Welcome, loyal readers and new subscribers!

I have so much to be grateful for this year! Suffice it to say that my subscribers and clients are at the top of my list, as are my friends, family and colleagues.

A special thank you goes to you, my readers, for your support this year and for letting me be a part of your world! This e-zine now goes out to folks in 17 countries across 6 continents.

Here’s a photo of me with our Thanksgiving turkey. Truth be told, I couldn’t lift this guy, so Stan did the cooking and the heavy lifting! I’m a lucky gal.

It seems as if everyone I speak with is stressed out and overcommitted. It starts right before Thanksgiving in the United States and doesn’t end until after Christmas. Nobody’s got the time for reflection or dreaming. That’s the topic of this month’s feature. Career dreaming — and the new paths that could reveal. So take 5 minutes, read on and give yourself a mini-break.

I’m really psyched about the new audio product I’ve just finished recording. The audio will be bundled with 3 great bonuses. My subscribers will get first dibs on this product at a special price. Stay tuned…

Wishing you peace and harmony this season and always,

This is a message of hope to all those who have long ago stopped dreaming. Dreaming about a better life. A happier day filled with activities that are satisfying. Feeling like you’re making a difference in the world. Even in a small way.

Imagine if you could hold those dreams close again, dust them off and let them once again fill you with the excitement of what might be possible. Imagine a future in which you could make those dreams, those aspirations, come true in some fashion.

It’s never too late to hold hope in your heart and mind. As long as you breathe, you can change your circumstances. The act of bringing forward forgotten aspirations and yearnings can prompt renewal and a sense of reconnecting with your real self. Opening that portal can lead to reconsiderations, epiphanies, and fresh thoughts. And, in a word, hope.

I’m often thrilled by the seeming coincidence and interconnectedness of wanting something to happen, and filled with a sense of awe and gratitude when it does. Is there actually a connection? Well, I can’t prove it, but since it’s happened to me so often, I’ve learned to steer the conversation in my mind towards my wants and desires. And away from anxiety producing negative self-talk.

So, how does this apply to your career?

Simple. Moving ahead in your career is a direct result of two factors: motivation and skill development.

Of those two factors, motivation is the mother lode. The intensity of your motivation, your burning determination, your keen desire and your willingness to do what it takes is what brings your career dreams to fruition.

If you focus instead on your fears, you chase away the positive momentum you need to make a change. And you attract more of what you don’t want, that which is keeping you stalled in one place, in a rut.

This is not rocket science. If you want to bring new beginnings into your life, you need to create the space and welcoming atmosphere for new ideas to flourish. Hope is a powerful lever to open new career doors. Hope lights the way to kindling your motivation. So start with hope, even if you don’t know what your next career move should be.

Next, turn off the TV, unplug from your iPod, and spend time with a good friend, one who will support you as you start to explore your career dreams. Don’t know what your career dreams are? There are career coaches and counselors that can guide you on this quest.

Lastly, ponder these questions as we roll towards 2006:

• What are your career dreams?
• How can you build your hope?
• If you felt buoyed by hope, what would you do next?
• Who can you partner with to help you feel understood, motivated and focused?
• What incremental steps can you take?

You’ve got a brand new year ahead. Think big. Dream big.

Recommended Resource

Bonnie Lowe’s “Job Interview Success System” is a great resource for job seekers. I’ve read the E-book and spoken with Bonnie. Her E-book is chock full of easy and practical advice on how to prepare for a job interview, from conquering your nervousness to the 5 simple secrets to selling yourself. Bonnie puts it all together in an easy to read guide; she also includes free e-mail support (unheard of)! Click here for a blueprint for interview success.

About Dale:

Dale Kurow, M.S. is an author and a career and executive coach in NYC. She works with clients across the U.S. and internationally, helping them to become better managers, figure out their next career moves and thrive despite office politics. Click here for more information about her services.

Contact Dale by e-mail
dale@dalekurow.com
or ...

Copyright © 2002-2005 Dale R. Kurow. All rights reserved. You may copy or
distribute this newsletter or any of its contents providing this copyright
notice and full information about contacting the author are attached.

Graphic Designer David Moorhead