India Journal: Don’t Worry, Be Happy
Because of our routines we forget that life is an ongoing adventure. ~Maya Angelou
In the first installment of India Journal, Where No One Knows Your Name, I mentioned the roles we play in life. By roles, I refer to more than the traditional – daughter, mother, father, executive, significant other. In each of our roles, there is a thread – a pattern of behavior we have honed over years. These behaviors may be comfortable, but often have little bearing on the person we are presently, rather they are a legacy from other stages of our lives.
When I decided to take my sabbatical to India I was confronting my legacy roles. While my life looked great from the outside, I felt less than fulfilled. Without a clear new direction, I continue on my same path.
Then one day as I arrived in LA for a meeting my Blackberry went into overdrive, screaming urgent messages. I hung up a frantic call and was furiously scanning incoming messages when my driver, calm as can be, turned around and said, “Miss, I don’t mean to overstep, but whatever is going on really isn’t worth it.”
In a different phase in my life, being called upon in time of crisis might have made me feel important (even if frustrated), but in this moment it was clear my driver was right. On the ride to the hotel, I found my resolve. Something had to change. The time had come. I was ready.
After the meeting, (more…)
Banking on Balance
More workers are giving up those arrangements, or resisting asking about them in the first place, out of fear that doing so will make them appear less committed to their work and therefore more expendable.
Flights of Fancy in the Real World
The brook would lose its song if we removed the rocks. —Wallace Stegne
All month I have been meeting potential clients and groups of people considering charting a new course. Some are facing layoffs, others are considering new jobs or starting their own business and even taking time off or starting a family. Each person I spoke with had a different reason for wanting a change, most spurred on by the changing economy.
You might think it strange that someone would actually make a self-motivated change during a time of such economic flux, yet I am encouraged by what I am hearing. Most of the people I encountered this past month have had a few things in common: (more…)
September Rev Up!
Toward the end of August a number of clients contacted me to talk about issues with such consistent themes, that I decided it was the perfect time for a September Rev Up!
There have been emails from people worried about impending layoffs, others with severance packages running out but no idea what to do next, people considering a change but overwhelmed by the options. I’ve heard from new small business owners fearful about the economic downturn, and, I’ve spoken with executives looking for a new way to invigorate their careers.
In the dwindling days of August, there is much to do. The rhythm of summer draws to a close and evening arrives a bit earlier. When school buses start rolling and vacations begin to recede into our memories – we emerge from our summer repose to reclaim the vigor and focus of a ‘new school year’. How do we shake off the lethargy and regain our momentum? (more…)
A Corporate Revolution: Downsizing with Respect
Often when companies are faced with the grim task of downsizing, focus is placed on the details of headcount, organizational charts and numbers, while the basics of how to communicate the change is given the short shrift.
In a recent New York Times article, After Downsizing, How to Motivate?, Kelley Holland explores this issue.
The wobbly economy is producing a steady stream of layoff announcements — the number of extended mass layoffs rose 8 percent in the second quarter, based on preliminary numbers, versus the period a year earlier. So it’s more important than ever for managers to understand how best to handle these downsizings, not just for those who lose their jobs, but also for those who are still working.
Try on a New Trait
During last week’s Compass Point Career Shaping Networking event I introduced the idea of trying on a new trait. The idea is that if there is a trait you admire in a public figure, colleague, friend, family member, or even of a younger you – you can try it on for size and see how it fits.
For example, you have a friend who is bold and fearless; your Aunt Sally commanded attention as soon as she walked in a room; you admire the poise and intelligence of a tv personality or you simply long for the joy of your younger days! Select a person with a trait you admire and would love to possess, and during the next week, take some time to take it out for a test drive. At first, you will have to consciously look for opportunities in your daily life and you may even have to act a bit…but after awhile you should (if it is a good fit) that you are actually growing into it!
This weekend I had the chance to try it out myself while visiting with friends by the water. We were trying to keep cool, sitting out on her pier and sharing stories and sipping refreshing drinks 
When that proved futile, one at a time, my friends plunged into the water. I, dressed in a cute new summer skirt, was wholly unprepared for this maneuver. In addition, I am not much of a swimmer. While I grew up on the water and love being at the beach, a near drowning experience as a child (which we won’t go into here to protect the guilty), remains ever present.
Oddly, however, something happened moments after my friends hit the water. I thought of someone I greatly admire, who lives life to the fullest…and without another second hesitation, I joyfully jumped in fully dressed! I was proud of myself for letting go and embracing a new trait! And if you were on the east coast this weekend, you know it was a really good time to decide to go jump in a lake!
This week pick a person and try on a new trait, you may be surprised at how well it fits!
Breaking Free from a Foundation of Fear
Last week’s post Making Career Decisions, led to some great conversations with friends and colleagues about the foundation of fear. My sister reminded me of the fearlessness and joy we exhibit as children. She asked me to think back to the winter when five year-old kids were zipping by on the ski slopes without a hint of fear or doubt. We were like that once (although not on the slopes!). What happened to that carefree attitude? When did fear supplant our innate curiosity and tenacity? Is it possible to break free from such a firm foundation of fear? I believe the answer to the last question is a resounding ‘yes!’
When we are young, everyone around us encourages our exploration. They goad us to smile, make silly noises, find our feet, crawl, walk, run and eventually – ski. Our efforts are encouraged, applauded and celebrated. Our failures are brushed off – we are distracted from the minor ones (bumps and falls) and rewarded with kisses and cuddles as a result of the more serious. (more…)
From Success to Wine, It’s All in Your Head
This week, while taking a break from back up files and calling credit cards companies, I read Wine’s Pleasures: Are They All in Your Head? by The New York Times wine critic, Eric Asimov.
The article is a great take on what motivates the wine shopper. Asimov explores why we are compelled to purchase expensive bottles of wine. He cites a study conducted by The Wine Trials
…a $10 bottle of bubbly from Washington state outscored Dom Pérignon, which sells for $150 a bottle, while Two-Buck Chuck, the cheap Charles Shaw California cabernet sauvignon, topped a $55 bottle of Napa Valley cabernet.
Asimov offers that perhaps your wine shopping motivations are often all in your head! I found, in a strange way, parallels can be drawn to your career decisions!
Maria Shriver asks Just Who Will You Be?
Maria Shriver has been everywhere from Larry King to Oprah talking about her new book Just Who Will You Be?: Big Question.
The book is a genuine heartfelt look at a question millions of people all over the world are wrestling with — Am I creating the person I want to be?
Each week, people ask me some version of this question. Typically, it starts out with a question about work, career, balance, happiness, even retirement. I am asked – How do I know what I want to do? How do I find what makes me happy when I have so many responsibilities? How do I explore what I believe and want when I am so afraid?
What emerges, however, is a true desire to be heard and understood; a desire to create a way of life that reflects the person we are and the person we are becoming.
As a society we are conditioned to consider our vocation and success in terms of wealth, prestige, prominence and the like.
But something is happening. Slowly, quietly, we are starting to question this norm. We are beginning to realize that true success is achieved when we design our lives and careers around who we are, rather than contort ourselves to fit a societal image of success. Revolution Me! is testament to movement.
I invite you to take a look around, you will find inspiration and motivation – from Chester Pitts to Markéta Irglová. And for exercises to get you into motion, you may want to check out some of our recent postings:
Consciously Crafting Your Career
Making a Life vs. Making a Living
How Gaps Grow and Consciously Creating Commitments
Memory Muscle: Part I and Memory Muscle: Part II
Take twenty minutes today to start planning your own personal Revolution!
NBC4 News Highlights Compass Point & Career Shaping!
What an exciting start to spring for Compass Point Associates! First, we were invited to participate in the Association of Cable Communicators Forum to coaching participants. It was wonderful event and a great opportunity to meet with a dynamic group of executives!
A few days later, the things got even more exciting! Compass Point was featured in a NBC4 News segment, A Paycheck with Passion. The piece was about changing careers and featured the Compass Point Career Shaping Workshop. A big thank you to the ladies featured! We had a fabulous time and somehow NBC was able to capture the amazing energy in the room!
Check it out for yourself!
If you are interested in learning more about shaping your success, check out the Consciously Crafting Your Career post from earlier this month or find out about the next scheduled Career Shaping Workshop on the Compass Point Calendar.
