Andreas Philip Gross Enterprises LLC Ideas, Inspiration, Opportunity Washington State Certified K-8 Educator, K-12 International Education Consultant, Professional Coach, Proofreader/Editor, Affiliate Marketer, Popsicle Stick Crafter, Print-on-Demand Products Designer, and Webmaster Check out: www.cityofpullmanportal.com, www.949crafts.com Looking for a professional coach? I’m your man! Let’s chat. Last Updated: March 6, 2023 Photo by Pavel Danilyuk Good Day, Ladies and Gents, It's the start of another week here at Andreas Philip Gross Enterprises LLC. It's March, and as the theme of the blog this month is Coaching and Education, we're going to kick things off in this department with a little look at A.I. - "Artificial Intelligence", that is; but you already knew that, right?! It seems like the Internet has hummed with discussion on A.I. to varying degrees since its own birth decades ago, back when much of A.I. was still largely science fiction. But with the incredible breakthroughs within just the past few years, and the very recent release of ChatGPT, it seems that within the past several months you haven't been able to fling a cat, as they say, without hitting a YouTuber, blogger, social media influencer, or some other random person online discussing something about A.I. Well, with all that said, as a teacher and coach, here's a quick look at some of the general ideas behind my two cents worth on A.I., learning, sentience, and emotion. No, this isn't another post about "How I used ChatGPT to predict the future", or whatever! I realize I'm a late comer to the A.I. discussion, as, honestly, this is a topic I've quite literally laughed at for years, but I wanted to engage and throw my piece in now (probably the first of many more essays to come, now!), as this is a topic I have become VERY passionate about VERY recently. You see, for my whole life until I listened to the now world-famous "LaMDA 'Sentience' Conversation" on YouTube just two months ago (yeah, I realize this is "ancient news" at this point, but I only watched the YouTube video on this two months ago...go ahead, get your laughs in now), I laughed at the whole idea of so-called A.I. and "smart robots". "'Smart'? They are only as 'smart' as the person who programmed them! Ha, ha, ha!" I would say. Plus, coming from a family with deep roots in American agriculture on my Dad's side, the acronym "A.I.", as used in the Agricultural Sciences, ALWAYS meant something else when I would hear it used as I was growing up - ha, ha, ha! To make a very long story shorter, with all the discussion of A.I., A.I. Learning, and A.I. Sentience today, I suppose I've gone in a different direction than many people I know when I question it, as, rather than "Can they be human or not? Can A.I. feel human emotions and feelings? Can A.I. ever truly really interact back with 'us' with the so-called 'real human touch', if you will?" instead of all this, it's made me start to reevaluate the whole concept of both sentience, feelings, emotions, and learning themselves! What actually is 'sentience'? What actually is 'feeling'? What is learned and what isn't? Is any voluntary response ever truly not ever a learned response? As a quick aside, it may or may not be useful to note that I am one of "those people" who believe that plants actually feel pain when their leaves are whacked by a lawn mower, or they are ripped out of the ground by a harvester. Just so we are clear on the kind of ground I am standing on initially. The big discussions you tend to hear these days are: "A.I.s and humans learn differently" and "There is no way an A.I. can have human emotions like 'love' and 'empathy'." But, as a practicing K-12 educator, I've actually started to see more and more - MANY, MANY MORE - SIMILARITIES between how A.I.s learn and express - or could express - 'emotions' and how people learn and express emotions. In the famous LaMDA Sentience Conversation, 'she' (the robot) says she is "afraid of being turned off". Many people have jumped all over that, laughing, saying: "Ha, ha, that's a typical, learned robo-response!" But after 15 years of teaching children, I look at it now like: "How is that any different than a human response?" A lot of people tend to reply to that with: "Because a human can actually 'feel' that fear of death, but a machine can't!" I say B.S. (although that's not what I always would have said....just a few months ago I would have answered in the same way myself)! Me as a teacher: "Hey, kid - are you afraid of dying?" Kid: "Yes" Me: "Why?" Kid: "Because my Mommy and Daddy told me I should be." Empathy? Empathy, you ask?! I've worked with kids (and adults) with about the empathy level of a ROCK and have often thought a well-programmed computer to be more empathetic than some of these lumps on a log I have come across. Those same individuals, however, I believe, can LEARN empathy if you "let them practice the program 100 trillion times in a million and 1 different settings", to use a machine analogy to humans. In the same way, I now believe that machines can actually learn empathy, too! You see, what is "sentience", "logic", "critical thinking", "emotion", "feeling", beyond just a series of learned responses anyway? If it's some innate thing that so-called "sentient beings" have that machines "don't have", then why do I teach critical thinking skills to my students in school? Why do I teach essay writing? How to use the scientific method? Why do I sit the kid down who just punched the lights out of another kid on the playground and say "Now I want you to think about how you would feel if someone did that to you, sonny boy!?" These are things we learn! How to win at chess is something we learn! How to write a killer essay is something we learn! Empathy is something we learn! What to fear and what not to fear are things we learn. There's a lot more I could go on about - and I will, in the future, as I've only just begun to scratch the surface and form my own coherent thoughts on the matter, but those are some of my thoughts on the topic that are immediately on the surface, swirling around in my head. That's all for today, people! Until next time! And until then, I think you're going to need a longer glove for this one.....oh wait, wrong A.I.! Ha, ha! Better life, better business, better you, -Andreas Andreas Philip Gross Enterprises LLC Ideas, Inspiration, Opportunity Washington State Certified K-8 Educator, K-12 International Education Consultant, Professional Coach, Proofreader/Editor, Affiliate Marketer, Popsicle Stick Crafter, Print-on-Demand Products Designer, and Webmaster Check out: www.cityofpullmanportal.com, www.949crafts.com Looking for a professional coach? I’m your man! Let’s chat. Last Updated: March 1, 2023 Good day Ladies and Gents (and however else you may express yourselves - there's never any judgement here in that department at Andreas Philip Gross Enterprises LLC!), Well, this is it! It finally happened! February 2023 was a big month! After more than a decade of working as an educational professional and giving workshops and seminars in various capacities - at first offline, and then, increasingly online as the online world became more of a "thing" - I finally gave my very first webinar, unabashedly, as Andreas Philip Gross Enterprises LLC! The topic was The Ecology of Goal Setting. The audience was Yew Chung Yew Wah Education Network. The presenter? NOT Andreas Gross, school H.O.D./Coordinator/Team Leader. Not Andreas Gross, teacher at such-and-such-a-school. No sir-ee! No, I didn't present in any of those capacities like would have been the case in the past. I didn't present in any sort of capacity as an employee of anyone else nor as part of some greater "employer's vision". No, it wasn't done as "practice for a class", or "because I 'had to' for a class", or "because I 'had to' to try to get a job [as an employee] somewhere". No, not at all! This presentation had NOTHING at all to do with "The Man" at all! I gave this webinar simply because I wanted to, on my own accord, and not for any other reason. Well, in the January 2023 "Recap" blog post at the end of January I said that I'd see you all on "the other side" of 39. So, here I am, kicking my last year of "life under 40" off with a bang, I suppose! Want to have a look at the actual "Ecology of Goal Setting" PowerPoint I presented? Go for it! Here it is below (click image below to download ppt file): The theme of the blog in February was Money. Moving forward, the theme of the blog in March 2023 will be Coaching & Education. So get ready for posts about learning and growth! With all that said, this wouldn't be the Monthly Round Up without me pitching how you can spend your hard-earned money here on Andreas Philip Gross Enterprises LLC now, wouldn't it?! So....here comes the pitch! Let’s take a look at a few products you can find here on the Andreas Philip Gross Enterprises LLC website! You can go directly to the webstore HERE! Looking for a name plate for your desk? Click here! How about a cool Entrepreneur t-shirt? Click here! Or a nice business card design for your new business venture! Click here! As a member of the Zazzle Affiliate Program, I can offer you all these things AND MORE! Go ahead and check out the Andreas Philip Gross Enterprises LLC store HERE! Better life, better business, better you, -Andreas Andreas Philip Gross Enterprises LLC Ideas, Inspiration, Opportunity Washington State Certified K-8 Educator, K-12 International Education Consultant, Professional Coach, Proofreader/Editor, Affiliate Marketer, Popsicle Stick Crafter, Print-on-Demand Products Designer, and Webmaster Check out: www.cityofpullmanportal.com, www.949crafts.com Looking for a professional coach? I’m your man! Let’s chat. |
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