| |
| |
|
WebsiteAlways |
|
Is Your Life In Motion?
Ever since the Internet bubble and the 9/11 terrorist attacks, I've seen many people; including friends and family lose their jobs and/or personal fortunes overnight. The struggling economy has been merciless on the job market. It has affected every industry at every level, from line operators in manufacturing plants to upper management of Fortune 500's. I was confident back then, that if I were thrown into such a situation I would be prepared. Late in 2001, I experienced my own version of downsizing, when I sold my delivery and logistics business. What I actually did, was sell myself out of a job. After the sale was completed, I was suddenly questioning what to do with my life. The sale provided tremendous advantages, allowing me the financial flexibility and time to actually put some real thought behind this decision. I was convinced that within 3-6 months of the sale, I would be happily and successfully on my professional way. I've always thought of myself as an active participant in my own life, never sitting on the sidelines waiting for an opportunity to seek me out. I have to admit, it was one of the most difficult times, requiring enormous soul searching and reflection. And just think, I asked for this and knew it was coming. During my first year of "planned unemployed", I tried day trading, business consulting, writing a screenplay, producing a film, graduate school and a variety of new hobbies. All of these career options were well thought out. I was just waiting to see which one would stick. Well, guess what? None of them provided enough enthusiasm to further pursue. This is when the panic really set in. I was back at the drawing board, thinking of new business ideas and developing extensive lists of pros and cons for each. Over the next few months, I drove my wife, family, friends and myself crazy with dozens of career/business ideas. In the end, I was no closer to making a decision. I now knew firsthand what everyone else was going through and I was doing exactly the same, just spinning my wheels. The words came screaming through in a song I heard by Colin Hay, titled "Waiting for my real life to begin." I was sitting at my desk looking at one of my newest career lists, music playing in the background. A verse kept repeating that described how I was feeling at that very moment, "Don't you understand, I already have a plan, I'm waiting for my real life to begin." I realized then that I wasn't being productive but instead I was confusing it with being busy, two completely different things. What was lacking in my life was accountability. When you are put in a situation where all the decisions are yours, it's very easy to change your mind. Who's going to call you on it? You can rationalize to the end of the earth why you did or didn't do something. Thankfully, at the time I was career hunting, the bookstores were flooded with new titles dealing with exactly this issue. I came across a book by Po Bronson, titled " What Should I do With My Life." Although reading the book didn't provide me an immediate solution, it did point me to a website with other people in my situation. I belonged again! During a discussion group, someone mentioned the success they had while working with a life coach. Immediately, I thought not for me. As I learned more about what coaching was, I thought it might be the push I needed to address my accountability problems. After many failed attempts, I finally got enough courage to call the coach. The first couple of sessions were "feelers". General questions and the exchange of background information. Over the next few months we worked on my agenda, finding a new career. Each week I returned, I knew my coach would be there to see if I stuck to the plan. I had a partner, someone I could trust, exchange ideas with and someone just as interested as me at finding an answer. The energy from our meetings carried me from week to week. Towards the end of a year, I starting doubting I would figure the career thing out. We worked through dozens of potential scenarios together but in the end they would come up "no". I began realizing that I was talking more about my coaching experiences than about anything else. I felt obligated to tell everyone I knew and even some people I didn't about how powerful the process was. I was finding things out about myself that I never took the time to think about. Then it came to me. Life coaching had all the things I was looking for in a career. Just think, two years ago I didn't know what a professional life coach was and now I wanted to be one. I'm happy to say I've spent the last year building my coaching practice. My goal is to go out every day and touch at least one person through the powers of coaching. I have no regrets not finding coaching sooner. I believe we find things when we're ready, when our eyes and ears are open to seeing and listening. Life is so much more rewarding when we're not sitting around waiting for it. For me it was life coaching that gave me the clarity and courage to take the next step. It doesn't matter who or what makes it possible for us to move forward as long as it's progress. My philosophy can be summed up in a quote I carry, "Time goes by and then it's gone, so in the end the only thing that counts is how we used it." I'm wishing everyone the courage to truly find his or her life calling, whatever that may be. Anthony Grillo is a professional life coach and founder of Life In Motion Coaching located in New York City. He specializes in collaborating with passionate individuals to help them discover life's pathway. If you have questions or comments please email agrillo@lifeinmotiononline.com or call 212.604.9008
MORE RESOURCES:
Coaching - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Coaching: The Art of Putting Yourself In Somone Elses Shoes COACHING STEPS: The following are five (5) steps a coach can take to change behavior and performance. The goal of this process is to create the context for the person being coached towards one in which excellence becomes the norm. What Is Executive Presence? Often our clients refer someone to us for Executive Coaching with a glowing description such as "This is one of our most valued and brilliant employees ?. But ?. Success Secrets - The #1 Money Secret I Learned from Interviewing Over 23 Millionaires All over the Net, people are asking you to pay them for 'get rich' secrets, all the 'systems' have different names. Have you ever asked yourself this question, how many of them are really rich? Maybe a few, right?Wouldn't it be refreshing the learn money making secrets from ones who have documentation to back up there success? Then you know they are legit. The X-factor Would you agree that today most of us have the same set of opportunities and the same set potential?If you agree with me, then perhaps you might like to consider this puzzling question: if we all have the same opportunities and potential why are some people more successful than others?It could be said that some people are more privileged than others, and while this is certainly true, you could argue that there is proof in every day life of people who started off with zero and went on to accumulate incredible wealth. It could be said that some people have better academic ability than others and while this is true you could argue the case of all the people who achieved success after years of under-achieving in education. Strategic Checklists I've been through a couple of checklists in the past few days, and it's reaffirmed my faith in their effectiveness as a communication tool.Now, there are at least a couple of ways we can look at checklists in a communication context. Trust In The Moment, and Trust In Yourself Do you often get yourself upset and feeling less than fully confident, as part of your preparation for facing a daunting challenge? You can improve your performance if you let your somatic intelligence lead the way."You move too much to be effective. How to Get More Business Without Even Trying Why are you in business? Hopefully you enjoy what you do, however is it because you want to make money so that you can have, be and do more in your life?Who pays you? Your clients do and never forget that. Unfortunately many people do. Increase Your Intelligence With Music You Are What You Listen ToCan music really help you think better? Yes, according to the research that has been done so far.Listening to, and participating in music creates new neural pathways in your brain that stimulate creativity. Become More Self-Confident Signs of Self-ConfidenceLet's explore the meaning of self-confidence by taking a quiz. Read the list of statements below and check which ones, in your opinion, are signs of self-confidence. Skills for Change The name of the game is CHANGE -- that's true at work, and it's also true in life. In both situations there are FOUR skills you can trust:1. Belief Management - The Missing Ingredient? "Joan, I'm working so hard and I'm not getting anything done!" I have heard some version of this cry of frustration by many an entrepreneur. It's a common complaint voiced by those of use who sought the freedom to have complete authority over our schedules, only to find ourselves unwittingly shackled by old ways of operating. Coaching Employees - The Chronic Excuser Most of us find coaching employees to be an effective, even enjoyable, approach to leadership and management. Coaching provides a way to help team members grow and develop, while achieving business objectives. Tame The Financial Beast Are holiday bills surprising you? Are you hoping that if you ignore your finances long enough, maybe they will fix themselves?Let's liken our finances to a garden. If we neglect the garden, weeds will grow and take over. Mindfulness and Multiple Intelligences: 8 Ways to Pay Attention How are you smart?Let me count the ways.Harvard professor Howard Gardner was the first to describe the concept of Multiple Intelligences. D.I.S.C.I.P.L.I.N.E. What does this word really mean anyway? According to Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 10th Edition, discipline, as a noun, is defined primarily as punishment. My, but that has a harsh ring to it. Transitions: Moving Through Change With Grace MOVING THROUGH CHANGECreating any major change in our lives can also create feelings of discomfort. Tiredness, confusion, and uncertainty are among the many emotions that can be experienced. Dont Be Jealous - Be Inspired When we see people do things we cannot do, or have things we don't have, it might be tempting to be a little jealous. But, jealousy doesn't lead to anything except resentment, and that isn't going to help you. Making Communication Effective: 4 Language Filters Language is a challenging way to communicate. It allows us to share our thoughts and feelings by describing our personal views of reality. Im Gonna Die MY Way My wife says I have the strangest taste in movies. You see, there are movies I can watch again and again, which she couldn't sit through once. Coaching is Asking the Right Questions Have you ever known anyone who asked themselves "Why me?" over and over every time something happened they didn't like? Or how about, "What did I do to deserve this?" And my favorite, "Whose fault was that?" Perhaps, these questions have popped into your head once or twice before.When we ask ourselves questions, our brain hunts for the answer.
|
| Interesting articles | Home | site map | Link |
| © 2006 |
