Most people have a history of reinventing themselves in different roles.
Among the many we've held: child, sibling, parent, spouse, friend, student, volunteer, employee and employer.
Yet as we keep ourselves busy in this incredible variety of roles, we can find ourselves awakening and wondering how the heck we got where we are today.
Sometimes in our busy-ness, we haven't created time to reflect how we got where we are, where we want to go, and how to build a roadmap to get there.
When I began my working career after college, I had difficulty finding a job in my field.
As a result, I accepted a position in a Fortune 500 company, thinking I would stay for a couple years.
The next thing I knew, it was many years later and I wasn't certain how I got there.
Or what should come next.
And I found myself surrounded by people in similar circumstances.
At the same point I was beginning to experience concerns about what my work should be, I was in a car accident and sustained a spinal cord injury.
So suddenly, everything had to be reinvented...
on the exterior and the interior.
Here's some of what I know about reinvention: •Reinvention requires creating time for reflection.
To begin, one of the most valuable tools for moving forward is taking time to look backwards.
What were the things you loved doing as a child? What people or books have inspired you? What do you consider your most important life and work accomplishments? Which jobs and managers brought out your best performance? Which tasks make you feel that you are in a zone of effortlessness? •Small steps can lead to big gains.
When I was in physical therapy, I learned the benefits of progressive action...
starting with smaller actions to build strength for larger ones.
Much as I began with exercises on a mat, followed by steps within parallel bars to a walker to canes, you can take grow from small steps to larger ones.
If you think you want a new career, begin researching alternatives.
If you want to lose weight, start to take a 20-minute walk every night.
If you want to write a book, begin with an article.
•A diverse support team is essential.
In talking with friends who've been laid off from jobs, one quickly sees that people who have a strong network of people cope better through this type of change.
They're not just relying on one person for counsel, entertainment and support.
Similarly, most entrepreneurs start to see their businesses take off as they diversify and expand their network.
A business network needs to include people who fulfill different roles - some are great connectors of people, others are great at challenging your thinking and others are wonderful at being your cheerleader when you need reinforcement.
Be patient with yourself on the ever-evolving journey of reinvention.
The life and work you have today took time to develop and a change may as well.
But the time will elapse whether you reinvent or not...
so why not create something new that inspires you?
Among the many we've held: child, sibling, parent, spouse, friend, student, volunteer, employee and employer.
Yet as we keep ourselves busy in this incredible variety of roles, we can find ourselves awakening and wondering how the heck we got where we are today.
Sometimes in our busy-ness, we haven't created time to reflect how we got where we are, where we want to go, and how to build a roadmap to get there.
When I began my working career after college, I had difficulty finding a job in my field.
As a result, I accepted a position in a Fortune 500 company, thinking I would stay for a couple years.
The next thing I knew, it was many years later and I wasn't certain how I got there.
Or what should come next.
And I found myself surrounded by people in similar circumstances.
At the same point I was beginning to experience concerns about what my work should be, I was in a car accident and sustained a spinal cord injury.
So suddenly, everything had to be reinvented...
on the exterior and the interior.
Here's some of what I know about reinvention: •Reinvention requires creating time for reflection.
To begin, one of the most valuable tools for moving forward is taking time to look backwards.
What were the things you loved doing as a child? What people or books have inspired you? What do you consider your most important life and work accomplishments? Which jobs and managers brought out your best performance? Which tasks make you feel that you are in a zone of effortlessness? •Small steps can lead to big gains.
When I was in physical therapy, I learned the benefits of progressive action...
starting with smaller actions to build strength for larger ones.
Much as I began with exercises on a mat, followed by steps within parallel bars to a walker to canes, you can take grow from small steps to larger ones.
If you think you want a new career, begin researching alternatives.
If you want to lose weight, start to take a 20-minute walk every night.
If you want to write a book, begin with an article.
•A diverse support team is essential.
In talking with friends who've been laid off from jobs, one quickly sees that people who have a strong network of people cope better through this type of change.
They're not just relying on one person for counsel, entertainment and support.
Similarly, most entrepreneurs start to see their businesses take off as they diversify and expand their network.
A business network needs to include people who fulfill different roles - some are great connectors of people, others are great at challenging your thinking and others are wonderful at being your cheerleader when you need reinforcement.
Be patient with yourself on the ever-evolving journey of reinvention.
The life and work you have today took time to develop and a change may as well.
But the time will elapse whether you reinvent or not...
so why not create something new that inspires you?