reinvent - Now What?® Coaching

by Now What?® Coaching Founder, Laura Berman Fortgang

We are clearly in the Age of Reinvention. So many industries are doing complete makeovers of themselves and some are even disappearing. The result: Those wanting to stay or become employed have to reinvent right alongside this trend or be closed out or left behind.

Publishing, automotive, retail, advertising, manufacturing. These are just a few of the sectors that are being rethought completely. So, whether you are an executive or a line worker, things are changing and so must you.

The tendency is to think you must be more or do more or add a missing skill or edge to keep yourself in the running in this job market. In some cases, that is true. Maybe there is a degree or a certification that has to happen, but the truth is, the next step for most people who need to reinvent is to subtract something from their approach. It’s not about adding. It’s about subtracting! Subtracting what’s in the way of what really lights you up. Maybe it’s even more accurate to say, while you do your math, reinvention is about borrowing….from the past.

The reinvention formula seems to be, based on our collective research and experience at Now What?® Coaching, as follows:

The PRESENT-THE DEAD WEIGHT + SOME Marginalized Passion,talent or wish from the past= NEW MOMENTUM/ANSWER TO REINVENTION

Becoming a chef after years of ignoring that passion as an unhappy lawyer ,opening a chocolate shop after being laid off from a ‘secure’ government job or performing in a musical after being away from it for 17 years to find that the next step is to bring more performance nuance to my speeches. (YES, my own current reinvention)

These are all examples of listening to the stirrings inside you that have been set aside in the name of logic, conventional wisdom and security. Those are what need to be subtracted to finally add opportunity, momentum, satisfaction and maybe even joy to your life. And these will go far to create financial opportunities as well.

Make 2011 the year of your reinvention. Let us know how we can help.

Today’s question came from a caller from Alabama during a recent Community Call and is answered by: Laura Berman Fortgang.

Question:

I’m in the process of training for a new field but I’m also concerned about my retirement. Should I just be thinking of my nest egg instead of changing careers?

Answer:

My father was a first generation American and the first to go to college in his family. He became an engineer and spent 32 years with the same company, only to be fired 18 months short of retirement. Over the years it was clear that he hated his work and I begged him to change jobs. But he felt he had to stay and put the kids through school. So I understand the issues you’re raising about financial planning. It’s certainly not about just throwing caution to the wind, yet sometimes you have to put your soul ahead of your wallet. Who knows how long you’ll be working? And the truth is we don’t know how long we are going to live, either. It’s a matter of balance. You are saying you have 20 years until retirement but maybe you’ll be working even longer, so try out a few things and give yourself some time. Experiment, moonlight, volunteer, and see if you strike upon a passion while also looking at whether that passion can make you money. People are being forced to reinvent and that sometimes includes a bit of their past that was previously overlooked up until now. It may mean taking chances. Did you see the story we ran about the laid off autoworker who turned professional bowler? It’s possible to merge the things you naturally enjoy with your livelihood if you remain open to how that might happen.