Site Restructuring

I've restructured the site menus to (hopefully) make the site a little more usable, and switched to a different look for the site. I hope you like it ... and that your own life journey is going well!

An Update

I haven't done any site maintenance for a while, and was appalled to find that it's been nearly a year since I added to the blog. Nearly a year! And what a year it's been ... I've been doing a lot of consulting and coaching, and am ramping up a new web design business aimed at coaches, counselors, and small businesses. The economy has taken a nasty turn ... who could have guessed it could happen so quickly? I pray that anyone reading this hasn't suffered too badly in these hard times. I've certainly seen the impact on my coaching clients.

I've also been designing a new online product for this site ... I hope to roll it out sometime this year, but I have a lot of work ahead of me! My intent is to post here more regularly ... I confess being embarrassed it's been so long.

More Changes to Metier Site

I've made a few more changes to the site; the client pages are now open to viewing. Most of the information there will be of interest to current clients only. It includes downloadable coaching forms, information on communication, and a link to pay via PayPal (still working on the latter).

Changes to Metier Site

I've added an Amazon store to the site; in it, you can find my recommendations for books and other things that I think will be helpful to you. Basically, I decided to include books, software, etc. I've mentioned and recommended in this blog and elsewhere on the site in the store. Just click on the Metier Store link in the menu.

If you're really observant, you may notice the Metier Forum link is gone. It really wasn't getting any traffic so I've decided to remove it and work on setting up a Metier page on Facebook. I'll let you all know when it's ready!

Thanksgiving Day

Here in the Midwestern USA, it's Thanksgiving Day. The first few flakes of snow drifted by my window this morning, the days are getting shorter, and convincing myself that winter is a long way away is becoming increasingly difficult. This is a day of reflection for many of us, to count the blessings in our lives and share time with family or friends.

I'm having dinner in a few hours with several friends. The menu will be Southern USA, Turkey Roulades, Gumbo, Hominy Casserole, Sweet Potato & Rutabaga Casserole, Cabbage Pudding, Bread Pudding with brandy sauce for dessert. I was born in Virginia, and have always had a spiritual connection with the South. This is the time of year when I start feeling homesick for the South, for (as a friend of mine once wrote) "magnolias bleeding their bright seeds into the snow".

I'm grateful for many things: health, meaningful work, the love of friends. Although we celebrate thanskgiving in this country in a special way on this day, for many years I've tried to start my day on awaking with a prayer of gratitude - that I have been given another day, that I be given the grace to Get It Right this time.

May you have a thoughtful and grateful day, whether or not Thanksgiving is part of your traditions!

Get this blog on your cellular phone!

You can now get the Metier Blog on your cell phone - click on the icon in the sidebar and enter your cell phone number. Alternatively, you can enter this URL in your phone's browser:

http://feedm8.com/metiercoaching

Career Forum

I've added a Career Forum to the Metier site; click on the link named "Metier Forum" to visit it. To return back to the Metier home page, click the button labeled "METIER HOME" on the forum page. Feel free to read the messages there, and post a comment or question (you have to create a login to post - this will hopefully reduce the amount of spam I have to deal with).

Free e-book Now Available!

I've completed my e-book - it's a Guide to career transitions for the career changer: new careerist, mid-life changer, and retiree. I originally developed it for a career transition group at a church, and decided to turn it into an "official" Metier e-book. It's absolutely free; download it now by clicking on the Downloads link in the menu!

(note - I ask that you not redistribute this document - if you know someone else who would benefit from this e-book, please refer them to the Metier site)

Métier Squidoo Career Change Lens!

I've created a Squidoo lens for Métier; it includes links to recommended books on Amazon, career blog articles from various sources, and other items. It's rather redundant with this site at present, but it's a start. I plan on adding additional book recommendations and other content over time.

Welcome to Métier!

I'm excited to kick off the new Métier web site with this blog entry! Let me know what you think of the web site by posting a comment here, or send me an email via the contact page. Why Metier? I became a licensed professional counselor to help people after a 24 year career as a software professional, and after graduation I became aware of coaching as a career option. It seemed like a perfect match for me, and coaching certification a perfect complement to my licensure as a counselor. Much of my life has been spent on a journey toward Meaning, in search of a real calling that would help me be what I was meant to be. I wanted a career that would allow me to pass on what I've learned in the process to other seekers after Meaning and Joy, and coaching allows me to do that.

Vasily