Career Coaching Information "creating the very highest personal performance for the benefit of the enterprise" |
|
Five Steps to Vocational Passion: A Disciplined Plan for Major Mid-life Changes
There's a famous song lyric that asks: "Is that all there is?" Every seven seconds, an American turns 50 years old. So there's a good chance that song is running through some of their heads. The question captures the ennui that many people feel in mid-life. They look up at the clock, see it ticking, and begin counting in their heads all the mountains not climbed, the poems not written, and the songs not sung. It's time to stop asking the question idly. I'm offering five initial steps that you can take to evaluate your situation and to begin the transition away from a meaningless grind toward a new life that provides you with energy and fulfillment. Vocational passion is an alignment of your abilities and interests in a role that gives you unlimited energy and happiness. This is not an overnight process. But it's a process you can begin today. Step One: Evaluate Lots of people settle for jobs that pay the bills but leave them feeling empty. If you want to break out of this trap and find another kind of life, you need to evaluate where you'd like to go. Examine where your passions lie. On a scale of 1-10, where are you when it comes to vocational passion? A "1" is a living drudgery where you force yourself to your desk every morning and dream about the end of the day; a "10" is a perfect alignment between interests and livelihood. Too many of us are closer to "1" than "10". Anything lower than a "5" suggests your working life may be feeding your family, but at the expense of starving your soul. Step Two: Envision Your Future You may have seen the U.S. Navy ad that asks: "If someone wrote a book about your life, would anyone want to read it?" Here's your chance to write that book - or at least the outline. Sit down and write a short biography that describes who you are five years from now. Describe exactly the life you wish to lead, doing work that you love. You will know you're done with the exercise when your heart races with excitement. Then imagine and write down your vision of a perfect vocational day. It's difficult to achieve something that you have not clearly envisioned. Make sure your vision has clarity. Then document it and pull it out regularly, to refresh your desire to achieve that vision. Step Three: Tune Out Negative Feedback Understand this: The moment you announce plans to make a radical change in your life, many people will find the move threatening and they will not wish you well. They will try to talk you out of it and tell you what a big mistake you're about to make. Never let the naysayers dictate your life. People who listen to negative voices end up with the status quo. Step Four: Shore Up Your Support Network Anyone making a change needs supportive friends, and lots of them. I suggest a three-tiered model for analyzing your personal support network. The three tiers will include people who are 1) "interested" in your work; 2) "supporters" who are not only interested, but offer creative ideas to move you forward; 3) "believers," which includes your most active supporters. Make your lists now. Examine whom you have in your support network and rank them according to these tiers. Focus on networking with your tier-one supporters, while trying to move those people in tiers two and three up the ladder. Step Five: Assess Your Risk When taking action to follow one's passion, people trying to change their life fall into one of four categories. Each requires a different strategy. Category One: Plenty of money and plenty of time. People in this category have a high tolerance for risk based on their relatively young age and solid financial means. Category Two: Plenty of money and little time. Because of failing health and/or advancing age, those in category two have some risk tolerance. But they probably lack a solid support network, since most friends will advise against change because they are "too old" or "too sick." Category Three: Little time and little money. I define "little money" as having less than six months of cash flow in the bank. Risk tolerance is low in this category, and supporters are probably hard to come by. Most people are in this category. Category Four: No money and no time. I define "no money" as less then three months cash flow in the bank. Anyone is this position will have a very low risk tolerance. They will find little support to help them move toward doing what they love. What to do? Take the calculated risks now.
What's the worst that can happen? Remember this: You won't die or become homeless if you pursue what you love. You may, however, find that your relationship to your money will change. You'll respect money more, and you'll find that you can manage on less of it. Also understand that pursuing vocational passion doesn't always mean making less money. But it does mean that money is not the only consideration - or even the most important consideration - in choosing your new vocational path. If you don't act to pursue your vocational passion, then every seven seconds someone else will come along and ask themselves: "Is that all there is?" Many of them will answer, "No," and will do something about it. You can be one of the doers. About The Author Craig Nathanson, The Vocational Coach, is the author of "P Is For Perfect: Your Perfect Vocational Day," by Book Coach Press. He publishes the free monthly e-zine, "Vocational Passion in Mid-life." Craig believes the world works a little better when we do the work we love. He helps those in mid-life carry this out. Visit his online community at http://www.thevocationalcoach.com where you can sign up for his next Tele-class coming up November 17.
MORE RESOURCES: Could Scott Padgett be a Perfect Fit for Mark Pope's Coaching Staff? Your Sports Edge Meet Ben McCollum's coaching staff for Drake basketball Des Moines Register Todd Greguson's girls basketball coaching contract not being renewed by Lourdes Rochester Post Bulletin Coaching high school sports keeps getting more complicated, and less worth it | Cooper NorthJersey.com Bill Belichick interested in coaching Giants, Cowboys, Eagles: report New York Daily News The Scoop - Friday April 19, 2024 - Footballscoop Footballscoop Hynes Named Head Coach of 2024 U.S. Men's National Team Team USA Hockey Field Hockey Adds Ethan Larsen to Coaching Staff James Madison University Athletics Perry Lyons hired as Rockvale girls basketball coach Daily News Journal Pittsburgh Penguins GM Addresses Coaching Change Push The Hockey News McCorvey Named Head Coach of SBU Women's Basketball Stony Brook News Presbyterian College Names Tiffany Sardin Head Women's Basketball Coach Presbyterian College Ex-Cal Head Coach Mark Fox Expected to Join Kentucky's Coaching Staff Sports Illustrated Maven Clinic expands fertility support for males alongside health coaching program - Mobihealth News Andy Enfield’s departure from USC set off coaching carousel Daily Trojan Online IHSA basketball: New Dunlap boys basketball coach named Peoria Journal Star Sabres Coaching Search May Be Casting A Wide Net The Hockey News Coach Sean Smith accepts assistant coaching role at Division I institution North Park University Vanni Sartini: Inside the mind of Vancouver Whitecaps' Italian coach | MLSSoccer.com - MLSsoccer.com Buffalo Sabres coaching candidates, from Gerard Gallant to Lindy Ruff Democrat & Chronicle Loch Raven boys lacrosse senior Collin Nadolny makes splash coaching Special Olympics sailing Baltimore Sun Scott Schroeder has produced ASUN titles, NCAA berths as UNF golf coach The Florida Times-Union GM Steve Staios Provides Update on Ottawa Senators Head Coaching Search and Status of Current Staff The Hockey News Texas Tech football's Jah'Shawn Johnson discusses transition from playing to coaching LubbockOnline.com The Scoop - Thursday April 18, 2024 - Footballscoop Footballscoop Frances Tiafoe and Coco Gauff make coaching changes Lob and Smash Adams details vision for next Sabres coach, will prioritize experience and pedigree | Buffalo Sabres NHL.com BYU has its sights set on a deep coaching staff Lawless Republic Kenny Payne Set To Join Arkansas Coaching Staff Rivals.com - Arkansas Hornets head coach search tracker: Who could be tabbed as Steve Clifford’s successor? Charlotte Observer Watch: Pete Carroll steps in as coach at UW Huskies practice Seattle Sports Iconic MVSU football coach dies WAPT Jackson Brooke Todd Resigns as Switzerland County Girls Varsity Basketball Coach Eagle 99.3 FM WSCH New hire report card: From John Calipari to Kevin Young, we grade the new college basketball coaches Sporting News Arizona State managing loads with spring game approaching Arizona Sports Maven Clinic Launches Trying-To-Conceive Health Coaching Program Femtech Insider Archie Cooley, former Jackson State football player and Mississippi Valley State coach, dies at 85 Clarion Ledger Ray, Joyner Named Assistant Coaches – Vanderbilt University Athletics – Official Athletics Website Vanderbilt University Men's Basketball: Buckeyes' basketball renaissance, Ohio State unveils revamped coaching team OSU - The Lantern Posegay named Men's Swimming & Diving Associate Head Coach - University of Texas Athletics TexasSports.com Arkansas men's basketball hires Kenny Payne as associate head coach under John Calipari WholeHogSports Joy McCorvey Named Stony Brook Women's Basketball Head Coach - Stony Brook University Athletics Stony Brook Athletics 2025 Offensive Tackle Tommy Lamberti Praises Huskers' Coaching Staff Sports Illustrated John Calipari bringing Kenny Payne to Arkansas basketball Courier Journal Syracuse football’s new offensive line coach must fix its most persistent problem: ‘We have to toughen them u syracuse.com Oilers' Knoblauch Must Avoid Previous Coaching Staff's Playoff Errors The Hockey Writers Schilling Names Kooima and Stackpool Assistant Coaches Augustana College Vikings Marquis Who's Who Honors Lindsey Shae Mattinson for Expertise in Career Coaching & Exploration 24-7 Press Release Coach Calipari Gets First Signee in Zvonimir Ivišić Razorbacks Arkansas U.S. Basketball Writers Association will name women's coaching award after UConn's Geno Auriemma The Associated Press Former NFL receiver Willie Ponder moves to new high school football coaching position in Oklahoma High School Football America |
RELATED ARTICLES
Addiction to Worry Carole started counseling with me because she was depressed. She had been ill with chronic fatigue syndrome for a long time and believed her depression was due to this. Email Etiquette 1 I thought it might be worth visiting some email etiquette for all as the majority of the readers of this newsletter are now on email.It is important to consider that when emailing people you are on show, whether you like it or not, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Fastest Way to Ruin Yourself I don't know many people who would admit to wanting to ruin themselves, but there are a lot of people who are doing everything they can to accomplish that very goal. They certainly don't see it that way, but if you look at the way they live, you can see it happening. New Definition of Retirement A new definition of retirement is evolving. It's one that's focused on continual exploration, learning and growth. Executive Coaching Case Studies If you are wondering whether investment in executive coaching would promote your business growth, some case studies might help you in making a decision.Although confidentiality prevents me from going into too much detail, I think the following examples will give you an idea of how executive coaching can achieve good results in a variety of business situations. Coaching vs. Directing - How Does Improv Theater Suggest You Should Lead Your Team An age old battle in improv that I believe resonates well with challenges we experience in the business world is the question of whether a team should have a coach or a director (in which case it should be called an ensemble). In addition there's the third option of the self coached team, which I will call committee from here on forward. Live With An Attitude Of Gratitude Imagine for a moment one of those nights when you just can't fall asleep and you have to get up early the next morning for a very important meeting of which you are the keynote speaker. Your alarm clock goes off early in the morning waking you from what little sleep you had. Coaching Skills IntroductionThe question for leaders in organizations today is how do we go about unleashing motivation, facilitating idea creation, promoting information flow and go beyond being Number One? How do we distance ourselves from our competitors? We cannot relax and take our success for granted. Our competitors are fierce and anxious to take back market share, produce the next blockbuster product, or invent some new technology to better serve customers. Business Coaching - Ten Ways of Dealing with Mistakes You Made You can either choose to dwell on what happened and get stuck in the past or you can choose to start using your energy to build your future. Either choice is okay. Plug in Your Systems for Success Have you ever noticed that so many of us who work diligently and ethically rarely achieve our objectives? And, why is it that those who-seemingly-work half as hard and half as long experience one success after another?The answer is twofold; successful people succeed because they implement proven, systems for success. Secondly, successful people have mastered the art of making time, work for them. Potential One of the most often mis-understood aspects of self-development is the concept of potential. We are often told that we can achieve our full potential, however, what does this really mean? When the focus is building self-esteem and motivating individuals to do better, there is often the implication that potential is a destination or an end-point that can be reached, and if we just strive for "it", we will reach "it". Solution-Focused Therapy Most types of psychotherapy involve exploring feelings, being validated, finding explanations, exploring wishes and dreams, setting goals, and gaining clarity. Every therapist has unique ways of working with clients, based on his or her personality, training, and views of how people change. Making Changes in Your Personal Life Making changes in your personal life can be a tough process. Change starts with a thought. Nourishing Your Network It takes less effort to keep an existing customer than to gain a new customer.This is Business 101. The Rewards and Risks Of Personal Freedom We all need to decide whether to "play it safe" in life and worry about the downside, or instead take a chance, by being who we really are and living the life our heart desires. Which choice are you making?One of the first things I noticed about my newly purchased parrot, was that he couldn't fly. Poise, Posture, and Performance Good posture is seen to have many advantages. From an aesthetic point of view it can enhance image, sending out the right signals (body language). The Power of Visualization Professional athletes and other highly successful people use the power of visualization technique on a regular basis. Why? Results of a 20-year study of the effects of visualization on results revealed an amazing discovery. Think, Pause & Talk There are two kinds of peoples we generally face in every walk of life1] who talks negative and excessive and2] who talks whenever required or talks right and right time.But in reality we get attracted towards person who talks negative and excessive, it gives us fun and tax-free entertainment and we get fascinated and influenced by such activities. Self-contentment Leads to Confidence Being self-content means accepting and acknowledging who you are at your core and becoming satisfied -- maybe not perfect, but satisfied -- in all areas of your life. When you learn to better understand, better appreciate and eventually love yourself, you exude a quiet confidence that will open doors to what you want in life. Leading Grief Groups: The Preliminaries Preparation: If you desire advertising the group, announcements need to go to the media at least six weeks prior to the beginning of the group. Most effective is either an article or listing under Grief/support groups in the local newspaper. |
coaching home | coaching site map | Links |
© Career Consulting Limited 2008
|