6 Steps to Help a Spouse Through Job Loss

“Peter hides it well, but I know he is miserable, and the tension in our house is unbearable at times,” Pamela confesses to me over coffee.

Pamela’s husband recently lost his job. She is nervous about spending a single unnecessary dollar, and the only way she agreed to meet me is after I offered to treat her – a frank and necessary reality.

“I wish I could help him, but he balks at any suggestion I make, as if I’m the cause of this problem.” Pamela’s story is increasingly familiar in this economy.

3 Steps to a Stress-Free Holiday with Family & Friends

Christmas is a holiday I look forward to every year. My mother taught me the joy of Christmas, as she enthusiastically planned dinners, decorated the tree, and invited cherished loved ones to visit.

I feel the joy she feels, and am conscious of passing this beautiful feeling on to my children.

However, I am also aware that this genuinely abundant feeling can get caught up in the misdirection of materialism. It can also get lost in the politics of merging two traditions (in my case, my husband's and mine), and sharing enough time with each family member and dear friend.

For years, these three "issues" caused me unnecessary stress. I focused on those three only, and forgot about my primary value of the joy of the season. For years the gifts had to be "even", the hours with each side if the family had to be even, but the traditions that created that joy? Well, I had to do them. After all, the tinsel placed just right and the stocking overflowing with gifts were what Christmas was all about...wasn't it?

Then one year I decided to forgo the anxiety (and perhaps just got a little bit wiser), and focused on the moments of happiness, and the activities that brought me joy.

How did I shift my thinking? I formed these three holiday rules:

Focus on the moment.

When I created a visiting schedule, I focused on the people I would be seeing - I enjoyed adding names of loved ones. I didn't focus on those I wouldn't see that day.

Then each day, I became fully present with those in the room, virtually eliminating worries.

2. Simply do your best. And know that your best is good enough.

When I spend my time with family, I give my best to the family who is present. When I see friends, I give my best to them. If I need a 20 minute shut eye, it is better to take it if there is time, than to power through a whole evening being tired.

When we focus on joy (or another favorite core feeling), then our mind isn't cluttered with "what ifs," and should I's." Instead, we can put our best effort into being joyful.

3. Practice forgiveness.

Forgiveness is one of the core teachings of Christmas. It relieves us of the heaviness of our human responsibilities.

Instead of being caught up in our errors, we can forgive ourselves and move into a lighter perspective, into a more joyful outlook. This benefits everyone involved.

We can also forgive others for their human learnings. Remember, we can only do our best.

And wouldn't you know it, when the desire for joy was my primary motivator to be in the moment, to do my best, and to be more forgiving, then I en-JOYed the holidays even more!i also noticed that when the planning details were no longer the focus, then traditions merged nicely, we spent lots of time with family, and giving gifts created happiness, while getting gifts was merely a pleasing side effect.

Hope you feel your best during the holidays, filled with love, and loving moments.

How to Make a Good Decision

Recently I was immersed in both decision making and a frustrating lack of being able to decide. When actions were out of my control, I had to be annoyingly patient. When they were in my control, the decisions were life-altering.

Early last summer, my husband received notification that his large company was closing its operations in New Jersey.

The following month we went on FIVE vacations.

When a BIG decision is beyond your control, focus on the little decisions for a short time

Lucky for us, the decision to go on those vacations had already been made. We just followed our plane reservations, hotel bookings and camping plans. As we absorbed the idea that we may have to move again (we'd only been in New Jersey for three years, so moving was still fresh), we also relaxed in St. Baarth's, and rode roller coasters in Hershey, PA. We saw the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia, and stayed with friends down the Jersey Shore. Finally, we drove for the last time up to the Muskoka Lakes in Ontario to visit cousins and siblings.

Use Your Passion to Nurture Other Ones

Do you ever find yourself in a slump, lacking enthusiasm for your job, your workouts or your family obligations?

Strawberry passion

If you are like me, you may find yourself with a to do list that grows. Unless it has a deadline, it doesn't get done. This doesn't happen very often, but when it does, it is frustrating.

Kick starting motivation can be difficult.

How to Face Change to Reach Your Goal

I love change. I love new people, new places and new knowledge. I tell people that change keeps me looking forward to the future.

However, when I don't know all the answers for something within my control, then I have a tendency to ignore change. Yes...I pretend it isn't happening. Until I'm forced to deal with it in some way.
Not long ago I was faced with change on my blog. On Metaphysical Mom (and Dad) I didn't post an article in a critical month, and I had committed to myself to post each month. At the time of writing this, it is the last day of the month. If I don't post something today, by tomorrow the calendar will change to a new month and it will be too late to post this month's article.

Why is it important to take the next step?

A year before I made a promise to myself that if I was going to create change in my own world and with my own writing (and by extension connect in a more meaningful way to the world of colleagues, clients, friends and family), then one of my targets is to post at least once a month.

So why did I take me 30 days to get here this time?

Because of fear.

Over the prior seven weeks, in between business, a couple major volunteer events, and many childrens' activities, I had been busy migrating my blog over to a self-hosted wordpress site. In non-blog language, this means that I will have my blog, business, coaching and classes all on one site. The website has been on the internet for a few years, but it was underused, practically untouched.

Only now I realize that every time I make a change on my new Leigh Harris site, my email system will think the change is actually a new "blog," and end up in your inbox. That wasn't my intention. I want my blog subscribers to get my blog...only. I haven't investigated every possibility, so there may be a simple solution, but without knowing the solution (and feeling a lack of control) I simply ignored it... for 29 days.

But now on day 30, I still want to stick to my goal - one or more posts each month. This will give me another 29 days to figure out the answer (and hope I don't ignore it that long!).

For the moment (and the moment is all that matters, right?) by sticking to my goal I learned a few things:

1. Goal setting really does help us to achieve what we set out to do.

Even though this blog slips in right before the deadline, it still helps me to accomplish my goal. And now that I have written it, I am more likely to create another one, and another one.

2. Facing fear means making a decision, even if it is a simple...or single...step forward.

One step is all it ever takes. We don't reach the moon, climb to the top of the corporate ladder, or earn the big income we set for ourselves without taking one step at a time. And there is no doubt that each goal requires moving through fear. After all, the corporate or income climb requires stepping out of our comfort zone. And if the astronaut doesn't reach the moon.... well, there is no half way point.

As long as we take action, we move past our fear.

3. Reaching a goal feels satisfying, no matter how small.

It is like eating one small square of really good chocolate, instead of a whole bar of some inferior substitution. Mmm...good.

4. You need to change to reach a goal.

If we take a step forward, we irrevocably change our life. We create change. But change is good.

I love change, with fear and focused goals mixed in. They keep me accountable to myself and to my readers. I don't know if I'll be able to segment my blog from my business, but that is my plan. The only way I'll know is to take the next step forward, and the next, and the next.

What is your next step in your goal? Take it tomorrow, no matter what fear you face.

How to Take Care of Children’s Skin in the Winter Months

This is a guest post by Michael West.

Skin care is just as important during the harsh winter months as it is during the summer season. Parents sometimes see the cloudy skies, overcast days, and snow filled streets and develop a false sense of security, but the truth is children suffer from extremely painful, annoying skin conditions that require treatment.

The following are some skin care tips parents can use to treat and prevent many of the most common skin conditions children suffer from during the winter months. 

September is Busy: How to Navigate New Commitments

Phew!

Studying in our Tree

We are three weeks into September and I haven't posted a blog since August. I started two new articles but didn't create the time to finish and publish them. In the meantime, I fulfilled my duties as mom-of-2-school-aged-children, soccer mom, committee member, committee leader, 2nd committee member, writers' group member and business start-up investigator.

In September the most important duty is "mom." My kids loved coming home the first 5 days exclaiming, "we don't have homework today, but YOU do!" As they pull out multiple forms each day covering medical, emergency contact, photo release, tell-me-about-your-child, photo payment and volunteer-for-this-committee requests.

September is also filled with new committee meetings, first-meetings-after-summer-sabbatical meetings, and kids sports meetings...er...practices and games.

Moms can feel the overwhelm of being pulled in multiple directions while trying to get used to the new year's schedule. I've heard more than once, "September is the new year, not January."

So true.

But this year felt a bit calmer than most Septembers, and I had to carve out some time in our busy schedule to think about this question: "Why is life running more smoothly?"

The Intention to Connect

Today I have the great pleasure of being the host on Day 8 of the Virtual Book Tour for the E-Book Parenting Responsively for Connection. (To order, visit http://heartwiseparent.com/responsive-parenting-e-book/), written by ACPI Parenting Coaches for parents to deal with the most difficult task of maintaining connection with the growing child whose behavior changes and shifts.

Yesterday, the book tour focused on Influencing Character Through Connection at the site: http://parentcoachsedef.blogspot.com with Sedef Örsel Özcelik. Visit now if you haven’t had the opportunity to meet all the authors. 

Today, enjoy this book excerpt below on one of my favorite topics: Intention.

Setting the Intention to Connect

©  2011 by Sherri Boles-Rogers

            Most of us would agree that at one point or another, we all yearn to be better connected to our children.  Perhaps this is because deep down we understand that a strong parent-child bond will help us weather the many storms we will encounter on our parenting journey.  Just as our children's mind and body need to be nurtured, so does our connection. But do we truly understand how to nurture it?

Welcome to the Virtual Book Tour for "Parenting Responsively for Connection"

Parenting Responsively for Connection

Virtual E-Book Tour

Until June 21st, the new E-Book, Parenting Responsively for Connections will be on tour through 14 blog sites. Each day has a new article from the book. 

This book contains down-to-earth and easy-to-apply strategies for staying connected to your child as they grow from the early years into the school years. Learn how to cope with issues from potty training to developing success study skills. 

Order here

Eleven ACPI Certified Parenting Coaches - compassionate parents who walk their talk - have joined together to bring you the best of their accumulated knowledge and 110+ years of parenting experiences. They have created a book full of sincerity and realism. No fluff here from these astute and intelligent parenting coaches.

Sherri Boles-Rogers, ACPI CPC

Alan Carson, M.Ed., ACPI CPC

Lesa Day, ACPI CPC

Sharon Egan, MS, ACPI CPC

Marcia Hall, CPN, ACPI CPC

Kareen Hannon, ACPI CPC

Adina Lederer, ACPI CCPF

Malini Mandal, OT, ACPI CCP

Sedef Orsel, ACPI CCP

Minette Riordan, Ph.D., ACPI CCP

Jennie Tehomilic, ACPI CPC

Blog With Us and Follow The Journey Of A Book Tour

6-08-11 – Day 1 – http//www.Heartwiseparent.com/blog
6-09-11 – Day 2 – http://www.yesIcanandIwill.com
6-10-11 – Day 3 – http://www.northtexaskids.com
6-11-11 – Day 4 – http//academyforcoachingparents.com
6-12-11 – Day 5 – http://YourParentingQuestions.blogs
6-13-11 – Day 6 – http://www.nannyalliance.blogspot.com
6-14-11 – Day 7 – http://parentcoachsedef.blogspot.com, (English)  or (Turkish) http://cocukluyuzbiz.blogspot.com
6-15-11 – Day 8 – http://metaphysicsetcetera.blogspot.com
6-16-11 – Day 9 – http://www.intentionalconsciousparenting
6-17-11 – Day 10 – http://annebabaokulum.blogspot.com – (Turkish)
6-18-11 – Day 11 – http://www.lifeinaweek.com
6-19-11 – Day 12 – http://www.heartwiseparent.com/blog
6-20-11-  Day 13 – http://www.parentingheart.com
6-21-11 – Day 14 – http://www.classantics.com

On June 15th, Metaphysical Mom will host the tour and post a unique article for you. Please visit here on the 15th, and throughout the tour on other sites to comment and respond to author articles.

I look forward to seeing you on the tour!

An Authentic Opinion Comes from a Place of Love

Love embraces and comforts. Judgement constricts and condemns.

People grow up forming opinions of right and wrong in the world. When someone forms an opinion without understanding what they believe, the opinion can turn into a judgement. This limits their capacity be open and loving and restricts their ability to receive love too, because it blocks the way to connect more fully with others.

Be conscious of your opinions and understand why you have them. Ensure they come from an authentic place.

For example, Barbara, 49 and a mother to two teenage girls, moved to a beautiful suburban street with well kept lawns except for one property. She and her next-door neighbors scorned the person who lived among the dandelions and bare-patched lawn. One day she observed an ambulance in their driveway. When she walked over, curious about the emergency, a young lady came out.

“Is everything ok?” Barbara asked.

“It will be. My mother has been living here for years and as she gets older she can’t care for herself so easily. Unfortunately I live out of town and don’t visit as often as I’d like. Once the doctors make sure she’s ok, I’ll move her to a residential home closer to my house. In the meantime, my brother will come over and tidy up her place. Her biggest heartache is she can’t garden anymore.”

Barbara felt awful. Not only had she not bothered to check on her neighbor, but she had judged her based on the state of her lawn.

By passing judgement, we limit the potential to express ourselves completely and we fail to perceive the full expression of others. We also miss out on opportunities to meet wonderful people.

Barbara offered to help the neighbor’s son do some weeding to clean up the front yard and, fortunately, forgave herself for her judgment. She resolved to know more in the future before forming a strong opinion.

The next time you feel yourself forming an opinion, ask yourself which root belief it is tied to. Ensure it comes from an authentic place within and serves to increase love in the world.

Can You Get There from Here? 3 Keys to Getting Unstuck

Guest post by Angie Dixon

I just connected with a cousin of mine on Facebook, which reminded me of a funny story. When I was eight or so, my parents and I went to visit this (much older) cousin in West Monroe, Louisiana. Then we planned to visit my (also much older) sister in Conway, Arkansas. That’s not the funny part.


The funny part is that my mother called my sister, Sandy, to ask the best route. Seeing that Sandy had lived in central Arkansas for years, everyone thought she’d know the best way to get there coming from Louisiana, in general. And of course they thought she’d get out a map.

What she said, though, was, “You can’t get here from there.”

And she meant it.

The Self-Aware Parent, live chat with author Cathy Cassani Adams

Transcript of CHAT with Cassani Adams ~ Tuesday April 12th.

Author of, The Self-Aware Parent 19 Lessons For Growing With Your Children, Cathy Cassani Adams, LCSW, PCI Certified Parent Coach was live online, April 12th.


The Self Aware Parent  By Cathy Cassani Adams, provided a compelling view of becoming a new mother. She gave us a glimpse of her parenting occurrences through her personal looking glass.

Is it Help or Hindrance?

I like to help others. I have such a deep desire to do this that I itch to make it the top comment on my resume or profile.

Help Others

I’ve always been in a helping profession, even while teaching or directing.

However, with friends and family, I have less objectivity than at work. With family, I want to jump in to rescue, to change, to provide tools. I want to help. But recently I received strong indications that my help was a bit of a hindrance. In one case I sent an email to a few people, full of options of how we all could help some others. Many people do this, but most often they focus on a world crisis. This was personal, between a few people. Though I got a discussion going, some of it was, “what are you thinking, Leigh?” Apparently some levels of help are overkill.

Yesterday I spoke to my sister for a long time. She is incredibly talented, and speaks about brilliant ideas to work with more people in her area of specialty: nutrition. Yesterday I became a coach, instead of a sister. I listened to her wants, then urged her to take action and challenged her doubts.

I could tell she was feeling a bit of stress. When I got off the phone I realized, maybe there is a reason for her hesitations. Maybe she doesn’t need me coaching her about her future. Maybe she can simply enjoy the present and see how the future unfolds. Maybe I can simply listen.

Kick start Your Creativity

I’m in love with a new restaurant, and I haven’t eaten there yet. The Zinburger has a great online menu which includes their signature item: burger with zinfandel braised onions and manchego cheese. Red zinfandel and manchego are two of my favorites. And who thought to add them to an otherwise ordinary burger?

Zinburger did it, and in doing so took a common idea (the burger) and created something unique.

With millions of burger stops in the US, few of us think about the inspiration needed to create a successful new burger enterprise. Many of us would love to experience the thrill of that inspiration.

Seth Godin, author of Tribes and a dozen other books, recently created a publishing company backed by Amazon. He is trying a new out-of-the-box idea, launching the ebook, audio book and hard copy at the same time. Publishing has been done before, but here Seth created new twists.

How to Stay Relevant During the Job Search

Job seekers want to appear current in the job market, but many feel joblessness strips away their professional image. The average duration of unemployment is much longer than a few years ago, though it will eventually turn around. Until it does, it is essential to look up-to-date and relevant, ready for the next job opportunity.
So how do you stay relevant?

1. Monitor the attitude you project

Your attitude shows. Ensure it is the one you want to demonstrate. Dress for work every day. Project a polished image. Show confidence even if you have to pretend. Breathe deep and pull your shoulders back.

Own your strengths. Change the words, “I used to manage company mergers,” to “I specialize in innovative company growth.” Modify your thoughts. If you berate yourself for being out of work, start to think positively. “I have amazing qualities to offer. I have innovative ideas and always keep my eye on profit margins.” Post your qualities on the bathroom mirror to remind yourself what you bring to employers.

With today’s unemployment rate, jobless is shameless. Let people know where you stand. “My job fell with the economy, and I’m available to begin something new.” Make a point to create a visibly positive attitude.

2. Volunteer

When you are unemployed, volunteer. The only difference between a paid position and a volunteer position is the money. Yes, money is important, but that volunteer position keeps your resume full and gives you an opportunity to offer your assets to a non-profit organization. Volunteering may also lead to a job.

3. Connect with your industry

Local and online organizations, such as those on Meetup, keep you updated with industry changes. Professional online networks, such as LinkedIn, allow you to create a complete job-targeted profile for future employers. Industry and networking groups also find value there.

If your industry or community doesn’t have a group, start one.

Join a Rotary group, attend networking meetings and create dynamic connections by offering ideas while you exchange business cards.

4. Be creative

Some people wait for others to take the lead, so you might start your own networking group. Or set up a weekly support group for unemployed professionals. A mastermind-type group can hold each other accountable for job search and other career-building activities.

Connect with an industry blog. Comment with frequency and knowledge, adding value to the blogger and the readers, and creating visibility for you. Social media can help you bring your talents to the world.

Create a business card which stands out from the crowd. Be creative yet professional. Order inexpensive yet quality cards online from a place like Vistaprint (pay a few dollars so their logo is not on the back).

5. Focus on the pleasure hours of your life

Job search is eight hours or so a day. What could you do in your off hours? Perhaps you could try a yoga class, see a daytime movie or meet friends for coffee. Set yourself a goal: “After five cover letters and resumes are hand-delivered, I will meet Frank for lunch.” Stay focused when you need to, and learn to enjoy the other part of your life.

Sometimes things happen when you least expect it. When you follow the ideas above, your next conversation may be with a local corporate executive, who could invite you to your next job interview. This is when your relevance shows.

Leigh Harris has been a career and personal development coach for 15 years. She finds satisfaction helping clients create relevance outside their careers and within. Visit her website http://www.leigh-harris.com/
 
This article was originally posted on http://www.nejs.org/

How to Use Volunteering to Create Employment Opportunities

Volunteering is an opportunity to experience new skills with new people. During a period of joblessness, it may also be your link back to employment. Use volunteer work to connect you to your next job opportunity.

What are the benefits of volunteer work to create your future job?

1. Current work experience

What does the work experience section of your resume tell your future employer? If you are out of work, there may be a glaring gap. Volunteer work is a valid and respectable way to fill the break in your chronological resume. Whether your unemployment length is 2 months or 2 years, offering your talents to a non-profit organization keeps your experience up to date.

Volunteering qualifies as work experience, though you’ll want to be careful how you describe this position. Employers know the number of people out of work, but still expect to be told where you earned your paychecks. Some volunteer positions don’t need explanation, such as, “Offer extensive organizational capacity on Board of Directors.” To clarify a less obvious volunteer position, try: “Event planning and fundraising, volunteering up to 40 hours a week.” This moves “volunteer” out of the title and into the description.

Employers want to see motivation present on your resume, and your volunteer work will provide proof.

2. Enhance your skills

When you volunteer for a new organization, you give them the benefit of your unique talents and create an opportunity to enhance your profile. You may be an excellent organizational manager. To keep your experience current, help to organize an upcoming event, offer to streamline the process with creative ideas, and be a valuable support for the event directors. Learn about event planning and fundraising, as well as meet other volunteers with valuable insight or even employer connections.

If your talent is working in construction, you can offer to work in a place like Habitat for Humanity. If accounting is your focus, non-profits and community organizations always need treasurers and accounting experts. In each situation you will discover a valuable exchange of knowledge.

3. Create new contacts

As you become involved in your volunteer work, you will meet new people. Your enthusiasm to contribute in a meaningful way will rub off on people you meet, who again may be contacts for future paid work.

Be open to other volunteers about your situation. Don’t say, “I’m just volunteering until I find a job.” This devalues the work both you and others do for the organization. Say, “I’m not currently working, and want to use this opportunity to bring my talents to a new organization. Perhaps I’ll learn something new, and I may discover paid work along the way. I hope to continue this volunteer work once I begin a new job.” Other volunteers will be more likely to offer you job leads if they know (1) You are looking, and (2) You want to continue volunteering when the new job starts.

4. Increase your current life satisfaction

You may volunteer to fill the gap in your resume, but if you find an organization you feel passionate about, and a position you feel confident about, you may discover personal satisfaction spilling over into your life. With purpose in your routine, your attitude will brighten. And that attitude can help you get a job.

Stay busy volunteering during unemployment and you could discover a renewed sense of purpose, a full resume, and a link into a job.

Leigh Harris has been a career and personal development coach for 15 years, 5 years in nonprofit organizations. In her spare time she volunteers, with satisfaction, for two organizations. Visit her her website http://www.leigh-harris.com/
 
This was originally posted on http://nejs.org/

Filling in the Gap Between Success and Failure

by Sally Marks

There is a unit of time that does not have an official name, but it is a crucial link between success and failure. It is the time between “wanting to do something” and actually doing it. As a youngster, this time period was often prefaced by, “When I’m a grown up.” Later it evolved to “When the kids grow up” or “When I have more time”.

I’ve always been pretty good at meeting deadlines, at least as an adult. I have all my unforgiving journalism professors to thank for that. But when it comes to unofficial deadlines, the game can get a bit trickier. After all, life doesn’t always come with the motivation of a good grade, or the threat of a nasty editor.

I don’t like to think of myself as lazy, or even as someone who procrastinates (more on that later – ha ha). Yet, life threw me a little reminder that I could turn my refrain for “I’ll do it another day” to a life of sloth if I didn’t change a few habits.

A case in point.

I had feng shui practitioner Lisa Montgomery perform her skills and knowledge to enhance and increase the positive qui of my home. One of the cures to prevent negative energy from hitting my happy abode included placing a bagua (a yellow, wooden, octagon with a mirror in the center) over my garage door. The street comes to a T right in front of our driveway, and that can throw a bit of negative vibes our way. This little bagua has been perched in its location for quite some time. Then one day we had a nasty wind storm and the bagua, like Humpty Dumpty, had a big fall. Fortunately nothing was broken. All I had to do was put it back up on its little perch.

How to Feel Fear, Then Respond with Calm - The New Food Safety Act

I almost made a mistake today. Ok, I probably make mistakes every day, but this one was wrapped up in fear and overreaction.

I read a facebook post about the new Food Safety Act. I became afraid. The post provided a link which led me to believe I wouldn't be able to buy some vitamins after the Act went into effect. If I believed the post, it also seemed as if all organic farms, seeds and backyard gardens would be  in jeopardy. No vitamins? No organic backyard gardens? An outrage! Imagine only being able to consume mass manufactured / grown / modified foods. It is simply too Big Brother horrible to imagine.

Unfortunately, I continued to read the comments under the article. "How can the government do this?" I thought, as I read on and on. My heart raced. I noticed my own fear building.

I then made a mistake. I posted the link on my facebook profile, without research. Reaction without foresight or calm.

How could I have dealt with my fear?

How to Make a Career Transition to the Nonprofit World

This article was first posted on the New England Job Show blog: http://nejs.org/2010/12/06/career-transition-how-to-make-a-career-transition-to-the-nonprofit-world/


By Leigh Harris


In the corporate world, many of us reach a point where we question financial success while sacrificing personal rewards. Jobs focused solely on money eventually lose appeal. We yearn to make a difference in the world.

Now is the time to bring talents to the nonprofit world.

Before sending out a stellar resume, however, it helps to know what a nonprofit organization expects in their hiring process.

How do you get hired in a nonprofit organization, and give more meaning to your 40 hour work week?

1. Rediscover your passions and values

What is important to you? What gets your heart pumping? Perhaps your child has asthma, and you lie awake some nights worrying about the last trip to emergency. Maybe you are successful in business because as a child you lived from paycheck to paycheck, your mother barely having enough food the last few dinners before payday. Perhaps you are passionate about sports, and understand the mental, health and physical benefits of an active lifestyle.

Write down your passions and values, and which organizations align with them. Ask friends and family what they know about local organizations, and select a few to conduct an information interview.

2. Match your skill set to their goals

When you dedicate your workday to a nonprofit, how will you help the organization meet its goals? Determine how you can offer your skill set to clearly and succinctly meet their objectives and strategic plan. Remember, it isn’t about you and your professional growth, though you will discover your intrinsic needs being met through this work. They want a sincere offer of help, with a professional approach.

Visit the organization’s website or local office. Read their annual reports, which should be publicly available. Understand their mission statement, objectives and goals. What peaks your interest? Dedicated volunteers usually include a board of directors. One of them may be able to give you a personal perspective of the organization. Another may be able to point to gaps in service or staffing positions.

Once you determine how your skill set meets their bottom line, you can approach this job prospect with their best interests in mind. Though this is an effective approach for corporations, it is the only approach for nonprofits.

3. Redesign your resume to highlight relevant unpaid experience

Do you intentionally leave off hobbies and interests in your current resume? While most corporate headhunters recommend this, in the nonprofit world your interests may align with the values of your target organization. Perhaps you volunteer for your child’s Boy Scout (or Girl Scout) camping trip. Your active focus on health and nutrition will benefit the asthma, cancer or sports organization you pursue.

If you actively volunteer or have a passionate interest in line with your target, ensure it is on your resume.

4. Prepare for your interview

Your interview is the key. In the corporate world, your interviewer wants your experience to effect change or assist current leaders with their vision. In the nonprofit world, they want the same and more. They want to hear your passion about their goals, and your intention to stick with them.

If you are at a crossroads in your career, and want to apply your talents to a greater cause, consider the benefits your experience will bring to a nonprofit organization.

About Leigh Harris

Leigh has been a career and personal development coach for 15 years, 5 years in nonprofit organizations. In her spare time she volunteers for nonprofits and in education.

Plan for the future so you can be present for the holidays

Planning for the holidays can be all consuming, but it doesn’t have to drag you away from what is happening in the present moment. If the holiday meal is planned and written, the days prior will be more alive in your mind as you have time to stay present. At work, you can be intensely present at a meeting that is focused on next year’s budget, next month’s project or a future staffing change. The trick is to document your plan before the event or meeting.


As special holiday events approach, preparation is critical to enjoy each day more fully. Create a scheduled meeting time just for you. When you sit down to write your plan, allow your mind to wander forward to the time the event will occur. Then when you get together with others for celebration or further preparation, your mind doesn't need to jump forward anymore. It has done that work. Instead it will remain present to enjoy your current activities. And if you follow this idea at work, you will be more involved in the discussion.

Another benefit? The memories of your special event will remain more vivid in your mind. Did you know your memory relies on where your mind is? If it is constantly distracted by unfinished planning, jumping to future or into the past, it won’t be present enough to remember key moments. Time will literally pass you by, while you are somewhere else (at least in your mind).

So give yourself a gift. There is time to plan; There are moments to enjoy. Keep them separate.