Once again, I was asked to respond to a question posed by readers of the Career Builder section of the Arizona Republic newspaper, in a column known as “Ask The Experts.” Following is a recent Q&A from that column.

Question:

Is earning an MBA even worth it in this economy, when no one is hiring? What are the benefits/disadvantages to earning an MBA?

Answer:

I’ve heard CEOs say that they prefer someone with experience over someone with an MBA. That might be true, but if you’re competing for a job with someone who has equivalent experience, credentials like an advanced degree will often break the tie.

Now that companies are scrubbing their ranks looking for people to lay off, having an MBA might save you, unless of course you’ve not done the other things well. As a job seeker, it may be that edge you need to get the offer. It also demonstrates that you’re ambitious, interested in self-improvement and serious about your career. These are good traits and the benefits could outweigh the investment of time and money in getting your MBA.

This is a great time to be improving ourselves, while not dwelling on the negativity that surrounds us. If you can make the investment, go get that degree.

It’s encouraging when I see a client recognize that certain problems are of their own making. One such client refers to these problems as “Sticky Stressful Situations.”

I find it peculiar how you can confidently choose something, whether it’s a vendor, an employee, a job or a direction, and then not long after you’ve experienced this person, place or thing, you begin to notice that it’s not working the way you wanted it to. So now what?

When things don’t go your way, it’s a common reaction to blame “it.” Like the new administrative assistant who doesn’t do it your way or the client who isn’t worth the time you’re investing, no matter how much they are paying you. Whatever the example, you most likely point your frustration at “them,” but it’s really not about them. It’s about your decision-making process!

If problems are showing up in your life, it might help to look at how you make decisions. What you will likely see is that you’re not adequately planning and evaluating, and therefore you make choices that put you in situations that don’t serve your real objectives.

What you need is clarity!

Before you make significant decisions, it’s important to be crystal clear about certain things. Answering these questions will help create that clarity:

1. What is my need? This is about what you want, and how to quantify it.
2. What is motivating my need? This helps you see if it’s ego, self-seeking or a real need.
3. What or who can fulfill it? This helps you evaluate resources and options.
4. What will happen? This helps you determine if the person, place or thing can deliver?
5. What are the expectations for the outcome? This helps you communicate expected results.

If you take time up front to properly plan and evaluate important decisions, you’ll avoid most Sticky Stressful Situations. And the real payoff is that you will save time, money and a lot of heartache.

Life is often defined as “good” or “bad” based on what you experience.

Like many people, I’ve experienced some tragic things in my life, ranging from the death of family members and addiction; to job loss, hair loss (talk about tragic) and other more mild situations.

Some suggest that I could be resentful and bitter about life. Yet, that’s not my desire. And although getting through some of these events has been challenging, I choose to use the wisdom from my experiences to help others succeed.

In these difficult economic times, it’s possible that there’s a lot being added to your life experience list. While most of it might seem bad, it doesn’t have to alter the way you see your life or how you behave. You can remain positive and use your own circumstances to benefit others, even though your life may be challenging.

Life isn’t about what happens to you.  It’s what you do with it. Watch this video and if you’re feeling like you have cause to be bitter, this might give you a different perspective.

You’re probably familiar with the legal term, “Right of First Refusal,” or you’ve at least heard of it. Simply stated, it’s a contractual right that gives its holder the option to enter a business transaction with the owner of something before the owner is entitled to enter into that transaction with a third party.

Although we recognize its legal application, you also hold this same right in other parts of your life, even though you may not be using it.

How many times, especially lately, have you found yourself engaged in a conversation where the other party is focusing on gloom, doom and other negativity? I don’t know about you, but I don’t have room in my life for that today. It’s a drain, doesn’t solve anything and frankly is an impediment to your success, unless of course your goal is to feel depressed.

Picture yourself on the telephone with someone, or standing at the water cooler and the person you’re speaking with is complaining or lamenting about something. Do you really enjoy that? Well, I don’t. But what do you do about it? I say, Exercise your Right of First Refusal.

When you’re faced with this sort of conversation, you don’t have to accept or perpetuate the negative talk. You really can opt out and refuse it.  When you see it coming, say something like, “I hear you, but I choose to see the good in things and recognize that this too shall pass.”

This strategy may first require you to stop your own negative thoughts and chatter. But in the meantime, exercising your right to refuse negative talk from others will go a long way in improving your peace of mind, and ultimately your success.

It’s a common and perhaps natural response to become fearful when things around you change, especially when you don’t have much control over what’s happening. Given the turmoil in the real estate and financial markets, this dynamic is playing out today in the lives of millions. Even as I write this blog post, I’m mildly anxious that my net worth is shrinking day by day.

In the current housing crisis, few places have been hit as hard as Phoenix, Arizona where home foreclosures are rampant. It seems that the media reports on it daily, with the only hope in sight being a fix by the federal government. And it’s not just housing. Almost everything is losing value these days.

I’ve always had an enormous amount of compassion for those who face difficult times, even as I’ve faced my own. And as I’ve anguished over life’s crises, whether spilled milk or a lost job, I’ve previously felt like I was somehow being wronged, or deserving an exemption of crisis. However, I now see these times as an opportunity to grow, deepen my gratitude and simplify my life.

Instead of wasting time and energy complaining, blaming or feeling immobilized, this can be a great time to take some action to improve the quality of your life.

1.  Turn off the television. If the political information overdose wasn’t enough, the economical news combined with the blood and guts in primetime might just push you over the edge. Instead, read a book, work on that project you’ve been putting off or engage in a fulfilling hobby that does not involve the TV.

2.  Reach out and touch someone. Reconnect with old friends, hand write a letter or volunteer. Since most people are in the same boat and concerned about life, building and solidifying your personal “community” can go a long way in garnering mutual support.

3.  Downsize and de-clutter. Getting rid of “stuff” is something I’ve always enjoyed. Junk belongs in one of two places – with the junk dealer or the landfill. And the good stuff you have to give away; that can go to help someone who is less fortunate than you right now.

Although you don’t control the economy, you can focus on productive and positive things that improve your life, while avoiding the negative “noise” that is all around you. When you do that, you’ll have more energy, confidence and enthusiasm to do the work necessary to survive and thrive.