Waiting

In 1999 I was so ready for a career change I thought I would implode if my new path didn’t reveal itself soon!

I was taking many steps to support the career exploration process--doing informational interviews, journaling and asking the hard questions, conducting research, getting support, thinking big, staying true to my passion and saying no to a lot of opportunities that weren’t a true fit---but I had yet to land on a new path that felt so solid and right I was ready to ditch my full-time job as an established department head leading a robust marketing communications division. (Check out my Friday workshop if you’re considering or are in the midst of a career change.)

So being the type A, driven, “make it happen” kind of person I was then, I booked a vacation with my fiance to Huatulco, Mexico and told my new career path it had exactly 10 days to arrive. When I returned from our vacation getaway, I wanted the answer delivered in a nice neat package to my door (preferably via FedEx). I was tired of waiting and being in limbo. So as was my style then, I planned to force this to happen by giving the Universe a deadline!

Looking back at that time, I’m able to laugh now (I did end up making a big change in 2000—the year I launched Career Strategists, but this clarity came to me months later, after I was able to relinquish “paralysis by analysis” and finally let go of the fear that was keeping me from seeing what had been in front of me all along).

This teaching came to me in yoga this morning when I set my intention for the day and heard clearly, “Relax … and wait.”

While my larger life and career path feels clear, I’m completely up in the air around specifics like my new book release date, when to roll out some new revolutionary programs/events I’m creating, what my fall is going to look like work/schedule/location-wise, how much to travel this fall, etc.

One thing I’ve learned since launching my first business almost 12 years ago, is how essential is to take action that is deeply guided, as opposed to just taking action for action’s sake. It’s important to me to use my precious time and energy in the most effective way possible. I like to enjoy work, to find pleasure in what I do, to have fun, to feel synchronized inside and out, to flow with things, to work with people I love—and of course, to get things done.

The other day, I had tea with a dear friend and mentor. She listened to me talk about my strong desire to “Do it different” this fall, to work with more spaciousness and ease than ever before (read more) and she applauded my willingness to surrender and wait to see what this might look like. She suggested I consider the mantra, “Let me be willing to let go of what I think the world needs from me …” that really resonates with my desire to take my hands off the wheel and step into more freedom this fall (click here to receive our August newsletter on What Are You Ready to Be Free From?).

So for now, I wait. I wait for the answers and guidance from my wise self on how and when to do what is mine to do. And regardless of when the answers come, I’m committed to following the wisdom that emerges. Even if it doesn’t look like what I thought it would.

P.S. Each quarter I take a personal/business planning retreat where I engage in my favorite exercises focused on helping me determine how best to use my energy/time to support my businesses in the coming 3-6 months. I just started opening these up to friends/colleagues. If you’re a small business owner and this resonates with you, consider joining me on Sept. 16. I love these visioning retreats and always leave with clear, grounded direction.

Note: I'm out on a writing sabbatical this summer and we're surveying the Emotional and Spiritual Health of Families for my new writing project. If you have 5 minutes to tell me about your family culture, I’d love to get your input (and feel free to share with friends/lists): http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RXZ88GR

I love to hear from, connect with and meet The Journey readers at our events. I invite you to:

>Find Your Tribe: Join or become trained to lead Self- Renewal Groups
>Attend a retreat/event or workshop, including our July 29th Career Strategy Workshop: Find a Fit, Create a Plan, Love Your Work in Austin
>Join the Dialogue on our Live Inside Out Facebook Community
>Pick up The Mother's Guide to Self-Renewal from the library or buy it here
>Download FREE Live Inside Out Teleclasses, join us for our Sept. 8th class on Going with the Flow While Still Getting Things Done! and read past issues of my Life Balance newsletter
>Take Action: Contact one of our career or life balance coaches for 1-on-1 support; receive an initial complimentary consultation
>Empower Others: Schedule Renee Trudeau for a private workshop or retreat for your company or organization
>Subscribe to my life balance blog The Journey for weekly inspiration

The Journey, a blog about coach/author/entrepreneur Renee Trudeau’s personal journey and living life from the inside out, comes out weekly.

Photo: The way-too-dry Pedernales River bed. Along with thousands of fellow Texans we wait for rain to come and this drought to end.

Unexpected Gifts

"Life isn't about waiting for the storms to pass, it's about learning to dance in the rain." - Vivian Green

I’ve been writing a lot lately about living in the unknown, the process of birthing “what’s next” and the gifts that can come from being in a state of flux because that’s where some of my closest friends, family and clients are hanging out these days.

My husband was laid off this summer from his job and is in the middle of a job search.

When you’re in the middle of a big life or career transition, it’s really easy to fall into the “we’ll be happier when …” mindset or to constantly wish things were different from how they are.

But I know from past experience, happiness is an inside-out job. I’m sure of it. And, I believe that it’s just as possible to experience joy and well-being in the here and now as it will be a few months from now when my husband is working again (meditating together each morning before we start our day has really helped remind us of this).

Saturday morning, rather than rush off to my favorite yoga class and the farmer’s market, I headed out with my family for a walk on our neighborhood nature trail before the temps got unbearable.

I love to walk with friends and family. I think it’s one of the most nourishing activities in the world: soaking up nature, heartfelt connection, sweating/feeling your strong muscles, synching up to your walking partner’s rhythms and slowing down to enjoy life at a pedestrian pace (rather than the “human race” speed most of us are in much of the time!).

As we walked and our son trailed us on his bike, we began to talk about what good things have come from my husband’s recent job loss.

He shared he’s appreciating getting more time with our son, he’s enjoying learning more about my businesses, he’s getting in better physical shape (he started running again) and he loves that we’re getting to meditate together each morning after our little one goes to school.

I love that I’m becoming more conscious about how I spend, I'm getting more child care support which is allowing me to do some things I normally can’t, I’m getting more help with meal preparation and overall --even though it sometimes drives me crazy to have my husband at the house when I’m working from home-- it’s nice to have the company and someone to enjoy tacos with in the middle of the day.

I just had the opportunity to lead a weekend self-renewal retreat in the Berkshires of MA at Kripalu for 54 amazing women ages 25-70, many of whom were navigating major life transitions.

As the women opened up to me individually and shared where they are-- contemplating divorce, healing from a lover’s suicide, recovering from a life-long addiction, putting together their life after a major job loss, finding a path to wholeness after a debilitating disease—what struck me was how much healing and empowerment they were deriving from these challenges. For the most part, they shared they felt stronger, wiser and were becoming aware of all the “gifts” that have come from their recent struggles.

Their courage touched me deeply and reminded me that most of us are navigating some type of challenge or transition right now.

They reminded me we always have a choice about how we choose to perceive a situation.

And, sometimes what we think may be the “worst” thing that could have ever happened to us, might just bear an outcome greater than we have imagined was possible.

JOIN A GROUP, ATTEND A RETREAT/WORKSHOP OR DIALOGUE WITH ME: Would you like to learn more about the power of self-care and how being kinder to yourself can change your life? Start or join a Personal Renewal Group, visit our calendar to learn more about upcoming events including my Aug. 27th Career Strategy Workshop: Find a Fit, Create a Plan, Love Your Workshop and our FREE September 9th Live Inside Out teleclass on Strategies for Balanced Living.

Also, check out our Live Inside Out community and share how you create balance in your relationship.

The Journey, a blog about coach/author/entrepreneur Renee Trudeau’s personal journey to life balance and living life from the inside out, comes out weekly.

Photo: Renee Peterson Trudeau. Monk's Pond at Kripalu, a beautiful, quiet pond sitting atop a hill behind the main building.