Rick Jarow, author of Creating the Work You Love, introduced many of us to the notion of career seasons. When we're struggling with a career, we're most likely to think of winter. At some point a career change (or other transition) feels like being buried under a coat of ice, hibernating through long, dark days. Hopefully we learn to see the beauty of winter -- sun on the snow, clear air, the bare outlines of trees denied their leafy cover-ups.
Spring gets promoted as a time of new beginnings -- and it's a fragile season. Buds appear on trees, only to become leaves in a matter of days. Cherry blossoms, forsythia, and daffodils seem to last just long enough for us to learn their names.
Spring also brings energy. Here in New Mexico, we're blown about by winds. The dog races around the park like a young puppy and the cats spend hours bird-watching.
Spring can be harsh. Frost can crush the brand-new blossoms and a sudden snow will take care of next summer's harvest.
And you can be fooled. Just when you think it's safe to shut down your heating system, pack up your parka and begin a joyful summer of shorts-and-a-tee, you get a cold day. The dog is thrilled -- but you're not.
You probably see where I'm heading with this. Often clients seek out my coaching services after a long, hard job search, or a long dry period of seeking customers for a new business. They've glimpsed a taste of success: a few nibbles to the resume, a few customers who seemed happy but then disappeared. They're really ready for summer.
Spring can be harder than winter. After slogging through ice and snow, you're ready for warmth! I remember living in cold climates -- Alaska, Connecticut, Manitoba -- when a gray, cold spring seemed like the last straw. We deserve more!
Inevitably, we do move on because the earth turns and life goes in cycles. Longer days bring more sunlight to fight the frost. Icicles start dripping and then one day we notice they're gone and a dandelion sprouts on the front lawn. At last!
Your experience of spring depends on where you lived up to now -- literally and metaphorically. By midlife, some people have experienced only summer. The first winter can be terrifying. You don't own a parka and have no idea how to shop for one. Boots? Gloves? Where do we start?
If you've been there before, it's easier to believe spring is coming -- and you've learned some tricks to protect your fragile new growth.
Need an extra boost to get through spring -- your own or the season's? Talk to people who have been there. Find a coach or counselor. Join a new group. Take the dog for an extra long walk. Devise your own Spring Festival. And keep looking for glimpses of summer every day -- even when you've had to pull an extra sweater out of storage.
Exercise: I recommend keeping a record of spring. Write down the changes you see -- and the dates. When do you first notice a snowdrop or a dandelion? When does the ice start to melt? How are you responding? How does this spring compare to the last one? And put aside your record in a safe place -- to read the next time spring comes around.
About The Author
Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D., is an author, speaker and career/business consultant, helping midlife professionals take their First step to a Second Career. http://www.cathygoodwin.com.
"Ten secrets of mastering a major life change" mailto:subscribe@cathygoodwin.com
Contact: cathy@cathygoodwin.com 505-534-4294
Have you been desperately looking for a job and keep... Read More
Well what is a good mechanic worth these days? You... Read More
Apparently, there are all sorts of reasons to be dissatisfied... Read More
Is an International Resume still a Resume? This is a... Read More
I won't say I have a vast array of knowledge... Read More
Nurses wake up and take advantage of this extraordinary opportunity.... Read More
You've got the itch to change jobs. This might be... Read More
If you're looking into making the petite modeling industry your... Read More
Most of the time, competition stimulates us, gets our juices... Read More
What are the worst mistakes job hunters make? It turns... Read More
I don't know his name and he wasn't trying to... Read More
1. An attractive layout that is easy to read and... Read More
The phrase "reinventing yourself" seems to be popping up all... Read More
A powerful resume starts with a good statement of objective.... Read More
She was waiting for me when I returned from a... Read More
There are millions of people working extremely hard every day... Read More
Once a new job has been accepted, you need to... Read More
Has this ever happened to you: You have been working... Read More
Your resume needs to outline your skills and experience, as... Read More
How much of our career path is destiny and how... Read More
Here is a last year resident checklist not to forget:LICENSING:Licensing... Read More
Tent caterpillars create a cocoon for an entire colony. Within... Read More
After completing their translation training programmes at higher professional education... Read More
There is little doubt that Americans still have a deep... Read More
In a recent survey of over 662 career seekers, some... Read More
How many people do you know who think they deserve... Read More
I recently went to a retirement party with my husband... Read More
There are several types of online resume formats that can... Read More
I am in my mid-thirties, and, as you can imagine,... Read More
Throughout the past decade, workplace diversity issues have allowed organizations... Read More
Most people when they landed "the dream job" after an... Read More
Legging Up Your CompetitionLet's face it. When you graduate from... Read More
Are you in this situation? You and your boss just... Read More
Individuals not within their target career field may feel insecure,... Read More
May I clarify in this article what I believe to... Read More
Learning how to type a resume may feel like a... Read More
The Bachelor is one of the many reality shows that... Read More
For far too long, we moderns have relied on our... Read More
You've thought a lot about the kind of work you... Read More
There's no denying that a healthy work environment is a... Read More
Why is it a good idea to determine your worth?... Read More
Finding a job can be a painful and difficult experience.... Read More
As a human resources professional or business owner, you face... Read More
If you are thinking of breaking into the petite modeling... Read More
When you hear the word "networking", what comes to your... Read More
"Roger, you must get those contracts completed for this month's... Read More
Let's face it, most of us consider professional success and... Read More
Despite how important fair pay is to most of us,... Read More
If you are a pro-active, get-things-done type, sooner or later... Read More
When the word "networking" is used, we tend to think... Read More
Get Off the Treadmill - Exit Your Rat Race!We can... Read More
Don't start off your job search with one (or more)... Read More
INTRODUCTIONThis article will prepare you for the difficult task of... Read More
Attention Job Seekers: Tasks and Responsibilities are BoooringHo hum. The... Read More
Looking for a job involves a wide range of responsibilities:... Read More
Obviously, there are RIGHT ways to move UP the ladder.... Read More
What we name something matters.It sets a tone that alters... Read More
Congratulations. You've been asked to write a letter of recommendation... Read More
Peter Humleker had it made. As the general manager of... Read More
In this day and age it can become increasingly difficult... Read More
Sometimes the freelance writing jobs available are those that no... Read More
In the limited time an interviewer has with you, their... Read More
Facing career transitions and daily life challenges can leave us... Read More
Dear Job-Seeker:Just as Goldilocks was suspicious of the big bad... Read More
A Resume Cover Letter has only one purpose - to... Read More
Despite the President's encouraging words, the job market is still... Read More
Careers, Jobs & Employment |