When is Change Needed?

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More often then not we dislike it when change is happening to us. Noticed the "happening to us"?
That's where the problem is. We hate it when we are not in control. So all my previous suggestions point to one particular "theme", i.e. A C T I O N Because when we are taking action, we are in control. It may not be an easy ride, it may become bumpy or crash all together, but at least we are the ones at the steering wheel!
Unemployment is certainly the "buzzword" these days. Too many of us are unemployed. And many writers will convince you that you are unemployable because you no longer have the skills required (even for the job you have been laid off of!). While that may be true - you still can change that! You can find out what is required and then you can see that you get those skills. 

Today, as in the past, there is one factor that makes or breaks the interview: If you don't have what they look for, you are out. So make sure you research exactly what the employer needs and wants. Remember the internet almost knows everything about everyone (true!).
So you can prepare much more than the generation of unemployed before us.


Also make sure you know what to say and how. Language is the great separator. By what you say you will be judged as much as how you behave and bear yourself! Those are two areas which you can practice in front of the mirror! 

And then there are two areas where you can find work and perhaps employment: Temp work and volunteering. I've tried both and both led to paid jobs! Now I am in "self imposed" unemployment, i.e. retirement. But I am busier then ever "doing my thing". For the first time I can spend the time the way I want and with what I want. Sad but true: only now do I do what I like, i.e. storytelling and sharing my skills with you. Hopefully you get to do "your thing" much earlier. Strive for what is your passion! That is where work turns into FUN.

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• New Job Skills Required: Unemployed Find Old Jobs Now Require More Skills (huffingtonpost.com)

Change Facilitators Make Change Happen!

Image via WikipediaSometimes it really is easier to look at the action of  CHANGE and GET the PICTURE!
Here is Tony Robbins (whom I experienced life more than once) making change happen for families.
Observe the tools he uses to create the change in the people. A master at work.
 
http://www.hulu.com/breakthrough-with-tony-robbins

Easy Change Strategies (15)

Some  change is really hard to achieve, isn't it? One of my goals was to have a very neat house.
And somehow, over the years we acquired so many things that it looks more like a warehouse. O.k. so we are pack rats. But that isn't really an excuse, or is it? To achieve change and a neat house we got information on how to go about it. But that is the problem: If it has letters printed on it, we keep it. Just in case it contains the very information we will need at a future time!
Here is the funny part. Our flights were canceled today and our daughter went through our drawers full of "gift items" for those "just in case" needs. And what does she find at the bottom of the drawer - a booklet entitled "20 Minutes to a Clutter-Free House! (Stash it or Trash it!) How appropriate!
I guess I'll have to keep that handy for when we come back from our trip and then follow the steps. That should get me at least somewhere on the path to a neat house.
Easy Change Strategy: When you don't know what to do, get a manual (or ask an expert) then
FOLLOW THE STEPS!.
 

Easy Change Strategies 14

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Past the baker's dozend! Wow. Who would have thought I can make it this far. And then again, I thought this would be a much more regular activity. CHANGE did happen. In part because I acted, and in part because of influences, and isn't that often the case? We start something and have a very clear (or fuzzy?) idea of where we want to go with that and then "things start to happen". And soon your path is no longer "your path" but you seem to be part of another path.
Well, that is what live is all about. We do and the universe does its thing and soon something different altogether is progressing.So how can we make CHANGE easy? Practice! If you've done it once, you can do it twice, just easier! Just jump of the board??

The main problem, however for me and perhaps for you too, is the "hump" - the barrier. The inertia that keeps me from getting going. It isn't really such a big thing and yet it stops me from doing something. And when I finally do it, it's really neat and I like the result and it makes me feel good. But until I do, it is always the "big thing" that I procrastinate to do. One way to "kick myself in the behind" is commitment. I know, easier said than done! Quite literally in this case. So I picked up a method from one of the workshops I attended: When I know I don't like to do something or it seems to be a drag or such, then I commit verbally to others, tell them what it is I will do. It seems that then I have to do it, since I said it. There is of course a strong "beware" here. And that is the broken promise. If you say you want to do something and you don't do it your subconscious is taking note - makes you feel guilty and bad.   Here is an insert of a website I saw about ...well have a look ( I don't know them)

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• Procrastination Buster - Don't Procrastinate, Make It Social . . . (realgoalgetter.com)

My current favorite item to procrastinate about is all my paperwork. It isn't really that much, but somehow I am always slow, even late with getting things done. So I am committing to get my paperwork done asap! What is your "problem"? Let me know and perhaps it can become a subject of my next blog.

Easy Change Strategies (13)

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Change just happened. Now what do I do? Embrace it! Remember:

Don't think about the past - it's history!

Don't worry about the future - it's a mystery!

Concentrate your attention on the here and NOW 

because it is a gift that's why we call it the present!
I just started to read a fascinating book: RAPT by Winnifred Gallagher.
Subtitle: Attention and the Focused Life 
For all those ADD and ADHD and those self proclaimed "Renaissance Men" (i.e. me!)
So far I learned (re-learned?) that your life is progressing along the thoughts you have.
The more thoughts you spend on a subject the more it becomes your life's subject.
So if you don't like what is happening to you....spend time thinking of something more pleasing to you and that way you can change your life. Really? 
Well there is the proof in "synchronicity" - Life Coaches will tell you to "fake it 'till you make it".
And then there are those who say: "If you want to be a "smith" than you have to spend time with "smiths" and horses of course! Oh and just watching them doesn't really count! You got to learn to do the "smithing". Take a course. Read a book (didn't I mention that before?). Talk to the people in the "smith" business. In other words you need to submerge yourself into the new field and soon you will be part of it. 
They (whoever they are) say: We will have more than 3 possibly 7 different occupations during our lifetime. Well, I had a few - savings banker; local commercial banker; international banker;
investment banker; unemployed banker (twice); hospital administrator; local government administrator; consultant; internet business owner; relocation manager; storyteller(that one I liked best - that's why I still spend time with other storytellers!).
It isn't important what you were - it is important what you do and how!
So follow Nike's motto "Just Do It" - see where it gets you.
And remember if you fall flat on your face, I'll be watching you.....how long does it take you to get back up again? (see previous posting!)





 

Easy Change Strategies (12)

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Back again from my trip to Asheville, NC and Jonesborough, TN. A real "get away"! Every once in a while it is important to do something just for yourself. Do something you haven't done. Experience something you always wanted but haven't yet - that is living the change you wish for.
I attended the National Storytelling Festival in Jonesborough, TN. It is amazing to see, how some people can shape the story they are telling. It is wonderful to hear their story and be transported to different times and areas to relive the story.
It also reminded me how important it is to stay in the company of people who share your interests. While change is enevitable, there is also the need to keep somethings unchanged.
We need an "anchor" or "harbor" in our life. Make sure you know who or what that is for you. For me it is "stories" - telling and listening to and being with the tellers.
I also am trying to get back in touch with friends from times past. Hearing how they are and using the new digital medias to re-connect with them. Hooray for the modern times!
If you are interested, you can follow me  on Twitter @NYDigger.

Easy Change Strategies (11)

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Time sure flies, doesn't it? I promised myself to blog diligently. And what happens.... Twitter!
If you want to know where I was, look for "NYdigger" at Twitter. It is such an interesting tool. I am still learning. Just like blogging, it is still a "new thing" for me. But what has to happen before it becomes a habit? Continued action over time.
So here we are again at  Easy Change Strategies.
On the weekend I did something new. 
Have you? Remember, I said it would be easier to change, if you continue to try something new. 
I went to a workshop on "NLP and Health" it was given by Kevin Creedon and my "old" friend/trainer Doug O'Brien. For details check out their web-sites:

http://www.kevincreedon.net/

http://www.ericksonian.com/

These are two trainers who have a huge amount of experience and have worked with many colleagues in the field of NLP, Ericksonian Hypnosis and other methods. 

So how does that help you change easily? Well, sometimes it just takes a little nudge and one hears of a new method (we did in this course) and "voila" there is a change taking place.

So in addition to reading and searching the internet there is, of course, always the good old "attend a class" to learn something new - and change is happening.

One more aspect for you today:

How do you know whether you have changed?

Think about it. What would it be like, look like, feel like? Give it some thought and write down what your changed situation would be - be specific! If you would rather paint a picture or use another method of making the outcome of your change measurable for yourself, that would be o.k. too! I have a treasure map (see posting #1) which I look at and see "I'm not where I want to be" YET! But then, I don't have to achieve everything in one day or one week or even one year.
We set the time frame ourselves and we can adjust it too. Wow, what a concept (for all you Type A guys). However, if you don't set a time frame at all, you might not get anywhere anytime soon.
Think Yogi Berra (posting #!)
So, establish your wanted outcome. Determine when you would like to achieve it and then start with little steps towards your goal. 
Speaking of goal setting - next time I'll talk about "Strategies for Success". How to create your dreams and achieve them. Remember: "I'll be back!"

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During

During a time of change it helps to have someone to lean on for support! Make sure you have a variety of supporters who assist you with all your needs, emotionally, physically and practically. Tell them what you hope to get from them and make sure they know that you will reciprocate!