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Another guest contribution from my good friend Edwin Martinez. Enjoy!

By Edwin Martinez, PHR

Sometimes when we are still for a brief moment, time seems to stop and everything around us might strike us as empty and meaningless. We stare into thin air and simply allow the moment to exist without interruption until forced to shake it off and let time tick tock again as reality sinks in. That strange phenomenon that’s exists between our ears forces us to take notice from time to time and evaluate our very existence. What happens when we realize that life is far more than our surroundings? What is it that tugs at the guts and screams a silent voice of acknowledgement?

The greatest minds of the ages took the time to listen to an inner voice and made the choice to follow it. Those choices lead to the fulfillment of their destinies and have left imprints on our society that will carry on for generations to come. Still moments of reflection from time to time can help steer our life paths in ways we destined but not quite yet connected.

When I was a child around the age of five or so, I found a clear square box approximately 3×5 with a lid that opened and shut so perfectly. I don’t know who it belonged to but I remember thinking that if I owned that little box, I would be very happy. I don’t remember what happened to that box and or why I felt that way about it but, for some odd reason, that clear box always remained in my subconscious mind even throughout my adult years. Perhaps it represented some of my character traits or maybe even some of the things I am drawn to in my vocations. Read more…

Another guest contribution from my good friend Edwin Martinez, PHR. Enjoy!

Everyone has dreams and aspirations for their lives. Believing in those dreams is what fuels many people to take action towards making them come true. Unfortunately, some people go through their entire lifetime as “victims of the circumstance” while they wait to see what happens. According to Answers.com, this phrase refers to someone whose bad luck was not of his own making; born at the wrong place at the wrong time; got out of bed on the wrong side; or crossed the road at the wrong moment. This mentality consequently impedes some people from achieving success and prosperity or realizing any of their dreams.

Sadly, some people prefer to negate their dreams based on negative circumstances and use them as an excuse to live in mediocrity. Some simply sit and wait for doors to open without ever knocking on them or just expect miracles to happen without ever making any effort. As free agents in this world, we have the ability to manifest our desires far beyond our own expectations if we first identify what it is that we really want. Unfortunately, most people do not even identify with their callings, gifts, or talents that can serve as the catapult to achieve what they want out of life. Read more…

Have you ever felt like you have been devalued by someone else? How did it feel? Were you angry and downtrodden? I have and know exactly how it feels when other people have devalued who I am and what I do. I regained my emotional composure in spite of these judgments, and realized that I am still who I am and that I did not die of sadness or inferiority. Overcoming rejections and hurtful situations can be difficult but not impossible. The word “haters” comes to mind when I observe or know of people who constantly devalue others based personal judgments.

Before I started to write about this topic I thought about how I may have been a “hater” myself in some instances. So I guess I can not put a halo on for this one. After taking responsibility for value judging others, I tuned back into the innermost genuine part of my character that frowns upon the very thought of people taking a voluntary stance of superiority over others.

There is no doubt that society imposes certain criteria that most people try to live by for acceptance and self-gratification. Part of these criteria is a certain degree of devaluing others to feel better about themselves. There are reality TV shows devoted to flaunting and glorifying the “fun” associated with trying to look and be “better” than others. Self-improvement, common courtesy, and the golden rule of treating others as you would like to be treated appear to be a thing of the past. Read more…

If you have chance, please take look at my latest guest post on the Intern Matters blog. It discusses the importance of considering culture in a coaching situation – particularly in supervising Hispanic employees or interns.  Enjoy!

I’d like you to meet someone that I think you’ll find engaging, Edwin Martinez. Edwin is a human resources professional with over 20 years of HR experience. He also holds a Human Resources Professional Certification (PHR). His professional background has included being an entrepreneur in the message therapy industry to being a professional actor in diversity training films. He’s written several articles and also writes over at his own blog, Winning Isn’t Everything?, so check it out when have a chance. I recently asked Edwin to share some thoughts for HTM, and he was kind enough to provide this guest blog. Enjoy!

When we hear or the read the word “attitude” most people think of “bad attitude” or negativity. A Google search of the word “attitude” provides one definition: “a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways”. I want to share why professional Hispanics should walk around with an attitude!

As a Certified Human Resources Professional (PHR), I’ve been able to experience both sides of the coin in terms of my career. I have been in the HR profession for over 20 years and have held positions starting from a personnel receptionist to a human resources director. I’ve seen the effects of discrimination as well as the recognition of my talents, abilities, and skills. Today, I can look back and be proud of myself for maintaining an “attitude” throughout my professional career. Believing in myself was one of the most important steps in my professional success.

Hispanics in every industry field have an opportunity to get beyond the “glass ceiling” and knock down the walls that might block their growth and success. It’s not necessarily a lack of opportunity for Hispanics but often a lack of attitude within our own minds. Once a mindset is set to believe in all possibilities, it’s difficult to go back to a mindset of failure and defeat. Read more…

Good Saturday all! Check out my thoughts on how the concepts of diversity and inclusion have changed over the last two decades and how it might impact Hispanic interns in the workforce (via Intern Matters). Enjoy!

Wanted to share a couple of guest blog posts from earlier this week.

First, some thoughts regarding the lack of Hispanic representation when planning and implementing college recruitment intiatives (via GURconnect).

Another guest blog via Intern Matters regarding advice on how to turn around an internship experience that is not meeting employer expectations. Enjoy!

Check out my latest blog over at Intern Matters when you get a chance. It was inspired by a good friend who still serves as an example of how commitment and overcoming cultural barriers leads to a successful career.

OK Mario – this is your 15 minutes – even if it’s only via my blog! ; )  Enjoy!