A successful technology consultant facing a mid-life search for meaning in his work goes back to school for a master’s degree in counseling psychology and is excited about building his family therapy practice

An automotive detail engineer, bored and frustrated after twenty years in his field, follows his love of nature and takes a job in a rural area, writing an environmental newsletter for a non-profit agency.

A high-level international banker, yearning for autonomy and challenge, launches an
independent consultancy that draws on his Ph.D. in political science and his extensive global network.

The marketing director at an international fashion company decides to pursue her interest in writing and soon becomes the editor of a major magazine, bringing alternative health to a mainstream audience.

In my twenty-five years as a career consultant, I’ve been fascinated by people such as these who make major changes easily while others who have dreams fail to act upon them. Why do some people become immobilized by fear at the mere thought of change?

In a dynamic world, change is a constant whether we choose it or whether it is thrust upon us.  As individuals, we are impacted both by external changes and by our own internal changes in awareness, interests, values, needs and life-stage. Change is energy. If we resist it, we wind up tired, burnt-out, uninspired, spending our energy holding on with clenched fists, fighting for the status quo. Fear runs us. Our creativity and productivity plummet. The irony is that many of us are holding onto a job, system, relationship or lifestyle that we don’t even really like or that no longer supports who we are.

Successful career changers embrace certain principles. The following comments are based on my integration of Jungian psychology and Eastern philosophy with traditional career development and my observations of my clients’ transitions.

Start with Self-Knowledge
Each of us is a still point in the sea of change. By going within and connecting with our deepest sense of purpose, we can become the anchor in our own life. Taking the time to introspect and re-contact moments of high creativity, as well as themes, values and interests that have run through our lives, we are freed from defining ourselves in terms of success and failure at our most recent job or career. As one client said after going through my career transition process, “My whole self-concept was redefined.”

Choice and Visualization
At some point it is necessary to stop the inner self -exploration, make a choice, and begin to take action. This is a difficult shift for many, moving from the “yin” of self-reflection to the “yang” of making it happen. Visualization is helpful here. Twice a day clients visualize themselves reaching their goal. They see themselves taking steps and overcoming obstacles along the way. They sense the energy and excitement in their bodies.

Focus and Synchronicity
Carl Jung defined synchronicity as meaningful coincidence between events separated in space and/or time. Again and again, I see that when a client has a focus-especially when it is connected to a deep sense of self- the right people and events seem to be attracted to him/her and change unfolds easily. Everyone has experienced this in some way. A schoolteacher entering the field of training wonders where her first job interview will come from. She goes to a cocktail party and the first person she meets is the vice-president of training at a major bank where there is an open position. Successful career changers are open to synchronicity and follow through on these seeming coincidences.

Tolerance for Ambiguity
Change doesn’t happen overnight, and it often proceeds in unpredictable ways. Successful career changers make choices, then view obstacles that occur as lessons bringing them closer to their goals. There is an important interplay of structure and flexibility. As in sailing, we need to chart a course, monitor closely the weather, wind and currents, and adjust accordingly.

Opening to Support
The willingness to draw on others’ strengths and to share our own is another key to successful transition. If you have like-minded friends, form a Creating Change group. Or, you may prefer to work with a career coach individually or in a group setting. And of course my Discovering Your Soul’s Work workshop is an excellent way to get group support for both the inner work of self-discovery and the outer work of taking action My next full-day Discovering Your Soul’s Work workshop will be held Saturday, May 7th, 10am-5:30pm at the New York Open Center. Following that, the workshop will be presented in three sessions on consecutive Wednesday evenings June 15, 22 & 29, 8pm- 10pm. I hope to see some of you there.

Every human being is born with the capacity to sing, on key, in a way that has beauty and frees the soul. Yet most of us don't take advantage of the powerful instrument we are all born with. Some of us believe we are "˜tone-deaf' "” a self-fulfilling prophecy, some sing but insist that they just aren't good enough "” lacking the nerve, guidance and non-judgmental attitude to practice. Some fear being heard "” why make waves, attract attention, criticism or attention? Even the most "gifted" singers have fears and hold back. Most of us are terrified at the thought of being right in the moment revealing our true voice, with its "˜imperfections' in front of others. This, however, is the place from which we can grow the most. And the place where our song becomes inspiring.

Each and every one of us, no matter where you begin, can be taught to sing better, naturally, and from the heart. And it's fun! We can overcome the debilitations of the ever careful and often fear-based "thinking mind", and develop enormous creativity, musicianship and the ability to inspire others. Singing elevates and integrates our light and our dark sides, bringing inspiration from our joy and our blues. Singing songs - lyrics and music - integrates our right and left brains. When we are in authentic alignment with what we sing we are vulnerable, powerful, and real. And our truths when energized in song, creates a more beautiful, musical and original sound. And therein lays the magic. Expressive Arts have a deep impact when we are authentic and passionately ourselves. As we embrace our humanness - sing despite our imperfections and fears "” we can hit the notes better, rekindle our creative instincts and move others with our voices.

It is important to leave our judgments and idealized self-images at the door, and give ourselves unconditional permission to practice. In The Natural Singer Workshop we develop the use of the diaphragm, vocal cords and resonance within the body. We train the ear to match pitch, the voice box to remain free and the jaw to relax. Then we explore personal lyrical themes and improvise with them. Lastly, we and let our voices merge with the music we hear around and within us and light a fire with our inner messages.

The results are breathtaking and build a remarkable sense of community. The breakthroughs go far beyond singing. Healing the inability to speak up and "˜sing out' is deeply linked to some of our most challenging core issues. We long to know that our true voice and our presence are welcomed, is beautiful as it is, belongs and is needed here on earth. Through Natural Singing, we dignify and validate the expression of our love, our fears, our tears, our passions, our sensuality, our quirks, and our "imperfections".

As we get in the habit of trusting our voice and ear, there is tremendous personal catharsis and visible inspiration for others. We can be more ourselves! And the more comfortable we are being more ourselves, the better we sound! We become engaging, expressive, good singers.

It is the most energizing and beautiful way I know of to honor the diverse aspects of the personality. Negative emotions flow and process quickly, "˜wrong' notes begin to disappear, and we can rejoice confidently in the opportunity of each fresh moment of being. This is the magical transformative power of fearless, natural singing. It's your voice. Play it! Explore it. Sing out! Give it space and be your own compassionate teacher. Find support from others. It's an instrument you were born with which connects your psyche, your spirit, your heart, your creative impulses and your physical form. It's your right; your treasure and a direct access point to the beauty of your soul and genuine esteem. Your voice is a tremendous healing gift you were given at birth. Use it!

Gold Record performance coach Claude Stein has taught at Juilliard and NYU, at the Rubin Academy of Music in Jerusalem, the New York Open Center, Omega Institute, Kripalu and Esalen Institute. His private clients include artists on MCA, Atlantic, Virgin, Polygram, Sony, Warner Bros. & RCA. For more information, contact him via the web at www.claudestein.com or by phone at 212 460 5878.