Winter 2006

Dear Friend:

What is your heart's greatest desire for this year?

Many of you have career-related projects or goals for this year that are high on your priority list. They may include:  finding fulfilling work, starting a business, going for that promotion, publishing or writing a book, creating more balance in your life (finally!), launching a new creative venture or taking initial steps towards a larger life goal.

What is your plan for manifesting your goal into reality? And, how bad do you really want this ... are you truly willing to do what it takes to make this happen, THIS YEAR?

I'm a big believer in the Power of Focus. Over the years in studying why it is that some people reach their goals and others don't, I've observed that it's often one's  ability to FOCUS and elminate distractions that sets them apart.  

I have a personal goal I want to attain this year and I recently had a "get real" moment on what will have to happen in order for me to accomplish this.

The answer was: as conscious as I am about managing my time/energy, I am still overcommitted and  everything not related to this goal, needs to come off my plate . As a result of this, I plan to radically adjust my schedule over the next 9 months.   

Here are some strategies I use that may help you FOCUS  and "get real" about what you need to do to reach your personal goal: 

*Say  "no"  more frequently to things that drain you, "shoulds," and things you simply don't have time for. (If you find this hard to do, see list of "9 Creative  Ways to Say No" below.)

*Set up a timeline and checkpoints for reaching your goal. Many people work better being able to focus exclusively on one thing during a fixed period of time. Play with your schedule to see if this is possible. (Ex: taking the entire summer  to focus exclusively on a  key project.)

*Build a personal/professional support system to help you along the way. No one ever said you had to do this alone!  Enlist help from friends, mentors, a coach or support groups. 

*Cut back on your current obligations--I'm a big believe that we're all overscheduled, overcommitted and overworked.  Get real on what you can *really* accomplish during a given week while still staying sane and healthy.

*Celebrate "mini successes" along the way when you reach key milestones.  Remember, you can avoid overwhelm if you approach your goal with a "baby steps" mindset. 

*Make your self-care a priority: your physical and emotional well-being have a huge impact on your productivity and ability to be creative.

Let me know how it goes. Wouldn't it be great to all be toasting one another next December as we celebrate our individual goals? I'll be thinking of you.

Warmly--Renee

"Things which matter most should never be at the mercy of things which matter least." Goethe 

P.S. Speaking of managing your energy, check out the Feb. 17th Austin Business Journal to  read Renee's strategies for work/life balance. 

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MANAGING YOUR ENERY AND TIME: NINE CREATIVE WAYS TO SAY  " NO " 

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Are you saying "yes" more than you say "no"? If you find yourself constantly overcommitted, try saying  "no" at least once a week to things that are non-essential or drain you.  Here is some verbiage to help you:

Nine Creative Ways to Say "NO":

1. Just "No": Thanks, I’ll have to pass on that. (Say it, then shut up.)

2. The Gracious No: I really appreciate you asking me, but my time is   already committed.

3. The "I’m Sorry" No: I wish I could, but it’s just not going to work  right now.

4. The "It’s Someone Else’s Decision" No: I promised my coach (therapist,   etc.) I wouldn’t  take on any more projects right now. I’m working on creating more balance in  my life.

5. The "My Family is the Reason" No: Thanks so much for the invite, that’s the day of my  son’s soccer game and I never miss those.

6. The "I Know Someone Else" No: I just don’t have time right now, let me recommend someone  who may be able to help you.

7. The "I’m Already Booked" No: I appreciate you thinking of me, but I’m afraid I’m already booked that day.

8. The Setting Boundaries No: "Let me tell you what I CAN do ….." Then   limit the commitment to   what will be comfortable for you.

9. If you’re having a really hard time saying no, try: "Let me think about  it and I’ll get back to you."

Copyright 2004, Career Strategists (adapted in part from "Work Less, Make More" by Jennifer White)

Email Renee if you'd like her to lead a work/life balance workshop at your  company or if you're interested in 1-on-1 work/life balance coaching. 

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THE MBTI: ENHANCE INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION AND WORK EFECTIVENESS

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Are you considering a job or career change and want to make sure your next work environment is  a "fit" for you? Wonder why you and your boss or co-workers often seem to be speaking  different languages? Do you sometimes feel out of place in workplace conversations or with particular groups?

Consider a Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Assessment/Interpretation session.

This tool is extremely  valuable in helping men and women of all ages increase understanding of  their personality preferences and individual communication styles and how these impact their personal and professional relationships.

Visit www.careerstrategists.net/mbti.html to learn more about the MBTI or  call Renee to  visit about how you can enhance your job satisfaction and work performance.

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RENEE'S UPCOMING SPEAKING/ WORKSHOP  SCHEDULE

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Feb. 20th: International Coaches Federation, Austin Chapter: Leveraging Your  Brilliance.   www.austincoaching.com. Open to all entrepreneurs, consultants and coaches.  Free. 

Spring 2006  Career Strategists Career Planning Workshops  at St. Edward's. Small groups, 7-9:30 p.m. and  inexpensive. Great for those not able to afford 1-on-1 coaching but wanting to "jump start" their personal career plans. 

March 25th: Girstart: Expanding Your Horizons Conference. For girls 11-14.   www.girlstart.org.

A dynamic and sought-after speaker, Renee regularly delivers keynote addresses/workshops for  corporations and organizations. Call her directly to discuss your needs:   459-6700.

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ACCESS CAREER GUIDANCE & RESOURCES 24/7

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The Career Management Resource Center is a password-protected online resource library containing  dozens of outstanding how-to articles, flyers packed with career  strategies/tips, inspirational articles,resource lists, step-by-step guides, practical information and more. All   materials were developed and   written by Renee Trudeau specifically for her clients. The information   includes timely and relevant   resources addressing clients' most requested coaching questions and topics.

The Center   is divided into three areas: Career Planning and Job Search; Personal   Branding and   Small Business Marketing; and Work/Life Effectiveness and Life Balance.

Here are a few of the articles/guides you can access:

· Making a Successful Career Change; also, How to Jump Start a Career   Change

· Top Job Search Strategies for Austin and Information on Free Job  Search Resources

· Seven Career Mistakes to Avoid; also How to Increase Your Value in   the Eyes of Your Employer

· How to Maximize Networking Opportunities; also, Facing/Overcoming   Fears

· Work/Life Balance Strategies; also, Keeping the Passion in Your Profession

· Salary Negotiation Tips and How to Determine Your Market Worth

· Personal Branding Checklist and Creating a Resume that Sells You

· Resources and Tips for Launching and Marketing a Small Business in  Austin

· Surviving and Thriving in an Uncertain Economy: For Small Business Owners

An annual subscription is $250 (or access to the center is free with the purchase of  any career package). Email Renee to request a subscription:  renee@careerstrategists.net.

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THINGS WE DO FOR OUR CLIENTS

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Career Strategists' clients receive personalized, targeted, strategic resources, support and guidance to help them create a life and career that is aligned with their personal and professional values. Did you know we:

*Offer email coaching support to all of our clients who purchase career  packages and typically respond to our clients' questions within 24 hours

*Offer a complimentary job leads service to let our clients know about jobs   in Austin's "underground job market"

*Offer complimentary access to our new online password-protected Career   Management Resource Center, packed with hundreds of tips, how-to lists,   articles and   resource lists on Career Management/Job Search, Personal Branding/Marketing   and   Work/Life Balance

*Provide our clients with specific contacts, company names and referrals to   organizations to help them make the connections needed to move forward on   their career   or life path

*Create special exercises just for our clients to help them gain greater clarity and focus while navigating their career path

*Offer a discount to all current Career Strategists' clients on single  sessions with Renee

Visit www.careerstrategists.net/what to learn more about our services and  fees and don't hesitate to call or email to let us know how we can help you.

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PLEASE SHARE THESE RESOURCES WITH THOSE WHO CAN USE THEM

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Feel free to forward this newsletter on to friends/colleagues who could  benefit from the information. Directions to subscribing or unsubscribing to Career Management Resources follow.

"Our quality of life is usually always enhanced, not by what we add (to our schedules),  but by what we remove." Anonymous

Let me know how I can support you on your career/life path. Take care.

Warmly--Renee

Career Management Resources is an online newsletter published quarterly by   Career Strategists. If you'd like to be removed from this list, please reply   and type "REMOVE" in the subject line. If you have not been receiving the   newsletter and would like to be permanently added to the list, please reply   and type "SUBSCRIBE" in the subject line. Your email address will be kept  confidential. Please let us know if you are receiving duplicate copies of the newsletter so we may correct this error.

Copyright© 2006 Renee Trudeau, Career Strategists. All rights reserved.

No portion of this newsletter may be copied or reproduced in any format without the express written consent of the author. You may forward this newsletter on, as long as the Copyright information remains intact.