For most people, being between jobs raises emotions ranging from fear or anger to denial or excitement. That’s normal. You will want to take what we call “extreme self-care” of yourself during your transition. Here are some tips for doing so.

• Remember: doing your job search is your job now, so have a schedule each day which is designed to reach your goals and retains some “stability zones” of familiar routines.
• Know that the “emotional roller coaster” is normal. Develop a positive, resilient outlook so that you can “thrive” during your transition.
• Devise a job search strategy, break it into small, daily steps, and carry out one step each day.
• Have at least one gaol each day.
• Practice interviewing and your “one-minute pitch.”
• Attend at least one networking group meeting each week.
• Avoid hiding behind the computer surfing the internet – get out and meet people.
• See your job search as your “job,” even though your daily activities will be self-generated – you should work 4-6 hours a day on your search if unemployed, 1-2 hours per day if employed, and have a specific schedule for job search activities.
• Eat a balanced diet, exercise daily and avoid excessive drugs and alcohol.
• Program yourself with positive thoughts of your desired outcomes: “I am now moving toward the job of my dreams;” “I deserve to be fulfilled,” etc.
• Plan your budget for the next 3-6 months, including “what if” scenarios.
• Negotiate reduced payment plans with creditors if needed.
• Avoid using credit cards or increasing debt, which will only increase feelings of pressure and avoid loans from retirement plans if possible.
• Swallow your pride and reach out for support from church, network contacts, family members and friends (and your career coach).
• Take one day/week off from the search to keep yourself fresh.
• Remember that you are not your job.
• Keep in mind that each “no” (rejection letter ot call) means you are one step closer to a “yes” (interview or offer).

There are more options than “up” the corporate ladder these days. Which of these might be worth considering to expand your possibilities.

• Up the career ladder
• Work for a supplier
• Work for a competitor
• Return to a former career
• Seel a lateral move
• Consult
• Work from home
• Relocate
• Go international
• Work as a temp
• Start your own business
• Buy a franchise
• Turn a hobby into a career
• Teach what you’ve learned

1. Working with people who treat them with respect.
2. Interesting Work.
3. Recognition for good work.
4. Chance to develop skills.
5. Working for people who listen.
6. Chance to think for themself.
7. Seeing end results of their work.
8. Working for efficient managers.
9. Job that is not too easy.
10. Feeling well-informed.

What qualities do you want most in your job?

…..possess the same eight traits.

The eight traits listed below came from highly successful, well-adjusted and content retirees. The good news is even if you do not have all of these traits today, you can learn and master them, even if you think you have a genetic or cultural predisposition against you. What’s more, possessing these eight traits guarantees you a highly successful retirement.

1. Planning was statistically the most significant (financially and non-financially).
2. Positive attitude and your perception of you own health, financial well-being, age, achievement.
3. Accepting change and adapting to change are crucial to your success.
4. Support groups of family and friends who are your age, older and younger.
5. Leisure time is developed to include a variety of both mentally and physically challenging activities in three specific categories: with one other person, with a group, and by yourself.
6. Health is maintained by taking care of yourself with regular medical checkups, watch your diet, exercise, don’t smoke, watch your alcohol intake, and control your weight.
7.  Passion and purpose is discovered to gain a sense of fulfillment.
8. Spirituality will offer you strength, solace, and hope when facing traumas and setbacks.

In today’s age of social networking – which is conducted mostly in front of a computer screen and with minimum human interaction – it’s good to revisit the rules of something as basic as a business/networking meal.

Here are some tips for mastering business/networking dining:

• Have a supply of business cards in your pocket to hand out to your new network.
• If you’re the host, it’s up to you to ask your guests if they have any dietary restrictions, manage the pace and mood of the meal and pick up the tab.
• Unlike a number of years ago, alcohol is out as a staple of the business lunch – unless it’s a special meal or celebration.
• Until everyone arrives at your table, don’t touch or eat anything. Instead, make sure you’ve introduced yourself to everyone at your table before sitting down. Use a firm grip and make good eye contact. Remember to exchange business cards.
• There is an easy way to remember which bread plate and glass are yours. Just remember BMW: bread on your left, meal in the middle and water/wine on your right.
• The host signals the beginning of the meal by placing a napkin on his or her lap. If you must leave the table, place your napkin on your chair. At the end of the meal, don’t re-fold your napkin. Simply place it to your left. Do not place it on your plate (or push your plate away from yourself).
• Not sure which knife or fork to use? Simply use your cutlery in order from the outside in.
• Bread should never be cut with a knife. Instead, break it in half over your bread plate (or your main plate if a bread plate is not available), then break off a bite-size piece, butter it and eat it. Repeat for every bite.
• Don’t talk with your mouth full, or chew with your mouth open – or talk too much.
• If possible, turn off your cell phone/Blackberry or put them on vibrate. And don’t constantly look at them. It’s rude to send text messages during a meal at any time!
• Sit up straight, keep your elbows off the table and mind your manners, which includes not drinking or eating too much.
• If conversations stall, ask someone a question. Food, travel, and entertainment are interesting topics anyone can talk about.
• Ensure to thank the host before you leave and bid a farewell to other table guests.
• Offer/suggest to meet someone for coffee if you wish to continue to network outside of the event.

Attending networking events provides an awesome opportunity to meet other professionals who are currently in a career you are interesting in and seeking more information about.  You can ask them questions about educational requirements, what their job entails, what their company is like to work for,  job seeking tips, or if they know of any job openings that might be coming up in the near future. People are more apt to suggest and support an individual they have made a strong connection with to apply for an un-published job vacancy.

Did you know that you can choose how you experience transition? You can be a Coper or a Thriver. A Coper is someone who resists change, avoids it when possible, and lacks effective strategies to manage it when it occurs.

Here are the characteristics of a Coper:

1. Need for control

2. Mistrust, suspicion

3. Disconnect from spirituality

4. No sense of purpose

5. Victim thinking, blaming

6. Disconnect from feelings

7. Rigid thinking

8. Negative attitude

9. No healthy support system

10. Lack of balance

A Thriver, by contrast, is someone who grows and flourishes in the changes of their life; who embraces transition and even initiates it when needed.

Here are the characteristics of a Thriver:

1. Attentiveness

a) Self-Awareness

b) Commitment to growth

c) Internal motivation

d) Receptivity to new experiences

2. Groundedness

a) Spirituality

b) Support system

c) Resilience

3. Trust

a) Willing to feel

b) Comfortable with ambiguity

c) Trust their own process of growth

d) Self-nurturing

4. Proactive Purpose

a) Sense of purpose

b) Dreaming beyond practical

c) Proactive creation

5. Optimistic Confidence

a) Self-confidence

b) Playful risk-taking

c) Optimism

d) Flexible adapting

6. Systems Thinking

a) Systems perspective

b) Interactive experimentation

c) Humor

d) Balance

Which one are you?

Regarding the two opposing clusters of traits, the question has frequently been posed as to whether a person can be a Coper part of the time and a Thriver at other times. Certainly, we are all involved in the process of growth. However, I believe that using Coping behaviours is only advisable in two situations: (a) when you don’t know better – you haven’t learned that there is an alternative, or (b) when you lapse into Coping in a crisis because you can’t think of anything else to do at the moment. To consciously choose Coping over Thriving for any reasons is generally not in our best interest.

Perhaps you have been thrust into transition unexpectedly; or you may just find yourself facing more changes than ever before. It’s been said that the only person who loves change is a wet baby! And if you are going to better deal with change, you must first understand the transition process. “Change” is not what it used to be! Consider these facts:

• 80 percent of workers don’t enjoy their jobs
• Workers are working a full month longer than they were in 1969 (and women a full 287 hours more)
• 70 percent of workers making $30,000 or more would give up 1 day per week of pay for more free time
• Many people retire unsuccessfully because they have not planned their retirement lifestyle

What is a transition? What do you think of when you hear the word “transition’? Transition is a shift from one situation or state of being to another, whether gradual or abrupt.

What kinds of transition(s) are you experiencing now, gradual or abrupt?

What is it like to experience transition?

Times of transition are fraught with emotion. You may find yourself feeling conflicting emotions! See if any of your feelings are listed in this list of common emotions:

• shock
• denial
• anger
• loss
• worry and concern
• bargaining
• guilt
• depression
• grief
• resignation
• acceptance
• involvement and committment
• recognition of your ability

What else are you feeling? Research demonstrates that there is tremendous value in writing down your feelings during transition – you’ll get to your new job, relationship, retirement, or other new situation faster and feel better in the process!

 

Looking for a job is more than just trying to find something to do to fill your time or provide the money you need to support yourself. Your job is your avenue of creative self-expression in the world. Thought of in this way, you can see that it demands a thoughtful, strategic approach so that you do not feel like you have to “settle” or compromise your dream job for something less.

1) Know what you want – be clear about what you are looking for by examining the 8 critical factors to finding your dream job.

2) Gather the materials you need – telephone and voicemail, business cards, thank you notes, computer and printer, etc.

3) Anticipate the length of your job search- plan your finances accordingly.

4) Organize your search - develop a system for managing your search.

Good luck!

Hiring a professionally trained Retirement Coach will assist in planning your retirement. Retirement coaches:

• Help their clients set priorities, develop a plan and timeline, and work toward it
• Assist their clients to determine whether they will work and how it will be structured if they do
• Help their clients  overcome fears and other mental and emotional barriers
• Test clients’ assumptions, ideas and models about retirement
• Assist clients in resolving timing issues (spouse works, they don’t), factor in needs for care of family members, etc.
• Brainstorm with clients ideas for entrepreneurship in retirement
• Help companies address retention issues, avoid talent loss through flex-work and similar programs

Are you ready for an uplifting, energizing, fun retirement full of new discoveries and adventures? Is it your goal to experience a retirement that will truly meet your needs and those close to you? If the answer is yes, contact Donna Galay, a professionally trained Retirement Lifestyle Coach today. Retirement coaches can help their clients avoid being one of those who retire and find that they dislike their new lifestyle – for reasons that can be hard to pinpoint after the fact.

You’ll be happy to know that as you’re planning your retirement, you are in good company. The 2006 statistics Canada Census found those 65 years and older comprised 13% of Canada’s population. By the year 2057, those aged 65 and older may reach 27%.

The population is getting older and people are living longer. Retirees have more time to plan, do and achieve the retirement they’ve been dreaming about. Where does one begin creating a successful retirement life after work?

I suggest you begin by taking a few minutes to relax and visualize what the word “retirement” means to you. What is it about retirement that attracts, scares, or excites you?

Now take a few minutes to write out your retirement life. What are you doing? What are your accomplishments? Be as descriptive as possible. To help you, consider the following questions.

In retirement:

• What makes me happy?
• How much money do I have?
• What possessions do I own?
• How am I spending my time?
• Who is in my retirement picture?
• How is my health? How do I feel?
• How are my relationships (spouse or partner, children, other family members)?
• Where do I live?

Try to visualize as much detail as possible. Don’t be discouraged if your picture is fuzzy and lacking in detail at first. Clarity is lose at hand.

Now imagine yourself specifically in your first six months of retirement. Then in one and two years. Does your mental picture change? If so, how? Take a moment and record your thoughts.

It has been said that the life we lead is a result of the choices we make. In your pre-retirement and retirement years, it’s important for you to make the right choices - the ones that will result in building a fulfilling and energetic retirement. Visualization helps you create a mental model of retirement and helps to prepare you for making the right choices.

Now that you have drafted a preliminary outline of your retirement, it’s time to ask yourself if the plan will truly meet your needs and wants. We all know what we are retiring from – or job, boss, company, occupation or trade – but what are we retiring to? Is your retirement going to bring you the satisfaction you desire and deserve? To answer this question, you need to have a good idea of what will make your retirement life meaningful.

By being specific with your wants and needs, the choices you make along the way will be more goal-directed. You will recognize which behaviours and choices support your goals and which do not. You will also know when you are satisfying your needs and when you’re off track.

“The goal you set must be challenging. At the same time, it should be realistic and attainable, not impossible to reach. It should be challenging enough to make you stretch, but not so far that you break.” Rick Hansen