1. What made this experience significant for you?  
2. What did you do to cause the change to have a positive outcome?  
3. How did you know it was the appropriate time to make the change?  
4. How would you suggest someone prepare to make such an experience more expeditious or effortless (to simplify their process)?   
5. Has this impacted your beliefs about future changes and if so how?  
6. What did you use as a support for your transition process?

  CAREER TRANSITION (to a new organization/different field)

"What I recognized is that perception isn't always reality.   It's your own reality that's important - that's what makes you happen."  

- Amy Lambrecht, Salesperson

1. Left an industry I'd stuck it out in for 15 years. Networked with everyone I knew. Learning a whole new industry that could lead me other places.  

2. Took a year off to regroup and sell home products to get by. New technical area showing me ways I'm being great that I can actually see and measure.

3. Lost a lot of heart and confidence that took a bite out of my participation.

4. Ex-boyfriend suggested a company and person I'd be working for and put me in touch with them.   Created a list of those things that were most important. Did informal interviewing with varied industries, regaining my interest.  

5. Many people want to make a change in their lives but are paralyzed in situations where they're not satisfied.   Sometimes things happen that facilitate changes because we won't do it on our own.   Important to view those changes, even being let go, as a gift.

- Amy Lambrecht, Salesperson

1. Consultants go from job to job. Ready to settle down, find something fun, good pay in my niche.

2. Met with a mutual friend who I'd done previous consulting for. Contacted someone and used her name.

3. Was style differences with prospective employer and I was initially guarded. Decided to try it and the job was still available. Had some personal challenges to complete first and coming from the school of hard knocks, his tough style was not so unappealing.

4. Don't fear yourself or situation. Trust yourself and know what you can do.

5. Parents wanted me to go to college and get a normal job, didn't have a girlfriend at the time to talk with. Trusted new employer and some of our commonalities. I believe you create your own reality. Keeping the final goal in mind and envisioning the subject you're trying to accomplish, the less physical action will need to be taken to accomplish those things. That's really how things get done, we just don't know that yet.         

- Kevin Kachikian, Digital Audio Technician

"If you're going to a new area you're a neophyte, you don't have all the answers and you can get caught up in trying to do it all right from the beginning and it doesn't happen that way. It [change] takes time.   Trying to rush it or make it something else you'll be frustrated.   You can't be everything immediately."

- Jackie Freedman

1. Wasn't getting any psychic income. Didn't feel I was making a difference. No investment of creativity. Not rote, but outcome didn't feel special or unique any more. Always liked kids, found them energizing and interested in their ideas. Became a teacher. Bulk of day with children. Now experience a new evolution of needs on all levels. You think about that 24 hours a day. It's a challenge way beyond what I've ever done.  

2. Gave change a lot of thought. Had experience in the area, both with my own children and volunteering. Left job on a good note, we liked one another.  

3. My own child had left home, the other was ready. You're restructuring a life that before included other people. Your rock of stability, your whole reason to do things is no longer there. Your basically on your own and you have to re-establish a relationship with your self and partner.

4. If you're wrapped up in your work and it's a big part of you, you can't make it effortless. Once you've decided to make the change don't hold animosity about what you did before. Life is change. A lot of people prepare, try to make it more effortless and understand better how to approach the changes.   If going to a new area you're a neophyte, you don't have all the answers and you can get caught up in trying to do it all right from the beginning and it doesn't happen that way. It takes time. Trying to rush it or make it something else you'll be frustrated. You can't be everything immediately.

5. You can see different aspects of yourself. We think that changes are not so welcome, but they are. Some things are nice to stay the same, but on the other hand, you're daily making changes. If you're afraid to make them, try it and see what happens. I believe you prepare for what you do, especially for a professional change.

6. My life partner for his support and income. A big change that impacted his life too. Take suggestions from others and learn how to do it better. The children are teaching me.

- Jackie Freedman, Teacher