Conec's Transition & Transformation Coaching Forum

[Jennifer Gibbons-Joseph]

Hi everyone,as you know, my passion is helping women fulfill their dreams and Conec's goal is to design forums & events that help women at different stages, do just that. 
We've launched this coaching forum to help professional women who are feeling frustrated in their jobs and would like to make a move but don't know how.
Do you find yourself with feelings such as this? Or have female friends, family members or colleagues who keep making remarks such as:

"I'm fed up of going to work? I am qualified to do much better"......
"I would love to be in my own business, doing what I really love"....
"I qualified as a ------ and have not been able to practice what I was trained for"....
"This job is giving me too much strees-- I know I can do better"........

Tell us how you feel about this issue. Are you frustrated in your job/career? Would you like to do something diferent?

[Jennifer Gibbons-Joseph]

A young lady, with a B.A. degree, was recenly referred to me for help. Her main challenge is that she is very enthusiastic about starting her own business as a health food supplier, but is not getting the support from her Mum. Her Mum believes that with a university degree, she should look for a 'proper' job with an established company. This client has an entrepreneurial spirit and drive, with no interest in a traditional 8- 4 job. This is a challenge being experience by many university graduates, who do not want to go the traditional way. Parents are scared that they would lose their investments.
What do you think about situations like these?

[Patrice Charles]

Hi, thanks for inviting me to join in this discussion. I fully support starting your own business with more flexible working times but it can surely be scary. Its a risk but I feel if one is financially able and willing, then one should go for it. I understand parents' positions that they feel a traditional job is safer and more secure but their adult child's happiness is extremely important as well. Entrepreneurs starting their own business is also becoming more popular in T&T so its a good time for taking the chance I think. Does anyone else think so?

[Elle McQueen]

Entrepreneurship is an exciting new frontier for young persons,support and mentorship are key, along with clarity of purpose and a relentless work ethic. While I am in agreement with her pursuit, her mum may feel she is not up to the realities and challenges which may come her way. In my mind she has to find a way to get her parental investor on her side and engaged in the success of the venture.

[Jennifer Gibbons-Joseph]

Entrepreneurship is what is being pushed now, especially with what's happening on the job market. But I believe to be successful you should have certain qualities. People venturing out should be disciplined, hardworking, extremely confident, able to multi task, network and be good money managers.Experience in the world of work is also an advantage.
Why do you think even persons with such qualities are still afraid to make that transition?

[Nneka]

Support, in many situations people do not have support from their family and friends to pursue their dreams once they do not follow a traditional path. However, I believe if they have the faith in themselves the support from others will come. Once they see you making an effort those who are truly for you, will come around.

[Maria]

I think that the security of an 8-4 paycheck plays a big role in the decision to pursue your own business. Having a family, it is hard to take such risks knowing that failure may mean not being able to provide. Personally that is my biggest fear and obstacle.

[Jennifer Gibbons-Joseph]

Most people don't follow their passion due to fear and women are even more fearful than men because of family commitments.
This quote says it all.
“I’ve yet to be on a campus where most women weren’t worrying about some aspect of combining marriage, children and a career. I’ve yet to find one where many men were worrying about the same thing.” Gloria Steinem

[Jennifer Gibbons-Joseph]

What did I learn as the coach, facilitating Conec’s ‘Transition & Transformation Forum for Professional Women’? The biggest block preventing these women from stepping out of their comfort zone, to follow their passion is ‘FEAR’. A close second is ‘LACK OF CONFIDENCE’ then ‘DOUBT’. Money and job security were also key factors. Some of the concerns were; “What if things don’t work out as planned”? “How would I survive with less income or no income for several months”? “What if I can’t perform the duties as expected”? “They may prefer a younger and more qualified person”. “My family would have a hard time accepting this decision”.
There are many women in similar positions, who are at crossroads in their lives and feel frustrated and stuck. The question is; how can they confront the fears that are keeping them back from making this life changing decision?
Here are my suggestions to help women in this situation, follow their passion and fulfill their life’s desire:
•Write down what you really fear and do a detail analysis
•Imagine what is the worst case scenario and how you would deal with it
•Write down your skills & talents and all what you enjoy doing
•Write down the most frequent compliments you receive from others
•Write out an ideal profile of yourself incorporating all your attributes
•Visualize your personal and work life exactly as you want it
•Take time out to relax, meditate and reaffirm your goals
•Trust your intuition and have faith that you’re receiving divine guidance
•Embrace change and learn from the new situation
•Make peace with your detractors and move on with your plans

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”
- Nelson Mandela

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