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Self-discovery is a lifelong journey through changes and transitions. You may remember those questions you asked as you moved away from home: Who am I now that I am no longer living at home? What am I going to do for work? What gives meaning to my life?
Today, you may find yourself asking the same questions you asked earlier, but with a new twist: Who am I now that my children are grown? What am I going to do now that my job is downsized? What gives meaning to my life?
Get started to finding answers to these questions with Life by Design NW. Self-discovery is an essential building block of life-planning. With each transition, answering these questions gives you the opportunity to re-visit your life plan and re-calibrate your life's course.
Here are some ways to get started:
- Take our Life Planning course: 'Discover. Design. Engage.' to get tools you need to create your life by design
- Drop by Life by Design NW on the last Wednesday of each month for our informal networking event: Coffee and Conversation. Meet other mid-life career transitioners and share information and resources to support you in your journey.
- Talk to as many people as you can about their job transition experiences and listen to their stories.
- Visit a local branch of the Multnomah County Library; talk with their specialized job search specialists, and discover the resources on life planning.
- Visit Civic Ventures for information about Encore Careers, volunteer opportunities, and the Purpose Prize.
- Contact your alma mater as some universities provide career counseling for their alumni.
- Visit idealist.org and download the PDF book: How to Find a Job in the Nonprofit Sector. The exercises inside offer a wealth of practical information and excellent self assessment tools.
- Contact the International Coaching Federation to find a private coach to work with you one-on-one regarding your goals



