Career Transition: Do Work You Love

Being Prepared for A Career Transition
by Cathy Posner, Career Coach

http://www.crossroadscoachingonline.com

Nothing can be quite as overwhelming (or exciting) as when you are looking for a new job. If you are under a time constraint, that pressure can be monumental. And trying to create or update your resume when you are in a time pinch rarely results in something that will highlight your skills to your best advantage. One way to decrease some of that pressure- and to really shine for a potential employer- is to always have a current resume. You can do that by:

1) Adding current information- contact information, new responsibilities at your current job, and involvement in new professional or community organizations etc.- every six to eight months.
2) Adding information about your volunteer work or community involvement. Many people think it’s not important to include this information but it often showcases some of your best and unique abilities.
3) Revisiting descriptions about your past positions or employment. Do they still reflect what you want them to reflect? Can some of the responsibilities be deleted or modified to best suit your current career goals?
4) Creating several versions of your resume to address jobs in different industries or fields. For this, you will focus your skills and employment history to a specific kind of job.

If you do not have an extensive work history, make a list of the various roles in your life (mother, caretaker of elderly parents, church volunteer, etc.) and the associated skills and responsibilities (maintaining schedule of five family members, liaison between nursing home staff and insurance companies, instructor or coordinator of religious education classes, etc.) You can then create a resume that is centered around your skills rather than your employment history.

For more information, contact Cathy Posner (Cathy@crossroadscoachingonline.com) or consider attending her two-part class on Career Transition: Do the Work You Love through the Highland Schools Community Education classes.

Gratitude Journal: A Tool To Help You Live Well

GRATITUDE JOURNAL: A TOOL TO LIVE WELL

by Paula Vetter, Wellness Coach

http://www.crossroadscoachingonline.com/

http://www.profoundwellness.com/

It is winter. The days are short. The nights are long. We tend to spend more time indoors and our pace slows after the holidays. It is a natural cycle that gives us meaningful clues for personal reflection and regeneration.

Among many ancient cultures, winter was a time of "looking within," a time of soul searching and connecting with our inner wisdom. The external darkness beckons us to find our inner light....the spark of the Divine within us all. It is a perfect time to get back to meditation and reflection upon our Divine Purpose.

A powerful tool I recommend for spiritual growth is the Gratitude Journal. Take 5 minutes at the end of each day to reflect on your experiences and write at least 5 things you are grateful for, specific to that day. It can be as simple as time for a relaxing cup of tea, a call from a good friend, a beautiful sunrise, or a parking space close to the grocery store on a snowy day!

This exercise does two important things: It makes you more mindful & appreciative of blessings and everyday miracles AND it literally magnetizes your energy field to attract more
good into your life. ( Remember the Law of Attraction? ) Start your Gratitude Journal tonight and you will be amazed at the life you create!

Body Wisdom

Body Wisdom

by Nancy Nicholas, Holistic Life Coach and Intuitive Healer

http://www.crossroadscoachingonline.com

http://www.empoweringlightworkers.com

http://www.sanctuaryatcrossroads.com

Have you ever had one of those times when you are considering a course of action and find yourself experiencing a lot of physical distress? For years, I simply saw this as nervousness on my part and proceeded to override my fears and forge ahead anyway. Usually, I’d end up sick or in a situation that was not good for me.
Finally, after a couple years of polarity therapy, I learned a very vital lesson. My body is wise. In fact, it is the wisest part of me. What I’d taken for weakness was actually a sophisticated warning system trying to let me know that the course of action I was about to pursue was not highest and best for me.This month, I encourage you to try listening to your body. When you notice that it is under stress (heart flutters, tension, stomach ache, tense), instead of pushing forward, stop instead.

Here is a simple procedure to help you start listening and understanding your body’s messages:

1. Return your body to a place of peace. Breathe in for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds, exhale for 6 seconds, and hold for 4 seconds. Continue this patterned breathing for three rounds while repeating, “I am safe and all is well.”

2. Imagine the action you are considering. See yourself doing it. How does your body feel? If it is tense or you feel a sudden pain, this is not the highest and best course for you to follow.

3. Continue to imagine different options until you body reacts with peace. Try to think creatively and come up with gentler ways to go forward with your plans. Can you do it on a smaller scale? Is there a way to get the help of others first?

4. Follow through and thank your body for helping you pick the best choice for you. Now that you have gotten the message about what you need, follow through! Don’t be tempted to override this knowledge. You’ll find that the more you do this, the easier it will be for you to select only that which is in your best interest.

Coaching Challenge: Pay attention to your body today. What do you notice about how it feels? What people and places make you feel relaxed and happy? When do you feel tense and upset? Keep a journal and record what you discover.

Take care!

Nancy