Happy 2009! Decide that no matter what's going on in the news media or your life, that you have the power to take control and make this your best year ever.
For inspiration, we're kicking off the New Year with another Reinvention Success story. Orelon Sidney had a high-powered career in TV news as a meteorologist for CNN. She'd left CNN but was still freelancing in her old field while struggling to figure out what her next career move might be. She did the teleclass version of our Career Reinvention BootCamp and then joined our Reinvention Team Action Group last fall. Through her work in the group she decided to explore the music industry.
I like Orelon's story because it shows that reinvention is an evolutionary process. You don't have to leave the old behind while you explore the new. Here's what she had to say:
What was going on in your life before you came to The Reinvention Institute?
Utter confusion! I quit my job at CNN in April 2005. Since that time, I have been struggling with the idea of rededicating myself full-time to TV news/weather or moving on to something else. But WHAT else? Since I was a child, I have been fascinated by and in love with weather. I'd worked so hard to get to "the mountaintop" and was having a really hard time with the idea of throwing it all away....
How did The Reinvention Team Action Group help you?
The Action Group-- and winning the lottery!-- acted as a catalyst for me. (note: Orelon won enough money in the lottery to be able to continue her search for a year) No longer was I content to just sit and do endless "thought experiments" about what my future career would or should hold. I had to get busy! I felt driven by the successes and decisions the other members were making to strike out, even if it turned out to be in the "wrong" direction. Any choice would move me farther along toward owning my future.
I felt pressure to have something new each week when I reported in to the group, so I redoubled my efforts. I am externally motivated and having this accountability really helped me move forward.
What was the most difficult and challenging part of your reinvention process?
As this is a work in progress, I can only say that the most difficult part to me is what I strive NOT to do-- and that is second guess myself! I tend to be "obsessive-impulsive"; I turn something over and over in my mind until I have to make a move-- any move-- or go crazy! Then, when I finally make a move, I tend to wonder endlessly if I've made the "right" decision.
I am learning that there may not be any one "right" decision. A decision is a decision and that's it. The outcome can be positive or negative, but it's not the decision's fault! There really is something to the phrase "Just do it"!
I also think letting go of my identity as a television personality is a bigger hurdle for me than I thought it would be.
What's going on in your life now?
Strangely, slowly, step-by-step, it's happening. I am a manager-in-training for Liz Melendez, a local musician, and there are some aspects I like and some I am neutral about. Nothing that I hate so far. I am not sure that artist management really has what it takes to hold my interest long-term, but we shall see. (note: love this picture of Orelon with legendary musician Richie Havens-- she's fully stepping into her reinvention!)
Surprisingly, I have been enjoying TV weather again. I still do it on a freelance basis, but I don't think I'm enjoying it enough to rededicate my career to it. But it's nice not to hate it all the time, since that's where the money is coming from until I get something else going!
What are the top three benefits you got from participating in the group?
- Validation. The biggest benefit for me was the validation I got from being in a group with similar dilemmas. I am not really alone in this! I also felt validated by Pamela's knowledge of the reinvention process. So many of the questions and feelings I have had seemed crazy, but it was nice to know that it's really just part of the process of reinvention.
- Accountability. The external pressure to produce is strong for me and that's why I signed up for the Action Group in the first place. Accountability really does seem to get me moving.
- Camaraderie and acceptance. It can get lonely when you feel like what you want to do is crazy, so it was great to cheer for the successes and breakthroughs of the other members and have them in my corner.
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The next Reinvention Team Action Group starts on Tuesday, January 27th. Applications now being accepted; apply this week and qualify for the early bird discount!
I love reinvention stories and can relate to Orelon's journey. Glad I found this site. I will add your link to my blog http://whatsmyit.blogspot.com.
Congratulations on your success Pamela!
Posted by: Como | January 10, 2009 at 02:12 PM
Sorry Como for the delay in my reply-- for whatever reason, I'm not getting the notices when comments post. Glad you like the blog; keep coming back!
Pamela
Posted by: Pamela Mitchell | January 22, 2009 at 03:28 PM
Hello Pamela and Orelon! I signed up for the Boot Camp with Orelon's group and just now finished week 5. I am determined to reinvent my career this year. I will be in touch as I progress.
Thank you and now I know why I should have called in! The people in class sound great!
Posted by: Mary | January 22, 2009 at 09:34 PM