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Happy National Speak Up and Succeed Day!  (Thanks, Diane DiResta, for reminding me!)

As I do the work I do each day - giving seminars to women's groups or connecting with new colleagues to partner with, working with my support team or communicating with my clients - I've begun to notice something quite interesting about how people work.

There are two fundamental ways in which people attempt to expand themselves in the world.

These two ways are:

Collaborating with others in a respectful and empowering way, to help each other be all you both wish to be

Or

Attempting to crush out the competition through snarky, denigrating, and low-spirited tactics

Which approach are you engaged in?

The first approach encourages you to:

• Feel good in your interactions
• Expand your skills and know-how
• Experience yourself as purposeful and beneficial in your interchanges
• Learn more about how to do what you love to do and how you are special
• Discover new skills and endeavors you're capable of
• Grow faster and more effectively through positive synergy

The second approach encourages you to:

• Feel lousy and critical about your interactions
• Constrict your thinking about what you're capable of
• Mistake yourself as someone who is higher and more important in the hierarchy
• Believe that there simply isn't enough to go around
• Remain stuck in the jealous, insecure "Am I good enough?" mode
• Move slower, with less success, ease, and fulfillment

In short, collaboration allows you to Say Yes! to yourself, to others and to expanding yourself to what you truly long to do.  Fearful competition keeps you stuck in the constricting, "NO" mode.

How can you tell cut-throat competition when you see it?

Here are some key hallmarks:

1) Language and action that indicates, "I'm smarter, better, richer, more successful than you."

2) Over-selling - making a point over and over again so that the receiver ends up saying "OK already!"

3) Deep insecurity about being challenged or receiving constructive feedback

4) A lack of receptivity, compassion, and openness to learning from and being with others

5) An energy of "take, take, take" without giving back

6) A haughty or superior energy/attitude that says, "I'm father along the path than you, and you'll have to learn the hard way, like I did."

Be mindful about whom you choose to associate with in the world and how you go about getting what you want.  The "how" of your approach is more impactful than specific tactics you use.  Overall, if your colleagues, partners, and friends are individuals who make you and others feel great about themselves in an authentic and enlivening way, then they're on the right track, and so are you.

On the other hand, if you, your associates or friends are stuck in the diminishing, competitive "there's not enough to go around, and I'm getting my piece!" mode, it's time for a breakthrough to a collaborative spirit.  Without it, the path you're headed down will most certainly take you where you don't want to go.

In a powerful article in the Harvard Business Review called "Women and the Labyrinth of Leadership" authors and researchers Drs. Alice Eagly and Linda Carli explore women, leadership and gender equality, and observe that "signs of a pause in progress toward gender equality have appeared on many fronts."  They speculate about the causes of this slowing of progress, and indicate:

"It may simply be that women are collectively catching their breath before pressing for more change. In the past century, feminist activism arose when women came to view themselves as collectively subjected to illegitimate and unfair treatment.  But recent polls show less conviction about the presence of discrimination, and feminism does not have the cultural relevance it once had. The lessening of activism on behalf of all women puts pressure on each woman to find her own way."

This statement coincides precisely with what I've observed in my research with hundreds of working women over these past several years.  I've noticed that while throngs of women are more than willing to share their stories of traumatic challenge and crisis, they are not at all ready to stand up and fight for what they need and want. 

When I speak with executive women at Fortune 100 companies, for instance, the depth of despair is palpable about how challenging and out of control their lives are, but the courageous stand-up-and-fight mentality is not present.  They're still afraid to speak up.

An inspiring friend and colleague of mine, Krista Reiner, who supports authors in expanding their platforms and audiences to the next level, asked me today, "Does there have to be crisis and conflict in order for change to come about?"  I say yes, because change is incredibly difficult and frightening to most people.  Significant social change comes only after struggle and conflict.  Social change is generated when there is a collective commitment to bringing about a dramatic shift away from what is no longer tolerable, fair, or viable.

If you think about yourself and all the women you know, how would you answer these questions?

- By and large, are we fulfilled with our lives and our careers?

- If not, are we taking solid, powerful action to change our lives?

- Do we know what we want, and have a plan to get it?

When I went through my worst heartbreaking and crushing crises in the late 1990s up through 9/11, I'd have to answer the above questions with a resounding "NO!"  I was miserable and chronically sick, but despite some feeble efforts here and there, I simply didn't take enough forward-moving action to create any real change at all. 

Why?  Because deep down, I didn't want to do it.  I wanted what I had to work for me.  I didn't want to give up all that I thought I'd achieved after years of hard work (money, "security," self-esteem from being an executive, power, etc.).  What I know now is that the very things that held me hostage in a crushing life were the things I was most afraid of giving up.

If this resonates with you, I hope and pray that you'll take some courageous action today.  Let's activate ourselves toward change - let's become activists in our own lives.  Please don't wait until you have one of the hidden crises (or all 12 - as I did) that working women face today.  Please...take action and make a change and speak up for your life today.

I'd love to hear your views about what holds you back from making change in your life.  Are you too stressed to do it, or just catching your breath?  Is change just around the corner for you or do you have to fight for it?   Please share your thoughts. 

I hold onto the belief that a breakthrough movement for women is just one breath away.  Let's take the breath.

Lately, I've been asked to coach and speak with hundreds of working women each month around the issue of work-life balance and time management. 

Women are more stressed, strained and sick than ever, as these economic times have hit families, workplaces and corporate America so very hard.  If women's plates were full before, now they're piled sky-high, and teeter-tottering on the edge of the table, ready to crash onto the floor, breaking into a million pieces.

I have strong viewpoints (founded by years of direct high-level corporate experience, coaching work with thousands, and national research with women) about work-life balance and why women can't have it as their lives are today, unless they claim it.

My views aren't easy to hear or take in, but are important for women nonetheless, so here they are:

You won't ever have work-life balance or come even close to it, unless you power yourself up to get it.  Here's what's necessary:

1) You've got to fight for it.

Corporate America was built on the foundations of a "white male competitive career model" that simply doesn't fit women.  Jack Welch's recent comments about women and balance are old-fashioned, outmoded, and out of touch - they don't reflect the future, and what's going to be the new frontier for corporate America.  In the not so distant future (hopefully in our lifetimes), there will be a new model - one that makes room for women and for what they must have in order to live and thrive.  But we've got to fight for it.

If you're in corporate America at a mid to high level, for instance, and are being asked to do the impossible (do the work of three people, work until 3am, produce reports and analyses that are an utter waste of time but take hundreds of collective hours each month to prepare, come in for 8am meetings that are meaningless, and unproductive, etc.), then you MUST speak up.  You must fight for what's right and sensible and good business practice.  If your team is breaking down and so are you, then you simply can't continue this way.  You must speak up and fight.

If you can't speak up on your own (because you'll be crushed down by the machine), then find another way to make your voice heard.  Build a collective forum of women who can speak together, or find empowered female and male mentors and leaders who can speak for you.  Or go outside the company to networking meetings and events (and by the way, continually interview at other companies to keep your options and your mind open), and learn from others how they are making a positive difference, and making it work.

(FYI, for those men and women who wish to be advocates for other women in their workplaces, here is a list of initiatives that employers must take to support women in the workforce today).
 
Things won't change unless you fight for them to.  Fight for what's right and necessary for your health, sanity, and for good business practice, or you'll end up feeling so exhausted, beaten down, and demoralized that you'll drop out of the game.  That's fine, if you're doing it consciously, with awareness and choice. 

Which path do you want to take?  Which path do you consciously choose?  I know you believe you don't have any options right now, but you always have options and choices.  Figure out what they are.

2) You've got to ask for help at home, and deal with the consequences

You simply can't feel healthy and balanced when you're working like a dog at your job, and then come home and work like a dog there too.  It's not possible.

You must ask your spouse, children and others for support, to do their share, to step up to their responsibilities as fully-functioning members of the household.  And/or you need to hire help where it's essential and where you can.  Your husband may complain and say he can't do any more.  If that's what he says, it's critical to sit down together and analyze at the distribution of labor, and make it fairer.  It's up to you to do this.  He won't volunteer for this.

If you're an overfunctioner (doing more than what's necessary, healthy or appropriate - and the vast majority of women are), then your family and friends are used to you overfunctioning, and they (subconsciously) don't want you to stop. 

You have to shift yourself first - internally - and commit to stop doing too much, and decide what you'll scale back on, then do it.  Next, you'll have to deal with your family's initial anger and anxiety that suddenly, you're not doing everything.  It destabilizes the family dynamic at first, when you shift into doing only what's appropriate -- not more -- and it's not easy.  But you'll find a new stability, and they'll get over it, and so will you. 

You'll feel better, stronger, happier, less angry, and more like yourself again when you stop doing EVERYTHING.  But you must strengthen your boundaries so that you can handle the fear, insecurity, guilt and shame you'll feel initially at not being everything to everyone.

3) Stop being angry and start being accountable.

Finally, it's time to stop feeling angry, disrespected, depressed, resentful, overburdened, victimized, and powerless.  If you experience these emotions regularly, your life is asking you to grow, strengthen, and be accountable for how you are living and what you're creating.  No more excuses.

I know how hard this is to accomplish.  Just this morning, I blew it again, and got really angry for doing more than I should have for my children - I should have asked my husband to step in and help, but I didn't ask.  That's a common trait in me that I must be ever vigilant to detect, weed out, and revise.  I tend to get angry and yell when I'm overwhelmed and exhausted, but after I calm down, I see clearly how I simply offered (out of feeling like I HAD to) to do too much that day, and then blamed everyone else for it.  This type of behavior is very deeply rooted and dies hard, let me tell you.

So, my friends, today's the day.  Let's all figure out:

1) What specifically and concretely you are angry and exhausted about

2) What are you taking on that's too much - more than is healthy, appropriate and necessary

3) Why are you doing it?  What are your deepest fears around not doing everything, and being everything? What consequences are you deeply afraid of, if you say "no"?

4) To whom do you need to speak up?  What must you let go of?

5) If you're in a job that chronically works you to the bone, and no one listens to your pleas and demands for moderation, I'd suggest this:

•  Figure out what you really want for your professional and family life
•  Look at the real options at hand - get yourself out of your box and look at what's truly possible
•  Make a plan to get what you want
•  Power Up and Stand Up for yourself - strengthen yourself, your voice and your boundaries
•  Find an empowered outside helper/mentor/coach to help you create the life you really want

Today's action step - Don't waste another minute blaming someone else.  It's your life - claim it.  What one person, action, or limiting, negative belief can you say NO to, today?

Running a coaching and consulting company dedicated to helping women achieve breakthrough in their lives and work, I meet thousands of folks each year who want to reinvent, many of whom are considering launching a coaching or consulting practice, or other small business of their own.  They long to transition into coaching for solid reasons, and many come with great, top-level experience. 

As a career consultant, I help people evaluate if launching a coaching practice or other venture seems a viable step for them first by conducting a thorough assessment of their goals, abilities, preferences, personality, values, mission, purpose, and long-term plans.  As my book publicist Patti Danos asked me when I was launching my book Breakdown, Breakthrough, I ask my clients, "What do you want, and what do you really want, in doing this?"

After such an assessment, I have often recommended in the past, "Looks like it makes sense at this time to move forward, and that you've got a strong grasp of what's required.  Go for it!" 

Now, however, in these intensely challenging times, I ask this new question, "Are you ready and able to do what it takes to make this successful? Are you 3000% committed?"

About becoming a coach, the average income of a life coach in the U.S. today is between $30,000 - $40,000.  Only 10% to 20% or so make six-figure incomes, and many more life coaches don't make anywhere near $30,000.  It's not an easy path, and clients simply will not fall in your lap.  Success requires time, action, commitment, and a good number of top level skills to differentiate yourself, and to generate a large enough community to continue to fill your pipeline of paying clients.

A coach from the largest coaching organization in the world told me last week that of all the folks that reach out to them to pursue coaching, only 40% are truly "coachable," and of those, only 30% end up signing up for services.  Those stats apply to my business as well.

I realized this week something that feels like a real "aha" to me - coaching is for a group or culture that is at the highest level of Maslow's hierarchy of needs - the level of self-actualization.  Today, however, our economic strife has pushed millions of people us down several levels of the hierarchy - to the level of "safety" -- so that their primary focus now is on financial safety and security. 

If you're interested in starting a practice/business as a life coach during these times, I'd ask you to seriously evaluate yourself, your abilities and talents, your passion for this, and your commitment to launching and maintaining a thriving practice/business.  These questions apply to you if you're considering any entrepreneurial, small business, or consulting endeavor as well:

Ask yourself the following questions:

·         What must I earn each year, to achieve the standard of living I need?  What have I earned before (and if I want to top that, what will I do differently)?

·         What's my risk tolerance?  Can I tolerate a lack of stability, fluidity, and security?

·         What is my relationship with money today?  How do I deal with it, earn it, save it, invest it and grow it?  Are my actions around money, and feelings, and views powerful and healthy?  Are you committed to making the living you want?

·         What is motivating me - consciously and subconsciously - to want to be a life coach?  Is there anything I'm running from that I need to address first?

·         If I do everything I can to make my practice work for three to five years, and $30,000 remains my income, will this be acceptable and viable for my life and family?  If not, what will be my plan to grow myself, my knowledge and skill set -- to be part of the minority segment of high-earners in the coaching field?

·         Do I have the abilities, courage, confidence, perseverance and commitment to undertake all the facets of running a thriving practice/business, including: client development, networking, social media, marketing, branding, speaking, workshops, writing, business and financial leadership, and providing top-notch client services - all in one?  If not, where will I get support, learn new skills, and how will I fund this growth?

·         Am I able to figure out what I don't know or what I'm not good at, and get help all along the way to fill in my knowledge, power, and business gaps?

·         Are you ready to give up a "build it and they will come" mentality, and step up to what it takes to run a successful business/practice?

·         Finally, what are you looking for - a job or a calling?

I ask you to address these questions not to discourage you from following your dreams, but to present a realistic picture of what's essential in running a successful business today.  If you conduct a deep exploration of your answers to these questions and come up ready to move forward to pursue life coaching as your career, fantastic!!  If not, then perhaps other avenues and outcomes of career reinvention are more suited to you, and will make you happier and more fulfilled.

If you do wish to move forward into life coaching, I'd say it's time for you to explore it further and embrace the possibility. 

Here are some first great steps:

1)       Research, research, research what it will take (start first with the International Coach Federation) and explore training programs, resources, and other coaches' businesses and models.  Find a successful life coach to hire who could serve as your mentor business coach.  My specific tip here: Use a business coach who has already achieved what you long to.  (For info on the difference between a "mentor" coach and an "implementation" coach, stayed tuned to my upcoming posts.)

2)       Get powerful with your money today - don't wait.  Gain a thorough grasp of your financial situation - what you need to earn, what you spend, what you can cut back on, how you will fund your reinvention, and so on.  Get a great financial consultant to help you sort out your situation, and set realistic, stretching goals.  Get out of denial, and get powerful with your finances.

3)       "Go where the energy is" - observe yourself in the process of exploring this path.  Does it feel exciting, energizing, enlivening, or daunting and discouraging?  For you to make a go of this, the predominant feeling needs to be excitement, possibility, and passion.

4)       Receive training and education  - nothing moves us forward faster than powerful training and education to help us be and know more than we do today.  Don't skip that step.  Coaching training and business skill development are absolutely vital to teach you how to be the best coach, and business owner, you can be.

5)       Develop a sound business plan with concrete marketing strategies.  Find a great non-profit organization (such as SCORE the Women's Business Development Center, or Count Me In) in your area, to help you create powerful business and marketing tactics, and a plan, to make your endeavor successful.

6)       Finally, take my four steps to breakthrough:

-          Step Back for an empowered outside perspective on where you are, and what you dream of doing

-          Let Go of the thinking, behaviors, and patterns that have been keeping you stuck and holding you back in the past

-          Say Yes! to your compelling visions.  If you really want to do this, then commit yourself 3000% to doing what it takes to be successful.

-          Create It!  Develop a solid plan, complete with goals, outcomes, and milestones against which to measure your progress.  If you don't plan it, you'll have a very tough time creating it, or generating the necessary energy you need to build it.

For added support, sign up for my newsletters and my blog on career and life breakthrough to give you some ongoing assistance and resources.

Life coaching is a fabulously exciting and rewarding field.  Here's to embracing your inner (and outer) coach, and being financially and emotional successful doing it!

People ask me all the time, "Is now really the time to consider making big changes in my life, or reinventing?"  I say YES!  Crisis times like these are the perfect time to reinvent.  They push you to purify, shed what holds you back, and embrace what you want most in life.  Why?  Because so much of what you are experiencing today isn't working for you, that you finally get it - you wake up to recognizing  that you simply can't go on like this any longer.
 
But to generate positive change in your life and career, you've got to take action.  It's work to make life and career change - both inner and outer work - and if you're ready and committed to doing it, your life will most assuredly change for the better.
 
I've helped hundreds of people change careers, reinvent, start new businesses, apply their creative gifts to their careers, improve their relationships, gain empowerment in their current situation, and do more of what they love and less of what they hate to do in life and work.  The one common ingredient in all of these folks who are successful in making change is a deep and ongoing commitment to making their lives better and happier.
 
There are six vitally important steps to moving away from what you hate towards what you love:
 
1. Understanding What You Want
This is not an easy task, but it's essential.  Understanding what you want in life requires a thorough review of your whole life and career, teasing out for exploration and discovery all the experiences you had in your life in which you felt fully alive, passionate, powerful, appreciated, recognized  - in the flow - knowing why you are on the planet now.  You need clarity about where you want to go, and this clarity comes from recognizing when you've been your "highest and best" self, the most joyful version of you.
 
Then, it takes figuring out how you can bring more of these experiences into your life today - developing a new empowered mindset, and applying your special skills, talents, and abilities in the world, and making MONEY doing it.  It takes figuring out if you want a job or a calling, and also what you want in your life as a professional endeavor vs. an avocational experience.
 
Download my Career Path Assessment on my Ellia Communications website for a great start, or write me for a free 30-minute coaching strategy session to help you gain clarity on the "essence" of what you want vs. the right "form" of it for you and your life (and your marriage, family, financial situation, long-term plans, etc.)
 
2. Research, research, and research what you might want to do differently in your career and life.  After you've analyzed what it will take, determine your readiness to move forward.  Make a decision to commit to doing what's necessary to bring into your life what you want
 
3. Stretch yourself and power up - start being more powerful in your life today, wherever you can.  Speak up where you need to, enforce your boundaries where they're being crushed, and stop being the "victim" to outside circumstances.  Start being accountable for how things are, and for changing them.
 
4. Become incredibly powerful around money and develop a business/marketing mindset (forget about a "build it and they will come" attitude - that doesn't make a new business or venture successful).  As Tony Robbins says (I love it!) - don't look at your life or career with rose-colored glasses.  See it for what it is, but don't see it worse than it is.  Then TAKE ACTION!
 
5. Get help/be teachable at all times - Reach out and ask for help now, and all along the way.  We all have gaps in our knowledge and skill-sets. Learn to recognize when help is required, and get it.
 
6. Finally uncover what's really holding you back from making the life and career change you want most.
 
Most often, it's an internal block in the form of the "stories" you've been telling yourself all your life, about your worth, abilities, who you really are, and what you can ultimately achieve.
 
Typical blocks fall into these key areas:
• I'm afraid to step up
• I'm not good/smart/strong enough to do this
• Who will want really want me/this?
• Selling is terrible - I hate to sell (myself and my services)
• It's a lot of work
• I haven't succeeded at this before - why would I now?
• I don't know how to make money doing what I love (and there's no way I can)
 
Which "story" are you telling yourself about moving forward to embracing doing more of what you love, and less of what you hate?
 
YOU CAN DO IT!  Get empowered help today to gain clarity, focus, and create a plan to reinvent your life or work.
 
Check out my book Breakdown Breakthrough and my four month, four step Achieve Your Life Breakthrough! Program to start you on your way to breakthrough.
 
Change in life will happen, whether you act or not.  The question is, "Do you want to progress and grow, and be more successful and fulfilled through life change, or not?"  If you do, then you must take conscious and directed action: clarify exactly want you want, and create a concrete plan to achieve your goals.
 
Please take one step today from the list above to start you on your way to breakthrough.
 

I recently penned a cover article called "Women in Today's Workforce Have Unique Opportunities: A New Call to Action for Women - And Employers" (see page 20-24) for CA Employer, the monthly newsletter of Employers Group (www.employersgroup.com). 

The article shares critical information about the 12 common crises working women face today, as well as 8 recommended approaches for employers to take that will help women not only survive the current challenges they face, but ultimately thrive in their professional roles.  These recommendations are based on six years of research with professional women, as well as coaching and seminar work with thousands.

I'd love to hear your views about this article, and my recommendations.  Do your personal experiences as a working woman match the crises and challenges I describe?  And do you believe that the initiatives recommended would go the distance in helping you as a working woman overcome your challenges effectively?  If not, what would you suggest employers do - specifically and tactically - to support women in overcoming the obstacles they face.

Please share your experiences, insights and viewpoints.  Add your voice to the discussion, and your recommendations to the research.  Diversity of thinking is so vital today, and a real, authentic, and contemporary dialogue about what career women are facing is needed.

I was very happy to see that in a recent NY Times article, the widespread phenomenon of women bullying other women at work was explored in depth.  It touched on the various factors that contribute to and exacerbate women bullying women, and I'd like to add my two cents.

In my 18-year corporate life, I experienced a great deal of bullying from women, most of which came from female bosses and a handful of "equals" in the political hierarchy.  These experiences were traumatic, and I had no clue how to effectively navigate through them, mostly because they were so surprising and painful, and also because these women wielded great power and authority in the organization.  It felt like these ladies were "out to get me" or simply relished being cruel, but I always questioned how or why this could be.

I was, for the most part, strong and authoritative at work, and often, that strength would beget jealousy and anger from my female coworkers (interestingly, not from my male colleagues or bosses, who seemed to enjoy and respect the strength and confidence).

Once, one of my female counterparts in marketing indicated to me - in a cruel way - that an email I had sent to senior management (about my belief that we needed to explore a new business model as the current one was at risk of obsolescence), had been the "nail in my coffin."  I hadn't known I was in a coffin!  I realize now that she was an active participant in building this "coffin" and driving the nail even further with her mighty hammer!

Please don't get me wrong - I'm no saint.  I did my share of back-stabbing too.  But after years of work (therapy training helped!), I've gained critical awareness of when I'm at risk of putting other women down.  Also, I feel better about myself than I did in the past, which makes room for empathy and compassion rather than cruelty.  I have a new-found vigilance about not allowing that cruel, back-stabbing, insecure little girl in me get the better of me, when I feel afraid or threatened.  I slip up sometimes, but I'm working on it.

So why do women hurt other women at work?  I could write a whole book about this, but I believe there are some potent underlying reasons:

·     Women are experiencing enormous pressure and stress (more now than ever), and haven't learned effective ways to deal with it, so they turn on others

·     Women target other women because they feel insecure, and also believe women won't fight back as hard as men will

·     Women continually feel threatened and anxious in their positions in the workplace, and have a mentality of  "it's you or me" with regard to women

·     Corporations, from the top, often encourage this type of competitive warfare and infighting

·     There are precious few forums for women at work to experience each other as supportive, empathetic, and encouraging

·     From an early age, girls/women have been culturally trained to deal with their anger and insecurity through insidious ways -- back-stabbing and gossiping, etc. -- rather than dealing with their problems and conflicts head-on, directly, and overtly.

I'd love to see in my lifetime a reversal of this damaging trend for women at work (and in the world at large).  Can women evolve, stretch, and grow to the point where their deepest wish is to help and support other women, rather than hurt and diminish them? Can they learn to deal with their own insecurities and anxieties in more positive ways?

What do you think is at the heart of women bullying women at work, and what can we do about it?  Please share - we need to fuel a powerful dialog on this issue, and continue to create positive movement.

After spending eight years reinventing myself from a corporate VP to an entrepreneur, women's career and life coach, author, speaker and women's work-life expert, I've made a good number of huge mistakes and missteps that have tripped me up, and at times, caused me to hang my head in my hands in despair.  I don't believe in regret, and I do think that each and every one of these lessons has made me stronger, more expansive, more connected to who I really am, and ultimately more confident in my abilities to direct my life with satisfaction and joy.

Here are what I've learned are the top five mistakes to avoid when in career transition and embarking on professional reinvention.  I've lived through these mistakes myself, and am stronger for it...but you don't have to!

Mistake #1:

Don't have a "build it and they will come" mentality without utilizing powerful financial, professional, and business-building tactics and strategies

Don't make the mistake of confusing wishful thinking with powerful strategies for moving forward.  Certainly, faith and optimism are essential, but so are sound business and professional goals, plans and tactics, developed with deep know-how and expertise (your own or a great consulting partner), fueled by conscious intention and fierce commitment.

Mistake #2:

Don't underestimate how long it will take you to build a successful new career

Leave your ego at the door when you're evaluating how long full reinvention will take.  Get advice from true experts in the field on the amount of time it will take to launch your new career, and make it very successful.  It's been said that becoming an expert in a field takes 10 years (I believe that's true), and creating a self-sustaining small consulting practice often takes at least five years.

Mistake #3:

Don't neglect having a Plan B, and moving to it when it's time

In my book Breakdown, Breakthrough, I talk about what it takes to reinvent yourself.  Often it requires that you simply refuse to let in (mentally, emotionally, or spiritually) the possibility that you will fail (see Chapter 11 about the amazing comedian Monique Marvez's journey to hell and back).  If you want something badly enough, most likely you'll find a way to get it.  However, if you have a family to support, and other critical financial and other obligations that you feel you must fulfill in life, then you need a Plan B that will get you through the tough financial times.  Use Plan B to help you stay afloat while all along moving forward to your career dreams.

Mistake #4

Don't wait too long to correct your course when you misstep or discover steps on your new path that are wrong for you

Set milestones ("I will achieve this by this date," etc.), and review your progess frequently.   If you're way off course, you need to course-correct.  Also, if where you're going ends up feeling wrong, don't keep going in the same direction.  Don't make yourself "wrong" for how you feel.   Realize a change is necessary, and power up to make that change.

Mistake #5

Don't forget: A fantastic life takes fantastic risks

There's an enormous difference between a "job" and a "calling."  Neither is better or worse - it simply depends on what you want for your life, based on your values and priorities.  If it's a calling you wish to follow, know now that it will require everything you've got to give, and then some.  Please don't expect a fantastic life without understanding that you must risk a great deal to live your life on the cutting edge of experience.

Other lessons I've learned through my eight-year reinvention:

1. There will be times (many, in fact) that you have no idea what to do, and despite all your efforts, you fail at the task at hand
2. If you don't remain "teachable" at all times, you'll suffer
3. If you think you're immune (to anything - the economy, challenges in the workplace, problems in building your business to a satisfactory level) you're wrong
4. When you lose your compassion for others who are challenged in their reinvention or in their efforts to launch themselves successfully, you'll suddenly experience something that brings you back to humility
5. You'll need faith, patience, and perseverance in greater supply than you ever thought possible
6. It's not all up to you
7. Reaching out for help is essential when you're not where you want to be
8. Being part of a like-minded community that offers support, guidance, and encouragement is a blessing and a good business strategy
9. Career reinventing is a life-long process (not a one-time deal), and once you embark on it, it changes you forever.  It's a process that leads you to feel so appreciative of all that you are - flaws, gifts, strengths, blindspots and all - and so excited for each new day that brings you closer to yourself.
10. Reinvention is not for the faint of heart, but oh my...if you're up for it, what gifts it brings.

Wishing you many a very happy reinvention!

In the past several months, I've worked with a great number of clients who have found themselves at what seems to be a complete dead-end professionally.  Avenues they were fully passionate about pursuing (and would have allowed for successful employment only a year ago) have dried up, with precious few opportunities remaining, for the time being.  As we know, the world has changed.

For example, one of my clients reinvented herself completely over the past several years, from market research director to science teacher, only to find there are simply no jobs available in her geographic region.  Another client is crystal clear that she wants to write as a profession, but feels that starting up now as a freelance writer, given the implosion of the publishing world as we know it, would be a recipe for disaster.

What should we do when the path we desperately long to pursue is blockaded?  I say we turn a corner, take a fork in the road, and re-direct -- ultimately find a revised path that allows you to succeed in these times, while honoring your authentic values.  There isn't only one job in the world that will make you happy, or one career path (I feel this is true about choosing a mate as well - there isn't just one person with whom you could build a happy, fulfilled life.)

So often, we become overly-attached to what we think will make us happy or get us out of our misery, and we miss the (rescue) boat completely.  What's that story, about the man who finds himself in a flood, with water covering his home?  I think it goes something like this...

As the flood occurred, the man said to himself, "I know God will save me.  I won't worry."  But as the water rose, things become dire.  First, someone offers the man a hand to take him to higher ground, but the man says, "No thanks, I'm waiting for God to save me."  As the water flooded his home, a group in a rowboat came by, and shouted, "Come on, come in the boat with us and be saved!"  The man said, "No thank you, I'm waiting for God to save me." A day later, as the man clung to the roof of his house, a helicopter came to save him.  He yelled to the pilot, "No thank you, I'm waiting for God to save me."  The man drowned. 

When he saw God in heaven, he said, "Why didn't you save me??" God replied, "I sent three forms of rescue...it was up to you to take them."

So the question is...what forms of rescue can you find that will keep your heart and soul intact while also keeping you afloat, financially, emotionally, and spiritually?  Open your heart and mind to new avenues, and they will become apparent.

What rescue options have you pursued lately, and how have they worked out?