Transitions – Personal and Professional Intersections

Introducing….

After 30+ years in the corporate world, I have left to start my own consulting business.  Leaving was something that I had considered for many years.  And for the last ten years, I had worked 80% time in the corporate world so that I could devote 20% of my time to consulting.  But I hesitated.  Corporate life felt safe.  Then came 2008, quickly followed by 2009 and a corporate bankruptcy.  Suddenly, independence felt like the only option.

So what have I learned that I can pass on to you, my readers?  First and foremost, career management is as much about life management as anything else.  What are you doing besides your job that may someday become your main focus?  Do you use your free time to watch TV, play golf, lounge by the pool?  Or are you using your free time to prepare for the next stage of your life?

Second, take advantage of the crisis – as Tom Friedman and others have said – never let a good crisis go to waste.  If you have been aiming in a direction, use the crisis to propel you further along your path.  The clue here is aiming – if you have just been wandering, the crisis is likely to catapult you in the wrong direction.  Where are you aiming right now?

Lastly, safety is not always safe.  What appears to be stable is not always so.  Working independently does mean my earning potential is up to me, it also means that not all my eggs are in one basket.  So it is less likely that everything can disappear at once.  A little like diversifying in the stock market.  Do you have a diversification plan?

Tomorrow, I head out on vacation for two weeks – one week at the beach and a one week road trip.  A single mom in a fun, small car, with a 16 year old son and 23 year old daughter – this will be interesting.

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Yes! You may use this article by HR Consultant & Executive Coach, Ronnie Grabon, in your blog, newsletter or website as long as you include the following bio box:

Ronnie Grabon, SPHR, received her BA and MBA from Rutgers University. She is an Executive Coach and HR Consultant for companies and individuals undergoing transition.  After 30 years in corporate work, she recently completed her own transition by serving as VP of HR for a company undergoing bankruptcy and liquidation.  Over the last ten years. Ronnie has coached more than 500 people at the Center for Creative Leadership, as well as consulting with individuals, businesses and non-profits.  Ronnie can be reached at rgrabon@triad.rr.com or by phone at 336-706-1621.  Ronnie’s coaching profile can be found at TheCoachingAssociation.