So What's Stopping You?

What would you do right now if you knew you could not fail? Now's not the time to be prudent...Imagine anything, it could be anything that you've always wanted to do or something that you never really thought too much about because it seemed too crazy.

Think of at least 10 things you would do and write them down. The next question is what's stopping you?...What's stopping you from having the things you really want. If you can isolate the obstacles, you now have the beginnings of a plan. Start with the easiest obstacles first and at the same time write a plan of what you need to do to have the things you want. Writing is key in this process as its said that when we write down our goals and plans, we are more likely to accomplish them.

G.G.

Recovering from Setbacks

Whenever you are trying to accomplish something that you've never done before, you will have setbacks. Count on it. However, its what you take from those setbacks that's important as well as how you react. When first embarking on the goal of living abroad, there will be times when things aren't going as you had imagined. What you had thought would be romantic is now far from that. But, after all, that's life...when reality sets in, it's time to embrace the situation. Its time to pay close attention to what the reality is of the country and culture you have chosen and decide if its for you or not.

I would suggest allowing between 3 to 6 months in a given country to decide if it's right for you. In fact, six months is probably best. Typically, in the first six months, there will be a lot of ups and downs as well as it takes about that much time just to find suitable housing, make friends and develop your own rhythm. Not to mention getting used to the new lifestyle, language and culture before one can truly begin to enjoy their new location.

While, this is not the case for everyone, this is just a general rule and often new expatriates are unaware of this "start-up" time so they become discouraged too quickly and return home. Conversely, if you find yourself unhappy and you've been in the same country for up to a year or more, its time to leave. Often I meet unhappy expatriates who have lived in the same country for years. What has happened is, they have stayed too long but things have gotten too complicated. Maybe, they've fallen for someone and just can't leave that relationship or they finally have a job with security or maybe they've been away from home for so long that they feel they would never be able to re-intergrate into their home-country again. For whatever reason, its important to avoid these pitfalls by not staying too long or leaving too early. G.G.

What is Life Coaching?

Life Coaching allows a client to identify attainable goals and develop a plan to acheive them. Starting from the clients values and beliefs, we work to identify dreams, establish goals and create a realistic action plan to accomplish them by always staying accountable. A life coach is the person who remains in your corner and keeps you focused and motivated so that you can have all you've ever wanted.

Life Abroad Coaching maintains all of those ideas except it has special focus for those who wish to live abroad or already do. Services for Life Coaching Abroad include;

Relocation/Preparation
Cross Cultural Challenges
Re-invention
Small Business Abroad
Following a Spouse Abroad
Work/Changing Careers Abroad
Living Abroad Strategies for Getting Started

What an opportunity to create a new life abroad.

Start with the End in Mind

In order to attain what you really want out of life, often its best to start with the end in mind. The "end" meaning what it is you really want. But, what if you don't know what you really want?

Well for starters, we can identify our goals. Here's an activity to get your goal juices flowing.

In less than 10 minutes, try to list 10 goals that you would like to accomplish. There are three rules in doing this:

1. Write them out in the present tense. They must be written.
2. They must be positive. For example, "I'll stop smoking."Thats not positive. Its better to say, "I am smoke-free."
3. Make each goal personal. That means something that requires your actions only. To say "My daughter is doing better in school." That requires her action, not yours. List goals that you have complete control over.

Once you've made your list, look at all ten goals and decide which goal will make the biggest impact on your life. Once you've identified it, circle it. That is your critical goal. Focus on it, think about it everyday and spend as much time as possible working on making it happen. GG
7TBB2BYEUEEM

Re-evaluating Your Skills

One thing we should do before beginning to seek work abroad is to edit the most recent CV/Resume. But why stop there? If the goal is to seek, not only, a new job but in fact a new life; why not use that time to brainstorm what new skills have been acquired and what skills can be used in a different field?

What an opportunity! The decision to live abroad can also present the moment where one can design a new life. To get started, try to forget about your current position and make a list of all the skills and expertise that you have. Try to list as many things as possible.

Next do your internet research; begin to look at job posts in the country of your choice. Remember, if you are a native English speaker there are positions available that would not be possible in your home country. Keep all options open. Don't leave out the possiblity of working for yourself. Some countries make starting a small business is easy. Brainstorm what skills you have that may meet the needs of the country of choice.

For inspiration, have a look at some blogs of expatriates who live in your target country. Many expatriates are free- lance workers or small business owners. From that research and brainstorming, try to think of five different things that you could do for money in your new life abroad. Maybe three are very realistic but make the last two options your wild card choices. That is to say, two things you would absolutely love to do in your new life abroad. Keep this list and go back to editing your CV/Resume. Re-invention is a process and the best way to get started is to write down what you really want. Write the CV for the job of your dreams. GG

Before You Can Move Forward....

Before you get started on planning a life abroad, I first suggest that you determine where you are now, what do you really want.

Ask yourself these questions;

What do you want out of life?
What are your goals as it concerns living abroad?
What would you do right now if you knew you could not fail?

While these quesions demand some time for reflection, if you can answer them honestly, the answers can help you begin to discover if living abroad is right for you as well as begin to pinpoint what your next step will be towards living abroad.

GG

Research Where You Want To Live Abroad

I am always asked,"How do I get started with the project of living abroad?" One of the first tasks is to do the research. Decide where in the world you'd like to pass some time. Criteria should be, but not limited to, things like, culture, language, climate, economic growth as well as lifestyle.

Consider yourself to be a reporter with an open mind who wants to get all the angles of the story. Obviously, you will take your search to the internet but dont stop there. Network with others who have or plan to live abroad as well. Keep a file and/or notebook of all the information you collect. While ultimately the decision must be yours, you want to have the most thorough information available to make that decison as well as to stay motivated in taking the big step of living abroad.