Job Layoffs and their Hidden Benefits

Being in between jobs doesn’t have to be experienced like the kiss of death. I know that it is natural to feel very vulnerable, yet that is what being in transition is all about. It’s the very point that you are temporarily unattached to a job that provides you with a rare freedom to ask yourself what you really want from your next adventure.

Key questions to ask yourself in between jobs:

1. How soon do I really have to land a job?

Can you afford some time to step back and evaluate what you really want from your career while you have the freedom and time to prepare yourself for it? Sure, it’s no fun watching your life savings take a downward climb, but is your time here really about the money?

Are you at a point in your life where you can afford to spend some time being selective about your next step or preparing yourself for a new path? Think of your career choices now as investments in your quality of life.

2: Would the jobs you are now searching for be top choices if you were just starting out?

You spend a majority of your waking hours at your job. Consider it like you would a romantic relationship. Are you willing to settle for second best just to be committed?

3: Is it possible to support yourself financially doing what you love?

Make a list of all the different ways you can generate income by doing what you love. Your financial support does not have to come from one income stream. Maybe one single role can’t generate enough money, but adding other roles that express your passions might make the necessary difference.

4. Are credentials getting in your way of going for jobs you really want?

Ask yourself if you are truly lacking what is necessary, or if credentials are a convenient excuse to protect you from risk or rejection. Research the kinds of credentials that others doing similar work have. If you don’t have what it takes, identify sources that can provide the appropriate credentials. Don’t make assumptions without checking the facts about the true requirements to do the work.

www.innerarchitect.com

A Plan Of Action Building Block #3: Help Is On The Way

“Action speaks louder than words”
“Fail to plan, plan to fail”
“He/She is all talk”

These phrases are three common American colloquialisms that we have all heard or experienced at one time or another. Yet how often do people forget, ignore, or skip creating a plan of action when attempting to change anything?

In the first two articles in this series we identified awareness and interests as the first steps necessary for you to begin the process of changing your life.

What’s Stopping You?

Ask yourself the reason why you are not creating an action plan and the answers, if you are honest, may surprise you:

1. Spontaneity- thinking you are better off being spontaneous and allowing things to happen is the fastest method to getting no where near your goal to change your life

2. Structure is Confining-the belief that you do not need an outlined road map (plan) because it may restrict the “discovery” process and ultimately your progress, is faulty thinking. Without a plan of action, you will hinder your ability to change, leave yourself without a tool to measure your progress on your new path, and set yourself up for colloquialism #2 “Fail to plan, plan to fail.”

3. How to Plan-most people do not understand the most effective method of producing a plan of action. That is not a problem as long as you realize that you may need help in this process.

Where Do I Find Assistance?

If you feel the need for assistance in planning your course of action consider Susan Hanshaw’s “Inner Architect: How To Build The Life You Were Designed To Live” as a stepping stone to a new life.

If you want more hands on guidance, evaluation, training, planning, and mapping in order to build the life you want to lead consider Susan Hanshaw’s Inner Architect Personal Training Membership.

The IA Personal Training program is near completion it will be a combination of online and real world applications, one on one training, group interaction webinars or teleconferences, and continued educational videos and modules exclusive to members.