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July 2005

Question

I met you a few weeks ago at the ASTD conference in Orlando. I have really enjoyed working through the Consultants Quick Start Guide and I am about to start the personal expense plan. I am really enjoying this especially the parts where I put myself out into the future and describe what I am doing, where I am and what is outside my window? I love this because I have been so busy for several years that I had not fantasized.

I have been overseas at the IAEA for three years. Living in a foreign country was the biggest risk that I have ever taken. At 52 I left everything I had and went to a foreign country to live. It was a huge adjustment and quite an emotional transition plus culture shock for me. I survived and now I am back in the U.S. These experiences have changed me significantly.  All I can say is that 12 years ago it felt like I had been resurrected from the dead, fed to the lions, and fighting giants in the land that I was promised as my inheritance. Now, I am back and I feel like a child in captivity much like the Israelites must have felt in Egypt. I feel torn between the giant that my experiences have shown me -- that I have the potential for and the grasshopper mentality of the government that limits my growth.

I bought your book because the limitations that have been established in my current position are not acceptable for me. I have taken risks and made major changes out of necessity, so I cannot continue to work for a management structure that can’t change or take risks. I see my next natural step is to start working toward my consulting business and I am ready to make that happen.

One thing that I am having a hard time doing is identifying which ideas I want to start with. I believe I have three choices.

1.      Working with inspectors who verify nuclear materials at facilities throughout the world to help them discover who they are, and what power they have to rise above the circumstances in which they find themselves. I have had some success in teaching in this area and believe that I have a gift. 

2.      I don’t want to limit myself to inspectors since I have a gift with young people and developing them into great leaders, great teams, and great motivators. All the teaching that I do is by example, stories, and questioning how they have learned about leadership, diversity, language, team building, conflict, etc.

3.      I also know that there is a need to resurrect the dead or awaken the dead men walking. I am sick of human bodies just moving through a system. I want to show people how I freed myself from being held captive and the journey that I am on to a more exciting life. I want to help people understand that they too have a real purpose in life. This is the biggest lesson that I have learned and want to share it with others. However, I find that all the good books that are excellent teaching material, like your book have already been written! I just want to find a way to give back what I have been given.

Please, can you give me some advice?

Answer

Great to meet you at the ASTD International Conference! What an exciting life you are leading! It seems that your big immediate question is "What do I want to do when I grow up?" You have 3 big possibilities. I suggest that you keep your options open to all for a while. I am sure that is not the response you expected. Read on. Here's one way you might approach your dilemma by actually doing all 3.
  1. Work with inspectors: Do this. I am guessing you will market to the organizations that employ the inspectors. The organizations have money to pay you. Your task will be to determine a marketing strategy. What is it that you will bring the organizations? Will you ensure that the inspectors will be better at their jobs, thus reducing errors or increasing profits? Will the inspectors be more satisfied with their jobs, thus becoming more engaged and committed resulting in higher productivity? What is the return on investment? Spend time on your marketing plan. This will keep food on your table.
  2. Work with young people. It sounds as if you get excited about this. Do it, but recognize that they do not have money to pay you. You may be able to work through education institutions (high schools, community colleges, technical schools. But even then, education does not have much to invest. Therefore, this will be your community work, giving back to others. This will feed your soul.
  3. Work with people who have lost the excitement of the job. Do this too, but focus on writing about it. You say that your teaching is "stories." That’s great! Tell your stories to others. There is always a need for good books. Don't limit yourself with the "subject" but focus more on YOUR content. You have to like to write. However, know that you will NOT make any money writing. I do not. It is a break even endeavor, unless you are Danielle Steele or Dan Brown. Helping others who need to find their purpose in life will be rewarding to you. You will feel wonderful when people return to you to tell you that you changed their lives. Do it. This will feed your heart.

I hope that this gives you something to think about. Please let us know what you decide.

Question

I wonder if you would be kind enough to help me. I am a trainer, speaker, life-skills and executive coach. I live in Connecticut; however, my dream is to move to Baton Rouge to be closer to my children. Although I have been an independent consultant for some years, I would like to work with a group of consultants. I am wondering if there is a niche that I might be able to fill. My children have an extensive network. I see many changes in the training field—especially with the insurance companies I support. What do you think? Shall I make the move?

Answer

I always say yes to my dreams. Therefore my answer will be quite biased. I say yes! Go! Do it! And here is why:

  1. You have enough skills to fill up two resumes. You have three different careers to fall back on. Trainers and speakers typically travel for their work so what difference does it make if you are traveling from Connecticut or Baton Rough? In addition, you are lucky enough to be a life-skills and executive coach. You will probably be able to take those clients with you—especially if you have built a relationship with them. You should be able to continue the majority of your coaching by phone and email.
  2. You have plenty of time for planning. You do not have anything that is forcing you to go immediately. Therefore, I suggest that you spend time doing some planning and preparation. Clean up all the “old” -- sort through old resources, clean out your library and desk, even have a couple of yard sales to eliminate your unused household items! Spend some time identifying the parts of your consulting practice that you like the most and the parts you like less. Then determine how you might be able to create the perfect job for yourself in Baton Rough. Don’t wait to network when you get to Baton Rough. Start now! Get those contacts from your children and begin making telephone calls and writing notes. Oh sure you can send emails if you wish, but I’ll bet you have more luck with a more personal approach.

Get a list of all the insurance companies in the area. Find information about them on the web and then write a personal letter with just three paragraphs: 1) something you learned about them, 2) something about you, and 3) how you can help them meet their goals. Write it on your stationary telling the individual that you will follow up with a call within the week. Then do so. You can start counting your clients now!

  1. As for working with a group of consultants, I would wait until you get to Baton Rough and meet some people. You may want to take a “scouting trip” before your actual move. That might be a good time to meet some other trainers in the area. Try to schedule your trip to coincide with the local ASTD Chapter meeting. What a great opportunity to meet your colleagues and learn about other possibilities in the area. Maybe that is where you will find your niche.

    Use this change in location to consider other changes as well. Always wanted to live near a golf course? Here’s your chance. Ever wanted to join a fitness center? Plan for how you can include this in your new life. Think you might like to return to school? Find out the possibilities before you move.

    What I am suggesting is that you may want to use this move to make other life changes that you have thought about before, but just didn’t do. It may be a life/work balance need, a health improvement, a social enhancement, or a financial change. Whatever it is, we all have lots of great excuses for not “getting around” to doing various things we want to or need to do to enjoy life more. A move is a perfect time to create a greater life plan.

    Good luck with your move. I know you are moving. You know you are moving. You just wanted me to confirm it!  Enjoy Baton Rouge!

 

 
 
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