Korn Ferry, “the world’s leading HR consultancy,” reported that more than 30% of professionals plan on quitting their jobs without having another lined up.

The Conference Board shared data that 55% of Millennials have doubts about returning to work, followed by 45% of Gen X’ers and 36% of Baby Boomers. My poll prior to a recent Zoom talk showed that 50% of 150 attendees were currently in a career and looking to make a change.

People and their relationships with their work are changing. Are you one of those people?

I’ve been there. It’s an unsettling, gut-wrenching place to be. But you can navigate and come through it. If you can take some time off to reset, it may be invaluable. It was for me.

Coming out of the economic downturn of 2008, our marketing communications business transitioned dramatically. Many of our clients suffered, it affected our business and the work we did was changing. My identity had a lot to do with that business, and I felt lost. It took a while to make a transition. Then I had a good conversation about “how to change” with a mentor/friend. Following our talk, I invested in a budget-stretching week away from family, friends, and the familiar. While there, I followed many paths. One of them, a simple exercise, brought me clarity.

I made a List of Things I Love. High on my list was “art.” Working as I had for years with tech clients, art was a faraway thought. But there it was, a colorful idea in black and white. What could I do with my business and marketing background that connected to art? I didn’t go deeply into pursuing those thoughts or take any action at that time, but my love of art definitely bubbled to the surface of my mind.

One month later, I saw an ad for an opening at a major arts center where I applied and got the job. Art had remained on my mind in a subliminal way, and when I saw an opportunity to work in art, I jumped. A career shift to art would not have been alive in my thoughts without my short retreat and reset. The result was an outstanding leadership position that fueled my passion, challenged my creativity, and kept me learning throughout many rewarding years.

If you are contemplating a career change, the simple act of making time to reflect on what you love can change your life. I encourage you to do two things:

• Take time for yourself – perhaps a day or two away, solely on your own. Leave alcohol and non-prescription drugs behind. Find opportunity to sit and be with yourself. Spend time in nature. Let your mind just breathe. Be away from the pressures on yourself that bind you.
• Create a list of things you love – write it down and keep it with you or in a place where you have easy access. Allow these things to have space in your thoughts.

Somewhere within is your new path. Trust your inner compass to find it. You can.

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Summer ala Violette

As we are in the early days of August, I am thinking of France and a newsletter I receive from “Violette.” Violette is an entrepreneur, creator of a small but smart line of beauty products. Like more than half the French population, she takes off the month of August. Violette returns in September, “basically our New Year” she says, feeling refreshed, renewed, and motivated.

The French simply leave work behind and relax with family, friends, food, nature, and, perhaps, some wine. Violette says she lets go of the grip she holds on herself and her life and taps into the natural energy of late summer days. Sounds good to me.

While not all of us have the luxury of doing as Violette, there is so much we can do. I have read that it’s important for our mental health to spend at least 20 minutes in nature each day. Embarking on my morning walk, I now listen to the birds and enjoy the soft light. No music, no podcast, just nature. It has made a profound difference. I am not focused on performance or achieving goals. I’m just out there with my observations and thoughts.

This month, I’m giving myself some of Violette’s small August pleasures…little makeup, natural hair, easygoing style. Also, I will take time to observe and enjoy all around me.

I’ll give myself a hug for all I have accomplished during the last year, including writing a book and achieving lift-off with my coaching and public speaking engagements.  Coming back from a recent shoulder replacement has been tough physically and mentally. This month, I might even get a little wild and have a lot of fun!

I’m going to have lunches with friends on patios, take hikes and enjoy long dinners with my husband, read some books in the shade and restore my energy. I’ll bet we can find an outdoor concert with dancing in the street.

Come September, I’ll return to tailored clothes, leather shoes, and lengthier business matters, but for August, it’s big shirts and rolled up jeans. I hope that you are doing some August letting-go for yourself!

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