Reinvent Yourself (And Your Career)

Whether you're an accomplished professional with a resume to show or a recent college grad new to the job market, it's never too late (or soon) to make that highly anticipated career change - and a life coach may be just the thing you need. We've heard about them before, but what exactly is role of this mentor-motivator and how can they help you?

First of all, a life coach is not a psychologist or a therapist, nor a spiritualist (depending on who you ask). These are some of the most common misconceptions that prevent many people from seeking help, as no one cares to acknowledge emotional weakness or existential crossroads. On the contrary, a life coach is a practical support figure that can help you establish goals - both personally and professionally - so that you can live a more satisfying and rewarding life. A life coach takes a holistic approach towards helping you realize self fulfillment, with particular emphasis on your job or career. So while some clients may learn to find a healthier work-life balance, others will improve on their interpersonal, communication or time management skills. It's all interrelated at the end of the day,and it comes down to how we wish to pursue that which is most important to us.

Achieving a new "self awareness" requires that we reevaluate and re-prioritize our goals and our calendars, and the process by which we do that is not prescriptive. There are no right or wrong answers, and they will vary drastically from person to person. The most successful life coach will not only inspire confidence in their clients, but they will also empower them to find their own answers to those difficult, looming questions. These are the answers that really matter, the ones that effectively shape how we lead our lives.

Jenny Fenig, certified life/career coach and president of Jenny Fenig Coaching, went through her own self discovery, deciding after a decade of the high pressure corporate world to open her own consultancy. She now has the ability to work when and where she wants, pursue her passion of helping others and fuel her entrepreneurial spirit. So if you're thinking about a career change, take advice from someone whose been around the block. Jenny recommends exploring 5 key areas during your transition:

* DEFINITION: What does work, success and a “good job” mean to you?

* MISSION & VALUES: Why do you work – to make a living or a life? What are your core values? How aligned would you like your values to be to your work?

* ENVIRONMENT: Where do you want to work – big vs. small office, city vs. suburb, liberal vs. conservative environment, structured vs. flexible, out-of-the-home vs. at home?

* PEOPLE: Who do you like to be around while working - hundreds, dozens, just yourself?

* AUTHENTICITY: How important do you feel it is to express yourself and your true passions in your work?

Regardless of where you are in your career, a life coach may be able to help you if you feel you've hit a bump in the road. Start by asking yourself the fundamentals, and listen to the voice in your head because it isn't going away.