Imagine your career ending not with a pink slip but with a bullet. Imagine your customers, the people you are trying to help, shooting at you. Imagine coming home at the end of your shift to be greeted with resistance.
Imagine being in harms way so that others are not.
Of all the career choices, none is more serious nor dangerous than the military. Yet every year thousands of young men and women make the confident career choice to serve their country and the world in uniform.
Thank you.
Coach
Monday, May 28, 2007
Friday, May 18, 2007
One of THOSE days!
Ever have one of those days? No, not the days you wish you had stayed in bed. I'm talking about those days when you experience the work you were meant to do. The whole ball of wax - the people, activities, setting - just like love at first sight. You just know it is right.
Today was one of those days for me. Volunteering at a local homeless shelter I coach several men in their residential program. These guys are recovering from life - substance abuse, mental/physical abuse, homelessness - you name it. They are learning to take responsibility for their circumstances and move on with life.
As a coach I get to experience their incredible growth and the insights they gain every day. They are eager to learn and anxious to make changes in their thoughts, actions and relationships. Talk about career transition! It is a huge step forward from panhandling, etc. to a 40 hour-a-week "real" job. The excitement in their eyes and voices when they consider the possibilities they never knew existed is a joy to see.
What would it feel like for you to have "one of THOSE days?" Are you ready to get started on the path to confident career choices that will help make every day one of those days?
Let's talk. Oh, and volunteer. Nothing beats serving others to improve your attitude.
Coach
Today was one of those days for me. Volunteering at a local homeless shelter I coach several men in their residential program. These guys are recovering from life - substance abuse, mental/physical abuse, homelessness - you name it. They are learning to take responsibility for their circumstances and move on with life.
As a coach I get to experience their incredible growth and the insights they gain every day. They are eager to learn and anxious to make changes in their thoughts, actions and relationships. Talk about career transition! It is a huge step forward from panhandling, etc. to a 40 hour-a-week "real" job. The excitement in their eyes and voices when they consider the possibilities they never knew existed is a joy to see.
What would it feel like for you to have "one of THOSE days?" Are you ready to get started on the path to confident career choices that will help make every day one of those days?
Let's talk. Oh, and volunteer. Nothing beats serving others to improve your attitude.
Coach
Thursday, May 17, 2007
How's that working for you?
Bills to pay. Orthodontia. Mortgage. Car payment. School loans. Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to work I go.*
"How's that working for you?" I first heard that phrase on a radio "shrink" show. The caller was talking about how they had been dealing with a dysfunctional mate and the host asked the question. Obviously it wasn't working so well or the person wouldn't have aired their laundry for a national radio audience. The host then asked, "What are you going to do differently to change the situation?"
So, how is your work "working for you?" Are you earning lots of money, enjoying harmonious relationships with your spouse and family, getting adequate leisure time and a joyful heart? No, you say? Well, then, what are you going to do differently to effect the changes you want? You know the cliche definition of insanity - doing the same thing over and over but expecting different results. Not gonna happen!
We all make choices. Will you choose to make a difference in the life you lead? Will you take the steps to research yourself and find your "heart work" (you know, the work that makes your heart sing)? Making confident career choices is easy but it takes some heart work.
Ready to sing? Talk to me.
Coach
* Apologies to the Seven Dwarfs.
"How's that working for you?" I first heard that phrase on a radio "shrink" show. The caller was talking about how they had been dealing with a dysfunctional mate and the host asked the question. Obviously it wasn't working so well or the person wouldn't have aired their laundry for a national radio audience. The host then asked, "What are you going to do differently to change the situation?"
So, how is your work "working for you?" Are you earning lots of money, enjoying harmonious relationships with your spouse and family, getting adequate leisure time and a joyful heart? No, you say? Well, then, what are you going to do differently to effect the changes you want? You know the cliche definition of insanity - doing the same thing over and over but expecting different results. Not gonna happen!
We all make choices. Will you choose to make a difference in the life you lead? Will you take the steps to research yourself and find your "heart work" (you know, the work that makes your heart sing)? Making confident career choices is easy but it takes some heart work.
Ready to sing? Talk to me.
Coach
* Apologies to the Seven Dwarfs.
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Environmental Influences
Every so often I have to get away from it all. Right now I am in Arizona visiting family, basking in the sun and enjoying the change of pace. When I begin to absorb the negative environment - people and work conditions - it affects my attitude and focus on where I am going by drawing me into the muck like a sponge. Time away is like using a cleanser to get the stains out of the kitchen sink. The more regularly you use it the easier it is to come clean and recapture the shine.
I am working on a new workshop and have a short deadline for the first run through. Plenty of ideas were swimming around in my head but nothing was spilling out onto the page (computer screen, that is.) My energy was being sapped by the negative comments and attitudes (including my own) at work. Within hours of starting this trip I became clearer on a structure and format. In one session I wrote a draft outline that will actually develop into a series of four workshops, giving more value to all who attend. I was able to continue coaching clients - cell phones are wonderful.
Have you ever rinsed and wrung out a sponge, the one's with an outer cover for scrubbing, by the kitchen sink? It is amazing how much stuff comes out even if the surface didn't look that bad. That's how our negative environment can soak into us leaving an facade of cheerfulness while inside we are sloshing in sludge. It is hard to think about your future, let alone take action, when your head is in the old game of life. Like the dirty sponge, you can't absorb anything until you get rid of the grease and grime of time.
Plan time for yourself to get away - an evening, a day, a weekend - and wring the sludge out of your sponge. Give yourself a clean sponge and soak up some energy to make confident career choices.
Coach
I am working on a new workshop and have a short deadline for the first run through. Plenty of ideas were swimming around in my head but nothing was spilling out onto the page (computer screen, that is.) My energy was being sapped by the negative comments and attitudes (including my own) at work. Within hours of starting this trip I became clearer on a structure and format. In one session I wrote a draft outline that will actually develop into a series of four workshops, giving more value to all who attend. I was able to continue coaching clients - cell phones are wonderful.
Have you ever rinsed and wrung out a sponge, the one's with an outer cover for scrubbing, by the kitchen sink? It is amazing how much stuff comes out even if the surface didn't look that bad. That's how our negative environment can soak into us leaving an facade of cheerfulness while inside we are sloshing in sludge. It is hard to think about your future, let alone take action, when your head is in the old game of life. Like the dirty sponge, you can't absorb anything until you get rid of the grease and grime of time.
Plan time for yourself to get away - an evening, a day, a weekend - and wring the sludge out of your sponge. Give yourself a clean sponge and soak up some energy to make confident career choices.
Coach
Monday, May 7, 2007
At the end of the day.
When all is said and done we are responsible for our own happiness. That includes our work. "How can I be happy at work when it is a terrible place to be and is nowhere close to what I really want to do?" you ask.
I am glad you asked. One way to relieve the unpleasant reality of the workplace is to pursue outside activities that accomplish three things. One, they serve others. Two, they provide a welcome pleasant change of pace from work. Three, they prepare you to transition into the work you really desire. Service organizations offer great opportunities to serve others in the community. Nothing takes your mind off the drudgery of life like doing something for someone else. Besides the obvious differences in circumstances , which may change your view of our own situation, there is a sense of joy that comes from making a difference. Plus, the exposure to other organizations and chance to learn new skills and hone old ones, are wonderful ways to network and open doors to your next career.
Check out these organizations and others to see if there is a place for you to flourish and replenish your energy while being part of the solution.
http://www.kiwanis.org/; http://www.rotary.org/; http://www.lionsclubs.org/EN/index.shtml.
There are many more. What a great place to prepare for confident career choices.
Coach
I am glad you asked. One way to relieve the unpleasant reality of the workplace is to pursue outside activities that accomplish three things. One, they serve others. Two, they provide a welcome pleasant change of pace from work. Three, they prepare you to transition into the work you really desire. Service organizations offer great opportunities to serve others in the community. Nothing takes your mind off the drudgery of life like doing something for someone else. Besides the obvious differences in circumstances , which may change your view of our own situation, there is a sense of joy that comes from making a difference. Plus, the exposure to other organizations and chance to learn new skills and hone old ones, are wonderful ways to network and open doors to your next career.
Check out these organizations and others to see if there is a place for you to flourish and replenish your energy while being part of the solution.
http://www.kiwanis.org/; http://www.rotary.org/; http://www.lionsclubs.org/EN/index.shtml.
There are many more. What a great place to prepare for confident career choices.
Coach
Thursday, May 3, 2007
"I get by with a little help from my friends..."
We all need help from time to time, especially in times of change. I can't tell you how many times I have read Monica Guzman's blog or column and gotten great ideas and insight for my business and the people I serve. Lisa Wells is an example of a "friend of a friend" who has been invaluable in designing my web site, inspiring ways to reach people and general support in my venture.
Whether you are already in business or just starting one, or even if you are just starting the career change process a virtual assistant can help with all those tasks that you either dislike or don't know how to perform. Think of yourself as a highly paid athlete or movie star. Why spend your time doing anything that doesn't enhance your core talents? Let yourself focus on the job of getting a new career and let others handle the details.
Difficult as it may be to admit it, this is not all about me. Or you. Reach out for help, and then reach out to help others.
What better way to be confident in your career choices than by having a world class team on your side?
Have a comment or response? Just holler, "Put me in, Coach!"
Coach
Whether you are already in business or just starting one, or even if you are just starting the career change process a virtual assistant can help with all those tasks that you either dislike or don't know how to perform. Think of yourself as a highly paid athlete or movie star. Why spend your time doing anything that doesn't enhance your core talents? Let yourself focus on the job of getting a new career and let others handle the details.
Difficult as it may be to admit it, this is not all about me. Or you. Reach out for help, and then reach out to help others.
What better way to be confident in your career choices than by having a world class team on your side?
Have a comment or response? Just holler, "Put me in, Coach!"
Coach
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Vision
Hindsight may be 20/20 but a vision for the future is even better. Having a vision of what you want to accomplish - finances, career, relationships - even what kind of car you want to drive or the view from your living room window - having a vision gives it form and substance. It's amazing how focused you become when you have envisioned an end result. Actions and words become centered around the goal. You start noticing and recognizing opportunities when you focus on what you want and let go of what you don't want.
Have you ever groused about the job you didn't get or the promotion - YOUR promotion - that went to someone else? Meanwhile you missed other opportunities because all your attention was on what you didn't have instead of what you really want. The old country song said "I overlooked and orchid while looking for a rose." Let yourself be open to results even better than you would like and stop worrying about the woulda, coulda, shoulda's.
Coach
Have you ever groused about the job you didn't get or the promotion - YOUR promotion - that went to someone else? Meanwhile you missed other opportunities because all your attention was on what you didn't have instead of what you really want. The old country song said "I overlooked and orchid while looking for a rose." Let yourself be open to results even better than you would like and stop worrying about the woulda, coulda, shoulda's.
Coach
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