[ Next Issue ] [ Archives ] [ Previous Issue ]

ChangingCourse.com, Find Your Life Mission and Live It

Issue 154

January 3, 2007

About Your Subscription

Prefer the text version? Change Your Subscription

Compass

Changing Course is dedicated to helping you:

~Live Life on Purpose
~Work at What You Love
~Follow Your Own Road

Inside Today's Issue

Featured Article

A Surprisingly Easy Way to Increase Your Odds of Working at What You Love

Fast Track Your Dream "Community"

In the Garden

Resources for A Change

View From the Other Side

Without leaps of imagination, or dreaming, we lose the excitement of possibilities. Dreaming, after all, is a form of planning. ~ Gloria Steinem

A Surprisingly Easy Way to Increase Your Odds of Working at What You Love

By Valerie YoungValerie and her dog, Cokie

It’s estimated that roughly half of all people will make a New Year’s Resolution. No big deal right? But did you know that the simple act of making a resolution makes you ten times more likely to make achieve your goal? TEN times! It’s true. According to a study reported in the Journal of Clinical Psychology, people who explicitly make resolutions are ten times more likely to attain their goals than people who don’t explicitly make resolutions.

Think about it… What if you knew that deliberately pledging to change course in 2007 that you could increase your chance of success tenfold? What if this simple act drastically accelerated your quest to say goodbye to unreasonable bosses, office politics, and alarm clocks, and hello to right livelihood, balance, and flexibility?

Well, you are about to meet some regular people just like you who have just increased their own odds of living life on their own terms. In the last newsletter I posed a simple question: “What kinds of things do you intend to do differently in 2007 to move closer to your dream of changing course?” I obviously hit a nerve because the resolutions are still pouring in. I heard from people in 30 states and 7 countries as far away as India. I wish I could include them all here. But that would take dozens of pages. So, I’ve selected just a few of the many New Year’s Resolutions to share here with you.

Naturally, people’s promises reflect where they are in the overall process of changing course. People who still don’t know “what they want to be when they grow up” made up their mind to stop, as one person put it, “pussyfooting around,” and be proactive about figuring it out. For Linda P. from Las Cruces, New Mexico, that means taking active steps to “find my heart’s desire and work to make it my life’s work.”  

Then there are people who know exactly what they want to do. Like Al from Manchester, New Hampshire whose resolution is to establish his own business exporting used cars to Latin America. Resolutions for people like Al all come down to three little words: “Just do it.” In fact, I received many resolutions about putting a stake in the ground by making a concrete plan. “I may not be able to escape job jail in 2007,” said one person, “but the escape strategy will be implemented and well under way and the escape date will have been determined.”  

Many people I heard from have already started down the path to self-employment. For them New Year’s Resolutions were about either formally launching or growing their business. For example, Lauren from Wisconsin says that, “in 2007 I will use my time wisely to market my very part-time freelance marketing communication business so by mid-year I can make it a full time gig.” That way Lauren says she can, “say good-bye to inflexible bosses, archaic policies, and having to rely on someone else’s decision whether I am good enough to move ahead in the world.” Another creative entrepreneur plans to “expand my business for Army wives to inspire them to be more and to teach them that they can have their own success while still supporting their husband.”  

Some people’s goals are about cultivating and maintaining a mindset and a set of behaviors most conducive to success. For example, Kristi Butler writes from Los Angeles that her resolution is to, “not lose my focus. I will complete the goals I’ve set for myself. I will ask for help when I need to, so I won’t become overwhelmed. I will remember that whatever I do must make me happy or I won’t do it.” 

Other resolutions reflected the seamlessness of personal and business goals. In the coming year S. Borzo of Des Moines, Iowa, promises to, “focus on seeing myself in spiritual, mental, physical, and financial abundance,” and to “see the world of people living in peace.” This “optimistic cheerleader for the efforts of others who courageously make small business tick in Des Moines” also plans to successfully launch her new “buy local” business which you can preview at DSMBuzz.com.  

Some people simply want to continue on their current same healthy path. For example, in addition to the practical matter of staying focused on his current job “in order to pay-off all my debts,” fifty-two-year-old Rick from Vancouver, Washington plans to “continue to follow my ‘intuition,’ which has served me well in 2007, as I continue to rebuild my life after ‘losing it all’ at the age of 51, follow my path to great health and a confident outlook, explore my visions and further define the true ‘life I want to lead,’ and …continue to be in a ‘state of gratitude’ each and every day.

Many people wisely promise to take small, manageable steps. Writing from Center Valley, Pennsylvania, Marguerite plans to “set time a side each day even if it is 15 minutes.” By carving out this time to do things like complete specific online classes and get involved in the forums, Marguerite says she’ll finally be ready to start her freelance business so she can quit her current job and work for herself. Marquina Rawlings from Canton, Michigan says, “in 2007 I will face and embrace my fears and stick with taking one step at a time each day until I have the stamina to take on more of my dreams. I will identify what is fun for me and explore it eagerly and happily.” Adding, “I will make friends with people who have good vibrations.”

Likewise, Fiona from the UK promises to “stop procrastinating, take more action (in all areas of my life), and take the necessary practical steps towards creating a new reality…” For Fiona this new reality includes, “daring to dream, believing that a new life is possible, believing in me and beginning to set up a training/consultancy business.” One of the more intriguing resolutions also came from across the pond. Writing from Perthshire, Scotland, Jenni Johnston says that in 2007 her resolution is to, “be strong and to travel on my own to China and volunteer to work with pandas at Wolong Panda Reserve.”

For Anne Muse, 2007 is also all about action. This new resident of Las Vegas says:

“I have spent the last 25 years playing it safe, working at one mind numbing, soul altering, spirit crushing job after another… I realized yesterday, I am no longer that sassy, life-affirming, young woman whose inner fire lit up her eyes and I knew why. After 25 years of rarely being appreciated or valued I had instead became a quiet, reclusive, depressed drone… But in October 2006 I began to quietly, internally, turn my wounds into wisdom. It wasn’t until I read the Disraeli quote in your newsletter [“Most people will die with their music still in them”], that I figured out why... Despite all I had been through, I did not want to die with my music still locked up inside of me... I have several books to write and publish, as well as several business ideas that are brilliant and obviously something I am supposed to do – it’s my purpose, my reason for being here.”

Then there are people like Suzanne from St. Peters, Missouri who have learned the hard way that a dream deferred is a dream denied. Vowing to live life fully in 2007 and beyond, Suzanne writes, “I spent the last half of 2005 and most of 2006 fighting breast cancer. I won! I also spent the last year and one half assisting in the close of the company I work for. Yes, I found out about both the cancer and the closing in the same week. My last day of work is January 31. Based on what I’ve been doing this past year and a half, I figure I can somehow find the guts to figure out what I want to do with the rest of my life, and DO IT.”

Wow! Are you as inspired as I am? Next to Anne, Suzanne, Jennie and all the others, my New Year’s Resolution seems pretty, well, dull. But then I haven’t had a heck of a lot of time to spruce it up for public consumption. Normally I take the week between Christmas and New Year off to relax from the blur of shopping, to “de-decorate” the house, and reflect on my goals for the coming year. But not this year. First off, I barely had time to drape some lights over my jade plant and slap a wreath on the door. So right off the bat that cut down on the de-decorating. The reason I didn’t decorate was what would normally be my holiday down time turned into pull-out-all-the-stops-and-work-like-a-dog time.

As those of you on the Fast Track Your Dream Priority List already know, I’m down to the wire on next week’s “launch” of the new Fast Track Your Dream program. So while you’ve been decking the halls I’ve been in major crunch mode! I’ve been telling you for a few weeks now that this thing is going to be big… and I wasn’t kidding.

I spent the last two weeks finalizing close to 700 pages of printed material, giving one final listen to ten 80-minute long CDs, preparing the curriculum for three different Tele-classes, finalizing dates with the guest speakers (prepare to be impressed!), and making sure all the early enrollment bonus items are in place.

Those who signed up to get the Fast Track Priority Updates already know that this is going to be a “high-touch” program designed to answer your individual questions. On my end though that means spending this week busily coordinating all the behind the scenes technical and scheduling issues so everyone in this new Fast Track Your Dream Community has a place to go to get all of your “how to” questions answered the Changing Course “Dream Team.” (If you’re curious it’s all in the Fast Track Update below.)

The point is, after quietly working on this program for over two years and then having this big push in the last few months, I, too, have decided to change course in 2007. As I write this newsletter a light snow is falling against the backdrop of a distant hillside. A new calf was born on Christmas day so now I get to enjoy two baby cows frolicking in the field next door. (I love cows!) I left my corporate job 11 years ago, I get to work at home, I do work I enjoy, and I get to experience the deep satisfaction of knowing that in some small way my work matters.

Life is good. But I want more…

So, my 2007 New Year’s Resolution is to work less and play more. To kick off my new resolution, I cashed in 250,000 Hilton points and for an upcoming vacation at a fabulous resort in Mexico. (Can you say siesta and cabana?) When I get back I’ll be starting a drawing class and hosting the first annual beat back the winter blues February cookout and charades party. And to emulate friend and role model Barbara Winter I vow to take full advantage of my self-bossing status by going to more matinee movies and taking Fridays off.

Apparently I’m not alone in my desire for less work and more play. Barbara just emailed me an article with the headline “Work-life balance tops global New Year Wish list.” According to ACNielsen more than half of consumers surveyed in 46 countries from the United States to Vietnam said they wanted work to play a lesser role in their lives in 2007.

What about you? Have you decided to make 2007 YOUR year to get the changing course ball rolling? If so, let me leave you with a question:

Three frogs are sitting on a log. One frog decides to jump off. How many frogs are left on the log?

If you answered one, two or none then go back and re-read the question. The correct answer is three. Why? Because the frog didn’t jump. It just “decided” to jump. We “decide” things all the time. We decide we’re going to get in shape, or get organized, or design our web site, or start on that screen play we’ve been carrying around in our head, or to work less and play more…

Don’t get me wrong. Most people spend their entire lives waiting to hit the lottery while their dreams shrivel and die. So actually deciding to take control of your life is, in and of itself, a huge step. And by actually making “changing course” your New Year’s Resolution you’ve already increased your chances of success tenfold. However, as Peter Drucker points out, “plans are only good intentions unless they quickly degenerate into hard work.”

Now you need to back up your intention with action. Is changing course scary? You bet it is. But as famous Life magazine photographer Margaret Bourke-White succinctly reminds us, “action stops fear.” One final New Year’s Resolution from an anonymous reader is to “realize every opportunity in front of me and act upon it.” If you are looking for a roadmap, the tools, and the support that comes from being part of a community of active dream seekers, the Fast Track Your Dream Community is one opportunity you won’t want to miss out on.

Initial interest in this program has been enormous. Don’t risk being shut out of what promises to be a life-changing opportunity. To get a head start on joining and on grabbing one of a limited number of special bonuses – including the chance to attend a live Teleclass with Barbara Sher author of the new bestseller, Refuse to Choose – I encourage you to click here to add your name to the Priority Notification List today or visit ChangingCourse.com/fasttracksignup.htm

About the Author

Off the beaten path career counselor, Valerie Young, abandoned her corporate cubicle to become the Dreamer in Residence at ChangingCourse.com, offering free resources to help you discover your life mission and live it. An expert on the Imposter Syndrome, she's presented her How to Feel as Bright and Capable as Everyone Seems to Think You Are program to over 30,000 people.

Find more articles written by Valerie at ChangingCourse.com/articles/

The more you seek security, the less of it you have. But the more you seek opportunity, the more likely it is that you will achieve the security that you desire. ~ Brian Tracy

Fast Track Your Dream "Community"

I just heard a statistic that something like 75 percent of people surveyed said they want to change jobs in 2007. I’m not sure if it’s those News Year’s Resolutions kicking in or what… but in the last week I’ve been flooded with questions about the new Fast Track Your Dream program.

All of you who signed up to be on the Fast Track Pre-Notification List are already up to speed on a lot of this. In fact we’ve been having quite a nice chat at my new Fast Track Updates Blog.

There is SO much more to tell than I could possibly cover here. If you read my article in this issue, then you already got a sneak preview of some many resources that are going to be part of the Fast Track Your Dream “Tool Kit.”  

But that’s really just the beginning. It would take me way too long to try to explain it all again here. So let me try to bring you at least somewhat up to speed on some of the same news I already shared in great detail with the folks on the Pre-Notification List.

For example, I’ve arranged for a group of “Outside the Box Career Consultants” to be on hand to answer individual questions at a special Fast Track Q&A Forum. The “Dream Team” as I call them have agreed to help you brainstorm ways to turn your interests into income, navigate any nagging fears and self-doubts, deal the dream dashers in your life… and more.

The other big news is that I also signed on Barbara Winter, author of the best-selling book Making a Living Without a Job. Barbara has agreed to host just one of the many monthly happenings that are going to be available to members of this unique and powerful community of dreamers and dream doers.

Starting soon Barbara will share her winning tips and answer your questions on “How to Live the Joyfully Jobless Life.” Barbara is just one of dozens of experts that have agreed to be on hand to teach you how to quit your job and get a life.

Like I said… there is SO much more to tell you than there is room here. But the bottom line is this: There is simply is no better – or faster – way to get from where you are now to where you want to be.

Given the response I’ve been getting it’s pretty obvious that the demand for the limited number of spots in this Fast Track Your Dream Community is going to be extremely high. In fact, I’m starting to wonder if everyone who wants to get in will be able to.

I’m waiting to nail down a few more details. But I’m pretty sure that Fast Track is going to “launch” sometime next week. I’m just not 100 percent sure when.

Frances Bacon once said, “A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds.” A wise person also makes the most of the opportunities that they are presented with. The best way to make sure you’re in the loop about this opportunity is to get yourself on the Fast Track Priority Notification list.

That way you’ll be among those to get advance word when Fast Track is available and on getting one of a very limited number of additional opportunities. Plus you’ll hear my answer to the number one burning question about fast tracking your dream.

Sign up now at ChangingCourse.com/fasttracksignup.htm

As the great Joe Louis once said, “You only live once, but if you work it right, once is enough.” Hey this is your life he’s talking about. What are you waiting for?

The secret of joy in work is contained in one word - excellence. To know how to do something well is to enjoy it. ~ Pearl S. Buck

In the Garden

Planting Seeds and Watching Dreams Grow

From time to time I like to feature the progress of other readers who are actively pursuing their dream self-bossing. In past issues I’ve talked about how growing a dream is a lot like growing a garden. It starts with the desire for growth. Then, just as you would ready the soil for planting, you must prepare your mind. You may, for example, need to work on believing that you deserve to be happy, that it’s okay to want to both make good money and find your work enjoyable too, and that it really is possible to live life on your own terms.

Next you must plant the seeds. Seeds come in different forms. I routinely hear from people who tell me that something they read here planted the seed of hope. Sometimes an idea or a new piece of information takes root and you suddenly see the world in an entirely different way. And just like a garden, dreams require tending in order to bear fruit. Brainstorming, information gathering, reading, seeking out role models, and finding support are all good ways to nourish to a dream.

When all is said and done, though, the key to seeing a dream grow is to dig your hands in and get going. Here is how Stacy Morris grew her dream and her advice to others who want to do the same:

“Three years ago this January, I quit my tension fraught, unhappy position at a daily newspaper to become a freelance writer. The thought of taking the risk terrified me and I actually stalled for several years before making the move. I loved the work, didn't love the working environment and most of the dream-killing, unhappy people I had to spend the majority of my waking hours with. Ultimately, it came down to realizing that staying there another 10 years was scarier than taking a leap into the unknown.

I don't remember how, but I came across your newsletter at the same time I was making the transition. It was a great source of support for me and helped ease the fear. But [true to Margaret Bourke-White’s quote you included in the What Do You Need to Change Course Survey] 'Action stops fear,' the only thing that truly alleviated my anxiety and doubts was doing it.

Once I made the decision and had a time-frame mapped out, I went into high gear, found through part-diligence, part-serendipity a very enjoyable part-time job at an art museum to help pay the bills while I scouted freelance assignments (now I'm down to two days a week). It helped financially and left me with enough time and energy to line up writing prospects like mad. It takes a lot of time and effort, but the results are worth it.

My actions were and are continually rewarded with writing assignments (amid the inevitable rejections), new adventures and the exhilarating freedom of being completely in charge of my day and my life. I have never been happier and more free. Travel has also come into my life in a wonderful way and so far I've been on business and pleasure-related expeditions up and down the eastern sea board as well as to Europe and Israel.

To anyone who's considering the idea of leaving a job situation where they're not happy and following a longtime dream, I have two words: DO IT."

Stacey Morris
StaceyMorris.com

You cannot dream yourself into a character; you must hammer and forge yourself one.
~ James Froude

Compass

The Changing Course Newsletter
Copyright 2007
Lisa Tarrant, Editor
Valerie Young, Publisher
info@changingcourse.com
www.ChangingCourse.com
7 Ripley Road
Montague, MA 01351

Compass

All About Your Subscription

You're welcome to forward this newsletter in its entirety to other dreamers.

If someone sent this to you, don't depend on your friend for this great information. Get your complimentary subscription by emailing subscribe@ChangingCourse.com

Please do not reply to this message.

Subscribe or Change Your Address: ChangingCourse.com/ezine.htm

Previous Issues: ChangingCourse.com/archives/

Learn to differentiate between what is truly important and what can be dealt with at another time. ~ Mia Hamm

Compass

The View From
the Other Side

"My sister and I always went to flea markets for fun, and people asked if they could come. Finally, we rented a
bus and hit the road.
It was the most delightful,
old-fashioned road-trip."

~Kate Shifrin explaining how she came up with the idea for her business Come Flea With Me Flea Market Excursions

Compass

  

Resources for a Change


Turning a Problem Into An Opportunity

My Fat Dog and My Fat Cat are great examples of turning a common problem into an opportunity. And like many innovative income streams, these books by pet lover and Changing Course reader Martha Garvey were inspired by personal experience. Martha says she was inspired to write both My Fat Dog and My Fat Cat “because I had a fat dog, and I know, first hand, how easy it is to overfeed and underexercise your pet...and how it can affect your pet's health and life span.” Today Martha’s dog is 12 pounds lighter and “lots healthier.” A social entrepreneur after my own heart, Martha donates a portion of the books' proceeds to organizations involved in rescuing and sheltering pets in the devastated Gulf Coast area. Visit these sites at MyFatDogBook.com and MyFatCatBook.com

Train to be an Auctioneer

The Today Show ran a segment about a school that trains people to meet the growing need for qualified auctioneers. Auctioneer schools train students to start their own businesses managing and selling auction services in automobiles, real estate, livestock, farm machinery, antiques, art and other goods and services sold at auction. My search found a number of schools all of about the same length (7-9 days) and cost (around $1,000). Notably, the World Wide College of Auctioneering also offers a two-day intensive bilingual course on how to auction in Spanish and how to acquire auctions in Spanish-speaking communities (WorldwideCollegeOfAuctioneering.com). And an interesting example of niche marketing is Pro-Sports Auctioneers (ProsportsAuctioneers.com).  Started by master auctioneer Rowlan Hill, the company specializes in high-profile, fundraising auctions for professional athletes, celebrities, African-American organizations, and universities and colleges. For a listing of auction schools by state, go to The National Auctioneers Association (Auctioneers.org). The Auctioneer Association of Canada lists auction schools in Canada (AuctioneersCanada.com).