Book excerpt: Looking to Get Out of the Career Hot Seat and Back in the Game? The Great Recession has fundamentally changed the employment landscape in this country. Career success is no longer about chasing opportunities, it's about creating opportunities. Creating your own career opportunities during these tough times is going to require an entrepreneurial mindset. Whether you are a battle-tested workforce veteran, recent graduate, or thinking of going out on your own, The YOU Plan is an essential tool for getting you out of the "career hot seat" and back in the game. The YOU Plan is a straight-forward step-by-step approach to career success designed by Dr. Woody as a self-coaching guide. The YOU Plan is about asking yourself five fundamental questions: * What are my Values? * What are my Intrinsics? * What are my Passions? * What is my Essence or personal brand? * What is my Roadmap for getting there? To thrive in the new economy you will have to find a way to stand out from the crowd. It will be up to you to pick a direction and create a plan for demonstrating your value. The YOU Plan is a simple, engaging, and attention-span friendly guide for helping you step-up and take charge of your career during these challenging times.