© 2008 Avocationist · July 24th, 2008 · No Comments
A military officer. A minister. A politician. A track coach. While these may sound like four different people, Jim Watkins has worn all these hats in his 65 years. Each path has been vastly different, but the common thread through them all his Jim’s ability to lead and organize, notably as District Director for Congressman Ben Jones, “Cooter” from the Dukes of Hazzard TV show.
In the second half of a two-part interview, Jim discusses how he discovered which type of job he belonged in, and shares his advice to those searching for the right career path. (Photo courtesy of brookenovak)
“I have never done things because it was expected of me. I found that it has been a helpful approach to life.”
Take-Aways
Sometimes the best part of an experience is what you don’t like: Jim learned as an undergraduate that he would not want to pursue a business career. Read his story about his military service: you don’t have to worry about having every job being a perfect fit for your skills.
Find your comfort zone: Jim has realized that he is more of a start-up person that one who maintains. Read about how this influenced the way he approached his job on the faculty of a major Seminary.
Realize that you won’t be in this job forever: Jim provides a powerful example of leadership in how he approaches any new role: he goes in knowing that he won’t stay there forever. Read how this changed his view when asked to start a 12-month-only job.
Read the full interview:
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Tags: Career Advice · Entrepreneur · Mid-Life Career Change · Personal Growth
© 2008 Avocationist · July 14th, 2008 · 1 Comment
A military officer. A minister. A politician. A track coach. Jim Watkins has worn all these hats in his 65 years. Through these remarkable experiences, the common thread has been Jim’s ability to lead and organize, notably as District Director for Congressman Ben Jones, “Cooter” from the Dukes of Hazzard TV show.
“One of the things I have learned about myself over the years is that I don’t last long in things that I don’t like.”
In the first of a two-part interview, Jim explains how he was able to transfer his leadership skills from one career to another, and how he has responded to his call in life. (Photos courtesy of Justin Masterson and JoeBenjamin)
Take-Aways
If at first you hate it, try something else: Jim Watkins went through several different graduate programs, each time figuring out that it wasn’t for him. He left them quickly, giving himself the chance for many more experiences than if he had stayed the course.
Many of your skills are transferrable: Jim realized that his strengths in leadership and organization could be used in multiple careers. With this understanding, he was able to expand the range of his options.
Your calling in life won’t necessarily come as a sudden flash of insight: One of Jim’s most valued lessons was from an early mentor who said that “a call is a need and your ability to meet that need, and if they match, that is a call”
Read the full interview:
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Tags: Career Advice · Mid-Life Career Change
© 2008 Avocationist · June 29th, 2008 · No Comments
Robin Wolaner is CEO and founder of Tee Bee Dee, an online community for people over 40. She’s had a very successful career in publishing starting with a part-time job at Penthouse magazine and later as founder of Parenting magazine which she sold to Time-Warner. There she launched Vibe and Martha Stewart Living.
In the second of our two-part interview, publishing expert Robin Wolaner discusses her favorite jobs, the common stereotypes of entrepreneurs and the importance of learning from your mistakes.
“Just because somebody doesn’t fit the stereotype of what an entrepreneur looks like, it doesn’t mean they wouldn’t be good at it.”
Take-Aways
Mistakes can highlight where you are strongest: When Robin took her job supporting CNET’s CEO, she had some painful lessons as she re-learned how to work in a supporting role. On the other hand, in her experiences leading start-ups, she has been completely comfortable setting her own benchmarks and goals.
Focus on the next step and not the big goal: Robin sets incremental goals to keep herself and her team working on what needs to be done next. This gives room for learning during the process and has provided her great and often surprising results.
Read the full interview:
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Tags: Entrepreneur · Mid-Life Career Change · Personal Growth
© 2008 Avocationist · June 21st, 2008 · No Comments
Robin Wolaner is CEO and founder of Tee Bee Dee, an online community for people over 40. She’s had a very successful career in publishing starting with a part-time job at Penthouse magazine and later as founder of Parenting magazine which she sold to Time-Warner.
In this first of a two-part interview Robin discusses how she came up with the idea for Tee Bee Dee, the surprises she’s encountered along the way and her history in publishing.
“ When I turned 50 and I got the AARP envelope - I went ‘Ooh, that’s not me!’.”
Take-Aways
Build on your strengths and you can do something special: Because of Robin’s experience and track record, she was able to start Tee Bee Dee without a need for short-term revenues. This has allowed Robin and her team to completely focus on learning the needs of the members, in the process creating a site beyond what her first plans were.
Failures can highlight your strongest traits: Robin thrives in start-up settings, where everything is new, but her one experience in a turn-around situation was “the worst job of her life”. Her satisfaction comes from seeing the growth from her efforts.
Read the full interview:
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Tags: Entrepreneur · Mid-Life Career Change
© 2008 Avocationist · June 12th, 2008 · No Comments
John Cleghorn served as speechwriter for Bank of America CEO Hugh McColl during the trememdous growth that built the second-largest bank in the US. John's speechwriter role was the first of a successful 18-year career at the bank that also included a job as head of Issues Management.
At the age of 46, with a wife and two young daughters, John has just left his career in banking to answer the call to ministry.
In this second of a two-part interview, John talks about the challenges of facing a major career change and about the need for “courageous conversations” in looking for your calling.
“There was always that option to say, ‘We are pulling up roots and moving to Princeton and we are going to live in a dorm with two little girls,’ but that was way, way too disruptive.”
Take-Aways
Factor in the practicalities of life with the recurring themes in your career & you just might find a perfect solution: John had investigated many options for going to seminary, but decided that traditional courses of study would be too disruptive for his family. When a new program opened in his hometown, he knew it was the right next step.
Gratitude is a powerful source of courage. Remember those who have helped you along the way: John recognizes the importance to his career of the sacrifices and support of his family and friends. To him, this creates a strong sense of obligation to continually ask how he can best use his gifts.
Be open to help from high and low: John has gotten advice at critical times in his life and career from a wide range of people: leaders, mentors, peers and friends. Be open to learning from surprising sources.
Read the full interview:
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Tags: Career Advice · Corporate Jobs · Mid-Life Career Change · November Newsletter · Personal Growth
© 2008 Avocationist · June 5th, 2008 · No Comments
John Cleghorn served as speechwriter for Bank of America CEO Hugh McColl during the trememdous growth that built the second-largest bank in the US. John's speechwriter role was the first of a successful 18-year career at the bank that also included a job as head of Issues Management.
At the age of 46, with a wife and two young daughters, John has just left his career in banking to answer the call to ministry.
In this first of a two-part interview, John talks about finding his new church while managing his career at Bank of America.
“'Wait a minute!' 10 years earlier I had gone to work for a small company that was interesting and exciting and intoxicating, and it had become this big conglomerate.”
Take-Aways
When opportunity knocks twice at the same time, answer: As John considered his options during his late 20's, an unexpected career suddenly found him: 2 identical speechwriter roles opened up at the same time. John took one and found a fantastic opportunity to use his skills.
Didn't get into grad school? Lucky you: When John's choice of Public Policy graduate school didn't work out, he found his speechwriting role. This choice ultimately gave John the chance to manage a Public Policy group within Bank of America.
Look to your past for clues about your future: John's interest in attending seminary seemed like only one of many choices early on. But as he continued in his career, the interest in ministry kept coming back.
Read the full interview:
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Tags: Corporate Jobs · Mid-Life Career Change · November Newsletter
© 2008 Avocationist · May 28th, 2008 · 1 Comment
David Chilton is the author of “The Wealthy Barber
” – the multi-million-selling financial planning guide. At the peak of his success, he literally walked away to spend 3 years home-schooling his kids. In his entrepreneurial career, he has also been a broker, financial planner, and cookbook publisher.
Avocationist spoke to him in March 2008. The final of a three-part interview.
“I don’t know if I will ever fully retire.”
Take-Aways
Start making mistakes, now: Dave’s entrepreneurial experiences began while he was in college. Starting early gave him lots of room to try things and learn.
"Steal" ideas from others by reading: Dave is a voracious reader. Many of his successful book marketing campaigns began with ideas from others’ books.
Appreciate what is good in your life: Dave nurtures his positive outlook through gratitude for the advantages he has and by using humor to keep things in perspective.
Read the full interview:
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Tags: Career Advice · Entrepreneur · Personal Growth
© 2008 Avocationist · May 21st, 2008 · No Comments
David Chilton is the author of “The Wealthy Barber” – the multi-million-selling financial planning guide. At the peak of his success, he literally walked away to spend 3 years home-schooling his kids. In his entrepreneurial career, he has also been a broker, financial planner, and cookbook publisher.
Avocationist spoke to him in March 2008. The second of a three-part interview.
“In my whole career, the common denominator is communication.”
Take-Aways
Pay attention to positive recognition: Dave got praise from an experienced source for one of his early speeches. It gave him confidence he was on the right track.
Be willing to question a career that’s not working, especially in times of success: Dave found that his enormous success brought new challenges and demands. His decision to take a break from his speaking career gave him the time to explore other uses for his passions.
Find “common denominators”: Dave has used his communication skills in every role he's had: from writing to speaking to teaching his kids. Take a look back to find skills you constantly use.
Read the full interview:
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Tags: Career Advice · Entrepreneur · Mid-Life Career Change · Teaching
© 2008 Avocationist · May 7th, 2008 · No Comments
David Chilton is the author of “The Wealthy Barber” – the multi-million-selling financial planning guide. At the peak of his success, he literally walked away to spend 3 years home-schooling his kids. In his entrepreneurial career, he has also been a broker, financial planner, and cookbook publisher.
Avocationist spoke to him in March 2008. The first of a three-part interview.
“One thing that helped me is that I am always open-minded.”
Take-Aways
"Recycle" the good parts of a bad job: Dave liked helping people with investments as a stock broker, but wanted to work with "regular folks". As he began presenting financial planning to teachers, he started down the path to his new career.
Let yourself be lucky: Dave had ignored a request to publish a healthy food cookbook until his Mother found the recipes and loved them. By following this feedback, he helped launch another million-selling book series.
Stay open-minded: Dave was wiling to toss out three months of writing after he saw an episode of "Cheers" and found the inspiration for making an even better book.
Read the full interview:
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Tags: Education · Entrepreneur · Teaching
© 2008 Avocationist · April 11th, 2008 · 1 Comment
In this interview, Edna Bacon shares her latest career transition - she has come full-circle and is again creating ceramic art. And she is taking the opportunities to exhibit in galleries that she passed up early in her career. Edna talks about how her friendships with other artists have brought these new experiences.
Avocationist spoke to her in March 2008. The last of three-parts.
“I think you are always transitioning if you are not dead.”
Sound Bites
"I think things happen when you are doing the art."
"I would suggest following rabbit trails, no matter how crazy they seem. "
"People talk about selling out, and it really isn’t."
"People suggested things and it was too overwhelming to even think about."
Take-Aways
Don't worry: your true interests will keep finding you in new ways throughout your life
Try it out: take an opportunity that pulls your interest, even if it seems trivial
Regrets give clues: take a new look at missed chances from the past. As your kids leave home, you will have more time to try them again
Read the full interview:
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Tags: Career Advice · Creative Jobs · November Newsletter · Personal Growth
