Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Renewing Your Career Mind

Romans 12:2 tells us to "...be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Philippians 4:8 says "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.

How are you renewing your mind? Are you thinking about the past and your old ways or about the future God has for you living out His purpose for your life? How are you transforming your life's work to accomplish that purpose?

You probably already know that if you want different results you have to take different actions. And you will need new thoughts because actions start with thoughts. What are you thinking about your new career to go along with your new creation?

Sunday, December 16, 2007

Three ways to find the right job fit for you.

One, list all the things you really enjoy doing and next to them list all the skills involved in doing them. Next list things you are naturally good at doing. Then compare the two lists to see which of your natural abilities are used in doing the things you really like. Now list other jobs that use those same abilities. For example, I like surfing the Internet for business news. That takes computer savvy, research skills, navigation skills, reading skills, comprehension etc. So what "jobs" involve using computers, Internet, navigation skills, computer savvy, etc.? How about web design? Or maybe teaching computer classes?

A second way to find the right fit is to think about the things that you are passionate or very enthusiastic about. What "causes" get your heart beating faster and your mind racing? Are you an outdoor activity enthusiast - hiking, camping, boating? Are you passionate about preserving nature for future generations to use and enjoy? You could be a camp counselor or a hunting and fishing guide. You might want to work for REI, The Mountaineers or Sierra Club.

The third way to discover your job fit is to think about and list the jobs of people you know that interest you or that you have thought about trying. Spend some time talking to them about their job and what it involves. Spend a day with them at work. Get a feel for how it works for you.

Actually, this third method is a good one to use regardless of how you find your dream job. Nothing is more powerful than that moment when you say to yourself, "This person has MY job."

New Creation = New Career Opportunity

Getting a chance to start over is what the New Creations program at Seattle's Union Gospel Mission is all about. That doesn't mean it is easy ... or quick. And starting over as a new spiritual being and leaving behind old behaviors and addictions is only the beginning.

Starting a new career to go along with your new creation is an important ingredient in the recipe for a healthier, happier, more fulfilling life. The first step is the most challenging. You have to believe it is possible.

If you have never dared to dream or have a vision of your future it may seem unattainable. If you have never experienced the luxury of looking beyond the next week, the next day, or even the next hour, thinking about one year, two years or more down the road may be unimaginable. Yet that is the first step - simply believing that God has a plan for you and a multitude of options to achieve His purpose for your life.

Give yourself the gift of throwing off the chains of your past and accepting that God has an incredible future in store for you.

Coach

Friday, July 20, 2007

Affordable coaching, anytime access!

I thought the pace might slow down after the Fourth of July. No. I have been speaking to services clubs, adding coaching clients, developing new materials to share and even more exciting, building a membership site for easy, economical access to career coaching. If you are even thinking about thinking about changing careers or jobs within your current employment, this is definitely the way to go. Think you can't afford coaching? Think again. Think you can't squeeze coaching into your schedule? Think again.

For the price of a grande, non-fat, mochaccino per week you can experience all the value of coaching, minus the one-on-one. You get all the articles, all the audio and video files, all the guest experts. And you get it 24/7 when you want it. Download MP3's and listen on your iPod! Plus you can email questions to our expert panel and join us for forum discussions.

Do I sound excited? Yes. Why? Because I want everyone to have the opportunity to make confident career choices through coaching. Everyone deserves to have someone in their corner.

Stay tuned for the launch date. I'm confident you'll wonder how you got along without it.

Oh, and if you are in the market for a new kitten, I have six little bundles of joy who will be ready to change your world in about 8 weeks.

Coach

Saturday, July 7, 2007

Working to live, not living to work.

Well, it has been a whirlwind of activity the past three weeks. The end of June I went to a career coaching "bootcamp" in Portland, OR. The theme was moving into "Coaching 2.0" the next generation of coaching. Marcia Bench, founder of Career Coach Institute, offered several options for delivering coaching that will give many more people the opportunity to experience the power of coaching in their career decisions.

This week it was the National Career Development Association National Convention in Seattle. Career professionals from across the country and Canada attended to share tips and techniques, learn about new best practices and technology. Two of the best workshops were focused on coaching models - Marcia Bench's "laser coaching" and Gail Michalski's "Solution Focused Career Transition" model for career counselors. Both workshops focused on clients driving the process, active listening, empowerment and keying on strengths, rather than weaknesses.

What a concept! The client actually knows more about their situation than anyone and if they are going to be successful the focus needs to be on what's working, not what isn't working. (Hmmm... reminiscent of the Law of Attraction - whatever you focus in you get more of.)

More on these events in days to come.

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

There may be benefits to taking care of yourself now.

We talked before about taking care of the stranger you don't know - your future self - by the action you take today. Today's New York Times has an interesting article about the value of downsizing plans for the future security and spending more time on relationships and other endeavors that enhance your current life. In the long run you may be healthier and happier. It is a new twist on the "grasshopper and ant" parable. It Might Pay to Follow Your Bliss is the story.

It fits with what we've been discussing - following your strengths to a better life. Better quality relationships and healthier mindsets follow in part from meaningful and fulfilling work.

In the end, confident career choices lead to a happier and more rewarding life.

Coach

Wednesday, June 13, 2007

Changing careers is all about taking care of those you love.

Is it OK to take care of others? Of course. Concern for others makes us more aware and appreciative of our own good fortunes. What about the other you? You may remember the "best friend you never knew" speech I told you about. Your future self is your best friend. Would you let your best friend languish in a job that drains their energy and life? Of course not. Well, if that best friend is your future self, what are you waiting for?

Your health, happiness and well-being are intimately connected to your work. In five years at a particular job I developed high blood pressure, bladder cancer and found myself becoming depressed with my situation. Medication addressed the symptoms but action addressed the causes. I went back to school to complete my degree, got additional training and established my coaching practice. The damage was done but further damage has been minimized by opening the doors to a world of fulfilling work. If you "just can't" give up your current position at least give yourself the gift of volunteering. Harness your untapped potential and energy giving something back to society. The life you save might be your own.

Update - My Palm Treo was turned in to the bus driver who took it to lost and found. Talk about relieved!!!! Lesson learned. From now on it goes in its holster where it belongs. Expect good things to happen and they will.

Any thoughts on this or anything else (career-wise)?

Coach