How to defeat the normal challenges of life!

May, 2010
By Craig Nathanson - The Vocational Coach™

Struggling with life transition?

This happens to many of us. This can be a result of many factors such as a job loss, a death in the family, a divorce, a financial crisis, or just a sense of feeling empty and unsure what to do next with your life. During this time, it is important to get clear about what is most important for you and what new goals should be moved forward without delay. Life transition brings you to a new perspective, new way of living in the world, and an overall sense of a new beginning. Have belief in yourself, take small steps forward, and know that growth can occur during these challenging times.

Feeling stuck, stressed, confused?

First, it is important to isolate and understand exactly what is bothering you and where it originates from. Are you stuck because you are unsure about what action to take or decision to make over one element of your life? Are you stressed because of some situation keeps reoccurring over and over? Are you confused over specific feelings which come up and you don’t know what to do about them? All of these are normal human emotions. What is most important during this time is to become more self-aware and to identify the source of your emotions. Then to identify where they are coming from and or what triggered them. With a good plan you can move forward with confidence that you will defeat what is bothering you most.

Seeking true happiness and well-being?

Being happy is subjective. Feeling good about yourself and your life is also subjective. This, however, is what is most important to us. The challenge is how to identify what exactly makes you happy and, if good for your well-being, how to sustain this over time. It is important when searching for happiness to be clear that your criteria come from you and not from others. Only then, you will gain a sense of control over your life. This is intrinsic motivation and it can last a lifetime.

Longing for a sense of fulfillment?

Again, while feeling fulfilled is subjective, it is most important to each person. It is important that you identify what types of activities and experiences give you a sense of energy, happiness, and fulfillment about your life. Which activities can you define which will move you towards feeling each and every day that your life is fulfilling? It is never too early or too late to start.

Wishing to utilize your full potential?

How do you define reaching your potential? Could it be through using your gifts and the things which you are best at and give you the most joy in your life? For many people, this topic can seem overwhelming and, as a result, most stray away from discussing. It can be more helpful to just think about which gifts you have that come naturally to you and which you enjoy. Think through, how you can utilize these gifts more in your life. Identify others who would benefit from these gifts. Through this process you can reach your full potential.

Striving for greater success and satisfaction?

Many people are influenced by society pressures. Then they pursue what external sources define as success and then finally discover that they are not truly satisfied with their life. Define your own measures of success. Make sure they come from you. Only then, you will be able to measure and celebrate when you reach them.

Searching for a purposeful way of being?

Who are you? How would you describe yourself to someone else if you had to describe yourself around who you are vs. what you do? What is your life about, and where do you want to make a difference? If you had to answer the question, "the purpose of my life is", what you would say and why? What bothers you most about the world? Where do you most want to make a contribution now? With these questions answered, you will be ready and internally motivated to live a purposeful life.

I’ll be cheering you on as you go!

Craig Nathanson

Craig Nathanson is the author of "How to find the RIGHT work during challenging times: A new approach to your life and work after 40" and is a coaching expert who works with people over forty.

Visit Craig’s online community at http://www.thevocationalcoach.com where you can take a class, get more ideas through Craig Nathanson’s books and CD’s, get some private coaching over the phone or using skype and webcam and in Craig’s office, or read other stories of mid-life change and renewal.

Craig lives and works in Petaluma, California. His office is located at P.O Box 2823, Petaluma Ca, 94953. You can reach him at 707-775-4020 or at craig@thevocationalcoach.com.

Craig's Vocational Passion Newsletters are edited by Anita Flegg at The Sharp Quill. The Sharp Quill -- www.sharpquill.com -- specializes in writing and editing for small business. You can see Anita's vocational story at http://www.thevocationalcoach.com/_vocational_community/_real_stories/story_anita.html

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