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Special Article

Eight Crucial Job Transition Stress Busters
by Marshall Brown

Have you just been laid off? Are you "between successes"? Job transitions can be stressful-whether they're due to layoff, a new job or working extra hours because other workers were laid off. If you're facing one of these scenarios consider the following:

1. Take an honest look at yourself. What are your strengths, weaknesses, skills? What is your brand? How are these influencing your transition - positively or negatively?

2. Step up your self-care. Major changes are physically and emotionally taxing. You need self-care now more than ever. Do things that will bring joy into your life and lower the stress.

3. Engage your curiosity. What am I doing well? What do I need to be doing differently? What could I be doing better in my job search?

4. Find support. Since your transition affects your family as well, it may be best to seek the outside support of friends or professionals.

5. Focus on what you want, and less on what you don't want. Keep your eye on the prize. Define and express your vision.

6. Find time to play. Turn "recreation" into "re-creation". Gather some friends to play board games or soccer. Find activities that create laughter, which benefits emotional and physical health.

7. Let go of how things were "supposed to be" and accept "how things are." Find appreciation for what is.

8. Keep things in perspective or try on a new perspective. Don't get stuck. Remember, the only constant is change.

No matter what phase of job transition you're in, know that you must implement these stress busters in a way that best fits your daily life plan; there is no cookie-cutter approach. Job transition, particularly job loss is often described as feelings of loss, grief, and other traumatic emotions. Be sure to take the time to recognize how utterly beautiful you truly are and use that energy to help you funnel your next steps while easing back into a system. You have control over your destiny. Cheers to your success!

Thoughts & Tips.

Nielsen: Consumers Trust Online Opinions

When it comes to trust, personal recommendations and consumer opinions posted online are most valued by consumers worldwide.

In women bloggers and reviewers we trust. The article in Adweek on July 7 cited a Nielsen survey of 25,000 online opinions - 90% of consumers trust the opinions of others that they know and 70% trust the opinions of that are posted online. 

The results were taken from a global survey of 50 countries. What goes around is going around the world.  

This Month's Feature

Get Clarity Career Coaching Programs™

FACT: Everyone is stressed under the pressures of this economic downturn. Unemployment rates are rising, layoffs are rampant and businesses are failing.

FACT: The current economic climate calls for a robust career management plan.

FACT: Career Coaching is a powerful tool to help you reach your career goals, whether you wish to change your career, grow in your present career or find a new career.

The Economic Downturn Can Be An Opportunity
To Make A Radical Career Change!

Shaky Career? The current economic climate calls for a strong career management plan, one that will, despite the recession conditions, propel your career to new heights.

Laid Off? A career coach works with you on setting goals or reinventing yourself if you have been laid off. Even if you are not faced with that forecast you still need to take the time to plan to make sure the career you want is what you are pursuing. We work with you to plan your course of action, keep you on track, overcome barriers, and celebrate your success.

We are trained to help you transition in this economy by working with you on an action plan to help you to Get Clear, Get Focused and Get Ahead

You Can Survive The Economic Downturn
Through Career Coaching!

“A Coach May Be The Guardian Angel You Need To Rev Up Your Career."
MONEY MAGAZINE

Click here to read more about this program

Guest Author

6 strategies
The Great Work Blog
Michael Bungay Stanier BA, LLB, M.Phil, CPCC

Here’s a few options you have - feel free to pick more than one.

1. Pick a project. Just one. The one project you’re going to really focus on for the next 90 days. Make it a project that counts. Make it Great Work.
2. Pick a big project for the next five years.In the Kevin Kelly article he quotes Stewart Brand (founder of The Long Now Foundation) who says a good project takes five years from go to whoa. Start a company. Write a book. Begin a new career. Change the World. Pick something that will inspire you, hold you, thrill you. (At the very least, write a shortlist.)
3. Write out your “Not To Do List.” Put down at least 10 things you’re likely to get suckered into doing that - big picture and all - are a waste of your time. This is the stuff you’ve been keen to say No to for some time now - and I’m giving you permission to do just that!
4. Write out your “To Be List.” Don’t get fooled into thinking that it’s all about what you do. How do you want to show up for the next little while? Will you be … loving? Courageous? Focused? Happy? Unpredictable? Curious?
5. Get inspired. Go check out the Great Work Interviews. In recent weeks we’ve posted podcasts with Steven Rothstein (Head of the Perkins School for the Blind), Dixon Thayer (senior exec and turn-around guru), Sally Bonneywell (Head of OD for GlaxoSmithKline) and Chris Guillebeau (world traveller, writer of the Art of Non-Conformity.) Don’t tell me there isn’t SOMETHING there for you!
6. Get tactical. Think about the next 90 days. I wrote about the power of planning in 90 day “chunks” a little while ago, and you can read some specific tactics to do just that here.

Read the entire blog entry here:

New Offering

Are you finding it difficult to provide face-to-face career development workshops to your staff and/or members of your association because of the economic crunch? Marshall Brown & Associates has the solution.

We now offer numerous career management programs via web conference or teleseminar format. No travel or hotel expenses involved! Contact us for additional information.

During these challenging times, your members need you the most.
Be there for them!

Click here to read more.

Recommended Book.

Find Your Great Work
by Michael Bungay Stanier

Find Your Great Work

• Helps you get back to that passion.
• Helps you remember the excitement you had during the first days of your career.
• Helps you bring that back to what you do.

When you find your Great Work

• You don’t feel stressed.
• You don’t feel like you’re scrambling to get that project done yesterday.
• You don’t feel like what you do is just a bunch of little things that don’t seem to make any difference in the long run.

Find Your Great Work is a handy book full of fun bite-sized, fast-and-furious exercises. It’s quick. It’s insightful. It’s easy to implement.

Where is Marshall

August 15-18, 2009
ASAE and The Center Annual Conference
Toronto, Canada

Today's Quote

"Great things are not done by impulse, but by a series of small things brought together."

- Vincent van Gogh

Marshall Brown , PCC

About Marshall Brown & Associates
Marshall Brown & Associates is a professional career and executive coaching firm and branding service. We use a no-nonsense approach designed to get you the results you want in the time frame you need.

Marshall Brown, President of Marshall Brown & Associates is a certified career and executive coach, branding specialist and speaker. He has always had a passion for helping people live more fulfilling lives. In 2002 he started Marshall Brown & Associates with his unique brand of coaching as the foundation of his practice.

For a free evaluation
...of your individual professional or organizational issues, contact Marshall Brown or call 202.518.5811 today.

" Marshall Brown is an asset to any executive. He listens well and gives on-target guidance to give you direction and keep you motivated. His dedication, professionalism, knowledge, and encouragement are a constant source of positive reinforcement to keep you focused on your objective - whether it be a job search, career advancement or a career change. I wouldn't make a move without consulting Marshall first!"
— Karin M. Soyster, CMP, CAE, Vice President - Membership Services, American Bakers Association

"In a word, Marshall is fantastic! He just finished a team building 2 day training for my staff - was very, very productive. Absolutely helped us achieve our goals. He works on an ongoing basis with one of my senior team - very effectively."
— Julie Coons, President and Chief Executive Officer, Electronic Retailing Association

"IT'S ALL ABOUT YOU!" … for people with a passion for personal growth and organizational success

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