Mentoring Matters: How Do I Transition Back Into The Business World?

Dear Masterminds:

I am a homemaker looking to “on-ramp”. I am almost 45, myself- youngest is practically an adult. Thus, I am at a point where re-location and/or long hours are not prohibitive. I would like assistance in establishing a career in the analytics (or sale) of luxury, wellness, tourism services. Encouragement, too, is what I really miss….

by Debbie Ruston, Masterminding Panel Member

THANKS FOR reaching out to us. As a homemaker you have a ton of experience you may not recognize, that is valuable in the business world. A great exercise is to make a list of everything you have responsibility for, everything you are good at, knowledge, experience or training you have under your belt etc. Also include your interests, and start asking yourself what you would really like to be doing. What is your passion. The key to being fulfilled in our work is to align our passion with what we do for a living. I have included a couple of articles I wrote that I believe will assist you.

Why Can’t I Create The Life I WANT?

If I Were 22 – My Advice For the Graduating Class of 2014 – ( The advice in this is applicable at any age)

I see you are interested in sales. Have you thought about what you would be passionate about selling? The key to getting great results in sales is to believe in what you are offering, and knowing the value it brings to others. People want to buy but they don’t want to be sold. It is genuine belief and enthusiasm that is transferred to the customer that results in the sale, so important to identify what you have the most belief behind.

You also mentioned encouragement, and your first step in reaching out here is a great first step. You want to search out and surround yourself with like minded people. The Businessmasters 360 group and subgroups are all vibrant communities of people with lots of interaction. I suggest you join the conversations on the discussion boards to connect with some wonderful people. Also, look at who you are surrounded by currently in your life. Are the people closest to you positive, goal oriented, happy people. Or, are they negative, grumpy, naysayers that can’t find the good in anything. It’s very important to seek out and surround yourself with those that are heading in the direction you want to go. Read inspirational books, search for youtube videos, there are some excellent TED talks on youtube.

I would also encourage you to consider self employment. This is something many don’t consider for a number of reasons, mainly because society is conditioned the only way to work is for an employer. You have knowledge, skills, interests, education, passions, etc., and could absolutely find a way to put all of that together to create your own work. Feel free to reach out to me directly if you would like some coaching assistance in this direction.

With your children grown, it appears you have flexibility so it is a great time to be starting in a new direction to create your future. At this stage of life, you don’t have the same responsibilities that we have when our children are young, so it gives you the space to really explore what you want at this stage in your life. This is an exciting spot to be in.

Explore what is truly in your heart because that is your own internal guidance system. It’s there to guide you in the right direction.

“Mentoring Matters” is an exclusive ongoing series of Articles featuring select questions received from our readers via our MENTORING Channel, with responses provided by our MASTERMINDS Panel. If you’d like your business or career challenge considered for publication, please visit NEED A MENTOR? today! And don’t forget to join our new mentoring community on Linkedin, committed to giving back by paying it forward: BIZMENTORING 360°.