by Now What?® Coaching Founder, Laura Berman Fortgang

This is coaching 101, but it’s not old news.  It’s news that needs to be revisited anytime you get stuck.  If you’re not getting the results you want, if you’re frustrated because you feel clueless as to your next steps or if you just feel stale, these basics will be worth the visit.

When you feel stuck it means the energy that flows through your body and your environment is stuck and some very concrete moving of the furniture, literally and figuratively, can get things flowing again.

Recently, I found myself in a slow-moving time.  My weight was up. My energy was low. My business had too much waiting going on and not enough momentum.  I knew it was time to revisit the basics.  I changed my game with food and the gym.  I spoke some truths in relationships that weren’t working and I cleared out my closet, my garage, and my kids’ rooms getting rid of stuff we no longer needed or used.

I kept up my home and work responsibilities but put the bulk of my weekend time into this endeavor.  Out of the blue (but not really because this is what happens when you do this) I got an inquiry about blogging for the Huffington Post  because the editor had been at Kripalu where I recently led a retreat and my books called to her from the shelves as a match for her department.

I cleared my way to a new opportunity (and a few others that showed up in the same week) and so can you.

MOVE—Get your body moving.  If you do yoga, do more. If you exercise, change your routine. If you don’t do anything, start walking for twenty or thirty minutes a day. Just get that energy moving!

DUMP—Get rid of stuff. Go paperless, pare down to only essentials in your closet, gift or donate unwanted items.  Immediately!  (not someday)

ACQUIRE—Invest in that which will help you operate more effectively.  For example, if you can’t get papers off your desk?  Buy a two or three tiered in/out box and create a new system.

SHIFT– Shift relationships that are not working. Have that difficult conversation or take a break from someone or a group you may need to take time away from.

INSPIRE—Motivate yourself by doing something that inspires you.  Whether it’s a walk in nature or scaring yourself silly by doing something you’ve long thought of attempting.

All of these things ‘shake the bushes’ as I call it and get the cobwebs out of your brain and your routine. The results can be very rewarding.  From that ah-ha realization to a new opportunity, you will cause change.

Do it until the dawn breaks and the next time you are stagnant or stuck, do it again.  It’s a rinse and repeat type of thing.

We’re here if you need help.

“Talents are common, everyone has them – but rare is the courage to follow our talents where they lead.” Anon　

The vision of an ideal career is often revealed gradually, over time.  For years, the entrepreneur in today’s story only knew that she wanted to do something on her own one day.  It was the activity of planning her 10-year class reunion that brought specificity to her vision.  The lesson here?  Don’t discount the significance of your intentions, even when unspecific.  That underlying intention (do something on my own, do something with children, do something with the arts, etc.) may be just the thing that prepares you to recognize opportunity when it materializes. 

“Entrepreneur Follows Her Passion & Finds Ballooning Success.”

Here are some helpful guidelines for following up once you’ve applied for a job.  The most important thing to remember?  Do it!

“How To Follow Up On A Job Without Being Annoying.”

“There is no security in life, only opportunity.” Mark Twain　

Not sure we’d call these job search “rules” but there are some good points to consider.  We still believe in the value of a well-crafted resume, however agree that networking to create opportunities is an essential strategy.  Creative approaches such as putting together a job proposal  could be the differentiator, though you’ll probably still need to have that resume in your pocket, since employers expect it.  Take a look for some smart tips on becoming someone who “knows the future” and positioning yourself as the “informed new guy”.

“How the Job Search Rules Are Different for Career Changers.”

“If you follow your bliss, you put yourself on a kind of track, which has been there all the while waiting for you, and the life that you ought to be living is the one you are living.” Joseph Campbell　

Today’s video features real estate mogul, Barbara Corcoran.  The interview runs about 7 minutes and  includes some great perspective from Barbara.  She advises entrepreneurs to “grow the business before you’re ready” and to figure out what your gift is.  Having her boyfriend comment, “You’d be great in real estate sales,” was Barbara’s turning point years ago.  What do people say you’d be great at doing?  It may be worth some consideration.

by Kirsten Meneghello, Now What® Facilitator

One of the bravest things a person can do is make a dramatic career change while seemingly in the prime of their life.  Although the person might be outwardly successful in what he or she is doing, earning good money and enjoying the respect of colleagues, they know deep inside that it is time for a change.  But throwing it all away and starting over again?  This daunting task is never easy but is often incredibly rewarding.  I recently had the chance to talk to a good friend of mine who made such a leap, and his story is inspirational and a lesson in courage.

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“The past is not your potential. In any hour you can choose to liberate the future.”        Marilyn Ferguson