Whenever it’s time to sit down and write your resume, it can feel like a huge burden – especially if you haven’t written one in 5, 10 or 15+ years.

The thought alone can lead to an anxiety attack or a mountain of stress.

You know the worst time to begin writing your resume is when you ABSOLUTELY have too – because now you’re writing your resume in panic and rush mode.

Under those conditions, it’s easy to just want to get it over and done with.

Yes, you’ll get it done, but most likely your heart, soul and creativity will not be in it.

In your hustle and bustle, you’ll probably leave out critical achievements and skills. You’ll overlook your brilliance and increase the chances of it landing in the delete folder of its recipient.

Before hunkering down to get your resume (CV, pitch, proposal) completed, it’s best that you feed your creativity and spirit.

This will help your passion, purpose and gifts jump off of the page and attract the opportunities that you want.

In this 3 part series, I’ll share practical, creative and spiritual success strategies you need to do FIRST before writing your resume.

10 Things To Do Before Writing Your Resume

Part 1

1. List your past 5 projects and then document your individual contribution, no matter the size.
2. Read your LinkedIn endorsements. Remember why people love working with you and what they see as your top qualities.
3. Schedule a session with your coach. Ask for their feedback on your strengths and the unique value they see that you bring.
4. Do a creative project. Cook, paint, create a playlist or make a mood board – anything that feeds your creativity.
5. Laugh out loud to shift your energy. Watch your favorite YouTube videos or TV show.
6. Journal about your favorite client or project. Write what you did and why it’s your favorite.
7. Spend time in meditation or intentional silence. Listen to what your heart and soul wants to express on your resume (CV, pitch, proposal).
8. Write a list of all of your skills in one or two words. Don’t edit. Just write.
9. Review your personal assessments – such as your StrengthsFinder or Myers-Briggs. Remind yourself of all that you bring to a job.
10. Ask 5 people in your network to tell you what they see as the most valuable skill you bring. Make sure to weave these into your resume, online profiles and interviews.

So often we take for granted the amount of energy we expend throughout our day.

We forget that we’re not machines and that we need to refuel, replenish and recover in order to continue to deliver high-quality, high-impact, purpose-driven work.

We need guilt-free recovery time after a demanding period at work.

Our creativity cannot flourish when we are exhausted, run down and depleted.

And when our creativity hits a wall, our passion (the main fuel that helps us thrive in our careers) tends to diminish.

One of our biggest challenges is effectively managing our physical, emotional, mental, spiritual and creative energies.

These energies impact our work.

When you feel joyful, connected, invigorated and appropriately challenged you show up at work and in your career differently.

You show up confident, fully engaged and prepared to face the challenges of the day.

When you feel defeated, hopeless, exhausted and burnt out, one small challenge or interruption can turn you into a tailspin.

Change is really difficult at this place. When you feel this way, it’s time to renew and refuel your energies before making real changes.

Try one of these positive rituals – activities that you love to do and require little to no effort.

Four Rituals to Help Shift and Renew Your Energy

1. Attend a spiritual retreat at your church, synagogue or other place of worship. Most spiritual retreats are designed for you to stop, slow down and reflect. The energy boost you receive from cultivating and reconnecting with the core of who you are will renew you in ways you can’t imagine. It will shift your emotional energy to a more relaxed, tranquil and peaceful place.
2. Marvel at the changes in nature - whether it’s noticing the beautiful designs of the naked tree branches, taking in the early evening sunsets, or admiring the creatively designed winter flowerpots. Allow yourself to take in Mother Nature’s current fashion show. Noticing beauty will shift your creative and mental energy and help you embrace the current changes you need to make in your career.
3. Unplug and take a tech-a-tion. Disconnect from your email, 1,000 Facebook friends, 10,000 Twitter followers and 500+ LinkedIn connections. Instead, reconnect with yourself and/or your loved ones. Feed your heart and soul with meaningful, rich connections. Create new “remember when” memories that will have you laughing for years.
4. Schedule a weekly joy-overflowing activity. Do whatever gives you an instant inner glow. Perhaps the thing that you haven’t done in a long time. Attend the live concert. Visit the art museum. Have the full spa day. Try out the new dance class. Schedule it and make it a nonnegotiable appointment each week. Feed your creativity and watch as your career shifts and transforms.

At first glance, these rituals don’t seem like they would help you leverage your strengths and thrive in your career.

What these activities will do is help you trust your heart, own your power, unleash your creativity, reconnect with your purpose and become fully engaged – key ingredients to help you thrive at work and in your career.

Is your heart and soul pouring through your work and life? Are you working from your power, brilliance and passion?

If not, you’re not on top of your game. This is what YOU need to thrive at work.

Come on. You were born to soar in your career.

You’re a BIG dreamer – a visionary. You lead by your values. You have an abundance of gifts to share and a big heart to do just that.

Playing small, scraping by, is oh so NOT your style.

Assess yourself against these three guiding principles. Where are you a tad off? What needs realignment? Choose one and then take your career and life to the next level.

Three Guiding Principles of a Dream Warrior

1.  You are driven by purpose and passion – versus greed and ego.  You have a message and mission to express to the world.  You’re designed to make a purposeful impact on others.  Your platform may be your home, your team, your business or where you volunteer.  You NEED to believe in your work and feel excited about it in order to thrive.

2.  You are a creative leader – regardless of the title or position you hold.  You approach challenges and opportunities differently.  You see things that others do not see.  You NEED to feed your creativity in order to continue to grow, prosper and succeed.

3.  You are committed to living your dream – no matter what. Throwing in the towel on your dreams doesn’t work for you.  You know there will be challenges, struggles and moments of defeat along the way – they are a part of the learning and development process.  You NEED to honor your dreams.  No one but you can do that best.

You start off with a big career goal in January and then before you know it you find yourself focusing on something else.

Usually it’s what’s easiest or safest for you – the thing you know in your heart of hearts is not really going to make a difference in your career and lifestyle.

But, it’s comfortable.  It’s familiar.  It’s what you’ve always done.

And you don’t know what else to do.  Because if you knew…

The bombardment of doom and gloom in the paper, on the news, amongst your friends, family and colleagues, that often gets you stuck, wouldn’t stop you from moving forward.

You would no longer be OK feeling stressed, depressed and all the rest, in the disguise of “being safe and playing it smart”.

There is a new way to approach your career.  It requires both masculine and feminine energies.  It takes heart and drive.

You’ll apply practical, spiritual, creative and innovative career tips and strategies.

Tips that are relevant to your career and practical for your life.

It’s not what they taught you in B-school.  That’s OK. You’re ready.

Here is the required reading list.

1.  When God Winks by Squire Rushnell

2.  NOW, Discover Your Strengths. by Tom Rath and Donald O. Clifton, Ph.D

3.  BRAG!  The Art of Tooting Your Own Horn Without Blowing it. by Peggy Klaus

4.  The Power Of A Positive No. by William Ury

5.  The Power of Full Engagement.  by Jim Loehr and Tony Schwartz

6.  How Full is Your Bucket?  by Tom Rath and Donald O. Clifton, Ph.D

7.  Your own personal journal in any size, shape or form by YOU

8. The Dance. by Oriah Mountain Dreamer

9.  The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success. by Deepak Chopra

The CRAVE Chicago Guide 2nd edition has launched!

The Guide is the ultimate book for tips and inspiration from some of the most creative, interesting and gutsy proprietors.

Meet more than 100 Chicago-based women entrepreneurs and their passion-based businesses.

The Guide will help inspire your own inner entrepreneur and encourage you to explore all the funky finds, surprising spots, and one-of-a-kind hometown businesses that Chicago has to offer.

Fulfill your every last CRAVing while you enjoy some of the city’s best boutiques, spas, cafes, stylists, fitness studios and career and executive coaches (aka moi!)

Plus, it includes tons of bonus discounts at these entreprises. Take a sneak peak of the book here.