It's exciting and invigorating to be an entrepreneur in control of one's own destiny. However, we all know it's lonely at the top. After all, there are so few people, including family, who really understand the broader aspects of running a business and who can provide helpful, confidential and insightful advice.

As the month of April rolls around, the buds of the leaves are starting to show and so we can say for certain that spring has finally arrived. Yet, along with spring comes university wrap-up, graduation and a whole flock of students seeking both first-career roles as well as summer jobs. And of course, not far behind are those high school seniors who will flood into the June market looking for their share of the summer jobs.

Q. I have accepted a new job; however, after only six months, I know this is not the right fit for me. Should I stick it out, or simply resign immediately?

As March arrives, I am always reminded of the term, Ides of March, which refers to the death of Julius Caesar. In case you don't recall this little bit of history, it's a story of how Caesar had been warned by a fortune teller that he would be harmed no later than March 15. Caesar scoffed at the prophecy but sure enough, he was killed by a group of conspirators on that specific day.

Although time has passed quickly, I'm sure you'll recall that Manitoba recently celebrated Louis Riel Day. For most people, Louis Riel Day is simply another statutory holiday while for others, it is recognition that the Métis people were the driving force behind Manitoba becoming Canada's fifth province.

Have you ever been accused of not listening?

I suspect that most people have received that type of criticism, yet I'm not sure most people realize just how important listening is to our daily life. Listening is a communication tool; in fact, it can be considered the foundation of all of our communication. For instance, if you compare the elements of communication such as reading, talking, writing and listening, you'll find that listening takes up the greatest amount of your time -- anywhere from 40 to 50 per cent.

Although February is the shortest month of the year, there are several days set aside to celebrate special events. For instance, we celebrate Black History Month, Louis Riel Day, Valentine's Day and Festival du Voyageur. As well, I recently learned that February has also been declared National Parent Leadership Month.

Although as Canadians we sit on the sidelines of the U.S. presidential election primaries, it is interesting nonetheless to see how things unfold. One of the dynamics occurring is how contenders and news leaders alike are continually exposing the personal frailties of Newt Gingrich by raising the issue of his personal ethics and reputation for off the job behaviour. While the question recently posed by CNN threw Gingrich a little off balance, he quickly lashed back by saying his personal life is no one else's business. And now that the North Carolina primaries have put Gingrich in the lead, some voters might suggest this proves ethics indeed don't matter.

To be honest, I'm usually up on the various news in the business world, but it seems I may have been asleep at the switch. I didn't realize and don't ever recall learning that 2011 had been declared the year of the entrepreneur. Perhaps I was too busy working in and on my own business. However, I certainly agree that entrepreneurship is the backbone of our economy, especially in Manitoba.

January is always considered a time for setting new personal and/or career goals. While some folks are more determined than others, more often than not, these goals quickly fall by the wayside. Perhaps its because the goals were really nothing more than wish lists. Or, perhaps an individuals expectations were simply unrealistic because they did not understand their real-world environment and the influence this may have on goal accomplishment.

Holidays a good time to take stock of career, skills, goals

Choosing the right career and being successful in it requires research, continuing education

Negativity stunts your career growth, but the good news is that you can fix things.

Internal strategy tells employees there's place for them.