Career Planning Transitions

Take An Easier Path Toward Career Planning

When it comes to career planning, especially during midlife, the multiple options can be quite overwhelming. After all, the decisions you make regarding your career choices can affect every other aspect of your life: income, family, where you may eventually live, and retirement plans.

If there will be an investment in additional education and training, you may need guidance from a financial planner. Taking plans from a dream to a reality may be more successful with the support of career planning from a coach or counselor. How can you make sure your plan leaves little room for unanticipated surprises?

Not only will you need to make changes in order to achieve your career goals, your life will also be affected by the career you choose to pursue. If you are feeling a bit frightened or apprehensive about tackling a life plan by yourself, you can relax - because you have just found your life transition experts with The Springboard Group!

At The Springboard Group, we specialize in helping people with all of their life transitions – and career planning is also often a component of other life transitions such as divorce or the loss of a spouse. We are able to help you create an effective life plan in a number of different ways. By doing so, you can select the method that is best suited to your individual learning style.

Our self-study and teleclasses are among the many options you may choose to assist you in preparing for a career change. Many people enjoy this approach because it provides affordable, convenient access to the expertise of professionals actively practicing in their fields of specialization.

Some of these benefits include…

* The flexibility to download MP3 recorded classes, when most convenient for you
* The ability to learn at your own pace with our self study modules
* The opportunity to participate in discussions with others who are actively engaged in creating or renewing their own life plan

Springboard's™ programs and services are designed for you, regardless of where you are in life's journey. We invite you to explore and share our resources with employers, groups, organizations, professionals or anyone supporting others through a transition. Visit us today at http://www.launchingnewlives.com/

Remembering Valentine's Day

I was buying Valentine's cards yesterday, and was reminded of how difficult those first few were for me after my divorce, and then the death of my husband soon after. We celebrate love on Valentine's Day, and typically it is romantic love. We all know someone who has lost a loved one this year, either through a relationship ending, a death or divorce. There is a hole in their heart that you can help fill. Just because you cannot replace the missing piece, does not mean you should not reach out with care and love. A card, box of chocolate, flowers, phone call or even an extra hug can make that person feel connected to a holiday that can tend to make them feel very alone. Unlike Christmas and Thanksgiving, where we "know" to remember our friends and family, Valentine's Day and wedding anniversaries may be especially difficult for people. Share some love this Valentine's Day, not just with those closest to you but with those who may need it even more.

Happy Valentine's Day! Janice

A Legacy, and "New" History

Today is Martin Luther King's Birthday, and the day before we inaugurate our newest President. The first one of color. And he will inherit the most complex combination of challenges in at least half a century.

I have two quotes to offer to you that struck me as appropriate to honor both King's legacy, and O'bama's beginning in such uncertain times. It seems fitting that the second is offered as a quote from another famous American, Shirley Chisholm.

"There are some things you learn best in calm, and some in storm."

- Willa Cather

and

"Service is the rent we pay for the privelage of living on this earth."

- Shirley Chisholm

It may sometimes take great storms to cleanse, and reevaluate what really matters. We offer our very best wishes to our next President, his family, our new Vice President and cabinet, and to all the staff that contribute each day within the Executive Branch of our democracy.

We also off a heart felt thank you to those who have served in those same roles over the last 8 years. Some will be heading "home" soon, and we wish them the best as they resume life outside Washington. Travel safe.

What Matters at Year End

Welcome to the New Year.

Most years, I have found it hard to remember to write the new correct year on my checks and documents. This year, it has been no problem. I am guessing we have all been living slightly ahead, in hope and anticipation that 2009 could possibly be a little better than 2008.

Living ahead is not something I propose, in fact I work hard to stay present-focused. I was able to do that over Christmas, partly because my Mom stayed with us for a month due to an illness and health-scare resulting in the need for evaluations at our university hospital system here.
Having lost several close relatives in the recent past, and reflecting how her grave marker is the only unoccupied spot left in our family cemetary, I purposefully put aside important work to be with her, and "with" the holiday.

This was a big decision; as a small company most of the operations depend upon me. I carefully prioritized client needs, and deferred any optional meetings and deadlines. We prioritized extra special outside lighting, thanks to my daughter and her friends. We watched tv and movies on days she did not feel well. And I erred on the side of extra gifts, things that I knew would make her smile as I did not want to awaken next Christmas wishing I had been more generous.

We were blessed with good reports on three different procedures, and a diagnosis that is manageable with (very expensive) medication. Almost immediately, Mom's color and appetite improved and we were able to attend Christmas Eve church services as always. We enjoyed our traditional dinner out before services, and had a greater appreciation that she could order anything she wanted to eat. The communion and candlelight service was more meaningful and memorable for me this year. We had been blessed not only with Mom's returning health, but especially blessed to have had the opportunity to be reminded of what really matters.

So I am "digging out" of Springboard work, and enjoying it very much. It is so fulfilling to be doing work that matters to my soul. I missed seeing some friends, and delivering some gifts that I normally do. My closet did not get cleaned out for donations to Goodwill, but then, there is 2009. Things that could wait, waited. Things that really matter did not.

Blessings to all of you in this New Year of hope and promise. Janice

Kids and Economic uncertainty

We have added this link to our home page, and also here for your convenience.
It applies to adolescents and teens and encourages communication and reassurance.
Click here for Tips on Helping Kids Cope with Economic Uncertainty - November 13, 2008
Take a look, Janice

The Springboard Group - LaunchingNewLives.com

The Springboard Group - LaunchingNewLives.com

I found this new quote on courage last week:

"You can't test courage cautiously."Anne Dillard

Many times I have wished I could just stick a baby toe out into the unknown! So whether you need more courage, or more faith, this week it is time to trust your inner voice and make a choice. There are no crystal balls, unfortunately, and much at stake.

If your life is already in a transition period, it is not comforting to have the whole country joining in the uncertainty. Let's hope that with the completion of the campaigns, there will be some settling in the markets post-election, and some returning economic stability.

And may our next President find the proper balance of caution and boldness to rebuild our foundation for the future.