Lynn Friesth’s Post

This 4th of July, let's honor the freedom to pursue our passions and embrace a fulfilling encore career. 🙌🏼🎉Imagine having the freedom to work when you want, where you want, and doing what you truly love.🌟 Whether you're ready to embark on a new professional journey or seeking purpose in your post-retirement phase, an encore career offers you the opportunity to make a meaningful impact while enjoying personal fulfillment. Take charge of your professional destiny and discover the joy of pursuing your passions! 🔍💼💗 Unlock the door to a career that aligns with your values and aspirations. With the right mindset and determination, you can create a work-life balance that brings you joy, flexibility, and the satisfaction of making a difference. This Independence Day, let's celebrate the spirit of freedom and empower ourselves to embrace an encore career that brings purpose and joy to our lives. 🌟🇺🇸 Share your own journey or aspirations in the comments below and inspire others to pursue their dreams! 🤩💬 #IndependenceDay #EncoreCareer #FreedomToWork #FollowYourPassion #WorkLifeBalance #DreamBig #MakeADifference

🌴 Embracing the Gap Year: Why Taking Breaks Can Be Your Secret Weapon! 🌟 Picture this: You're on a tropical beach, sipping a fruity cocktail, and soaking up the sun. Sounds like paradise, right? But what if I told you that this dreamy scenario could actually be the key to unlocking your full potential in your career? Let's talk about the magic of the gap year! 🏝️🍹 Taking a break, whether it's a gap year or a sabbatical, isn't just about relaxation (although that's definitely a perk!). It's about hitting the pause button, stepping back, and gaining valuable perspective that you simply can't get when you're knee-deep in deadlines and meetings. First off, let's address the elephant in the room: the dreaded resume gap. Contrary to popular belief, having a gap in your resume isn't the career kiss of death—it's a badge of honor! It shows that you're brave enough to break away from the status quo and pursue what truly matters to you. During your gap year, you have the freedom to explore new passions, hobbies, and interests. Whether it's traveling the world, volunteering for a cause you're passionate about, or finally starting that passion project you've been dreaming of, the possibilities are endless! But here's the real magic: When you return from your gap year refreshed, rejuvenated, and bursting with new experiences, you bring a whole new perspective to the table. You're more creative, more resilient, and more ready than ever to tackle the challenges that lie ahead. So, to all the aspiring adventurers out there, remember: It's okay to press pause on your career journey and take a detour every now and then. In fact, it might just be the best decision you ever make! So go ahead, pack your bags, and embark on the adventure of a lifetime. Your future self will thank you for it! 🌈✈️ #GapYearAdventures #BreakTheMold #CareerDetour #ProfessionalGrowth #AdventureAwaits

Isn't it astounding how swiftly this year is progressing? 🚀 After university or during a sudden shift in your life, it's common to feel overwhelmed. 😓 Society often dictates that you must: ❌immediately secure a career ❌work a 9-5 job, ❌continue this cycle until retirement. This pressure can be daunting, especially when coupled with the expectation to achieve all your New Year's resolutions by year's end. However, as April unfolds, let's take a moment to pause and reflect. 📅 Time waits for no one, and soon, we'll bask in the warmth of summer. ☀️ Amidst the rush of resolutions and the approaching year-end, prioritise what truly matters to you. 🌟 Feeling pressured to pursue lofty ambitions? Remember, true success doesn't always require drastic changes. ✅ Instead, focus on setting meaningful goals that align with your values and aspirations, and pursue them with dedication. 🎯 Your goals needn't be monumental to be meaningful; they simply need to resonate with you. 💭 Rather than striving for superficial reinvention, aim to grow authentically and in alignment with your true self. 🌱 This approach leads to a year filled with genuine fulfillment and rewards. ✨ Let's embrace this Tuesday with positivity and intentionality. 🧡 #positivity #newweek #networking #workinglife #network

Taking a Well-Deserved Break After an incredible chapter in my career, I’m taking a moment to press pause and recharge. Some call it a sabbatical; I like to think of it as a time to rest, reflect, and refocus before stepping into the next adventure. The best kind of break is the one that comes between jobs—free of responsibilities, filled with opportunities to unwind, explore, and prepare for what’s ahead. It’s not always easy to prioritize rest, but it’s essential for personal and professional growth. For now, I’m embracing the downtime, appreciating the journey so far, and looking forward to what’s next. See you on the other side, refreshed and ready to go! To those considering a similar pause: take the leap—you deserve it. #CareerBreak #Sabbatical #NextChapter

The Unexpected Lesson of the Sabbatical ✨ Looking back, I never realized just how much I needed a sabbatical until life forced me to take one. Initially, I was overwhelmed by the chaos and stress of renovating a house, managing finances, and dealing with unexpected job changes. But as time passed, I began to see the hidden benefits of this forced break. Without the pressure of work, I was able to pause, breathe, and focus on what truly mattered—my family, my health, and my mental well-being. It gave me the space to reflect on my career goals, reignite my passions, and ultimately return to the workforce with a clearer direction. #PersonalGrowth #Reflection #MentalHealthMatters

I will retire early from my job & pursue my life... How many of us dream of retirement as a time for leisure, travel, and pursuing hobbies. However, does life happen like that.. compartmentalising an age for work and another for fulfillment of one's desire! Why not blend our passions with our work now? Many will say...It's easier said than done ! True ! But the choice to fit both work and personal goals is in our hands ! Learning to use the lean period in our work for personal goals and using a settled personal life to pursue work goals comes from awareness of making that choice. Penning down some ideas to integrate your passions and work now: 1. Identify Passion Projects: Determine what excites you outside of work. This could be a hobby, skill, or cause that you’re passionate about. 2. Seek Opportunities for Integration: Look for ways your current job can incorporate your interests. For example, if you love writing, consider how you might write about your field or start a blog related to your profession. 3. Network with Like-minded Individuals: Surrounding yourself with others who share your passions can inspire and motivate you to blend these areas of your life seamlessly. 4. Practice Mindfulness: Being present and aware of your choices ensures that you're making decisions aligned with your values and desires, contributing to both fulfillment and productivity. Let’s redefine retirement—not as an end goal, but as a continuation of a life fully lived. Embrace what you love now; don’t wait for tomorrow. Life is happening today, so let’s make it a masterpiece ! #livinglife #worklifebalance #personalgoals

From the Court to New Horizons: Embracing the GOOD LIFE for the Next Chapter. 🏀✈️✨ After years of bouncing a basketball around the globe, I am well overdue a life that’s rich in experiences without quite so many early mornings, gruelling practices, and endless flights. A good life post-retirement? It’s one where I can finally let the shoes rest—although, knowing me, they’re just waiting by the door “just in case.” 👟🚪 Firstly, let’s talk about travel. I am no stranger to it, but now it can be on my terms. Imagine actually seeing the sights, not just the inside of yet another gym or hotel. Try my hand at learning languages without needing to shout instructions over the court, or savour some new cuisines (and this time, maybe without counting the calories!). 🌍✈️🌮 I have also gained world-class adaptability—something many can only dream of—so I will put that to work. Whether it’s mentoring up-and-coming athletes, diving into a new industry, or taking on a role that blends my leadership and cultural skills, I have got the perfect base. The dream? A role where I am challenged but not quite as breathless, where I can shape others’ paths while carving out a new one for myself. 🏆💼🌟 And hey, now’s my chance to take on some hobbies without worrying about game-day injuries. At time's I fancied mastering AI 🤖, going on hiking adventures 🥾, Or even starting a blog to capture those travel tales and locker room stories 📝, that could be my way of staying connected to my past while forging my future. Finally, make room for time with friends and family, ideally over a few leisurely meals rather than the usual protein shakes 😂. A good life, after all, is one where I am enjoying every part of it, still driven with a business or job that allows me to have financial and time freedom —but with a dash more comfort, laughter, and time to just be myself and eventually create a family of my own 👨👩👧👦. #NewHobbies #QualityTime #LifeBalance #NewChapter #PostRetirement #EmbracingLife #Travel #Adaptability #Mentoring #Leadership #Culture #AI #Tech #Inspiration #Breakthrough

Like many of us, Andy got caught up in always chasing life's next big pursuit but became increasingly distant from the mission and the work. But a bold choice to embark on a sabbatical turned his world around. Trading conference rooms for open roads and coding marathons for stargazing sessions, Andy discovered passions he didn't know existed and laid the foundation for a career where he could give back to others. If you’re a professional who is feeling overwhelmed, here are some takeaways from Andy: 1. Even in the depths of burnout, there's a spark waiting to be reignited. All you might need is a change of scenery. 2. Sabbaticals aren't just about 'time off'. They're about coming back to yourself and finding clarity amidst the chaos. 3. Your career isn't a straight line. Sometimes, the detours take you to places and purposes you'd never have imagined. Read Andy’s full story here: https://lnkd.in/eZrZ58sw #sabbatical #career #worklifebalance 

Nothing much really changes when the clock strikes midnight on January 1st, but it does symbolise the passage of time. One more cycle of 365 days has passed, and a new one is just beginning. We don’t know how we’ll end the year or how many new years we’ll be able to celebrate. What we do know is that every new day you have is a chance to live it as you wish. You don’t have to change the world or become a hero if you don’t want to. You don’t need to achieve something extraordinary or do much at all. But, be reassured that with each new day, year, or cycle, you have the opportunity to do so if you choose. Want to find a new job? Get a promotion? Travel? Take a sabbatical? Try something new, or perhaps revive something you’ve long forgotten? Or maybe you just want to maintain your routine and be content with it? You’ve been given today and another year. You still have time to work toward what you want, even if it’s just a small part of your goal. You’ve got this chance. The time is yours. Use 2025 wisely. Do you agree?

Relaxed and in perfect harmony for the vacation period? Not quite. Entering into a new career path isn't always as smooth as anticipated 🙃. I envisioned a clear path: pause, reflect, and then get going 🏃♀️. Now that did not happen 🙄 . Rather, I rushed into something new 2023, then later attempted to pause but quickly made myself busy with distractions.. It has also been a bit stressful to approach crossroads where different paths each offers appealing journeys but in very different ways..  Taking decisions and feeling a “refreshing” mix of excitement, fear, happiness & uncertainty 🌪 . I remind myself often that it's okay to change route when on the road. It’s said that sometimes inaction is the best action. I am going to try not to think too much during vacation but instead just savor the micro-moments of joy as they arrive (& they often do in the mountains). How do you choose your paths? Gut-feeling or more structured approach? #careerpaths #change #independence