De-Bunking The ?Follow Your Bliss? Myth

Hello Fellow Seekers!

I don't know about you? but I'm pretty tired of hearing about how you can "follow your dream" in three or four easy steps. I've seen plenty of people leap before they sufficiently looked --and end up dissatisfied or broke, or both. I've also had clients come to me after reading a hot, new book or attending a workshop. And they still can't figure out what it is they want to do for a living.

Of course not! You can't think your way to a new career ? or, at least you can't 99% of the time.

The truth is that career change is no walk in the park. It takes focus, a smart strategy and guts.

Focus:

Anyone can start their career change effort with vigor. But keeping your fires burning for the duration of your journey is another story. Given the roadblocks and the absence of any hard deadlines, it's just the kind of "priority" that can fall through the cracks of your busy life.

The key is to create an environment of accountability. Here are four ways to do this:

1. Schedule your career change activities into your weekly calendar. As Steven Covey would say, make it a "big rock" priority.

2. Register for a class or workshop that keeps you engaged and focused for an extended period of time.

3. Career change can't be done in a vacuum. Work with a mentor or coach who has a good business head and market perspective.

4. Know exactly what you hope to gain from your career change. A clear and compelling personal benefit is your secret weapon to hanging in there for the duration of your journey.

A Smart Strategy:

The old adage "look before you leap" is perfect advice for prospective career-changers. Keep your day job and let your paycheck enable you to take all the time you need to discover new work options and test them out. Successful career changers know that this is the essence of the process -- and it usually doesn't happen overnight. Once you are clear that a particular path is right for you ? craft a good plan to get there. At a minimum, your plan will include new training requirements and timing, building a new network, and a communications strategy for leaving your current employer.

Guts:

Successful career-changers know two things: First, how critical the courage factor is to their ultimate success; and, second, that it's not possible to feel courageous 100% of the time. By its very nature, the career-change journey is a wiggly road. When your courage is on the wane, try these approaches:

1. Don't confuse uncertainty with disaster. Avoid the mental "drama" that takes you to the worst possible outcome. These projections are not your present reality.

2. Focus on your gifts and talents. Acknowledge yourself ? deeply, and at the feeling level -- for the experience and skills you have gained. Write them down as a reminder of your abundance.

3. Trust in Divine Presence. As long as you continue to pursue your career change smartly, and take solid, active steps (i.e., do your part!), providence will support you as well.

Finally, remember that we are indeed, a 'free agent' nation. Safe, smart career change is possible and thousands of people just like you have successfully re-invented their working lives. Without question, you can, too.

May you thrive in work -- and life!

Patricia Soldati

Patricia Soldati is a former President & COO of a national finance organization who re-invented her working life in 2001. Now, as a career fulfillment specialist, she guides unhappy corporate professionals into meaningful work - both inside and outside the corporate walls.

For more about Patricia's background and approach or to receive 5 Complimentary Career change Lessons, please visit http://www.purposefulwork.com

---

?How to Look Your Best in a Down Economy?

As you know too well ~ many jobs have been... Read More

3 Resume Secrets the Pros Use

You don't write a resume every day. Not even every... Read More

Using Keywords to Find Legitimate Telecommuting Job Leads

Many people are choosing telecommuting as an option to bring... Read More

Career Planning for Gifted Adults

"James is so restless and energetic. I wonder if he's... Read More

Make A Lasting Impression With Interview Etiquette

(Des Moines, Iowa - February 2, 2005) Behaving appropriately during... Read More

When Bad Interviews Happen to Good Candidates

Going through the motions of a bad interview is like... Read More

Salary, Raises, & Perks: Negotiate to Get Paid What Youre Worth!

Salary negotiation requires preparation and good timing. It's important to... Read More

How Important Is It To Stand Apart From Others In An Interview And How Difficult Is It?

Any professionally trained interviewer can attest these questions are the... Read More

Oil, Lube and Filter Employee Pay

We have been studying the labor rates of Oil, Lube... Read More

Career Change - Is Your Career A Good Fit Or Is It Causing Pain?

Do you leap out of bed in the morning looking... Read More

What Do Employees Wish for Most (And How To Get It)

What do many employees wish for at work? A bonus... Read More

Dont Stop! Your Transition is Still Moving!

Q. I'm looking for a new job and plan to... Read More

In Control - Inside Tips on Interview Success

No, you can't control how the interview will be conducted,... Read More

Tell Me About Yourself

The need to tell people about yourself may present itself... Read More

Finding Success In Todays Job Market

This year we are experiencing the most dynamic and rapidly... Read More

Make Your Career Offshore Proof

There has been a lot of talk recently about American... Read More

Cross Cultural Interviews

At this moment in time, the increase in cross border... Read More

5 Steps to Standing Out Above the Crowd at Work

Do you feel like one in a million at work... Read More

During Midlife Change: Are You a Jumper or a Clinger?

Over the years, I have identified two kinds of midlife... Read More

Job Offer Negotiations: Getting What You Want

You have worked hard at finding your next job. You... Read More

How to Conquer Job Hunting Apathy

Jack, downsized from his last job, was frozen in a... Read More

The Importance of Background Verification

Today's society has created an environment that requires business owners... Read More

Get a Job! Tips for Organizing Your Resume

Whether you're a Vice President of Marketing or a recent... Read More

Resume Writing Tips

Make sure that your resume is up to date with... Read More

De-Bunking The ?Follow Your Bliss? Myth

Hello Fellow Seekers!I don't know about you? but I'm pretty... Read More