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The power of new beginnings
In the afterglow of the eclipse, I’ve been thinking about William Bridges’ transition model, and the applications it has in our careers and lives. In his book Transitions, Bridges talks about the endings, neutral zones, and new beginnings that come with shifts, and those were all a part of Monday’s experience. The first step in Bridges’ model is endings, where what existed before ceases. As my husband and I stood in the mall parking lot in Scotts Bluff, Nebraska—a location that would deliver the total eclipse opportunity–we watched as the formerly bright sunlight was slowly wiped away....
read moreRecognition for a job well done.
My mom had major surgery recently, and I spent a week post-op nearly round the clock by her side. I wanted to be there if she needed me, but mostly it was for my own peace of mind. Was she being well cared for? I needn’t have worried. Never before in my more than five decades have I had such an up-close view of today’s healthcare system. After spending over 140 continuous hours observing the processes and professionals, I was amazed and impressed at the expertise and dedication of people and systems in place to deliver care. The roles they fill—Certified Nursing Assistant, nurse, physical...
read moreLaid off? Some tips for how to move forward.
“A few of my colleagues who have worked for the same company for 30 years are getting laid off. Could you write a column about what they should do? Most of them don’t have any idea.” This comment came from a reader, so here’s a step-by-step plan for them: Catch your breath. Getting laid off can be a huge shock, and it’s likely that you won’t be thinking straight for a while. Rather than updating your LinkedIn profile immediately, go into crisis mode instead, until your head stops spinning. Talking with someone you trust about your feelings and options has been shown to speed up transitions...
read moreFear and change. How to keep your career edge.
Worry you’re losing your edge in your career? You’re not alone–there’s even an acronym for that: FOBO – Fear of Becoming Obsolete. Local bestselling author Debra Benton, in partnership with Kylie Write-Ford, tackle this topic in their newly-released book, “The Leadership Mind Switch.” Here are a few compelling data points to get you thinking in more progressive directions: “Every two days, we create as much information as we did from the dawn of man through 2003”, informs Eric Schmidt, former CEO of Google. An attitude of, “We’ve always done things that way,” is digital Darwinism, and...
read moreA career in cannabis. Is it for you?
A career in cannabis is controversial: some workers dig in their heels and say, “Not me! I’d never have anything to do with that,” while others are eagerly doing their best to break in, intrigued at the possibilities. In my 20+ years supporting career development in Colorado, a handful of professional paths have either excited or repelled local workers: oil and gas drilling, quickie loan companies, and yes, even beer brewing, to name a few. Karson Humiston, who founded and runs Vangst, a cannabis worker recruiting firm, specializes in filling the many slots now open in this growing sector....
read moreMature workers and aging. What not to do in employment.
Twice in the last few weeks the world has reminded me of my chronological progression. At a local store, a clerk asked if I qualified for the senior discount, and flying home from Minneapolis, the TSA agent told me to keep my shoes on as a courtesy to their more mature flyers. And yes, as of yesterday, I do qualify for benefits for anyone 55 or over. Aging is concern for more mature workers, and now that I’ve officially joined that category, I’m asking myself, as objectively as possible, are these worries valid? I do find myself a bit slower when it comes to decision making lately. I’m not...
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