I know, that is no big announcement. Anyone over the age of 10 probably realizes that the world is just not the same today as it was yesterday. And that applies if your yesterday was actually just 24 hours ago or if you think of it as 30 or 40 years ago. But the basic statement applies to our daily lives, our families and friends, and our ways of thinking about the world.
As we approach the end of yet another year, we may tend to think about what this particular year has brought and what it has meant. For many of us who are over the age of 30, this year flew by faster than any of the previous years - that is partly because time seems to do that as we continue to mature - and I think partly because we have managed to speed up our lives by taking away some of our own personal "down" time.
So many people these days are constantly "plugged in" which leaves no real time to yourself. That time when you can just sit with your thoughts and let them lead you wherever they will. Those quiet times when you can remember what your daydreams used to entail, when you had high hopes for your future. Without those times, we may lose track of our dreams or forget them entirely. Then when we are thinking about what we should be doing with our lives, we are often at a loss. We may have lost that ability to create something different from our own thoughts. We may have become afraid to think about what we would like to change or do differently in our lives.
If this applies to you, I suggest you unplug for a while - try it in small installments - maybe just 15 or 20 minutes at a time and spend some time with your thoughts. If this needs to be sitting in your bathroom or bedroom with the door locked, so be it. Spend some time thinking about how your life has developed and what, if anything, you would like to do differently. After you have done this for a few days, begin writing down the thoughts that come to you during your quiet time. After a while, you can begin to put together a list of those thoughts and determine which ones you are ready to develop into actual plans.
Find some time for you - time is still going to fly by too quickly, but maybe this way, when you carve out some quiet time next December, you will be able to smile about ways in which you have made changes or at least developed plans to do so. Best wishes.
Mary Ann Davis, M.A. is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Ohio providing coaching and counseling for life's transitions; including a career or job change, planning to return to work or to school, coping with a job loss, preparing for retirement, and other life changes. She meets with individuals in person and via telephone to assit them to find solutions to life transition issues. Mary Ann is certified as a Master Career Counselor (MCC) by the National Career Development Association, a Life/Work Counselor by the National Employment Counseling Association, and is a Distance Credentialed Counselor (DCC). Please visit her web site at www.YourCareerPlan.com for more information on her services. To contact Mary Ann, please call (513) 665-4444- x3 and leave a personal and confidential message or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.
Showing posts with label change. Show all posts
Showing posts with label change. Show all posts
Monday, December 12, 2011
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Do You Notice Changing Seasons?
Well, it is nearing the end of September and in the Midwest we are already seeing signs of the changing seasons. We are very quickly moving into fall and Summer will soon be just a distant memory. For some, that means the end of playing in the pool, playing on the courts or golf course, digging in the garden, and/or hitting the road for fun. Others see it as the end of a long stretch of being inside - hiding from the sun and it's heat. For many, it signals the end of vacation time or an easier schedule.
Some see autumn as a beginning. The beginning of a new school year. The beginning of football season. The beginning of a stretch of holidays and family festivities. Each of us has our own appreciation, or lack of, for the fall season, but there is nothing we can do to stop it from happening, at least, not as long as we live in the Midwest. So we can decide to accept, embrace or celebrate the coming of autumn. Or we can grumble, fuss, and moan about the change of seasons.
The choice is yours. I guess that is my point today: the choice is yours as to how you react and feel about a change over which you have that little control. I hope you choose to accept the change, but even better would be to embrace it. I encourage you to think of change as an opportunity to experience something different - even though you have been through the change of seasons many times, we have never experienced Autumn, 2011.
Mary Ann Davis, M.A., is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in private practice providing coaching and counseling for life's transitions; including a career or job change, planning for non-retirement, coping with a job loss or empty nest, preparing to return to work or to school, and other life planning issues. She meet with individuals in person and via telephone to assist in finding solutions to life transition issues. Mary Ann is certified as a Master Career Counselor (MCC) by the National Career Development Association (MCC), a Life/Work Counselor by the National Employment Counseling Association, and is a Distance Credentialed Counselor (DCC). If you would like more information on her services, please visit her website at http://www.yourcareerplan.com/.
To contact Mary Ann, please call 513-665-4444 x3 and leave a personal and confidential message or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.
Some see autumn as a beginning. The beginning of a new school year. The beginning of football season. The beginning of a stretch of holidays and family festivities. Each of us has our own appreciation, or lack of, for the fall season, but there is nothing we can do to stop it from happening, at least, not as long as we live in the Midwest. So we can decide to accept, embrace or celebrate the coming of autumn. Or we can grumble, fuss, and moan about the change of seasons.
The choice is yours. I guess that is my point today: the choice is yours as to how you react and feel about a change over which you have that little control. I hope you choose to accept the change, but even better would be to embrace it. I encourage you to think of change as an opportunity to experience something different - even though you have been through the change of seasons many times, we have never experienced Autumn, 2011.
Mary Ann Davis, M.A., is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in private practice providing coaching and counseling for life's transitions; including a career or job change, planning for non-retirement, coping with a job loss or empty nest, preparing to return to work or to school, and other life planning issues. She meet with individuals in person and via telephone to assist in finding solutions to life transition issues. Mary Ann is certified as a Master Career Counselor (MCC) by the National Career Development Association (MCC), a Life/Work Counselor by the National Employment Counseling Association, and is a Distance Credentialed Counselor (DCC). If you would like more information on her services, please visit her website at http://www.yourcareerplan.com/.
To contact Mary Ann, please call 513-665-4444 x3 and leave a personal and confidential message or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Is It Time to Make Lemonade?
I'm sure you have heard the phrase, "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!" So I wonder, if you feel like it is time to make lemonade? I have personally experienced more than a few disappointments in life and remember that I was not initially thinking it was time for me to make some lemonade. As a person who likes to plan, and does best when I have the opportunity to do so, I am most thrown by those transitions that I don't have time or the opportunity to plan for.
Although you probably have heard that suggestion to make lemonade before, following that advice is not always easy. For me, it is typically less of an issue when the transition is something I have planned. But, in my unplanned transitions, there was something inside me still asking why. There was that whole issue about how I thought things would be - that weren't and, apparently wouldn't ever be! There was also the issue of recognizing and accepting the fact that that particular phase of my life was over. I read books and articles on transitions - a few for a second time. I recognized that before one can really move on, one must bring closure to what was. Usually, it also requires an uncomfortable middle period between the ending of one phase and the beginning of a new one. Although I knew those things, sort of from an intellectual standpoint, "knowing" them from an emotional aspect was more difficult to accomplish.
So, for me, I have to remind myself that getting through a transition will take time. I generally write more in my journal. Sometimes I would just ramble on writing whatever thoughts ran through my mind, sometimes I would write a letter - perhaps to the person I had lost. I have spent some time alone to think about how I would cope and shape my life, once I get through the transition. I have pulled out some of my old music to listen to - because some of the lyrics said words I could not put together to say. I would especially try to take care of myself during those temporary transitional periods.
So, if you are coping with (or just trying to endure) a difficult transition, I encourage you to spend some time taking care of you. Remind yourself of your good traits and good deeds. Do some other things to make you feel good about you or, for a while, do nothing. Allow yourself some time to mourn your loss, but not so much that you wallow in your sorrows. What is important is that you unburden yourself of the strain from your loss before you begin in a new direction. If needed, find someone to talk to - if not family or friends, perhaps a professional. Often a transition drains us physically, mentally, and socially.
In due time, you must find ways to refuel, recharge, and reconnect. Listen to and watch for signs of what is to come. Then use some time to think about what you would like in your life so you can develop plans to achieve it. I'm sure that in time you, too, will be ready for some nice cool, lemonade.
Mary Ann Davis, M.A., is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) providing coaching and counseling for life's transitions; including preparing for a career change or job search, planning for retirement, coping with an empty nest, and planning to return to work or school. She meets with individuals in person and via telephone to assist in creating solutions to transition issues. Mary Ann is certified as a Master Career Counselor (MCC) by the National Career Development Association, a Life/Work Counselor by the National Employment Counseling Association, and is a Distance Credentialed Counselor (DCC). Please visit her web site at http://www.yourcareerplan.com/ for more information on her services.
To contact Mary Ann, please call (513) 665-4444 x3 and leave a personal and confidential voice message or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.
Although you probably have heard that suggestion to make lemonade before, following that advice is not always easy. For me, it is typically less of an issue when the transition is something I have planned. But, in my unplanned transitions, there was something inside me still asking why. There was that whole issue about how I thought things would be - that weren't and, apparently wouldn't ever be! There was also the issue of recognizing and accepting the fact that that particular phase of my life was over. I read books and articles on transitions - a few for a second time. I recognized that before one can really move on, one must bring closure to what was. Usually, it also requires an uncomfortable middle period between the ending of one phase and the beginning of a new one. Although I knew those things, sort of from an intellectual standpoint, "knowing" them from an emotional aspect was more difficult to accomplish.
So, for me, I have to remind myself that getting through a transition will take time. I generally write more in my journal. Sometimes I would just ramble on writing whatever thoughts ran through my mind, sometimes I would write a letter - perhaps to the person I had lost. I have spent some time alone to think about how I would cope and shape my life, once I get through the transition. I have pulled out some of my old music to listen to - because some of the lyrics said words I could not put together to say. I would especially try to take care of myself during those temporary transitional periods.
So, if you are coping with (or just trying to endure) a difficult transition, I encourage you to spend some time taking care of you. Remind yourself of your good traits and good deeds. Do some other things to make you feel good about you or, for a while, do nothing. Allow yourself some time to mourn your loss, but not so much that you wallow in your sorrows. What is important is that you unburden yourself of the strain from your loss before you begin in a new direction. If needed, find someone to talk to - if not family or friends, perhaps a professional. Often a transition drains us physically, mentally, and socially.
In due time, you must find ways to refuel, recharge, and reconnect. Listen to and watch for signs of what is to come. Then use some time to think about what you would like in your life so you can develop plans to achieve it. I'm sure that in time you, too, will be ready for some nice cool, lemonade.
Mary Ann Davis, M.A., is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) providing coaching and counseling for life's transitions; including preparing for a career change or job search, planning for retirement, coping with an empty nest, and planning to return to work or school. She meets with individuals in person and via telephone to assist in creating solutions to transition issues. Mary Ann is certified as a Master Career Counselor (MCC) by the National Career Development Association, a Life/Work Counselor by the National Employment Counseling Association, and is a Distance Credentialed Counselor (DCC). Please visit her web site at http://www.yourcareerplan.com/ for more information on her services.
To contact Mary Ann, please call (513) 665-4444 x3 and leave a personal and confidential voice message or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Have You Declared Your Independence?
We have just celebrated Independence Day and I wonder if you have declared your independence. There are many ways in which to be independent and different ways of declaring your independence.
I attended a college graduation ceremony recently and was very surprised at how many people approached the meeting site while talking on the phone. Because I am not a kid anymore, I clearly remember the days when we did not dream of talking on the phone once we left the house. It was just not an option. But these days, people seem to think they need to talk on the phone all the time. It is not just at the ceremony, but I look at people all around - as they walk down the street, or through a store, even as they are in their cars - look at how many people are talking on the phone. Unfortunately, many of them are also driving as they are talking. In my mind, it is unbelievable that a law would have to be passed to make texting while driving illegal. Doesn't common sense tell you that the responsibility of driving a car is significant enough without multitasking? Or perhaps, that's just my thinking. I think people need to declare their independence from their telephone. Just because you have a cell phone doesn't mean you have to be on it all the time.
Additionally, some people are reluctant to make other changes in their life because of how they have always done things. They may say, "Well, I would feel funny trying that!" Or, "No, I don't know how to do that and I don't need to learn." Or perhaps you have heard, or said, "That is how we have always done it!" The way it was always done may be all well and good and, if it is still working, then fine. But to hold onto something just because it is a tradition, does not make sense to me. It is actually OK to make some changes, especially those you know are for the better or will mean an improvement in your life.
If there is a not-so-good habit you are holding on to, perhaps now is the time to declare your independence from that. Breaking long-standing habits is not easy, and sometimes we need outside help to do so, but I believe that if you set your mind to it, you can even break those habits that were started long ago. Consider what you want/need to declare your independence from and this July, start working towards a new you.
Mary Ann Davis, M.A., is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in private practice providing coaching and counseling for life's transitions; including a career change or job search, coping with an empty nest or loss of job, preparing to return to school or work, or planning for retirement or non-retirement. She meets with individuals in person and via telephone assisting them to find solutions to life planning issues. Mary Ann is certified as a Master Career Counselor (MCC) by the National Career Development Association, a Life/Work Counselor by the National Employment Counseling Association, and is a Distance Credentialed Counselor (DCC). Please visit her web site at http://www.yourcareerplan.com/ for more information on her services.
To contact Mary Ann, please call (513) 665-4444 x3 and leave a personal and confidential voice message or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.
I attended a college graduation ceremony recently and was very surprised at how many people approached the meeting site while talking on the phone. Because I am not a kid anymore, I clearly remember the days when we did not dream of talking on the phone once we left the house. It was just not an option. But these days, people seem to think they need to talk on the phone all the time. It is not just at the ceremony, but I look at people all around - as they walk down the street, or through a store, even as they are in their cars - look at how many people are talking on the phone. Unfortunately, many of them are also driving as they are talking. In my mind, it is unbelievable that a law would have to be passed to make texting while driving illegal. Doesn't common sense tell you that the responsibility of driving a car is significant enough without multitasking? Or perhaps, that's just my thinking. I think people need to declare their independence from their telephone. Just because you have a cell phone doesn't mean you have to be on it all the time.
Additionally, some people are reluctant to make other changes in their life because of how they have always done things. They may say, "Well, I would feel funny trying that!" Or, "No, I don't know how to do that and I don't need to learn." Or perhaps you have heard, or said, "That is how we have always done it!" The way it was always done may be all well and good and, if it is still working, then fine. But to hold onto something just because it is a tradition, does not make sense to me. It is actually OK to make some changes, especially those you know are for the better or will mean an improvement in your life.
If there is a not-so-good habit you are holding on to, perhaps now is the time to declare your independence from that. Breaking long-standing habits is not easy, and sometimes we need outside help to do so, but I believe that if you set your mind to it, you can even break those habits that were started long ago. Consider what you want/need to declare your independence from and this July, start working towards a new you.
Mary Ann Davis, M.A., is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in private practice providing coaching and counseling for life's transitions; including a career change or job search, coping with an empty nest or loss of job, preparing to return to school or work, or planning for retirement or non-retirement. She meets with individuals in person and via telephone assisting them to find solutions to life planning issues. Mary Ann is certified as a Master Career Counselor (MCC) by the National Career Development Association, a Life/Work Counselor by the National Employment Counseling Association, and is a Distance Credentialed Counselor (DCC). Please visit her web site at http://www.yourcareerplan.com/ for more information on her services.
To contact Mary Ann, please call (513) 665-4444 x3 and leave a personal and confidential voice message or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Consider These Questions
If you are trying to make a change in your life, but unable to keep working at it, or even get started, I suggest you ask yourself two questions. The first is why do you want to make the change. The second question is how much do you want to make it. In many cases, the answers to these questions may seem obvious, but not always. Additionally, if you are dragging your feet on a change you say you want to make, there generally is some reason you are not at least trying to implement it.
So, for a moment, put your pride aside and really consider the change you say you want to make. The first question to ask yourself (why you want to make the change) actually should get at your motivation. Is it really something that you want or is it someone else's voice saying you "should" do it? It is hard to undertake a change in many cases, but if you are not motivated to do so, it becomes nearly impossible to achieve. If it is your own voice saying you want it, but there are disclaimers that go with it, or it is near the end of a long list of things you want, you may prefer to set it aside until it is more important to you.
In some cases, it is something you want, but not for the right reasons - it may be something you think you should want because other people want it or indicate you should want it. In those instances, you are probably not really motivated to make it happen either. Please understand, that is probably okay, but you may need to be able to convince yourself that it really is okay not to want something, even though, or just because, others do.
The second question (how badly do you want it) involves the level of commitment you currently have to making the change. Even if you are motivated to do something, if there is very little commitment, it is not likely that you will stay with it to bring it into reality. That's why we sometimes get stalled once we have gotten a project or plan underway. We run out of steam because we don't have sufficient commitment to keep us going.
So think about what are you willing to do, or willing to give up, to make the change you want? If there is not much commitment, there probably won't be much follow through. Sometimes we are better at follow through on our commitments to others than to ourselves. It may help to remember that you are as important as others and deserve the same treatment you afford to others.
Of course, sometimes it is also a matter of the change being something we want, but others don't. In those cases, others may, knowingly or not, put additional obstacles in your way that you were not able to plan for, but that derail the plans you had made. Although we frequently can anticipate potential obstacles from friends and/or loved ones, that is not always the case. Sometimes those closest to us have something to lose, or believe they do, if we make a change. Often those concerns come to light by having an open and honest discussion regarding your plans.
If the obstacles come from outside your close circle, then you need to review your situation to determine if the change you had planned can be rerouted to get around, under, over, or through the obstacle. Or is it something you need to discuss with those responsible for the obstacle(s) to see if you can get them removed. They may have knowledge with which you are not aware, but that impact your plans. They may have insights that could benefit you in re-evaluating your plans. In some instances, you may need to use or develop a Plan B.
Change is not often easy, but if it is something you want/need to do for your own well-being, it is worth considering why you have not been able to implement the change you seek.
Mary Ann Davis (M.A.) is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in private practice providing coaching and counseling for life's transitions; including a career change or job search, planning for retirement or non-retirement, coping with a loss of job or empty nest, planning to return to work or school, and other life planning issues. She meets with individuals in person and via telephone helping to find solutions to problems related to life transitions. Mary Ann is certified as a Master Career Counselor by the National Career Development Association, a Life/Work Counselor by the National Employment Counseling Association, and is a Distance Credentialed Counselor. Please visit her web site at http://www.yourcareerplan.com/ for more information on her services.
To contact Mary Ann, please call (513) 665-4444 x3 and leave a personal and confidential voice message or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.
So, for a moment, put your pride aside and really consider the change you say you want to make. The first question to ask yourself (why you want to make the change) actually should get at your motivation. Is it really something that you want or is it someone else's voice saying you "should" do it? It is hard to undertake a change in many cases, but if you are not motivated to do so, it becomes nearly impossible to achieve. If it is your own voice saying you want it, but there are disclaimers that go with it, or it is near the end of a long list of things you want, you may prefer to set it aside until it is more important to you.
In some cases, it is something you want, but not for the right reasons - it may be something you think you should want because other people want it or indicate you should want it. In those instances, you are probably not really motivated to make it happen either. Please understand, that is probably okay, but you may need to be able to convince yourself that it really is okay not to want something, even though, or just because, others do.
The second question (how badly do you want it) involves the level of commitment you currently have to making the change. Even if you are motivated to do something, if there is very little commitment, it is not likely that you will stay with it to bring it into reality. That's why we sometimes get stalled once we have gotten a project or plan underway. We run out of steam because we don't have sufficient commitment to keep us going.
So think about what are you willing to do, or willing to give up, to make the change you want? If there is not much commitment, there probably won't be much follow through. Sometimes we are better at follow through on our commitments to others than to ourselves. It may help to remember that you are as important as others and deserve the same treatment you afford to others.
Of course, sometimes it is also a matter of the change being something we want, but others don't. In those cases, others may, knowingly or not, put additional obstacles in your way that you were not able to plan for, but that derail the plans you had made. Although we frequently can anticipate potential obstacles from friends and/or loved ones, that is not always the case. Sometimes those closest to us have something to lose, or believe they do, if we make a change. Often those concerns come to light by having an open and honest discussion regarding your plans.
If the obstacles come from outside your close circle, then you need to review your situation to determine if the change you had planned can be rerouted to get around, under, over, or through the obstacle. Or is it something you need to discuss with those responsible for the obstacle(s) to see if you can get them removed. They may have knowledge with which you are not aware, but that impact your plans. They may have insights that could benefit you in re-evaluating your plans. In some instances, you may need to use or develop a Plan B.
Change is not often easy, but if it is something you want/need to do for your own well-being, it is worth considering why you have not been able to implement the change you seek.
Mary Ann Davis (M.A.) is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in private practice providing coaching and counseling for life's transitions; including a career change or job search, planning for retirement or non-retirement, coping with a loss of job or empty nest, planning to return to work or school, and other life planning issues. She meets with individuals in person and via telephone helping to find solutions to problems related to life transitions. Mary Ann is certified as a Master Career Counselor by the National Career Development Association, a Life/Work Counselor by the National Employment Counseling Association, and is a Distance Credentialed Counselor. Please visit her web site at http://www.yourcareerplan.com/ for more information on her services.
To contact Mary Ann, please call (513) 665-4444 x3 and leave a personal and confidential voice message or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Your Life Wheel (part 2)
Not long ago, I posted part one of this topic. If you have not read it, you may wish to go back to January's entries and do so. Your life wheel is something that you should try to keep in balance, no matter what stage of life you are in. In today's typically hectic world, it can be more challenging to take care of yourself, but it is even more important to do so. In addition to the physical, spiritual, and social spokes I've already addressed, you should also attend to the emotional, intellectual, and occupational aspects of your life. Times of transition, like changes to your living arrangements, job changes, even changes to your routine, can add to your level of stress. As much as possible, you should attend to all six spokes on your life wheel on a regular basis to help keep it rolling smoothly. Some bumps in the road are probably unavoidable, while others are not. Maintaining your life wheel can help to smooth out your ride. The emotional spoke on the wheel encompasses your feelings, i.e. your emotions. That spoke may be the more obvious one to others. When the emotional spoke on your life wheel is out of balance, you may feel sad, blue, depressed, angry, or just plain out of sorts. If that is your situation, I encourage you to find ways to add joy to your life. That joy may come from involvement with family or friends, or maybe from inside you because of your contributions to community or others. Although frustration or agitation may come from living in today's world, yours should not be at a level that is visible to others, on a regular basis. It is important to pay attention to your feelings, particularly during times of transition, because they provide clues as to how well you are coping. Your emotions are signals about what you are feeling or experiencing. Some people find that writing about those feelings help 'get them off their chest', so to speak. Developing a plan for how you will cope with your transition can also take away some of the sting caused by uncertainty. Other times you may need a more active way of working through your feelings, for example, talking things out with someone else or some type of physical activity. When I was going through a particularly difficult time, I found that even punching a pillow helped relieve some of the tension. Talking it out, getting a hug, and/or laughing are also ways to help cope with some of your emotional bumps. The intellectual spoke on your wheel also need to be attended to on a regular basis. It doesn't matter whether you are working outside the home or from home or in the home, or what your work situation is, your mind still needs stimulation. Working jigsaw or crossword puzzles is one way to keep your mind active, as is learning something new, reading, etc. It can also be stimulated by writing or participating in other creative activities. Researching your family's genealogical history is another activity many people have found interesting and helpful. Writing in a journal can help not only your intellectual, but also the emotional spoke on your life wheel. The occupational spoke will be addressed in the next post. Mary Ann Davis is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in private practice providing coaching and counseling for life's transitions; including career and job search, as well as loss of job, retirement planning, coping with an empty nest, non-retirement planning, and other life planning issues. She is certified as a Master Career Counselor (MCC) by the National Career Development Association, a Life/Work Counselor by the National Employment Counseling Association, and is a Distance credentialed Counselor (DCC). Please visit her web site at http://www.yourcareerplan.com/ for more information on her services. To contact Mary Ann, please call (513) 665-4444 x3 and leave a personal and confidential voice message or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
What Do You Want in 2011
Think about it. What do you want in this new year? It could be for you personally, for your family and/or friends, for this country, or the world. What do you want? Now consider, what could you do to bring that into reality in 2011? If your honest response is 'nothing' then I suggest you adjust your thinking. If you have no input towards or control over what it takes to get what you want, then it is probably not a realistic goal.
Create a goal that is something you can cause to happen or at least influence others to bring it into reality. It may be that, in reality, it is just not likely to happen in 2011, but that you could exercise some influence or activity to move closer to making it a reality in 2012 or 2013. In that case, you could still start developing plans or setting the groundwork for what will come.
If necessary, start with small plans to make big changes and increase your speed as you go along. The important part, in my mind, is that you start with what it is you want and go from there. It is also important that you believe that you can achieve what you want - the mind can be a strong ally. Some people find it helps to make posters/signs with inspirational messages or words of encouragement and place them in visible spaces. Others find that just writing out and posting their goals in a place where they will see them regularly is all they need to keep motivated. Do what you need to do to bring about what you want.
Mary Ann Davis is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in private practice providing coaching and counseling for life's transitions; including career change or job search, as well as loss of job, retirement planning, non-retirement planning, coping with an empty nest and other life planning issues. She is certified as a Master Career Counselor (MCC) by the National Career Development Association, a Life/Work Counselor by the National Employment Counseling Association, and is a Distance Credentialed Counselor (DCC). Please visit her web site at www.YourCareerPlan.com for more information on her services.
To contact Mary Ann, please call (513) 665-4444 x3 and leave a personal and confidential message or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.
Create a goal that is something you can cause to happen or at least influence others to bring it into reality. It may be that, in reality, it is just not likely to happen in 2011, but that you could exercise some influence or activity to move closer to making it a reality in 2012 or 2013. In that case, you could still start developing plans or setting the groundwork for what will come.
If necessary, start with small plans to make big changes and increase your speed as you go along. The important part, in my mind, is that you start with what it is you want and go from there. It is also important that you believe that you can achieve what you want - the mind can be a strong ally. Some people find it helps to make posters/signs with inspirational messages or words of encouragement and place them in visible spaces. Others find that just writing out and posting their goals in a place where they will see them regularly is all they need to keep motivated. Do what you need to do to bring about what you want.
Mary Ann Davis is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in private practice providing coaching and counseling for life's transitions; including career change or job search, as well as loss of job, retirement planning, non-retirement planning, coping with an empty nest and other life planning issues. She is certified as a Master Career Counselor (MCC) by the National Career Development Association, a Life/Work Counselor by the National Employment Counseling Association, and is a Distance Credentialed Counselor (DCC). Please visit her web site at www.YourCareerPlan.com for more information on her services.
To contact Mary Ann, please call (513) 665-4444 x3 and leave a personal and confidential message or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.
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