Being let go sucks and takes a toll on your mental psyche.  Being the only one let go and have the company calling it a layoff is worse.  (Can they even call it that?)  Having three days notice before your last day is not much time either.

What to do now?

First things first, apply and file for unemployment benefits.  After all, I did contribute to it in my years service with the company.

Mental Approach

With unemployment benefits squared away, lets take a look at approaching this mentally.

Sure my mental psyche has been attacked and I feel vulnerable.  No job and limited savings with a mortgage.  How long will I last?  Also, severance, bonuses and commission payouts were a bit of a joke.  But income is income.  No time to dwell on these negative aspects.

This can’t all be bad right?  In retrospect, at least I had a job through the worst of our supposed “Great Recession” period.  I knew the day was coming.  Based on slow activity at work but since the economy was gradually whipping itself back into shape felt safe.

I was wrong.  Taking a positive and optimistic view, I was lucky enough to not have been laid off last year.  2009 was bad.  Markets were low, unemployment was high.

At least now, after the first quarter of 2010, it appears companies are hiring again.  And before accepting just another job again, I have an opportunity to set some goals and reach them.

Making every day count.  Treat looking for a job, the job.

Finding My Path

I did not enjoy my last job much.  It allowed me freedom in time management but it was not challenging.  At least now, I can figure it all out.  Collect unemployment and treat this as an extended vacation on a strict budget.  ***SARCASM***

Finding the right path, goal and head in that direction.  How does one do that?

I spoke to friends, family and mentors and here are some insights and advice they offered.

• Plan, chart and set goals on your next job or career choice.  Figuring out your goals and wants in a company, location, benefits, etc. will help determine exactly your desires.
• Treat looking for a job as a job; have a set schedule and no sleeping in.  It is too easy to just sit back and become a couch potato and fall into depression.  Stay confident and give yourself purpose.
• Get out there and network.  Make yourself available and meet people.  Your next job opportunity is most likely through networking or through a friend.
• Read books and learn something new.  Perhaps a second or third foreign language.  Become an expert on a certain subject, particularly after figuring out your goals.
• Have tunnel vision.  There will be many distractions but having tunnel vision and focusing on one goal will be the best solution.
• Get involved in the community.  Perhaps there are skills your able to offer that a church, non-profit organization or association can use.
• Staying healthy.  Exercise and staying fit will keep you sane mentally.  Staying mentally strong will help you focus.

Beginning That New Chapter

I am thankful for the support and advice I have received. A job should not be personal and being laid off is not the end.  Think of it as an opportunity and time to work on everyone’s favorite project, themselves.  One chapter may have ended but the novel isn’t quite over.

I strongly suggest you read through the list of bullet points if your in the same situation as I am.  The list by no means covers everything, but it does cover the essentials.

As time wears on, it’ll be interesting and quite an experience.  It will be the beginning of a new chapter.

Feel free to add any other helpful advice in the comments section.

The iPhone is due for a redesign and techies are looking towards June for the next release of the next generation iPhone, potentially dubbed, Apple iPhone 4G.  Could this be what we are looking at release?

Apparently, there are some photos circulating the web of the concept mock up of the next generation device.  Found the photos at a Taiwanese blog with a bit of information.  Roughly translated it says:

The blogger is critiquing the logo on the back end due to the large circular frame around the Apple logo and whether or not he or she should wait for the iPhone 4G or pick up the 3GS model.  Also that WWDC will be taking place on June 28 to July 2 of 2010 this year and more than likely that is where the next generation iPhone announcement will be made.

It goes on to talk about the three different cell phone carriers in Taiwan will fight for support of the device (most likely hacking the activation at first and then some legitimate way).

Take a look at the photos I pulled from the site.

Interesting photos to say the least.  The build quality looks similar to the current iPhone 3GS model but more square and boxy.  The front still only has one button but I did notice to the left of the speaker could be lens for a front facing camera?  Color selections is good; I’m especially digging the white one.  Can’t say I’m liking the concepts UI design but will have to wait until the next iPhone 4.0 OS is released to judge it.

What do you think?  Is this what’s in store for the next generation iPhone?

We all use our computers to become more productive and more efficient.  Much of our activities revolve around using the internet.

Today, I’ll introduce you to ways to be more productive by taking advantage of all the tools that Google offers.  The best part of it all is that these tools are all free.

As an avid Google junkie, let me walk you through my day.

After Waking Up

As I open my eyes in the morning, I grab my mobile phone and since it is on Google’s Android operating system, its linked to my Gmail.  I check my Gmail account for emails.  There are other email options like Yahoo! Mail, Windows Live Hotmail or the old-school AOL but my preference is still Gmail as it ties in to pretty much to everything else I do.  Plus, there are some nifty tricks that improves productivity.

I also receive notifications for my Google Voice number to my Gmail.  Two birds with one stone.  Its much easier to just read through voice mails converted to text, although not 100% accurate, it gives me a good idea.

Google Voice provides you with a virtual number that your able to assign to a real number.  So if I assign it to my home and mobile phone and someone dials my Google Voice number, both home and mobile phones will receive the call.  This comes in real handy because I can pick up a new Google Voice number any time if needed.  It also features the ability to send and receive SMS text messages.  There are some other ways to increase efficiency with Google Voice.

Two things out of the way, I prepare to head out to the office.

Before I head out,  I check Google Maps for traffic conditions and expected commute time.  Now I have an idea what playlist to play to start off my day!

Hours at the Office

After arriving to the office and grabbing a second cup of coffee, I log onto my Google Calendar to see my daily agenda.  Too bad there isn’t something to dish up some caffeine.  Great thing about the calendar is that it sends automatic updates for tasks that are due or event reminders to my Gmail.  You are also able to customize it to serve multiple calendars from personal to work related.

Done with my scheduling, I check out Google Reader.  I keep up with all the readings and bookmark what is necessary to explore further.  It’s a tidy application to keep all the RSS feeds.  For those that aren’t familiar, using a RSS feed reader is like having your own personalized newspaper or magazine.

However, I still need to know what is going on in the world, so I check my stock portfolio on Google Finance and scan the news via, you guessed it, Google News.

While I am taking all this information in, I want to take notes for later use.  Rather than on a regular pen and notepad, I just use Google Docs.  Google Docs allows me to create documents, presentations and spreadsheets.  Its a full productivity suite.  The good part is that all the documents are stored on the internet.  This makes it easy to continue work after I get home without emailing the document or saving it on a memory stick.  Another feature is its ability to share documents so you can collaborate and work on the same document.

I’ll fit in a bit of unproductive behaviors and catch a couple videos on YouTube.  Most likely the ones being referred to me by friends or co-works through instant messaging via Google Talk.  Sure there are other popular instant messaging platforms like AIM but this one is probably not blocked by the corporate office firewall.  Also, its one less piece of software bloat to be installed on the workstation.

End of the Workday and Back at Home

As I leave the office, I check the traffic info again.  Perhaps even check Google Local for a restaurant to bring home dinner.  What’sis this?  Chick-Fil-A sounds like a pretty good meal for dinner tonight.

After dinner and some television to unwind, reading or the gym, I do one more round of checks of my Gmail, Reader, Calendar, etc. before I call it a night.

So there you have it, an entire day using Google’s free tools to increase my productivity and efficiency.  A bit scary on how much I rely on these services.  I embrace them without worry.  These productivity tools are just too great for you to not utilize.  Let your imagination run wild and you will see how you too use these services as well.

Here are some resources to increase productivity using Google’s tools:

• Rock Your Google Calendar in 18 Ways
• 11 Very Powerful Gmail Tips
• 6 Tips to Help You Get the Most Out of Google Docs
• 19 Tools and Tips to Improve Google Reader

There are a ton more other ways and methods to embrace and use these tools to increase productivity.  If you have any unique ways, please feel free to share.

Notice anything missing with the picture above?

No Netflix envelopes and the family is watching from a laptop.  That should be the new Netflix splash page picture because that is becoming reality.

It has been reported that nearly half of Netflix subscribers are streaming, thats about 6 million out of the 12 million total subscribers.  I take advantage of the ability to watch instantly but the content is not as new as I would like.

If they actually start having just released streaming, then it wouldn’t be too much of a problem.  However, since its not, I still have to rely on the old-fashioned Netflix method via postal mail to receive the new movies on Blu-ray.

Unfortunately, even then I am still forced to watch instantly or stream because the movies I really want to watch are unavailable with a status of a “short wait”, “long wait” or “very long wait”.  What does that mean?  Mind as well put it as “unavailable indefinitely” because I don’t know when my movie is coming.

Take a look at my queue.

Are you a subscriber and tired of the “long wait” status of new releases?  Discuss.

Imagine having a a mobile device that allows you to browse the internet , read the news and conduct research.  Imagine the same device allowing you to check your email.  Imagine applications such as games, videos and productivity tools like text editors or spreadsheets.  Doing all of this, as you’ve guessed, on your lap.

Sounds awfully a lot like a notebook or netbook to me.  Hasn’t it been done already?

One can argue that this device, will not have a keyboard because it has onscreen keyboard input.  Completely touchscreen with multi-touch gestures on a slick interface.  Not bad, but I’m still not buying… just yet.

Apple Dominance?

There has been an incessant amount of news about Apple’s next product release for a couple months now.  Ever since rumors about a tablet based mobile device started that Steve Jobs is completely nuts over.  Supposedly its the “Most Important Thing” he has ever done.  Time will tell if this is true or not.

Steve Jobs holding the iPad - Image courtesy and credits to Engadget

Today Apple held its press conference on the upcoming Apple iPad.  The hardware piece is designed beautifully, as expected, like the iPhone/iPod Touch but there really is no re-design.  If anything, its an oversized iPhone/iPod Touch.  So what’s Apple perspective?  Dominating the mobile device market, of course.

One key point in today’s press conference I found is a shift in Apple’s strategy.  With the absurd amount of iPods and iPhones being sold, Apple is leveraging themselves as the ultimate mobile device manufacturer which they re-iterate several times today.  This is the most interesting part and makes one wonder the direction Apple is moving towards in the future.

What Will Be the iPad’s Market?

Is there a place in the market for an iPad?  The hardware specifications are not overly impressive nor is the pricing.  Pricing starts at $499 and goes up with more storage space as well as 3G option.  The high-end will sport 64 GB of storage space with 3G capability (through AT&T apparently) and will cost $829.  A bit steep for a gadget, a toy or a reader.

iPad pricing. - Image courtesy and credit to Engadget

The iPad looks like it will directly compete against Amazon’s Kindle on the surface.  However, add peripherals like the dock with keyboard, you suddenly have a mini workstation.  Accessories will be key for a product like the iPad.  But we all know Apple charges an arm and leg for accessories so it wouldn’t surprise me if the keyboard dock goes for sale at a $200 mark.  I cannot imagine at this moment there being huge adoption besides owning it for the wow factor.  The last thing I need in this economy is another device that supposedly will change my lifestyle and increase productivity but ends up being less than entertaining.

iPad with keyboard dock - Image courtesy and credits to Engadget

Will the iPad compete against netbooks?  Apple claims netbooks to be slow and less powerful with an ugly display.  I disagree because I personally own an Asus 1201n and it is quite a capable performer as a netbook.  In addition, I refuse to be tied down to the experience Apple wants me to have.  Relying on the App store for applications.  Relying on the iPad OS, which looks a bit limited at this moment.  I like to be able to configure my devices and its what I have become accustomed to.  And I have to remind you, it took three iPhone OS updates before Cut and Paste was finally implemented.

What else will be missing?  One prominently comes to mind will be support for Flash.  Finally, relying on Apple proprietary accessories such as display cables, docks, chargers, etc. is not something I look forward to.

Looking Forward on Tablets and Mobile Devices

Before Apple made this announcement today, many companies had already announced a similar tablet device for their product lineup in 2010 at CES earlier this month.  So its safe to say that it is pretty much decided that tablets are coming in full force to consumers.

Interestingly enough is that Google just launched its Nexus One mobile phone and with its Chrome OS on the horizon, it’s a safe bet that we will soon see a tablet from them.  My hopes are a collaborative effort from say, Google launching its Chrome OS on a tablet built by HTC/Asus in partnership with Amazon.

Thats quite a bit of players involved but it makes sense.  Amazon isn’t a hardware manufacturer but they are the super mall in the world wide web and can provide services and products that rivals Apple in terms of media (books, music and videos).  Just drop the Kindle.

Google’s Chrome OS needs a platform to launch on and an ideal one would be on a tablet that directly competes against the Apple iPad.  I mention HTC because they are already familiar with Google’s OS structure while developing their smart phones.  Finally, because it is a tablet and it ventures into PC territory, Asus would be ideal because after all, they launched the first netbook and changed the entire mobile computing industry.

That would be some interesting development, wouldn’t it?

The Red Cross Haiti Earthquake Relief Donation

The Red Cross campaign to raise funds to donate for the Haiti Earthquake Relief fund has been admirable.  Last checked, Red Cross has raised over $5 million U.S. Dollars.  Through their $10 text donation campaign, it really showed the strength and spirit of the American people and our willingness to help.  To contribute, text “Haiti” to 90999 to make a $10 donation on your mobile phone.

If $5 million has been donated through this text campaign, it means about half a million people in the United States have participated.  That is awesome!

More Donations from the NBA, NFL and MLB

However, it puts to shame on other donation efforts.  Only a $1 million from the NBA?  Another $1 million from the MLB?  $100,000 from the NHL?  Samuel Dalembert of the 76ers donated that amount.  What’s going on here?

Yes, $1 million dollars is a ton of cash and any donation is a good contribution.

But couldn’t the NBA, MLB, NFL or any other professional sports organization and their players have donated much more to the relief efforts?

Considering the median American income is about $48,000 per year.  Their disposable income after tax is about $3,000 a month.  A donation effort of $10 is equivalent to about 0.33% of their monthly income.

The NBA players make on average about $5.8 million per year, MLB player at $3.4 million and NFL player at $2 million.  Total team salaries just for players for all three sports total over $8.1 billion dollars per year split between the almost 3,000 athletes in those three leagues.  32 football teams with 53 players each, 30 basketball teams with 12 players minimum each and 30 baseball teams with 26 players each.

If each player were to donate say 0.33% of their salary for the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund, we’re looking at about $27 million dollars.  Since players are typically on contracts, I’d say their donation would be 0.33% of their annual salary since whether they play or not, they’ll still be paid.

It breaks down like this:

• Donation by each NBA player $19,626
• Donation by each MLB player $11,325
• Donation by each NFL player $6,641

So by the efforts of just under 3000 people, we can effectively raise $27 million dollars.

Hello Oprah! Hello Bill Gates! Hello Warren Buffett…

Making an example out of pro athletes is all I did.  The league’s salary information is widely available.

To the other entertainers, billionaire and millionaire moguls, Fortune 500 executives, etc, here is a message to all of you.  You all need to step up your personal efforts by making more donations from your pile of fortune and publicize it.  There is a huge gap on the wealth distribution in the United States already.  There is no need to go on television or campaign to raise funds from the average American citizen.  Because if you put in your 0.33%, I’m sure the donation amount would grow exponentially.

There wouldn’t be a need for a $10 text via mobile phone campaign.

Self improvement is the act of of improvement of one’s knowledge, status or character by one’s own effort.  Many of us lack certain knowledge, status or character that prohibits us from advancing.   Advances in life such as if your looking at starting your own business, looking for that next promotion or the need to attract the opposite sex, it all starts with yourself.

With self improvement and a little bit of effort, you can achieve your goals, dreams and desires.

OfficeForward recommends these four self help books you must read.  Without further ado, here is the list.

1. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill

I’ve always referred people to read this book first in their quest for self improvement.  Napoleon Hill is old school.  Many of today’s other personal-success authors like Anthony Robbins and Robert Kiyosaki may have well read and bought into all the lessons offered in Think and Grow Rich.  Think and Grow Rich helps organize and manage your thoughts and provides a structure to succeed.  You will not become monetarily rich just by reading this book but you will have a better chance.  By reading it, your mind will grow rich as you will be better equipped to start achieving your goals, dreams and desires.

2. The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran

In today’s world, we all are a bit selfish.  As your reading this, look around and look at all your possessions.  What really is necessary?  What is the meaning to all this?  The Prophet is a deep poetic manuscript offering wisdoms to life.  The book is brief at only 133 pages but the lessons and wisdom shared are priceless.  Each topic is covered in powerful prose as to invoke thought.  After reading this book, you will come away with a much clearer mind.  Trust me, you will be a better person to yourself, your family and to the community after reading this.

3.  Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff by Richard Carlson

Literally, it really all is the small stuff that takes up all our time.  Stop dwelling!  Do not let petty things get in the way of your day.  You deserve to use your precious time wisely.  Richard Carlson’s book helps you deal with stress in our day to day environment from dealing with co-workers to clients to family.  I keep this book handy by my desk so  I am able to pick it up and take my mind off the little issues that are bothering me.  A clear conscience and staying focused is the best method to improving one’s self.

4.  The Game by Neil Strauss

The book that spurred a cult following, an inside look to pick up artists (men who’s sole mission is to meet women) and the supposed “secret society” that it revolves around.  The Game is a good read just for the fun factor but tear away the superficial layer of using the acronyms and techniques offered in the book, its actually a self improvement piece of literature.  If you can relate to the lessons learned and put enough effort to trying to game the opposite sex and tap that focus into other aspects of life from business to your career, you will be on your way to achieving your goals.  There are some top-notch references to other books as well.

Conclusion

If you’re a newly graduated student entering the job market, a professional looking to improve your  career outlook or an individual that has been laid off from a job recently; the current job market is not friendly at all.  The unemployment rate is at historical levels and it may not change any time soon.  Dealing with these matters are far from simple yet in order to stay focused, we need better understanding of ourselves and our  own goals.   With the current recession, many people have began to re-evaluate their situations and environments with their jobs.  In years past, job security was high up on the list of priorities.  Things have changed.

The recommended books will help you change your thought process and better manage your time to be more productive and happy.

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