Next Generation Next Destination

YOUR "LIFE REPORT" AND TRANSITIONING

 

In David Brooks’ New York Times Op-Ed column (October 28, 2011), “The Life Report,” he asks people over age 70 to reflect, write a report or essay and send it to him evaluating what you did well and not so well and lessons learned along the way. He suggests categories of career, family, self-knowledge, faith and community and even that you give yourself a grade in each area.

Brooks wrote that the main purpose would be to help young people. “Young people are educated in many ways, but they are given relatively little help in understanding how a life develops, how careers and families evolve, what are the common mistakes and common blessings of modern adulthood,” he wrote. The other purpose would be mature self-reflection.

That same day, I received an e-mail from Civic Ventures’ Encore Careers (I am on the mailing list because of Next Generation, Next Destination), piggybacking on Brooks’ idea for people who have transitioned to “encore careers” after their major career(s).

I say the life report is a great idea – but why wait till 70? Let’s start doing it at age 50 or 55 when enough experience has accumulated and there is still much time to adjust course. Even people still in their major careers will benefit from the self-reflection (with or without grading). And what a great mentoring tool, a coaching tool and legacy!

So, consider it and start thinking and writing. You don’t have to send it to David Brooks to publish – though go ahead if you want to. Do it for yourself, your family and friends, the students you know and young work colleagues. Share it in alumni groups, community groups, social media, etc. It will help you and others in their growth and transitioning.

Tell me what you think. Comment here. Pass it on. Let me know if you start something going in your circles.

Phyllis Weiss Haserot   www.pdcounsel.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

PICASSO ON TRANSITIONING AND REINVENTION

My coaching colleague and former serial entrepreneur Craig Jennings posted a wonderful Picasso quote on his weekly Prescriptions for Inspiration:

“ I am always doing that which I cannot do in order that I may learn how to do it.”

---  Pablo Picasso

That’s the attitude consultants who like new challenges have. It’s an attitude anyone in any kind of transition should adopt. New things can be scary if you let them be, but also exciting, exhilarating and very gratifying when accomplished.

We are living in a world and at a time where there are few certainties, and the risk-averse are at a disadvantage. Young people tend not to know better than to try whatever is new and they think they can learn from.

Boomers - Remember the 60’s and 70’s? Some experiments and lessons are painful; some result in a tremendous payoff. With enthusiasm and initiative, if not an intense passion, even if we lack Picasso’s talent as most of us do, doing what you haven’t done before can bring a new career direction, personal growth, a new income stream and a boost to professional identity.

See what hints, help and inspiration you can get from the younger generations, Don’t let pride be an obstacle, and make positive choices. You just may find new energy and that life going forward is more fun. 

Comments positive and to the contrary are welcome. 

Phyllis Weiss Haserot      www.pdcounsel.com

 

 

POLITICAL REINVENTION, AND THEN SUCCESSION PLANNING

I am thrilled to see the success of the young people of Egypt and elsewhere in the Middle East and northern Africa striving for democracy with so far so little violence. If – and it’s a big if – they can bring about positive change in a peaceful way, they will have shown that this Gen Y/Millennials generation has strong convictions and the will to fight for them with less of the lasting harm the protests of the Baby Boomers in the 1960s brought.

Since it takes two sides to come together, perhaps the older generations will learn something too about achieving change. It’s too early to tell, but you know I’m an optimist.

Now the harder part, succession planning and peaceful succession 

Phyllis Weiss Haserot

NEW YEAR CHALLENGE FOR CHANGE - Action and Reinvention

Being both future-oriented and an optimist, each year I send a new year’s message. This year, it’s by way of a video, Challenge for Change in 2011.  See it here.  You can also read it below.

 Join me in my wish for a healthy, peaceful, prosperous, fulfilling and joyous year for all of us.              Phyllis

 Challenge for Change in 2011

 Last year my New Years message was the Gandhi quote: “Be the change you wish to see in the world.”                                                                                                                                                                          For For 2011, when we seem surrounded by political gridlock and angst, I send forth the words of President John F. Kennedy:  “There are risks and costs to a program of action. But they are far less than the long term risks and costs of comfortable inaction.”

 I ask you to think about that and how it applies to your life and work. What are you holding back, not acting on, cocooned in your comfort zone when you know you need to be leading or participating in change?

 Now is the time!

 Wishing you a spectacular New Year – all  year!                                                                                      

  Phyllis Weiss Haserot

 

PROFESSIONAL BUSINESS CHECK-IN

Many professionals focus on their clients’ goals more than they reflect and plan to reach their own goals – or even identify them. At least twice a year, it’s important to check in with yourself to ensure you are heading in your desired direction.

You can begin with these questions:

• How would you honestly evaluate the status of your business now?
• What role do you want to play in your business during the next 3 years? Is that role different than in the past?
• Over the next 3 years, what do you, personally, want to achieve?
• What are your financial goals short-term and long-term?
• How will you achieve them?  Consider forecast trends in your marketplace.
• Is it time to begin thinking about and planning your personal exit strategy from your business?

For some more thoughts on what to reflect on as you develop your goals, check out Jeri Quinn’s blog post http://www.drivingir.com/understand-your-service-before-defining-your-goals

Start now and make a habit of reflecting on and tracking your own goals.

 Phyllis Weiss Haserot

BE AN OPTIMIST LEADER: RE-THINK, RE-ALIGN, RE-INVENT

In my opinion, these times call for practical, compassionate, open-minded optimists. Here are some of the attributes that come to mind to lead your organization or community in a constructive direction.

*  Retain core values, but challenge assumptions based on previous circumstances - quickly.

*  Think positively, and if there is anger, channel it constructively.

*  Identify and realistically assess the forces that influence the present and what will be the "new normal." These are economic, social, political, cultural and competitive forces and trends. What will that new normal look like and where are the opportunities?

*  Communicate transparently and authentically. To inspire and engener trust, loyalty, engagement and commitment, keep people in the loop.

* Invite and be open to advice and new perspectives from your team and from respected outsiders.

*  Feel and convey empathy. Look outside yourself, help others when they need it, and believe that "what goes around comes around."

*  Be a role model at whatever level you are. Show confidence and optimism and encourage it in others. Have goals and action plans and keep raising the bar.

*  Maintain a supportive enviroinment for yourself, your family, friends and colleagues.

*  Stay engaged, accessible and ready to move as required.

*  Both stay aware in the present moment and be future-oriented. Optimists believe in a positive future. Optimist leaders want to show the way.

Phyllis Weiss Haserot      www.pdcounsel.com

NEW YEAR GREETING 2009

Welcome new year two thousand nine

Will you be our valentine?

Optimists come out from hiding

We’re all ready for glad tidings

Take a break from blogs and tweeting

Get set to take a facetime meeting

As in the ballpark give a cheer

And join with us for an upbeat year

 

Phyllis Weiss Haserot and Richard T. McDermott    www.pdcounsel.com