Going through major life transitions can seem daunting when you don’t have adequate information and support. Our list includes Merideth’s personalized thumbnail reviews of books, websites, organizations, and tools which she and her coaching clients have found useful. Please feel free to explore.
BOOK: Transitions – Making Sense of Life’s Changes
By William Bridges
This book outlines the three phases of making a transition: an ending, a new beginning, and the time in-between. I especially found useful the idea of the “Neutral Zone,” the time between the ending and beginning when you feel the need to go within and regroup. He characterizes this as a necessary part of the change process. It is very useful if you are in a transition and are feeling frustrated with yourself because you are not feeling productive.
BOOK: Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway
By Susan Jeffers, Ph.D.
A great resource for working through the fear and resistance that may be keeping your from what you really want in your life. A short, quick read.
BOOK: How to Be an Adult – A Handbook on Psychological and Spiritual Integration
By David Richo
A short, simple treatment of psychological development in adults. Includes discussion of fear, anger, guilt, values, personal boundaries and intimacy. A deceptively simple book with an odd title that makes a wonderful reference for your library. I found the discussion of loss to be particularly compelling.
BOOK: Bringing Out the Best in Yourself at Work – How to Use the Enneagram System for Success
By Ginger Lapid-Bogda, Ph.D.
The Enneagram is an amazing tool for understanding your own natural tendencies as they relate to the many varied patterns of thinking, feeling and acting of others. This book helps you figure out what Enneagram style(s) you relate most to, and then applies the styles to such workplace situations as giving and receiving feedback, dealing with conflict, and creating high-performing teams. An excellent, easy-to-follow treatment of the Enneagram, which can be a very complex subject.
BOOK: Leadership on the Line – Staying Alive through the Dangers of Leading
By Ronald Heifetz and Marty Linsky
A compelling look at becoming a leader, regardless of your position within an organization. An interesting perspective on how to perceive leadership and grow your potential.
WEBSITE: Small Business Administration - www.sba.gov
A wealth of resources for small businesses. Find your local chapter; low-cost/free classes offered. Check out the training calendar for your closest location.
WEBSITE: Renaissance Entrepreneurship Center - www.rencenter.org
Organization that provides low-cost, high quality courses for those who are considering self-employment or are already in business for themselves. An excellent resource for new entrepreneurs.
BOOK: Minding Her Own Business – The Self-Employed Woman’s Essential Guide to Taxes and Financial Records
By Jan Zobel, E.A.
Jan teaches a one-day class that outlines the information in this book. If you find the whole bookkeeping/accounting subject confusing, Jan makes it easy. I suggest taking her course and reading the book. For more information: http://www.janztax.com/Seminars/tax_seminars.htm
ORGANIZATION: Business Network International - www.bni.com
A great networking organization for small business owners. Founded on the principle of Giver’s Gain, it’s a one-person-per-professional group with chapters around the globe, where you meet weekly, pass each other leads, and practice your elevator pitch.
WEBSITE: One Page Business Plan - www.onepagebusinessplan.com
If the idea of writing a business plan intimidates you, this is the tool for you. Using the book, software or online version, you can easily put together a simple yet robust business plan in a minimal amount of time, that will help you get focused on what’s most important so you can get the results you want from your business.
CAREER ASSESSMENT: Elevations – www.elevateyourcareer.com
Easy, fun and comprehensive, this tool helps you identify career options that appeal to you and that are good fit for your values, skills and innate talents. The results help you compile a description of your ideal job, and include buzzwords to use in your resume.
BOOK: Working Identity – Unconventional Strategies for Reinventing Your Career
By Hermina Ibarra
I love the way that Hermina Ibarra describes the career transition process as an evolution rather than a thunderbolt. This is an insightful book describing, among other things, the importance of experimentation in career change. A valuable perspective that helps you feel hope and possibility as you move forward.
BOOK: Do What You Are – Discover the Perfect Career for You through the Secrets of Personality Type
By Paul D. Tieger and Barbara Barron-Tieger
If you know your Myers-Briggs personality type, this book can be helpful in identifying careers you may be especially interested in and draw satisfaction from. Good examples.
BOOK: I Want to Do Something Else, But I’m Not Sure What It Is
By Ron and Caryl Krannich, Ph.Ds
This book focuses on helping you figure out what your next career move will be, by helping you develop your career vision. It includes a section on jobs with a bright future and other demographics.
BOOK: Women for Hire – the Ultimate Guide to Getting a Job
By Tory Johnson, Robyn Freedman Spizman, Lindsey Pollak
A good, general overview of the job change process. Good information about resumes, cover letters, networking and interviewing.
BOOK: Resumes that Knock ‘Em Dead
By Martin Yate
A great resume-building manual, with lots of sample resumes. Easy to read, process, and get on with your life.
BOOK: Getting Things Done – The Art of Stress-free Productivity
By David Allen
If you’re feeling like you don’t have time to think the big thoughts because you are constantly mired down in your To Do list and the various half-finished projects around your home and office, this book may be for you. David Allen explains a method for gathering, categorizing, filing and organizing your To Do’s in a way that is, once implemented, easy to maintain. It’s a different way to look at organizing, and is very powerful.
BOOK: Clear Your Clutter with Feng Shui
By Karen Kingston
If you are a bit curious about Feng Shui and have an issue with clutter in your home or office, this is a quick, easy-to-follow book. Karen Kingston talks about how clutter can keep you from getting what you want in your life. I had a huge garage sale after reading this book!
To discuss how coaching can help you with a career change or small business planning, please contact Merideth at 510.864.0249, or e-mail her at mer@freshperspectivecoaching.com.
