Career Coaching - You Do Know What You Really Want To Do
posted by Liz 20 May 2007
by Simone Cameron, Life Coach
I’m a life and career coach and most of my clients tell me during our first session that they know they want to change careers, but they don’t know what they want to do. Amazingly, by the end of the session, that client is usually focused on a small step towards their new career.
Most of the time we do know what we really want to do but we don’t believe that it is possible. Most of the time we won’t even dare say out loud what we secretly would love to do. We have so many obstacles and barriers in our heads and a whole list of reasons why we couldn’t possibly do what we would like to really do.
Some of my clients are brave and they share these initial thoughts with friends and families. They haven’t completely formulated their idea, they are just excited and want some encouragement so they can dip their toes in the next step. Usually when you share your thoughts about a new venture, people have opinions or bring up obstacles that can put you off even trying. You changing can threaten people; it can make them think about their own life and all the things they need to change. It might take you away from their world and ‘you’ as they know you.
Also most people find it very hard to listen. Try telling someone about something that has happened to you and you will find that they will chime in about how they did something similar and all of a sudden you are not talking about your career change, you are talking about them. It’s not because they don’t love you or want you to succeed – it’s just human nature.
Career coaching works because you have an expert really listening to you who is objective and qualified in this niche, and has tools and techniques that will help move you forward. They will ask you those challenging questions that will make you aware of those things that you would do if you knew you couldn’t fail, if money was no object and you only had a few years to live. They will show you how you are limiting yourself and make you aware of the resources and skills you already have and how it is possible to create and find the ones you don’t have yet.
OK, having money to pay the rent is important, but you can find a way to make a living from the things you dream of if you want it enough. Or you can choose to balance your life in other ways such as voluntary work or hobbies you are passionate about. It depends on what you really want to do as opposed to what you think you should or ought to do. Don’t let fear of failing stop you from doing what you dream of doing. Don’t let your perfectionist nature stop you from even trying.
Simone Cameron of Cameron Coaching specialises in career change and work/life balance.
www.scameroncoaching.com
07932 033975 or email scameroncoaching@yahoo.co.uk