If you can relate to the question, then chances are you feel a bit lost, like you are spinning your wheels and going nowhere. You're probably keenly aware of people who have job titles and professions you wouldn't mind mentioning at parties, or former classmates who seemed to have defined their career niche years ago.
All of this comparing is depressing and makes you wonder if you'll ever catch up to the place you believe you should be on your career path.
Even though you may feel rather hopeless at this point because you don't know how to turn things around, it can actually be a pivotal time. It's often when you reach a low point where life seems to slow down enough that you can actually begin to negotiate a turn for the better.
Here are several practical steps to get on track in establishing a focus and career direction:
1. Recognize there is truth to the clichι "there is no time like the present", and trust the timing of how your life is unfolding.
2. Let go of regrets about what you have not accomplished to date. While this may be easier said than done, begin by deliberately shifting your attention from those thoughts that make you feel inferior to those that are more uplifting.
3. Make time in your life for reflection and for addressing questions about what you want. Schedule a few hours each week to write in a journal, delve into a career related workbook, or read an inspirational book about finding your life's work. A few of my favorites include: Work With Passion by Nancy Anderson, I Could Do Anything If I Only Knew What It Was by Barbara Sher, The Pathfinder by Nicholas Lore, Callings by Greg Levoy, and Crossing the Unknown Sea: Work As A Pilgrimage Of Identity, by poet David Whyte.
4. Identify a couple of jobs/careers that are of interest to you. Think about the connection they have with who you are and what you value at this time. Pick one to investigate. Jot down your assumptions and questions about it.
5. Interview at least three people who do this work so you become more informed and clear about this option. After the interviews, decide if it you are still interested. If so, take another step and determine the best way to become qualified or to apply for this position.
6. Congratulate yourself! You now have a direction!
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Where Barbara is presenting next:
Women Supporting Women, a free event of the The Maine Women's Fund
February 6, The Woodlands Club, 7-9pm. Come hear about work and life balance and unleashing your investment Goddess!
Maine Association of Personality Type
Using the MBTI in career counseling featuring Barbara Babkirk and Amy Jaffe
Free, Tuesday, February 27, 6:30-8:30pm, Falmouth Library
Yarmouth Wellness Fair, sponsored by the Yarmouth Chamber of Commerce Saturday, March 3, 10-3pm, Yarmouth High School
Hardy Girls, Healthy Women Conference
Saturday, March 24, Fairfield, KVCC
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