| Your Guide to Navigating the Road of WorkDo | | | | should be taking a more scenic route? It is |
| you feel that your life is an express lane | | | | not unusual for adults to have experienced |
| and you are driving blindly? Ever feel that | | | | multiple careers in their lifetime and many |
| way about your career? You spend most of your | | | | jobs. The days of staying in one place and |
| waking hours on the thruway of work. Are you | | | | receiving an award at the end are long gone. |
| one of many people who are working in a job | | | | It is okay change lanes. First decide if you |
| they are not satisfied with? Some wonder how | | | | should improve where you are or if it is time |
| they got where they are in the first place; | | | | to move on. Look around and observe your |
| did they somehow miss a turn along the way? | | | | current work. Put on another pair of |
| Many have lost their passion for work | | | | sunglasses and see the view with a different |
| altogether, they arrive each day on cruise | | | | lens. Could positive changes be made where |
| control and return, gas tank emptied at the | | | | you are? Are your perceptions true or tinted |
| end of the day.Wish you had a AAA road map to | | | | by your self perceptions? Step back to get |
| guide you through your journey? Ever want to | | | | the bigger picture. If you find the need for |
| make a U-turn or take a more scenic route? | | | | change, communicate what it is that you need. |
| Life is full of transition, beginning a job, | | | | Want to be challenged, to be able to put your |
| pursuing a career, making a commitment to a | | | | own creativity into your projects? See if you |
| relationship, having children, trying to | | | | can find better fulfillment right where you |
| balance work and family life and caring for | | | | are, if not, make a career change to |
| aging parents. Our work affects our life and | | | | something that is more supportive of where |
| our life affects our work, both are | | | | you want to be.The key to knowing if you |
| intertwined. As a result your career often | | | | should make a change is determining if you |
| has its fast lanes; it's off ramps, mergers | | | | are happy where you are. Like a sight seeing |
| and speed bumps along the way. Sometimes you | | | | tour, look around, take some notes. What is |
| might feel out of control, ready to spin out | | | | working for you, what is not? What changes do |
| at any time, other times you are in cruise | | | | you need to make? Write them down and make a |
| control. Learning how to design your own road | | | | commitment to make the changes you need |
| map and how to take control of the wheel can | | | | personally and professionally.As a successful |
| help you to navigate your lifetime of career | | | | sales person in a high tech company others |
| transitions. Learning the keys to a | | | | thought I was happy, I was making a lucrative |
| successful navigation can help you to | | | | income, was well recognized in the company |
| navigate sharp turns, detour around | | | | and was on my way to being offered a |
| accidents, and to enjoy a smooth, safe | | | | headquarters management position. By then the |
| ride.Chart your own course. Get to know | | | | speed bumps had come along. What do we do |
| yourself very well. The self discovery | | | | with speed bumps? We slow down, we use |
| process will prevent you from making | | | | caution, we look to the left and the right, |
| decisions that do not support your values, | | | | and we re-evaluate our position. For me, the |
| interests and passions. Without self | | | | speed bumps on my road where my children. On |
| knowledge you might find yourself "off | | | | the inside I struggled, I had a 2 year old |
| roading" or worse yet, stuck. Use the tips | | | | and 5 year old at home and I wondered what it |
| below; they are the keys to a successful ride | | | | would be like to give up the mahogany board |
| to help you to identify your ideal work and | | | | room meetings for a day in the sandbox. One |
| to make it yourown. Being familiar with what | | | | November day I was on a ride at Disney and |
| you really want in your life is like having | | | | made the plans for my exit. I gave my notice, |
| the best road map in your glove compartment. | | | | leaving in February of the next year. My |
| I've learned, as a career coach, that many of | | | | change was successful and using the tools in |
| my clients simply lack the map:"I've been | | | | my navigational Guide, I was able to master |
| working for years at this job but find I have | | | | staying home and then later return to work |
| less and less energy at the end of the day. I | | | | effortlessly, choosing a different career |
| hate it. But what else could I possibly | | | | that better supported my new work/life |
| do?""I chose this job because it was a good | | | | balance needs.4. Create your own roadmap: |
| fit for me at the time. I wonder if it is | | | | design your ideal job or career: If you've |
| possible to make a change. I'd like to work | | | | decided to make some changes you will need |
| in the community or for a non profit group | | | | your own roadmap to guide you. What do you |
| but don't have any experience in this area, | | | | really want out of your life and what role |
| can you help? Can I make a change or is it | | | | does your work play in that goal? Most of our |
| too late?""I've been at home raising my | | | | waking hours are spent working, why not do |
| family and now I've like to return to the | | | | what you enjoy? Visualize your ideal day, |
| workforce, I am not sure what to say about my | | | | what are you doing? Where are you? Who is |
| absence? What transferable skills do I | | | | around you? What talents are you using? Are |
| have?"I feel like I've missed my calling. I | | | | you in a corporation, a desk at home or at a |
| want to work at a job I feel passionate | | | | small non profit group? You have a meeting at |
| about.""How can I make sure I get the next | | | | 10:00, who is there and what are they |
| promotion?"You have choices about your career | | | | discussing? You get a phone call, what is it |
| destination; you get to pick your journey. | | | | about? It is lunchtime, what are you doing? |
| You deserve to have work that is fulfilling, | | | | Now, 3:00 and a call comes in, who is it and |
| has meaning and uses your gifts. You also | | | | what do they want from you? How do you feel |
| deserve to have a life outside of work. Since | | | | when you leave at 5:00? What do you plan to |
| 9/11 many professionals have made career | | | | do with your evening? Get a sense of the road |
| changes to reflect their interests and to | | | | that is the best ride for you. What types of |
| increase their work/life balance. We realized | | | | jobs offer these attractions? Identify the |
| that our lives are too precious to spend it | | | | work possibilities that you might want to |
| doing something we don't enjoy. My current | | | | explore. Make a list of your job targets.A |
| clients include men who are turning from | | | | software engineer reported he was bored after |
| software engineering and project management | | | | doing the same type of job for many years. He |
| to science, teaching, consulting and small | | | | wanted to start a part time business, one |
| business ownership. Many women are making | | | | that he could take into his retirement. We |
| decisions to leave the corporate world to | | | | discovered he enjoyed cooking. His ideal job |
| raise their families or to start their own | | | | would be to bring healthy cooking and a fun |
| businesses or to find something in between | | | | entertaining experience to others. Within six |
| that allow them to balance a life of | | | | weeks he established a business identity as a |
| childcare and elder care at the same time, | | | | professional chef and is contracted to cook |
| all while finding some time for themselves. | | | | at a corporate gathering in one month. He |
| A 2004 study conducted by the Center for | | | | looks forward to enjoying his new career.5. |
| Work-Life Policy indicated that 37% of highly | | | | Your Journey: Charting your course For |
| qualified women leave their careers for a | | | | Success: Without goals you are like a |
| period of time, 58% resort to flexible or | | | | traveler without a destination, you don't |
| part time hours. To summarize, what are you | | | | know what direction to go in and will not |
| doing to meet your career needs? What | | | | know when you have arrived. Like any journey |
| decisions are you putting off? What | | | | there is a time of departure, a period of |
| improvements can you make in your own | | | | time spent in "transit" which can be |
| career?Your Guide: Before I hand over the | | | | disorientating and a point of arrival. Having |
| keys to career navigation, let me explain why | | | | a clear sense of your journey will remind you |
| I feel I am qualified to serve as your guide. | | | | of why you are traveling and will get you |
| In addition to having extensive training in | | | | through the uncomfortable time of passage. |
| Coaching with specialty training in Career | | | | Spend the time to research your options in |
| and Business Coaching, I too have navigated | | | | the same way you would visit a travel guide. |
| several career changes. It is this personal | | | | Read the book "Working Identity" and realize |
| experience that has helped me to help others | | | | that there may be many different types of |
| to take control of the drive and to have a | | | | careers for you, like unvisited cities, you |
| clear vision of the road. I have over 25 | | | | don't know if you'd like it there unless you |
| years of working experience, having worked a | | | | learned more about it. Take some professional |
| number of years in Corporate America in | | | | career assessments to help guide your |
| sales, marketing and management consulting in | | | | options. Need to have additional education or |
| the information technology industry. I also | | | | certification for the work you want to do? |
| took time to raise a family and became a | | | | Take a detour, figure out how to take the |
| community volunteer. I pursued a second | | | | coursework you need. Ask for directions, |
| master's degree at age 40, worked as a | | | | network with others who have the job you |
| psychotherapist and small business owner and | | | | might be interested in. Ask to stop in for a |
| then became CEO of my own coaching company | | | | visit, take a look around. Try on the idea of |
| and a partner Career Coach and Vice President | | | | a new job like a new spring coat. Get a sense |
| of Marketing for a global coaching firm. | | | | of how it fits. Keep in the lane, write down |
| What I learned most from my own experiences | | | | your goals and take single daily actions |
| and professional career coaching training is | | | | towards making them happen. Achievable goals |
| that you do have choices. You get to chart | | | | are specific and measurable and include what |
| your course and most importantly, you have to | | | | you will do and when you will do it. Journal |
| keep moving forward to take action on your | | | | your goals and your progress.She was unhappy |
| personal and professional goals. So gas up | | | | in her work at the television station. |
| your tank and get ready to go.The Keys to a | | | | Everyone was so busy and focused she lacked |
| Successful Ride:1. Give your Map a Name: | | | | the human connection she needed in her work. |
| Write your Mission Statement: Who are you | | | | She also wanted to feel that her work meant |
| really? What are your passions? What are your | | | | something that it helped others in some way. |
| values, what motivates you and what gifts do | | | | She read Working Identity and decided to try |
| you have that you want to share with others? | | | | out other types of work. Her assessments |
| What is your personal brand, those unique | | | | confirmed that she was a helper and an |
| qualities that make up who you really are? | | | | educator, creative and caring about others. |
| What do you want out of your life? What do | | | | She "tried on" the job of a early childhood |
| you dream of? Write your own mission | | | | educator by taking a course. She tried out |
| statement for your life and work by knowing | | | | the career of a speech therapist by talking |
| yourself well. If you feel stuck, try to | | | | to one, she tried out working with special |
| think of what you enjoyed doing as a child, | | | | needs children through a part time job, she |
| what did you want to be when you grew up? Ask | | | | researched, talked to people, observed and |
| your friends what they enjoy about you the | | | | then decided what she wanted to do. She will |
| most. Find your life purpose. When you do, | | | | be soon enrolling in a Masters program for |
| write your mission statement for your work | | | | Occupational Therapy.6. Arriving at your |
| and your life. You will find that knowing | | | | destination: So, you've chosen your |
| your life purpose will help you to make the | | | | destination, you have a map and are ready to |
| career decision that reflects your values and | | | | begin your journey. Before you put your foot |
| uses your talents.At age 62 she took the time | | | | to the pedal you will need a full tank of |
| to evaluate her life and to reflect on what | | | | gas, some beverages and tasteful snacks to |
| she really wanted. She remembered that she | | | | keep you energized on your journey. Know that |
| really loved her bohemian style life when she | | | | there will be bumps in the road and you might |
| was younger and carefree. She compared that | | | | feel lost at times. Trust that your instincts |
| to her task oriented life and her long list | | | | will set you back on course. Keep on the road |
| of accomplishments. Upon making this | | | | and the mile markers will quickly fly by. Arm |
| discovery she limited her proficient "to do" | | | | yourself with a solid compass, the resume |
| list to only 8 items and replaced that time | | | | that provides a glowing review of your unique |
| by doing the things she loved, she started | | | | qualities and contributions. Set your goal to |
| yoga, walking daily and singing in her choir. | | | | simply enjoy the scenery, know you might have |
| Ironically once she did this she was also to | | | | a number of interviewing visits before |
| get the job that she was seeking, switching | | | | narrowing your choices. Communicate your |
| from high tech to healthcare.2. Label your | | | | "blue crystals" and become the ideal job |
| Main Attractions: A successful ad campaign | | | | candidate. Visit many places, meet many |
| for Tide revealed its special "blue | | | | people. Become an interesting tourist. Let |
| crystals", its unique selling point. What are | | | | others learn from you. Then they will want |
| you main attractions? What do you have to | | | | you to stay. Choose your destination, seeking |
| offer in talent, skills, education, gifts | | | | the best "hotel"; make sure you are getting |
| that make you unique? What are your | | | | the value in return to the value that you |
| successes? Write down your CAR stories, tell | | | | provide. You deserve only the finest of |
| the story of a Challenge you experienced, the | | | | linens. Choose the nameplate that fits you |
| Action you took to solve the challenge and | | | | best, define your working hours to allow |
| the Result that you gained. Learn the art of | | | | flexibility for your many journeys and park |
| self promotion. Do it in a way that you are | | | | your car in the work you desire. |
| comfortable with, but do it. Making your | | | | Congratulations, you have arrived. Celebrate |
| attraction visible will keep it on the map; | | | | yourself!Feel you might need help in figuring |
| make it a showcase that everyone wants to | | | | out your destination or need a passenger to |
| visit. If you practice this tool it will be | | | | help guide you on your journey? Need to |
| easy for you to use it in an interview or to | | | | simply stop for directions? I'd like to learn |
| gain the promotion you want. Take a moment | | | | more about your travel plans. Maybe you |
| to write down your "blue crystals."I am | | | | simply need a professional career assessment |
| working with a woman in Boston who has a | | | | to help you to guide your course, or maybe |
| passion for politics and environmental | | | | you want a partner to keep you motivated and |
| issues. While she was able to express her | | | | on the road. Let's figure it out. Contact me |
| environmental interests in her research at | | | | to talk about where you are at and where you |
| work, we both sensed that her voice needed to | | | | would like to be.Don't forget to sign up for |
| be heard in a bigger way. Once she was able | | | | the complimentary newsletter which is filled |
| to turn down the volume of self doubt and | | | | with tips and snack items to help you on your |
| turn up her personal volume she became a free | | | | journey, McLaughlin, CEO of Open Door |
| lance writer and public speaker. She is | | | | Coaching, offers career and business coaching |
| getting paid for publishing her opinion and | | | | worldwide from her Nashua, NH office. She is |
| expertise and has established a writing desk | | | | a certified Career Coach and licensed |
| in her home, a rest stop where she can freely | | | | psychotherapist, member of the International |
| write and let her voice be heard.3. Take a | | | | Coach Federation and President of the local |
| look around: "Should I stay or should I go?" | | | | Business and Professional Women's |
| Are you working at a job where you don't | | | | organization. Her signature strengths are |
| enjoy the scenery anymore? Are you feeling | | | | leadership, zest, loyalty, teambuilding and |
| like your gifts are not being used and your | | | | gratitude. Her passion for life and ability |
| work is not appreciated? Do you have a tug in | | | | to think BIG for those around her has helped |
| the pit of your stomach when you leave for | | | | her to help her clients get the lives they |
| work in the morning, wishing you were at home | | | | want by creating the career they desire. |
| instead? Are you concerned that your position | | | | Visit for a free newsletter "Its All About |
| may be eliminated but are not being | | | | the Journey" for more information on how to |
| proactive?How do you know when you really | | | | navigate The Road of Work. |