Next Steps September 15, 2009

Next Steps, a two-day workshop to support people working through a variety of career and life transitions, will be offered in Richmond on September 14 and 15.

The Next Steps program is targeted toward individuals in the midst of or preparing for a range of possible transitions, including:

-Recently unemployed workers assessing their career and job search options.
-Employed workers pondering a career change.
-People approaching or in the early stage of retirement.
-Recent college graduates looking to focus their options.

This will be the third offering of Next Steps; the first two sessions drew nearly 90 participants. The program is designed and will be facilitated by John Sarvay of Floricane LLC and Eleanor Rouse, a local life coach.

During the two-day workshop, participants will focus on aligning the next chapter of their life with their personal values and a vision of their “best life”. The program includes experiential exercises, small group discussions, facilitated reflection and a step-by-step approach to identifying key elements of each participant’s ideal future. It is highly interactive, and designed to keep participants engaged.

“There are common elements shared by most people experiencing or anticipating change in their lives,” says Sarvay. “Pushing the pause button, taking concentrated time to look at what matters in your life, deciding to proactively build a future aligned with your values and passions -- these aren’t things most of us feel we have time or energy to do regularly. Next Steps helps people make their future a priority.”

“Changing your life starts with understanding your present self, and understanding who you’ll need to be for the future you want to create,” says Rouse.

“Participants include people between jobs and those hungry for a career change,” Sarvay says, adding that “there are also those who are trying to figure out what to do as they enter retirement, or how best to realize dreams that have been on the back burner for too long. This diversity of voices, experiences and transitions makes for a richer experience for all of the participants.”

The September Next Steps workshop will be held from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Monday and Tuesday, September 14 and 15, at the Visual Arts Center of Richmond, 1812 West Main Street. The $199 registration fee covers the workshop, refreshments and lunch on both days, and all materials.

Program details and online registration are available at www.floricane.com.

The Next Steps program was initiated in partnership with the Greater Richmond Chamber to help recently displaced workers explore their career options. It is now a stand-alone program of Floricane LLC, a local strategic planning firm.

Facilitators John Sarvay and Eleanor Rouse work with individuals and organizations on the art of creating deep and lasting change through personal coaching, creative facilitation and strategic planning.

Official Website: http://www.floricane.com