The Life Audit, your chance to call the changes for 2009?

These past months the world has moved at an unprecendented pace and whether you are an Interim Manager or in a permanent role, I suspect from the flood of CVs and daily calls we are receiving in all parts of our business, both within Impact Executives and Harvey Nash, and from the information I am being advised by competitors from both Executive Search and Interim Management, and our contingent recruitment businesses, we are all raising our heads above the paraphet....just in case, it would seem....

So this may well be the time to take stock and conduct that life audit...factors we were sure of are now becoming uncertain, be it our jobs, our pensions, our houses, our relationships...although I am certainly no expert on the latter three. It is perhaps a great time as the festive break is almost upon us to take time out to do a life audit. Some psychologists say we should do it every seven years as we go through major change in our life cycles-perhaps the seven year itch, others say upheavals in our lives create 'adultscenence.'

This is the best explanation I've found: http://ezinearticles.com/?Mapping-Midlife---Adultescence?&id=197686

It is acknowledged that the older we get, the less certain we are of everything... the days are over when you had one life, one career, one chance .....

But we can all turn upheaval, turmoil and even crisis into positive transition.

Reinvent yourself never before have we had so much opportunity, whatever age, in these challenging times to do just this. I have seen individuals down on their luck in the past find their silver lining and prosper as never before ....

But first and foremost establish....

*What do I need to fix?

Do not expect that light bulb moment..for most of my career I have given myself a career audit every 3 months..but on a more basic level, from the business emails I get on a Sunday afterrnoon or evening. Most of us now prepare for the week at this point. So use this time to plan your goals for the week ahead...

For your life audit reflect on ....

*What are you not being, doing or having that you now want to be, do or have in life?

What's important to you about your work and career?

e.g. stay in Interim Management, perhaps return to a permanent role, explore consultancy?

*What's the first step?

...Going forward once a month set your three top goals for that month

...Each year, write down your your general aims and where you would like to be heading for the next 12 months.

*Finally...

Think about those facets of your personality that seem to have withered away, and of the activities that used to make you feel passionate. Imagine how you would feel if you could express those aspects again and has anything taken their place?

Next journal I'm back to mainstream advice but for the moment I'll go and lay down on the psychiatry couch or should that be my casting coach? Meanwhile enjoy the journey....

For more career advice, listen the Harvey Nash podcasts