Imagine what you would do if you didn't have to work to make a living. That is, after you are tired or bored with sleeping until noon every day or whatever thoughts you have about using that free time. What would you do with your time if you could do whatever you wanted?
The answer(s) to that question offer clues to things you would enjoy as part of your work. If you are doing something you enjoy and would do by choice, then it doesn't feel as much like work. That is one reason why many career assessments are designed to help you identify your interests. So if you have not considered what you would spend time doing, I encourage you to do so. It is usually helpful to create a list without deciding if you possess the ability to do it first. Later you can narrow the list to meet any parameters/limitations that exist.
There are people who have generated some ideas about career directions that they had never considered just by doing some daydreaming. Others were reminded of some career dreams they had forgotten. Still others may recognize a recurring theme - occupations they had considered or thought about before but, for various reasons did not pursue. Whatever the results of your daydreams, you will probably be able to have a few career options to consider.
I encourage people I assist to do some reading to find out more about what is involved in a career before deciding whether or not to keep it on an active list. Once you have created a short list of potential occupations you are seriously considering, then I suggest you do some informational interviews. If you are not familiar with the term, I am referring to talking with people who are doing the kind of work you are interested in. Preferably the meeting would be at their place of work - this will give you (as the interviewer) an opportunity to ask some questions and learn more about that particular occupation or field. Conducting informational interviews can give you a better sense of what may be involved in that line of work to help you in deciding if that sounds like a good fit for you. But, it all starts with some healthy daydreaming!
Mary Ann Davis is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) 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). Please visit her web site at www.YourCareerPlan.com for more information.
To contact Mary Ann, please call (513) 665-4444 x3 and leave a personal and confidential message or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Are You Hiding Some of Your Talents?
I have talked to a number of people who are considering a career change because their current work doesn't allow them to use enough of their talents. If you are a person who feels they are not using their talents in their work, but don't feel like now is the time to make a career change, there may be some other options for you to consider.
First of all, you do need to identify the talents you possess that you would like to be using. For example, are you a creative person working in a job that doesn't allow for any creativity? Or perhaps you have great communication skills which go unnoticed and unused. Whatever it is, you need to start by identifying what you would like to be doing differently. You should also think about ways in which you could use those talents.
Some people decide that there are ways they could use some of those untapped talents in their current job or at least with their current employer. In that case, they would need to consider how they could make a proposal to their employer to make the desired adjustments in their work. If that is your situation, you may wish to speak with your manager to discuss possible ways in which you could be more fulfilled and help the organization by using more of your talents. Some people find they have time to work at a part-time job that addresses some of their needs and could fill a void. In that way, their primary work situation does not change, but it gives them an opportunity to use some talents they are not using otherwise.
Other people determine that they should look for opportunities outside work to put their talents to good use. That may include volunteer activities through a church, social service agency, or other community organization. Volunteering doesn't necessarily have to be for a large number of hours, often it can be scheduled at times that fit your availability, and some activities could be done from your home. At any rate, volunteering could be a great way to utilize some of your otherwise untapped talents. That could bring benefits to you as well as to others and possibly your community.
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 by the National Career Development Association; a Life/work Counselor by the National Employment Counseling Association; and is a Distance Credentialed Counselor. Please visit her web site at www.YourCareerPlan.com for more information.
To contact Mary Ann, please call (513) 665-4444 x3 and leave a personal and confidential message or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.
First of all, you do need to identify the talents you possess that you would like to be using. For example, are you a creative person working in a job that doesn't allow for any creativity? Or perhaps you have great communication skills which go unnoticed and unused. Whatever it is, you need to start by identifying what you would like to be doing differently. You should also think about ways in which you could use those talents.
Some people decide that there are ways they could use some of those untapped talents in their current job or at least with their current employer. In that case, they would need to consider how they could make a proposal to their employer to make the desired adjustments in their work. If that is your situation, you may wish to speak with your manager to discuss possible ways in which you could be more fulfilled and help the organization by using more of your talents. Some people find they have time to work at a part-time job that addresses some of their needs and could fill a void. In that way, their primary work situation does not change, but it gives them an opportunity to use some talents they are not using otherwise.
Other people determine that they should look for opportunities outside work to put their talents to good use. That may include volunteer activities through a church, social service agency, or other community organization. Volunteering doesn't necessarily have to be for a large number of hours, often it can be scheduled at times that fit your availability, and some activities could be done from your home. At any rate, volunteering could be a great way to utilize some of your otherwise untapped talents. That could bring benefits to you as well as to others and possibly your community.
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 by the National Career Development Association; a Life/work Counselor by the National Employment Counseling Association; and is a Distance Credentialed Counselor. Please visit her web site at www.YourCareerPlan.com for more information.
To contact Mary Ann, please call (513) 665-4444 x3 and leave a personal and confidential message or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.