ReBoot your Energy

 

Lately I have been observing some interesting things happening with my own life and have heard some inspirational stories from others; all surrounding the act of re-booting Energy.

Re-booting energy could mean

  • Adding more joyful activities
  • Creating more space in your day to breathe
  • Getting more grounded

It is the “more” of something that we lose when we

  • Get too busy with life
  • Focus on too much work, not enough play
  • Go through the motions without coming up for air

Too often, we notice it’s time to re-boot when we start “acting funny”

  • Suddenly more tired than usual
  • Snapping at our loved ones (or ourselves) more often
  • Making more mistakes

When your computer is “acting funny” what do you do most often? Re-boot.

Why re-boot?

  • When you are depleted, it can make every action feel like it takes more effort
  • When overwhelmed, it can make every action feel like it is insurmountable
  • When too tired, every action/thought can feel much heavier

What is your re-boot?

Some examples of how this shows up in my life……

I realize I need to re-boot when…..

I am thinking too hard/too much about “how” to do something that seems big.  I love to “know” stuff and when I don’t know enough, it can make a project seem so daunting, that I get stuck and don’t move forward with it.

My re-boot….Take a larger view. Step away from the project for a little while; talk it through with a trusted friend/colleague to see it from different angles, and most importantly for me, find the One step I can do to start.

When I am attempting to get too much done in too little time.  I am a get-it-done person. While that serves me well on many occasions, I have a tendency to go overboard. When I do, I notice that self care takes a back seat which leads to self-created overwhelm.

My re-boot….Slowing down! I do this through journaling , being around water, listening to peaceful music and meditation – this last one is new for me, something I always wanted to do, and now am doing most days with the use of this new app called Calm.

When my surroundings do not fit the mood I want to be in. I realized my office space was no longer conducive to the energetic and uplifted mood I truly want to have each day of work. It was not bright enough or as functional as I wanted it to be.

My re-boot…Use what I have and build the rest J Painting my office desk white was the best thing I did! It brightened up my whole space in a way I did not imagine. Even on a rainy day like today, the room feels bright and cheerful. Also changed my functional space behind my desk to feel more open and inviting. See pic below

What signs help you see it’s time for a re-boot?

What do you do to re-boot?

Success – it’s a Roller Coaster Ride

“Success means different things to different people… and the  road to success is often paved with challenges and tests. It can be a roller-coaster ride filled with highs and lows and fruitful learnings. One thing is clear — all of us who reach for the stars and actively stretch towards our dreams emerge from our efforts transformed.”  This is quoted from an article on Successtory.com

This idea of success being a roller coaster ride is something I usually share with my clients as they begin their process of career (or life) transition.   When you begin entertaining another path for yourself, it can be scary.  You may be unsure of your direction or uncomfortable with some of the unknowns even when you do have an idea of your path.

Just when you begin to gain some clarity, you may feel more confused.  You feel like some momentum is building, only to be discouraged at the next turn.
Some of these highs and lows happen in a moment, an hour, a day or over several days/weeks.  You can see why it is easy to get stuck and wind up staying right where you are!
So, how do you enjoy the ride on your roller coaster?   Feel the fear and the thrill at the same time!  
When you are on a real roller coaster (no matter how tame or death-defying) you have several emotions happening at the same time – some level of terror and some level of exhilaration.  You are sometimes so scared you wish you never got on in the first place – yet you know it will be over shortly so you hold on for dear life!  When you get off, you are a bit wobbly, but often proud of yourself that you did it, even though you were terrified.  For some of you, the exhilaration of being whipped and flipped, makes you want to go on again!   No matter your tolerance for the real thing, your transition roller-coaster is controlled largely by you.
How to stay the course?
When you know that you will expect some highs, and some lows, some clarity followed by confusion, some momentum followed by feeling stuck, you will know you are “doing this right”.  That knowledge can keep you focused and committed to your process and your growth.
Your transition can take you in many different directions, and the turns and flips along the way can take you along interesting new paths that you could not have planned for but are exactly where you need to be .
Learn to enjoy your roller coaster of success!

Read the full article from Successtory.com to see some great quotes of what success means to some history’s greats.
http://www.dailygood.org/story/1029/definitions-of-success-down-the-ages-successstory-com/

Asking for Help in Your Career Transition

Are you struggling with asking for help?
Are you asking yet discouraged by the lack of results?

You may be doing what you think you need to… meeting people, building your network, asking them for help, yet you come away discouraged.  Yet…are you asking the right way?
Imagine that you are the one being asked for help
If you received a call from someone you know that is in career transition and they said something like:
  • “Hi Mary, I’m looking for a new job, please let me know if you hear anything” 
What would you think?  How easy would it be for you to help this friend?

What if – instead, your friend said something like:

  • “Hi Mary, I’m seeking a new career/role that allows me to lead an organization through change and transition.  I’m especially interested in the technology industry and am looking to talk with people in this industry to gain insight and advice as I make my transition.  Who do you know in this industry that you could introduce me to?”   
How easy would it be to be helpful now?

The more specific you are, the easier you are making it for your network to help you.  This works well when it is someone you already know well, that knows you well – a friend, family, former colleague.  Someone you can get right to the point with.

What if you are asking for help from someone you don’t know well or at all?
Now your “ask” will sound different.  Your goal here is first to establish a relationship with this person, so they will remember you, think of you when an opportunity does come to their attention, and be more willing to help.

How do you do that?  Focus on them first!  Now imagine you are the recipient of an email like this:

  • “Hi Mary, Joe Smith recommended I reach out to you (or, I found you on LinkedIn) as you are working in the field I am very interested in exploring as I branch out in my career.  Would you be willing to talk with me briefly about your career path and offer me advice as I move toward this new path?”
What if you don’t know exactly what it is you want? 
That’s OK!  There are many areas you can be specific about – choose one or more:
  • Your job title – if you know what role you want, let them know
  • Your industry of choice – it can be more than one
  • Your field of interest or passion – broader than job title
  • The types of companies (or specific companies) you would like to work for
  • The type of people you want to meet – based on their role/field
  • The strengths you want to use – if you choose this one, also tie it to role or industry or give examples if several
Remember; make it easy for someone to help!
  • Establish a relationship first
  • Get to know them, their career/role/industry
  • Ask advice and information
  • Be as clear as you can about the direction you are making your career transition
  • Ask for something specific when you can