Now What?® Coaching

from Laura Berman Fortgang

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When It’s a Dream That Won’t Go Away

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It was too serious, back-to-back car accidents  that caused Neda DeMayo to ask herself “What if I won the lotto… What if I had all the money I ever needed – what would I do with my life?”  Posing that question resulted in Neda’s decision to leave her career as a costume designer and wardrobe stylist and create Return to Freedom, a non-profit that provides safe haven for relocated wild horses and burros.  Protecting horses was a long-deferred dream from Neda’s childhood.  Once she decided to pursue her goal, Neda conducted three years of research and planning, as well as “plenty of second-guessing”.  Once the sanctuary was operational, Neda encountered various challenges and even prayed that the desire be taken away from her.  “But my passion drove me forward.”  

Now, 13 years later, she encourages others to “just get started” with their unfulfilled goals.  “I think when it’s a dream that won’t go away, you owe it to yourself to pursue it and be committed.”  She says: “As challenging as it is – and it’s the biggest challenge I’ve ever had – it’s the most rewarding experience of my life.” 

 “Finding Sanctuary: From Stylist to Wildlife Preservationist.”

Now What? Q &A: Transition, how long?

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Today’s question is one we’re often asked and is answered by: Ginny Kravitz, Deputy Editor.

Question:

How long does it usually take for someone to transition to a new career?

Answer:

Once you have identified the new direction in which you’d like to take your career, the transition may take anywhere from six months to a few years, depending on your specific situation and how big of a change you’re making.  The typical experience is probably in the 6-24 month range.  If you’re the type of person who takes a long-term view and is, for example, planning to retire from one career and begin another, then you might create a 3-5 year plan.  More often, though, once you’ve identified your new direction, momentum will build on its own and change may very well happen sooner than expected.  So, the answer is that it’s shorter for some and longer for others.  Some people take more gradual steps and others take big leaps.  Often, an interim move may be the bridge.  One thing is for certain:  Once you commit to a new direction, create a plan, and start taking consistent action, change happens.

MONEY & CAREER-CHANGE: Will You Let It Stop You?

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by Laura Berman Fortgang

The number one reason that people do not follow their heart when it comes to the work they would most love to do is money.  There are mortgages and educations to pay for and practical wins out over ideal most of the time.  What if that conventional wisdom was false? What if the pull of what you really wanted to do was so strong, that the force of your desire creates a vacuum that brings money into the fold as well?

What most people forget is that doing something new may very well mean a financial set back, but it does not have be permanent. You will grow and advance in the new thing.  Money will grow.

 I can think of two clients in particular who despite gaining sharp clarity about what was next for them professionally, did not move in their new directions because of money concerns.  I’ll have you know that within a handful of years, each of them were in the profession they had yearned for and money was working out just fine.  Their ‘sure thing’ had become less sure and suddenly, they had nothing to lose by following their ideal, heart-based professional path.

One of these folks was a man who despite having a fledgling headhunter business, chose not to move into teaching.  Today, he is a happy, popular teacher with a Facebook Fan Page created by his students.  The other was a woman who had a strong philanthropic bent but worked in banking.  One meant little money and one meant plenty. She eventually found her way to the non-profit world and is happy and satisfied, making it work financially.

Sometimes, it takes having no other choice to really follow what you are meant to be doing, but life would be easier if we made the choice while it was still a CHOICE.  The money does work itself out.  A spouse might start doing better or you ‘luck’ into a break in your housing costs through refinance or an inheritance or perhaps you change locations and the money and lifestyle come together in a harmonious blend. 

The hard truth is that there is no certainty.  You may think you are choosing the ‘safe’ way by staying put, but for how long will it stay safe?

Stepping out into the abyss of the unknown in the name of what feels right even if you are also fearful, allows the floor to come up to meet you.

It can’t always be terra firma that you leap to. 

Can you change the way you think about money to allow your new direction to come to be?  Think about that. Write about that.  See what new possibilities emerge.

LOOK for more on this topic in Laura’s upcoming book “The Prosperity Plan” (January 2011) or check out Chapter Eight of “Now What? 90 Days to a New Life Direction” (Tarcher-Penguin) Available on Amazon.

Now What? Q &A: What if I don’t have a purpose?

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Today’s question was submitted by a website designer in Randolph, New Jersey and answered by: Ginny Kravitz, Deputy Editor.

Question: What if I don’t have a “thing”? What happens if I’m not able to identify my purpose?

Answer:

The desire to find “your thing” and fulfill your purpose in life can start off well-intended but when too much pressure is added to the mix, you can wind up frustrated.  It’s true that being able to articulate your purpose, the essence of who you are,  – what we call Life Blueprint® in the Now What? Program – brings joy and is an extraordinarily helpful lens from which to view your life and make decisions.  It’s also true that your purpose finds you.  And that’s great news.  Just by living your life with a heightened awareness of what you’re passionate about and what brings you joy, your purpose will find you.

Is taking a focused approach to discovering your purpose even worth it?  Well yes, here at Now What we think so.  What’s important though, is to enter into that process giving yourself room for discovery vs. trying to force an answer.  Ironically, this will help you find it more easily.  So on your search for PURPOSE with a capital P, simply notice what brings meaning and purpose on a smaller scale, every day.  This raising of your awareness will influence what you see, the decisions you make, and the opportunities that come your way.

Everyone who walks this planet –including you– has unique talents and qualities that the world needs.