It's happened to me. I set the most sincere intention to accomplish a project-update my website, develop a new seminar, or work on my new career change product (actually coming soon!)-and life gets in the way. I catch a cold or my daughter does. My computer crashes-horribly. Or I seem to get a burst of inspiration and motivation for these new efforts at the exact same time that friends are coming in for an extended visit, we've been invited to an out-of-town wedding, or the close date has been set on our new place.

This happens to me more than I'd like. How about you?

Just as you're ready to move ahead with your career change, life throws you some curve balls that could easily derail you. Well here are three ways I handle this. Don't get me wrong though...I forget and don't always follow my own advice. Just like you, I often need to be reminded :).

1. Underpromise. We overestimate what's really possible to achieve in a given length of time. We then end up disappointed because we didn't accomplish everything we set out to do. Have you been guilty of thinking you could update your resume, apply to five jobs, and oh yeah, figure out what you'd really like to be doing all in a given weekend? Then throw in unforeseeable events that pop up and you've got yourself an impossible agenda. Adjust your expectations-maybe agree to spend only a couple of hours on your resume-and be proud of yourself for accomplishing that during your busy weekend.

2. Keep a written record of your accomplishments. It's easy to overlook what you do accomplish when you're so aware of everything that you have not completed. Every day jot down everything you completed so you can see written proof of your work!

3. Don't put your efforts on hold! There will always be something that gets in the way of your career change plans. These things are your life. If you use these events to postpone your goals, you are simply tricking yourself into thinking there will be a better time to accomplish your transition. These obstacles are a reminder that you will always have to manage your time and learn how to ride the ebb and flow of the process.

(c) 2007 Segaric Coaching, Inc.
Annemarie Segaric is a respected career change coach, motivational speaker, and author. Does your company, group or association deal with people in transition? Ask about bulk discounts on the career tips booklet "107 Tips For Changing Your Career While Still Paying the Bills" Ready to switch careers and don't know where to begin? Visit http://www.segaric.com and download your own career change toolkit today.