You might not like modification, however prefer it or not, everything changes all the time. There's the sort of change you decide on, like retiring from your current work life to pursue the encore career of your dreams. There's additionally the kind that's thrust upon you that you would never select for yourself, like being downsized from work that you simply love.

What is vital, in either case, is how you make the journey from where you were to where you choose to be. You'll be able to dig in your heels and resist modification, or open to the opportunities that modification offers. You'll be able to look frantically to others for what to try to to next, or you'll trust your own inner knowing. You'll throw yourself a pity party, or alter your attitude.

Choose wisely and you will discover you have got the courage to not only survive, but to actually thrive as you move through your transition.

Jean Shula is an skilled on navigating change. She left teaching behind when her youngest kid started faculty, obtaining a Master's degree and changing into a therapist -- her choice. Obtaining a divorce just as her three children were emptying the nest was not her choice. It was on a year-long, post-divorce trip around the US in a camper by herself (her selection) that the concept of writing for a living 1st sparked.

Once back at home, Jean worked as a therapist for 3 years before retiring -- once more, her choice. A year in Austria and a second Master's degree followed, and at last she jumped into writing full-time, an encore career that she selected whole-heartedly.

In the center of writing her first book, The Coming of Aging: Learning to Live from the Inside Out, Jean was diagnosed with breast cancer. Derailed? Definitely! But here's the thing. Jean did not waste time battling against the very fact of her disease, or blaming or feeling sorry for herself. She took care of business.

One surgery become three. Then there was the post-surgery protocol. Then the months of getting her energy and stamina back. Certain, Jean researched her choices and got all the data she required to form a well-informed selection about how to proceed. However, she trusted her instincts and made smart selections for herself.

Whereas the book was on hold, she never lost her excitement concerning the project or her hope for the future. She saw this derailment as an opportunity to take better care of herself physically, and as a wake-up decision to remain centered on the items in life that are most vital to her.

Jean uses modification to fuel her forward in life. Nowadays, 5 years when her diagnosis, The Returning of Aging is revealed, her second book is being shopped to publishers, and a third book is in the works. This dream encore writing career also includes traveling round the country speaking and leading workshops and retreats, and Jean's having the time of her life.

Once you opt to embrace modification rather than resisting it, your encore life and encore career choices become a lot of clearer to you.