Today’s information might sound like a bit of a reverse from last week’s but is not. So many of us are waiting to find the right career before taking steps. In Working Identity (Unconventional Strategies for Reinventing Your Career, Herminia Ibarra suggests that we don’t wait. In the preface on page xii, she writes:
“We discover the true possibilities by doing—trying out new activities, reaching out to new groups, finding new role models, and reworking our story as we tell it to those around us. …we need to get out of our heads. We need to act.”
My experience parallels the stories in Ibarra’s book. I was laid off September 7, 2001. Right after 9/11, it became difficult to find jobs in my former field of Human Resources. When I look back, I really didn’t want one. It is difficult to get what you don’t want. I began doing contract HR work and enjoyed it a great deal. At one point, I explored doing Project Management because I liked the idea of variety. I looked into taking PMP classes, and applied for more project-related HR jobs. I worked with a life coach, Myrna Sarowitz, Psy.D. (www.livingyourjoy.com). At one point Myrna suggested I would be a good life coach. I signed up for classes, continued doing contract HR work and started my life coaching business. One of the weekend classes at CTI (The Coaches Training Institute) led to a chance encounter with someone who worked in the outplacement industry. I then segued from HR and part- time life coaching to part- time outplacement and part- time coaching and to my current step of concentrating on coaching. This process did evolve over 5 years and I am grateful that I was forced to make a change. The end result came about by doing and not just by thinking.
So even if you do not know what you want to do, you can experiment. You can combine the exercises from Now What? (90 Days to a New Life Direction) by Laura Berman Fortgang with stepping outside your head and taking action.
Questions to ponder:
- What will happen if I don’t make a change?
- In my prior or current career, am I the person I want to be?
PLEASE COMMENT
Once again, I would appreciate any experiences, comments or questions that will help other readers. I would particularly enjoy some humorous experiences and success stories. Once a month, I will choose one commenter to contact for a free coaching session.
HOW TO REACH ME
847-446-3803
www.careercoachjill.com
QUOTE FOR THE WEEK
“And the day came when the risk to remain tight in the bud was more painful than the risk it took to bloom.” Anais Nin
Recent Posts
If you are recently laid off, start with the bottom listed blog, Ouch—Job Lost—How to Get a Fulfilling New Job and then work your way up to the top.
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- But I don’t know What I want to do When I Grow Up 10/11
- How Much Do You Like Yourself? 10/4
- The Leaving Statement 9/27
- A Continuation of Perspectives 9/20
- Clarification on Change of Perspective
- Change your thoughts and you can change your world 9/14
- Job Search Groups
- Harder to get a job while “in transition”?
- Ouch–Job Lost–How to Get a Fulfilling New Job 9/6
Thanks to tech guru David Behrens (http://neptunestudios.net), and editor M. C. Pastoret.
