By Ann Marie

Answer: This is a very good question and an area that is misunderstood.

As consultants, we try to make recommendations that result in a healthier and happier you, but there isn't a right or wrong way to go about finding or changing a career. Had I had the counseling that I offer today, back in college when determining which career to choose, I may not have experienced the 5 careers I have. That being said, I learned an incredible amount from each of these careers which I wouldn't have otherwise. However, I think I would have been happier finding my ideal career earlier.

Follow me at Follow me at Truefocus Follow me at The Time to Change

The more passionate we are about what we are doing, and what company or industry we are working for, the happier and more fulfilled we will become. But our interests change over the years and to expect to work in the same industry or the same position for 40+ years is just not a reality anymore. Yes, us baby boomer's parents worked in the same job sometimes for many, many years but that doesn't mean you have to.

* I recommend speaking to a qualified financial planner and/or tax accountant prior to making any major life change affecting your financial picture.

By Joanne H.

Answer: Thank you for writing us Joanne, the counseling staff at The Time To Change can help transition into your ideal career, once we identify what that is. There is a process of assessment, discover and research before you actually make your exit strategy, and after we map your path to the new position. We are not a job placement center, but we have excellent career counselors that will help you find your new job in hidden markets. All you have to do now is signup for our short consult on our website for one of our counselors to call you.

Angie P.

Answer: Hi Angie. I'm so glad you wrote us. The Time to Change and Truefocus are collaborating with corporate sponsors to create a program specifically for service men and women and their families. We will offer full scholarships and discounted services for both our career services and for our new entrepreneur programs. Make sure you are on our email list as information will be released in the next few months.

Mike A.

Answer: Mike, first off, I'm sorry you didn't find 'success' with the program you bought. You didn't mention the name of the program but we have to be careful buying anything that sounds like its too good to be true, because it usually is. Now, this doesn't mean there aren't good products out there but you still have to do the work when you get down to it. Law of Attraction is no different. What is usually missing from self-help programs and products is the discussion about energy and frequency of attraction. I wrote a blog about this, and raising your energy frequency to attract 'good' things into your life, like abundance.

At The Time to Change, we offer low-cost courses and workshops that help people connect with their energy. Make sure you've signed up for our newsletter, on this website, to get articles and a list of our upcoming courses.

By Frustrated

Answer: Dear Frustrated. You are not alone. I have received a ton of emails and letters from people all over the country (actually, the world) that are frustrated in this job market too. First, you are not doing anything wrong as there is no such thing in our philosophy. Without knowing what you have done, its hard to know what might be 'missing'. I've outlined a few things to consider if they feel right to you but check out some of our programs too which have been very successful helping others find their 'ideal' job, and not just any job which you want to avoid if at all possible.

My first recommendation would be to identify your personal values, write them in a journal or someplace you can refer to often. Your personal values are intrinsic and make up who you are. As my friend, Kathy Wilson (author of "An Inner Journey") put it so eloquently, "Your life values define you". They cannot be separated from you.

• Identify and define clearly the type of job you want and in what industry you want to work in.
• Create success or goal posters to place around your home, in visible places. Make a collage of everything important to you and symbolizes your idea of this job and of success.
• Spend 15 -30 minutes every morning and evening, quieting your mind, then visualizing what your ideal job looks like to you. Use all your senses. See it. Feel it. Hear it. Smell it. Experience it as happening right now.
• Have your resume written by a resume professional that comes with many references. A cheap service will generally give you a cheap product. This is where I'd spend a little more money if you can.

  If you cannot afford to have your resume professional created - or recreated - why not form a group of job seekers in your city to share critiques and other support? and form a 'job search' support group on www.meetup.com or some other networking site. I have names on my website of exceptional writers.

• Before you speak to a company or a recruiter regarding a job possibility, perform the exercises on the website to raise your energy. This is critical to practice before you begin interviewing because it does take practice. Raising your energy effectively, will change your body's 'aura' which is invisible to most people but they are subconsciously aware of it and can sense it. Practice raising your energy daily and sustain for as long as you can.
• Surround yourself with good energy! How do you know something or someone has good energy?

  Generally speaking, you either GAIN energy:

  • good or great - physically, mentally and emotionally
  • happy
  • content
  • (and not experiencing the symptoms below)

  Or you LOSE energy:
  
  Physical Symptoms

  • body tenses,
  • feel nauseous,
  • headache or other physical reaction

  Emotional Symptoms

  • feel sad,
  • angry,
  • uncomfortable,
  • out of sorts,
  • anxious,
  • scared or other emotional reaction

  Mental

  • self-esteem plummets,
  • you begin judging yourself (or others) when you know you shouldn't
  • other change in 'mental' awareness.

  When it comes to distancing yourself from people, this is difficult to do at times but important to try your best. If you have certain family members and/or friends who compromise your self-esteem, your mood (or good energy), your dreams/goals in anyway, take a break from them. Explain to them that you are working on a special project that is taking all your time….which is not a lie, you are.