Blog Post: Mind Shift

I was reviewing my life and discovered a shift I made in one area of my life has had benefits in other areas as well.  Maybe this has happened to you too. 

A little over 3 years ago I took a huge leap of faith and changed my mind about work. I was of the belief system that I had to fit into the world as it is.  When that didn’t work out the way I envisioned, I began thinking differently, and decided to mold my world to fit me.   

It was a major mind shift and opportunity.   

I started working for myself as an independent consultant.  While it has had its twists and turns, it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.  Not only is my life more fulfilling, as I determine what I do, I am more open to learning new things and exploring outside my comfort zone.  It has also given me the time I needed personally to work on a few issues. 

The end result of this is a transformation from a frustrated life to one of contentment. 

The reason for telling you all this is that in today’s economy, with jobs disappearing faster than money to fill up the tank, it takes guts, creativity and a new way of thinking to succeed.  I recently did a job search workshop for some people transitioning from the mortgage industry and discovered some of the participants were paralyzed by the loss of their job and industry. They could not fathom a different career or see a transition of their skills into another area.  If this has happened to you, there are some things you can do: 

Be kind to yourself.  You are still the same person, with the same skills as before a job loss.  There is a process of grief involved with change, and it is easier to go through if you understand the process.   

Recognize your talents and begin to think of new ways to use them.  The same skills and abilities can be transferred to new industries.  Interests and abilities can be combined to find new areas of personal development and extra income.  The ultimate career is one that combines passion with skill; so going to work is a joy and a natural fit to whom we are. 

Open yourself to new opportunities.  Explore other industries, go talk to others performing a job you are interested in, volunteer for a cause you believe in, take a chance.  What’s the worst that can happen?   

Listen to your intuition.  Your internal guide will help you make quality decisions.  Sometimes we get so caught up in financial responsibilities that we fail to consider the long-term consequences of accepting a position that is not the right fit. 

Believe the best is yet to come.  Just like the laws of gravity, what goes up must come down, adversity does not last forever and good times will emerge again.  Embrace change with empowerment…vision…commitment.

for more information on transitions, dealing with change, or job searching, please contact me at suearth@yahoo.com