The members of Connect: Professional Women’s Network share their wisdom about defining the change you want and going after it.

Ready to Reinvent Yourself? Here’s How.

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Whether it’s a new career, new patterns, or a whole new outlook on life, there

comes a time in all of our lives when we need a change. But once you’ve identified

the need, where do you start?

It’s simple: with the experts. Read on for advice from women in Connect who have successfully reinvented themselves, and

then chart your own course!

Believe in your goal—and yourself. “Figure out what you’re passionate about, learn everything you can about it, and see yourself as the person you’re striving to be. You have to believe in yourself enough to exude confidence when you get that opportunity to interview for the position you’re interested in.”Denise Tomaszewski, Contracts & Accounting Specialist

Face your fears. “Ask yourself: What is the thing I am most afraid to do, but all roads are pointing in that direction? Then go out and do that thing…whatever it is!”

Linda George, Owner of Morningstar Properties

Look at the whole picture. “Pause to consider where you’ve been and where you’d like to go. Consider the many routes to get there. Choose one to try. Evaluate. Repeat as necessary.”

Africa Hands, Librarian, Coach, Data Manager

Stay true to yourself. “Consider who you are, what you want and what you are willing to do to reach your goals. You will never be comfortable presenting an image to the world that differs from who you are on the inside.” Rev. Valda Jean Combs, Chaplain resident, Texas Health Resources

Put it on paper. “Write down your goals—short and long term—and post them where you can see and revisit them when necessary, along with the actions you need to take to achieve them.”

Kira Brown, Marketing and Communications

Network. “There is always someone out there in the world who has been in your shoes, and maybe you can learn a thing or two from them.” Angelica Whetstone, Blogger and Communications Writer

Tune out the naysayers. “There will be people telling you that you can’t do ‘that’ because you’re too old, or too young, or you got a ‘D’ in Algebra 10 years ago, or you’re a girl. Ignore them.”

Jody Watson, Technology

Put your past in the past... “You are starting a new chapter in your book of life, and YOU are the author.”

Denise Bouchard, Administrative Office Personel

But don’t leave everything behind. “As you enter new phases of your life or career, make sure you hold on to the good stuff from before. Build on your transferrable skills and your hard-won wisdom.”Karen Southall Watts, Trainer, coach and author

Redefine reinvention. “Perhaps the best advice is that you’re not really ‘reinventing’ yourself; rather, you’re tapping into a talent you’ve not yet explored. It’s all there within us—we just need to reach deep, find it and enjoy the journey.”

Norma Morris, Owner at Fritzie Publishing and Educational Services

Be nice to yourself. “Listen to your self-talk. If it is negative in any way, make a conscious effort to change it. Replace statements like ‘I’ll never be good at…’ and ‘I’m so stupid’ with ‘I can do this’ and ‘I made a mistake, but it’s OK.’”Anne-Marie Scherrer, Founder of Women Awaken

Jump in with both feet. “I changed an aspect of myself that affected how I handle colleagues, partner companies, clients and my personal life. Had I gone in halfheartedly, the change never would have stuck. I never, ever looked back, and it has made all the difference.” Laura Doerfler, Director of Client Relations

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Join the conversation!Connect: Professional Women’s Network, Powered by Citi, is an online community on LinkedIn that helps women achieve the careers they want and discuss the issues relevant to their success.

For more great insights from Connect members, check out the discussion: What Advice Would You Give Someone Trying to Reinvent Herself?

Visit linkedin.com/womenconnect for more information and to join the group for free!

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