http://www.highlandsco.com/abilities_store.php
Talane’s Coaching Tip for the Week, March 28, 2011
Make the Right Career Decisions
“Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside awakes.” Carl Jung
I was just leading the Coaching Call-in hour for the members of LifeCoach.com (one of the many wonderful member benefits!) and one of the participants asked how one can get clarity and make a decision about what to do next career-wise. Career decisions are pretty big ones and getting it right becomes increasingly important as we get older because we have less time to course correct if we get it wrong. You may have a family to support as well.
There is no one-size fits all answer for this question, but there are some general guidelines. First, the more you know yourself, the easier it is to make the right decision in life. This is why we use some sophisticated computerized assessments (such as the Highlands Ability Battery) to very quickly determine what exactly you are wired up to do naturally and effortlessly and what will be a struggle. One of the easiest and quickest ways to get on the right career path is to choose one that is in alignment with your core values and with your natural talents. The problem is, it isn't always easy to know exactly what one's true abilities are. Many of us have learned to become good at tasks and skills and assume that those are our natural talents, but we are often mistaken.
For a personal example, I used to think I was a good manager until I took the Highlands Ability Battery and realized that, while I may have been able to do the job, it certainly wasn't one of my best talents. And sure enough, while I was successful at managing a financial center in downtown Manhattan, I didn't really enjoy it and I always felt I hadn't tapped into my full potential regardless of how long and hard I worked. Now that I've found work that is in perfect alignment with my abilities (coaching, speaking, writing) it feels fun and easy. Banking felt like hard work and I used to hit the snooze alarm and dread going in every morning. That is ancient history now.
The ideal is finding a job that matches both your abilities, your interests, your financial goals, your values and passions and your family considerations and needs. Not always possible, but at least you'll know why you are making the choices that you are and what are the likely consequences of doing so – much better than taking any job that comes its way and then being unhappy or frustrated later. Or spending tons of money on schooling and retraining only to discover you don't like the work it leads to in the end. A bit of instrospection and self-assessment with an experienced life coach will go a long way to helping you get the clarity you seek in any life or career transition.
Warmest,
Talane Miedaner, MCC
Author of the international best seller, Coach Yourself to Success (McGraw-Hill, Jan 2000), The Secret Laws of Attraction (McGraw-Hill, 2008) and Coach Yourself to a New Career (McGraw-Hill, 2010)
P.S. For more information about career transition coaching, contact us at faye@lifecoach.com or go to the www.lifecoach.com website and click on computerized assessments to learn more.
P.P.S. To join the wonderful community of supportive people at LifeCoach.com, click here - Coach Yourself to Success Online - and get 30 Days of Coaching for $1.00. (This special introductory offer will be ending April 30th so take advantage while you can!)
