Carrie:  Whether by choice or circumstance, many of my friends and colleagues spent summer 2010 making dramatic career transitions and life changing decisions. 

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Take the time to identify and learn about the things that are new and/or scary to you because these things might be most meaningful and vital to your future plans....

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Two friends were laid off from jobs they’d held for decades. Several moms decided that spending time with their kids was more important than a big salary or management position. 

One friend decided that after 10 years of running her own business, she’d like to pursue an entirely new path. And a friend in her 60s decided to take the risk and change jobs with the hope that she’d finally find the job satisfaction that had eluded her all her life.

When I asked these women for their advice to others who are considering or actually going through career transitions, here’s what they said:

1. Seek out help and guidance. Each of my friends talked about how they initially felt alone and uncertain. But when they started asking for help, they found that people of all career stages wanted them to succeed and were willing to share, mentor, and guide. Start asking for help in the beginning of your transition process; don’t wait until you are in a crisis.

 

2. Try “experiments” to test your new path. In her book “Working Identity,” Herminia Ibarra recommends that you identify short term projects or “experiments” that can help you to get a feel for a new line of work, gain experience in a new field, and make connections with others who are doing what you want to do. ...

3. Learn about what you don’t know and recognize what scares you. ...Take the time to identify and learn about the things that are new and/or scary to you because these things might be most meaningful and vital to your future plans....

4. Understand that life is just a series of transitions. Each of my friends said they felt reassured when they realized that life is always changing, and they were free to adapt, evolve, and seek out what was best for them...

Carrie Hensel is co-founder and CEO of Inner Circle Media and Co-Founder and President of the Women’s Exchange of Washtenaw.

via flickr.com

The full video of the terrific 2010 WXW Spring Conference is here. I'm after the 2:40 mark:

 

Deb:  The writer of this blog post attended a 90 Day planning workshop a local business coach offered to business owners. Taking ½ day out from business to plan out his goals for the next quarter seemed a very helpful plan.  Result:  He gained much more than he had expected.

 Excerpt from MaineBusiness.com: 

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I walked away inspired and pumped with a clear plan for my goals for the next quarter.

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Priming the pump of efficiency

...there were 14 different business owners there, from a variety of different industries and it was great to just talk about the struggles and successes different owners were experiencing. It was equally beneficial to hear how well their respective businesses are doing after coaching, plus they seemed to have much more control of their personal life. It seems that a good business coach doesn’t just focus on the business but the business owner, so making sure there is a balance with health, leisure, family, friends and fitness are all part of the goal setting.

For many, being a business owner can be quite lonely...the lack of peers to bounce ideas off... What I really liked about this group of business owners that showed up for the 90 day plan was their support of each other, and eagerness to share, listen and learn from each other.

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...a good business coach ...[is] making sure there is a balance with health, leisure, family, friends and fitness ...all part of the goal setting.

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...many of them attend a weekly group coaching session called Profit Club, ...where they work together through the many different aspects of running a business. The bonus, it appears, is the resource material available, and the training and motivation that goes with having a business coach plus peers that support you.

I walked away inspired and pumped with a clear plan for my goals for the next quarter.

via mainebusiness.mainetoday.com  photo: llawliet, Flickr

Deb: This post give another perspective of how it helps business owners step outside themselves to view their work and life. "When you are in it, you can't see it."  I appreciate the practical example of this business owner coaching group. 

I've recently finished adding BCoach training to my organization development expertise.  I was  reluctant, initially.  This changed as the training progressed.  I found the content and coaching experience powerful and very helpful as I was coached, observed coaching, and coached others.  I've completed the coaching training and am already working with clients, individually and via leadership teams, and am encouraged by their progress.