by Mary Bigler

Are you a 50-something professional woman who is feeling unfulfilled, bored, frustrated, under-appreciated or over worked?

Do you feel:
Work is no longer fulfilling or joyful?
The negative relationships/experiences outweigh the positive effects you experienced upon entering your profession?
You face each day with more dread than positive expectation?
It takes longer to relax and unwind at the end of your day?
Your frustration is spilling over into other areas which precludes your enjoyment or participation in other activities?

Do you want out but are uncertain about how, when or where to search for something else?
Do you feel stalled and undecided?

It doesn't have to be this way!
Millions of women in their 50s are feeling compelled to move their careers in a new direction.
They are ready and willing to explore new and exciting possibilities for work which provides more fulfillment, joy and purpose than their current position.
I have a few simple tools to show you the way.

Like my other successful clients, you begin by changing your ENERGY, which starts by noticing your feelings and subsequent thoughts.
Let's look at this process one step at a time, outlining four important steps to creating the circumstances you'd rather have in your life. That includes feeling appreciated, ease of work, fulfillment and joy.

Step 1
Be aware of your predominant negative feelings when they arise.
This is critical information to tune into.
What is it you really don't want that is showing up?
What is difficult about your current situation?
Make a list and note how these feel.
(These situations are going to feel lousy, heavy, dense.)

Step 2
Be aware of your thoughts, beliefs and assumptions.
What are the predominant thoughts that surface when you recognize those negative feelings?
What is the self-talk?
What is the inner critic saying?

For example, if you feel frustrated, hopeless or angry, chances are your internal chatter includes thoughts like:
* Things are never really going to change for me.
* I can't quit because I don't know how to do anything else.
* No one would hire me at this stage of my life.
* I'm too old to start over now.
* I have no idea what else I might want to do.

These are all limiting beliefs (merely habits of thought) and perceived obstacles to preventing you from achieving something else.

Make a list of all the obstacles, fears, doubts you believe to be true and begin to challenge them.
Find ways to change your perspective and turn a fear or doubt into a possibility.

For example, if you think things will never change, remind yourself that this situation will NOT last forever. Something new and better is waiting for you to discover it.

Step 3
Get crystal clear of the details of what you DO want from your work situation.
What is your overall intention with work?
What is the bigger picture behind the desire to shift? What do you truly want? Why?

Look beyond what you want to DO to who you want to BE and how you want to FEEL.
We know we invite or attract into our lives more of that which we place our focused attention upon. This applies to wanted and unwanted circumstances.
Simply said, whether you focus on what you like/desire or what you don't want/what's not working for you, you'll experience a domino effect, attracting more of those same situations.

Clarity around what you want opens unthought-of possibilities.
IMAGINE you already have or are doing your desired work.
Detail it in present terms. You are there! Embellish, dream BIG without filters or judgments.
Get excited, think from the end of what it will mean to have this experience in your life.

By maintaining focus on what you want, are interested in or passionate about and FEELING those joyful sensations, you attract opportunity for more of the same.

For example, if you desire a career with an easily-managed workload, a supportive team of co-workers or appreciation for your efforts, maintain your focus on how fulfilling THAT would feel for you. Disconnect from the frustration, complaints and from what's not working or what's missing.

As your perception of the situation changes, your energy changes in a more positive direction.
Doors begin to open.
You'll notice that people, situations and circumstances will show up in myriad and sometimes unexpected ways to move you closer to your ideal work situation.

Step 4
Take action, in any way possible toward your desire. Begin anywhere but avoid stalling because you feel stuck.
Think baby steps.
Identify what it is that is missing and explore the resources available.
Do you need to expand your network? Find other individuals doing what you want to do?
Locate resources through your computer, library or chamber of commerce
Hire a life coach experienced in transition or career make-overs.
Ask questions. Come from a place of curiosity in your exploration.

Mary Bigler is a Life Coach specializing in the universal principles of Attraction. She is an experienced workshop and teleclass leader for those journeying along a path of self-discovery and personal expansion. Mary loves to see people tap into their ability to live life fully engaged, vibrant and full of all they dream about Being/Doing/Having. She most enjoys helping people become deliberate creators of their life experiences.