The Springtime of Your Career

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

---

How to Know if You Are in the Right Career

Ever wonder if you are in the right career? If... Read More

TMI: The Resume Destroyer

"They say my résumé should be only one page long.... Read More

Fear of Being Outsourced? Fight Back

Me, outsourced? Impossible. How could they replace a business-humor columnist?... Read More

The Chicken or the Egg?

Even before I checked my calendar on Monday... Read More

Are You Winning the Talent Wars?

How many times have you heard or read, "Our employees... Read More

Targeting Your Resume is So Important For Your Career

Targeting your portfolio, (resume and cover letter) can get you... Read More

Work at Home Jobs Vs Self Employment

Work at Home Jobs vs Owning a Home Based BusinessNot... Read More

Salary, Raises, & Perks: Negotiate to Get Paid What Youre Worth!

Salary negotiation requires preparation and good timing. It's important to... Read More

The Telecommuting Tightrope

For many of us, telecommuting seems like the ideal situation.... Read More

How To Become a Mortgage Broker

The mortgage industry accounted for $1,815,949,279,000 in loan transactions in... Read More

Using Journal to Support Your Job Search

Are you searching for a job? Here are some tips... Read More

The Background on Background Checks

In one of my past lives I held a Top... Read More

Writing CVs and Resumes for Professionals with Examples

Tips on writing your Skills and Achievement Based CV (ABCV)... Read More

Interpersonal Skill Building -- Yank The Suckers & Weeds

According to the National Gardening Association, suckers are rapidly growing... Read More

Getting the Job thats Right for You

I'm the type of person that considers a healthy, enjoyable... Read More

Hunting the Executive Head Hunter

5 tips to win over an executive head hunter or... Read More

Self-Preservation Techniques For The Unemployed

Looking for work can be difficult, frustrating, anxiety-provoking, and demeaning.There... Read More

Tips for Getting Your Movie Career Launched

Hollywood helps those who help themselves! In you want to... Read More

Job or Career

At this present time I have a job. It pays... Read More

Need a Job? Put a Gun to Your Head

A legendary marketing genius once said that, if he had... Read More

Using Recruiters: How To Get A Step Ahead Of The Crowd

When there is an opening to fill, a company has... Read More

The Not-So-Effective Cover Letter

Here's a newsflash: Cover letters work, plain and simple. This... Read More

Your Self-Image in the Workplace

When communication breaks down in your office or factory and... Read More

The Top Ten Ways to Jump Start Your Career

1. Do What You Love.Have you ever noticed we usually... Read More

How to Work Effectively With Recruiters

"R-E-S-P-E-C-T / find out what it means to me" is... Read More

Whiners Need Not Apply

Sometime last summer I decided to host a pity party... Read More

Writing Great Cover Letters

Cover letters are an essential ingredient to your complete résumé... Read More

Dressing Tips for Interview Success

Dressing appropriately for job interviews is one of those areas... Read More

What Exactly Online Recruitment Agencies Do?

Any online recruitment agency can help you to submit for... Read More

Top 10 Skills for New World of Work

There are many changes coming in the world of work,... Read More

Employment Law: Unfair Dismissal - Employer Succeeded in Changing Terms of Employment

Good News for Employers wishing to change the terms of... Read More

Find Those People

"The Emperor's New Clothes" was a favorite childhood story of... Read More

When the Teacher Becomes the Student

A relationship expert once said that during an argument, there's... Read More