On the eve of the start of our next Reinvention Team Action Group, here's the next in our series of Reinvention Success stories.
Today's story is from Joe Bologna (shown with Buster), who took our Reinvention Team Action Group earlier last year. Joe's a talented technologist, engineer and philosopher who has worked for big companies like Motorola and AT&T. He came to us seeking ideas about how to combine his technology skills with his passion for helping people live productive and fulfilling lives.
I like Joe's story because it illustrates the importance of working through the emotional pattens that can block your reinvention. It also show that with creativity, consulting in your previous career
arena can provide a financially stable launching pad to explore options in your new one (NOTE: Joe's starting a new venture helping people organize their
technology to run an effective job (reinvention!) search. Check out his
website to learn more: www.focusedforsuccess.com).
Here's what he had to say:
What was going on in your life before you came to The Reinvention Institute?
Before
I came to The Reinvention Institute I was constantly worried and preoccupied
with how to succeed in life, which I interpreted as being successful at my job.
I had lost my passion and my "dream job" for the 2nd time in my
career. My personal relationships were strained very badly. I was being treated
for all sorts of stress related disorders.
The
team helped me understand how I was burying my emotions and trying to live my
life intellectually vs. spiritually. It helped me to understand how my quest
for perfection had developed into compulsions, which I told myself were
necessary to develop highly rewarded (and highly compensated) skills.
It helped
me manage my "gadget addiction" and start to rebuild my
relationships. It gave me the tools I needed to attract and surround myself
with business owners and executives who I could learn from and which I badly
needed to make a life independent of my 25-year career as a corporate citizen.
The
most difficult part of my reinvention process was connecting with my feelings
at an emotional level. My definition of success was tied to pride in my
accomplishments and monetary rewards. I craved freedom, but was trapped trying
to save enough money to retire someday, all the while wasting my life on things
that really didn't matter.
I am a
small business owner and independent consultant. I am working side-by-side with
a college friend who owns two companies. He shares all of the details of how he
became successful and remains successful AND how he became financially free.
My
personal relationships are better than ever and I am almost completely free of
worry. I have also realized that my lifestyle matches my definition of
"retirement", which is very satisfying.
I have realized that I am
more of a Designer than a traditional Engineer. I have not found my
"calling" yet, however I know it has something to with helping people
run their personal or business lives more efficiently. I am doing my 2009 goals
with Pamela’s help and I’m excited to see how this will shape the coming year
of unlimited opportunities.
1. I
learned how to manage my compulsive behavior.
2. I
learned the emotional skills required to become passionate about my life's work
and keep this passion despite obstacles.
3. I
created a corporation that has given me the freedom and flexibility to answer
the question: "What will you do in your retirement?"
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Our next Reinvention Team Action Group starts next Tuesday, Jan 27th. There are only a few spaces left; so apply here ASAP to grab yours!
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