Several of my clients are not happy at their jobs. They don’t feel appreciated. They don’t feel challenged. They don’t love the work.
They wish they were doing something more fulfilling, more exciting, more passionate.
And their first questions to me are, “Can you help me write my objective on my resume. Can you help me find a new job.”
And I ask them, are you looking for the same situation?
Because, unless we change the HOW and the WHY of what we are looking for, the WHAT will remain the same.
It’s so easy to just want a new job. To get out of here, to find a new, better there. But, unless you take the time to figure out what you’d really love to be doing, you’re going to end up in the same unsatisfying situation.
If you want a different outcome, you have to take a different approach.
I am not a career counselor. My job is not to help you find a job. My role is to help you get back in touch with your heart, your passion, to discover the work you are truly meant to do.
And it’s a process.
And it takes time.
One of the assignments I give my clients is to write a list of all the things they don’t like about their job. Then, on another piece of paper, they write everything they DO like about it.
It could be the actual work, the location, the hours, the people, what they wear, even the job title.
And then, on a third page, they begin to imagine their ideal work situation, incorporating what they don’t want, what they do want and what else they’ve secretly wished for.
By dissecting the “problem” they are able to see that there are aspects of the job that ARE working. This way, they have something positive to focus on as they begin the deeper work. It gives them small reasons to stay at this job that they hate while they are exploring what else might be possible.
And then the real work can begin.
I’ve been in business for myself, helping people love their Macs for 29 years. TWENTY NINE YEARS! Part of me is tired of the work, the chasing technology, the constant push to get new clients. And I thought I just wanted to be done with the whole business.
But when I made my lists, I learned that there are some things I LOVE about the work: the relationships with my clients, figuring out the odd problems, coming up with simple solutions so that they can work with more confidence and ease.
I also discovered the things I don’t like-the repetition of teaching the basics, sitting in one place for two hours, driving all over town. And so I am restructuring the services I offer so that I can still share my expertise and teach people the basics with my video trainings, and also enjoy the troubleshooting and personalized relationships through higher-level support options.
So where in your own life are you unhappy, dissatisfied, wishing for something more heart-centered? Are you so focused on these negative aspects that you aren’t able to see any good in the current situation?
I invite you to take out your own piece of paper and list everything about this situation that isn’t working for you. Then, on another paper, write everything that does bring you some sense of pleasure, satisfaction, pride.
And then, on a third page, give yourself permission to imagine your dream situation, where you feel fulfilled, appreciated, excited, thrilled to show up every day.
THIS is where you can begin to focus your attention.
THIS is how you begin to discover the work you are truly meant to be doing.
I’d love to hear your comments. Just click on Comments below to share.
Love the painting, the idea, the inspiration from having an image…and a plan. Thank you. Oh, and I’ll be watching for those details about the September spark.
Yes, some folks make a vision board, or altar. I brought the imagery full into my life–with the artwork on my walls and refrigerator, the color palette of the clothing I wore, even my jewelry and shoes were beach themed. These are some ideas we’ll play with this fall in the Spark Your Heart, Ignite Your Life gathering.