‘Post Pandemic Priorities’ With Career Coach And Counselor Lynn Berger
The Destiny Awakening Interviews is a podcast with Andrew Wayfinder and his guests.
Every week (sometimes more) we have a short focused interview with an expert, author, speaker designed to bring you powerful insights, inspiration and ways to break free, live life by your vision and values, and make a difference in our changing and challenging world.
Listen to the podcast at: https://www.andrewwayfinder.com/blog/DA0033
Andrew Hryniewicz
Hello, everyone and a very warm welcome to another edition of the Destiny Awakening Interviews.
I’m Andrew Wayfinder Hyniewicz. And I’m joined today by Lynn Berger, career coach and counselor, author and YouTube interview show host.
So, a very warm welcome to you, Lynn. And where are you hanging out tonight?
Lynn Berger
Thank you so much for having me. I am in New York City.
Andrew Hryniewicz
Okay, The Big Apple. Actually what part of New York you’re in?
Lynn Berger
I’m in Manhattan on the Upper East Side.
Andrew Hryniewicz
Okay. I had a cousin many years ago, who lived down on… I think it was number 25, 5th Avenue, down towards Washington Square.
He was in a rent control building, so he never moved.
Lynn Berger
Oh, lucky him.
Andrew Hryniewicz
Well, he moved there in the 50s. So it’s a long, long time ago.
Okay, well, let’s get on to the work you do and your experience. Lynn Berger is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, National Certified Counselor and Certified Career Counselor in private practice in New York for over 20 years.
She’s also the external career coach for Yale University, the University of Pennsylvania, and I believe you also have a connection with Columbia?
Lynn Berger
Yes.
Andrew Hryniewicz
She’s appeared as a guest expert on radio and television shows across the Country, as well as being featured in “The Wall Street Journal”, “The Washington Post”, “New York Times”, “Newsday”, “Huffington Post”, “businessweek.com”, “monster.com”, and more.
She’s also the author of the book, “The Savvy Part Time Professional: How to Land, Create or Negotiate a Part Time Job of Your Dreams”.
And in the work that she does, she counsels people on how to effectively transition their jobs, and/or their careers, balance their multiple roles and responsibilities, understand and make wiser choices.
So thank you, Lynn, for your time today.
Lynn Berger
Thank you.
Andrew Hryniewicz
And the topic you wanted to talk about was “Post Pandemic Priorities.”
Lynn Berger
Right. We’re in a unique time now.
Andrew Hryniewicz
Okay. So you’re going to unpack this idea by answering six questions.
And the first question is, who is your ideal client? And what’s the transformation your work helps them achieve?
Lynn Berger
My ideal client can come from various industries, have various amounts of time of experience, yet something’s missing.
So we work together… it’s a time of transition… we work together to figure out what’s next for them. And some clients, we go back in time, and we really kind of seek out: What is their experience?
What were the highlights? Where do they see their strengths, their values, their interests? What’s a good fit for them?
And I do some testing and assessment as well for many clients.
Andrew Hryniewicz
Yeah, that was something I was very interested in. Because, you know, a lot of people on the show are coaches, but they don’t have access to those sorts of tools, which I think can make a huge difference.
So question number two, what’s the biggest challenge you see people facing when they come through the door to work with you?
Lynn Berger
Well, it’s fear. It’s the unknown. To admit to yourself that something isn’t working, means that you might need to make a change. And change is very hard…
So you know, you need to work through that. As I say, this is a practical and psychological exercise.
In that, practically, we need to figure out what’s appropriate. And then, psychologically, I work to help my clients overcome the challenges and the uncertainty of making a change.
Andrew Hryniewicz
Okay, and so question number three in that, what would be your number one insight that you would share with the audience to help them right now?
Lynn Berger
Well, as I titled the show, “Post Pandemic Priorities”, it was a tough year for most people. And they really began to see what was important to them. And the challenge now is to figure out how much intentional change you might want to make.
Working at home was very challenging for some. But many other people welcomed it, and they really enjoyed it. And they felt more productive and they want to be able to continue that as much as possible.
And many people realized that, being in quarantine and not being able to distract yourself, you really have to face what you’re doing.
So I think this is a very unique time. And I’m having many conversations with people that really want to make some change now.
Andrew Hryniewicz
Yeah, I’ve seen the same thing. And I’ve heard quite a few stories on the show as well, with people who… One couple wound up moving from New York to Austin temporarily. Just to, you know, get away from the threat and the crowding and the chaos and everything.
But they’re actually not going to come back to New York. They’ve created a whole new life, where they never expected to.
Lynn Berger
It’s an opportunity.
Andrew Hryniewicz
Yeah. Okay, So question number four, in your own development, what concept, book, program, talk, or experience, had the greatest impact?
Lynn Berger
Well, I’ve been doing this work for quite a while. And there’s some classics in the field, that when I read, really resonated with me. That, even if I’m not recommending the book to my clients, I might be utilizing what was in the book.
And there was a wonderful book called “Learned Optimism” by Martin Seligman, that was very powerful for me.
And another book, “Feel The Fear and Do It Anyway” by Susan Jeffers. Because most of my clients were feeling, you know, there is some sort of fear.
And, you know, as a counselor and a coach, I try to dance between the practical “what’s going to make the most sense for you” and the psychological.
And everyone has different needs.
Some people, they know what they want to do, but they just can’t do it. And some people can be the opposite. So you know, it’s a real dance back and forth.
Andrew Hryniewicz
Okay, great. We’ll put both of those titles in the show notes.
Lynn Berger
Thank you.
Andrew Hryniewicz
So question number five, what’s the free resource you’d like to share with the audience to help them?
Lynn Berger
Well, it’s not totally free, but you get the first month free, so… And you get a taste.
I am a big fan of “Headspace”, the meditation app. I think it’s really quite helpful. So it’s something that you can try.
And if you like it, and I always recommend anyone to go to my website, lynnberger.com there’s a lot of articles, videos, things that you just don’t have to pay for, to gain access to, to have an understanding of career transition and career change.
Andrew Hryniewicz
Okay, so a personal recommendation is to try the “Headspace” app. And then to go to your website. www.lynnberger.com
Lynn Berger
Well, there’s a lot of resources there. All things information, let’s say.
Andrew Hryniewicz
Okay, great. And then the final question number six. Lynn, what should I have asked you that I didn’t ask you?
Lynn Berger
I think you did a great job. I think they’re very, very thoughtful questions. Maybe, like, what’s next? What am I working on?
Andrew Hryniewicz
Okay, so what are you working on?
Lynn Berger
Well, I’m doing a show. It’s on public access TV in New York City. It’s called “Lyn Berger Interviews Remarkable People”. And I try to find people in the community, and people that have done really interesting things.
I talk to them about how they evolved, what their journey was. They’re going up on YouTube. So even if you’re not in New York City, you can view them and that’s been a lot of fun.
Andrew Hryniewicz
Okay, great. And again, the link for that will also be in the show notes as well.
Lynn Berger
Thank you.
Andrew Hryniewicz
So that was perfect. Lynn, thank you so much for your time tonight.
Lynn Berger
Well, thank you. It was a pleasure to meet you. Thank you.
