I Don’t Know What To Do With My Life

After running a successful nonprofit organization for 12 years, I decided it was time for a new career chapter to begin. I stepped down. My position was filled with a new person.

Friends asked me:

“What’s next? Are you going to retire? Are you looking for a new job? What’s the plan?”

I hated these questions because the truth was… there was no plan.

For the first time in many years, I didn’t have a big, exciting vision to sink my teeth into. I didn’t feel called in any particular direction. I knew I wasn’t ready to “retire” (I’m not sure I ever will be!) but in terms of a new career objective… Nope. I felt blank.

I gave myself a few months to rest, spend time with family, and softly contemplate my options, hoping that the path forward would become clear. But it didn’t.

Then I decided to attend an event where a personal hero of mine — the philanthropist Lynne Twist was scheduled to speak onstage. I was ready to be challenged, stimulated, and uplifted—and she did not disappoint. I felt invigorated by her speech, excited to rediscover my purpose and charge forward into…

What, exactly?

As her speech ended, I realized, “That was thrilling, but… I still have no idea what to do with my life.”

Panic set into my bones.

I noticed Lynne moving towards the exit and I dashed over, hoping to talk for a few minutes.

“Lynne, could I grab you for just one minute?” I asked.

She was gracious enough to stop and chat. One minute, of course, turned into about fifteen minutes. I confessed my confusion and paralysis. I told her about my past — as a successful attorney, a passionate entrepreneur, and a respected non-profit director — and I explained how I felt blank and uncertain about what I’m supposed to do next. Words tumbled out… and then I paused for breath.

Lynne responded:

“Pretend that it’s 20 years from now,” she said, “And The New York Times just did a huge article about you and your work. Because of this article, Oprah asks to interview you. She asks you the question: ‘Why did you decide to do this work?’ What would you say to her?”

I imagined myself sitting across the table from Oprah. My paralysis disappeared.

I told Lynne, “I want to help people find meaningful, exciting work. I want to help people do good work in the world.”

She smiled.

I realized, “That’s it. I found my next ‘thing’.”

A plan began to formulate in my mind.

I could start offering career coaching and consulting for people who want to find a new job, or start a new business, or complete an ambitious career-related project.

I could teach programs on goal-setting, network building, and negotiation.

I could… my brain whirled with excitement, filled with dozens of potential ideas.

“I know I can do this,” I told myself.

That small conversation with Lynne inspired me to go for it… and I haven’t looked back.

Today, I want to pose that same question to you.

Pretend that it’s 20 years from now. A major media luminary wants to interview you about your work. She asks: “Why did you decide to do this work?”

What would you say?

Don’t worry if you don’t have a clear “job title” or “plan” in mind right now. Try to answer that question anyway. Start talking aloud to yourself in your car—you can pretend you’re talking on your Bluetooth headset! Or start writing and see what comes out of your pen. It can be so powerful to project yourself into the future.

What is your future-self longing for you to pursue?

PS. Let’s talk about the immediate future for a moment. Before 2016 is over, would you like to… put an extra $5K into your savings account? Negotiate a raise at your job? Launch a new business offering and sell it out?

Right now, I invite you to choose 1 specific career, business, or income-related goal… write it down as specifically as you can… and let’s work on that goal for 6 weeks in a row! (Serious progress: guaranteed.)

Enroll now for GO GET IT!, a super-motivating coaching program that I co-teach along with my friend Susan Hyatt. The program begins on October 10th. Enroll right here. We’ll coach, nudge, push, and inspire you to meet—or exceed—your goal.

(Your future self will be so proud.)

Top image: Willie Franklin

Your Career Forecast: September / October 2016

I work as a career and business strategist. But my secret passion is… astrology!

About once a month, I post an overview of what’s happening in the cosmos and how it might influence your career. It’s called: Your Career Forecast.

Whether you’re job-hunting, running your own business, or wondering about the ideal time to ask for a raise or take a vacation, each Career Forecast will reveal the important dates and cosmic shifts that you need to know about.

I am joined by my dear friend, Heidi Rose Robbins, a master astrologer who will provide expert insight into what’s going on in the stars.

Let’s dive in!

OVERVIEW

What’s going on this month…

HEIDI: The Sun moves into Libra on September 22nd at 7:22am Pacific Standard Time for about 30 days. In Latin, the word “Libra” means “weighing scales.” If you look at the night sky, the constellation known as Libra vaguely resembles a scale with two sides—left and right—both balanced with equal weight on each side. In Greek mythology, the scales were held up in the sky by Astraea, the goddess of justice.

Libra invites us to seek balance, harmony, equality, tolerance, cooperation, and justice in our lives. It’s a powerful time to examine your behavior and aim for an even higher level of integrity in your daily life: telling the whole truth, avoiding white lies, following through on your promises, treating yourself—and others—with care and compassion.

It’s also a powerful time to speak up if you feel that you (or someone else) are being mistreated. It’s a great time to deepen friendships and partnerships, reaching a new level of trust and mutual respect. And it’s a great time to flex your negotiation muscles—tap into your inner attorney and courageously ask for what you want! Under the sign of Libra, your efforts to seek fairness and justice will be amplified.

On September 23rd, the planet Venus moves into Scorpio. Prepare for intensity! The Venus-Scorpio combination might leave you feeling tenacious and investigative, yearning for deep conversations that cut right to the heart of the matter. Small talk about the weather? Not today. A passionate workplace romance? Maybe!

Mars moves into Capricorn on September 27th. On this day, you may feel like an unstoppable warrior who’s capable of climbing the biggest mountain. It’s a day of relentless determination—the perfect time to buckle down and make serious progress with a daunting project.

There is a New Moon in Libra on September 30th. The New Moon always provides a great opportunity to make new wishes, plant new seeds, and start new projects. If there’s a goal that’s been floating around in your mind for awhile, on September 30th, get specific, write it down, and commit to making it happen for real.

On October 11th, the planet Mercury sits right next to Jupiter. In Roman mythology, Mercury is the god of financial gain as well as messages/communication. If there’s an important email you need to send out, or a big conversation you need to have—like asking for a raise—October 11th would be a stellar day to do it. Thoughtful communication can translate into wealth on this day—even more so than usual!

The Full Moon in Libra happens on October 15th. The Full Moon invites you to celebrate the past month and reflect back on what you’ve experienced and achieved. How have you brought more balance into your life over the past 30 days, whether emotionally, physically, or professionally? Whatever you’ve managed to improve: celebrate it!

Venus moves into Sagittarius on October 18th, bringing a surge of optimism and adventure. You might get struck with a daring new idea on this day—perhaps a new project at work that’s a bit unconventional? If that happens—run with it! Aim your arrow and let it fly. Your adventurous spirit will be rewarded.

Finally, on October 19th, Mars aligns with Pluto. Mars represents warrior energy—passionate, driven, active, even hot-headed at times. It’s an exciting, high-energy kind of day. Channel your energy into one of your biggest goals and go, go, go! Pluto rules the subconscious, so in addition to feeling the fiery warrior energy of Mars on this day, you might also feel an urge to “dive deep.” You might feel the urge to tackle a project with deep personal significance rather than tending to surface-level stuff, like answering emails or tidying up your desk. On October 19th: go big and go deep.

Welcome to the month of Libra! Collaborate, cooperate, and celebrate together!

What does all of this mean for your career? Let’s look closer…

JOB-HUNTING?

Here’s what you need to know…

ELLEN: As Heidi mentioned, Mars moves into Capricorn on September 27th, and it’s a day marked by relentless determination! No more futzing around. It’s time to put your nose to the grindstone. Update your résumé. Write your cover letter. Make a list of 10 companies you’d love to work for—and get the application process going.

It’s time to tap into your inner warrior and charge forward with conviction. Surround yourself with inspiring role models—people who get things done and don’t make any excuses. (Two great reads: How Bad Do You Want It? by Matt Fitzgerald and Shooting the Boh by Tracy Johnston.)

Speaking of inspiration, role models, and getting things done…

My coaching program—GO GET IT!—just opened for registration. With this program, you’ll choose 1 career, business, or income-related goal that you want to achieve—like getting a new job, for example—and you’ll pursue that goal with 100% percent commitment for 6 weeks in a row. You get group coaching sessions, weekly assignments to complete, uplifting podcasts, and tons of community support from your fellow Go Getters—plus prizes for completing tough tasks! It’s seriously motivating, inspiring, and fun! The program runs from October 10th – November 20th and you can read all the details and sign up right HERE.

ALREADY HAVE A JOB?

Here’s what you need to know…

ELLEN: If you’re currently employed and you really love your job, this would be an excellent time to expand your horizons at work. With Venus moving into Sagittarius on October 18th, you’ll feel a lust for adventure and new challenges. Do you feel ready to manage a team? Do you want to spearhead a new project? Are you ready to dive into a demanding class that will give you some new skills? Go for it! Sagittarius is represented by the mythical centaur—half horse, half human, outfitted with a bow and arrow. Take aim and gallop forward! Finish 2016 with a bang!

What if you’re employed—but you’re not that “into” your current job? Well, before you start drafting your resignation letter, take advantage of the Sun moving into Libra on September 22nd—a time of positive communication, cooperation, and justice for all.
Do you feel disrespected at work? Are you continually asked to work overtime for no additional pay? Does someone keep stealing your yogurt from the communal fridge?! Rather than stewing—or jumping ship—see if you can become a peacemaker. Speak up. Open the lines of communication.

Even better: try to organize an off-site retreat where everyone in your department can express themselves honestly, air their grievances, and discuss important changes that need to be made. Because of your peacemaking efforts, your workplace could become a place where everyone feels seen and heard—and you might fall back in love with your job in the process.

SELF-EMPLOYED OR RUNNING YOUR OWN BUSINESS?

Here’s what you need to know…

ELLEN: As Heidi mentioned, the planets Mercury and Jupiter will be sitting right next to each other on October 11th. Mercury is all about prosperity and communication. Jupiter is the planet of intellect, education, and higher learning. Combined together? Your reminder for the day is: Think before you speak.

If you’re self-employed, this would be a terrific day to email potential clients to pitch one of your services, blast out a newsletter to announce a new product, or launch a Facebook ad campaign to promote a new program. It’s a great day to put your message out there—and thoughtful communication will be rewarded.

Just be extra-cautious with your wording and proceed intelligently. Do your research, double-check your facts, run your language through grammar-checking software (like Grammarly) and think carefully about what you’re saying and how you’re going to say it. When you approach your written materials and conversations with a little extra care and attentiveness, your clients and customers can feel it.

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:

September 22nd – The Sun moves into Libra for one month. (Focus on cooperation, fairness, equality, and balance in all realms of life.)

September 23rd – Venus moves into Scorpio. (Skip the small talk and dive into deep, loving, investigative conversations. What’s really going on?)

September 27th – Mars moves into Capricorn. (A day of relentless determination! Tackle a daunting project and channel your inner warrior! Nothing can stop you now!)

September 30th – New Moon in Libra. (Make new wishes and set new goals—especially anything related to balance and justice.)

October 11th – Mercury aligns with Jupiter. (Think before you speak. Write, call, text, publish, post, and get your message out there—but proceed with extra thoughtfulness.)

October 15th – Full moon in Libra. (Reflect on the past month and celebrate your progress. How have you brought more cooperation, sweetness, partnership, and balance into your life over the past thirty days?)

October 18th – Venus moves into Sagittarius. (It’s all about optimism and adventure. New trip? New class? New project? Take aim and charge ahead!)

October 19th – Mars aligns with Pluto. (Tackle a project with deep personal significance—something that feels like your “true work” or your “legacy.” Go big and go deep.)

YOUR CAREER MANTRA FOR THIS MONTH:

“Your heart and my heart are very old friends.” —Hafiz

Libra is all about collaboration, partnership and peacemaking.

When your professional relationships feel strained—if a client makes an unreasonable request, if a workplace friend flakes out or betrays your trust, if your employer behaves in a way that leaves you feeling disrespected—remember that there is always a way to proceed peacefully, building bridges rather than burning them down.

You don’t have to lash out. You can lead with your heart. In doing so, you’ll be a role model for those around you and you might permanently reshape your company culture, as well. Peace and justice for all. Intimacy and honest communication. Libra power!

Remember, too, that regardless of what’s going on around you, there is always a way to make progress with your goals and create the life and career that you want. The stars are not running the show: you are.

Every door can be unlocked.

Have an amazing month!

Learn more about my career & business coaching services here.

Learn more about Heidi and her astrological services here.

Go Get It: Susan Hyatt’s Secret to Landing Paying Clients

My friend and collaborator, Susan Hyatt wrote this blog post to announce the re-launch of our online course, GO GET IT! I loved it so much that with her permission, I am sharing it with you.

GO GET IT! Is fierce and amazing, and when you sign up, you will choose one specific career, business, or income goal that matters to you and you will pursue that goal with 100 percent dedication for six weeks in a row. (We’ll be helping you, of course).

This program is significantly less expensive than many other coaching programs, out there, so if you’re a BO$$ LADY on a budget, don’t let this one slip through the cracks. Here’s all the info. GO GET IT! See you inside!

How I got my first 10 paying clients

Flash back!

Ten years ago, I was a newly certified life coach with…

• Zero clients

• Zero support staff (no assistant, no team)

• Zero dollars being generated by my brand new coaching practice

• Lots of anxiety about how the eff I was going to make this all work

To make things even more fun, one of the first times that I ever introduced myself to a potential client (“Hi, I’m Susan, I work as a life coach…”) the man that I was talking to literally LAUGHED IN MY FACE.

“What the hell do YOU know about life? What are you, like, 29?” he scoffed.

I smiled politely, mumbled something about Martha Beck, and went home and bawled my eyes out. Not my finest hour.

So then what happened? How did I get from “zero clients” to where I am today?

The answer to that question is nuanced and complex. There’s no 7-step foolproof plan that I can feed to you. But here’s one thing that changed the game for me.

Fairly early on in my coaching career, I was complaining to one of my mentors about my sad, pathetic lack of clients, and my mentor said to me,

“Introduce yourself to 50 people this month. Explain what life coaching is and offer your services to every single one of them. Then get back to me. That’s your assignment.”

You better believe that I was TERRIFIED about this assignment. It sounded nauseating. 50 people? That’s a LOT. But I figured, “I’ve got nothing to lose” and somehow, I scraped up enough courage to do it.

I started out by talking to people who already liked me–friends and family members–and then I pushed myself to talk to people outside of my social circle.

“Hey! We haven’t chatted for months. Did you know I’m now working as a life coach?”
“So, funny story, I don’t sell real estate anymore. I am actually a life coach.”
“Life coaching. Ever heard of it? Yeah. That’s what I do now…”
“Hi, my name is Susan. I’m a certified life coach…”

And so on. Over and over. 50 times.

Something interesting happened:

A lot of people said, “No thanks, I am not interested in life coaching.” Rejection.

But a few people said, “Sure! I’ll try it. When can we start?” Success!

With every success, my confidence grew. My introduction became clearer, cleaner, more enticing. I got better at talking about myself and what I could do. And with every rejection, I grew a thicker skin and became more resilient. I lined up my first 10 paying clients, who referred more clients to me, who referred more, and so on, and so on…

And today?

When people hire me for career or business coaching, I often give my clients the exact same assignment that I was given ten years ago.

I tell them, “Introduce yourself to 50 new people this month” or “Send out 100 emails to potential customers” or “Set up at least 7 in-person meetings this month to pitch your idea” or “Every day, for the next month, tell at least 3 people what you do and how they can hire you. Do not stop until you have a waiting list for your services.”

Magical things happen–every single effing time, I am telling you!–when clients take my advice and actually do this. Just like me–ten years ago–they quickly discover that “rejection” is not fatal and that “marketing” and “connecting” isn’t quite as scary as you might think.

Let’s talk about you:

Are you willing to introduce yourself to 50 people–this month–in pursuit of a career, business, or income goal that really matters to you? Would you be willing to hear “no” 100 times if it meant you were moving closer to a big “yes”? What if I promised you that, if you do this, it will help you to achieve exactly what you want–or maybe even something different/bigger/better?

It will.

Courageous action is always rewarded.

So start emailing, calling, texting, and talking, sister-friend. No hiding. No waiting.

Miracles don’t happen when you take a passive role in your life.

Miracles happen when you fiercely, bravely put yourself out there. Again. And again. And again.

GO GET IT!

Image: Willie Franklin

Ask Ellen: How can I stay optimistic when so many awful things are happening in the world?

Dear Ellen,

Like many people, I take a few moments to listen to NPR or watch the news on TV every day. I want to be informed about what’s going on in the world. I don’t want to be oblivious. I don’t want to exist inside of a “bubble” of privilege and comfort when millions are suffering.

The problem is: after listening to the daily news, I just feel so depressed. I can literally feel the energy draining out of my body. Once, after listening to NPR for several hours during a long drive in my car, I broke down sobbing and I was a wreck for the rest of the day. I could barely focus on my work and I struggled to get anything done.

My question for you is: how can I stay “informed” without letting bad news completely wear me down? How can I stay “hopeful” when so many awful things are happening in the world? I know that you are interested in law, politics, and making the world a better place. I’d love your thoughts on this.

Trying To Be Happy In This Not-So-Happy World

Dear Trying To Be Happy,

I hear you.

Like you, I like to stay on top of the news—especially during an election year.

And like you, I find the deluge of unhappy news to be pretty overwhelming. These past few months, in particular, my eyes, ears, and mind feel completely saturated with horrific story after story after story. Orlando. Campus rape. Syrian refugees clutching their children close, cold and frightened, clinging to rafts floating across the sea…

You asked, “How can I stay ‘informed’ without letting bad news completely wear me down?”

It’s a good question. I believe that it’s possible to do this. But it’s not always easy. Sometimes, you have to come up with creative “coping strategies” to balance despair with hope and optimism.

One of my personal strategies is writing a daily “gratitude journal.” Once a day, I write down a few things I am grateful for. They don’t need to be heavy or meaningful. (“I’m grateful for this lovely park near my house,” “I’m grateful that there’s a new episode of Scandal airing tonight”).

I’ve been writing my grateful thoughts for many years. Not every single day—sometimes I forget, or I’m just just a little too busy and distracted to remember to wake up to the world around me—but almost every day, I take the time to stop and breathe in these small important moments. I love it. It’s one of my favorite moments of the day.

Here’s another strategy that I love: writing a “happy report.”

A beautiful writer named Katrina Kenison first brought the term “happy report” into my consciousness. It’s exactly what it sounds like: a list of things you are happy about. It’s like your own personal news coverage filled exclusively with positive stories.

As Katrina puts it, a happy report is “a powerful antidote to a day’s petty grievances or the grim realities of the evening news […] a reminder that even the most challenging day contains its moment of grace, if we are willing to seek it out.”

I love that.

Today, inspired by Katrina, I’d like to share my own personal happy report. (And to everyone reading this advice column, I encourage you to write your own happy report as well. It’s a wonderful exercise.)

I am happy to report that… I promised myself I would walk and exercise more this year, and I’m doing it! I typically listen to a podcast (like Dear Sugar) or an audio book while I walk. I let myself get lost in the story, and before I know it, I’ve walked for 45 minutes or an hour or more.

I am happy to report that… after searching (with a fair amount of frustration) for many months, I finally found a new place to live that’s quiet, pretty, cozy, and within my budget. I’ve been enjoying my new home very much and I feel so fortunate to be here.

I am happy to report that… my two sons, Willie and Lexy, are both smart, caring, wonderful young men doing interesting work in the world. It’s a joy to watch them pursue their chosen careers, take brave leaps, learn (sometimes uncomfortable) lessons, and grow wiser each year. W & L: raising you has been—and still is—the greatest privilege of my life.

I am happy to report that… my life has been filled with wonderful books, articles, and other discoveries lately. I read The Crossroads of Should and Must and loved it. I read a friend’s memoir, Harley and Me, which was empowering and brilliant (you can see my interview with the author here). I’ve been diving deep into a website called Medium which is filled with all kinds of user-submitted stories (anyone can contribute a story—you don’t have to be invited).

I am happy to report that… I took an emotional risk this year and reached out to a colleague to ask if she’d consider co-teaching a program with me. She’s a very busy woman who already juggles so many projects, so it was a bit of a long shot that she’d say “Yes.” In fact, I was pretty sure she’d say “No” and I was a teensy bit nervous about feeling rejected. But I decided, “What’s the worst that could happen?” so I reached out, and then… she said “Yes!”

We ended up creating a program called Go Get It! and the first session was a huge success. About 80 women participated. We call them our “Go Getters.” Each woman chose a specific career, business, or income-related goal and pursued that goal with intense focus for six weeks. The community of women was so passionate and supportive of one another—and the results were spectacular. I’m so happy that I drummed up the courage to reach out to my colleague to say, “Hey, would you like to do this with me?”

I am happy to report that… Go Get It! will be returning this fall! Registration for the next session opens on September 20th and the first day of the online program begins on October 10th (which is also my birthday!). I can’t wait to see what happens inside the “virtual classroom” the second time around.

I am happy to report that… putting together this happy report made me feel very happy. I may need to make it a recurring tradition, along with those daily gratitude texts.

In conclusion, Trying To Be Happy, when you feel overwhelmed by the evening news, or by anything else that’s happening in your life, remember that it’s OK to feel things deeply. Remember that it’s OK to cry. But also, remember that it’s OK to take care of yourself—and to develop personal “coping strategies” to keep you feeling as hopeful and optimistic as possible.

Try a gratitude journal. Try writing a happy report. Try taking a temporary break from “regular news” and visit a website like the Good News Network, which exclusively features positive, encouraging news stories. Or try getting involved with a political party or a cause that you care about. Volunteer. Do something to shape the world in a positive way. Sometimes volunteering, even just for an hour or two, can buoy your spirits and remind you that people can be kind, good, and generous… and that there’s plenty of hope for the human race, yet.

Good luck out there, Trying To Be Happy.

Maybe skip NPR tonight and read the collected poems of Hafiz instead.

I’ll join you.

Image: Willie Franklin

Your Career Forecast: August / September 2016

I work as a career and business strategist. But my secret passion is… astrology!

About once a month, I post an overview of what’s happening in the cosmos and how it might influence your career. It’s called: Your Career Forecast.

I am joined by my dear friend, Heidi Rose Robbins, a master astrologer who will provide expert insight into what’s going on in the stars.

Let’s dive in!

OVERVIEW

What’s going on this month…

HEIDI: The Sun moves into Virgo on August 22nd at 9:38am Pacific Standard Time. For the next thirty days, it’s time to organize, organize, organize! Clean up, declutter, make lists, tick things off, and polish ideas until they gleam. Imagine marching into a disheveled room, rolling up your sleeves, and creating order from the chaos. That’s the energy of Virgo.

The month of Virgo is an excellent time to subtract unnecessary possessions and commitments from your life—clearing away the clutter so that you can spend your time doing what truly matters to you. It’s also an excellent time to commit—or re-commit—to personal health goals. If there was ever a time to clean up your diet—or clean up your mindset—this is it. You’ll find that it’s a bit easier to make these types of healthy lifestyle changes under the Virgo Sun.

On August 30th, Venus moves into Libra. This is a time of great beauty, balance, and harmonious relationships. It’s a wonderful time to host parties and gatherings, to start a book club, to meet up with friends to talk and bond in a deeper way. The Venus-Libra transit lasts about one month.

There’s another big shift happening on that same day: Mercury goes retrograde on August 30th for three weeks. Mercury retrograde gets a bad reputation because it’s typically a time where communication goes haywire—websites crash, emails get worded awkwardly, packages don’t arrive on time, and friction can arise. But don’t panic! Mercury retrograde also has a lot of positive qualities, too. It’s an excellent time for quiet reflection, reviewing, and assessing. Use this time to review the past few months of your life and career, asking, “What transpired? How could I build on that? What would I like to adjust?”

On September 9th, we have a big shift. Jupiter (the planet of generosity and growth) moves into Libra (the sign of relationships and peacemaking). Our world certainly needs this transit! With Jupiter in Libra, tensions soften, hearts open, and it becomes a bit easier to treat one another with kindness and compassion.

Then on September 10th, the planet Saturn squares Neptune—which means it’s time look at your current projects with a logical eye. This is not the time to get lost in dreamland—this is a time to implement a plan that is reasonable, doable and effective. Set aside some time on September 10th to think about one of your biggest goals. Break out your favorite pen, notebook, spreadsheets, and your calendar. Ask yourself, “OK, seriously… what needs to happen in order for me to reach this goal? What’s the most efficient, logical path forward?” You may notice a feeling of renewed motivation and clarity on this day—that “get it done!” energy, spurring you forward in a big way! (Hooray!)

The month of Virgo has the potential to be an extremely productive month.

May you achieve all you wish to achieve—with grace and kindness!

What does all of this mean for your career? Let’s look closer…

JOB-HUNTING?

Here’s what you need to know…

ELLEN: As Heidi mentioned, on August 30th, the planet Venus moves into the sign of Libra for about one month. If you feel like your professional network is a little “weak,” or if you feel like you don’t have any “influential friends” who can open doors for you or help you find a new job, now you’ve got an opportunity to fix that. The month-long Venus-Libra transit is the perfect time to form—and deepen—all kinds of relationships.

Wondering how to expand and strengthen your professional network? To quote my wise mom, “The best way to make a friend is to be a friend.” Let that be your motto during the month of September. Instead of reaching out to people in your network to “ask for favors,” flip the script. Grant favors. Make introductions. Give generously. Be an amazing friend—and before too long, people will admire and trust you immensely.

For example, you could email a colleague to say, “Hey, I just noticed a job opportunity that might be perfect for you…” Call up an acquaintance and say, “I’ve got an extra ticket to a cool performance. Want to go with me?” Nominate a local business owner for a “Best of the City” award and let them know. Everyone will be grateful and delighted, and your relationships will grow stronger. Then, in the near future, if you need to ask for a special favor—like a personal introduction to the hiring manager at your dream company—your friends will be more than happy to oblige!

ALREADY HAVE A JOB?

Here’s what you need to know…

ELLEN: The Sun moves into Virgo on August 22nd. If you’re employed and you love your current job, this would be an excellent time to organize, organize, organize! Go through all of those unread emails and delete anything that’s unnecessary. Clear papers off your desk. Wipe the grime off your computer keyboard. Go through your calendar and ask yourself, “What could I subtract? What’s essential and what’s not?” With the Sun in Virgo, you’re likely to feel the urge to declutter, polish, and refine. Don’t fight that feeling—ride the wave! (If you haven’t already, read The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo. It will change your workspace, your office, and your life!)

If you’re employed but you’re not that “into” your current job, the same advice applies: organize, organize, organize. With the Sun in Virgo, it’s the ideal time to empty your inbox, sort through your paperwork, and finish up any lingering projects that you assured your boss you would complete. Your new motto can be, “Tie up loose ends.” This will put you in a good position to start hunting for a new job—feeling clear and free, not encumbered with guilt or broken promises.

As Heidi mentioned, Mercury goes retrograde on August 30th for about three weeks, lasting until September 22nd. This timeframe is not the best time to start an ambitious new project at work. It’s a time for reflection and completion rather than “launching.” If your company is planning to launch an exciting new initiative, or if you’re planning to unveil an exciting new direction, project, or idea, try to schedule the “launch date” for sometime after September 22nd when the planets will be “on your side.”

SELF-EMPLOYED OR RUNNING YOUR OWN BUSINESS?

Here’s what you need to know…

ELLEN: If you’re self-employed, and if you’re planning to “launch” something new—a new website, a new product, a new class or program—try to avoid launching it between August 30th and September 22nd. Because—as we’ve mentioned a couple times in this forecast—Mercury goes retrograde during that three-week timeframe, which means communication breakdowns, website crashes, phone calls being dropped, travel delays, and all kinds of other headaches.

This doesn’t mean that Mercury in retrograde is a “bad” thing. It’s actually a powerful time—if you direct your energy appropriately. Use this time to review, reflect, rehearse, and clean up your act in private—rather than publicly unveiling a new project.

As Heidi mentioned, on September 10th, the planet Saturn will square Neptune, which invites you to look at your dreams and come up with a plan that is reasonable, doable and effective. What’s something you really want to create during the upcoming year? A new book? A new product line? A new service that draws in dozens of new clients? Write down what you want—and then turn on your logical, analytical brain. Make a list of the exact steps that you need to take to make it happen. Go over your plan with a trusted friend or a career coach to see if there’s anything you might be overlooking.

If you’re worried that you’ll get distracted or lose momentum, take steps to avoid that! Find a buddy who can text you every day to encourage you and keep you on track. Or join an online goal-setting community filled with people who are working on their goals, right by your side. (I run a goal-setting community and coaching program called GO GET IT! which focuses on career, business, and income-related goals. Enrollment for the next session opens on September 20th. You can sign up here for a reminder email when it’s time to enroll.)

No matter what type of job or career you currently have—or currently want to have—the month of Virgo (late August to late September) is a great time to GET THINGS DONE.

You’re likely to feel the urge to organize, declutter, and tie up loose ends that might be irritating you or bogging you down. Ride the momentum!

Use this time to your best advantage. Just remember to wait until Mercury in retrograde is over (on September 22nd) before you “go public” with a new idea, project, or business venture.

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:

August 22nd – The Sun moves into Virgo for one month. (Clean up your desk, tie up loose ends, make lists, tick things off, and polish ideas until they gleam.)

August 30th – Venus moves into Libra. (Beauty, balance, and harmonious relationships—host parties, reach out to someone, grant favors, extend invitations, be a great friend!)

August 30th – Mercury goes retrograde for three weeks. (Not the best time to “launch” a new idea or project… instead, go inward, reflect, and rehearse in private.)

September 9th – Jupiter moves into Libra. (Tensions soften, hearts open, gracious communication becomes easier. Maybe Trump will say something kind and compassionate? Hey, anything’s possible!)

September 10th – Saturn squares Neptune. (No more wistful dreaming… it’s time for serious planning! Ask yourself, “What’s the most efficient, logical path forward?” Outline the steps and make it happen.)

September 22nd – Mercury in retrograde is over. (Now’s the time to officially “go public” with a new idea, project, or business venture. Hold the press conference. Hand in your two weeks notice and start your job hunt. Launch the website. Post a Facebook announcement. Alert the media. Full steam ahead!)

YOUR CAREER MANTRA FOR THIS MONTH:

“Every blade of grass has its angel that bends over it and whispers, “Grow, grow.” —The Talmud

What are your angels whispering to you? Listen to your heart. Pay attention to moments where you feel a sense of longing, yearning, or even jealousy (“Oh, I wish I could have a career like that, that seems so cool…”) and tune in. It’s never too late to change course—dramatically or subtly—and create a career that feels meaningful and exciting.

No matter what is going on in the cosmos, ultimately, you are the master of your own destiny. You are in charge. Regardless of what’s going on around you, there is always a way to make progress with your goals and to create the life and career that you want.

Every door can be unlocked.

Have an amazing month!

Learn more about my career & business coaching services here.

Learn more about Heidi and her astrological services here.

UNLOCKED Links: August 2016

Once a month, I curate the best links on how to find work that you love, be excellent at what you do, and unlock any door that stands in your way. Mostly, I gather articles and podcasts that capture my attention because they make me think or laugh. Here is the link round-up for August 2016!

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

• Nonprofit work is grueling and often not very funny. This irreverent site pulls back the curtain to show the real people and feelings behind the work of doing good.

• This head of hiring at Google has sifted through over 2 million resumes. Here’s how he sorts through them all to find just the right people for the job.

• What is the best way to maneuver through our throwaway culture? Buy Me Once focuses on showcasing products that are built so well that they’ll never break — better for the environment and your bank account!

• One of the secrets to being productive is the touch it once mentality, from email to dirty dishes.

• Two of my favorites. Krista Tibbets interviews poet Naomi Shihab Nye.

• And another great podcast: Elizabeth Gilbert interviews the man behind Humans of New York, Brandon Stanton. Learn how he makes the brutal beautiful.

• Trying to decide on a quick trip before summer ends? Here is a guide for a weekend in Portland.

• Here’s how to stay healthy on a vacation and still eat, drink and be merry!

• Ready to get inspired? Check out Oprah’s Supersoul 100: a collection of 100 leaders who are using their voices and talent to elevate humanity.

• In these troubled political times, John Oliver’s weekly show Last Week Tonight is always a great mix of intelligence + telling it like it is.

• If you are like me- you are in awe and inspired by all of the Olympic athletes. Ever wonder how they do it? Here’s a little wisdom from Kobe Bryant.

• Here’s a great site out of England that gives advice and resources on how to live your life doing what you love. Yes, it’s possible!

Happy reading and listening,

Image: Willie Franklin.

OVERVIEW

JOB-HUNTING?

ALREADY HAVE A JOB?

SELF-EMPLOYED OR RUNNING YOUR OWN BUSINESS?

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:

YOUR CAREER MANTRA FOR THIS MONTH:

How I got my first 10 paying clients

OVERVIEW

JOB-HUNTING?

ALREADY HAVE A JOB?

SELF-EMPLOYED OR RUNNING YOUR OWN BUSINESS?

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER:

YOUR CAREER MANTRA FOR THIS MONTH:

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

Honest Advice. Must-read posts. Major Motivation.