27 Top Tips to Reinvent Your

Career

ReinventionWorks: Empowering people and businesses to take control of their next future through tools, networking, and education

These tips have been assembled from live interviews with real-life career “Reinventionists,” people who have deliberately changed careers (sometimes more than once!), and in so doing, have also transformed their lives.

~ Hollis Thomases Founder, ReinventionWorks

"Stop being intimidated by the word Reinvention. It's all just about learning, and that's something we should be doing every day.” (Saul Kaplan, Founder, Business Innovation Factory)

"Constantly be looking for the next phase of your life. Every few years or so, write a business plan for yourself, your life. Work it out on paper -- it's a lot easier to put into action that way.” (Rob "Spider" Graham, Principal, Certified Sales Training, who went on to quote Mark Twain: "The only person who likes change is a wet baby.")

"This may sound simple, but start with something you love to do, that makes you happy...and for the right reasons.” (Rob Graham)

Take chances. Try something new. Push beyond your comfort zone. (multiple guests)

To help think about confidence and overcoming your discomfort, read “The Confidence Code” by Katty Kay (particularly if you're a woman trying to reinvent) (Holly Lichtenfeld, Founder, Bright Girls Company)

"You have to have a certain amount of ego (particularly in a creative field), but present it in a balanced way.” (Richard Duval, VineLines and Duval Images)

"You have to have a persistent vision of your goals and your desire. You need to believe in what you're doing because if you don't, no one will believe in you either and you'll always give yourself an escape clause [to not really try at reinventing].” (Rob Graham)

"Surround yourself with people who believe in you or who push you to believe in yourself even more than you do.” (Holly Lichtenfeld)

Make a point of meeting new people...all the time. Schedule it and quantify it. (all guests)

"If you're an introvert, work on forging a few solid 'touch-base' relationships you can contact on an ongoing basis.” (Holly Lichtenfeld)

"Seek out other people on the reinvention journey with you.” (Richard Duval)

"Seek out a mentor or advisor.” (Yvonne Divita, Co-Creator, Blog Paws; Founder, The Lipsticking Society)

"Surround yourself with people smarter than you.” (Richard Duval)

“Don't be a focus group of one. Everyone needs a sounding board.” (Rob Graham)

"Overcome your fear to ask for help.” (Holly Lichtenfeld)

Help other people. It can help you, too. (Yvonne Divita, Holly Lichtenfeld, & Rob Graham, who emphasizes, "Don't be the person who's always taking and not giving,")

"Experiment - If you're not sure what you want to reinvent to, dabble for a while." (Yvonne Divita)

"There's nothing wrong with keeping your day job and working nights and weekends on something that you really love to do, so you can find a way to segue to it...or test your level of commitment to reinvent.” (Rob Graham)

Learn from your failures, large and small. “Ask for input when things didn't work out as you expected.” (Richard Duval) Rob Graham, added, "Failure is the best teacher you will ever have."

Create a tool you find useful to help you goal set or forge a new direction. (Holly Lichtenfeld has a white board where she posts her near-term goals; Saul Kaplan uses a brown paper bag!)

"Study your new market/path" (Richard Duval) "Conduct research, and read...a lot!” (Yvonne Divita, who recommends the book, “The Art of Work" by Jeff Goins)

"Anybody working for themselves is constantly having to reinvent.” (Rob Graham)

"Reinventing into an entrepreneur isn't necessarily for everyone, and it's not necessarily fulfilling for everyone...but having a fulfilling career is about constantly updating your skills.” (Holly Lichtenfeld)

"Participate in activities, even if you don't necessarily think you belong there because you never know when an opportunity could present itself. If you plan to go into business for yourself, always be selling yourself.” (Richard Duval)

"If you plan on raising funds for your business venture, don't rely solely on social media. It's great for awareness, but not so much for conversions. Instead, directly email people you know or reach out to your LinkedIn contacts.” (Holly Lichtenfeld)

Take those small steps. You have to start somewhere. (Saul Kaplan)

Once you make a decision, go at it relentlessly. (Richard Duval)

No one reinvents alone.

ReinventionWorks: Empowering people and businesses to take control of their next future through tools, networking, and education

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