Using transitions for success

Career breaks – we all have had them, some advertently and some inadvertently – and I can say with a high degree of confidence, that they are one of the hardest life situations to deal with.

After all, most of us are wholly defined by what we do. Without our job title and our income – we quickly start falling apart – like a lost identity, we believe that all cause to be happy in our world has been taken away from us and passing of time, becomes the greatest chore. the higher we are in the corporate food chain, the greater our vulnerability to fall apart when we lose it.

The truth is that transitions, (and I don’t care what form they came to you in) are our greatest opportunities, our calling from the universe to say – time to move on, to shift vibration, to change focus, to look within, to see ahead, to ask yourself fundamental life questions. If you speak to anyone who has been through an extended career break – most likely they will say, it was the best thing that ever happened to me, even though if you are in the situation – you may want to kick me at this point 😊

Here are a few questions you should sit down and ask yourself when you have the time, the one thing that the break gives us so much of.

1. Who am I without this job?
2. What is my level of confidence / self-esteem without this job?
3. Why was I in this job for as long as I was – for the love of it, or just for the money?
4. If I had the choice, to be or do anything I wanted to – without worry of income, what would I do with my life?
5. What are my greatest skills, attributes? Were they being best utilized at the previous job?
6. Did my peers/ colleagues uplift and empower me?
7. Did I delight in the growth that I was getting in my role?

As you answer these questions, often you will find that no matter the cause of your break, the job or role was not in alignment with your deepest desires and needs. This is a clear indication – that you required a change of path, a transformation – but may have been too afraid to take that step on your own. However, this world is a world that works with the Law of Vibration –if your vibration is out of alignment with your workplace – you cannot last there. Your vibration will take you to your new destination. Having said, that the Law of vibration also works the other way – If you were working for a great company, but not putting in your bit, then too you were out of alignment with your firm and so the universal law will show you, that you need to get back on track. Either way, you need to shift something within, so that your outer results can change.

Here are some of the best things you can do for yourself in your career breaks:

1. Travel – Going to a new country, a new place, stepping away from your reality for a while is one the best foods for the soul. You will be amazed how travel allows you to look at your own life, from a third person perspective. When you are not in your daily life, you can observe and reflect what needs changing.
2. Do what you love – If you have interests other than work, then this is the time to pursue them. Art, dance, music – join a group, a class that uplifts and fills you with joy
3. Study – Yes! Here is your opportunity to learn something new. Continuous learning is imperative for your growth. The most successful people never stop learning.
4. Love your body, mind, spirit – go on a 2 week detox, 2 week spiritual retreat, 2 week yoga retreat – anything that normally you wouldn’t have the time to do, but would be immensely beneficial to your Body, Mind and Spirit.
5. Get a Coach – Invest in yourself. You don’t invest in you, how can you expect anyone else to invest in you? A personal coach, a life coach, a success coach. Getting a coach and committing to the process over a reasonable period of time, is the fastest way to expand your awareness. And the success in your life, is but a reflection of your own awareness.
6. Do nothing – the hardest and the most important aspect of increasing your awareness and confidence in yourself.

If you are on the borderline of making a decision, and have been contemplating – taking time off, then my only suggestion to you would be – DO IT !

My Story:

I had an extended career break in 2016 – I knew I was getting closer to living my purpose, but the lure and security of the corporate world was still dominant. My last job, got me closer to my purpose but it was not a vibrational fit – I had known that almost as soon as I started working there. I had done some work on dissociating myself from my corporate identity over the years, so when the inevitable occurred – I was not too shaken. I was certain the Laws of the Universe were at play and I decided to flow with it.  I consciously decided to take some time off so the next step would be the right one for me.

How I spent my one year in exile (heaven 😊)

• Travel – to Japan, Indonesia, Thailand, Spain, France, USA and Canada. Included in that was a wonderful mother daughter trip which will go into my lifetime memories.
• 200 hour Yoga teacher training course (Crossed one of my to do lists)
• Study – I got three certifications that year, all of which are an integral part of my career today.
• Got a mentor / coach
• Strategized on the launch of my own business – Eikaa
• Found what I was really born to do – Coach 😊
• Laughed – A lot
• Did nothing – a lot too 😊

Wishing you all much success, whether in a transition or thinking about one.

If you would like to speak to us about Coaching to help you through a transition, send us a note!