Not long ago I bought a little souvenir magnet that reads, "Step back and leap farther". When I look at it I smile because I am reminded of the many times I have done that. It is often not easy to take a step back and we may not be convinced that it will allow us to leap farther, but I encourage you to consider that as an option. So often we feel that we must continually be moving forward and upward to be considered successful. There are times when it may be more efficient and helpful to take a step back, or to the side, to get in position to be able to move forward - just as track athletes preparing for a high jump take a step back before they begin their run toward the bar.
If the path you are on does not seem to be getting you where you want to go, you may want to consider if you need to take a step back. Sometimes when I talk to people who are considering a new occupation, they indicate some reluctance to "start over" in a new field when they have gotten so far in their current area. In those instances, I encourage them to consider their options to determine if they really want to continue along their current path. Sometimes people who are relatively close to retirement decide their new direction can wait a few more years when the transition will be less complicated. Often people who are in mid-careers struggle with their options. "Starting over" in a new occupation, or even a new organization can mean a reduction of income and/or benefits. But it can also mean the start of a new, and often more rewarding, life. Only you can make those decisions.
In any case, I encourage my clients to think about what their real options are. If the current job is slowly eroding their self-confidence or contributing to poor health, is it really worthwhile to stay? Or would it be better in the long run to make a change in work? Sometimes by just reviewing why we work, we can become clearer on which factors are the most important after all.
Mary Ann Davis is a Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice providing coaching and counseling for life's transitions; including career change or a job search, as well as loss of job, retirement planning, grief work, coping with an empty nest, and other life planning issues. She is certified as a Master Career Counselor by the National Career Development Association; a Life/Work Counselor by the National Employment Counseling Association; and is a Distance Credentialed Counselor. Visit her web site at www.YourCareerPlan.com.
To contact Ms. Davis, please call (513) 665-4444 x3 and leave a personal and confidential message or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
National Career Development Day
The National Career Development Association celebrates National Career Development Month each year in November and Wednesday, November 19, 2008 is National Career Development Day this year. The theme for this year's celebration is "Inspire your career; develop your dream."
In today's world of great economic uncertainty, it could be fairly easy to lose sight of your dreams or to even remember to dream. Certainly we are about to go through some changes as a country and perhaps on a personal level, but one thing I would encourage you to do is to continue to dream. Many people are looking at working longer in life and, if there is something you have wanted to do, work wise, there probably are still opportunities to pursue some of those dreams.
So, whether you are 16 or 60, spend some quiet time dreaming about your career direction and how you would like things to be. Have you wanted to go back to school to study a particular subject, or prepare for a different career? Perhaps you have dreams of starting your own business. Maybe there is a totally new line of work that you would like to pursue. Whatever your dream entails, if that is what you want to achieve, try to create a plan that will allow you to take the steps necessary to get you from where you are to where you want to be. Once you have developed a plan in your mind, you need to write it down so that you can look at it, add or delete steps or actions as necessary.
The more clearly you can picture or visualize your dreams, the more clearly you can plan to achieve it. Include as many pieces as you can in developing your plan. If the steps you have developed are too large, break them down into smaller, manageable actions that you can achieve. Try to take some action every day, or at least each week, that will relate to your goals. Even if they are just small things, it will help you feel you are moving in the right direction if you accomplish something from your plan. As you begin to see some progress, that should help to keep you energized and working toward your goal.
Mary Ann Davis is a Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice providing coaching and counseling for life's transitions; including career change or job search, as well as loss of job, retirement planning, grief work, coping with an empty nest and other life planning issues. She is certified as a Master Career Counselor (MCC) by the National Career Development Association; a Life/Work Counselor (L/WC) by the National Employment counseling Association; and is a Distance Credentialed Counselor (DCC). Visit her web site at http://www.YourCareerPlan.com.
To contact Ms. Davis, please call (513) 665-4444 x3 and leave a personal and confidential message or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.
In today's world of great economic uncertainty, it could be fairly easy to lose sight of your dreams or to even remember to dream. Certainly we are about to go through some changes as a country and perhaps on a personal level, but one thing I would encourage you to do is to continue to dream. Many people are looking at working longer in life and, if there is something you have wanted to do, work wise, there probably are still opportunities to pursue some of those dreams.
So, whether you are 16 or 60, spend some quiet time dreaming about your career direction and how you would like things to be. Have you wanted to go back to school to study a particular subject, or prepare for a different career? Perhaps you have dreams of starting your own business. Maybe there is a totally new line of work that you would like to pursue. Whatever your dream entails, if that is what you want to achieve, try to create a plan that will allow you to take the steps necessary to get you from where you are to where you want to be. Once you have developed a plan in your mind, you need to write it down so that you can look at it, add or delete steps or actions as necessary.
The more clearly you can picture or visualize your dreams, the more clearly you can plan to achieve it. Include as many pieces as you can in developing your plan. If the steps you have developed are too large, break them down into smaller, manageable actions that you can achieve. Try to take some action every day, or at least each week, that will relate to your goals. Even if they are just small things, it will help you feel you are moving in the right direction if you accomplish something from your plan. As you begin to see some progress, that should help to keep you energized and working toward your goal.
Mary Ann Davis is a Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice providing coaching and counseling for life's transitions; including career change or job search, as well as loss of job, retirement planning, grief work, coping with an empty nest and other life planning issues. She is certified as a Master Career Counselor (MCC) by the National Career Development Association; a Life/Work Counselor (L/WC) by the National Employment counseling Association; and is a Distance Credentialed Counselor (DCC). Visit her web site at http://www.YourCareerPlan.com.
To contact Ms. Davis, please call (513) 665-4444 x3 and leave a personal and confidential message or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.