Now What?® Coaching
from Laura Berman Fortgang
As many as 90% of startup businesses ultimately fail. This does not have to be your story.
If you are agile and able to switch directions when necessary, your business may continue to succeed or even grow rather than die an untimely and avoidable death. Knowing when to pivot and how to do so successfully is key.
by Now What?® Coaching Founder, Laura Berman Fortgang
Feeling stuck stinks. Nothing’s working. Everything weighs heavily on you and clarity just doesn’t want to come. As the anxiety grows and 
you try harder to make decisions or force answers, the worse things seem to get. So what do you do?
Here’s what I’d ask you to do. I’d ask you to take your mind off a problem that has no solution yet. I’d suggest that you do something that will increase your energy. Have some fun, exercise, pamper yourself in some way or do something just because you enjoy it. I’ll expect one of two reactions: Relief or more anxiety assuming you would feel hugely irresponsible not continuing to beat your head against the wall.
Let me explain what’s at work here. When your body is stressed and constricted, there is no flow. What does that mean? Your energy is being consumed by stress and not being free to draw your interest to places that will make a difference to your career transition. Your energy is blocked.
It comes down to an energetic equation. What multiplies your energy and what subtracts it? In other words, what energizes you and what drains you? Worry and struggle drain you. Creative, athletic, connective, loving, educational, or nurturing activities expand you and likely give you energy. As counter-intuitive as it seems to take your focus off of your dilemma before it is solved, it is exactly what can lead to the breakthrough you seek.
The end of the year is here. Time to unplug. It’s not a race to the finish line. If clarity is not yours yet, absorb the slower pace of the next several days if possible and use them to slow down, observe, be more mindful and look for clues. If you do know what’s next, set the stage for crossing over into another year by getting things in order so you can take action as soon as everyone is back at their desks. In either case, enjoy!
Happy Holidays and to ALL a very productive and meaningful 2012.
“The higher your energy level, the more efficient your body. The more efficient your body, the better you feel and the more you will use your talent to produce outstanding results.” Tony Robbins
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.
“This wasn’t a well-thought out plan… I was just pursuing a dream.” That’s how Priscilla Lopez describes her transition from IT consultant to tennis wear designer. While essentially a summary of her story, this article does include some interesting points, including how she got her start by wearing one of her own creations at her tennis club.