Are you the kind of person who likes to start the New Year off making resolutions? Even if you’re not, you may be thinking, “You know, it’s time for me to get out of this crappy job and find something much, much better. You deserve it. If you’re feeling burned out or frustrated with your work, and you’re craving more meaning and fulfillment, it’s clearly time for a change.

But how do you actually make that career (and life) change?

Over and over again, people tell me, “I’ve taken career assessments (like Myers-Briggs) and I’ve done the exercises in What Color is Your Parachute? but I’m still stuck. I can’t seem to get moving!” Typically, they feel like something’s wrong with them. But that’s not it.

It can be hard to get moving when you feel stuck in your work. I know. I’ve been there. After my first year in management consulting, I knew it wasn’t for me. But it took me another four years to leave. I didn’t trust my instincts. I thought I was a wimp if I left — damnit I was going to muscle it out and stay, to prove myself to my colleagues. I wanted to show them that I was as good as them, as smart as them. In retrospect, that all sounds silly. But at the time, I was focused on how much effort I had put into getting into the job, including earning an MBA. I was “addicted” to the salary, the prestige, and even the frequent flyer miles (which were nearly impossible to use, because I had so little time to myself). Doing work that I was good at — but never really loved — well, I’d become an expert at that. Numbing myself out was so much second nature that I grew to expect the pounding migraines that seemed to come with working 80 to 100 hours a week.

When you do work that doesn’t fit for you, when you have to morph your true self to go to work every day…this takes a toll. You lose touch with yourself. You know you need to get out of the toxic environment, but you can’t seem to figure out what you want to do next. Or, if you know what you want to do next, you worry that you’ll never find or, or that you’ll wind up penniless or poor doing it.

So, let me share the good news!  If it’s time for a career change, and you can’t seem to get started, or you can’t seem to get clear on what’s next, there’s a way for you to get back in touch with yourself. And, you can do it in a gorgeous, relaxing setting, with an expert facilitator of transition, me, Dr. Susan Bernstein. OK, so I’m not exactly being humble here! And, you can get a special benefit just for reading this blog post.

January 15 – 17, 2010, just after the New Year, and just before the Martin Luther King holiday, I invite you to join me for “Creating Work That Truly Fits for You: How to Work from Within” at the Esalen Institute in Big Sur California. You really can plan your career future in a hot tub on the Pacific Ocean. OK, well, the workshop itself isn’t taught in the hot tubs, but you can visit the tubs between workshop sessions, and you can also eat delicious food, take morning movement classes that will truly wake you up, and you can indulge in massage as an added bonus.

And, to sweeten the experience, if you register for the workshop before January 1, 2010, I’m offering you a free 50-minute coaching session that you can use by February 28, 2010, PLUS a deck of the Get A Move On! cards I created, to help you get unstuck. That’s over $250 worth of bonuses! 

All you need to do to get that benefit is to email a note to tell me that you’ve paid for the workshop through the Esalen Institute. Drop a  me a note at info @ workfromwithin.com by December 31 to get this wonderful bonus.  To register for the workshop, simply go to this link for workshop details, and you can either register online, or you can can call the Esalen Institute at 831-667-3000 from 9 am – 7 pm Pacific Time Monday through Friday, or 9 am to 5 pm Saturday & Sunday. Or click here for more contact information at Esalen.

I’d LOVE to help you get clear about your future career. Imagine how great you’ll feel If you have questions about the workshop, please feel free to contact me.  I’d love to welcome you to the workshop and help you get clear. And, it would be great to sit in the hot tubs and chat with you during the breaks. What better, more relaxing, inspiring way to start your new year with a new, uplifting direction for your career and life?

So, sign up for the workshop NOW, and get your FREE 50-minute coaching session with me AND a deck of the Get A Move On! cards. Remember, you only have until December 31 to get this benefit, so call Esalen now at 831-667-3000 and register!  See you there!

I recently had the pleasure of speaking on a panel at the Haas School of Business regarding  managing your career in these tough economic times. On the panel were Mark Coopersmith, Haas adjunct professor of entrepreneurship and innovation; Lauren M. Doliva, managing partner with executive search firm Heidrick & Struggles, and Martha Gerhan, an independent consultant with more than 20 years of experience in sales and marketing for technology companies.

I asked the audience, a group of Haas and general Berkeley alumni, to raise their hands to indicate which of three categories they fit into: (1) Looking for advice on techniques for getting a job in this economy, (2) Seeking ideas on how to create more meaningful, fulfilling work, or (3) Learning how to be more flexible in their work through contracting or consulting.

So, which one was most popular? I was surprised that nearly two-thirds of those attending were interested in topic #2, creating more meaningful, fulfilling work. I’ve encountered lots of people feeling fear and anxiety about the future, so I expected that to be most of the audience.  I was wrong.  Hmm, maybe those wanting topic #1 didn’t want to admit that’s their situation. But as much as I support people in finding work that truly fits for them, I was pretty dazzled that people care about that.

I shared lots of ideas about how to create and find work that aligns with what maters most to you, including a lot of career clarifying activities that you’ll find on the CD “Creating Work That Fits,” and then I was excited to hear Mark Coopersmith talk about finding work that overlaps in three areas:

Passion: You have energy and excitement about doing these activities

Expertise: Your skills, talents, and abilities allow you to do this work

Economic opportunity: There’s a need or demand; in some way, you’re solving a problem, and people are willing to barter or pay money for your solution

Too many people either look for a job for the money (sole or major  focus on economic opportunity) or they spend years building expertise (more education, promotions), but they overlook passion, and they wonder why they feel empty. Do you feel entitled to love your work? Maybe it’s time to do so. Do you worry that turning a so-called “hobby” or “extra-curricular activity” into work will pollute your enjoyment of that activity? Perhaps there’s an alternative perspective.

If you’ve already been considering the three dimensions of passion, expertise, and economic opportunity, but still not landing on a career or constellation of vocational activities that feels right for you, I’d also invite you to consider one additional dimension:  contribution.

When I consider people who truly craft their “work from within” and BOTH listen to themselves AND take into account a bigger picture, they are focused on making a positive contribution. When we rise above doing things just for ourselves, or just for our family and friends, and seek to make a difference in a larger realm (for example, perhaps you want to inspire people, or you want to improve life for animals, or solve a medical problem), we often feel filled (ful-filled) because we are able to have a bigger impact. As the author of The Translucent Revolution, Arjuna Ardagh encourages in a recent posting:  “Dedicate your creativity to something beyond yourself.”

When you consider this even sweeter spot, what are you inspired to do as your next step?

Best wishes to you for finding your sweet spot,

Susan

Dr. Susan Bernstein
Life/Work Transition Expert
www.WorkFromWithin.com

Last week, I introduced the new Get A Move On! cards. When you’re feeling lost, confused, or unsure, these cards that are designed to help you get “unstuck.” Each of the 52 cards (plus two instruction cards) features an image and a phrase, and these whimsical hand-drawn (with crayon and pen, by me, Dr. Susan Bernstein) images is meant to get you inspired and moving.

Each week, I’m  blogging about a different card from the Get A Move On! deck of cards. This week, I’ve chosen to share some wisdom about the card Shake It Up!

When you’re stuck, have you ever wished you could hit a big “reset” button?

What if I told you that by shaking your body, you could start over? You could create a “re-do,” a “do-over,” a chance to redeem yourself. That by moving and grooving your body in different directions, you could wipe the slate clean. As you bumped and gyrated, you could get unstuck from whatever unpleasant situation you find ourselves in.

OK, well, it may not solve all of your problems, but you can let go of a lot of tension by simply shaking out your body for a few minutes. It’s like a natural way to shift directions.

In nature, we see the enactment of “shake it up” all the time. Have you ever seen a dog get out of the water, and it just shakes itself silly? Of course, that’s to dry off. But it also marks the transition from swimming to the next activity. When horses whinny, they, too, are shaking something off. We humans shake, but mostly, we try to stop that action. Somehow, we’ve learned that it looks awkward.

A few years ago, I was in a car accident. Thankfully, it was minor. But it jolted me. It shook me up. I felt really anxious and confused. Who was at fault? What had happened? What should I say or do next? I was physically shaking. In the past, I would have tried to control that movement. But, because I’ve learned a lot about shaking as a natural bodily response that helps us lets things go, I gave myself permission to feel those quaking tremors. I knew my nervous system was resetting itself. So I told the others involved in the accident that I needed a minute or two to calm down before I could talk. I walked a few feet away, on the sidewalk, and let my body shake naturally. I was able to be composed and to speak coherently and think logically about next steps.

An experiment for you:

The next time you feel the need to shake something off -- an unpleasant encounter with someone, a disappointment, a confusion — allow your body to shake gently for 3 to 5 minutes.

Stand up and flail your arms and legs around. Shake your head and all your limbs. As you get accustomed to this, you can move move vigorously.

Who cares what you look like? If you do care, and need privacy, find a bathroom stall and move in there. Or shake your hand under a table in the heat of a high-stakes business negotiation. If that’s too apparent, wiggle your toes in your shoes. Moving this way can jolt you out of a bad mood or a tense situation.

What do you need to “shake up” in your life?

Notice what happens to you when you shake it up. How does your mood change? How does your mind shift?

Dr. Susan Bernstein
Life/Work Transition Expert
www.WorkFromWithin.com

More resources to explore

If you’d like to explore shaking in more depth, I suggest this book and this audio program, both from Dr. Bradford Keeney, who has studied the transformative practices of shaking all over the world. I’ve had the pleasure of learning from Dr. Keeney directly, and he shares amazing stories that blend science and shamanism. He’s wise and wild. Fun!

Shaking Medicine	Shaking – audio program

I feel like a Yiddishe momma — I just kvell.  I’m filled with pride to the point of tears.  I give myself a pat on the back!  And I do the happy dance!

After months of effort — planning, writing, getting guidance from a media consulant, a branding expert, and a graphic designer, and so on, and so on — the new Work from Within website is finally here! I’m thrilled to show you around!

Overall, the new website has more of an emphasis on what I call “embodied intelligence.” You see, with our world changing so much, it can feel like the rug has been pulled out from under you. That’s unsettling. I help you to find your source of calm, clarity, and confidence that is within you. That way, you can get unstuck and get moving and accomplishing.

Sometimes, raw intellect isn’t enough to guide you in the ever-changing world. You need to be able to trust your gut or listen to your heart. But how? When you develop your embodied intelligence, it’s like finding your inner compass, so you know how to navigate the world. My expertise in as a PhD in Somatic (mind/body) Psychology, combined with nearly two decades of corporate experience at companies including Intel and Accenture, allows me to bring you perspective and the practices that will help you navigate changes more easily.

I hope that you’ll explore the new Work from Within website so you can find all the resources I’ve created to help you breathe easier about the future, step into greater clarity about your next moves, and embody self-confidence from head to toe.

So, let’s take a visit together!

Let’s start by looking at the Home Page. You’ll see a great Flash animation that helps you get an overview of what Work from Within is all about…Life is more chaotic and uncertain than ever. How do you find your way in the world? Get free. Get clear. Get moving. It all comes together when you Work from Within.  You can read a description, too, and can explore new products (like the Get A Move On! cards) and catch up on News about Work from Within, like the October 10 & 11 workshop, Create Work That Truly Fits for You.

You’ll be able to find out about what Work from Within means, and the Work from Within Philosophy, more about me, Dr. Susan Bernstein.

The new website also features great new workshops and speaking engagements I have created. I’d love to host one for your organization, so just get in touch!

I’m reaching out to help more and more people and organizations with services to navigate work and life changes.  That means I’m offering individual coaching, corporate coaching, coaching for entrepreneurs, and even training coaches on the Work from Within practices and perspectives!  Check out these new services, and let me know if I can help you, too!

I’ve been mentioned in the media more and more, like the San Jose Mercury News, and love sharing my expertise widely, so if you are writing a story for the media, contact me on topics including:

• The psychological and physiological impact of work and life transitions (like layoffs, starting a new jobs)
• Tools for breathing easier about the future
• Ways to find greater clarity in the midst of chaos and uncertainty
• Practices for embodying self-confidence

I know that not everyone has the chance to work with me personally, so I’ve created tools so that you can get the best of my expertise, and you can listen and learn with me at your convenience. So the new website has a store, and you’ll find there:

• The best “get unstuck” tool ever – the Get A Move On! cards
• Guidance on going for your dreams – the Follow a More Authentic Career Path CD
• Activities you can do to find your new career – the Create Work That Truly Fits for You CD
• Tools to keep you positive and motivated in your job search – the Job Seeker’s Confidence Kit CD
• A 7-step process and 24 activities to help boost your confidence in interviews – the Interviewing Authentically workbook

Of course, the new Work from Within website has this great blog (OK, I’m biased!) and that’s full of great information. Additionally, I’ve created a wealth of resources for you to read articles on how to work from within, listen to interviews with me on issues about transitions, get recommendations on resources for learning more about the mind-body connection and transitions, and sign up to receive the Work from Within eNewsletter via email.

It’s a full body of work, this new website.  I hope you’ll jump in, explore. Let me know what you think of the new Work from Within website! Please do leave a comment, below!

Just like your body, the Work from Within website is ever-evolving!

Cheers!

Susan

Susan Bernstein, MBA PhD

Life/Work Transition Expert

www.WorkFromWithin.com

Moms have more options than ever in terms of the ways to work.  And, that also means they face more complexity in their choices.

Fortunately, Sharon Reed Abboud is helping moms to lay out their choices, with her new book, “All Moms Work.” I met Sharon virtually through LinkedIn.  I can’t recall if she found my profile, or if we met in a her “All Moms Work Group,” honestly, but it doesn’t matter. We’ve been exchanging emails for a few months now.  A few days ago, I actually got to hear her voice across the miles in Virginia, near Washington, DC.  She’s a bit soft spoken and humble for someone with her talents in career advising and the wealth of knowledge she’s amassed about all the combinations and permutations open to mothers in today’s American workplace.

I want to recommend Sharon’s book to mothers, whether they’re working or staying at home, because you never know when when you might want to — or more likely, need to — go back to work. If you’re a stay-at-home mom, how do you stay current on workforce issues?  How do you decide when to go back to work?

And when moms decide to work full- or part-time, how do they juggle their lives?  How can they ask for flexibility?  And how do they maintain it?

Sharon has interviewed outstanding experts to gain perspective and shares the stories of inspirational moms who work full- and part-time for companies, and those who’ve started their own entrepreneurial ventues.  I see her book as a sort of “soup to nuts” complete approach to helping moms sort out the thorny issues of when, how, and where to work.

I’m not sure how much longer they’ll offer it, but Sharon’s publisher, Capital Books, is offering 35% off for pre-orders.  I’d encourage you to order now, so you can save.  But even if you miss out on the discount, Sharon’s got meaningful, totally useful advice to share with moms, to make your working life easier.

Here’s to all moms who work!
Susan

Dr. Susan Bernstein
Coach, Speaker & Author
www.WorkFromWithin.com
Work From Within, LLC

 I’m excited to share with you, dear readers, about a book that’s a gem for people who are returning to work after some time off.  It’s especially great for moms who are ready to add either full- or part-time work to their days, and is also helpful for anyone who might want to make sense of the working world after having been away….like traveling, taking medical leave, or working on a family project. 

This skinny book, Your Career OnRamp, is jam-packed with tips, suggestions, activities and inspiration for making a career change.  The authors, Catherine Clifford and Millie Froeb, spent lots of time gathering information from people who are experts in career change, both those who help people in transitions, like me, and people who have onramped (and offramped) and know what it takes.  It’s an amazing distillation of helpful ways to consider where you’re going.  The chapters help you assess your readiness for change, get support, discover your life path, consider education, create self-marketing tools, build your network, find your job, prepare for interviews, and assess jobs you’ve been offered.

I’m thrilled to announce that Catherine and Millie invited me to include an activity in this valuable book.  You’ll find a way to look at the activity I created, Drains, Gains & Desires, on pages 34 and 35.  Completing the information in this chart will give you a way to get clearer on where you’re headed as you onramp again.  So will the other exercises provided by a wealth of innovative career counselors and coaches.

I hope you’ll consider investing in Your Career OnRamp.

Wishing you well,
Susan

Dr. Susan Bernstein
Coach, Speaker & Author

www.WorkFromWithin.com

Work From Within, LLC