Coach-Align

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Hello All;

I came across a great piece in the Toronto Star about a women that had made a career change to align with her passions in life.  I was so inspired by the story that I contacted the author and asked if I could post it to my site.  Happily Andrea agreed and it is available on my site for you to read.

I hope you enjoy the story  "How I Lost My Bay St. Job and Found True Happiness"  by Andrea Fitzpatrick.  I admire and connect with the choice Andrea has made to change her career and am inspired by the happy outcome.  I am equally inspired by the fact that Andrea's new life required only a shift in her own attitude towards her career.   You can read more about Andrea on her blog site.

I would like to thank Andrea for writing this piece and illustrating that we can indeed have a career that aligns with our passion!

Warm Regards,

Karen Whitman

Back in the Job Market!

Recently I left a job that I had just started last June.  To say that the experience was not what I expected is an understatement, and needless to say, it was not the long term experience that I had hoped for.  I have been home for a month now and I'm sorting through my process of understanding accepting the loss of my job and ultimately moving on to a new opportunity.

My decision to take the role was based on my expectation to excel my career by participating and having influence in the strategic planning and growth of a company perched on the brink of take off (it was an aerospace company, so pardon the pun).  It was also a nice chunk of money to start with the potential, I thought, of a lot more.  The role had the added component of human resources development and coaching, which was the clincher for me.  The decision to take the job felt right.

I took a leap of faith and left a job that I had been painfully bored with for a long time.  The role was going nowhere, and it was not challenging me in any way.  my skills were getting dull and I was losing my edge.  It was easy to become complacent in a job that paid well and expected very little from me; however I felt like I was selling myself short.  The process of making the decision to move on initially took a long time for a variety of reasons, but mostly I had lost confidence in my ability.  In the end, I made the decision because I need to be authentic with as a Career Coach.  I need to live the experiences myself, otherwise I'm only lecturing.

In key leadership and financial position, it doesn't take long to get the true picture of a company, and this one was pretty dismal.  I had done a certain degree of due diligence before joining the company, but the information wasn't accurate.  A sinking feeling was growing in my gut, however I tried to look at the positive challenges that I was having.  There were actually many enjoyable aspects to the role which I really did love.  The position gave me the opportunity to rebuild confidence in my skill and knowledge.  I completely enjoyed the employees there and my interaction with them.  This in itself was satisfying to me.  I was able to get involved with other aspects of a CFO role that I otherwise would not have had the opportunity to experience. 

There does come a point where the learning is gained from an experience and the purpose is fulfilled  and some times are shorter than others.  I've become better at paying attention to when the time comes to let go of those things.  There is though, still a process that I need to go through.  I believe that everything happens to provide a learning experience, that there is no such thing as a wrong decision and that we are each in control of our choices.  Even believing that, I still had to go through many emotions, including anger; feeling I had been duped and just a little embarrassed about that.  I was suppressing my emotions rather that accepting them because I believe that I should have known better!  Not admitting that I was really feeling pissed off, was keeping me stuck there.  I do know that of course I was not taken in, that I made the choice and it provided me with greater confidence and a new opportunity to find something even better. 

I'm enjoying the process now and I'll keep you posted!  All positive energy gratefully accepted and acknowledged :)

Warm regards,

Karen Whitman

Trust Yourself to Achieve Your Dreams!

Self esteem is valuing who you are as a person.  It can show itself as confidence in a particular skill or globally in your concept of yourself as a whole person.  It encompasses beliefs, emotions, values, faith, behavior and it is the pathway to being or becoming what you can truly be.

Of course there are going to be people in life that challenge all of the above by way of showing disapproval or expressing negative judgments.  These experiences can either build or diminish self esteem.  The key is in knowing you have control over your own choices.  There is of course value in listening to the words and experiences of others and you may choose to listen and act on that advice.  Take the time to ask yourself first, if you are acting out of obligation or guilt, or whether you are acting out of a sense of appropriateness.  You will know when you are not honouring yourself by your own internal responses.  You know that gut feeling you get when something isn't quite right?  That is an important feeling to listen to.

There is a significant energy pull between people with conflicting interests.  It is like an energetic tug-o-war.  There is a basic need we all crave to feel supported, validated and loved.  What happens though when what you want is in conflict with someone important to you?  Do you relent to them for the sake of the relationship?  If you do, you may feel better for a while because you have ended the negative energy pull.  However, if internally you feel that you have let yourself down, you will still feel the negative energy pull only it will be within yourself.

The following are some ideas to consider to build or enhance self esteem;

• Become aware of your inner voice; listen to the signals and begin to trust them.  You will keep moving in the right direction.
• Look your fears in the face and ask if they are real.  Sometimes the outcome that we fear the most is actually the outcome that leads us to where we want to be in the first place.  Making choices that are difficult move us through fear and build on self esteem moving us closer to our full potential.  Self esteem builds on confidence and ultimately improves relationships; fear is replaced with authenticity.
• Failures and mistakes aren't what they seem.  Learn from them and move forward knowing you are wiser for your experience.  You have expanded your potential through these growth experiences, allow yourself to keep growing.
• Know what you want and ask for it.  Assertiveness will move you towards your dreams.  So often I hear the perception that it is rude or demanding or selfish to ask for what you want.  In truth, asking is necessary to achieve your goals.  The key is in expressing yourself with care.
• Acknowledge your successes.  It is important to recognize your accomplishments and focus on the positive.  You can be your own best support system by validating your successes.
• Communicate your concerns and doubts.  Assumptions about a situation are often mistaken.  When in doubt, talk it out to know the truth.  Negative assumptions can simply be that critical inner voice that is fearful and unsure.  Don't let it take you off course...Ask!
• Keep trying.  you are talented and resourceful. I can think of all kinds of cliches here, and they are all appropriate...just keep moving forward and be creative about achieving your dreams. You will find your way there.

Warm regards,

Karen

Total Woman Show Success

  On the weekend of February 14 & 15, I was an exhibitor at the Total Woman Show at Bingeman's Conference Centre.  It was the first time that I have participated in such an event and I am very pleased with the outcome.  I met a lot of interesting people and enjoyed the conversations that I had with the many people that visited me at my booth.  I would like to thank the people that donated their time to help me both before and during the show.  Many thanks to; my husband Kevin Boon, my colleague Jackie Larcher and my niece Tara Whitman!

Also many thanks to the businesses that donated gifts for our draw; a special thank you to..

The Groove Kitchen 656 King St E., Preston ON, for donating a gift certificate - won by Bev from Kitchener

Ginny's 644 King St E, Preston, ON for donating a most beautiful hand bag - won by Jenn from Waterloo

Lajwa 650 King St. E, Preston, ON for donating a lovely Haitian metalwork art piece - won by Brittany from Guelph

The show generated many contacts and I will be putting a great deal of focus on building Coach Align over the next several months including establishing an office space for face to face client meetings.  I look forward to sharing more stories though my Blog and website and adding new services and the business develops.  Please watch for my next post coming soon, "A Test of Integrity".

Warm Regards,

Karen

       

Where is the balance?

If you are like me, you have a lot of aspects to your life to manage.  Between health, family, friends, community, career, finance and personal interests there is always an area in my life that isn't getting my full attention.  I work hard at creating balance and I get stressed when everything isn't in line.  The truth is that not everything can be my top priority in every moment and I have to give myself permission to allow that.

Recently I took on  a new job and it has been a challenge-in a good way, and it required a lot of my attention for the first several months.  In that time I have not been as focused on my Coaching and weight management as I would have liked.  Over the summer months I fretted about neglecting Coach-Align and gaining a few pounds.  I have put a lot of effort into both and was disappointed in myself for letting them slide.  Even though it is reasonable to put a significant degree of attention on a new and demanding role, I wasn't allowing it to be that simple.  I did eventually come to a point of feeling unsettled about the amount of attention I was giving my work and that is when I realized that it was time to start shifting my focus.  Spending time with Coach-Align again feels good and appropriate and paying attention to my nutritional needs has put me back on track with my weight!

I have recently become a grandma for the first time.  I have an intense desire to be with my precious little granddaughter to build a bond with her.  She is so new and I am totally captured by her.  I'm comfortable that I will learn to embrace this new role also and find a new way to balance life yet again. 

The learning in this for me is to accept the needs of the moment knowing that they will always be shifting and changing.  There is time for everything and everything has it's time.  Accepting the moment has gone a long way to finding fulfillment and feeling healthier physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Balance is fluid and always in motion.

Warm regards,

Karen

I'm back!

Hello All;

I haven't done any blog posting lately as I have taken on a new job.  Last May an opportunity came across my desk that I couldn't resist.  Having been in the same role for 10 years, I knew it was time to break out of my sleepy routine and give my career a boost of energy.  The position has certainly done that for me and more.  I have to admit that changing companies required a lot of my energy and focus and I was not able to devote the attention I would have liked to my coaching.  However, I am nicely settled in to the position and am redirecting my focus back to Coach-Align.  Over the next few posts, I will describe my experience with my career transition....

Please take a minute to look at some updates on my website at www.coach-align.com which include;

An interesting and helpful resource from ACTEW- A Women's Training Community in Toronto, titled - Shortcuts to Career Development Resources for Girls and Women.  This is a free down-loadable PDF booklet.

A talk given October 10, 2008 by Michelle Obama at the Women's Leadership Conference in Chicago.  Michelle is an inspiring women and I look forward to her influence in the Obama administration!

Last but not least, please be sure to come and visit me at my booth at the "Total Woman Show"at Bingeman's Conference Centre on February 14th and 15th.  I am very excited to be an exhibitor in this years event and hope you can make it out. 

Warm Regards,

Karen Whitman

Website Update

Hello All;

I wanted to make sure that you take a peak at some new content that has been posted to my website.  In particular;

• Please be sure to read the Poetry of Karen McCarthy.  Light of Light and River of Light.  Karen's poetry has been inspired by her own spiritual journey and written with Reiki Light.  Enjoy!
• A new book selection; A Girl's Guide to Kicking Your Career into Gear by Caitlin Friedman and Kimberly Yorio
• Watch an excerpt of the FORA.tv video of Nina Disesa; Seducing the Boys Club.  Nina is a dymanic personality with extensive experience as both and author and advertising executive.  Her talk is based in reality and offers insight to woman at any stage of their career.
• New Services offered by Coach-Align.  I am excited to finally be adding the Myers Briggs Type Indicator Instrument to my coaching tools.  In addition, I am now offering Resumes to my list of services.

Please take a moment to browse the new content and pass it along to anyone you think would be interested in any of the resources or services.  As always, I would be happy to include your articles on the website!

Warms Regards,

Karen

What Defines Success?

Over the past several weeks I have been participating in the live web class with Oprah and author Eckhart Tolle on the book “A New Earth, Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose”. Approaching this particular book from this perspective, for me, was highly effective and also consuming. I was involved in the learning process on a deep and transforming level, so it was difficult for me to write about anything else during the course. My reasons for exploring the concepts in this book was to see how I could connect it with my work with Coach-Align and the benefits it could provide to both me and my clients.

The purpose of the book is to bring conscious awareness to the ego and the many ways in which it plays out in people’s lives. The classes started the beginning of March. As we went through the first couple of chapters I actually was thinking that I had little to change. Then I got to chapter 3; uh oh…what? Did he write that about me? I was marking all the comments that I connected with, and finally had to give up the highlighting, because really, it was just every word. The section I was reading was about complaining and resentment and I have to admit that it was embarrassing to recognize myself in the words. It was hard to accept these ideas even though no one was witnessing this recognition except for me. But then I realised that is the point of the book; my ego was trying to protect and justify. That recognition and acceptance allowed me to begin the process of letting go of some of my oldest and deeply held resentments. It also helped me to recognise beliefs that were self defeating and holding me back.

When I first picked up the book, I had the hope that it would be different and a skepticism that it was going to be a waste of time. I don’t think that I would have gained as much from this book had it not been backed up by the web casts. It was the combination of reading, watching and then listening on my I Pod that help me to begin to understand the concepts and bit by bit become aware of my pesky ego and how it manifests itself in my life. Even still after all that, I still would benefit from a replay. Fortunately I have the book and the videos and the Pod casts for a refresher whenever I feel the need.

So, as to my original intention for participating in the class; I found it on page 258 where Eckhart says “Your inner purpose is to awaken. It is as simple as that. You share that purpose with every other person on the planet-because it is the purpose of humanity. Your inner purpose in an essential part of the purpose of the whole, the universe and its emerging intelligence. Your outer purpose can change over time. It varies greatly from person to person. Finding and living in alignment with the inner purpose is the foundation for fulfilling your outer purpose. It is the basis for true success. Without that alignment, you can still achieve certain things through effort, struggle, determination, and sheer hard work or cunning. But there is no joy in such endeavor, and it invariably ends in some form of suffering.”

Simply stated, your outer purpose happens when you become aware, or “awaken” as Eckhart says. Being awake to who we are offers us the opening to how we express that in the world. At the moment I would say I’m partially awake, but aware enough to know that I’m heading in the right direction and still moving forward!

Warm Regards, Karen

Exciting New Resources

In the past few weeks, I have come across some interesting new resources for those who are actively seeking a new career.  Even if you are not looking, this first idea might inspire you and so I would like to share them with you.

Take your Career Idea for a Test Drive

There are so many interesting opportunities in the world of work out there today, but how in the world do you know what you are really interested in for the long haul?  What if you could try it out without risking your current job or taking a financial risk?  "Test-Drive Your DREAM JOB" written by Brian Kurth with Robin Simons, is a guide to creating the work that you love.  The website www.vocationvacation.com actually has opportunities for individuals to work with mentors within their field of interest.  Whether your interest is to be an Actor, Comedian, Race Car Critic, Cake Decorator or Wine Sommelier, there is something for just about any interest.  At the moment the opportunities look to be all in the USA but for the cost of a short vacation, why not check it out?

The Newest thing in Resumes

CV's have taken a dynamic turn at www.visualcv.com.  With this new on-line CV, you can add videos, pictures, PDF files of published articles or references.  It takes your resume to a whole new level and best of all it's FREE!  Take a look at the website ask yourself, what would be more likely to grab the attention of a prospective employer?

If you do delve into either one of these options, I would love to hear about your experience.  In the meantime, I'll keep my eyes open for more new and interesting resources.

Warm Regards,

Karen

Who Are Your Mentors?

I can't say enough about the impact that mentors have had in my life.  I have been lucky enough to have known many such people and they have always appeared at times of transition.  A mentor in my view is more than someone I respect and admire and more than a role model, although they are certainly those things as well.  For me, my mentors have been close at hand as a guide and voice of inspiration, a safe energy that offered comfort and hope when I needed more than my own experience could provide.  They showed me a direction and believed in my strength and ability and through that belief; I began to see it myself.

The most difficult lesson I've had to learn and understand is when it's time to let go and begin to trust my own voice with my newly acquired experience and wisdom.  Although this part was difficult, it happened.  I believe mentors appear in life when the time is right for change and growth and if we are aware, the learning can come from unexpected places.

I was recently reminded of the following poem which made me think about these special people and appreciate again what I have learned from them.

Reason, Season or Lifetime - Authour Unknown

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.  When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.  They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually.  They may seem like a godsend and they are.  They are there for the reason you need them to be.  Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to and end.

Sometimes they die.  Sometimes they walk away.  Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.  What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn.  They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.  They may teach you something you have never done.  They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.  Believe it; it is real, but only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons, things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.  Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.