Welcome to #transitiontuesdays where we feature a fearless leader and their transition story.

You’ll learn how they took action on their dreams. Some have transitioned to exciting new jobs, others to a completely new career, or to their own businesses.

We are hoping that these stories inspire you or someone you know.

This week our Spotlight Series #transitiontuesdays introduces my friend Anneessa Read, Owner and Visionary of NeoLyfe

Before NeoLyfe, Anneessa led a very successful Hospitality career for over 30 years. I met Anneessa in 2005 when we both worked for LXR Luxury Resorts and became great friends. I remember us discussing our dreams of becoming entrepreneurs during our many delicious lunch outings.

Anneessa origninally created NeoLyfe in 2007 when she introduced NeoLyfe Magazine. But her fulltime work in Hospitality always got in her way of persuing her dream. It wasn’t until 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic that Anneessa finally got her big push. Like many others in the industry, she found herself on furlough and decided that it was time to pivot.

Anneessa has combined her love of people and hospitality with her passion for natural healing through Organic Coffees & 100% all-natural Teas.

Learn what motivated this fearless leader to make her transition.

What was your first job and how did you get it?

My First Job was selling Knives for Cutco.  If I remember correctly, Cutco came to my High School for Career Day.

When and how did you decide to transition your career to what you do today?

I started transitioning into my business unknowingly in 2017 when I created the Company NeoLyfe. First introducing NeoLyfe as NeoLyfe Magazine. Year after year, I would start working towards building my business, then I would eventually become too entangled with work to focus on building my business. March 2020 was the big push, the Pandemic happened, then I gained more time to focus on my business, and move forward creating NeoLyfe Coffee & Tea.

What steps did you take to make that transition and how long did it take?

Within 4 weeks my online store was created, and introduce a branch of NeoLyfe creating NeoLyfe Coffee and Tea.

What does life look like now that you have transitioned into doing what you are doing?

It’s scary, and exciting all at the same time.  I was so comfortable with getting paid every 2 weeks, and now being self-employed, the scary part is not having that cushion of knowing X amount of dollars would be in my bank account every 2 weeks.  The exciting part is, I have free reign to create, build, and focus on something that I Love, and feel good about. Not because of the paycheck, but because of the freedom

What advice would you have given your younger self?

Never apologize for going for something you dreamed of even when everyone else thought you were crazy.

Learn more about Anneessa and NeoLyfe: www.myneolyfe.com

Follow on Facebook @MyNeoLyfe and Instagram @myneolyfe

Welcome to #transitiontuesdays where we feature a fearless leader and their transition story.

You’ll learn how they took action on their dreams. Some have transitioned to exciting new jobs, others to a completely new career, or to their own businesses.

We are hoping that these stories inspire you or someone you know.

This week our Spotlight Series #transitiontuesdays introduces my friend Janet Carabelli, Actor, SAG-AFTRA.

For many years Janet owned a successful advertising agency that had been named a finalist for the fastest-growing female-owned company in the region. But in 2009 when the recession hit its peak their revenue tanked and Janet found herself in a position to pivot to the next step of her career. She had studied acting in college and she decided to start sending out her photo to talent agents. Her gray hair and non-botoxed face were in great demand and she was soon making more money doing TV commercials than running her agency.  In 2011 Janet closed Idealogy Creative and started acting full time. Today, she continues working as a SAG-AFTRA actor.

Learn what motivated this fearless leader to make her transition.

What was your first job and how did you get it?

Junior Lifeguard Shenandoah Pool when I was 15; swam there all the time and was invited to certify and apply.

When and how did you decide to transition your career to what you do today?

The recession prompted the decision; I’d owned an advertising agency that was very successful.   We’d been named a finalist in the South Florida Business Journal’s 2004 competition for the fastest-growing female-owned company in the region . . . but when the recession hit its peak in 2009, our revenue tanked.   Clients, particularly in the financial arena in which we’d begun specializing post-9/11 (Travel had previously been our focus) were not doing any advertising.   I’d studied acting in college and as a corporate executive had often been in front of the camera, so I started sending out my photo to talent agents.    The gray hair and non-botoxed face were in great demand and I was soon making more money doing TV commercials than running my agency.  So in 2011 I closed Idealogy Creative and started acting full time.

What steps did you take to make that transition and how long did it take?

Though I actually started getting work immediately, I wanted to be considered for much higher-paying projects than I was initially being booked for. And I wanted to earn my Screen Actors Guild card (SAG-AFTRA). So I took lots of classes and watched countless YouTube videos to refresh my skills, participated in every industry networking event I could find, contacted producers and Casting Directors I’d known from having owned an ad agency, and from having been a Marketing VP in Fortune 500 companies before that. I did Student films for free or very little pay to build a demo. I wound up earning my union (SAG-AFTRA) eligibility in 2013 and became a member in 2014. I now serve on several committees and am an alternate on the Board of Directors.

What tools, training or coaching did you acquire/learn to help you make the transition?

The classes and online content I voraciously consumed included Scene Study; Commercial Acting (scripted and improv);  Voiceover, Acting techniques including Uta Hagen, Eric Morris, Michael Chekhov, Jeff Seymour’s Real-life-Acting; the Business of Acting; Acting for the Camera, TelePrompTer . . . I think the only things I didn’t study were Stand Up Comedy and Intimacy Onscreen: kissing for the camera! To this day, although I’m a working actor, I take regular classes to maintain and improve my skills.  And I have a few coaches whom I can call upon for specific skills-building. Just as professional athletes and musicians, actors need to continually practice.

What does life look like now that you have transitioned into doing what you are doing?

It’s extremely gratifying to be able to get paid to do what I love — to live my passion. It’s electrifying when I get called in for an audition that I KNOW is a perfect fit, and booking the part is thrilling. Even the audition process is a fun one for me; it’s a chance to perform and may result in a great gig. And even if it doesn’t, I know that Casting Director will remember me for the future. For younger actors, the continual rejection (far more often we’re told “no” versus “yes”) can be devastating and crush their spirits. At this age, I’m confident enough to view other folks up for the same role as colleagues, not competitors.  I’m happy for friends when they get chosen; my ego isn’t impacted.  

What is the best career advice you have ever received?

When you love what you’re doing, it isn’t work.

Describe your ideal vacation.

Up close and personal with animals.  So far I’ve enjoyed 3 photo safaris in various parts of Africa including the great migration of the Wildebeest; the Monarch Migration in the Michoacán; Galapagos; Alaska; Hummingbird Migration Kentucky; Yellowstone; kayaking amongst otters in Morro Bay; rafting with starfish in California’s Channel Islands; whale watching in San Juan Islands;  penguin colonies in Falklands and Patagonia; Barbary apes in Gibralter … I know I’m forgetting some!

Learn more about Janet:

Website:  www.JanetCarabelli.com  

IG: https://www.instagram.com/JanetCarabelli/ 

YouTube Channel:  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjSxDWjoEWkM-3wHB0JSHAN81I-lALJys   

LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/janetcarabelli/

We are delighted to introduce #transitiontuesdays where we will feature a fearless leader and their transition story.

You’ll learn how they took action on their dreams. Some have transitioned to exciting new jobs, others to a completely new career, or to their own businesses.

We are hoping that these stories inspire you or someone you know.

We’d like to start our Spotlight Series #transitiontuesdays with my friend Lillian A. Ser, Esq. 

At the age of 35 after a successful career, a marriage, and two small kids, Lillian decided to go back to school and follow her dreams of becoming an attorney.

In 2009, she founded Ser & Associates, a minority-owned, female-owned boutique law firm, certified at the federal, state, and local levels. Ser & Associates represents individuals, entrepreneurs, and small to medium-sized businesses in corporate, business, and real estate matters.

Learn what motivated this fearless leader to make her transition.

 

What was your first job and how did you get it?

First Job in life at 13 – Grocery Store cashier. Got it by walking in and asking if they needed part-time help.  First job in Career #1 – Bursar for the University of Miami.  I worked my way up from secretary to the boss.  First job in Career #2 – Shutts & Bowen, a prestigious big law firm. I worked very hard in law school and graduated in the top 2% of my class.  That, coupled with 10 years of experience, got me the job.

When and how did you decide to transition your career to what you do today?

I decided to go to law school when I was 35 yrs old.  I had reached the upper echelons at UM and knew that it would be a very long time before I could ascent further.  Then I thought, I can go somewhere else and do the same job (Billing/Collections/Management) or return to my first life plan of becoming a lawyer. 

What steps did you take to make that transition and how long did it take?

First, I prepared for the LSAT by taking a prep course.  I thought I wouldn’t be able to get a good score.  But, I did.  Then, I applied to UM (the only choice I had since I was married with 2 young kids and couldn’t leave the area) thinking I wouldn’t get in.  But,  I did.  Then I thought there was no way I could afford to go to school full-time.  But, I was awarded a 50% scholarship for my first year.  And, based on my ranking, I got a full ride for the 2^nd and 3^rd year.  So all the student loan money went towards helping to support my family.  In a nutshell, it was meant to be.  😊

What tools, training or coaching did you acquire/learn to help you make the transition?

I was fortunate in that I was an older student and had real life experience, plus time management skills.  I did not have the money or time to have a career coach per se, but I did rely heavily on the UM Career Source Dept to find summer jobs and improve on my interviewing skills. In fact, I went to the career source my first week of law school and telling the counselor, I need to start working on my job prospects for when I graduate.  The counselor laughed and said, come back at the end of year two.  I said, no. I need a job for the next two summers and a job lined up immediately after I take the Bar.  And, so it was…

What does life look like now that you have transitioned into doing what you are doing?

I’ve been an attorney now for over 20yrs.  I have never once regretted my decision and the hard work/sacrifices I had to make and that my family had to make. I have built a good reputation and have helped many people on the way.   I’m proud of my accomplishments and, most especially, grateful for making my  uneducated/immigrant parents goal of a better life for their daughter a reality. 

What advice would you have given your younger self?

Trust your gut.  Every time you feel uneasy about something, someone or a decision, there usually is something wrong.  And, if you don’t know what to do.  Don’t do anything for a little bit.  The right path will reveal itself.

What is the best career advice you have ever received?

Don’t think too long or hard about a decision because of fear of failure.  Failure is the way we learn and improve.  And, sometimes, if you wait too long, someone will get there first. 

Describe your ideal vacation.

Hmmmmm…  traveling to a new place – ANYWHERE!

Learn more about Lillian and her firm:

@ser_associates LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lillianser/

Most people dread interviews. Wait, let me rephrase that…most people hate interviews. I have heard so many people say that they wish that interviews were not a part of the process. But how else would a potential employer know if you are a good fit? I can certainly understand why you would dread or hate interviewing. Not only are you going in to speak with a stranger about your work experience, but in most cases, you are hoping that they will hire you. Many times the fear of rejection sets in from when you are asked to come in for the interview or jump on that phone or Zoom call.

I like to compare interviewing with dating. Most of us feel a sense of excitement and, at the same time, a sense of anxiety and fear when we are first asked to go on a date. You are excited that you are getting the opportunity to go on a date with someone who interests you and happy that the person has shown interest in you as well. Still, you have no idea what to expect. You start planning what you are going to wear, you may practice your greeting, and these days you may even look them up on Facebook or Google them. You prepare for the date so that you feel more at ease and so that perhaps you can have the opportunity for a second date.

Well, interviewing for a potential job is no different. Just like you prepare or prepared (if you are no longer dating) for that special date, you should also prepare for the interview with your potential employer.

Following are a few tips to help you prepare and stop hating interviews:

• Research the company by getting to know their mission, vision, and any latest news. Check to see if you know anyone who works there and perhaps give them a call to find out what they like about the company.
• Get the name of the person you will be meeting with and look them up on LinkedIn and Google.
• Put a list of at least ten questions that you will ask during the interview.
• Practice! Grab a friend or colleague and ask them to mock interview you. Put together a list of questions and practice, practice, practice.
• Make networking a part of your practice. Reduce your fear of meeting and talking to a stranger by getting out to network. If you cannot network in person, then network on LinkedIn and ask them to join you for coffee or a Zoom call. Speaking to strangers and asking questions to get to know them will improve your conversational skills and reduce the fear that creeps up during interviews.
• Visualize your interview. Work through the questions in your mind and begin to answer questions that may come up. I always recommend practicing the “tell me about yourself questions.”
• Write down what has made you nervous in interviews in the past. Then work through those points to overcome them.
• Make a list of your accomplishments. Everything you are proud of, read it out loud, then read it to a friend and then practice saying it to your friend without the list.
• Find out what the dress code is and take it up a notch and wear something that makes you feel good. Make sure you pull out your outfit and try it on a few days before to make sure it fits well and looks professional.
• Work out! Yes, before going to your interview, do something to move your body. Preferably cardio. Try to take the day off if you can or go in late to work so that you have time to exercise. Get your sweat on and release those endorphins. These endorphins trigger positive feelings and will get you in the right state of mind before the interview.

These tips should help ease the nervousness and anxiety that comes from interviewing. Also, do not forget that you are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you. Make sure you ask all the questions you need to determine if this is a good fit for you as well. 

 

 

Need help with interview preparation? A small investment can go a long way in your preparation and help you set yourself apart. Set up a free consultation to learn more about our packages: www.beproductivecoaching.com/contact

In the last few years, I’ve chosen a word of the year. This word has become my theme and guides my actions throughout the year. I’ve come to recognize how much I’ve grown since I’ve incorporated this practice and I now teach my clients to do the same.

If you read my last post “New Year, Same You – Tips to Making 2019 an Extraordinary Year!” then you already know that I am not a big fan of making new year resolutions that will not stick. Instead, I focus on growing. I reflect on my life and my career and where I want to go and then I create goals to help me achieve that growth. Part of this practice is choosing one word that will help me grow during that year.

I typically start this reflection in December because not only is it the end of the year but it’s also my birthday month and what a better time to reflect to set goals for my new year. Last year in 2018 my word came to me during my November 2018 trip to NYC. Why you may ask? It all started because in being in my most mindful state during my trip and living like a New Yorker for a little over a week I had a sudden feeling of hope that I knew I didn’t want to let go off. Then suddenly I started to see the word everywhere. I even came across an Instagram post that broke down HOPE as the acronym for “Help Other People Evolve” and I took that as confirmation that HOPE needed to be my word for the year because that is indeed my mission. In choosing this word in only 18 days I’ve discovered that I’ve been waking up feeling even more positive and looking forward to the day. I decided to do some research and according to The Daily Meditation, Hope helps with the following:

• Hope helps you control your emotions
• Boosts your immune system
• Improves general health
• Reduces stress
• Improves respiration
• Hope is essential for creating self-worth
• Reduces anxiety
• Improves social relationships
• Motivates positive action that leads to real-life success.
• Hope motivates positive actions that will lead to positive results
• Hope helps strengthen the immune system
• Hope improves social relationships (you’ll get more friend being an optimist)
• Hope makes you happy
• Hope broadens and builds your mind

Getting this additional information totally confirmed that I’ve chosen the right word and I cannot wait to see what HOPE brings me in 2019.

Here are some tips on how to choose your word for the year:

1. Reflect: Take a moment to reflect on where you are, how you feel and where you want to be and how you want to feel. Are there patterns you want to break? Is there something missing in your life that you would like to have more off? For example, a few years ago I realized that I needed to become more compassionate towards others. Especially knowing that I was going to transition into becoming a full-time coach. I needed to be compassionate and so, I made compassion my word for that year. Last year I decided that I wanted to feel joyful at all times and to let go of things that did not bring me joy therefore I chose JOY as my word. Choose a word that reflects where you are now and how you want to be or feel the rest of this year and stick with it.
2. Visualize: Visualize your word. Write it down and look at it. Look it up in the dictionary. See what comes up for you.
3. USE it: Utilize it in a sentence and see how you feel. Use it to describe yourself and see if it fits. You will know immediately if that’s your word.

Now that you know how easy it can be to choose a word and some of the benefits it’s time to choose one. What will your word be for 2019?

#wordfortheyear #goals #words #motivation #hope #choice #tips #coachingtips

Share this with your friends on Social Media or Via Email and help them make 2019 extraordinary.  Follow me on Instagram and Facebook @BeProductiveCoaching

About the author: Vimari Roman is a Career & Leadership Coach who helps individuals achieve their peak potential and live a fulfilled life by utilizing their natural gifts and talents (also known as strengths). 

January New Year – New Client Special 50% off – One on One Coaching Three Month Package – Twelve (12) 30 min sessions for only $480 

Call or Email to reserve the discount: 786-340-3174 vimari@beproductivecoaching.com

The first Monday of 2019 has come and gone, the first full week of 2019 has officially started and the anticipation of the New Year has sort of faded. You are back to work, kids are back at school and you sort of feel like the same person you were on Dec 31st. Well, that’s because you are the same person and that’s totally okay.

So many of us get anxious as the New Year approaches and our minds go crazy with anticipation of what we will accomplish, what resolutions we will make and how we can become brand new, then January 1st comes along and boom we are still the same person. What happened? We then get slowly into the New Year but we put off the diet, the going to the gym, the goal, the calls because Jan 1st falls in the middle of the week and we can start everything on Monday but Monday rolls around and… New Year and you are the same you. Does this sound familiar?

If this sounds familiar then that’s because perhaps you have not made the internal changes that need to be made. Change needs to come from within. Quality of life comes from our own feelings and emotions. You can make 2019 an extraordinary year by the way you show up.

Cultivate how you want to feel by creating deliberate habits and incorporating the following internal changes:

* Be Kind – to yourself and others

* Let Go – of all the pressure and negativity, be stressfree

* Be Present – slow down, be still, be mindful

* Be Respectful – of yourself and others

* Don’t Judge – yourself or others and look at yourself and others with dignity and love

* Keep Your Word – to yourself and others. Don’t break promises that you make, especially to yourself.

* Be Grateful – it’s the little things. Where focus goes energy flows. Focus on what you are grateful for.

Create these habits by using the 21/90 rule: It takes 21 days to break or make a habit and if you do it for 90 days then it becomes a way of life.

Once you commit to making the internal changes then you can start to reflect on the previous year, your life and the goals you want to set for the year.

Here’s how you can make 2019 an extraordinary year without the anxiety of the New Year resolutions:

* Get Clear: Do a self-assessment of where you are in every area of your life.

* Create a Vision: Who do you want to be? What kind of person do you want to become? On Dec 31, 2019, what do you want to look back to and be proud of?

* Set Goals: Set Goals that support the person you want to be in the next 12 months so that you can have an extraordinary 2019. Be ambitious about your goals and take command of your life by making them happen.

New Year Goal Setting

In the last several years I’ve broken up my life into twelve (12) areas and I’ve written a minimum of three (3) new year goals for each of those areas.

As we enter in 2019, I invite you to do the same. Following I share the twelve (12) areas (in no particular order). If you feel there is an area that I left out, go ahead and insert that area into your goals for the new year. If you would like me to email you the free New Year Goal Setting worksheet email me at vimari@beproductivecoaching.com

Here are some tips for getting ready to set your new year goals:

• Get yourself into a relaxed state of mind (meditate or pray and take some deep breaths)
• Sage or light up a candle or incent (this is a good way to cleanse the room that you are going to be sitting in and bring in good energy)
• Grab your favorite pen or pencil and write your goals on a piece of paper or in your journal.
• Dream: Be open and do not limit yourself.

Start by writing the following statement at the top of the page:

“I accept these things into my life now or something better for my highest good and for the highest good of all concerned.”

1. ATTITUDE: MENTAL/EMOTIONAL – EXAMPLE: Do not judge, Let go and let God, Be Fearless, Be Joyful, Have more focus, etc.
2. RELATIONSHIPS: SIGNIFICANT OTHER/FAMILY/FRIENDS – EXAMPLE: Date nights, Talk to my dad once a week, Spend time with my mom.
3. SPIRITUAL – EXAMPLE: Pray daily, meditate, etc.
4. PHYSICAL/HEALTH – EXAMPLE: Detox, exercise three times a week, etc.
5. CAREER – EXAMPLE: Change jobs, go for promotion, etc
6. EDUCATION/LEARNING – EXAMPLE: Get a certification, finish a degree, etc.
7. FINANCIAL – EXAMPLE: Refinance house, pay off debts, etc.
8. PLEASURE – EXAMPLE: Girls night out once per month, bowling weekly, etc.
9. SERVICE/MISSION – EXAMPLE: Volunteer, Donate, etc.
10. CREATIVITY – EXAMPLE: Take guitar lessons, draw, journal, etc.
11. TRAVEL/ADVENTURE – EXAMPLE: France, Skydive, etc.
12. GENERAL – EXAMPLE: anything else you may want to set a goal for or that you want to pay extra focus to like your romantic relationship or a big project.

Once you write out your goals:

• Put them away in a safe place where you can access them monthly and take a look to see how they are coming along.
• Choose one day out of the next 12 months that you will view your goals and evaluate your progress.

You can also:

• Create a vision board that supports these goals. Not sure how to do this? I am a powerful manifestor and I can show you how. Join my free upcoming online workshop or join in person for just $25. Contact me to learn more: vimari@beproductivecoaching.com
• If you are an overachiever then you can write your goals using the Rapid Planning Method (RPM) – this will break down each goal on how you are going to achieve it. I teach this method to my coaching clients and you too can learn it. Contact me to learn more:vimari@beproductivecoaching.com

Now get going and get started in making your 2019 an extraordinary year!

Want to learn more about how I can help you make 2019 extraordinary? Book a complimentary 30 min. discovery coaching call by visiting my booking calendar and choosing a time that works best for you: https://calendly.com/vimariroman

Know someone who needs to make 2019 extraordinary? Share with your friends on social media, via email or LinkedIn.

January New Year – New Client Special 50% off – One on One Coaching – Three Month Package – Twelve (12) 30 min sessions for only $480 Reserve Here or call 786-340-3174