Bloom in the Desert
June 2009
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Does Your Career Reflect the Person You Want to Be?
Ellen is the best sales representative in the organization, trim, fit, alert. She’s quiet and focused. She almost seems to glide through her work, effortlessly. She is admired by her peers and her customers adore her. Yet the leadership of the organization ignores her sound suggestions. Ellen stopped giving suggestions years ago. She is happier that way. She focuses on what she can control which in turn reflects the person she wants to be.
This story is not a tragedy, even though the organization she works for could be more profitable if the leadership chose to listen. Listening isn’t valued there. Despite that, her career is a good fit for her. Her dominant skills of hospitality, attention, and providing solutions are used every day. The hours are right to be available to her two small children. The drive is only fifteen minutes away. She is compensated well.
As a career transition expert, my goal is to help professionals find satisfying work, not just satisfying, but satisfying 85% of the time. Ellen came to me, not because she wanted to leave her employer, but because she wanted to develop better strategies for coping with the disrespect she felt within the organization. She accomplished that. Today, if you asked her about her career satisfaction she would readily say 85%.
Does your career reflect the person you want to be? What kind of person DO you want to be? It all starts with examining your values and what brings purpose to your life. Look at where you are focusing your attention. Are you focusing on what constantly frustrates you? Or have you found ways to enjoy your life in the work that is right for you? There are solutions for living a prosperous, purposeful life. Seek them. If you can’t find them, call me.
Encouraging Words to Help Those in Transition
As a friend, loved one, peer, or co-worker you want to be there for the person in transition. Please don’t say: “Have you found a job yet?” That can be one of the most discouraging things to say and can inadvertently derail that person’s search. Instead, ask: “Are you keeping your commitments to your career transition plan?” or “What can I do to support you?” Loved ones in particular can get frustrated if they see the person they care about flounder. But harassing, cajoling, getting angry at the person or at the situation doesn’t help. Tell the truth without judgment. Here’s an example: “Dave, you have been playing video games six hours a day for several days now, and I don’t like it.” Then hold his hands, look him in the eyes and say, “What are some ways we can work together to figure out a way to get back on track.?”
One Secret for a Successful Career Transition
Consistent and steadfast effort wins the day. Don’t take two weeks off in the middle of your search, unless you are so exhausted you have to re-group. Consistent and steadfast effort needs to be balanced with ways to enjoy life, even in the midst of great upheaval.
News You Can Use
The Career Center operated by the State where you live, has up to $5000 per out-of-work person for re-tooling. There are some strings attached like proving that the training you are requesting will actually make you more employable. Contact your local Career Center to learn more. If you need help finding out how to do this, give me a call.
Does your career need a CPR diagnostic session? Are you stuck or confused about what’s next for you? Well, I fix that. I work with career changers who want to get to where they want to be faster and easier! A Career Planning Readiness meeting will immediately identify ways to get back on track. Leave with a preliminary plan on how to fix your career situation.
Available nationally through tell-coaching or one-on-one in the St. Louis region. Call today for details (314) 560-1088.
Next Issue: Hope, the Other Four-letter Word.
Congratulations to Rich who just created an executive-level operations position. Proof positive that if you network, you can create opportunity by probing for unmet needs. Here's what he said: "Thanks so much for your support over the past year. It was a critical piece in guiding me to my goals. I will keep you posted on my progress!"
Special thanks to Connie for referring a great new client to me this month. If you know someone who is anticipating a career change, let them know about my services. Together we can wipe out ineffective career searches.
Shary Raske, Career Strategist,
Courage to Change Enterprises
(314) 560-1088
We offer career transition coaching, designed to get smarter, more effective results. Enjoy reading, and please forward to others, particularly those who are job searching. If you received this in error, our apologies; see column on your left for options.
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