About Deborah Knox
Deborah has devoted her life work to providing career and life work planning for individuals in transition. She brings her years of knowledge and experience to those seeking to find what they truly love to do. Her goal is to help each individual gain the clarity, confidence and commitment to find and fulfill their life work. As more individuals at mid-life discover the need to re-invent themselves, she offers the tools and the knowledge to manage a successful transition and create new opportunities. Whether you are looking to create a new career identity, or are considering self employment we can help you discover the best of what you can do and BE.
“Deborah was a career and life coach before the word “coach” came into mainstream use! She was absolutely critical in my work life, as I struggled with the question “What do I want to be when I grow up?”
When Deborah said to me, “Just because you know how to do something well doesn’t mean you have to keep doing it!” doors opened, bells rang!”
Niki Vettel, President, Reality Check Media Consulting
After a short, but significant career in publishing Deborah began to actively pursue her own path to finding meaningful work. She learned a lot about herself and the world of work as an employee in the retail book and publishing industry as well as non-profit organizations during the turbulent 70’s. Her studies in the field of adult education and organizational development allowed Deborah to understand how the workplace culture affects employee’s individual performance. Her desire to help individuals became clear to her when she witnessed the challenges involved in effecting organizational change. Her search continued and she was inspired early on to become a protégé of John Crystal, author of Where Do I Go From Here With My life?. As a result of discovering her life work, she began to share with others the Career and Life Work Planning process that resulted in publishing her own book Life Work Transitions.com: Putting Your Spirit Online.
“Deborah gave invaluable help …that enabled my business to really move forward.”
Deborah Mayaan
Deborah has actively shared this knowledge and her guidance with a variety of organizations. At Polaroid Corporation, known for its creative, flexible workplace, she led workshops for managers and employees. She coached individual employees in creating an internal career strategy, and later helped them find work when outplacement services were offered. At that time, as President of Deborah Knox & Associates she also helped individuals create and fulfill life work plans that provided the challenges and rewards of meaningful work.
“Deborah is creative and good at generating possibilities for clients and has worked with people across a wide range of fields from executives to entrepreneurs to students.”
Gail McMeekin, President, Creative Success, LLC
During the 80’s and the 90’s the world of work underwent massive changes as large organizations started streamlining and reducing overhead causing individuals to find new ways to earn a living. During that time, Deborah provided expertise and leadership to the newly emerging field of career counseling and was responsible for developing programs in the private and public sector throughout New England.
Early on, Deborah provided career content in the form of articles and advice to Monster com and was part of the movement that brought the internet front and center in changing the landscape for finding employment opportunities. In 2000 she published Life Work Transitions.com: Putting your Spirit OnLine with Sandra Butzel, marrying the power of the lifework planning process with the power of the internet.
The publication of the book marked the end of one path and the beginning of another major transition for Deborah. At mid-life, she made the dramatic choice to move from New England to the Southwest and landed in Tucson AZ. There her desire to become integrated into the larger community brought her to the Microbusiness Advancement Center, a Women’s Business Center funded by the Small Business Administration. She maintained her commitment to helping others do what they love to do by providing practical support and knowledge to small business owners wanting to start or grow a business.
“She is one of the most creative professionals I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with and her commitment to both the community and her client population is unsurpassed.”
Nancy Brook, Career and Business Consultant, Authentic Work
Deborah’s passion for understanding and dealing with change and transition brought her to her next learning experience. She partnered with two women to conduct research and develop a guide book to help “boomers make successful mid-life transitions.” Transforming Retirement with Extended Life Options, was published by the United Way of Southern Arizona in 2008. This publication provides planning exercises and resources for addressing change in over 10 critical areas for individuals to create a working pre-retirement plan. Deborah and her partners have created another business “Reframing Your Future” that offers a series of community conversations. This in-depth focus on mid-life career change has provided Deborah and now her clients with the necessary resources to make successful mid-life transitions. Her life purpose is to help you put your dreams into action and fully experience a life worth living.
“Deborah is a wonderful resource. She has a great, down to earth coaching style and broad expertise. She works well with people and truly understands the needs and concerns of the small business owner.”
Jude Gilford, Owner, Money Awareness Program LLC
On a more personal note:
My lifework and purpose are to help you discover your life work and fulfill your goals. I am so grateful I discovered early on the importance to me of having meaningful work. It has shaped the hours and days of my life and given my life purpose and fulfillment. I enjoy nothing more than listening to someone tell me their story as I help them get to the heart of what they long to do. Truly, having the self-awareness this process provides gives them the confidence and clarity to move in the right direction.
I’m glad you have taken the time to learn more about me. I welcome the opportunity to hear from you. I currently reside in Tucson AZ in the winter and return to New England in the summer. I love working with people in person and really enjoy coaching using the internet and telephone. For more detailed information about my training and organizational experience see my Linkedin profile.
Life Work Transitions is licensed and registered to engage in the business of “Employment Agent” in the State of Arizona, through the Department of Labor, Industrial Commission of Arizona.
Deborah is a member of several organizations because of the important work they do in healing our planet on many levels.
Southern Arizona Green Chamber of Commerce
Arizona Integrated Wellness Coalition
She is also a contributor to the New Southwest Green Times, Tucson AZ, where she profiles individuals who have made the leap into what they love in the column “Magnificent Makeovers!”
“If you find yourself in transition in life, Deborah is the one that can help you to find your new direction.”
Beth Schecher, Social Media Consultant, Schecher Management Consulting
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
This looks great Deborah. Congratulations. I remember when you helped me back in the early 80’s. Wow how time goes by. Take care, Susan
thanks for the feedback – it was great working with you. And I know you’re still doing all the things that are important to you!!! Keep it up! deb
I like what I see so i am just adhering to you. Look forward to discovering your web page yet once again.
nice to hear from you. Are you putting your spirit to work? how can I help you?
Deb, I’m so impressed and excited to see your success. I will continue to recomend you. I look forward to working with you again soon.
Deborah,
I think you coached me with a small group in MA in early 1990’s – I always remember your great advice & it’s kept me on course;
– when I’m indecisive, I need more info;
& as stated on your site, ‘you don’t have to stay with something just because you’re good at it.’
So nice to find you thriving. I’m in CA, but may be heading back to MA this year. Thanks for everything…YOU MADE A DIFFERENCE!
hi karen – good advice huh? Yes, I remember you. Nice summary of what I do. May I quote you? What are you upt to? I wonder about returning to MA as well. Thanks for contacting me!
You are my breathing in, I have few blogs and sometimes run out from to post .
Many thanks for writing this tremendous submit..Loved your content. Remember to do retain writing