Been reading (okay, okay . . . full disclosure:  been listening to the audio version, as read by the author himself) an amazing memoir by Tamim Ansary, West of Kabul, East of New York.

Ansary, an Afghan-American, sets off on a journey in search of his roots and, along the way, helps us (Westerners) learn more about Islam and the Middle East.  The book is not preachy at all, it’s incredibly easy to read, er . . . listen to, and it’s one of the best memoirs I’ve ever come across.

If you’re even remotely interested in that region of the world, or if you simply want to read, or listen to, a great yarn, check out this little jewel.

In doing some research, I came across Ansary’s own website, which took me down a host of various and interesting paths.  One of those brought me to what I think is one the best collections of miscellaneous factoids I’ve ever come across.  And, while there’s really nothing dream jobbish-related about Ansary or his list, his fascinating book, or the factoids, I thought you might enjoy an entertaining break.

Check ‘em out; good stuff.

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Let’s look at the typical path of a college graduate who has not found what they love to do.
 
Graduated from college -> can’t find job -> get’s low paying “temporary” job just to pay the bills -> starts to become complacent and falls into routine -> struggles to get out of routine but can’t because of accumulation of debt to finance lifestyle of escaping reality and impressing people with material possessions -> effectively becomes a slave to the job as it is needed to pay the bills-> looks foward to weekend to complain about job but does nothing and gets wasted to forget troubles-> gets depressed -> struggles to find meaning in life -> maybe gets a small promotion at temporary job by employer as an incentive not to quit -> hates waking up in the morning everyday but does it anyway to pay the bills -> makes other people’s lives miserable because his is -> rinse and repeat for 40 years -> lies on deathbed regretting life, wishing he could go back and change it all, and dies knowing that he can’t.

Source:  Brian Kim’s excellent article on 5 Things Every College Grad Should Know

Check ‘er out, really good read.

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 Standard Podcast: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Click the above to listen to today’s Quickie Motivator.

Today’s Quickie Motivator Podcast comes from an unknown (at least to me), 17 Lies That Are Holding You Back & the Truth That Will Set You Free, by Steve Chandler.

Let me know what you think of these podcasts.  I plan to do many more.

Note:  To save the file for later listening, right click on the Download link above, and select the Save Target As option to create a file on your computer.  Please holler if questions.

Popularity: 35% [?]

InfoSource Learning is recruiting educators, trainers, and technical writers for its 2008 course offerings. Contract/Freelance writers will be responsible for creating and updating Web-delivered lessons geared toward integrating existing and emerging technologies in K-12 classrooms.

The successful candidate will have a strong technical aptitude and be able to self-train on the applications in order to develop the course content.

Below is a listing of some of the subject areas we will be covering:

iLife 08 - Mac
iMovie
iWeb
iPhoto
iDVD

Safari 3
**You are encouraged to apply if you have experience or interest in one or more of these areas.

These positions will be offsite, and are contract/freelance positions, for work on an “as-needed” basis.

All lessons are written in our online development tool, a database accessible online 24/7.

Qualifications for these positions
- MUST have a Mac
- Experience working in an education and/or training environment.
- Ability to write clearly and concisely.
- Ability to work under aggressive deadlines.
- Must have relevant writing samples to present.

About Us
InfoSource Learning is a developer and turnkey custom solution provider of high quality Web-based training (WBT) for the education, corporate and government training markets.

InfoSource Learning’s “How To Master” online training libraries cover areas such as basic PC literacy for educators, teacher professional development skills, and classroom technology integration skills. The courseware features a content-rich environment of interactive, self-paced learning and testing, built on the premise that people “learn-by-doing.” With InfoSource Learning’s interactive learning approach the learner actively participates with lessons by clicking on objects on the screen to achieve lesson objectives, instead of sitting idly and watching a video or presentation.

Applications
To apply, please send cover letter, resume, and relevant writing samples.  Send directly to me at mwerner(AT)infosourcelearning.com and I’ll get it into the hands of our editorial team.

Popularity: 35% [?]

Go here:

Bootstrapper

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It’s As Simple As This <— Click this link to listen to today’s Quickie Motivator.

Today’s Quickie Motivator Podcast comes from one of my all-time favorites, Jack Canfield’s The Success Principles — How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be.  Let me know what you think of these podcasts.  I plan to do many more.

Note:  To save the file for later listening, right click on the link above, and select the Save Target As option to create a file on your computer.  Please holler if questions.

Popularity: 34% [?]

I don’t normally promote products, but I must tell you that I’m really impressed with the new version of Success Magazine.  So, when its publisher Darren Hardy wrote to ask me to spread the word, I thought I’d take him up on it, and here’s what Darren said: 

The BEST issue of SUCCESS yet! Destined to be a collector’s edition, this issue of SUCCESS identifies and profiles the 50 Greatest Entrepreneurs of All Time – what they did to achieve extraordinary success, what you can learn from them, and what you can apply into your own life and business strategies.

Packed into this 112-page issue of SUCCESS you will also find additional ideas, inspiration and tips you can apply in your relationships, health and well-being, sales, leadership, wealth-building and entrepreneurial adventures.

Additional highlights of the June/July issue include:

> Russell Simmons on Building a Media Empire and Fueling Financial Literacy

> Performance Secrets of Olympians by Denis Waitley

> What it Takes to Be a Winner! The Life of Paul J. Meyer

> Keys to Starting a Business Today

> How to Invest in Real Estate Now

> And other insights from Jeffrey Gitomer, GE’s Beth Comstock, Jean Chatzky, Body-for-Life creator Bill Phillips, Olympian Bob Beamon, Kevin Bacon and more!

Also included is a DualDisc™ (CD&DVD in one) with incredible content from personal-development icons – Jim Rohn, John Maxwell, Paul J. Meyer, Paul Zane Pilzer, Kim Kiyosaki and W. Clement Stone.

Don’t miss out. Get your copy today. It’s What Achievers Read!

Newsstand cover price only $5.95.

SUCCESSfully,

Darren Hardy

Publisher, SUCCESS

SUCCESS is available on these and other newsstands. Or go to www.SUCCESS.com to subscribe.

A&P

Barnes & Noble

Hastings

Borders

7-11

Book World

Giant Eagle Supermarket

Kroger

Books-A-Million

Pathmark Supermarket

Rite Aid Pharmacy

Safeway

Shaw’s/Star Supermarket

Stop & Shop

Walgreens

Wegmans

Supervalu

Popularity: 38% [?]

How may I help you find your dream job?

Are there resources you’d like to learn more about?

Specific jobs or areas we can highlight or focus on?

I want to help you however I can.

No charge, no sweat.

Here’s what one reader wrote to me a few days ago:

Hi Michael.
I cannot express how excited I am to have found your site.  I came across it following a link from Self Made Chick.

I believe I am an entrepreneur. I have a dream of making money doing things I love that help people, and in my own fashion.  But I have so many things I am interested in.

I am a teacher, and a writer and I have a natural instinct for marketing and business.  I  want to try so many things.

Like you, I have always been fascinated by jobs.  What it takes to do it.
What type of person it is good for.  I’ve often contemplated becoming a career counselor or coach.

As I was reading your bio, I couldn’t believe how many similarities we have.  I am just so excited to have met someone who is passionate about many things, fascinated by careers and researching them, and understands the need to find a person’s purpose.

I have done a workshop with Martha Beck on this topic.  I am currently reading “Are You Using Your Genius?” at the recommendation of Jonathan Fields.  And now, I will have to add 17 Lies to list.  My head is swimming with ideas.  It’s both exciting and scary because I know I am on to something big in my life.  It’s the universe talking to me!

The readings are empowering.  I often feel selfish when I think about leaving the classroom to pursue other interests.  I feel guilty because I see people just working and struggling to make ends meet.  I ask myself, who am I to think I can achieve these things.  But I think I have finally accepted that I am lucky because I have the courage to at least try.

Thank you so much for your blog. I am extremely happy I found it.

I’ve connected with this reader.

How might I be of service to you?

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I was reading a recent issue of Success Magazine and came across an interesting story about a blind mountain climber and what he has experienced to overcome what, for most, is a disability.

The story reminded me of my friend, Stephen Hopson, who, although profoundly deaf, is a professional motivational speaker to hearing audiences.  Read that again!  Here’s a guy, deaf — can’t hear even the loudest of sounds — who speaks to hearing audiences.  All the time.  And, gets them all pumped up.  Shivers me timbers every time I think about what Stephen is doing.

So, I thought I’d dash off a note to Darren Hardy, the Success Publisher.  I don’t know Darren, but perhaps you do?  Or, perhaps you know someone who might?

If that’s the case, might you share Stephen’s journey with them?

Here’s my letter to Darren:

Hello Darren Hardy: Simply LOVE the new publication, sir.The audio component alone is worth far more than the price of admission.

I look forward to subscribing for years to come.

Suggestion?  I know someone who you guys really ought to do a story about.  His name is Stephen Hopson and he has overcome a serious bit of diversity (he’s profoundly deaf) to become an amazing motivational speaker to hearing audiences. In his spare time, he became the world’s first deaf instrument-rated pilot.Neat guy. You can likely learn more about him here:  http://www.adversityuniversityblog.com/ Over and out, and keep the good stuff a flowin’, Michael

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Sometimes we get so hung up on the proverbial trees that we miss the forest.

Are you so hung up on the daily tasks of making a living that you’ve forgotten, perhaps, that you’re here to make a life?

Where are you going with this thing (life), anyway?

Are you climbing the ladder as fast as you can, and not taking the time to figure out if your ladder (and I hope it’s a Werner ladder, by the way) is propped up against the right wall to begin with?

Are you missing the obvious in your life and career search?

TAKE THIS TEST — it’ll take you just a few seconds.

So, Dream Job Seeker, are you missing the obvious?

Popularity: 34% [?]