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Living in Israel During a War

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The country of Israel is no stranger to conflict, and drama… that’s for certain. As someone that moved to Israel from America 10+ years ago, and as a life coach and career counselor in Tel Aviv, I want to write about what it is like living in Israel during a war.

 

Expect the sounds of your environment to change during war-time

 

Silence: (Yes silence)

 

Because the turbulent nature of war and the Coronavirus threat, the streets around the country are less crowded. This makes the normally loud and busy streets of Israel, quieter in general.

 

The “Iron Dome” in action. You can imagine that the sound of antimissile system accomplishing its task is a LOUD event. You would be right. During wars, depending on where you live you can hear explosions in sky many times per day.

 

The sounds of sirens/alarms:

 

Whenever a missile launches towards a location in Israel during a war, that location will run warning telling civilians to run for shelter. These sirens are loud and eerie, and to be honest, the sound of an air raid siren is terrifying.

 

Expect to see somethings that you wouldn’t normally see in Israel (if you are from America)

 

The cities in Israel function at half capacity. Going into the “Sabbath”, Israel shuts down to 60% operational every week. 

 

The television news ONLY talks about the war. Living in Israel during a war means that 90% of the media (both traditional and social) will be blasted with articles and videos concerning/about the conflict. Pure Negativity.

 

In addition, you should expect to see increased government personnel (police, army, etc.) out and about, patrolling.

 

Familial Bonding:

 

During times of uncertainty, it is human nature to try to find comfort in community. In Israel, there is a common experience of going through war against our neighbors.  Moreover, to relieve stress people fraternize more.

 

Stress:

 

Undoubtedly, living in Israel during a war is going to have some side effects and one of them is STRESS. Naturally, a subtle pressurized and anxious vibration creeps into the country and its people. This vibration comes from the understanding that your life is on the line.

 

Fear:

 

If you really try hard to use not just your normal senses, you can go beyond sight and sound. Beyond just the sights and sounds of living in Israel during a classic Middle-Eastern war.

 

Once you go beyond those normal receptors, you will sense something else. You will sense the underlying fear in everyone during these times… including yourself.

 

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    About the Author of Living In Israel as an American – The PROS and CONS

    Hi, my name is Claude Lee Massey and thanks for reading the article above!  I wrote the article because I wanted to help you.  You see, I’ve been living in Tel Aviv for 10+ years and I know it can be a struggle living here as a foreigner.

    I remember the day I arrived in Israel I had NO money – NO friends – and NO job.

    So, let’s get into a great question that I often ask myself.

    “How did I go from having no money, no friends, and no job to having all three. 

    Moreover, “How the heck did I end up becoming a life coach (קואצ’ינג לחיים) and career coach (אימון אישי לקריירה)?

    Once upon a time, about seven years ago (and after 15+ years of soul-searching), I had a powerful self-realization.

    That the purpose of my life, was helping other people get what they want from life… by any means necessary.   Therefore, with my 15+ years of experience in the field of sales,  and customer service I decided to open a sales training company.

    At this point, I had a full time job working for a high-tech company so on my day off, I found an accountant.  Then I hired him and had him file the proper paperwork to open a sales training company with the government.

    I never thought that I would open my own business in Israel… but I did!  I decided to name my sales training company Sales Development Israel.  Then, I began to use all of my spare time before work and after work creating training materials, and trying to acquire clients.

    In addition, I was sending emails and cold calling companies in Tel Aviv, Herzliya, Ramat Gan, Jerusalem, Bat Yam, and Holon.  Basically, I was reaching our across the whole country of Israel during my efforts.

    I doing everything in my power to generate momentum. in my new business  Great news is that I was able to find my first few clients!  However, something I immediately noticed was at the conclusion of my sales training workshops, two things would happen consistently happen: 

    Firstly, I would receive feedback that my sales training workshops were providing massive value for the sales team.  This meant that the companies were happy with the service I provided, which was nice to know.

    Secondly, one or two of the students in the courses would privately approach me.  These students would speak with me about their struggles not only in sales, but also in their lives.

    Then one time, a female student offered to pay me for a one-on-one session outside of the office.  As a struggling entrepreneur, I accepted. 

    She asked me to help her learn how to communicate more effectively, and to help her figure out a better career path.  We developed a plan, strategized, and executed. 

    Another student, at another company offered to pay me for my time to help prepare him for a job interview.  We developed a plan, strategized, and executed. 

    Similarly, another student from another workshop, at another company, asked me to help them build their inner-confidence.  We developed a plan, strategized, and executed.  This would happen again, and again…

    Each of these wonderful people I began to work one-on-one with,  had their own unique challenge, and asked me for help.  Each time we developed a plan, strategized, and executed. 

    They all knew that I was not certified or professionally trained, and still they would offer to pay me for my time.  These first clients would call me their “Life Coach” or “Career Counselor“, and I was able to help them!

    At the conclusion of our 3 to 5 one-on-one sessions, they each had taken took massive steps forward towards the results they wanted.  Each time we developed a plan, strategized, and executed successfully! 

    Eventually, enough people called me their Career Counselor or Life Coach that I began to call myself a “Career Counselor” and ”Life Coach”.

    Most people set out to become a trained and certified life coach (קואצ’ר , אימון אישי) or career counselor before ever having a client.  I never did any of that kind of stuff, and that wasn’t the path I took to arrive where I am.

    I never once said to myself that I wanted to be a life coach (אימון אישי לחיים) or a career counselor .  On the contrary, this beautiful, interesting, and fulfilling profession that I currently have came directly to me.

     

    So that is the super-short story of how I began life coaching (תל אביב קואצ’ינג לחיים) and career counseling in Tel Aviv Israel.   In addition, after all these years I’m happy to say I have helped hundreds and hundreds of people just like you!

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This article was titled: Living in Israel During a War