Writing Goals

You've probably heard hundreds of times that it is critical to write your goals down. But do you know why this step is important?

When you put pen to paper you turn your thoughts into something tangible. You can actually see it, touch it, and even smell it if you want to. Your goal is no longer just a thought! It becomes something that motivates you and creates a gut feeling inside.

Even the act of using eye-hand coordination with the hand holding the pen makes a stronger impression on your mind as you write out the phrase or expression. Now when you read and re-read that phrase or sentence the impression on the mind becomes deeper and deeper.

There is something semi-magical about writing one's goals down which makes achieving them an almost certainty.

Here are four rules of writing goals:

1. Write your goals in the positive. Work for what you want, not for what you want to leave behind. Part of the reason why you write down and examine your goals is to create a set of instructions for your subconscious mind to carry out. Your subconscious mind is a very efficient tool, it can not determine right from wrong so it does not judge. It's only function is to carry out its instructions. The more positive instructions you give it, the more positive results you will get.
2. Write your goals out in complete detail. Instead of writing, "A new home," write, "A 4000 square foot contemporary home with 4 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms and a view of the mountain on 20 acres of land." Once again, we are giving the subconscious mind a detailed set of instructions to work with. The more information you give it, the more clear the final outcome. The more precise the outcome, the more efficient the subconscious mind.
3. Write in present tense. Write your goals down in present tense. This is because the subconscious mind chooses a path of least resistance. If you write, "I will be slim," the subconscious mind does nothing thinking that the goal may be postponed until later. Write in the present tense, first person, as if they are already true.
4. Re-write your goals. When the words are written and then repeatedly re-written, they have maximum impact. So don't be content with a first draft. Write down your goals. Then rephrase them, compact them, add motivating adjectives, and make them pithy. A week later you may want to adjust them again. Keep on fine-tuning.

Writing your goals down is the first step to making them real. Somehow having things in writing really makes them seem more important. It will also make it easier to make the plans needed to reach your goals if you have something in writing. Putting them in writing breathes life into them making them a force that cannot be easily stopped.

Taken from Goal-Setting-Guide.com.

Fashion Sense for Different Body Types

For the bustier body type:

The good new is the fashion industry creates clothes just for the hourglass body type. The bad news is they assume that you are not going to be very busty. Finding clothes that fit your waist will result in the top being too tight. If you fit your chest, the waist and hips are too big.

To make things more challenging, you probably look "top heavy." So, how do you balance it out? The key is camouflage. No, not the Army kind; the optical illusion kind. To balance your body out, you need to add a bit more volume to your lower half. Don't worry. I'm not suggesting that you gain weight in your hips, but that you give the illusion of more volume in your lower half. Wearing A-line skirts or straight legged pants will give this illusion.

There are also things that you can do with your upper body to balance out your shape. First and foremost, be sure and wear a bra that fits. When in doubt, go for a bra fitting. The band should be snug and the breasts should fit the cup without spilling out over the top or sides. Also, wearing darker colors on the top gives the illusion that the top is smaller, while wearing something lighter on the bottom will put the focus on your bottom half.

More tips for the top-heavy hour glass figure:

• Florals are trending for Spring. But if you're top heavy, keep the flowers on your skirts, not your tops, to give you the look of more balance.
• Speaking of florals, check the proportion. Small flowers on a big woman looks childish; big flowers on a small woman overwhelm her.
• Believe it or not, empire dresses de-emphasize a large bust by making the waist look longer, thereby bringing balance to the silhouette.
• A too tight jacket or one that doesn't close, draws attention to a large bust. When shopping for jackets, always fit the largest body part.
• 3/4 length sleeves are still in fashion. If yours make you look like you've outgrown your clothes, roll them or have them altered to the elbow.
• Spaghetti straps are not your friend! You'll look more polished with wider straps that cover a support bra.
• Soft A-line skirts balance out a heavy bust on hourglass figures without adding bulk. Not too short though or you'll look top heavy.
• Pencil skirts on an hourglass figure are usually flattering. The exception is when you are top heavy, then they throw off your proportion.
• A large bust can make you appear heavier overall, so choose a dress that cinches your waist to give it definition.
• If you wear wide-leg pants to balance a heavy chest, be sure they fit the waist and butt. Otherwise you will look like a dumpy-butt.

No one has a perfect body. The key is to dress the body that you have in the most flattering way for your body type.

For the petite body type:

What do you do when you are under five feet and your colleagues treat you like you're a college student? You improve your professional image. That is one of the greatest complaints that petites have. Add a casual work environment to the mix and it can spell disaster to a petite who is looking for career advancement.

We all believe that a person should be judged on performance and not appearance. But the truth of the matter is, first impressions are long-lasting impressions. And often that first impression is visual. If you look like a college student, you will have to work very hard to not be treated like one. In fact, you will work harder at that than at the job you are hired to do.

So, how do you overcome being treated like a college student? Take that option off the table by making sure your professional image is always up to par. That means making the extra effort to look mature. Here are a few tips:

• No matter what your style personality is, remember that a little make-up goes a long way. You do not have to be "camera-ready," but you will need to apply a classic make-up look.
• Sophisticated, well fitted clothes give you a more mature look. Look youthful, not like a youth.
• Keep frilly outfits to a minimum.
• Make sure your accessories complement your body. Big accessories make petites look smaller.
• Cropped pants tend to make you look shorter and wider. The more leg shown, the taller and and leaner you look, so wear more skirts and dresses.

No one has a perfect body. The key is to dress the body that you have in the most flattering way for your body type.

Taken from Polished Professional Image.com

How to Create an Awesome Work Portfolio

Work Portfolio Ideas and Layouts

Do you want to knock their socks off when interviewing for your dream job? If so, stand out from the crowd by creating a portfolio of your work.

Regardless of what you do for a living, you can show your future boss or clients that you are perfect for the job. A portfolio with real examples of your work communicates more than just the quality of your work. It demonstrates better than words your passion and commitment to your profession.

So let us take a closer look at what a work portfolio is and how to create one.

SEEING IS BELIEVING!


What is a work portfolio?

A portfolio is a collection of the best examples of your work. No matter what kind of work you do, it showcases what you excel at. For example...

• if you are a chef, you can include things like your menus, written recipes of your specialties, restaurant reviews, training certificates, and inspection reports.
• if you are a bookkeeper you can include a detailed list of the software systems you use, example pages of the types of accounting reports you prepare, stats on the volume of data you routinely process, along with letters of commendation.
• if you are a high rise construction worker, you can include photos of the buildings you have worked on during construction and close ups of your construction techniques, a list of projects you have worked on, records that illustrate your ability to meet deadlines and maintain high levels of safety, as well as your training certificates.
• if you are a detective you can include sample case history notes, examples of your investigative process, reports about the application of new techniques and technologies in your field, a list of cases solved, training certificates and letters of recommendation.

Your portfolio is also a great place to store and display all those pieces of paperwork you never know what to do with - such as training certificates, letters of commendation, and employee of the month awards.

The benefits of creating a portfolio

The benefits of having a portfolio make investing the time to create it definitely worth it. We know from personal experience interviewing hundreds of people as well as going on interviews ourselves - that actions do speak louder than words. Many times, you hear all the candidates saying the same thing - they are the best person to hire and they want the job. Often, there is little separating of most of the applicants - so what you look for are the stars, the dream candidates who make it obvious they are perfect for the job.

One way to spot a good candidate is to see who invests the time to learn about the company and its needs. This investment shows real interest because the applicant invested his or her time instead of watching TV or doing a thousand other more fun things with his or her time. But a lot of people have caught on to this, and do some quick Internet research before an interview.

ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS!

One way to spot a dream candidate, and be able to separate the good applicants from the stars, is to look beyond their work history and focus on what they excel at. Because in the end, what a hiring manager really cares about is what can you do for me in the future. And the best indicator of future performance is the past work you have done.

A good hiring manager can quickly see the time and effort you put into pulling all your work together, selecting the best examples and then putting them into a binder you can take into an interview. Showing them what you can do lets them see how good you really are, and eliminates any question of you exaggerating how good you are or what you can do. The confidence it takes to let your work speak for itself, as well as being honest about your skill level, is impressive and makes you stand out. So if you are walking into a job interview empty handed, you are missing a great opportunity to prove you are the dream candidate for your dream job.

But even if you never show your portfolio in an interview, it is still a good idea. Creating it means you are very prepared to answer any interview question about your experience, skills or past work. Also, when you see your body of work, your confidence goes up and that shows in the interview. And it is a great tool for refreshing your memory while you are in the waiting room and it can raise your spirits while job hunting.

But one of the best benefits we have personally found is that it allows you to gain some time in an interview to gather your thoughts. Sometime in just about every interview, a question is tossed at you to see how well you deal with uncertainty. Often it is about some skill or experience that was not mentioned in the job ad.

The minute it takes you to find an example in your portfolio gives you a chance to think through what is behind the question and organize what you want to say. And having just the right example to answer the question tosses the question back to the interviewer, who usually expects the person interviewing to be stumped or unsure of what to reply.

In interviews, words are cheap. Examples of your work turn your interview into an opportunity to show them where you excel and exactly what they can expect if they hire you. And that often means the hiring manager can reach a level of comfort about hiring you that few candidates can match. And that could just give you the edge in an interview and mean you get the first offer.

What you put in a portfolio

1. A copy of your complete master resume. You can refer to your master resume when you get asked questions about the extent of your experience or need to refresh your memory. It is also a great way to show the level of your skills, the breadth of your skill base and the depth of your experience.

Often, hiring managers are looking for people who can grow along with the company, or people who have more than the minimum requirements listed in the ad. So having this list on hand shows them you ahve lots of untapped potential and sets you apart from the rest of the people being interviewed. And you never know when you will mention a skill they can use but never expected to find.

2. Real examples or representative samples of your work. These clearly show you have done what is on your resume and show your level of skill and quality. Unless you are working on secret or confidential tasks, you can include real examples of your work, including...

• writing samples such as white papers, press releases, newsletters, advertising copy, scripts, memos and reports
• finished product examples in the form of photographs or real samples
• service testimonials such as client references, documented success stories
• design samples such as brochures, code flow diagrams, and conceptual sketches
• performance reviews and letters of commendation from previous bosses
• copies of training and award certificates

3. A brief list of your accomplishments. This list highlights all the special things you have done, especially those which fall outside your normal job responsibilities but show what a valuable employee or business owner you would be. For example, you will want to highlight...

• what you did and how much money, time or effort you saved
• when you took action to avoid disaster
• problems you solved or defused
• when you helped another department out
• when you went the extra mile for a client or boss. For example, when you spent the weekend working or stayed late into the night to meet a deadline
• examples of when you demonstrated company or personal values, such as high quality, promptness, keeping customer commitments, being discrete, or staying under budget

4. A list of all your features. Often, we can do more things than our past jobs have given us the opportunity to do. But because you have not actually done them, they do not belong on your resume. So if your skill level has outgrown your current job, you want to list here the things you could do successfully. This is a short list of the...

• activities and responsibilities you have already successfully mastered that you can do right now
• tasks that you could easily do and succeed at if you had the opportunity to do it
• activities you could tackle with some training and guidance and that you are very interested in growing into in the next 3-9 months
• tasks that would be a stretch that you would really like to do in the future

5. A short list of the ways you can benefit your employer. This is a list of how a company will benefit from hiring you. Often, it is hard to express exactly who you are and why you are a dream candidate. So, if you have ever been asked that question and did not know how to reply, this section is just what you need. Here you list all the things it is hard to express and still appear humble in an interview...

• your top gifts and talents
• your top values based on your ideal life story
• your long-term objectives based on your life calling
• the problems, issues, and needs that you love to solve

Once you have all this assembled into a three ring binder or portfolio case, you need to know how to decide when and how to use it in an interview.

Using your portfolio in an interview

We recommend taking your portfolio along on every interview. But since each interview is different, you do not have to open and show it if it does not feel right. In instances where the job is clearly not a fit, or you feel the interviewer will be put off or overwhelmed, you will want to keep it discreetly tucked out of sight.

If you are not sure, you can pull it out only if you need to illustrate a particular point. For example, you get a question about your experience and you have an example which clearly illustrates it. In that case you can open your portfolio and give the interviewer something to look at as you talk.

However, we should warn you that once you bring out your portfolio, you need to be prepared for the interviewer to flip through the entire portfolio. Sometimes this worked well for us and we were able to talk about all our experience and skills. But in some cases, it can derail the interview because they are so curious about your portfolio that you miss out on hearing a detailed description of the job.

If you are feeling very confident, have your portfolio clearly in hand when you meet the interviewer. Perceptive ones will ask what it is if you lay it on the edge of the desk at the beginning of the interview. You can even mention you brought it along in case they wanted to see samples of your past work. Then it is up to the interviewer to decide when and if they want to see it.

We think creating a portfolio is a rare win-win interview tool. It gives you a rare edge in interviews and lets the interviewer get a much clearer idea of what you bring to the company. And it might even mean that you end up interviewing for more than one position or get called back to interview in more than one department.

Taken from Manifest Your Potential.com

GA Dental Hygienists' Lobby Day

The power of networking - a post 2011 CareerFusion goal I set for myself. Kim Nimmons of OralDNA (and CF alum) and me at the Georgia Dental Hygienists' Lobby Day at our capitol; meeting with legislators, the new Governor and other dental hygienists.

Coley Easterlin

10-Step Plan to Career Change

How does it happen? Perhaps you just begin to lose interest. Perhaps you find something that interests you more. Perhaps your company is downsizing. These are just some of the reasons people find themselves on that precipitous cliff looking back on their career just as the dirt begins to crumble beneath them.

Are you facing that career change plunge? Do you wish you were? Take it slowly and make sure what you really want to do is change careers. Then use this 10-step plan, and you will be on  much sure footing - and on a path toward career change success. Finally, remember that career change is a natural life progression; most studies show that the average job-seeker will change careers (not jobs) several times over the course of his or her lifetime.

Step 1: Assessment of Likes and Dislikes. A lot of people change careers because they dislike their job, their boss, their company. So, identifying the dislikes is often the easier part of this step; however, you will not know what direction to change your career unless you examine your likes. What do you really like doing when you're at work, when you're at home - in your spare time. What excites you and energizes you? What's your passion? If you're really unsure, consider taking one or more career assessments. The key is spending some time rediscovering yourself - and using your self-assessment to direct your new career search.

Step 2: Researching New Careers. Once you've discovered (or rediscovered) your passion, spend some time researching the types of careers that center around your passions. Don't worry if you're feeling a bit unsure or insecure - it's a natural part of the career change process. How much research you do also partly depends on how much of a change you're making; for example, changing from a teacher to a corporate trainer versus switching from a nurse to a web designer. You can find some great career information and a skills matching services at O*Net Online from the US Department of Labor and basic job information from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Step 3: Transferable Skills. Leverage some of your current skills and experiences to your new career. There are many skills (such as communications, leadership, planning and others) that are transferable and applicable to what you want to do in your new career. You may be surprised to see that you already have a solid amount of experience for your new career.

Step 4: Training and Education. You may find it necessary to update your skills and broaden your knowledge. Take it slowly. If the skill you need to learn is one you could use in your current job, see if your current employer would be willing to pick up the tab. And start slowly. Take a course or two to ensure you really like the subject matter. If you are going for a new degree or certification, make sure you check the accreditation of the school, and get some information about placement successes.

Step 5: Networking. One of the real keys to successfully changing careers will be your networking abilities. People in your network may be able to give you job leads, offer you advice and information about a particular company or industry, and introduce you to others so that you can expand your network. Even if you don't think you already have a network, you probably do - consider colleagues, friends, and family members. You can broaden your network through joining professional organizations in your new field and contacting alumni from your college who are working if the field you want to enter. A key tool of networking is conducting informational interviews.

Step 6: Gaining Experience. Remember that, in a snse, you are starting your career again from square one. Obtaining a part-time job or volunteering in your new career field not only can solidify your decision, but give you much needed experience in your new career. You might also want to consider temping in your new field. Work weekends, nights, whatever it takes to gain the experience.

Step 7: Find a Mentor. Changing careers is a major life decision that can get overwhelming at times. Find a mentor who can help you through rough patches. Your mentor may also be able to help you by taking advantage of his or her network. A mentor doesn't have to be a highly placed individual, though the more powerful the mentor, the more success you may have in using that power to your advantage.

Step 8: Changing In or Out. Some people change careers, but never change employers. Unfortunately, only the very progressive employers recognize that once happy employees can be happy and productive again - in a different capacity. It's more than likely that you will need to switch employers to change fields, but don't overlook your current employer. Remember not to start asking about a job switch until you are completely ready to do so.

Step 9: Job-Hunting Basics. If it's been a while since you've had to use your job-hunting tools and skills, now is the time for a refresher course. Consider spending more time with one or more of our tutorials. Key tools include:

• guide to researching companies
• resume resources
• cover letter resources
• interviewing resources
• salary negotiation resources

Step 10: Be Flexible. You'll need to be flexible about nearly everything - from your employment status to relocation and salary. Set positive goals for yourself, but expect setbacks and change - and don't let these things get you down. Besides totally new careers, you might also consider a lateral move that could serve as a springboard for a bigger career change. You might also consider starting your own business or consulting as other avenues.

Taken from Quintessential Careers.com. Written by Randall Hansen, PhD.

Resume Writing

Putting together a resume is very serious business. Often it is the first impression you will make on a prospective employer. Hopefully, after looking over your resume, the employer will grant you the opportunity to make a second impression.

If we look at the job search as a marketing campaign, we can then look at the resume as a print advertisement or a marketing brochure. If you take a look through a magazine you will see many ads. Try to find one that tells you to buy a product because the company needs to increase its profits. You will be hard pressed to find such a beast. The ads you see tell you what the manufacturer's product can do for you - make your smile bright, your hair shiny, or simply make your life better. When putting together your resume, evaluate the needs of the employer and then determine how you can fill those needs. If you have access to a computer (which you do if you are reading this article) and a quality printer, you can design a targeted resume for every job for which you apply. If you have to mass produce your resume, you will have to do a little guesswork to come up with one that will impress everyone.

Choosing a Resume Format

Next you must determine what type of resume format to use. There are three basic types: chronological, functional, and a combination of the two. The following sections will explain what each of these types are and when to choose one type over another.

Chronological Resume

The chronological resume is probably the one with which most people are familiar. On it, work experience is listed in reverse chronological order (most recent job first). The period of time during which you were employed is listed first, followed by the name of the employer and then the employer's location. A description for each job is also included. Following work history is a section on education. If you are trying to show career growth, a chronological resume may be the way to go. If your most recent job is store manager, while the one before that is department manager, and the one before that is sales clerk, you can show a history of promotion. However, if your work history has been spotty or if it has been stagnant you shouldn't use a chronological resume. If you are changing careers, a chronological resume is not for you either.

Functional Resume

A functional resume categorizes skills by function, emphasizing your abilities. This is useful if you are changing careers and want to show how you can transfer your skills. As stated previously, it is important to show prospective employers what you can offer them. A functional resume does just that. A functional job objective is given first, followed by several paragraphs, each discussing a different job function. Examples of functions are: supervision and management, accounting, and writing and editing. Begin with the one you want to emphasize most. If you are customizing your resume for different employers, you can change your functional job objective as well as the order in which you list the functions. However, if you don't list your previous jobs, the person reviewing your resume may be suspicious.

Combination Resume

A combination resume is exactly what it sounds like - it combines a functional resume with a chronological one. An objective is listed at the top, after your name and address, of course. Following that are paragraphs describing job functions. A section titled "Employment Experience" comes next. That is where the chronological part of the resume comes in. List employers and dates in this section. Do not offer further descriptions here as you have already described your abilities in the functional part of this resume. This is a useful format if you are changing careers but have a solid employment history. I also find it useful if your job duties on a single job were very diverse and you want to stress your various abilities. If you spent a long time at one job but moved up through the company, you might want to use a combination resume.

Taken from About.com. Written by Dawn Rosenberg McKay.

Paradigm Shifts

We've said it before..."This year will be different." But will it? Make 2011 your year to change. Learn more, do more, become more!

First Impressions

The dictionary defines paradigm as a typical example of something, an example that serves as a pattern or model of something, a constellation of concepts, values, perception and practices shared by a community, which forms a particular vision of reality.

In the dental practice the community is the team and the paradigm is their vision of reality for their office. The paradigm includes the team's expectations, assumptions, possibilities and limitations of the practice.

The first thing I evaluate when I am working with a new client is the practice's paradigm. What is at the heart and core of their culture? Is it a culture of achievement or failure, of forgiveness or blame, of trust or mistrust, respect or disrespect, of good intent of sabotage? It is important for me to help the team create the shifts resulting in change. Here in lies the difficulties for many of us... the fear of change... fear of the unknown... fear of failing!

In times of change we must remember that people will be people. We differ. We have doubts. We assume too much. This is where great teams outshine the rest. They see differences as advantages, not excuses to give up. They understand that patience and perseverance are great virtues, and the mark of wisdom and strength. So plant the right seeds, respect the growing process, and watch great things happen!

Personal Inspiration

As an example of the way paradigms can influence perception and meaning I am reminded of a recent workshop I facilitated. The 'sabotage culture' was rampant and a feeling in the room that it would be difficult or impossible to move forward because of it. I took a marker and wrote "sabotage culture" on the flip chart. Then I wrote "good intent culture" next to it, getting a few nervous laughs and rolling of the eyes in response. On the next line I put, "Why did you do it that way?" Underneath sabotage I wrote "accusation" and under good intent, "question." On the next line, "I hope you do better next time." This time under sabotage I put "threat" and under good intent "encouragement."

It is the paradigm which has the major effect on our perception: if we believe that there is a sabotage culture we will hear the words from that frame. They might have been meant as a question or encouragement but that is probably not the way they will be heard.

The prevailing paradigm encourages certain types of behavior. If everyone believes there is a sabotage culture it is much more likely that people will behave in blaming ways; in a similar situation in a good intent culture (how nice it would be if they were as common) people would be more likely to act in a positive and encouraging way.

The paradigm tends to be self-sustaining. Because I hear the words, "I hope you do better next time" as a threat I accept them as proof there that is indeed a sabotage culture: "Did you hear that? She just threatened me - that's so typical of the way things are done around here." A paradigm is like a self-fulfilling prophecy; there is a kind of circular logic attached to it which makes it hard to break.

It is not the existence of paradigms which can cause difficulties but their stability. Even when a paradigm is no longer a reality it will tend to cling on, still filtering perceptions in ways which are harmful. The major psychological obstacle in shifting paradigms is the myth of permanent characteristics. It is people who think their habits of action are not habits, but permanent traits. Believing in that totally false myth traps people in prison, an iron web of limitation. The repeated action patterns that you and I demonstrate throughout the day are a result of habit, not the result of permanent characteristics, or character defects, or personality quirks.

All we have to do to build a new habit is to create a new routine. I don't need self-discipline for this, I don't need a new personality, I don't need fresh strength of character or even more willpower. All I need is a routine.

Professional Inspiration

So, how do we shift our paradigms? First, it takes honest and open communication. Have a team meeting and talk about the culture the team wants to work in and the culture it is (you will never move forward otherwise). What are some adjectives to describe this new culture? Grab a flip chart and markers and write down all the ideas being shared. Let's say the tea, ca,e up with trust, respect, responsibility, accountability, positive attitude, good intent, happy and successful. What would these things look like? What actions, steps and changes would each person need to take? What paradigm shifts would need to occur to change the office culture?

Second, it takes commitment from the entire team. Everyone needs to be on board. It only takes one team member to opt out to sabotage the entire office. There are no individual opt outs. If a team member does not like something or has a concern it is to be addressed with the entire team. Either the entire team agrees to make the change or the individual team member needs to support the decision of the team. All decisions are to be based on what is in the best interests of the patients and the practice and not an individual team member. The entire team reaps the benefits from this basis of decision making. If a team member's words or actions do not support the changes they are not supporting the doctor, team and practice. Therefore, they are not on board. The new office culture does not support team members who are not on board.

Third, it takes accountability to sustain the changes and to shift paradigms. We are human and old habits die hard. We will occasionally fall back into old habits that cause breakdowns in communication, behavior, and attitude. All team members are to be held equally accountable to the changes and paradigm shifts. No exclusions, no exceptions or you divide the team. As a team discuss the breakdowns to help each other to overcome and succeed in the future. Monitor the results on a daily basis. Daily huddles are ideal to talk about where the breakdown occurred, resolve as a team and move forward.

Taken from Ray of the Month newsletter. Written by Judy Kay Mausolf.

Midlife Career Change

From lawyer to comedian? Making a midlife career change

Story highlights

• Average late-term baby boomer had 11 jobs between the ages of 18 and 44, agency says
• Economic troubles have caused some people to completely shift careers
• Alex Barnett, 43, went from a lawyer to a comedian after being laid off in 2008
• In her 50s, Patty Tobin discovered jewelry designing skills

In a fantasy world, you quit your job and pursue your passion. Instead of selling houses, you lead food tours. Rather than poring over legal documents, you make people laugh by performing stand-up comedy. Or you bid goodbye to three decades of business consulting and get creative, perhaps by designing your own jewelry line. 

These extreme career makeovers are a reality for Lisa Scalia, Alex Barnett and Patty Tobin. In rocky economic times, they left conventional, established occupations to aim for really different career goals.

For millions of Americans, these career leaps may sound too risky or unrealistic, but many people are changing jobs frequently. The average person born between 1957 and 1964 held 11 jobs from age 18 to 44, the US Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. The bureau doesn't track the number of people who shift careers because the term is too difficult to define.

Rick Domeier, author of "Can I Get a Do Over?," a book profiling people who have successfully changed careers, says finding a new career may sound difficult but is doable with some planning. "Let's say you're in a job, and you aren't sure how long it will last," he said. "You should be asking: What can I do to invest my skills so in 10 years, I might be ready to pursue my dreams?" Leaving one career for another may happen out of necessity for some people, with companies continuing to downsize. As of December, the unemployment rate remained steady at 9.4%, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

But some career shifters were bolder. They faced an "ah-ha" moment and just went for it. From real estate to food tours: Lisa Scalia, 49, of Manhattan Beach, California. Her company takes people on walking tours in Los Angeles and Pasadena, where they can graze at local eateries. The customers savor culinary delights from places like Peru and China while learning about the history of the neighborhoods.

Scalia worked as a real estate appraiser for more than 20 years. Then, three years ago, she was at lunch with a friend, casually wondering whether they should reinvent themselves. Scalia decided to make her dream happen. She put together the business plan quickly, taking less than a year to start the tours. Her work changed from researching and preparing reports on the housing market to delving into the travel and tourism industry. Scalia learned to be nimble, taking on tasks such as accounting, marketing and tour development.

"The learning curve has been steep," she said. "I basically do whatever needs to be done." Leaving her comfortable real estate job came with sacrifices. Scalia, who is the breadwinner of her family, watched her annual pay plummet from more than $100,000 a year to about $30,000 a year. Before her career change, Scalia would take as much as three months off to go on trips to Australia. Now, she and her husband no longer have the flexibility to take long vacations because her company requires so much attention.

Despite the drawbacks, she says it has been worth it. She enjoys having complete control of her company and meeting new people on her tours. So far, people from at least 70 countries have joined her tours. "Chances are if I have this really great idea, and if I didn't do it," she said, "someone was going to do it."

From attorney to comedian: Alex Barnett, 43, of New York City


Alex Barnett grew up hearing about legal issues because her father was an attorney. He graduated from St. John's University School of Law and became an attorney too. He dabbled in nonprofit law and then focused on class-action litigation. But law was never his passion, Barnett said, and in his spare time, he channeled his creativity into writing short stories and taking acting and comedy classes. When he was laid off from a small Washington, DC, law firm in 2008, he started performing at comedy clubs for the money. He even turned down a steady government job offer. "I realized if I didn't love it, and there were too many question marks around it, then I needed to turn it down," he said.

The biggest difference between law and comedy is that comedy has fewer rules and regulations, Barnett said. He found the field of comedy challenging at first because there was less structure. His life has changed in other ways since he took the freelance route. He works almost every weekend - the prime time for comedy club performances. His paycheck has shrunk since his lawyer days, which means he and his girlfriend have cut down on expenses and eat out less often. He no longer receives the luxuries of a company-sponsored 401(k) plan or health insurance, and he pays for his benefits out of pocket. A drastic career change may sound difficult, and the first few years usually are the toughest. But Barnett has some advice for people considering it: "You only have one life, so do what you want to do with it."

From business strategy to jewelry design: Patty Tobin, 57, of Albany, New York

Patty Tobin helped small to medium-sized businesses run better by providing implementation and funding strategies over the past three decades. Her biggest clients included environmental contracting companies that removed asbestos. Today, she creates high-end fashion jewelry that can be seen on New York socialites and network TV news anchors. Tobin opened a small jewelry boutique called "Patty Tobin" in New Yorks City's Chelsea neighborhood in 2009. The store, which features bright jewelry crafted from gemstones and pearls, has been so successful, she is opening a second one in the next year. "I was nervous knowing what I was up against," Tobin said. "Branding a business in a good economy is challenging, and a bad economy is worse. As a consultant, I knew all of it."

Tobin was in her late 50s when she decided to leave her consulting career. She had never designed jewelry before, never had formal training. She just enjoyed fashion growing up. She said support from family and friends was critical, but she did encounter people who doubted that her business plan would work. "I had some people saying it's going to be over before it starts," Tobin said.

She funded most of her business herself, but relatives and friends chipped in as well. She said the economic slump brought some positive aspects to starting her small business; Tobin was able to negotiate a better rate with landlords and vendors. But she doesn't advise everyone to jump into a major career change, especially if they are not financially secure. She said she planned her career switch for about five years. "Know there will be defeats and challenges along the way," she said. "But if you're passionate, it will give you the strength to forge ahead."

Taken from CNN.com. Reported by Stephanie Chen.

Livingston Taylor Tidbits

Please post comments regarding Livingston Taylor here. Thanks.