About the Program Creator
Welcome, I’m Maria Simonelli and the creator of Sweet Spot Careers offering a range of Career Redesign Programs.
A little bit about myself.
I’ve transitioned across careers many times and decided to take a bit of a scenic route now I’ve hit my midlife.
I was not the girl at school who knew what she was going to be when she grew up. I have often reflected on the lack of career advice I received at school and the frightfully ill-informed way I made my career choice. There was no career counsellor and I fell into my career. But these secondary schooling years were formative and however unconsciously, did influence my decisions about moving into education, teaching, working with community, government and the corporate sectors on environmental awareness and eventually a longer stint with the non-profit sector, both here and abroad.
While my career has morphed into many forms over the past 25 years, Sweet Spot Careers did not happen overnight. It came after many years of wanting what I now refer to as ‘Portfolio Career’. This career includes time for me to fulfill my obsession with art, people watching (but not in a creepy stalking way), my interests in psychology particularly on success, happiness and why some people just seem to have the knack of getting their S#&^ together.
I also wanted to be in a place where I could get up each day and, as Steve Jobs said,
‘live each day as if it were your last, as someday you’ll be right’. He also went onto say ‘If today were my last day, would I want to do what I am about to do today? ..and when the answer has been no too many times in a row, I know I need to change something’.
My journey of self-discovery and development has led me to work out that my passion is people, understanding what motivates them and supporting them to figure out what they really love to do and create a working lifestyle they are excited about.
So after a few more years of training in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), facilitation, community engagement, and applying these to training approaches, I started to work on side projects that would fulfill these ambitions.
Interestingly I was not alone, many colleagues and friends were also considering what to do once they reached their mid careers or midlife and the impetus for pulling these ideas into this program came from their urging and encouragement.
I’ve been running regular seminars and programs to share what I’ve learnt with others. The program has had input from specialists in this field, is widely referenced and its structure and activities tested through a series of one on one sessions and focus groups, all to ensure the program provides valuable, measurable outcomes for midlife and mid career transition needs.
In 2014 I published my book “Sweet Spot Careers: A practical and creative guide to a successful midlife career transition”. This is now accompanied with a series of new programs that get to the heart of the challenges faced by midlife professional men and women and support them to find fulfilling careers.
I’m chuffed that you’ve read this far and maybe this story is resonating for you too. This has been a very exciting new chapter in my life, and if you’re interested in finding out more I welcome talking to you about how you can make that transition from “freedom from work” to “freedom to work”.
Enjoy the ride!
Best wishes Maria Simonelli
BEd, Grad Dip Ed, Grad Cert Visual Arts, NLP Practitioner, IAPP Practitioner and Facilitator (ToP)
A little bit about myself.
I’ve transitioned across careers many times and decided to take a bit of a scenic route now I’ve hit my midlife.
I was not the girl at school who knew what she was going to be when she grew up. I have often reflected on the lack of career advice I received at school and the frightfully ill-informed way I made my career choice. There was no career counsellor and I fell into my career. But these secondary schooling years were formative and however unconsciously, did influence my decisions about moving into education, teaching, working with community, government and the corporate sectors on environmental awareness and eventually a longer stint with the non-profit sector, both here and abroad.
While my career has morphed into many forms over the past 25 years, Sweet Spot Careers did not happen overnight. It came after many years of wanting what I now refer to as ‘Portfolio Career’. This career includes time for me to fulfill my obsession with art, people watching (but not in a creepy stalking way), my interests in psychology particularly on success, happiness and why some people just seem to have the knack of getting their S#&^ together.
I also wanted to be in a place where I could get up each day and, as Steve Jobs said,
‘live each day as if it were your last, as someday you’ll be right’. He also went onto say ‘If today were my last day, would I want to do what I am about to do today? ..and when the answer has been no too many times in a row, I know I need to change something’.
My journey of self-discovery and development has led me to work out that my passion is people, understanding what motivates them and supporting them to figure out what they really love to do and create a working lifestyle they are excited about.
So after a few more years of training in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), facilitation, community engagement, and applying these to training approaches, I started to work on side projects that would fulfill these ambitions.
Interestingly I was not alone, many colleagues and friends were also considering what to do once they reached their mid careers or midlife and the impetus for pulling these ideas into this program came from their urging and encouragement.
I’ve been running regular seminars and programs to share what I’ve learnt with others. The program has had input from specialists in this field, is widely referenced and its structure and activities tested through a series of one on one sessions and focus groups, all to ensure the program provides valuable, measurable outcomes for midlife and mid career transition needs.
In 2014 I published my book “Sweet Spot Careers: A practical and creative guide to a successful midlife career transition”. This is now accompanied with a series of new programs that get to the heart of the challenges faced by midlife professional men and women and support them to find fulfilling careers.
I’m chuffed that you’ve read this far and maybe this story is resonating for you too. This has been a very exciting new chapter in my life, and if you’re interested in finding out more I welcome talking to you about how you can make that transition from “freedom from work” to “freedom to work”.
Enjoy the ride!
Best wishes Maria Simonelli
BEd, Grad Dip Ed, Grad Cert Visual Arts, NLP Practitioner, IAPP Practitioner and Facilitator (ToP)
Recommendations
"I worked with Maria for two consecutive years assisting our company... She has remarkable customer service skills and will go out of her way to assist you. I can highly recommend Maria in whatever field she chooses to follow - someone to rely on."
Michael Collins Business Owner
"Maria Simonelli has a depth of experience in the not for profit sector, with skill sets transferable directly to any business...She is highly organised, capable, reliable, with excellent business administration and communication skills."
Brendan Condon Director at Australian Ecosystems, Cape Paterson Ecovillage, and Biofilta Stormwater Solutions
"Maria was an excellent Education Director. She has a fantastic ability to inspire staff and involve staff in her decision making processes which enabled staff to go on the journey with her and succeed in their roles."
Renee Ashley Client Liaison Officer, Quality Innovation Performance
"Maria is great to work with. I think Maria’s biggest strengths are her strategic thinking skills, her inclusive facilitative style and her understanding of how things work at the top! As a friend/mentor, Maria has given me a lot of career advice over the years. She never pushes me in a specific direction; rather provides me with resources to read and supports me in working out the answers myself."
Jo Iskandar Implementation Manager, MacKillop Family Services
"Maria is an ideal person to think through new approaches and possible scenarios."
Wayne Wescott CEO at Greenfleet
These testimonials have been abbreviated. Full testimonials can be viewed at LinkedIn.
"I worked with Maria for two consecutive years assisting our company... She has remarkable customer service skills and will go out of her way to assist you. I can highly recommend Maria in whatever field she chooses to follow - someone to rely on."
Michael Collins Business Owner
"Maria Simonelli has a depth of experience in the not for profit sector, with skill sets transferable directly to any business...She is highly organised, capable, reliable, with excellent business administration and communication skills."
Brendan Condon Director at Australian Ecosystems, Cape Paterson Ecovillage, and Biofilta Stormwater Solutions
"Maria was an excellent Education Director. She has a fantastic ability to inspire staff and involve staff in her decision making processes which enabled staff to go on the journey with her and succeed in their roles."
Renee Ashley Client Liaison Officer, Quality Innovation Performance
"Maria is great to work with. I think Maria’s biggest strengths are her strategic thinking skills, her inclusive facilitative style and her understanding of how things work at the top! As a friend/mentor, Maria has given me a lot of career advice over the years. She never pushes me in a specific direction; rather provides me with resources to read and supports me in working out the answers myself."
Jo Iskandar Implementation Manager, MacKillop Family Services
"Maria is an ideal person to think through new approaches and possible scenarios."
Wayne Wescott CEO at Greenfleet
These testimonials have been abbreviated. Full testimonials can be viewed at LinkedIn.
What About You?
Why are you scanning the Internet and reading this website?
Most likely you’re dreaming about something you’d really like to be doing. Maybe you’ve been through a recent restructure, or even lost a job. If you are in mid career or in midlife, you may be ready for a radical change and looking for a way of making a living that truly reflects who you are.
I'm Getting Close To 40?
You could be in getting closer to forty and you want work that will sustain you intellectually and financially for another 30 years. Or in your fifties and thinking there are so many other things you’d really like to be experiencing that provide new forms of freedom.
I Want A Career Where I Can Add Value
Maybe you're thinking about having a greater positive impact in the world and want to make your mark in a way that leaves a legacy. You might be wondering how a part-time job combined with volunteering could fit nicely with your lifestyle and add funds and meaning to your life.
I'm Just Ready To Try Something Different
There are many reasons why we become restless with our current circumstances and many motivators to drive this change. Maybe you’ve had a nagging feeling and really think this is the time to stretch yourself with another career option.
Maybe you made a decision in your early twenties, that lead you to a good and comfortable life, but meant you deferred that dream you really loved doing.
Or maybe your life circumstances have changed due to illness, the death of someone dear, a divorce or an empty nest etc. and this has caused you to re-evaluate your life.
The Feeling Is Real
Whether it hit you suddenly or its been growing over an extended period of time, the feeling is real. You know you can’t continue what you’ve been doing and you want to move into a career that uses your talents, passions, values your experience and earns you a good living.
Sweet Spot Careers has at its core a practical and supportive method to navigate you through this transition. It has been designed for people growing through midlife or mid-career transition to help them answer... what's next?
Try Sweet Spot Careers Out
For those of you who are more cautious and need time to plan, the program will assist you to map out a process.
For those of you who are ready to leap, the program is a good way to reaffirm this is the right direction for you and give you the confidence to take the next step.
If you're still not sure, drop me a line to confirm if these programs are the right fit for you.
Good luck with where ever this journey leads you.
Most likely you’re dreaming about something you’d really like to be doing. Maybe you’ve been through a recent restructure, or even lost a job. If you are in mid career or in midlife, you may be ready for a radical change and looking for a way of making a living that truly reflects who you are.
I'm Getting Close To 40?
You could be in getting closer to forty and you want work that will sustain you intellectually and financially for another 30 years. Or in your fifties and thinking there are so many other things you’d really like to be experiencing that provide new forms of freedom.
I Want A Career Where I Can Add Value
Maybe you're thinking about having a greater positive impact in the world and want to make your mark in a way that leaves a legacy. You might be wondering how a part-time job combined with volunteering could fit nicely with your lifestyle and add funds and meaning to your life.
I'm Just Ready To Try Something Different
There are many reasons why we become restless with our current circumstances and many motivators to drive this change. Maybe you’ve had a nagging feeling and really think this is the time to stretch yourself with another career option.
Maybe you made a decision in your early twenties, that lead you to a good and comfortable life, but meant you deferred that dream you really loved doing.
Or maybe your life circumstances have changed due to illness, the death of someone dear, a divorce or an empty nest etc. and this has caused you to re-evaluate your life.
The Feeling Is Real
Whether it hit you suddenly or its been growing over an extended period of time, the feeling is real. You know you can’t continue what you’ve been doing and you want to move into a career that uses your talents, passions, values your experience and earns you a good living.
Sweet Spot Careers has at its core a practical and supportive method to navigate you through this transition. It has been designed for people growing through midlife or mid-career transition to help them answer... what's next?
Try Sweet Spot Careers Out
For those of you who are more cautious and need time to plan, the program will assist you to map out a process.
For those of you who are ready to leap, the program is a good way to reaffirm this is the right direction for you and give you the confidence to take the next step.
If you're still not sure, drop me a line to confirm if these programs are the right fit for you.
Good luck with where ever this journey leads you.
