[00:00:56] Wendi: Hello ladies. And a welcome to episode [00:01:00] 128. Happy Monday. I hope that you are not only having an amazing day so far, but also that you are ready for the week. And this episode actually publishes on a labor day and hopefully you’re enjoying your four day. If you’re still having a four day, I know I missed a four day weekends.

[00:01:19] Wendi: Um, but it’s still a three day for everybody else. <laugh> that enjoys your weekend and the Monday off.

[00:01:26] Wendi: <affirmative> and today we are going to be talking about or focusing. Today’s topic on our plan. During our military and our post-military career. So, what I’ll be doing is breaking this episode into two parts. The first part, we will kind of just give you. Which is today. Um, I’ll give you kind of like the importance of planning for your career.

[00:01:53] Wendi: Either if you’re still in the military or maybe even the career that you’re in. After the military, but if you’re in the military, [00:02:00] how to. Really start to plan. Your post-military career. And if you are. Starting where currently you are, you know, you’ve already transitioned. You retired, whatever that may be, how to start thinking.

[00:02:15] Wendi: About the next. Um, the next milestone of your career and really what that looks like. So. Primarily, I would love for you to just kind of stay with me on. Really understanding why we want to focus on both parts. And not necessarily. Just because, you know, you wanna have everything planned out and.

[00:02:38] Wendi: You know, kind of, you know, think that everything’s gonna go as planned because as we know it doesn’t work that way, but what I want you to see, or really the skill that we want to build here, Is the skill of being present. With where you are. And then also thinking about the future, thinking about.

[00:02:58] Wendi: What the [00:03:00] possibilities are. So that you can also. Be, uh, be. Focused on what you could be doing that will help you in the next three years. So, For the most part, we’ll be focused in the next three years. If you don’t get out until five years, that’s completely fine. You’re still focusing in the next three years, but what I wanna talk about.

[00:03:23] Wendi: Specifically today is. Why is this important? Like, why should we. Consider both and not just. You know, thinking about, you know, or being really focused on the now. Right. Which is also a great thing. But what I wanna emphasize is that we want to. Do both. Um, and, and. Different. Um, we want to do both.

[00:03:48] Wendi: For different phases, different milestones of our lives. And, and this is why. I didn’t do this when. I was in, I was so focused. And [00:04:00] consumed with what was going on. Then and there, which for the most part we do, because there’s so much going on in our military career. Especially if you’re doing military, especially if you’re a single mom.

[00:04:10] Wendi: Especially if you have kids, I mean, If you really want a life outside of the military. It’s going to be hard to. Get your attention or get yourself to. Focus on everything else that your attention is needed. Now it becomes easier or it becomes easier for. Um, for some. More than others. Right? For me, I was so narrow focused on my career and my current job.

[00:04:38] Wendi: That I completely missed out on the possibilities of what could have been in the next three to five years. And I’m not saying just having a three year plan or a three to five year plan within the military. I’m talking about having that three to five year plan. And again, more specifically three year plan.

[00:04:56] Wendi: Within not only your military career, but. [00:05:00] Also like your life. So. Not separating either. From your entire plan. And what I mean by that is remembering if you have a family. Not, not necessarily. Including them, if that, if, if that made any sense. So for example, if you’re dual military, Having those conversations.

[00:05:22] Wendi: Um, routinely and having, you know, honest conversations that may not be comfortable. With your spouse on what the next thing may be. Because I think that that’s one of the things that. I wasn’t honest about with my husband on what I wanted. And then. You know, a lot of the times when it communicating that way, because we weren’t used to it. We weren’t building that communication.

[00:05:43] Wendi: Of having these tough conversations, we were pretty much. Okay with just saying, well, This is where my orders are taking me now. Or, you know, I think this is a better opportunity for, for me as an individual versus a family. And [00:06:00] really forgetting that, you know, he also wanted to do his best and, and do what he wanted to do in the military and vice versa.

[00:06:08] Wendi: And so I think that the more we can do this now, Especially if you know, your spouse may not be in the military and they don’t really understand or. They’re just not open to understanding what that would look like or what that would. Um, involve or what comes along with. The sacrifice of doing this training or this additional school, whatever that may look like for you.

[00:06:30] Wendi: We want to be able to build this skill of communicating, not only what we want. During while we’re in. But also what the possibilities will look like for the future. And so again, the reason I wanna share this and really. Um, be transparent with you about how I wish I would’ve done this before or done this while I was in and planning as I was getting out.

[00:06:55] Wendi: Instead, I was in the, I don’t know. And. I’m not gonna think about it. It’s [00:07:00] something that it’s just gonna cause too much chaos. Between not only, you know, the. Opportunity to have, now that I’m working at. And also, you know, the. The conversation with my husband, the conversation with my family.

[00:07:12] Wendi: Then I would have to get, you know, focused on my finances and then I’ll have to, you know, open up different conversations that I was not ready for. And so I want to offer that to you now. Regardless of where you are, maybe just showing the military. Maybe you are. Gonna get out in the next 30 days.

[00:07:30] Wendi: It honestly. Slee. Yes, it would be great that you had more than a month or more than six months to consider this transition. But regardless of where you are, you want to start building this skill. Of being okay with where you are now. Instead of fighting it and then. Being okay. With the possibilities.

[00:07:50] Wendi: After the military, being honest with yourself that, Hey, you know, maybe I need to get my. You know, degree before I get out or maybe I need to start the business that I always wanted to start before I [00:08:00] get out. Just to kinda see and, you know, gauge and learn and do my research. And, you know, find people out there that can understand.

[00:08:09] Wendi: Me based on what I want and what I see myself doing in the next three years. Because I think that that is the most important part and the most important. Piece that we miss out on as we’re transitioning, because then we fall alone. We feel as if. No one understands us. We feel as if we are just starting from scratch with which for the most part we are.

[00:08:30] Wendi: But again, having. A plan or having something in place for that next milestone is. Always, always helpful and beneficial. And again, I wish I would’ve done this, but now that I have, you know, my clients that are working through this process, right. They’re like three years out. But they’re like, no, I want to do this. I want to start planning.

[00:08:51] Wendi: For my military career, but at the same time, I mean, post-military career. But at the same time and not forgetting. Their commitment while they’re still in, [00:09:00] because they still have three years left. Right. They don’t want to just. Um, be in the military and not. Grow or not learn from their experiences because that’s not.

[00:09:09] Wendi: What our human brain likes to do either. You know, we kind of feel. Then again, alone in this environment with this team. When, you know, we shouldn’t be feeling that way when we are surrounded by people that wanna help us surrounded with, you know, not only other leaders that want to encourage us, but.

[00:09:28] Wendi: This is why it’s so important for you to start doing it now, regardless of how much time you have left, if you’re like, Hey, I wanna make this a career 20 years. And, and I’m in year five, this doesn’t apply to me. I also wanna challenge you because. There there’s never. A a time where we can be guaranteed.

[00:09:46] Wendi: That we’re gonna be in for 20 years. Right? Like that’s what we thought at first, going into the, our military career. We’re like, yeah, we’re gonna retire. We’re both gonna retire at 20 and, you know, we’ll kind of figure out from there. But that’s not what happened, you know, God had another plan [00:10:00] for us. And so again, like readjusting and.

[00:10:03] Wendi: Being, um, able to still do the things that you. Thought you wanted to do, but just in a, in a different way, in a different environment. And so like for us, it’s what we’re doing now. Um, not only through our nine through fives, but also, you know, with me with coaching, like I love helping people. I love.

[00:10:21] Wendi: Doing what I do. I love sitting behind this mic and just. Giving you not only different tools to help you. Um, how to manage your mind, but also. Really understated. The foundation of everything is our faith. And so now for you, you know, what does that look like for you? What is something that you.

[00:10:41] Wendi: Know that you’re contributing to already in the military. That you, that you think that you may be contributing? Post-military right. Like there, there are different things and. And as time goes by, there are different systems. Different things that are, that are evolving. As you are in this [00:11:00] military career, because this is what happened to me.

[00:11:02] Wendi: I immediately. Just started going all in, which was a good thing. Right. All in, on my career, on my job, I was. Completely ton of focused tunnel vision focused on what I was doing. And not necessarily for getting about my family or other things that were available to me, but just not putting any attention to it. I was not.

[00:11:22] Wendi: Um, able to put much attention, hobbies, or put much attention to, you know, additional. Activities that I could do with my family instead. I was so tired. I was exhausted. And instead, I was just not encouraging to turn motivated to think about anything else, because I had so much to do in my brain.

[00:11:39] Wendi: Wh when it came to do, when it, when it came to work. In my mind, I was so overwhelmed. And, you know, exhausted of the to-do list and the tasks that I needed to do. That, when it came time to focus on everything else, my family, my faith. Um, hobbies, um, investments, my [00:12:00] finances. Anything of that sort. I was like, I don’t need to think about that right now. That’s not important.

[00:12:05] Wendi: I’m only going to focus on my military career. And that my friends is. Really what created a lot of. Not only issues within me, mentally and emotionally, but also. Um, with my relationships, I was this individual that. Just couldn’t seem. To have a normal relationship either, you know, with my family.

[00:12:27] Wendi: With my husband with my kids, because I just felt like I was just alone in this. Fight. And I was only focused on my career. Like, that’s just the truth of it. And, you know, now, knowing what I know now, And how this is going to help you. Is really just encouraging me to talk about it even more, not only to my clients, but also to you here.

[00:12:49] Wendi: Regardless of where you’re at right now, probably listening, you know, from your car or from your office, wherever you may be at. But I want to encourage you today to really [00:13:00] take the time. To be okay with where you are in your career right now. Maybe you didn’t make the promotion board. Maybe you’re not going to the promotion board.

[00:13:09] Wendi: Maybe there has been a setback. You know, with, um, where you are in your career, maybe it was due to family. Maybe it was due to an emergency. Maybe it was due to. Just life right. Life happened. And I wanna encourage you to be okay with. The challenge and the obstacle that you have been given. Or let’s just say, you’re doing phenomenal. You’re like Wendy, I’m doing amazing.

[00:13:32] Wendi: I am, you know, a top NCO, a top. Officer, whatever that may look like for you. I’m just getting after it. Great. Amazing. But now how can you so continue to contribute? To your career as well as the rest of your life. Your other buckets of life, your family, your kids, your husband. Your significant other you’re dating life.

[00:13:56] Wendi: Your finances are you. [00:14:00] Honestly, taking the time. To be okay with where you are with that. And I know from, for most of us in the military, Are finances are never. Doing the best or where we think we want to be, you know, like at a debt or. Um, you know, with the best credit out there or. Investing in real estate or whatever that may look like for you.

[00:14:20] Wendi: You know, what is it, what goal do you have? For that specific bucket. And I’m just talking about finance right now. It could be health. Where are you with your PT test? Where are you? With your, um, high weight, like where are you? Health wise. And again, maybe you’re all over the place. Right? How are you with your time management? How are you?

[00:14:43] Wendi: Managing your time, you know, are you giving yourself some grace? Are you taking the time? To spend time with God. Are you going? To you know, different events, hobbies. Are you picking something up that is. New [00:15:00] and exciting. Like, what is it exactly? That you’re contributing to other than your career.

[00:15:06] Wendi: And that’s what I want you to focus on. I want you to really be. Okay. With where you are. If you’re like, Hey, I’ve been doing 90% or given. 90% of my attention to a military career. And only 10% to. Everything else, you know, 5% to my family, 5% to. Um, my finances. Then, you know, maybe you need to reconsider.

[00:15:31] Wendi: What your priorities are for one and two. Also where you want to be in the next three years, right? So, depending on what that may look like for you. Again, it may just be like, Hey, I’m doing 20 years. I just want to plan the next three years and kind of see where that may look like. Completely fine. Or you’re like, Hey, I am great. I am happy where I am. I’m not really worried about.

[00:15:56] Wendi: You know where I am right now, but I still do [00:16:00] want to plan. Or recommit to what I want to do in the next three years. Completely fine. And this is what I mean about recommitting. Meaning you are still going all in no matter what to the commitment that you set for yourself already. So, for example, if you’re like, Hey, I got stuck in this duty station.

[00:16:20] Wendi: That I do not like, but I know I have to do my three years here. I’m going to go all in. On my position on what I’m doing, what I’m supposed to be doing, I’m gonna grow and I’m gonna continue to evolve because of. Who I am. That’s what I mean about recommitting going on land, no matter what, no matter where you’re located.

[00:16:38] Wendi: No matter how many training events you’re going, no matter how difficult it is. No matter what you’re all in. On still being the best. Leader that you can be for that opportunity. Because at the end of the day, you’re contributing. That’s your contribution? As an individual as who you are. And of course it’s going to suck [00:17:00] sometimes. Sometimes you’re gonna be in units at work.

[00:17:02] Wendi: You to the ground. And then there’ll be moments where you’re like, Hey, I get off work at 1400 2:00 PM. Whatever that may look like, or, Hey, I don’t even have to wear my uniform. I can work remotely or I can. You know, take, um, four days. Twice a month instead of only once a month, whatever that may look like for you, but recommitting to where you are now.

[00:17:23] Wendi: Is definitely gonna be the first step is definitely gonna be. The beginning of you. Taking the lead on. Where you are in this moment. And then being okay with. In in, by that, I mean, accepting where you are. Even if you, if you’ve had challenges, if you had a setback. If you’re going through a divorce, if you are.

[00:17:46] Wendi: You know, you got passed up, even if you got a, you know,

[00:17:52] Wendi: A, um, a negative counseling statement or whatever that may look like for you. You want to be okay with what already has happened? Doesn’t mean you have to [00:18:00] condone it. It just means that you have to accept that it already happened. And it’s in the past. And then. Continue to align your priorities to where you want to go.

[00:18:11] Wendi: With your contribution that you’re doing in the military. Outside of the military. And that’s what I will talk about next week, because I want to, well, not next week, but. The next episode is what I meant <laugh> so the next episode will be Wednesday. Part two of this. Episode or of this topic. On how you want to start.

[00:18:34] Wendi: To plan your post-military career. Like. What is it gonna take for you to feel encouraged? Like, what is it. That is going to motivate you. And by that, I mean, I’ll give you a couple of questions. And really, you know, Understand what it means to start planning. I like literally. You writing it down, you thinking about it, having these conversations, because it’s going to be very, very important. [00:19:00]

[00:19:00] Wendi: For you to begin now. Regardless of how long you think your post military career is gonna be? It could be in the next three months. It could be in the next three years. 20 years. It doesn’t matter. You want to start. Considering and looking at the opportunities that are available. On how you can continue to serve how you can continue to contribute.

[00:19:21] Wendi: To this thing called life <laugh>. And so that’s what I wanna talk about in it. Focus on. In the next episode, but for now I want you to have an open mind and really be okay with. Recommitting one to where you are now two accepting where you are in three, be open to the possibilities. For the next three to five years.

[00:19:42] Wendi: All right, ladies. I hope that this episode encourages you. To continue to stay in the fight. And in the next episode, you’ll learn more on how you can start planning. Your post-military career all. Right have a great rest of your day and talk to you soon Bye.