| Today's economy is creating uncertainty-and | | | | people. Look for mentors who can help you make |
| opportunity-for a record number of American | | | | new connections or develop new skills. Thank |
| professionals. As companies downsize, millions of | | | | people for their help, and look for ways that you |
| people are planning Act II of their lives. If you're | | | | can help others by making connections or sharing |
| one of them, you know what it feels like to be | | | | your expertise. Don't dwell on your fears. |
| outside of your comfort zone. Resist the | | | | Reframe negative, fearful thoughts as challenges |
| temptation to sink into despair. This "slow period" | | | | and opportunities. Even better, set goals for |
| can be an opportunity to rethink your long-term | | | | yourself and reward every achievement. |
| goals, readjust your priorities, reassess what's | | | | Continue to grow. Find a mentor. If your finances |
| needed to accomplish your vision and reframe | | | | won't permit you to hire a mentor, see if you can |
| your skills to attract a new employer. You can | | | | barter services or take advantage of some of |
| use this transition to emerge stronger than ever-if | | | | the free business resources from the Small |
| you use your energy to create a game plan to | | | | Business Authority, Chamber of Commerce and |
| reach your goals. | | | | local universities and community colleges. Read |
| Here's your survival kit to help you make the | | | | books that help you broaden your business |
| most of your new possibilities without skipping a | | | | perspective. Take courses, sign up for workshops |
| beat. | | | | and attend lectures. Go to trade shows, |
| Create an "I Believe In Me-and So Do Others" | | | | networking opportunities and business receptions |
| bulletin board. This is a combination of a vision | | | | where you can meet new people. Use the |
| board (where you post pictures of your goals and | | | | Internet for competitive research. Make the most |
| dreams) and a collection of the inspirational | | | | of your flexible schedule to stay current and |
| quotes, congratulatory emails, thank you notes | | | | connected. |
| and testimonials others send praising your best | | | | Take time for yourself. This transition is a unique |
| qualities. Make sure you put this bulletin board | | | | opportunity. Take some "mental health breaks" |
| where you'll see it frequently from your | | | | and schedule in time for workouts, lunches with |
| workspace to keep your spirits high. | | | | encouraging friends or family, even trips to the |
| Make a "greatest achievements" folder. List your | | | | park. You'll be back at work soon enough and |
| awards and promotions and quantify your | | | | back on the career treadmill. Plan a half day every |
| successes. Don't worry whether they're big or | | | | week to do something relaxing like enjoy a walk, |
| small, personal or professional. Include things like | | | | read at the library, go to a free afternoon at the |
| volunteer service and workplace committees, | | | | museum or have a picnic. You'll be amazed at |
| leadership roles, events you've hosted, big sales | | | | how refreshed you'll feel without spending a dime. |
| and new clients that you've landed. Keep this | | | | Congratulate yourself for the wins, both big and |
| close at hand so you can refocus on your | | | | small. Don't wait until you find a job to celebrate. |
| successes the next time you're feeling down. | | | | Reward yourself when you make ten phone calls |
| Do a "skills inventory" and ask your friends to | | | | or send ten emails. Praise yourself for the effort |
| help. Make a list of all the skills, traits and talents | | | | when you schedule appointments or research a |
| you think are valuable at work and in leadership | | | | potential employer. Make a do-able daily to-do list |
| roles. Now ask a few close friends, trusted | | | | and celebrate reaching the end of every day's list. |
| colleagues and even supportive family members | | | | Celebrate your win when you create your web |
| to do the same. This informal "360 review" is | | | | site, refresh your resume or polish your cover |
| likely to turn up strong points from others that | | | | letter. Make sure to share your successes with |
| you discount in yourself. Keep these skills and | | | | supportive friends. |
| talents in mind as you prepare to find a new role, | | | | Make your success visible-and visual. Professionals |
| and continue to ask your group of supporters for | | | | in the creative industries know how important a |
| feedback throughout the process, and use them | | | | portfolio is to showcase their best work for a |
| to help you role play for practice before | | | | prospective client. Why not borrow the idea even |
| important interviews and presentations. | | | | if you're not in a "creative" profession? Create an |
| Stay in the business habit. Dress the part when | | | | online multimedia portfolio with photos or graphics |
| you go out for lunches or coffee with friends and | | | | to represent key milestones or accomplishments |
| colleagues. If funds permit, buy a new suit (or at | | | | in your resume. |
| least a fresh tie or scarf) or invest in a new | | | | Ask for audio or emailed endorsements from |
| briefcase, folio or purse. You'll feel fresh and | | | | former bosses and colleagues, even people who |
| confident. Make sure your shoes are shined, your | | | | have seen your volunteer contributions. Upload |
| clothes are pressed and that you have the best | | | | photos of your involvement in community |
| haircut you can afford. Limit the people to whom | | | | projects such as Habitat for Humanity. (Hint: Your |
| you confide your fears, personal issues and | | | | LinkedIn page could be a great place for this!) Or, |
| uncertainties to a trusted few who can be | | | | create an off-line "portfolio" of your work |
| counted on to respect your confidences. | | | | contrasting "before" and "after" examples of your |
| Realize that you are your own product. Get | | | | work in text descriptions or photos (if |
| personal business cards made so you have a | | | | appropriate). Use a three-ring binder so you can |
| professional calling card. Try to avoid self-printed | | | | add or change content to suit the interview. Be |
| perforated cards and take advantages of the | | | | sure to include your resume and reference letters. |
| many online specials for a quality product at a | | | | Many successful people look back on times when |
| great price. Buy a domain name that's as close to | | | | they were "displaced" and realize in hindsight that |
| your name as possible and get a professional | | | | those transitions were amazing growth |
| email address that isn't AOL, Hotmail, Gmail or one | | | | opportunities. While change is never easy, your |
| of the other free services. Remember, you're | | | | attitude, persistence and actions can enable you |
| building a brand-YOU! | | | | to realize your dreams. So don't let a career |
| Surround yourself with positives. Read proactive, | | | | change slow you down. It just might be the |
| affirming business books. Hang out with positive | | | | opportunity you've been searching for! |