Vol 1 Iss 6

I don't know what it's like where you are, but Spring is springing around here. For me that means the start of the yard work. Time to prune the roses, spray the aspen trees to prevent bugs, and time to start planning the flowers and herbs. New growth.

Spring is also time for new beginnings. Our family was blessed with a new arrival this week; my neice had a bouncing baby boy. So she begins her role as Mom, and my sister begins her new life as Grandma. New life, new roles, new beginnings.

Next week I travel to California to attend a week-long intensive on "Mastering Life's Energies" with Maria Nemeth, Ph. D., author of "The Energy of Money." In this class I hope to deepen my understanding of how energy works and how to help my clients open their lives to the power of their own energies. New concepts.

New energy. May the upcoming two weeks be filled with new energy and life for you, and new inspiration to help you with your Forward Momentum!

Let me know how it goes for you.

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One of the most important things I have done for myself recently is gather around me groups of like-minded people to help me muck along through the changes I create in my life. For example, I have a Mastermind group of professionals who help me work on my business, a Speaker's Club that gives me feedback to refine my speaking topics and style, and I just got back from meeting with a Financial Planner who is interested in collaborating with me around my new niche, Un-Retirement Planning. Plus, I have my coaching triad - da goils - who have been my champions and buds for almost four years. All three of us are more powerful coaches because of our skill-building alliance.

So what does this have to do with career change? Creating change can be a lonely and challenging business. You are deep in introspection trying to uncover the grain in your own wood. You are pondering purpose and mission and the mysteries of your life, asking the big questions. If you followed my advice from the last newsletter, you are off on a Passion Quest searching for what makes your heart sing. It's lonely work.

Gathering a group of like-minded people helps you see that you are not alone. You have others involved in the same mission who have their own perspective and experience. As Margaret Mead said, " Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed individuals can change the world. In fact, it's the only thing that ever has." Surrounding yourself with others on the same path can give you support, perspective and renewed energy.

For ways to create your own Mastermind group around Career Change, check out Career Tips. And remember the value of a coach. A coach is your partner in your quest for clarity. Through powerful questioning, your coach can help you uncover values and vision, and be a sounding board for all your possibilities.

As a Career Coach, I can be your partner through this process. Please contact me at debra@forwardmomentum.com for more information!

Dear March, come in!

I looked for you before.

Put down your hat—

You must have walked—

How out of breath you are!

Dear March, how are you?

Did you leave Nature well?

Oh, March, come right upstairs with me,

I have so much to tell!

I got your letter, and the birds';

The maples never knew

That you were coming,—I declare,

How red their faces grew!

But, March, forgive me—

You left for me to hue;

There was no purple suitable,

You took it all with you.

Who knocks? That April!

I will not be pursued!

He stayed away a year, to call

But trifles look so trivial

As soon as you have come,

That blame is just as dear as praise

And praise as mere as blame.

A Mastermind group is any group of individuals gathered around a common purpose. The term was coined by Napolean Hill in his classic book Think and Grow Rich. He defines a Mastermind group as "coordination of knowledge and effort, in a spirit of harmony, between two or more people, for the attainment of a definite purpose."

Here are some suggestions for forming your Mastermind Career Change Group:

1. Select the members. You can include others who are restless and discontent in their current work and looking to make a change, or job seekers in general. Perhaps those laid-off or "between opportunities." Begin with one person you know, have that person invite someone else, and start. The energy of the group will attract the right people.

2. After you have 2 or 3 others interested, meet and decide on your structure:

~ How often will you meet?

~ Where and how will you meet? (in person? by phone? over lunch?)

~ How will you rotate leadership (or will you have a leader at all?)

~ How large will you let this group grow? (keep it small ~ 5 to 7 is about right)

~ How long will this group exist? How will you know when to end?

3. Create your "program." For example, you could have a 30-minute discussion of a relevant topic, then 10 minutes each for each person to ask for feedback on their specific issues. You could invite a speaker on a topic of interest. If there is an even number of attendees, you could divide into groups of 2 to critique each others resumes, or career ideas, or whatever the topic might be. The key is to design a format that meets the needs of the members and vary it to keep it interesting.

4. Take action. When ideas are generated in the group, be sure there is accountability. For example, when someone says they will do something, have them e-mail the group when the task is done. Or have a specific assignment to review at the next meeting. Sitting around talking is not going to move anyone forward. Make action a requirement.

5. Celebrate. You're all in this together.

Let me know how it goes for you!

What is Un-Retirement? It's a new definition of retirement. Fueled by the Baby Boomers, who never sat still for anything, un-retirement is a time of passion and purpose. Rather than retiring to a prolonged life of leisure, the "Un-Retired" transition to a purposeful life of contribution and meaning.

Un-Retirement is a time to re-invent your life!

The Un-Retirement Coaching Program helps you plan for your retirement by offering an on-line self-assessment to measure your readiness to retire. It provides a detailed personal assessment of your current personal strengths and areas you may want to focus your attention on when planning for your new future, and the on-going support of a coach.

For more information and details, click here.

The average age of retirement in the U.S. is 57 years old. People are retiring at a younger age and in better health than ever before. These days, especially with adequate planning, this can be a time that brings enrichment, personal fulfillment and renewal.

The benefits that work has provided have become such an integrated part of our lives that they have been elevated to "needs." Learn what your work has provided you and ways to replace those functions in retirement. Class is 1 hour, cost is $10

In this class, we will visit the major arenas that will need your attention ahead of time and talk about ways to prepare. Class is 1 hour, cost is $10

For schedules and to sign up, visit http://www.ForwardMomentum.com

You are free to use material from Moving Forward! in whole or in part, as long as you include complete attribution, including a live web site link. Please also notify me where the material will appear. The attribution should read:

"By Debra DeVilbiss, CPCC, of Forward Momentum, LLC. Please visit Debra's website at http://www.ForwardMomentum.com for additional articles and resources on creating your right livelihood."

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