I plan to live to be at least 107 years old. Why 107? Well, on June 1st, I'll be halfway there, and this impending milestone got me thinking about what I want to do with the second half I've my life.
I think I have plenty of options, but here are the ones that really intrigue me. What do you think?
Option #1: Continue to work as a trade show marketer in corporate America, stay involved in the trade show and events industry through EXHIBITOR learning events and advising Certified Trade Show Marketer (CTSM) candidates, and help others find work in my spare time.
Option #2: Go out on my own as a trade show consultant and booth staff trainer and continue my part-time support of the trade show and events industry and unemployed colleagues.
Option #3: Make the support of others in their job search efforts a full-time business by starting my own recruiting and career support business to help trade show and events professionals find employment.
If you're having similar thoughts about your life, no matter what your age, I'd like to hear from you. As Richard J. Leider and David A. Shapiro write, in repacking your bags, it's time to "lighten your load for the rest of your life,"or at least shift a little.
Friday, April 19, 2013
Monday, July 19, 2010
Quitting Your Job Successfully
On Friday, I quit my job and walked out the door. What an amazing feeling!
I didn't do this in anger or disgust, I just wanted to leave on my own terms. I've had to deal with a difficult boss for the last three years, and I felt the only way I could leave without a lot of residual anger or fear, was to leave the way I wanted to--on a positive note.
I walked into Human Resources and told them I had found a wonderful new position, which is true, and that all of my projects were up-to-date. I handed in my laptop, phone, and camera, had a brief exit interview, and I was off.
Don't be afraid to do what feels right for you when you leave a job. Both my employer and I were free to separate at any time for any reason, and so this was easy. Next time you need to make a change, consider what's best for you, treat others respectfully, and do it.
I didn't do this in anger or disgust, I just wanted to leave on my own terms. I've had to deal with a difficult boss for the last three years, and I felt the only way I could leave without a lot of residual anger or fear, was to leave the way I wanted to--on a positive note.
I walked into Human Resources and told them I had found a wonderful new position, which is true, and that all of my projects were up-to-date. I handed in my laptop, phone, and camera, had a brief exit interview, and I was off.
Don't be afraid to do what feels right for you when you leave a job. Both my employer and I were free to separate at any time for any reason, and so this was easy. Next time you need to make a change, consider what's best for you, treat others respectfully, and do it.
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
I dwell in possibility --Emily Dickinson
Hope and possibility. I choose to live in the realm of hope and possibility, because to do otherwise would mean denying the true nature of everything around me.
I choose to believe that there is always something good that will come out of a situation if I will simply open myself to it.
I choose to hope that today will be an incredible day, perhaps my last day, and I don't want to miss a moment of it.
If you've been struggling to get through yet another day, may I suggest you try something different? Try believing that there is possibility in the day before you. What if this day of all the days of your life will be your best day? Would you want to miss a single moment? Maybe one moment will be THE moment to change your life forever.
I choose to dwell in possibility. How about you?
I choose to believe that there is always something good that will come out of a situation if I will simply open myself to it.
I choose to hope that today will be an incredible day, perhaps my last day, and I don't want to miss a moment of it.
If you've been struggling to get through yet another day, may I suggest you try something different? Try believing that there is possibility in the day before you. What if this day of all the days of your life will be your best day? Would you want to miss a single moment? Maybe one moment will be THE moment to change your life forever.
I choose to dwell in possibility. How about you?
Monday, March 8, 2010
Unemployment: Chance Favors the Prepared Mind
"Chance favors the prepared mind." Alexander Fleming
Were you prepared to lose your job? Most of us would say, 'no," and we'd all be in good company. But now that you have time on your hands; no more "crazybusy" schedule, are you prepared for the next opportunity that's coming your way? Is your mind clear and focused, or bogged down in worry?
If you're finding that you're still in the crazybusy mindset and having trouble slowing down, I have some suggestions:
Walk - Taking a daily walk will clear your head and reconnect you with thoughts of what brings you joy.
Write - Writing three pages in long hand every morning will help you get out all of the fog in your head and open up space for new thoughts and new opportunities.
Wait - There are two ways to wait while you're unemployed. You can wait patiently for a new job or new opportunity to come your way, or you can actively "wait" on others--giving your time in the service of others. Taking yourself out of your own circumstance will lift you out of yourself and create a space for new people and thoughts to enter your mind.
It's all about making space, preparing your heart and mind, for the future. Why don't you start now--take a walk, write a bit, then come and share your thoughts here.
Note: In CrazyBusy, Dr. Edward Hallowell talks about how crazy life can be today.
Were you prepared to lose your job? Most of us would say, 'no," and we'd all be in good company. But now that you have time on your hands; no more "crazybusy" schedule, are you prepared for the next opportunity that's coming your way? Is your mind clear and focused, or bogged down in worry?
If you're finding that you're still in the crazybusy mindset and having trouble slowing down, I have some suggestions:
Walk - Taking a daily walk will clear your head and reconnect you with thoughts of what brings you joy.
Write - Writing three pages in long hand every morning will help you get out all of the fog in your head and open up space for new thoughts and new opportunities.
Wait - There are two ways to wait while you're unemployed. You can wait patiently for a new job or new opportunity to come your way, or you can actively "wait" on others--giving your time in the service of others. Taking yourself out of your own circumstance will lift you out of yourself and create a space for new people and thoughts to enter your mind.
It's all about making space, preparing your heart and mind, for the future. Why don't you start now--take a walk, write a bit, then come and share your thoughts here.
Note: In CrazyBusy, Dr. Edward Hallowell talks about how crazy life can be today.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Seeing the Good in Difficult Circumstances
For the last three months, my family has been struggling with my father's declining health. As my family rallied around my father, I let everything non-essential fall by the wayside: my blog, my web site, even my coaching. In times of crisis, there is nothing more important than family. The moments I've spent with my father over the last few months have been some of the best of my life, and I am thankful for them.
Many of you have lost your jobs in the recent months: a very scary thing. But in the midst of it, I hope you remembered that there are people in your lives who are there to help you. You don't have to go it alone.
I've jokingly said that I have 13 cousins and close friends who would take me in if need be. My jesting was not far from the truth. If need be, I could turn to them for help, or to the church, or to other caring individuals in my life.
How I deal with my troubles is all up to me, not to others. I've lost my job three times, and in each one, I've found blessings far beyond what I would have realized had I not been challenged. Difficulties may not be easy, but they're hardly the end of the world. I've chosen to see the good in my challenges, and I hope you will, too.
Many of you have lost your jobs in the recent months: a very scary thing. But in the midst of it, I hope you remembered that there are people in your lives who are there to help you. You don't have to go it alone.
I've jokingly said that I have 13 cousins and close friends who would take me in if need be. My jesting was not far from the truth. If need be, I could turn to them for help, or to the church, or to other caring individuals in my life.
How I deal with my troubles is all up to me, not to others. I've lost my job three times, and in each one, I've found blessings far beyond what I would have realized had I not been challenged. Difficulties may not be easy, but they're hardly the end of the world. I've chosen to see the good in my challenges, and I hope you will, too.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Are you creative?
My job is to think up creative ways to generate sales leads at trade shows. I don't think of myself as a creative professional, but I should. We're all creative in our own way, and just because our job titles are "coordinator" or "principal," doesn't mean our need to be creative doesn't exist.
It takes a lot of creativity to get by in the world, and I think it would help us all tremendously if we would get in touch with our creative side.
Recently, when my father wasn't getting the medical care I felt he needed, I found a way to get him into the right facility. When I needed job protection because I needed to be with my father during his appointments and hospitalization, I found a way to get the FMLA paperwork signed. (Unfortunately, there are seriously lazy doctors in the world who can't be bothered to help family members complete the brief paperwork required to get job protection during extended illnesses. I've included a link to the Family Medical Leave Act so you can check it out.)
A wonderful tool I've discovered to help me uncover my untapped creative potential in all areas of my life is Morning Pages. Morning Pages were created and named by Julia Cameron, a wonderful writer and creative professional. Every morning for decades, the first thing Julia does is sit down and write 3 pages of her thoughts in long hand. This clears her mind and helps her start the day. It is both a creative and spiritual process, and I highly recommend it. I've been doing them now for almost a month, and in addition to my Kundalini yoga and prayer time, Morning Pages have changed my thinking--broadened it and helped me be more productive and creative in all aspects of my life.
Even if you don't think you're creative, try out Morning Pages. See how freeing it is to get your thoughts down on paper before you face the world each morning. I guarantee it will change you.
It takes a lot of creativity to get by in the world, and I think it would help us all tremendously if we would get in touch with our creative side.
Recently, when my father wasn't getting the medical care I felt he needed, I found a way to get him into the right facility. When I needed job protection because I needed to be with my father during his appointments and hospitalization, I found a way to get the FMLA paperwork signed. (Unfortunately, there are seriously lazy doctors in the world who can't be bothered to help family members complete the brief paperwork required to get job protection during extended illnesses. I've included a link to the Family Medical Leave Act so you can check it out.)
A wonderful tool I've discovered to help me uncover my untapped creative potential in all areas of my life is Morning Pages. Morning Pages were created and named by Julia Cameron, a wonderful writer and creative professional. Every morning for decades, the first thing Julia does is sit down and write 3 pages of her thoughts in long hand. This clears her mind and helps her start the day. It is both a creative and spiritual process, and I highly recommend it. I've been doing them now for almost a month, and in addition to my Kundalini yoga and prayer time, Morning Pages have changed my thinking--broadened it and helped me be more productive and creative in all aspects of my life.
Even if you don't think you're creative, try out Morning Pages. See how freeing it is to get your thoughts down on paper before you face the world each morning. I guarantee it will change you.
Monday, May 4, 2009
The Truly Great -- Stephen Spender
Who are the truly great? I know how the world defines greatness--powerful, influential, of outstanding significance or importance--but few of us will ever feel this type of greatness.
The type of greatness I strive for is beautifully hinted at in The Truly Great by Stephen Spender.
I think continually of those who were truly great
who, from the womb, remembered the souls history
Through corridors of light, where the hours are suns,
Endless and singing. Whose lovely ambition
Was that their lips, still touched with fire,
Should tell of the spirit, clothed from head to foot in song.
And who hoarded from the Spring branches
The desires falling across their bodies like blossoms.
This type of greatness is available to all of us, whenever we are true to our natures, whenever we are "faithful to our own eccentric nature, and bring it out into the conversation with the world." --David Whyte, Crossing the Unknown Sea.
Won't you dare to be great today?
The type of greatness I strive for is beautifully hinted at in The Truly Great by Stephen Spender.
I think continually of those who were truly great
who, from the womb, remembered the souls history
Through corridors of light, where the hours are suns,
Endless and singing. Whose lovely ambition
Was that their lips, still touched with fire,
Should tell of the spirit, clothed from head to foot in song.
And who hoarded from the Spring branches
The desires falling across their bodies like blossoms.
This type of greatness is available to all of us, whenever we are true to our natures, whenever we are "faithful to our own eccentric nature, and bring it out into the conversation with the world." --David Whyte, Crossing the Unknown Sea.
Won't you dare to be great today?
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