END OF THE YEAR BLUES
December 30, 2009
This is what I call the “week between worlds” – between Christmas and the New Year.
It’s always been a time of introspection and reflection, and REAL down time - reading books, going to movies, sleeping, doing NOTHING. But there are always the expectations aren’t there, of all that could be accomplished with this “down time.”
What a year it’s been and what a decade. Nine years since I relocated from New England, and I spent 6 years staying grounded working in a local non-profit. I’m nostalgic for what is in the past – distant and close. Recently I miss the relationships the most, and the habits of working a 9 – 5 routine. There are parts of it I loved and parts I hated. So, now I have the opposite – being self employed again.
We really only are self employed when you think about it. We are responsible for the work we do (and don’t do). We are the ones who make it up everyday whether creating new ways of doing things or fulfilling a routine that serves others. We receive a regular paycheck – some benefits and there is a routine that defies description. (including the regularly occurring crises of the week!) Some people thrive on that.
Not me, I’m more of a loner than I realize. I like making it up as I go along and taking the risks involved. I like being in charge of my time, my priorities and my life/work balance. I’m staying on track; accomplishing objectives; getting feedback from knowledgeble people and trying not to be overwhelmed. I like noticing when I’m excited about an idea and can play around with how to take it to another level. And I remember what I love most about being self employed is being able to really have fun with what you do. Because there’s no reason not to do that. Figure out what’s fun for you and get out there and do it.
Happy New Year Everyone!
Risk Taking: The Advantages
December 21, 2009
If you’re wanting to get out of a bad situation think of the possibilities of increasing your comfort level in risk-taking.
1.Increase your ability to sniff out, sense or recognize an opportunity (often from unlikely sources) which is why it often feels like a risk
2. Not having all the information about either the pros and cons requires dealing with ambiguity and uncertainty. Life is not certain – learn to increase your comfort level with not knowing for sure.
3. Knowing that if successful you’ll be pushed into a new window of opportunity for self expression of some sort and that can always be a good thing.
4. If something really excites you and yes scares you – and you can’t imagine doing it or not doing it. That’s a risk.
5. You know enough to do the necessary research in order to make an informed decision. Know your strengths as well as the potential downside. No matter what you’ll learn something and that’s all for the good.
The Price of Settling
December 21, 2009
Do you think of yourself as a risk-taker? And if so, what kind of risk taker are you? Are you “high risk”, eg, willing to jump in with both feet confident all will work out. Or are you a moderate risktaker – who gathers information and weighs the pros and cons and then makes a positive choice not knowing for sure what the outcome will be, but having some sense of what the options will be.
To my mind risk-taking is the opposite of “settling” which often means accepting what is until hopefully something better comes along. Settling in your career choice can provide a sense of personal satisfaction and we all know about the value of “trade-offs.” First there is the regular paycheck and maybe there are some other benefits, such as health insurance or a pension fund. And don’t forget those personal days and/or vacation and sick days. They all add up to keeping us in a job sometimes when we’re ready to take a risk.
Consider the following “costs” of settling for less than what you know is possible, or where the risk-taking might take you.
Sponataneity – if you’re focusing all your energy on fitting in one box all the time (and the fit is a little too tight) you become satisfied with the status quo and are less able to respond to what’s outside the box.
Confidence – this can increase or decrease depending on your circumstances. If you’re able to use your knowledge and expertise it will increase, but if you’re constantly frustrated by not being able to do more it will most likely decrease.
Connections - you can lose your valuable connections if you’re not in touch with with a particular network you value. The energy and enthusiasmthat comes from others needs to be nurtured or they’ll be lost.
So, the price of “settling” needs to be weighed by asking yourself? Am I settling? Are the “trade-offs” worth it? And if you were to take a risk, what kind of a risk-taker are you?
Career Change at MidLife
December 15, 2009
There are lots of good reasons for making a career change – but especially at midlife. It helps to blow away a lot of the stereotypes people have of mature adults. There is something to be said for staying in a job too long – and most people do that. They usually stay for the wrong reasons – like being dependent on that paycheck or health benefits. Or hoping that it will get better, only there isn’t any reason to think realistically it will.
Five Good Reasons for making a career change at midlife
1/ IT’S NEVER TOO LATE. You’re younger than you think you are and you’re going to be working a lot longer, so now is the time to figure out what it is you want to do.
2/YOU CAN MAKE A DIFERENCE Discover your purpose and apply all the skills and experience you have to doing something that will make a difference.
3/ IF YOU CAN DREAM IT; YOU CAN ACHIEVE IT. Most people don’t make change because they don’t feel called to do anything different. But using a process to create a powerful vision can make the difference.
4/ DON’T LET YOUR FRIENDS OR LOVED ONES DISCOURAGE YOU. Be sure to pick allies who you can trust who will provide the support you need. There will be plenty of negative voices.
5/ACTIVATE YOUR NETWORK. Let people know you are looking to make a career change and ask who they know that has been successful. Or stay tuned here for others who have made great transitions at midlife.
6/THINK ABOUT IT Most of us have already put in 20 – 30 years doing either one major body of work, or been all over the place. Most likely we will put in another 20 – 30 years no matter what our financial circumstances. Doesn’t it make sense to figure our once and for all, What shall I do for the rest of my life?
I’m sure there are a lot more reasons for taking the risk at this stage, but for now, I’ll leave it at that.
Self Employment Challenges
December 2, 2009
What’s your biggest one? It’s barely been 3 weeks since my employment situation changed and my position was eliminated. Thank goodness I was clear on my personal purpose as stated in an earlier blog, but also that I had so many networking and social media in place. I find it exciting using the technology media and enjoy it as much as the personal networking I love to do.
The biggest challenge of being self employed once again is the time management issue. I’ve always been good at setting priorities and getting them done eventually. But in the current mode I’m finding a tendancy to want to indulge in reading another article, or searching something on the web rather than stick with my commitments – like this. To reflect and write at least once a week on this transition from paid work via salary to contracting services (oh yes, while still looking for a job). And to start sending out email notices to former collegues and clients. That’s one of the self-promotional goals I set for myself and I find I keep putting it off.
On one level I’m feeling a need to get some closure with the fact that I’m no longer an employee. The issues of loss of community, and caring about the issues of concern facing the agency are needing to be met. In the transition cycle, I’m dealing with some appropriate feelings of sadness and loss as well. I’m scheduled to attend a large networking event today and think maybe being out there in my new role as a business owner has me little nervous as well.
The roller coaster of being self employed in an endless challenge. What are yours?
