The Trailhead

 

From Patt Osborne,

Adventure Coach

 

 

"Climb Mountains, But Bring a Good Guide"

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome to the September Issue of The Trailhead!

Each month, you will receive some practical tips on ideas such as eliminating stress, finding your passion, clearing clutter, and maybe even some travel tips and more. Also look for helpful resources including book titles and websites. In addition, don’t be surprised when you find a call to action. I am a coach, after all! I hope you find some useful tidbits monthly challenges. If you know someone that you think may find something of value in here, please forward this newsletter on. And remember…the adventure begins at the start of The Trailhead!

In this issue:

·   Upcoming Retreat info

·   Trailhead Resources

Hello Readers,

Welcome Back! I took a little summer hiatus from this newsletter in August…and have been a tad slow in getting back into the swing of things. But now is the time! Summer’s officially over this weekend. Bring on the Fall!

As I write the 1st draft of this month’s Trailhead, I’m sitting on a chair on the beach, overlooking the ocean at my favorite Jersey shore resort. My Honey-man and I have rented a place here for the month of September. We’re here together on weekends for play and recreation and then I stay here most days during the week, as well. The great thing about my work is that I can do it on the beach, or on the outside porch with the ocean view or pretty much anyplace here at the shore…as long as I can get good phone coverage, I’m good to go.

Last month, while out on the road, I had my car radio tuned to the local NPR (National Public Radio) station. I was listening to one of my favorite talk show programs, “Radio Times” hosted by the wonderful Marty Moss- Coane. The topic that day was “What has Been Your Favorite Job?” Listeners were calling in from all over the country, excitedly sharing details of dream jobs they either currently held or of ones they once had. It was a great show, filled with tons of positive energy as the callers shared descriptions of their favorite work. One guy’s story in particular really stood out for me. He had gone to college for business, gotten both his bachelor’s and master’s degree, and ended up as a CFO in a prestigious corporation. He had faithfully followed a path of development set up mainly by his parents years ago.  He was financially comfortable and very successful at what he did. But guess what? He was miserable in his “chosen” profession. Despite his talent and success; what he was doing was NOT his passion…not even close. What he had always loved, ever since he was a little boy, was trucks. While growing up, his parents steered him away from that passion and instead pushed him toward the corporate arena- and he obliged. Long story short…after many unhappy years, he ditched the corporate world, got his training, and become the operator of a big rig. When he called in to Marty’s show that day, it was crystal clear that he had made the absolute right decision in changing careers. His exuberance simply flew over the airwaves.

It got me thinking about my own career choices. For many, many years, I was exuberant about my long-term teaching career. When that exuberance was replaced by an internal gentle nudging, I knew it was time to move on. Once I happened upon Life Coaching, I was immediately jazzed…so I got my training and certification, left teaching after 25 years, and moved forward into my new career.

As passionate as I was about teaching, my current career as a Life Coach and Outdoor Retreat Leader has now become even more…my best job ever! Everything that is important to me is encapsulated in my work and I have not once regretted my choices.

What about YOU? In looking at your own life, what has been your favorite job? Which one brought you the most pleasure and got you springing out of bed each morning, looking forward to the new work day? Is it one you held in the past, one you currently have, or…one you hope to have? If you already have the job of your dreams, congratulations to you! If you’re one of many whose job is one of “need” rather than “want”, what’s holding you back from getting work that you’d be passionate about? What is your vision of the Ideal Job? If you already know, what’s keeping you from doing it...or at least exploring the possibilities? How great would it be if you could begin to remove any/all obstacles and move forward to find work that truly speaks of who you really are and incorporates your most important values?

Challenge at the Trailhead: 

Here’s my challenge to you this Fall: 

1.       If you already have the job of your dreams, acknowledge yourself for your decision-making skills and moxie.

2.     If you’re not quite sure what the Ideal Job would entail for you, start the research today. What are you passionate about? What are your core values? Start combing through the career sections in your local library and/or bookstore and see what careers excite you. Pay attention to your feelings as you read the descriptions of all the possibilities. Start talking to or reading about folks who may be already doing what you’re interested in. Find out what was their Path of Development to get them there. Make it a playful Treasure Hunt. Once you come across something that sounds good to you, let the real work begin. Set up some time frames for yourself and implement some forward motion 

3.     Consider hiring a Coach to help you overcome obstacles and bounce ideas off of. You just may find (or confirm) that your Ideal Job is right within your grasp.

Upcoming Retreats

We’re nearing the end retreat season for 2006.  I have 2 hiking adventures coming up…the Fall Equinox Hike on Friday, October 6th plus the Winter Solstice Hike on December 29th, as well as my annual December De-Stress Day on 12/5/06.  Visit the home page of my website (www.adventurecoach.com) and check out the 2006 Retreats link to see what outdoor retreat offerings may interest you. It’s not too late to join us!

Trailhead Resources

·        Awakening at Midlife: A Guide to Reviving Your Spirit, Recreating Your Life, and Returning to Your Truest Self by Kathleen A. Brehony

·        Inventing the Rest of Our lives: Women in 2nd Adulthood by Suzanne Braun Levine

·        I Could Do Anything, if I Only Knew What it Was  By Barbara Sher

·        Now What? 90 Days to a New Life Direction by Laura Berman Fortgang

Wishing you Great Work! You CAN get it!

See you next month!

Warm wishes,

Patt