The Change Within
In a few weeks I will be 70 years old. I will at that point have been a professional coach for 16 years, the last 14 plus years devoted to the topic of Job Search Strategy and Career Coaching. When I started, I knew little about having my own business. Having grown up in a corporate environment for 30 years, where there were departments or functions that did everything, I quickly had to learn that I was accountable for making the decisions of with whom did I work, how I worked and who would be my support network.
About the first 9 to 10 years of that journey, I felt the need to do things in person, whether meeting clients, being involved in networking organizations, doing job search presentations to others, etc. Then in 2020, to me the biggest event to happen in my lifetime (other than the 9/11/2001 attacks), took place in the COVID-19 pandemic changing how I worked and how I connected with those I served. It became rare for me to meet with clients in person after that point. Just about all my presentations are PowerPoints online as opposed to in-person audiences. Additionally, my participation in professional association groups both subsided, and for the most part focused on selected activities within those organizations.
While certainly what I just described was impacted greatly by external events, it has become apparent to me recently, that changes that have happened to me, have as much been influenced and impacted by changes within me as much as those that have happened externally. I started getting more selective on the things I would do in my business and what I would not do. For example, I have always enjoyed conveying my thoughts through these monthly blogs and newsletters and continue to do them. I continue to enjoy working with one-to-one clients, even if I am meeting just about all of them now via Zoom or on the telephone. (In a corresponding “twist of fate,” the clients that are now a part of my client list, (3/4 of which come from outplacement relationships), are in other cities, states, or part of the United States from me). I still enjoy facilitating a job search support group, but that is not done in person anymore at the local library, but via Zoom. In the past, I looked to book most of the speakers externally. Now, I am doing just about all the presentations.
While I was active as either a President, Vice-President, or Secretary of the organizations of which I was a part, I no longer want that responsibility. I find I do not want to have to go through the “internal politics” those roles often bring. I have been involved with a refugee non-profit for the last few years, and while I am OK lending my skills in helping to develop resumes, interview strategy, and job search guidance, I no longer want to be involved as the group is turning direction to fight in the political turmoil going on in the United States.
Most of all, I am realizing at this point of my life, I want to begin to plan for “my next chapter.” While always loyal to my Roman Catholic faith, I am learning more about the inner workings of it, through various trainings online. I more about “experiences” in my life, and being there to serve those that need me, as opposed to being obsessed with the money my business takes in. Fortunately, my business recognizes me for what I contribute, but at the same time, I do not spend extravagantly on it. It is providing a function of keeping me active and involved in this point of the career journey of my life. Does that make me different than people in my profession? With some of them absolutely. With others, they are at a similar stage in their life and career journey.
While again, some of these influences have come from the outside, I find more and more of them come from within. When I am assigned clients who are either in my age range, or even 10 to 15 years younger and they feel differently on how they want to pursue what is next in their life for them, as opposed to how they always worked, I am usually able to make an immediate connection with them. Certainly, I am blessed that good planning earlier in my life, has put me in a position that I am able to make the choices I have at this point of my life. However, I believe it is also driven by the influences throughout my life, (parents, religion, personal choices), that have helped me reached this point.
Where are you in your journey at this point? Are you having trouble deciding how you may want to move forward? You are not alone my friend. If you want to have a discussion about it, you can reach out to me at 201-306-9811 or tony@absolutetransitions.com. I would be happy to discuss it with you, as I have not only been there, but currently continue to process the next step in my journey.
