#JobActionDay11: A Start-Up Story of Triumphing Over Job Loss

Today (11-07-11) is Job Action Day 2011, the fourth annual such event. This year’s theme is: “Skill Up, Start Up, Speak Up.” The “Start Up” aspect of the theme refers not only to tackling unemployment during the recession by starting a small business, but also developing a whole new mindset of being the CEO of one’s own career — having a portfolio of portable skills, a great network, flexibility, a project-mentality; not sitting at the computer visiting job boards, but getting out there and meeting people, knocking on doors, taking ownership of their career path.

Michelle Pyram, a Certified Professional Coach, whose practice is called Be Accountable. Execute the Dream, turned her career around after a major setback by adopting just such a “start-up” mentality. Here is her story in her own words:

[Reinforcing the Job Action Day 2011 “Skill Up, Start Up, Speak Up” message is a group of bloggers dedicating blog posts on or around Job Action Day 2011 to the event. Scroll down to see their blog posts listed.]

In 2009 in the midst of the economic crisis, I lost my job as a human resources manager at a major cosmetics and fragrance company. It was my dream job and I was devastated at this news. However, hindsight is always 20/20, and I realized that this was by far the best thing that ever happened to me! Before I lost my job, I came to a point where I would wake up every day feeling as if I needed more time to figure things out, understand this thing called “life” and answer questions about my own career path. But while I was trying to figure out “life” I was spending my time on personally unfulfilling tasks that did not allow me the time to really understand what mattered most to me. I couldn’t find my passions or discover my true purpose.

I eventually hired a coach to help me with my transition and it was by far the BEST investment I ever made. By working with a coach, I realized what was really holding me back from realizing my true potential. Often times we are all victim to our own inner critics, limiting beliefs, assumptions, and interpretations. In addition, we may not even know it until we are really able to put a mirror in front of us. It was then I had to realize that I was not a victim of circumstance but instead the creator of my destiny. My talents are meant to be seen and not meant to be dormant. Discovering this truth about myself was the turning point for me, and I created personal and professional changes that I never dream were possible! From that day, I enrolled in a rigorous coaching certification program with 350+ hours of coursework to focus on a new chapter as a career and life coach. Besides, it was the perfect transition from my career in human resources!

Then I started to realize that almost EVERYONE around me was scratching their head about their own lives and careers. For many their dreams remained dormant and their story sounded like this:

“I hate my job but I am too afraid to leave…”
“I have this great idea but I think I will fail at launching it, so what will everyone think…”
“I have a passion for ______ but I’m too _____ and it will not work…”
“I don’t know what my passion is or where to even start…”
“I have too much responsibility on my plate and I don’t have time for myself to…”
“My gut is telling me I have the potential to do so much more…”

Once I began to live life to my fullest potential, several people started asking me — “How did I do it?” How can you create all that you want in your life and career without wasting a lifetime? So I created ‘Be Accountable, Inc.’ to show my clients how! The most touching moment for me as a coach was facilitating a group coaching session I entitled as “Be a Better You” for a group of professional women competing in a pageant. I couldn’t believe how many “ah ha” moments came up for the group and the raw emotions that came with it. Then the phone calls and text messages poured in that evening and the sincere “thank-yous” on the plane really touched my heart on the way home. It was then I knew this was my purpose… Today, I service clients by aiding them in life and career transitions, including career switchers, high potentials, professionals experiencing unemployment, and entrepreneurs.

Currently, I have a career that I not only love but I feel more balanced and conscious about “my wants” in life. I have my own coach that holds me accountable to ensure the execution of my own dreams so that I can live my best life. Now you can too…

More Job Action Day Bloggers: