So many people I coach have a desire to create something new in their life, but can’t figure out exactly what. They set vague goals like “find a new career that let’s me be creative” or “get a job that inspires me”, but never actually make any progress because they can’t figure out what exactly they want to do. How do you unravel the clues, read the signs, and sort out the hidden messages you send to yourself about what you really want to create in your life?
I have done this for myself multiple times in life. I have it dialed in now, and it’s one of my favorite things to coach around, but the first time was like groping around in the dark. For years I thought I wanted to get an MFCC and become a psychotherapist. In the middle of grad school, on the cusp of doing my first internship, I started feeling huge inner resistance. With dismay, I realized this wasn’t the right path for me after all. Now what?
My job as a technical writer, a great way to put myself through school, became a nightmare to live as my sole career focus. Having no idea what to do next, I sought advice and input wherever I could find it: friends, colleagues, career counselors, astrologers, psychics, tarot readers. What I desperately wanted was someone to help me identify the exact career I should be pursuing and how to get there. What I got instead was a seemingly random set of insights into my talents and interests. It felt utterly frustrating at the
time. My level of sarcasm about the situation hit an all-time high when the conversation with the career counselor boiled down to one essential truth: I was happiest when I was sitting in circles talking with people. I remember railing at the universe thinking, I’m having a total career meltdown and this is the big clue I get?! Sitting in circles with people??
It turned out to be a highly significant clue. As I sat with my small crumb of information, I began to notice where those circles of people existed in my current life: at work in team meetings and in corporate training sessions. I felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe what I was seeking was right in front of me. Within weeks of realizing the significance of this tiny clue, I found my way to the career path I’ve been on now for over 15 years: meeting facilitator and leadership development trainer. The rooms I work in always have people sitting in circles. I couldn’t be happier.
As I have refined my life and explored new passions, I’ve figured out a formula for locating and nurturing tiny clues into full blown life creations. In my coaching practice, I’ve found this formula works to help others finally discover their career passion. You can follow this process yourself through the self-paced program The Passionate Professional: How to Make Your Ordinary Career Extraordinary. Want to learn more? Download the free Passion Discovery Worksheet to discover the clues to work you’d love doing. You’ll receive a short series of emailed tips to help you get started.
If you’re ready to have a thought partner to help you figure out what you want next, contact me for a free introductory coaching session to learn how I can help.
Wishing you professional passion,
Jane
