Need A Career Change? Boost Your Creativity in 7 Steps!
July 27, 2010 by Charlene · 2 Comments
Career Success without a Real Job by Ernie Zelinski is founded on the principle that “we’re never at a shortage for money only for good ideas”. It’s true that we stay on the job we hate or the career path we despise because the “good idea” avoids us. Or do we avoid the good idea?
You’ve been blessed with certain tools to effect change in the world and in the process receive compensation. The more excellent and or skilled you become using these gifts, the larger your capacity for influence and your ability to receive higher rewards for your work.
I had the privilege to listen to Adlan Cruz perform. This gifted Latin American pianist gets to travel the world performing before varied state dignitaries, compose music and also assist on developing the score for various movies. But you know what he talked about the most. He said he spent hours as a child practicing, honing his craft, learning from the masters. Yet when he wanted a creative boost he would watch TV with his little brother Omar, and listen to all the music of the various sitcoms, cartoons and movies to get his inspiration. What do you do to boost your creativity?
Creativity is the ability to transcend traditional ideas, rules, patterns, 
relationships, or the like, and to create meaningful new ideas, forms, methods, interpretations, etc. We avoid the ideas we are presented with because we immediately assume it’s failure. Our humanness says its negative, impractical, unrealistic and it gets chucked before we’ve thoroughly evaluated it for its merits (and de-merits).
Natalie Zaun of Pursenally Yours began her custom designed purse company while an English teacher. Today her nationwide million dollar company she began in 2007 allows her to maintain her stay at home status. She knew she loved to sew and got her inspiration by hanging out some friends designing purses on the weekend. Want to learn how you to can boost your creativity?
How to Boost Creativity?
- Start and Maintain an Idea Log. This could be in the form on an actual notebook or you could opt for more modern options like notes on your ipod and recorded voice notes on your cellphone. Whatever you decide the key is to be consistent and make it something you can do easily. Whenever an idea pops into your mind, just log it and return to it in 24 hours. If after 24 hours it still seems like a good idea then research it.
- Pay attention to your Environment. Observe the trends in society. Listen to the complaints of your friends and family. As I watch the news I see everyone’s concern about the current heat wave hitting the east coast of the USA. I immediately thought now will be a good time to invest in an ice cream truck and slushie stand. It’s obvious people are still going outdoors and I just want to help them cool off.
Can you think of any ways to help people manage their summer outdoor activities while dealing with this unbearable heat? - Join a group. If your creativity is suffering from shyness joining a group of like-minded individuals who will provide honest feedback while supporting you on your plan of action is the way to go. You will steer off course if your circle of influence rejects your ideas and your attempts to think outside the box. Occasionally you may find you don’t need to change your act only your audience.
- Listen to your inner child. Children have the unique advantage of thinking out loud without fear of rejection or any other learned behaviors that hold back adults. It was once said that if you want to solve a problem, give it to a group of 5 year olds and see what they come up with. Without fear, constraints and negative emotional baggage, you will see an exponential increase in your creativity.
- Get negative. Describe in detail what you don’t like about your current job and get really wild and toss in characteristics of a job from hell. Once you’re done describing it, do a 180 degree. Describe your dream job as being the complete opposite of what you described. This act alone could mean the difference between the creation of your creativity oasis or creativity wilderness.
- Read or Do something you’re not used to doing. Sometimes you may become so bogged down in your routine you lose sight of all that life has to offer. This shuts down your ability to be creative. The goods news this can easily be reversed by just doing something different. If you’re a science fiction addict then try romance or business journals. It just helps with your perspective. In the end perspective is key to maintaining and building your creativity.
- Play games. Here’s a game offered by Harvey Mackay . Try this exercise: Look at two items on your desk right now and figure out a way to put them together. A clock radio and a coffee mug, for instance, could be turned into a coffee mug with a clock on it, maybe at the bottom. This won’t necessarily generate a useful idea, but it will train your mind to see different possibilities.
Career Change Begins With A Change In Your Environment
July 19, 2010 by Charlene · 2 Comments
Want a Career Change but not sure which way is up? You may benefit from a change in environment. Do you feel like you just don’t belong? Maybe you don’t dislike your boss or your co-workers, but you’re bored? Maybe you find the tasks you’ve been assigned not only boring but quite frankly annoying? You try to communicate your ideas and vision and you look like the odd man out. I hear it all the time. Typically the person has been at their job for more than 5 years and there’s just no “oomph”. No desire or motivation to do or be anything. It could just be you don’t belong. And that’s OK!
YOU NEED YOUR OPTIMAL ENVIRONMENT!
Everything on this planet has and needs an optimal environment for peak performance. The earth needs to be tilted 
at the right angle and positioned at the perfect distance from the SUN or this planet would never be able to sustain life. Plants need sun, soil and water to produce beautiful flowers. Fish need water. Athletes need the correct diet and training regimen to excel. You get the point? You need the proper environment to excel, to feel “at home” at work and to be satisfied.
HERE’S THE SCIENCE …
Holland’s RIASEC theory supports this view. He believed that certain personality types created a work place environment which compliments their personality. As a result they were more successful and satisfied. So if you feel like you don’t belong you could be trying to fit yourself into a square hole when you may be a round peg. I know our society in theory talks about everyone being an individual and valuing the individual. Yet in reality we all try to be the same. We conform in our attire, our homes, our cars and even in our career choices. The pressure from your friends, family and significant others could box you in to a career choice that you are not uniquely qualified to perform.
YOU HAVE THE POWER TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT…
If you’re not happy about your career path, you are most likely in the wrong place and doing the wrong things. It’s because you’re not following your passions, interests, inclinations and gifts. We all have a natural career path. With a little creativity, imagination, enthusiasm and effort you can find work that is profitable, satisfying and compatible with who you are. If you’re not excited, enthusiastic and rewarded about what you do, the beautiful thing about being human is you can choose to change today.
If you would like to discover your ideal environment for development, career satisfaction and a prosperous life be sure to sign up for the Great Job Escape Plan and get access to Finding Your True Calling e-book. A 100 page workbook full of inspiration and exercises to get you to where you dream about being.
This post was written by Charlene Nora, your Personal Development Coach and Career Transition Mentor, on 7/19/2010. To claim your FREE guide to weekly career change tips click on the link to enter your email information.
Career Change Advice | Develop a Kangaroo Attitude!
July 13, 2010 by Charlene · 9 Comments
Changing Careers always seems to desirable when you are marveling at the in-effectiveness of your superiors. It’s the middle of the week and you’re feeling like you’re about to blow a gasket or get a heart attack. The boss has asked for yet another impossible task to be done and you are quite sure there are at least 100 ways to achieve the same result in less time. But the economy is tight and you’re telling yourself to just keep quiet. Even though it’s obvious you’re smarter than he is and its obvious to you that no one will “get it”, you don’t risk it.
Career Change On The Back Burner?
How long are you going to keep quiet though? You have these creative ideas and as of this moment, they only bounce around in your head. You see people like Alice Patton, a 38 year old breast cancer survivor who is going to be paid to travel around the world as she works in the spa on the cruise liner. You wonder, just a bit, Could you possibly make your dreams come true? Is it really possible for fun and work to go together?
Last month, Phyllis Korkki of the the NY Times reported new entrepreneurs are not willing to give up their new freedom. “ Once they taste having more control over their lives, they never go back.” I think they never go back because they are committed to their success. They are committed to having the life they dreamed of for so long. There is only one animal in nature that is incapable of going back.
Can't Go Back!
The mighty kangaraoo! A little science lesson here. At an average weight of 200 pounds, it can reach speeds of 60mph. Did you know the word Kangaroo is derived from an Aboriginal phrase meaning ” I don’t understand” or “I don’t know”. I wouldn’t understand if I saw the largest animal that only moves by hopping and is incapable of going backwards.
If you ever feel like turning your back on your dreams. If you ever feel like throwing in the towel, think of the animal known for its powerful legs and its cute little pouch. Once it’s started its journey it just keeps hopping. No retreat, no second guesses no “I wonder ifs”. It sets a course and starts going. Are you a kangaroo?
If you’re not ready to surrender your dreams to time and you’ve made a committment to yourself to do whatever it takes to have career success without a job, then contact me today to get started on your natural career path.
Career Change Advice From Lebron James
The media hype concerning “The Decision” of Lebron James has me thinking. Even though he has not changed careers, there are some principles that are similar. On July 8th 2010 there was essentially a change in employer for LeBron James. As I watched this “decision” being made and the resulting backlash and support of this decision, I’ve made some observations. In fact I can see several principles for making a successful career change in this experience. While Lebron has not made a career change, he has made a CHANGE so the 5 principles are easily applied to a career change situation.
Most people fear change because of its uncertainty. I mean how exactly are you supposed to enjoy career success without a job? How are you supposed to make a living without a job? Instead of trying to follow your passions on your path to profit, you will stay in a job you hate for “security”. You will leave your ideas on the table and head out to work to help someone else fulfill their dreams. Career Transitions fail because of 2 reasons.
- Failure to use your strengths to your advantage.
- Inappropriate assessment of the situation.
But in the case of a Career Change, here’s how to make a Lebron James Type Decision and be successful:
- Lebron asked for his mother’s blessing, guidance and support. She told her son whatever decision would make him happy, would make her happy. He was smart enough to know he needed the help and assistance of someone who cared enough about him not to be selfish. Do you have a trusted mentor, guide, friend who’ll help and standby you? When you want to be successful, trust yourself to make the right decision. The truth is when you make decisions that align with your values, priorities and character strengths you’ll never be wrong.
- Make What You Want A Priority. There are many who scoff at the idea of “King James” walking away from 30 million dollars. Look, money is money. Whether it’s $300,000 or $3o million. He says he wants a ring. For him the ultimate career success is to have a NBA championship. He walked away from all that was familiar to join a team who shares his goals, his dreams and his vision of success. Before you do anything, get clear on what success looks like to you. Find the courage to define success on your terms. Once you are clear on what you want, then make achieving happiness a priority. That’s the only way to get what you want.
- Count the Cost. There is a price to pay for every major life decision you make. Some decisions carry more weight on them and hence the cost is higher. You may have to change to have what you want. Or you may have to relocate. I’m not certain what the price will be for you but you know what it will be. Once you’ve made the choice then don’t procrastinate. You’ve made the commitment so do whatever it takes for you to achieve success.
- Keep it a Secret (while you line up your ducks in a row). John Maxwell believes before any dream can become a reality you should have a “dream team” in place to help you achieve your goals. In addition, you should have a clear strategy to achieve it. Even though there will be no media hype surrounding your career decision, protecting your dream or vision should be a priority. Surrounding yourself with naysayers or sharing your goals too early will kill your dreams before you even had a chance to make it a reality.
- Don’t Burn Bridges. Lebron’s failure to share his decision with his former employer before sharing it with the world was probably not in the best taste. Before you leave, be fair. Be honest. You never know how your former employer will help you in the future so don’t be too hasty in your retreat.
If you would like to change careers to work that satisfies you and helps you achieve the goals you view as success, be sure to contact me for your 20 minute Career Transition Evaluation. Go to this page and claim your spot today!
This post was updated on 7/12/2010 by Charlene Nora your Profit From Your Passions Coach.
Career Change Advice| For Success:Engage Your Past & Your Future!
July 9, 2010 by Charlene · Leave a Comment
This is the final part of a three part series on Career Change Advice that leads to Success. If you have not read about the lies surrounding career success or how self-education leads to a fortune, be sure to read those as well. Today, I give the formula for present success by engaging your past and your future.
Have you ever heard a song on the radio that reminded you of your first kiss, first victory, first anything? Have you ever wondered HOW you were able to transport yourself to that time and place. The memory becomes so alive in your imagination. You immediately feel the exact feelings you felt at that particular event. Then the song stops. The mood changes and you scramble to hold on to the pleasant emotional state you’re in. But it’s gone!
Did you know you can do that on demand whenever you’re afraid of trying something new? You see career change scares the bravest because they tried to change once and they failed. The magnitude of “what-ifs” accompany the inspired thoughts and images of what your life could (and should) look like. So how do you combat those feelings of “I’m not smart enough” or “I’m not good enough”? How do you create an emotional state that gives you the boost to reach for your freedom?
Make A List (and check it often)
Anthony Robbins believes “the surest way to create a belief that you can do something is to do it once, just once”. I have to agree with that. So if you’re struggling with the thoughts of inadequacy or wondering if you can really make money doing what you love, make a list of every time you’ve been successful.
Don’t censor the list. Jack Canfield says that everyone should start their success list with “learned to ride a bike”. That’s a huge accomplishment considering I don’t know how to ride a bike. So if you can do that I’m impressed. Go ahead make a list of every thing you’ve accomplished. Even graduating high school. Not everyone has done that either.
Review this list often. As often as possible until you believe that you can be successful at whatever you decide to do on your new career path.
Make a new vision for your life.
FOCUS = Clarity
What does success look like to you? If you followed your natural passions, interests, skills and talents and did what brought you the most fulfillment, what would that look like? Go ahead imagine it and describe in detail what it looks like. Here are some questions to get you going?
- Who are you working with?
- Where are you working?
- What are you doing?
- How do you feel?
- How has doing this improved your health, relationships and financial well-being?
If you take the time to clarify what you want, and believe with passion and certainty that you can have it then its yours. If you can turn on the radio and be transported to a time and place that occurred and relive the experience then you can “re-live” the future. You work towards your future. Life does not just happen. You are either moving forward or backward but you are moving. So choose to move forward.
I can’t train you to have vision. It’s your vision and only you can see it. But when you do see it clearly, it is because the tools, strategies, resources and people will be made available to you to achieve it. Continue to engage these powerful events in your mind (past success and future expectations) and you will take action to have what you believe you can have. What are some of the beliefs you have about what’s possible for your career change? Feel free to leave your comments or questions. I’ll be sure to create a new post for you to answer them.
Ready to create your future one day at a time? Ready to experience freedom? Then claim your 30 minute income -generating brainstorming session with me today. Schedule your appointment by clicking on this link.
This post was written by Charlene Nora your Career Change Mentor on 7/7/2010. Clarify, Crystallize, Prepare and Profit.
