Now What?® Coaching

from Laura Berman Fortgang

passion

Like Nike Says: “Just Do It!”

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Most “overnight successes” did not begin with any resemblance to their future success. What sets them apart is the people who had the courage to follow their vision. They did what many (most) people with great ideas don’t – they took a step and they BEGAN!

vision

“Whether it’s a garage, a basement, or a dorm room, every business has humble beginnings. It’s not about where you start. It’s where you end up.” So, what’s cooking for you? And, what one step could you take today to make your dream a reality?

10 World Famous Companies that Started in Garages

Video Viernes: Like Nike says, “Just do it!” Don’t wait!

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Brandon Stanton, has recently been honored as one of TIME’s 30 Under 30 World Changers. In this video he shares how his achievement had nothing to do with money.  It was about turning a hobby into an obsession and then into a devotion as his audience grew.  Success came out of his passion and doing something that he loved.  His message at 3:55 is the Now What?® message, and he says it so well that we’ll let his words stand on their own!  Check it out!

“30 Under 30: Meet Brandon Stanton, the Photographer Behind “Humans of New York.”

Don’t Be Afraid of Long Term Goals

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Here is a short interview with Darcy Camden, as she reflects on her path to becoming a professional wardrobe stylist.  Citing “learning to listen” as one of her biggest lessons, she advises those who want to build a lasting career to focus on long-term goals. 

While it’s human nature to want to snap your fingers and be on the other side of change, relaxing into a long-term goal can be equally rewarding.  Time goes by one way or another, so you might as well be working on something you care about.   If time weren’t an issue, what goal would you sink your teeth into?

“How Finding Her Passion Led To A Career In Business Chic for Darcy Camden.”

What Makes A Job Satisfying?

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Here’s a list of 10 factors that psychologists correlate with job satisfaction.  Which ones stand out as important to you?  How does your current job or previous jobs you’ve held measure up when these factors are considered?   Are there others you would add?   Some that come to our mind are: Values (how your values line up with those of your employer), Passion (degree of interest in the work), Creative Expression (getting to put your own stamp on things), Purpose (whether the work is meaningful to you).  While some of these may overlap with the list provided, it’s an interesting exercise to come up with your own unique job satisfaction barometer.  What would yours look like?

“10 Psychological Keys to Job Satisfaction.”

IS Your DRIVE Derailing YOU?

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by Now What?® Coaching Founder, Laura Berman Fortgang

Finding yourself losing your satisfaction with your work or feeling like you just can’t motivate yourself the way you used to?  Maybe you are even losing steam on a job search.  Whatever the scenario, knowing why you are doing something and having a compelling reason to do so (besides a pay check) is a huge factor in succeeding at what you want to do. 

Many people don’t realize it, but their loss of interest or mojo may have everything to do with what had motivated them in the past to get them to where they are now.  What I mean is that we can actually outgrow our motivation! For example, if you were motivated to not be poor like your parents and now you have plenty of money but are losing interest in your work, it may very well be because you are not running on a motivator that means anything to you today.  You already reached where the old motivation got you to!  It’s time for a new drive!

On the other hand, there are situations where people are sooooo driven, that they ruin their relationships or the quality of their lives in tireless pursuit.  Neither way seems to be how we are supposed to be living.  The ideal, as years of listening to people tells me, is to have passion and a sensible balance (although not always consistent or perfect).

To find new motivation that is both healthy and up to date think about the following questions:

What vow did you make a long time ago that may now need updating?

(i.e. I’ll never be poor like my parents or I won’t be stuck like my mother/father was or I won’t be a teenage pregnancy statistic)

What needs must be met for you to be happy at work?

What issue calls you or galls you to the point where it motivates you to take action?

What image for the future compels you to want to make it happen?

When you are running on new fuel that matches who you are today and that means something to you, you will find it so much easier to take action even in the face of adversity.

Get into DRIVE and go!!!!

The Effect You Have

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by Ginny Kravitz, Deputy Editor

Today’s profile demonstrates that while sometimes big changes are needed to fulfill your life’s passion, it’s not always necessary to carve out an entirely new career path. For some people, passion is directly related to the fields they choose. For others, passion exists alongside the career, each supporting the other.

Mindy’s Story

In 2006, Mindy participated in a Now What?® Group Coaching Program to explore possible new paths to take her career. Interestingly, what emerged as a powerful theme was her love of music and her desire to pick up the violin again. This clue informed her as she sought to articulate her purpose — who she is at her core. Mindy expresses this as: to bring lightness of spirit to other people. She began to give her niece violin lessons and eventually joined a community orchestra.

Today Mindy attends weekly rehearsals and performs at concerts once a month. Mindy has had the honor of playing second chair First Violin and in order to hold her place she must practice consistently and compete with her fellow players on quality. Playing the violin is an activity Mindy enjoys alongside her full time job as a Support Availability Manager with an IT Management Software and Solutions Company.

What Mindy said upon completion of the coaching program in 2006:

“I liked the way we were to let go of our previously conceived “can’t” list and work from a place in the past when we were invited to dream more on our future… and that to do this process we had to remain open and not pigeon-hole ourselves.”

“The most meaningful discovery I made… is that regardless of where I work, I create my reality by my choices.”

What Mindy says today:

“Each week at concerts, I’m aware that by stepping out of my work reality into this other aspect of my life, I am completely taken over by it.  When I am through, I notice a change in my sense of self.  It challenges me in a way I am not utilizing for work, and I am giving something that seems very tangible to people who get a new experience at every concert we play.  It is a bit Zen-like because when I am through, my senses are reawakened, I even breathe differently, and I am at peace — I don’t get that any place else. I almost can’t drive my car correctly after rehearsals!”

What Affects You?

What accompanied Mindy’s clarity of purpose was not a drastic career change but rather a desire to pick up the violin again after many years. Just as she wanted to “bring lightness of spirit” to others, Mindy experiences lightness of spirit when she abandons herself to the music. And so it goes with living your purpose. The effect you have on others is directly related to what affects you deeply.

This Week, consider:

Like playing the violin for Mindy, what affects you deeply? What kinds of things are you drawn to? When you are engaged in them, what is the effect you have on others?

What brings you lightness of spirit? Whatever it is, make some room for it this holiday season and share it with those around you.