1 – Ready for Reinvention? Start Here

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Reinvention can be more than just starting over, it's starting better

START HERE~ I'll begin with my story. A few years ago, a corporate job that I adored started to feel like a creative prison. I had produced a lot of helpful content and unique internal services, but eventually came to the conclusion that I was spinning my wheels. It was time for a change, but I wasn't sure how to start.

Not a stranger to Reinvention, I'd gone on different paths a few times through the years. But I didn't have a good process and my past attempts were frustrating and financially stressful. So you can imagine, it took a lot of courage to consider making any changes with a corporate job. I needed help!

I discovered a weekend workshop called Design Your Life, based on the book of the same name. The program uses Design Thinking concepts and visual methods for self discovery, and encourages building a "well-lived, joyful life." The workshop gave me a lot of inspiration to be bold with my creativity, with plenty of mapping and reality checks for successful outcomes.

Another program that's given plenty of guidance is the Reinvention Roadmap, a book that also uses creative methods for the Reinvention process.

In the REINVENTION JOURNAL first three editions, I'll share notes from these favorite methods. Then in the weeks to come, I'll share Reinvention stories and advice from around the community. Watch for the recaps with notes from our events (See Events list below)

Why a series about Reinvention?

Most New Year's posts are about favorite planners, resolutions and so on. But with so much change in our industry lately including the technology revolution, job layoffs and other challenges, it's time for a deeper self discovery to understand how we can adapt and be ready for what's next.

I've invited colleagues to share their stories in discussion panels and webinars. The response from the community has been outstanding, it’s a topic that’s an important one and probably will be for some time. And this feels like it will become a community effort that will surely take on a life of its own.

Get ready as we Reinvent Ourselves together!

Why we Reinvent ourselves

Chart the flow of your life – what's your push?

I've noticed, times of change result from some kind of push. I've had all of these pushes for change at some point of my life, how about you?

Situation changes → Job loss, geographic shift, job role changes

Feeling stuck → Job search stalled, obligations to keep a job but want something else, frustration because the job is not a desired role

Goals keep failing → Fear of failure, unsure what to do next, unrealistic expectations, distractions, procrastination, goals are vague, feeling unworthy, lack of motivation, listening to naysayers

So, after the push, what comes next...?

How will you Reinvent yourself?

→ You could adopt a playful attitude with Reinvention and Self Discovery as a game, try things out and see challenges as opportunities

→ You could apply Design Thinking principles to design your life and find out what you need. Use design steps such as Ideate, Prototype and Test that could produce concrete changes in your life and career. See Design Your Life, RECOMMENDED RESOURCES below

→ You could follow a Reinvention Map, from a coach or program, using guided steps to find a more authentic career path or alternate career path. See Reinvention Roadmap, RECOMMENDED RESOURCES below

Reinvention programs offer three basic steps:

Where am I, Where do I want to be, How to get there

Start here – Step 1: Where am I?

Every Reinvention program starts with the first basic step to take stock of your life and what needs changed. Here's a few examples inspired by my favorite programs.

Observations from DESIGNING YOUR LIFE by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans

Rate where you are right now – In this book, the authors show how you can take on a design mindset with curiosity, action and reframing. But first comes a life assessment, digging into important areas of your life.

• This section advises us to assess where we are right now in several areas.
• My interpretation of the areas are: Mind and Body, Daily Work, Rest and Rejuvenation, Relationships.

In the book, they use a meter-type rating method so that you can easily indicate how high or low each area is for you.

For example, some of us are used to working too much, so the Daily Work area would be rated high but Rest and Rejuvenation would probably be rated low. If you’re working too many hours, you're most likely not finding time for rest or play.

With this visual method, you can get an idea of areas to focus on. The Life Design authors encourage other visual methods and "trying stuff out". If visual and design methods appeal to you, I highly recommend the book.?

Observations from REINVENTION ROADMAP by Liz Ryan

The First Step – In this book, the first step Get Altitude means finding a new perspective on what you want from life and career.

• The book suggests starting a journal to begin self assessment of what you enjoy the most, what you love to do and your talents. To me, the most important question is "What are you good at doing, that most people aren't?"

With this written method you can learn a lot about yourself. If you've done self assessments and performance evaluations before, you can incorporate everything into this exercise! Reinvention Roadmap is another book that I recommend, especially its human focus to counter automated hiring processes.

From 6 QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF by Mel Robbins

Here's a resource from the motivational speaker Mel Robbins that you can download for free and use right away. Her podcast episode Make 2024 Your Best Year features questions (much like a reflection journal) that can help identify where we are and what's next. Check out the podcast and fillable PDF:

• How to Make 2024 the Best Year: 6 Questions to Ask Yourself - Podcast and downloadable PDF (Mel Robbins)

According to Mel, "There are only 6 questions to ask yourself for clarity and insight. Your answers will show you what the very next steps are in your life."?The questions cover what's working in your life, what doesn't work, and so on.

Stay tuned for upcoming events and recordings of previous events

REINVENTION EVENTS

? REINVENT YOURSELF Panel Discussion with Viveta Gene, Patrice Dussault, s.a.h., b.a. and Stefan Huyghe

The panel shared personal yet inspirational details of their own Reinvention Stories, facing fear of failure and taking a leap of faith when there's a fork in the road. There were so many great quotes and shared bits of knowledge, you'll want to check out the video.

See the video replay in Step 2, here: The next step for Reinvention? Finding Your Way... and Your Why

? REINVENT YOURSELF With a Coach Webinar/Q&A with Mario Pluzny, Certified Life and Career Coach from the Language Industry

Mario gave information about what it's like to work with a life and career coach, featuring a live coaching demo and Q&A. Don't miss the replay!

See the video replay in Step 3, here: Reinvent Yourself Step 3 – How To Get There (Pt. A)

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

Designing Your Life: How to Build a Well-Lived, Joyful Life by Bill Burnett and Dave Evans

Reinvention Roadmap: Break the Rules to Get the Job You Want and Career You Deserve by Liz Ryan

How to Make 2024 the Best Year: 6 Questions to Ask Yourself - Podcast and downloadable PDF (Mel Robbins)

Be thankful for closed doors, detours and roadblocks. They protect you from the paths and places not meant for you. ~Mita Mallick via Vintage Vids

REINVENTION RECAP

Here's a few thoughts and quotes, from my previous Reinvention posts

See you in the next edition for "Step 2 – Where do I want to be" and Reinvention Panel event recording, as the REINVENTION JOURNAL continues.

Follow along, journal away, and be sure to share your thoughts and stories, we're Reinventing ourselves together~

Opinions in this newsletter are my own, or that of my guests. The content is focused on suggestions but is not intended to replace professional or clinical advice. Copyrights belong to each respective author.

? 2024 Marina Gracen-Farrell | The Localization Advocate