For the Professional
Successful but unfulfilled?
Many of my clients have been "successful" in the eyes of the world around them, but when honest with themselves, they're looking for something new or different...
I’ve coached and consulted people with all different experiences—small business owners, actors, corporate employees, teachers, athletes, writers, delivery truck drivers, male, female, singles, couples with kids and without.
When learning about their professional lives, and when pressed to answer “why do you do what you do?” consistently people admit, “I don’t love what I do. I do it because I have to.” Explanations of “have to” included various obligations such as making the mortgage payment, putting food on the table, or paying for expensive schools for children. Another common answer was some version of “this is all I know.”
On a similar but different major topic the question “why are you in the relationship you are in?” generated a similar response—most people were staying in mediocre relationships afraid of change or saying “this is all I know.” You can read more about Relationships & Sex here.
Ok back to your work and professional life…
…I think it makes perfect sense that so many of us end up middle-aged never having felt fulfillment in our careers.
Very few people know what they really want to do early in life
Most of us do something logical, safe, or follow the good intentions of our guardians. Unfortunately most guidance to young people is from the perspective of achieving job security or status—not career happiness or inspiration. As a result most of us end up in our 30’s or 40’s or 50’s having developed a skill or role that pays our bills but doesn’t inspire us. At some point we do the math and conclude, “if I just do this for 15 more years, I can retire.” No strategy is more toxic to your happiness. Reality is that if you spend the next 15 years doing something uninspiring, you won’t have any energy left by that time.
This can evoke fear and admittedly it is not easy. You may have leveraged yourself into a lifestyle that appears dependent on the consistency of your earning, leaving you believing a change is impossible. It is not impossible, but it will require a shift in consciousness and doing footwork.
If I could do it over, I would…
Without me asking , many of the same people mentioned above continued explaining, “…but if I could do it all over again, I would…,” and then completed their sentences with things they were passionate about and go to sleep at night thinking about. Most often:
Meaningful and valuable work, or entrepreneurship—dream businesses that generate profit but also deliver real value in the world.
Relationships—Improve or change.
Health and wellness—increased energy and maintain mobility for high quality of life!
Give more away
Explore God & Spirituality for myself
Others knew they were miserable, however had very few ideas about the change they wanted to make.
Using the same process described in my coaching practice it all starts with a look at your interior life.
I can help you:
Transition from one career to another—it may include moonlighting or it could be a clean break
Discern what your dream occupation is and taking steps in that direction
Identify & transform limiting belief systems holding you back from moving in the direction you know you want to go
I also have a partnership with one of the best entrepreneur coaches on the planet for technical business building strategies. If/when relevant, I can put you in touch with him.
Final Note: If you’re reading this and resisting because you’re not sure if you believe that little voice inside, let’s talk. That voice will not go away. It’s more than fantasy. It is your organic guidance system requesting your attention.
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