Marlena had a name for her tendency to defer to her father’s opinion. She called it: running it by the committee. In wanting her father’s approval, she had become accustomed to having him tell her what to do rather than take responsibility for her own decisions. Read more
In a prior article, I raised the subject of defining moments and included a survey at the end. Thank you for your feedback, which has been incorporated into a slideshow and workbook that are now complete. They will be available for you later this year, when In the Current’s new website launches. For today’s issue, I thought I’d share a question I received, as well as a video clip with a related message. Read more
In this economy. Listen carefully to what someone says after those three words and you’ll learn something about that person’s belief system. Even optimists can’t help but be affected by the fearful refrain being drilled into us from every quarter. Current economic factors are impacting our livelihoods, our health and overall outlook. It’s challenging us and it’s stressful. Even so, it’s important to recognize the danger of allowing the “in this economy” mindset to skew our decisions and actions. You can ask the question, “What can I do in this economy?” in one of two ways: one implies “why bother?” and the other invites a creative solution. Read more
After months of networking and doing all the right things that a professional does when laid off from a 30-year career, Genevieve hit a low point. During two painfully quiet weeks waiting for the phone to ring, all she felt was discouraged. Then it happened. In a matter of a few days, six invitations for interviews streamed in along with a solid job offer. Marveling at how things could change so quickly, Genevieve was grateful to see the seeds she had planted finally sprouting. Read more
Ever find yourself plagued by thoughts that run counter to your goal? A timely example for many right now is if you’re trying to find a job while also thinking: There are no good jobs out there in this economy. Whether true or not, thinking that thought makes it hard to take action. Like a virus that slows down your computer, doubts that lurk in your mind make your performance sluggish, too. Read more
“If this isn’t it, I trust it will lead there.” I smile when I hear someone I’m coaching say those words. Brenda is at the point of trusting the clarity she has received enough to move forward. This is especially significant as she’s been at the same crossroads six times before over the course of her life. Each time Brenda chose what felt like the more predictable path instead of what captured her interest the most. This time she is choosing differently. Read more
“It’s not my first rodeo,” remarked Jeanie, a client who is preparing to move cross country and pursue a new career path. She is familiar with the voices of fear from the peanut gallery. Some are from friends who ask, “Are you sure about this?” while other doubtful refrains originate in her own mind. Fortunately, Jeanie has made big moves before and is prepared for this stage of second-guessing her decision. She knows how to keep the fears in perspective by talking back to them: I know this is right for me. Read more
Going with the flow might bring to mind images of a super laid-back surfer-dude type, but that’s just one interpretation. Even people with Type A tendencies can learn to go with the flow. You don’t have to suddenly acquire an easy-going personality or lose your drive, perhaps just learn to redirect and leverage that drive. Read more
I was never a Girl Scout, not even a Brownie, and I’ve never camped outside in a sleeping bag. Being allergic to a variety of four-legged creatures, I’m not exactly what you’d call an animal person. During a class trip to Old MacDonald’s Farm in first grade, I could be seen running through the barn at lightning speed with a sweatshirt jacket covering my nose, while all the other kids gathered to see the baby pigs being born. And yet… I love to be outdoors and to be with nature. Read more
“Acceptance of prevailing standards often means we have no standards of our own.”
— Jean Toomer
What Does It Take?For most of us, the ticket to positive change is some amount of pain or dissatisfaction with the status quo. The degree of pain that precedes taking action will influence whether we consider that change to be proactive or reactive — a change initiated by choice or due to necessity.
What is the threshold of discomfort that it takes to motivate you to make a change for the better? Read more