It’s been one long year. I know I said that (and we all said that) about 2020. And yet, rounding out year two of this pandemic has been overwhelming, disappointing, confusing, exhausting and all 83 of the other emotions and experiences Brené Brown writes about in her latest book, Atlas of the Heart. Damn straight I’m reading that right now--and I highly recommend that you do too to make meaning of this cluster of a year.

And yet still, I feel hopeful. Optimistic. Grateful for so many things in my life and work.

One way I find my way back to hope is to review my year and take an inventory of my moments of pride. Moments I’ve shown up for my people and my work, despite all the obstacles.

Of course, there are moments I could have done better. There always will be. I’m human after all. Yet focusing on these moments sends me spinning, rather than building momentum along my path.

So, here I am. Documenting my top five list of what I did well. And you can do the same as a reminder of all you’re capable of accomplishing...and being.

1. After four years of coordinating care for my Uncle Ray who struggled with Parkinson’s for over 25 years, I helped guide him through his last days listening to his favorite jazz tunes, hearing the words from people who loved him and receiving the best care possible to ease the transition.

2. Even with the experience and memories of my own fraught Bat Mitzvah that was just one year after I lost both my parents in a car accident, I supported, loved and cheered on my daughter through her Bat Mitzvah milestone. It was also complex with covid restrictions--and yet in some ways the intimacy and the sole focus on the ceremony made it even more meaningful.

3. I experimented with and launched new, lower cost ways of working with women to broaden my impact and serve more women whose careers suffered the most during the pandemic. It was out of my comfort zone to talk about what I do and sell my programs at this scale--and yet at the end of it were women getting new opportunities, claiming their worth, making more money and believing in the possibilities that were out there for them.

4. I created a podcast! A dream of mine for the past seven years. Yay!

5. I lived and parented another year in a pandemic, making hundreds of risk assessments every day, setting boundaries and sticking with them even when others didn’t like my lines. I advocated for my lines, worked hard to keep my family safe and jumped to get them vaccinated as early as possible.

I encourage you to make some time for this end end-of-year reflection and I’d love to hear more about your top moments of pride from 2021. Feel free to send me a note about what’s carrying you through the endlessness of this pandemic.

I can’t believe Thanksgiving is next week, the holiday movies are beginning to trend on Netflix, the Christmas Blend is brewing at Starbucks and the virtual and intimate in-person holiday gatherings are beginning to fill up our respective calendars.

For those of you who’ve been following along with me for a few years now, you may be able to predict what I’m about to say. It bears repeating.

The holiday season is MY FAVORITE time for networking and job searching.

I have clients who get new roles in December every year. I’m serious. Every. Damn. Year.

Are you ready to get your networking on at all of those holiday meals and parties?

It’s time to get your 🦆🦆🦆 in a row and I am so excited to have EXACTLY what you need to get there.

Next Monday, I’ll be launching my new - Nail Your Elevator Pitch Mini Course.

After this mini course, you will walk away with:

A memorable and authentic pitch, that sounds like you, feels energizing and activates your network so they can help you with your next career move.

I’ve got all the tools to get you there...quickly.

Short video how-to’s, three different pitch formulas to match where you are in your process (just starting out and don’t have the answers, actively job searching, or returning to the workforce after a gap).

A workbook so you can follow along with the videos.

All of this for only $60. Yes, I know. This makes me happy.

And I’m even offering a 45-minute 1:1 session to workshop it with me at a discounted rate of $125.

So if you’re motivated to test out your new pitch over these next holiday weeks, look out for my email on Monday.

OK, off to dot some i’s, cross some t’s and put some more love, compassion and joy into a process that most people dread. I’ll walk you through it, bring the fun...and you’re going to take career leaps.

Here. We. Go!

This past weekend my ten year old daughter got her first Covid Vax and I began to breathe out a little.

I’ll be gathering with a small group of family again for Thanksgiving and collectively the 14 of us will have had 33 shots. Throw in a couple of rapid tests for the littles and I’m feeling pretty good about our odds.

Life is starting to feel hopeful again. And yes, I know...we’ve been here before. Remember the joy of June? We’ve turned so many corners at this point, we’re working with an unrecognizable shape of things.

On the career-front, for my clients, the landscape is exciting and optimistic and way outside the boxes they built for themselves prior to our work together.

One client applied to three jobs and got three offers.

Another was negotiating her dream job and the employer requested they make the role a level more senior to match her qualifications.

And still others are asking for sizable bumps in salary from their previous roles--and getting them.

If you are still thinking about making a move in 2021 or after the holidays, now is your time to strike.

To get out there, share your compelling story, state your terms and stand in your power to get what you want. To quote one of my favorite movies, Almost Famous, that I watched with my family this weekend, “It’s all happening.”

I would love to support you in making your shift!

Check out my three 1:1 Coaching Options

Sign up for a 30-minute Complimentary Call if you want to learn more about these options.

PS. Reminding you that holiday time is THE BEST TIME for networking. More on that soon...in the meantime, here's what clients are saying about 1:1 Private Coaching!

I had the pleasure of working with Rachel as my 1:1 coach during my career transition. When I started working with Rachel, I had left a job that was frustrating and wanted to take some intentional time off to figure out the next chapter of my career. I was doing quite a bit of networking and exploration but I was feeling a bit lost about my path forward and needed some guidance and a champion to push me through the process. Through Rachel's career transitioning framework, I was able to follow a step by step process without feeling completely overwhelmed and asking myself questions around my core values and the non-negotiables I wanted in my next job. Having clarity on this has helped with being more focused on what I want and know that I don't need to compromise; that I can craft the path I want. She has also helped me build confidence to steer the conversation and ask for what I want, and know that if things don't work out as planned, it's OK, that there are other options to explore.

Rachel was also fundamental in helping me navigate through my interview processes. Having someone with whom I could bounce off ideas and go into each conversation with confidence about what I wanted to accomplish in each step was very valuable. Having worked with her, I feel I have the tools and resources to reflect back and figure a way forward whenever I am feeling stuck about my career. For anyone looking to go through a career transition and needs a champion in the process, I highly recommend Rachel. -- Maki K

We discussed mindset shifting tools in my group coaching program this week. I like to dive into this topic early in the process because it’s often mental blocks that are keeping us stuck, rather than more tactical things like resumes and interview skills.

One of my favorites in this set of tools is forgiveness.

Identifying areas where you may be holding shame and offering up acknowledgment and compassion and forgiveness.

I often talk about how this shame showed up for me when I knew I wanted to make a change while in my marketing roles, but felt like I should stay in a safe, flexible role because I had two small children. I stayed in an “it’s fine” career for too long, even while I hungered for a change.

The truth is that this feeling of career shame wasn't new to me. I felt it even before I had a career.

College was not an easy time for me. I struggled to find my way. I transferred after two years, switched my major FIVE times and nearly took time off after my junior year. Finally, I decided to identify my easiest path to graduation and took it--rather than spending the time expanding my mind, learning, growing and challenging myself to think in new ways about what was possible for my future.

I held onto tremendous shame about this period of my life for many years.

Feeling like I squandered an opportunity.

Like I wasn’t smart enough or built for grad school.

Like I learned in pockets here and there, but don’t remember much.

After some deep work thinking about that kid I used to describe as flailing…

I now see her as a human who was grieving.

As you may remember, my parents died in a car accident when I was nearly 12 and while college came several years after this loss, I see now with adult eyes--I was in acute grief, untethered and in survival mode.

I did the best I could. So did all of the grownups surrounding me who were also grieving.

Would I do things differently with my own kids? Absolutely. I would love them where they are. I would advocate for their mental health needs knowing that achievement and credentials can wait. And that’s how I continue to re-parent that part of me.

I acknowledge her struggle. I show her forgiveness and compassion and love. I cheer her on for trying new things where she’s not an immediate expert. I remind her that lifelong learning is what keeps my mind active and alive. I can both fill in some of the gaps of what I may have missed and learn new skills that weren’t even invented at that time.

I can also be grateful that she/I prioritized putting one foot in front of the other in that tough moment. That I got the support I needed. That I was optimistic more would open up for me after graduation. And it did.

What shame are you holding onto in your career and in your life?
Where can you show that younger you some acceptance of her humanity? Some love? She’s ready and willing and very curious about what may come next.

Colleagues, clients and friends who are leaders in their organizations are hungry to know...how do I retain employees right now when they have so many options?

How do I keep them hungry, engaged...dare I say, happy in their jobs?

The answer is both complex and simple. The complex part - it’s different for everyone. You’re not going to get at everyone’s challenges with one blanket solution.

I’ve been seeing this approach in various organizations. Offering up free subscriptions to professional development or fitness tools. Or giving one extra Mental Health Day off to the whole staff. These are all lovely and generous perks. Yet, they most likely don’t address the challenges most employees are facing.

One powerful way to retain employees right now is to courageously ask them…

What do you need?

To listen with curiosity and openness.

And then collaborate with your employees on solutions.

Is it the opportunity to delegate a piece of the role that doesn’t match up to her strengths?

Is it starting work at 9:30 twice a week so she can drop off her son at school?

Is it the ability to speak openly about what a longer term career path looks like?

Is it a 20% raise to bring her up to market rate - a number she has the research and evidence to back up?

If you truly want to retain employees right now, listen to them and act accordingly.

One of the most popular ways I’ve helped organizations with a customized and empathetic approach to supporting their employees in the past is to offer Virtual Coaching Days. I provide a day of 50-minute, 1:1 sessions to multiple employees who are not eligible for longer coaching engagements.

In the past I’ve worked with clients like American Express, Brookfield Properties and the Council of Urban Professionals to support leaders and teams with Coaching Days and the reviews were both heartwarming for me and powerful for clients in the respective organizations.

If you’re currently leading a team and looking for some support around year-end reviews, planning, professional development or internal career pathing, feel free to reach out via email at rachel@rachelbgarrett.com!

As you may remember, earlier this year, I launched my first official group program. It was a huge milestone for me and all the women who joined me on the journey.

And if you’re a long-time reader, you also know that in my first five years of business, I focused exclusively on 1:1 coaching. I loved (and still love) the intimacy, the connection, the magic that happens when my intuition tips me off to ask just the right question, unlocking new insight into how my client can make her way through the mud to find ease and confidence on the other end.

I’ve felt immense pride when client after client walked through my career pathing process and not only discovered her answers, but also allowed her answers to be worthy of living and breathing, of becoming a reality right in front of her.

Then the pandemic began. With it came sickness, loss, fear of the unknown, fear of the known. There was a hunger for connection and also a calling to be all things for our families. Protector, provider, teacher, spinner of a china cabinet’s worth of plates.

The women in my world were struggling. They were critical of themselves for their inability to make an impossible situation work. Many were laid off. For some their caregiving breaks were extended way beyond their level of comfort. Their job searches, career transitions, and dreams were put on pause with the rest of life.

In this moment, I was called to serve them, to see them, to show up for them in an entirely new way. From this chaos, Career Command was born.

The intention of Career Command was twofold:

1. Share my proven career pathing process with the women who needed it most, expanding my impact WAY beyond the number of clients I could serve with 1:1 coaching.

2. Provide a brave space for women to share both their struggles and wins as they build careers on their own terms (the opposite of what our culture tells us is possible...*rolls eyes*).

I’m not going to lie. I was both 100% committed to this program AND I was filled with more fear than my 15lb Schnoodle pup when he sees a German Shepherd. I moved through my fear with all of my coaching tools, supportive friends and family, and a kickass team who filled in for all of my "less energizing strengths."

And I could not be more proud of what we’ve built.

We’re now halfway through with our 2nd three month cohort of Career Command and the women are making big shifts, sharing their wins and diving into all the content like it’s their job...because their biggest insight in the program is that investing (time and money) in themselves matters. Their career dreams matter.

With all of the experience of these first two groups and their helpful feedback, I’m so excited for some of the tweaks we’re making to the program so that it’s even more powerful.

As it always has been, Career Command will continue to be for mid-career women who are looking to step into work that is more meaningful to them and is on their terms. It is for women who are either in an active job search or career transition OR those who are simply feeling that nudge that they want something more and don’t know where to begin.

In this next version of the program, we have...

• Reshaped it into a 6-month program...because that’s how long career shifts take and I want to support you through each step of the process!

• Added more virtual hands-on workshopping for ALL of the modules...so you have a space to share your insights and feelings around each one.

• Provided more space to connect with this amazing community of women by adding curated Career Pods (based on either industry, discipline, or other connective threads).

If this sounds like it’s for you and you’re ready to make the shift with us, I can’t wait to see you there. I’m opening the doors for this program on September 13th and I've created a waitlist so you can be the first to know when and where to join.

Sign, me up for that waitlist, please!

And you may have seen that the week before we open up Career Command, I’m going to offer a free week of group coaching and support in a pop-up podcast called, Being Me At Work. I’m still fleshing out the details but will be back in your inbox next week with more information on how you can join us. Stay tuned!

I heard a really good litmus test for career shift timing.

If when you leave, it doesn’t feel bittersweet, you’ve stayed too long.

I love that it honors the fact that even when you know the change is the right thing for you, it will still be hard. There are people you’ll miss. Projects you’ll leave unfinished. A reputation that earned you respect and flexibility.

And yet, even with all of these gems in place within your current situation, there’s a nudge to move on. It’s hard to explain to your people AND also it grows to the point of being tough to ignore.

As I share with my clients, exploring your next move DOES NOT mean you’re quitting tomorrow. It simply means, you’re open to something new and you’re willing to take the steps to figure out what it is.

A thoughtful process includes getting clear on WHAT YOU WANT instead of responding to all the boring job descriptions YOU THINK YOU CAN DO. You must start inward to find the role that is on your terms, based on your priorities.

So how do you know if it’s the right time to start this process? I ask potential clients these three questions to see if they’re ready.

1. Are you hungry for something new (a company, different type of work, level of impact, company culture, way of working)?

2. Are you open to a period of time where you are exploring, where you don’t have all the answers right away?

3. Are you ready to make your needs, dreams, aspirations a priority--like truly making some time for yourself and this process each week? Hot tip: It doesn’t have to be A LOT of time. Even with 1-2 hours a week, you can make progress and gain momentum.

If you answered yes, to all of these questions...what are you waiting for? Let’s talk!

I’m now offering a 6-month, Career Transition 1:1 Coaching option that combines 1:1 Coaching Sessions and access to my online course, the Career Command Process. This online course is comprised of video modules, worksheets, and prompts - my Career Command Crew Members are RAVING about these resources. I’m thrilled to be able to bring my most powerful tools and private coaching together for one transformational program.

Only 5 spots are available for this new Career Transition 1:1 Coaching program so grab yours now!

Learn more about the program and feel free to schedule a call.

I’ve been talking to many women lately who know they’re ready for a change, but they’re worried…

They won’t be able to figure out what they want.

It will be hard on their families.

They’ll walk away from things they like in their roles and never find them again.

They’re not good at change.

I know these thoughts intimately.

This is where I was before I made my own career transition. All of these thoughts compounded my feeling of hopelessness.

They were the beliefs that made me want to prioritize my partner’s career. He seemed to have more momentum, so why not focus energies on helping him thrive while I simply maintained a career that kept us afloat financially?

In all of this overwhelm of being a working parent to two small children, there was a kernel of agency that began as an itch, moved into an ache, and then grew to flood my body with despair.

I wanted more.

And I was embarrassed to admit it.

Instead, I focused on my gratitude for two healthy children, a partner who loved me, and just enough money to live the lifestyle we wanted to live (though it didn’t feel that way at the time).

But even with all the goodness in my life, I wanted to have something of my own. To contribute to the world in some way. To wake up energized by my work and my impact.

I wanted all of that, but I didn’t know how to get through the stuckness to have it. That stuck, lost woman was and is a part of me and she was trying to get my attention. One of the most powerful ways I’ve learned to tap into what she wants over the years is to connect with her directly, to see her, to believe her.

I show her love with words, with letters that give her a space to want what she wants. At the beginning of my transition, I wrote a forgiveness letter to myself, an exercise that I now include in my career pathing process with clients. While the original version is in some journal somewhere that was no doubt, Marie Kondo’ed, here’s how I remember it so you know how to write your own letter if you so choose. You know I like to give homework!

Dear 30-something Rachel,

I’m sorry I’ve been ignoring you. You’ve been sending me signals with tears, overwhelm, boredom, tantrums, mindless eating, and insatiable devouring of the Twilight trilogy. You want more in your career, but you don’t believe you’re capable of anything else. I’m so sorry you feel that way. I’m sorry I let you believe that. We’ve survived unimaginable things together and we haven’t made it through these tragedies so you can live an “it’s fine” life. No fucking way. I want you to know, I’m listening now. We may not know what it is that’s next, but I’m open to believing there is something else and that our dreams are worth exploring.

Love,

Almost 40-year old Rachel

PS. Are you really going to make me run a fucking marathon to figure this out? Well, I’m signed up, so here goes.

Now that I’m 47 as of last week (happy belated birthday to me!) I am present to the power of addressing the hurt parts of me with compassion. I can acknowledge their pain instead of beating them into submission. Yes, I’m resilient, but I don’t always have to be surviving something. I want to be thriving.

I encourage you to write your own Career Love Letter. In this practice, you can create a space to forgive and acknowledge yourself and trust the nudges you’re getting to go for more.

I’d love to hear how it goes. Feel free to write back to this email or set up a time for a clarity call if you’re ready to honor your curiosity for what’s next.

Sign Up for a 30 Minute Complimentary Call Here!