Her Next Chapters
This podcast is for moms with an empty nest on the horizon who are reclaiming & redefining their identity outside of motherhood, which might include a job search. On this show we’ll have raw conversations about our ever-changing roles as moms, hear from women who restarted their careers, and share tactical tips for a successful job search after a career break.
Her Next Chapters
120. The Question That Changed Everything
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Sometimes the biggest thing standing between us and our next chapter isn't a lack of qualifications—it's the story we're telling ourselves.
In this episode, I share two pivotal moments that shaped my career and my life: the question that gave me the courage to begin coaching, and the wake-up call that changed the direction of my career.
If you've been putting off something important, questioning whether your experience still matters, or wondering what's next, I hope this conversation gives you the encouragement to take that first step. And if you're feeling like you have to figure it all out on your own, I hope it reminds you that you don't have to.
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Grab the Strengths-First Resume Template - ideal for career transitions, whether you’re returning after a break, navigating a layoff, pivoting roles, or ready for a change.
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Email me directly at christina@hernextchapters.com
Connect with me on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/kohlchristina
Hi, friends, and welcome back to Her Next Chapters. I am your host, Christina Kohl, and I'm so glad you're here. And I know that my last episode at the beginning of June talked about a permission to pause and then I let you know I'd be back in July. Well, it's July. Um, I actually had had intended to be back like July 1st. So in June, I took a two-week incredible once-in-a-lifetime type of trip to Italy. It was absolutely amazing. And of course, then allowed some time for re-entry to get back into the schedule of things. And then when July came, I'm like, you know, I said July. I didn't say July 1st. And so I've kept putting it off. And now here we are at the end of the month. And honestly, I've sat at the microphone a couple other times. Um, and it's just been kind of hard to get started again. But yes, permission to pause and also permission to start again. So I, for myself, kind of needed to go back to why? Why am I doing this? What is this podcast for? Who am I talking to? And I went back in time. So back in 2018 is when I first started coaching. And you guys, I was so nervous. It was on the Nextdoor app. Um, you probably have one of those in your community. And I had created this whole workshop. And it was actually this time of year, it was in the summer, and it was titled, When the Kids Go Back to School in the Fall, are you planning on going back to work? And so steps you could take in the summer to be able to get ready for that. And you guys, I was so nervous to put that post out there because what would people think of me? Like, who do I think I am? Right? Who does she think she is leading a workshop like this? And you know, I was just because I know people, right? Um it's on the next door app, it's my neighbors, it's my friends, and I was worried about what people would think. And, you know, who who was I to do this? And then I started thinking about it. I'm like, you know what? If there's even one person that I can help, it's worth it. And I had to get out of my own head and think about that person. And instead of saying, who am I to do this? it became who am I not to do this? I've been given gifts, talents, experiences that are unique and that can actually help someone. And how dare I not help? And so with that mindset, and also with this visualized this this visualization that I want to share with you of the person that I didn't know, and this is not a real person, but maybe it represents, you know, someone either yourself or someone you know. But I have this clear image that came to mind, and it's of this woman sitting alone in her bedroom on the side of the bed, her feet were on the floor, her elbows were on her on her legs with her head in her hands, just looking down. She's wearing a ponytail, the room is kind of gray, it probably was like dusk, and she was feeling so despondent and so alone and defeated, overwhelmed. She was crying, and she needed help. She needed the exact help that I could provide. And that was when it was like, How dare you not help her? And that gave me the courage to push send. And so that visualization has stayed with me as I've met and worked with women over the last few years coming alongside them. Some of them are stay-at-home moms returning to work and feeling overqualified and underqualified at the same time and feeling like they're spinning their wheels in their job search. Some of them have been laid off, whether through federal government cuts or just their jobs went away and they've been struggling to land something new. Some of them are just burned out, like they know they're in the wrong role and they need to make a change. And with my experience in human resources and as a recruiter and as someone who successfully returned to the workforce after 13 years of being out, I have insights and knowledge to help. And that's why I do this work. So I needed to remind myself during this pause and to get me back in front of the mic. Um, and I'm wondering for you what things you might have put on pause that, you know, oh, I'll get to it on Monday. Oh, I'll get to it next month. Oh, you know, it's it someday like keeps getting pushed out versus making it a now goal. Like, what is your goal for now? What is it that you want? And what action steps can you take? For me, it's getting back in front of the mic and recording and sharing my message with all of you and having that reminder. The other thing that was really pivotal for me, so there was like pushing that very first post to publicly say, hey, I'm here to help. I'm a coach, I have experience, I have ideas, I have things that work. Um, come in, come in and be part of my world. So there was that part. And then the next pivotal time for me was I was working in corporate, and this was a very intense role. Um, I was there for for this particular job for two years, and I describe it as running a marathon as if it was a sprint. Let me tell you, I was exhausted, and I realized this wasn't just one more project and one more thing, and what you know, it was always one more thing. And I was doing the work of two people at least, and it just never eased up. And I was driving home from physical therapy, I'd had ACL reconstruction. So I was driving home from physical therapy one afternoon, and on the radio, the DJ announced that Lisa Marie Presley had died. And the next sentence is what really struck me. She was 54 years old. You guys, I was 54 years old. And it was a wake-up call. Like, if my life ended tomorrow, I'd be pissed. I'd be pissed at myself for spending my life energy in service of a corporation rather than pursuing the coaching, pursuing the thing that lights me up. And for me, that was coaching and doing what I do now. And I started it with the podcast before I even had clients. I started with this podcast. Um, well, that's not true. I did have some clients before, but that was my reset. Uh, this is back in the fall of 2023. And that's why I do this work. It lights me up and it helps someone else at the same time. So, for you, that's my question to you. What if you put on pause that you need to start taking some action to make that someday goal become a now goal? So, and what action steps can you take? And the other aspect is what gives you energy, what lights you up rather than a job um or doing things that are draining? Tap into find those things that are energizing for you. I had a wonderful call with a client this morning and I'm lit up. And she was lit up by the end of it because it was motivating and it was inspirational, and that's what lights me up is having those calls and sharing with you. I'm talking to you now as if you were the woman on the side of the bed with your head in your hands, feeling despondent. I am speaking to you right now. I want to give you hope. I figured out a way to overcome a 13-year career gap. I can help you figure that out too. I pivoted into a brand new career, one that I invented for myself. I can help you with that too. You don't have to do this alone. It feels we are the most connected humankind has ever been through through technology, but we are also one of the most lonely generations ever as well. And you don't have to do this alone. So this is me coming back after a pause and finally getting in front of the mic. Well, okay, I've been in front of the mic a couple times, but this one I'm actually gonna send. Um, it is still July. So I've met that commitment. Uh said I'd be back in July. It is July, and I'll be back in August also. So stay tuned. I will have more um more episodes coming, and we'll talk about job search, reinvention, empty nest, all the things. I mean, with school coming back, oh, a lot of you might be sending kids off to college for the first or second time, and that's a huge transition. Um, all kinds of transitions, which is why this is called Her Next Chapters. It's not just careers, it's it's life. So, anyway, welcome. I'm welcoming myself back, welcoming you back as a listener. Thanks so much for being here. And that's it for this week. Have a wonderful week, my friends, and I'll talk to you next time. Thank you so much for listening today. I hope this episode hit home for you. And if you haven't already, be sure to connect with me on LinkedIn and say hello. Like importantly, thank you for listening. Until next time, remember that your story is unique and your next story.com.