Career Transition & Life Balance for Technology Professionals
Midlife Transition
Retirement Transition & Fulfilment
The Coaching Process

High achievers are naturally drawn to technology companies and to IT positions in other companies. Simply put, these are the places that you are least likely to be bored. They are demanding fast paced environments which require individuals to be continuously learning and growing in an ever changing business and technology environment.

The following are the most common things that I hear from clients when they make first contact:

• How did I get here?
• Hmmm, This is where I expected to be, but besides the money and shine of working for Company X there's no here, here.
• Standing by the elevator yesterday I had a moment of peace. How can I get more of that in my life?
• I don't have any friends outside of work. IS THERE an outside of work?
• I've had it with 24/7 and an electronic Blackberry leash. How do I get off the carousel and still find a challenging job?
• My marriage? My kids? Even when I'm home I'm working. I've got to make some changes or I'll lose what's really important.
• Work Life Balance .....no way I can have that and a good job. But there has to be more than looking forward to vacations.
• I used to love [name a sport of activity]. I never have time any more...
• I'm getting older and I still haven't found him/her. Time's passing too quickly.
• Is there life between projects? I never get acknowledgement. It always, "Next"!
• Pack up the luggage, unpack the luggage, which Marriot is this, where am I?
• Where do I go from here?
• These are my peak earning years, I don't dare let up!
• It just doesn't feel right anymore, and I have no idea what else to do.

I've been there myself, from the late nights spent implementing and delivering products, to wrangling for project resources and arguing for budgets. I've had the highs of working with and managing stellar teams and projects, and the lows of schizophrenic bosses and dysfunctional organizations. Ever had a boss throw an eraser at your peer next cubicle over? I have, and it wasn't in fun. I understand the sources of your frustrations and how to make your current situations work, or help you to decide if it's time to move on. I can follow WHEREVER you lead, lighten your load and bring you out of the depths back to a positive vision of the future.

To understand better how this works, take a look at the coaching process.

I help you with:

• the development of pivotal relationships with superiors, peers, subordinates and internal and external organizations & resources
• maximizing your resources and results on the job and in your life
• clarifying your interests and values in time of transition and helping you make the next chapter of your life a reality
• create the visions you need to carry you forward and the tactical plan to turn it into reality

The first step is an initial exploratory meeting to discuss the nature of the work you would like to do, and determine the appropriateness of working together. Going forward, I meet with you for three one hour sessions a month for a three month renewable agreement period. The agreement can be terminated by coach or the client during this period, should either party deem this appropriate. I don't coach by rote, because every individual is different. If you are being referred by another client, bear in mind that your process may include assessments, and activities different from those described by the person referring you.

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Midlife is a time of opportunity and challenge to take the first chapter in your life and translate it into a new meaningful vision of the future integrating your values, passions skills and experience. Coaching is about clarifying your values and passions to create the vision and then creating and following a tactical plan to turn the vision into a reality.

Okay, so you may be wondering what MidLife Transition is and how it differs from job transitions and other life changes (divorces, births, deaths, etc.) The fingerprint of Midlife Transition is a Shift in Values. What has been top priority in your life to this point suddenly changes. For example the first chapter of our life may be driven by a desire to achieve material and social successes, and MidLife Transition increases the importance of making a difference in other people's lives and thoughts of leaving a meaningful legacy.

If you are in your 30's through 60s, you are in midlife. The first major transition occurs as early as one's 30's , but most often in the 40's. One can have a MidLife Career transition at the same time as a Personal transition, or they can occur independently.

Major personal transitions usually occur in the 40's and 50's and are marked by the inclusion of variables like eldercare, estate management, and dealing with problem teens at home. For other people it may be marked by a realization that they have passed their most likely child rearing years, while friends may be having their first grandchildren. All and all, circumstances force us to look closely at how we are living our lives and decide what we need to shift to successfully move forward. MidLife career transitions can start earlier in life and may involve shifting to a totally new career.

Coaching provides you a safe space for exploration:

• Cope with current frustration and challenges
• Gain clarity about where you have been, and what you value in life
• Get in touch with your dreams and open up to new dreams and possibilities
• Face fears that are keeping you from moving, and find ways to move beyond the fears
• Discover a new vision for the next chapter of life that allows for the integration of your values, experience and skills in everything you do
• Create a plan that fits you to reach that vision, and support you each step of the way

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RETIREMENT TRANSITION &
RETIREMENT FULFILLMENT COACHING

Retirement is a time to integrate that which we love the most into our lives, actively choose how to engage our lives on a daily basis, share what is most meaningful to us in our activities and joyfully acknowledge our legacy. To many people retirement planning and management means financial planning and management. While this cornerstone is important, it does not address Life Planning for your retirement years. Coaching helps you to plan and live a fulfilling life in retirement.

The cycle of changes and transitions does not stop when we retire. When I coach individuals and couples planning for retirement transition, I require that they look not only at what they want to do upon retirement, but of multiple plans for the future.

Often, I work with people who are well into their retirement but have carried over old work habits, overextending commitments with too many volunteer organizations and boards. I help you to manage your commitments and align them with organizations most consistent with your values and passions, allowing time for the relaxation and adventure you looked forward to.

I work with you to answer the big questions:

• WHERE : What environment most suits you? Everything from location(s) to residence and physical surroundings.
• WHAT: What are the activities you most want to be involved with daily and periodically? This includes alignment of retirement visions with the different physical stages during retirement (Go Fast; Go; Go Slow). What are the values that you hold most dear, and the things you love the most and want more of in your life?
• WHO: What type of community do you want around you? Who are the people you want to be near, or in short distance from?
• WHEN : When is it time to retire, to move, or move on to the next chapter in your life? Once retired, what is a realistic sequencing of the things you want to do in retirement?
• SUPPORT: Do you have all the support you will need? Financial, Community, Family, Friends, Spiritual...

Coaching provides the support and structure to help you plan and lead a fulfilling life in retirement, whether you are planning your transition or have been retired for years. When working with couples, I work with each partner individually first to anchor them in their own desires and preferences before bringing both people together to create a joint life plan. Years of experience have proven to me that otherwise individuals will limit their visions unnecessarily by taking for granted what they believe the other person wants. This is especially true for people who have spent decades together.

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