Being Open to The Message
For those of you who may have read my monthly newsletter last week, you know I was quite critical of those who spam my inbox with sales pitches, promises to make me a millionaire coach and whatever other claims they feel they can help me with in terms of the services or support they are promising to send my way if I respond. The same day I wrote that article, (note I often write what you see published a few weeks in advance, so my Virtual Assistant can plan to post it in respect to her busy schedule), I received a couple of communications that touched me in a different way. And, while one indeed did come by email and the other came by US mail, their messages reached me individually as a person.
The one by US mail came from a charity. The charity is one to which I have donated before. And, while the same day I had gotten about 10 other charity notes, their note I accepted, and the others I did not? Why? The one that I chose to respond to sent me a check (admittedly for a low dollar amount), that was addressed to me. On their response form, while they asked for an additional contribution, they also had an option that read, could you please at least endorse the low dollar check we sent and return it, in case you cannot afford anymore to give. I felt that approach to be thoughtful. Admittedly they send out thousands of such requests. However, they can never know what the recipient’s circumstances may be when they receive their letter. They were respectful of both the need for their cause and for the individual who received the note. So, it felt right for me to endorse the check, send it back and make an additional contribution.
The email was from a woman offering social media services. She was inquiring if I needed any such services for my business. Her note, addressed to me personally indicated she had lost her job a few months back, and with friends had decided to start their own business. While they were still in the early learning stages, she indicated they would be happy to share samples of the type of work they did. Most of all, her note was addressed directly to me, was not a form letter, and did not put on a heavy sales pressure. She had indicated she had seen my profile on Linked In but did not want her connection to get lost in other sales pitches. As a Career Coach that helps to advise people in career transitions, I realized she had done everything that I had indicated in last week’s article that others had failed to do when connecting with me. I offered to reach out to her, have a conversation, and even if I did not need services, to see how I could be of help.
I am a person of strong faith. And, while I have taken efforts to keep my religious beliefs out of these writings all these many years, I have in recent years looked for opportunities to get reacquainted with my faith. My favorite way of doing so has been through various video series, (as a coach I am a believer and open to Lifelong Learning). Among the various messages I have received is to first look to be the best version of myself. Another message has been to be open to messages that may come to you from the “spiritual world”, that may be attempting to help you in moving forward your life. And, while I realize my readers will run the gamut from those of great faith, (whether practicing a religion or not), and those do not have a faith based belief system at all, I do need to share one last example of being open to receiving the message that has happened to me just in the last two days.
As I indicated in the earlier writings this month my career world, (as has the career world of many), has been impacted significantly by the events of the last two years focused around the Coronavirus. Whether it has been whether your occupation still exists, whether it is now done virtual or in person, (or some combination in between), whether you still care for the type of work you have done in the past or not, many are going through reflections of work. I noticed a paperback book on the coffee table in my living room. It was a book I had received from a fellow coaching colleague that she had written 5 years ago and was nice enough to give me a copy. I had never actually taken the time to read the book. I had put in a piece of floor rack in my living room for magazines and reading material. Unknown to me, it had fallen out of the rack. My wife picked it up and put it on the coffee table. I asked my wife where she found it and she explained to me. The book is all about how you may want to move forward with your life. My wife was aware I had been going through contemplations on how best to practice my career, (knowing I loved the coaching, but not the marketing and supporting pressures that went along with it).
I know that the book showed up for a reason, and I plan to read it over the next few days. (In fact, I was looking for a good career/coaching book to read). As I said from the top, You Have to Be Open to the Message, when it is put in front of you.
