Career Group for Introverts and HSPs
Career and Self-employment Explorers Support Group
The Explorers Group is for those who are exploring their career direction and some are imagining self-employment as a possible part of it.
It’s designed especially for introverts and highly sensitive people (HSPs), from small group size, to meeting style, and to the kinds of career/business guidance. I get it from personal experience.
If you are in that in-between space and trying to balance a lot, having practical guidance, moral support, and community can help bring clarity and calm.
Learn the details below. If interested, we can chat. Here’s how to start:
Do any of these feel familiar?
- Feeling alone and spinning with your career or self-employment questions and decisions.
- Wondering how to move forward and have a balanced life at the same time.
- Dreading “putting yourself out there” in the world.
- Trying to make decisions with a constricted feeling, instead of from a clear plan.
- Feeling like a misfit sometimes when it comes to work options or self-employment.
- Or just wanting to be part of a community of others who care about living and working from their purpose.
I’ve rarely felt a sense of community. I joined the Explorers group and it became an incredibly nourishing part of my life. Val draws incredible people and then folds you into a group that creates an easy structure for sharing, learning, and support. It feels magical. I recently felt able to take a leap of faith in my career, to try on self-employment, because I know I’m not alone: I have friends who see my gifts and will remind me if I forget.”
~ Jessye, introvert and HSP
Explorers group members experience:
- restorative energy,
- life-changing mindset shifts on how fulfilling work can be,
- deeper clarity and confidence about what they have to offer,
- better and easier results than going it alone,
- acceptance of whatever pace is realistic for you,
- easier decision-making and reduced self-doubt and overthinking,
- the rare and powerful experience of being in a space with kindred spirits who really get it (“I don’t have to explain myself here”),
- practical help for new technology and writing feedback,
- new networking connections,
- occasional collaborations, and
- overall more fun and ease in pursuing their mission-driven work.
From the beginning, Explorers has felt like a safe and sacred heart centered space where I’m able to connect to others who accept and understand my true self. I’m so grateful for the generosity of spirit and pillar of support the group has continuously offered in working through where I am presently and next steps in my journey.”
~ Lillian, an HSP who is now moving into a new career
Is this for you? Let's see about the fit:
- You are exploring your career options, which might be a blend of employment and self-employment options.
- You like the idea of having a sense of caring community with your kindred spirits.
- A desire to have a positive impact in the world. You have a big heart!
- You enjoy learning and growing.
- You like the idea of bringing some calm and work/life balance to your life. (The group meetings start with a mindful grounding that members find calming.)
- You’re able to get things done, at your own pace, when you know what to do.
- You want work that fits your energy needs. For instance, you might be a highly sensitive person or an introvert and we need to consider that in our work.
- You’re a woman or someone who is comfortable in a women-centered space.
- You actively embrace diversity and inclusion of all kinds and are committed to treating each other with respect and humility when you don’t understand someone else’s views.
- You don’t expect the group program alone to address everything you need.
- You’re a good listener when others are speaking.
More details and price are found below.
To be held with such care in times of difficulty is such a gift.”
~ M.H., sensitive introvert
Group Logistics and Frequent Questions
Community
- Monthly small group gatherings (45-60 minutes) with Val’s facilitation. I bring a meeting format and an approach to career and business that appeals to introverts, HSPs, and extroverted HSPs too.
- A second monthly gathering (optional) where I lead a process to set or review your priorities and action steps.
- Regular opportunities (most weeks) for co-working sessions that open with a guided grounding to jumpstart a block of concentrated work on your goals. (10:30 am–12:30 pm Eastern time, Wednesdays.)
2. Private Access to Val – to smooth out the rough spots, go deeper with your planning and action items, etc.
- You get one private session with Val, for every six months you’ve been part of the group.
- Access to ask Val questions between meetings.
- Office hours during co-working times.
3. Support and Networking
- Opportunities for staying connected with each other between meetings such as our online group.
- Connection to Val’s large network for help with new connections.
This program, with all the support described above is 177/month USD.
If you want to include the group program plus more private sessions, we can discuss options that start at 377/month.
Combining individual and group coaching is a perfect blend for me, where I benefit from the unique value each can offer me. A powerful combination! I’m so glad I have this one-on-one time to explore more deeply.” ~N.F.
You can choose one of two meetings held each month and I post the dates every 3 months. They are typically on the first Tuesday and the third Thursday each month. They are midday for those in US Eastern time.
There are also weekly co-working times on Wednesdays at 10:30 am – 12:30 pm Eastern (7:30–9:00 am Pacific). I especially encourage you to attend the monthly co-working time where I guide a process to set or revise your priority list and action steps.
We’re keeping it simple, because wouldn’t simple be nice?
People often describe the meetings as their place to pause and breathe, and find their footing amidst it all.
It’s a peer connecting environment that I host and facilitate so that connection and learning is maximized.
I bring my career and business expertise as part of it, and I also help to draw out the wisdom of the group.
I bring coaching and facilitation methods and tools that support a balance of being and doing. Nothing is forced. Everything is introvert-friendly. Everything is held in confidence.
You do a good job of managing time, covering a lot of ground, and giving space to everyone. Not an easy task! You do it well and with heart!” ~D.N.
As space allows, new members can join at any month.
All members will have done at least two private sessions with me. Or they have participated in my Career Clarity Course and/or Self-employment Intro Course and done at least one private session with me.
This group is not meant to cover all you need for a career transition. It’s a support group while in transition, whereas the courses and coaching provide the background guidance for how to do it.
Questions welcome.
If you answered yes to all the questions in the “Is this for you?” checklist (earlier on this page), it’s likely a fit, but we will chat about it in a free call and decide together.
Members are at various stages and have various amounts of time to devote to their explorations. There’s no judgment on your stage or pace. I won’t push you to do anything, but I will reflect your own truth to you, and call you forth to take meaningful step-by-step action, as feasible in your circumstances.
Everyone has something valuable to offer, from listening and relating, to sharing ideas (if asked for).
If you’re not sure if it’s a fit for you, but you find yourself drawn to it, you can go ahead and use the coaching inquiry form and include your concerns in the form. I can answer you and we could then meet for a free call to chat about it.
Much of my career has included leading groups in some form, and I’ve had formal training in group facilitation and adult learning. I’ve developed my facilitation and teaching skills into a core strength. I’ve been leading groups and classes like this one since 2010.
Also, I’ve learned how to make my own work life sustainable for my wallet, my heart, and my energy needs as an introvert and highly sensitive person. I’ve been living it for over 15 years and helping others do the same as my core business. This is what I’m about.
The “lone wolf” idea is a false and harmful notion. We are not built for self-sufficiency, no matter what you’ve been told.
We are built for understanding and restoring ourselves within community.
That is our true nature. Coming together “around the fire” for stories and connection is our heritage.
Over and over I’ve seen my clients come into groups and find the mental and soulful rest they need, as well as the renewed energy and clarity for next steps. It works, just as it has throughout human history.
Next Step: Apply or Inquire Here
If you feel the group might be a good step for you, please apply or inquire here.
We would talk by phone before we decide together about joining. You can even try a meeting as a sample before starting. We can discuss when we talk. The first step is to apply.
