One of my clients wants to explore career options, but she’s at a loss of where to go next. Her ideas tend toward what she’s been trained to do and what skills she has.
Tal Ben-Shahar, in his book Happier, says that before we ask “What am I good at?” we should first explore what gives us “meaning and pleasure,” that is, “What do I want to do.”
But my client is afraid to consider what she really wants to do -- dreams can be costly, she thinks.
I asked her to take stock, do some deep thinking, and take a few bold steps..
And boldly considering a scary area was my very first request of her:
1. What is your secret passion, something that is almost too exciting to actually do or do more of?
2. Without prioritizing or editing, what are other career interests/possibilities/dreams that you’ve thought about?
3. Interview someone who has succeeded in the area that you’re passionate about.
While it might be difficult to have a face-to-face interview with someone like this, it’s easy to get an email address and shoot off a specific, succinct question. If you get a response, send another question.
4. Read a book by someone who has succeeded in the area that interests you and take note of specific, practical advice.
5. Invest time (and money) in a strengths and needs assessment.
6. What have you learned that would refute the fears you had about entering this field?
7. Tal Ben-Shahar says if “because of external constraints” you can’t change jobs or follow your passion, then “there is still much that a person can do to craft [that work] . . . so that it is experienced more as a calling than as a job.” How might you re-craft your work so that it gives your more meaning or more joy?
If you have had experience either in exploring your passion or in re-crafting your work, I’d love to hear from you. Please share your experiences.
You can contact me through my website at www.nwcoaching.com.
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