Helen Horyza Career Advice

You Are Unique

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 17:05:29 GMT

You Are Unique

Before you dig into the never-ending flood of information AI can offer, I encourage you to internalize your Elevations career assessment results first. Understand who you are and why you do what you do at the deepest level. Your innate capabilities are the one element that will remain stable in this ever-changing world.

Once you know yourself well, take your entire Elevations customized report and drop it into your favorite AI engine.

Ask the following questions:
What are the best-paid, highest demand careers that align with my capabilities?
What is my competitive edge in the labor market?
What do I need to work on, personally and professionally, to excel in my career?
What makes me a great leader?

If you think Elevations is amazing, you are right! And, with AI, it’s even more powerful. Explore the AI-driven career development resources emerging on the market (pelgo.com, tealhq.com, jobtest.org). The list is endless.

But they are limited, because they do not know you as deeply or completely as they could.

No matter what resources you use to deal with career indecision or job loss, your first step is Elevations. In just 15 to 20 minutes, you prioritize what matters to you, what you enjoy doing, what interests you, and who you are, from a temperament standpoint.

Elevations generates a detailed report describing you in detail. This is your blueprint to prompt AI. Ask anything and be amazed.

Targeted and Deliberate

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 22:47:11 GMT

Targeted and Deliberate

Is the labor market frozen, or are you? Or both?

Lately, I’ve met a slew of people sitting on the edge of a career change but afraid to take the plunge. One has a rock-solid idea for an entrepreneurial venture, and another needs to find a job closer to home but worries there are not enough options. Others are settling for entry-level work when they could do so much more.

You have your own reasons for holding back on your much-needed transition. Perhaps the steady drumbeat of the “frozen labor market” has dampened your enthusiasm. Today I have a message for you. Let’s figure out how to get you unfrozen!

Step One: Stop Mass Applying—Start Precision Targeting

Instead of 50 generic applications, aim for 5 to 10 high-quality ones per week. Tailor your resume to each role, write short, specific cover letters, and focus on roles where you meet 70 to 80% of the requirements (not 100%).

Step Two: Treat Networking as Your Main Channel (not a backup)

A frozen market often means jobs are still filled—but through referrals. Reach out to former coworkers, classmates, or industry peers. Message people at companies you’re targeting (short and respectful). Two or three real conversations each week will outperform dozens of applications.

Step Three: Create Signals That You Are Active and Relevant.

Do small projects that align with your longer-term career goals. Share insights or lessons on LinkedIn. Take targeted certifications or courses if they are respected and recognized by prospective employers.

Finally, please bet on you. Your faith in your capabilities and vision is the single most important factor in the success of your career change. Get a career coach if needed (you guessed it, I’m ready to help). Support, strategy, and resources will all be needed for you to step into your next, best future.

What's In It For You?

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 19:16:00 GMT

What's In It For You?

Finding a good listener can be a challenge. You are surrounded by people who talk over you, change the subject back to themselves, and develop their answers while you are still talking. It’s frustrating and rampant.

But what if you turned this lack of human connection into an opportunity ?

Let’s look at the benefits of making your living as an exquisite listener:

You Get Paid for Your Emotional Intelligence: Listening isn’t passive.

It’s a high-value skill. Professionals who listen well help others process their emotions, make decisions, and resolve conflicts. In our noisy, distracted world, professional listeners are an indispensable resource. The coaching industry in the U.S. is large and growing, estimated at around $18 billion in revenue in 2025 and slated to exceed 20 billion in 2026.

You Develop Deep Emotional Intelligence: When you actively listen every day, you naturally improve. You refine your empathy, patience, emotional regulation, and nonverbal awareness.

People Trust You More: Being known as the person who really listens builds stronger personal relationships and professional credibility.

Holy cow, it’s profitable, helps you grow, and inspires trust. I would add one more thing that means the most to me. Listening for a living is deeply rewarding. At the end of an initial session with a new client, I often hear that they now have hope. I’ve given them space to access their own wisdom.

I encourage you to focus on your listening skills and find ways to improve them. Start by remembering people’s names when you meet them for the first time. I know—you are terrible at that. We all are. Prove you can do better, and you are on the road to being a genius listener.

You Might Be Surprised

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 19:19:14 GMT

You Might Be Surprised

The first evening at coaching school can be unsettling. The first surprise comes when students learn the role of a coach, as distinct from a consultant or a therapist. For many, they feel lost, stripped of their accumulated knowledge and expertise.

Here are some definitions to help you understand what the role of an ICF ( International Coaching Federation ) credentialed coach is:

Coach: A credentialed professional who partners with clients in a structured, ethical, and competency-based process to unlock awareness, action, and sustainable growth.

Consultant: An expert providing advice, solutions, or recommendations based on specialized knowledge in a particular field.

Therapist: A licensed professional who addresses psychological, emotional, or mental health issues, often focused on healing past trauma and resolving dysfunction.

In presenting the three definitions, it’s important to honor and respect each role. The key is to understand the difference and stay in the optimal lane to benefit the client. This can become even more confusing as a career coach because we integrate aspects of consulting and therapy into our work.

Let me be more specific. Many clients come to a career coach feeling anxious and discouraged. They may be stuck in a toxic or unrewarding job. This has real emotional consequences. A great career coach honors those feelings. If the client is severely distressed, then a referral to a therapist is warranted.

Additionally, career coaches offer expertise and information. They administer career assessments , assist with resumes and LinkedIn profiles, and teach job search strategies. The key is integrating coaching with consulting, so the client owns the process and is accountable for it.

If you have been thinking about becoming a career coach, this mini tutorial will help make your first day in class much easier. The next cohort of the Career Coach Entrepreneur Academy starts March 17, 2026 ��

Please reach out to me directly to learn more about our program

Improve the Outcome

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 18:19:19 GMT

Improve the Outcome

Sure, the word controlling is strong. But when it comes to networking to find a job, I find it best to be blunt. You benefit from controlling the conversation, the impression you leave, and, perhaps most important, your follow-up.

Your number one goal is to make each person you meet feel successful. Most people want to help, but the way you frame your strategy and approach to your job search can limit or eliminate their ability to help you.

Let’s break this down:

Control the Conversation:

If you don’t guide the conversation, it can drift into small talk. To avoid this, ask targeted questions that reflect the excellent research you have done into your desired industry and role. Keep the exchange focused on your career goals and strengths.

Address any Baggage Directly:

If you are meeting with someone you have a history with, be sure to clear up any past conflicts or misconceptions. Leaving them lurking in the background will undermine your efforts and theirs.

Control the Impression you Leave:

Position yourself clearly by sharing relevant achievements. Frame your experience strategically. People are more likely to help someone who seems purposeful.

Control the Follow-Up:

Here’s where the biggest pitfalls lie. Many people you network with will offer to send your resume to an influential person they know. They think this is helpful, but it’s not. You lose control. You don’t know if they sent it, and you have no good way to follow up. Ask them to call the influential person and pitch your amazing qualifications. Then you send the resume to a warm lead. Things go much more smoothly, and you remain in charge.

If you are trying to find a job, you already know that applying for listed jobs is mostly useless. Online job sites make it easy for hundreds or thousands of people to apply. At some point, humans need to narrow the pool down. Their favorite default is to hire someone they already know and skip the overwhelming job scenario.

So, focus on networking and be a control freak about it. You will save time and improve the quality of your outcome.

Manage Your Mind

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 23:33:04 GMT

Manage Your Mind

Affirmations work well when they are aligned with a strategy. For example, if you are heading into an important interview, you might be willing to say positive things to yourself to improve your performance. You are not lying to yourself; rather, you are leveraging your intelligence to elevate your self-esteem.

The science behind affirmations is compelling. Here are a few reasons why they work:

Your self-concept shapes your perceptions and behavior: Your brain is constantly filtering reality. What gets through that filter depends on your self-concept (your internal story about who you are). Affirmations can reinforce positive identity beliefs, such as “I am capable” or “I belong here.”

Thoughts are not just abstractions—they’re neural activity: Repeated thoughts strengthen specific neural pathways. Thus, certain interpretations and emotional responses become more automatic over time. Affirmations are repetitive mental exercises. Eventually, they rewire your brain.

You create the expectancy effect: Beliefs change physiology and behavior. If you genuinely expect to handle challenges well or believe you can learn new things, you will persist towards your goal for longer periods of time and interpret setbacks as temporary.

In the midst of a career transition or a job search, many factors are out of your control. However, you can choose to manage your thoughts and incorporate self-statements into your daily routine to increase your confidence and creativity. I think that’s worth doing.

Start Seeing Options

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 19:16:16 GMT

Start Seeing Options

Career violations like layoffs, power-hungry bosses, and toxic workplaces are real—and can be devastating. If they persist over time, you begin to feel wronged and powerless. If that’s not bad enough, there is a secondary impact. You shut down mentally.

Let me break it down for you. Here are ways the victim perspective narrows your thinking

Limits perceived options : Your focus shifts to asking, who caused this or why is this unfair? This reduces attention to questions like, what can I control right now or what small action can I take to improve my situation?

Shifts responsibility outward : You may, in fact, have experienced a real external threat or violation. But focusing on outward causes reduces your sense of personal agency. As a result, problem-solving may stall because action feels pointless or impossible.

Increases emotional load : Feelings like anger, fear, shame, or resentment take up mental bandwidth. You may resort to short-term venting rather than sustainable fixes. Additionally, you can begin to burn out your support system.

These are all problematic impacts. But the one that hurts my clients seeking career satisfaction and success the most is the erosion of creativity. When you feel stuck and victimized, you don’t see options. You can’t think outside the box. The best next step (which might not be that hard) eludes you.

For all these reasons, I want you to take back your agency and your brilliance. If you feel victimized by an aspect of your current career situation, I invite you to shift your mentality to massive accountability. Now you are in charge.

You Are Not Alone

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 20:33:40 GMT

You Are Not Alone

The science of stuckness (yes, there is such a thing) has found that when you are stuck, you also feel utterly alone. Newsflash ��, the opposite is true. Most people report being stuck in some aspect of their lives. You are far from alone!

From a career development perspective, I call this your crossroad . You are not where you want to be and are paralyzed by anxiety. You worry, struggle with self-esteem, and see few options. You stay with your current situation because it’s the devil you know. Also, the consequences of changing your career and making a mistake further thwart your potential progress.

Here are some steps you can take to get unstuck:

Step One: Calm Down

When you feel stuck, your brain interprets the situation as uncertain or risky. This activates the amygdala, shifting you into threat mode, which includes narrowed thinking, reduced creativity, avoidance, and procrastination. As difficult as it might be, you need to start breathing and settle your nerves. Take a long walk, talk to a chicken soup friend, or make an appointment with your career coach . Get support and stop isolating.

Step Two: Shrink the Problem to Restore Agency

Large goals overload the prefrontal cortex. Small goals work because they reintroduce predictability, create fast dopamine feedback, and rebuild a sense of control. So, identify micro-actions, such as meeting with a colleague for coffee or taking a career assessment . Build on your success and reboot your confidence.

Step Three: Change the State, Not the Thought

Stuckness is a state of being, not a belief. Some good ways to shift your state include physical movement, novel environments (even a different room), and temperature shifts (cold water on your face). These state-shifting actions reset neural firing patterns and interrupt your thought loops.

As you feel less stuck and in the flow of a journey to the next chapter in your career, you can harness your intellect, creativity, and resources to design what’s next.

Make Up Your MInd

Sat, 17 Jan 2026 19:56:05 GMT

Make Up Your Mind

Last night, one of my students in the Career Coach Entrepreneur Academ y asked me if I believe in New Year’s resolutions. I firmly responded “no”. Upon reflection, that’s not accurate. I enter 2026 having made some important decisions that I am firmly committed to. And I am using my resolve to follow through to completion.

A decision is the act or process of choosing among options. It is the product of thinking and judgment. In my case, I’ve decided to transition my company from an S Corp to an LLC. This means I no longer run payroll (or pay for a payroll service), simplify my tax payments, and generally streamline my operations.

Unfortunately, this change also generates a lot of busy work I hate to do. Here’s where the resolution comes in. A resolution is a formal expression or firm commitment that follows a decision. So, I am diligently opening new bank accounts, canceling insurance, and updating a slew of auto payments that flow into my checking accounts—well, you get my drift—lots of minutiae.

Perhaps the reason so many New Year’s resolutions end up fading away is the lack of a decision up front. Ask yourself, what do you want to accomplish, and why are you doing it? Determine if you have the energy and resources to follow through on your commitment. Think clearly about the sacrifices you will need to make to reach your goals. Then, let your rock-solid resolution kick in.

Please accept my sincere wish that your 2026 is filled with joy and great decisions, fueled by resolutions. Let’s do this��

Open Up Dialogue

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 18:49:16 GMT

Open Up Dialogue

Students in my coaching school are often surprised to hear they should avoid the word why. I thought I’d take some time today to dig into the pitfalls surrounding this popular, but potentially problematic word.

Let’s start with the basics. A question with the word “why” can trigger defensiveness and shut down open dialogue. This is especially true if you add an aggressive tone of voice and forceful body language.

Even if your tone is warm and you are not pointing a finger, the person you are speaking to may still feel less safe when the word “why” is used.

Let’s dig into some reasons:

“Why” can sound like an accusation. Why did you do that?” can sound like “you were wrong.”

It activates the brain’s threat response. Why questions can put people into self-protection mode.

It focuses on past behavior. Why often digs into causes and mistakes, which can keep the conversation stuck in the past.

It encourages rationalization, not reflection. People rarely know the true “why” behind their behavior. When asked why, they tend to invent a logical-sounding story instead of accessing deeper motivations or emotions.

It can imply a power imbalance. In workplaces, parenting or an interview, “why” can feel like an interrogation, reinforcing the hierarchy instead of collaboration.

The fix is pretty easy. Work on starting questions with the words how or what. They are far less triggering. The next time you enter an important conversation, notice your use of the word “why” and try to replace it.

Design Your Future

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 21:20:08 GMT

Design Your Future

You have likely heard to trust your first instinct when taking a test. The research supports this guidance if you are assessing your knowledge of facts or taking a multiple-choice exam. But this advice does not hold up when completing the Elevations career self-assessment .

In a state of ambivalence, you may be tempted to rush through prioritizing your values, skills, and interests. If you do this, your results will reflect your confusion. In the hunt for clarity and career direction, you might get the opposite outcome.

So, here are a few quick tips to help you get the most out of Elevations:

Take Elevations when you are well rested. Limit distractions. You need to think deeply about who you are and what you want in the next chapter of your life.

As you determine your top 15 values and enjoyable skills, make sure you are tapping into what matters to you—not what society, your family, or your culture is telling you to do.

Notice you can move items from the thumbs up, to the OK, and to the thumbs down column easily. In other words, feel free to change your mind as you get more options to consider.

When you get to the Interest section, don’t analyze each career from a practical standpoint. Imagine the career options are a stack of magazines. Select as many as you would like for the thumbs-up column, reflecting the full range of your interests.

Slow down and engage both your heart and your head. You are designing the foundation for your future.

Take advantage of your 30 days of access to revisit your assessment. You can refine your choices and get the best results.

While Elevations can be purchased by anyone without special training or a license, it is a powerful platform that can be optimized if you follow the guidance I offer here. If you are in a career crossroad and need additional help, please visit our career coach directory found at the ElevateYourCareer.com website.

This newsletter is hitting your inbox on New Year’s Eve. Perhaps this is the nudge you’ve been needing to level up your career in 2026.

On the Eve of Christmas

Wed, 24 Dec 2025 23:27:33 GMT

On the Eve of Christmas

Thank you for taking a moment to read this newsletter. I'm so very grateful. Your support means the world to me. On this Christmas Eve, I'd like to share a little inspiration with you.

The Light of Christmas

When nights grow long, and cold winds sigh,
And stars feel closer in the sky,
A gentle light begins to rise—
Not loud or proud, but warm and wise.

It glows in hands that choose to give,
In hearts that forgive and let hope live,
In quiet acts, both small and true,
In seeing the world made new by you.

Christmas isn’t just bells or cheer,
Or gifts wrapped bright once a year—
It’s courage found in darkest days,
It’s love that shows us kinder ways.

So carry this light where shadows fall,
Let it answer each silent call,
For when you shine with peace and care,
Christmas lives—because you’re there.

Source: Anonymous

Beginnings Are Messy

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 18:24:52 GMT

Beginnings Are Messy

Much has been said about the job search. The phase that follows successful re-employment is less discussed. The first weeks and months of a new career, role, or business start-up are a mix of excitement and confusion. In my Elevate Career Cycle Model , I call this the Emerge phase.

Each new beginning is unique, but a few things are predictable:

If you have worked hard to craft your transition, you enter the new job with a burst of healthy pride. It takes guts to navigate a career change. When you arrive at your new situation, you have every right to pat yourself on the back. Take a moment to bask in your elevated self-esteem; you’ve earned it! ��
Your new role serves up a ton of new responsibilities. Sometimes you have someone to ask, other times you are left to figure stuff out. You are slower than you want to be and inevitably make mistakes. It’s humbling and frustrating.
The emotional undercurrent is unsettled. You have high hopes and excitement. At the same time, you feel untethered and lost. You might miss your previous role where you were the master of your tasks. Now you wonder what to do first, who to trust, and how long it will take for you to feel comfortable.
Occasionally, a job change might be accompanied by a new home, a new location, and a million decisions to make. Where is the grocery store? How will I find a dentist? The infrastructure of your life needs to be built.

If you don’t understand or prepare for the rocky new beginning, it can leave you feeling both sad and anxious. You want to emerge from your previous role ready to rock the world. But you can’t. Like a newborn baby, you are messy and beautiful.

There is no magic strategy or fix for this emergent phase in your life. When I navigated the biggest career transition in my life, I was aware that my first few months would be scattered and unpredictable. No matter what I was feeling (up, down, or shaky), I gave myself grace. I knew it would take time. I built my new life step by step, celebrating the small stuff.

If you or someone you know is navigating a career emergence, be patient. Take long walks, share your feelings with someone you trust, and ask for help. Focus on your strengths and give yourself credit when you get something right. Shut down your inner critic. Small wins will lead you to stabilize and shine.

It Depends...

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 19:48:05 GMT

It Depends...

Leaving your job is stressful. You feel guilty about burdening fellow employees with more work. Saying goodbye to a great boss can weigh on your heart. And, you might feel loyal to the organization, whether you should or not.

In the middle of this complex scenario, you wonder when, or if, you should tell your boss you are looking for another opportunity. It’s not a clear-cut situation.

Here is some advice to follow if you, or someone you know, plans to leave but does not know what to do:

Do Not Tell Your Boss You Plan to Quit If:

Your boss has proven to be unsupportive, unreliable, or flat-out terrible. They will likely use the information to make your life more difficult.

Your company has a policy of walking employees to the door upon termination. Your employment may be in jeopardy if they find out you are ready to leave.

You cannot trust your boss to keep the information confidential.

Do Tell Your Boss If:

There is ample evidence that your boss is trustworthy. A great leader will encourage you to grow in your career in any way that suits you. They can support you when you need to go to job interviews, and you will feel less conflicted about your exit.

You are motivated to train your replacement. This might seem nuts on the surface, but you’ve worked hard to create solutions and positive relationships in your current role. You might enjoy protecting the investment you’ve made as you move on.

Your boss is an important part of your professional network and will be willing to open doors for you. A great boss has taken the time to get to know you and understands your strengths. They can be an important ally in your search and in your career over the long haul.

Most people feel they need to keep their job hunt secret, and as I mentioned, sometimes this is the best choice. But take a moment to step back and ask yourself if an honest, transparent conversation is warranted. It can reduce your stress and give you more creative energy to make an amazing transition.

Do It Your Way

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 15:51:04 GMT

Do It Your Way

I’ve been a full-time business owner for twenty-five years, so I’ve done quite a bit of networking. Let me add that I am a bona fide introvert and don’t enjoy small talk. That limits the kind of networking I enjoy.

I do attend conferences, Rotary meetings, and chamber events, but it’s extremely rare. If I do go into this kind of arena, I need to have very specific goals. I will set a target for the number of contacts, conversations, and follow-up meetings I plan to secure. I will not let myself leave until the goal is met. This is achieved through pure determination.

While I accept that my marketing strategies will not always be enjoyable, I have found a way to tip the balance towards pleasant interactions and excellent results. I’ve achieved this by knowing myself very well and being selective.

Here are the networking strategies I don’t avoid:

My Current Favorite: Pickleball!

Yep, I drank the Kool-Aid. I’ve joined two local clubs, one is indoors and the other is outdoors. I am a beginner, putting my pride in my pocket and trying not to kill myself. Having said all that, I am surrounded by people who are comfortably retired. When I say I must go home after a couple of games, they ask why. I tell them I’m still working, and they ask, “what do you do?” When I explain I am a career coach and the founder of a coaching school, the foundation is laid for referrals.

Public Speaking

I enjoy inspiring people and telling stories. I also appreciate the efficiency of public speaking. Whatever the size of the audience, I promote what I do and who I am through my bio or my expertise. Then I can go home and enjoy the evening.

Weekly Newsletter

I send this bit of myself to each of you every week. About 50% of the 2300 people who receive this newsletter read it. Thank you for that. My topic comes from my heart, not AI. This is my ongoing drip campaign, staying in front of people consistently. About 50% of the 2300 people who receive this newsletter read it. Thank you for that.

Here's my point. Whether you are a business owner, job seeker, or professional building your network, you must do things you enjoy and are good at. Otherwise, you won’t do it.

Don't Let it Stop You

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 17:16:33 GMT

Don't Let it Stop You

Do you:

Know what you’d love to do with your career but feel paralyzed by the unknowns and hurdles you face?
Fear the financial or time risk you will have to take to reach your goal?
Feel lost without direction, unsure what career would make you happy?

If you saw yourself in one or more of the above statements, you are dealing with anxiety. Not because you are weak or broken, but because it’s normal. Your career impacts everything that matters, you’re self-esteem, finances, relationships, and much more. Your elevated anxiety is there to protect you, but it’s also holding you back.

Here are some steps you can take to walk through the anxiety, not letting it stop you in your tracks.

Step One: Root Your Decision in Self-Awareness

Your capabilities and interests are stable and in your control. Getting clear about your strengths is a confidence booster. It’s also strategically smart. Start by taking a self-assessment to clarify your values, skills, interests, and personality. Use your results to guide your choices. Now you have a road map you can trust.

Step Two: Do Your Research

Explore your interests and discover careers that leverage your skill set. Utilize AI to research all your dreams and career assessment results, and explore what is possible. Anxiety might be keeping you from the simple act of exploration. Uncover pathways you never imagined.

Step Three: Evaluate the Stories You Are Telling Yourself

This is the biggest anxiety producer and one of the most difficult to tackle. The stories likely start with thoughts like: “I can’t because…” or “That won’t work because…” You might need a good friend or a coach to help you uncover and re-author the stories that keep you stuck.

Bottom line, anxiety is going to be your partner, whether you like it or not. It does not need to stop you; it can be part of the fuel that propels you forward. Shake hands with it and get moving!

You Are Not Alone

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 19:14:40 GMT

You Are Not Alone

Being stuck underemployed or unemployed at any stage of life is tough. But recently, my heart goes out to young men trying to find their way into rewarding careers. Their stories vary dramatically, with some lingering in low-paid jobs, unable to find work in their chosen profession. Others spend time playing video games and hiding in their rooms, unmotivated because they have no idea what they want to do.

As they grow older, they feel more behind and discouraged. Anxiety and depression creep into the equation, making it even harder to discern the best strategy or the right path.

Let’s be real. This is a complex problem with no one-size-fits-all solutions. But, for those of you who are in this boat, please read on. If you are a parent, friend, or relative of an amazing young man struggling to find their way, this one’s for you.

Tip Number One: Stop Looking for the Silver Bullet Career

It’s only natural to be drawn to careers offering stability and income potential. But deciding you are going to go into the latest hot job is a mistake. You must choose a profession that matches your values, skills, interests, and personality. Step back and calm down. Take a solid career assessment and meet with a career coach . You need to get out of your head, regain your emotional strength, and select a role, industry, and field that matches your natural talents.

Tip Number Two: Be Prepared to Make a Sacrifice

Any career field you choose will have a downside. The required education is expensive and takes years to finish, the entry-level salary is too low, or the competition is intense. The list goes on. It does make sense to minimize risk and cost. But, in the end, you will have to accept the inevitable hurdles and focus on work that matches you.

Tip Number Three: Stop Isolating

Depending on how long you have been struggling to find your path, it is likely that you are spending too much time alone. This is a bad choice. It will intensify your depression and reinforce the feeling that you are failing. Join any kind of group of other people your age. Soon, you will discover you are far from alone. Once you realize that your situation is both normal and common, you can start networking. In the process of meeting other people, sharing what you learned from your self-assessment , you will uncover the opportunities that can only come from interpersonal relationships.

Finally, decide on your first step. Pick one of the tips above or follow your own wisdom. Take action every day, and momentum will build. If you need further support, grab a copy of my e-book, The Ten Biggest Mistakes Job Seekers Make . Your brave decision to live up to your potential makes your life better and enriches the world.

It's a Gift

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 17:31:50 GMT

It's a Gift

As a little kid, I used to pass the time in church, praying for the other people in the pews. I would imagine what challenges they might be facing and silently send my support. It was my deep, sensitive self-emerging early on.

I wondered about the meaning and purpose of my life—not in young adulthood but, rather, again as a child. I was a raw nerve, responding to the people and feelings around me. I was a sponge without coping skills.

About 20% of the general population is identified as highly sensitive. It’s nice to have a term for it now, but it was unavailable in my formative years. Frankly, it was both emotionally painful and exhausting. If you happen to be a highly sensitive person, you know what I’m talking about.

When it was time for me to pick a major in college and prepare for a career, I was lost. I was interested in interpersonal relationships and personal growth. I also loved to read and write. I tried studying psychology, but the courses I took focused on Pavlovian responses and boring studies.

Additionally, I feared that I was too sensitive to help other people. I would be heartbroken by every tragedy others would face.

In a moment of foolishness, during college, I told my Mom I thought I wanted to be a counselor of some sort. She looked at me like I had two heads and asked, “Why would you want to sit around all day and listen to other people’s problems?"

In the end, I was lucky and found a way to employ my sensitivity. In fact, I think it’s the key to any success I’ve had. As a career coach, I listen deeply and hear both what is said and unsaid. I’ve learned how to be both compassionate and set boundaries, not taking on the pain that belongs to others.

I have a number of clients right now that are highly sensitive. They can all (eventually) articulate an interest in coaching or therapy as a career, but vacillate because of the time it takes to get trained or the cost. They know the demand for both career coaches and therapists is sky high, but still, they resist.

I’m reaching out to you today to encourage you to take the bold step to become a career coach if you’re heart is telling you this is a perfect fit. The next cohort of the Career Coach Entrepreneur Academy is enrolling now. Check out the information on the Academy website and set up a time to get your questions answered .

I love training career coaches, and I love highly sensitive people!

Get Angry

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 21:10:11 GMT

Get Angry

I’m not a therapist; I’m a career coach. In my role, I help individuals find a career direction, refine their job search strategy, and overcome challenges as employees or business owners. Fear is dripping off every one of those scenarios.

Your career is central to your security and your self-esteem. When it’s off track or flat out broken, your anxiety spikes, for very good reasons. However, fear also clouds your judgment, so you must find a way to calm down and think clearly.

I know, easier said than done. You can’t just flip a switch and control your fight or flight reaction to complex problems. Or can you?

Long ago, a wise mentor responded to my anxiety about not knowing what to do with my life with a question. “Are you angry?” I found this question a bit annoying and mostly irrelevant. Angry about what? No, I’m afraid, afraid of making a mistake, of living a miserable life, and never reaching my potential. What does anger have to do with it?

Fear kept me paralyzed. I kept waiting for the anxiety to evaporate or dissolve. It never did. It was my companion, draining me of energy and efficiency. I felt stuck.

One evening after several months of poor sleep and persistent anxiety, I got an idea. What if I get angry about being anxious? I set out for a walk in the relatively safe confines of the college campus where I lived. I marched into the darkness, down a path by myself.

I got mad and I was loud. Fortunately, no one heard me, and I was able to rant and rave in private. I was genuinely fed up with fear. I spent about two hours walking a spewing my rage, and then calmly returned to my dorm and went to sleep.

It worked; my free-floating anxiety was substantially diminished. It turns out that anxiety and fear are connected. Fear keeps you trapped, where anger moves you forward. I share this hoping it helps you consider a different approach if anxiety is holding you back.

Invest in Networking

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 18:09:14 GMT

Invest in Networking

Regardless of your circumstances, your career success and job security ultimately depend on your personal and professional relationships. If you are unemployed, your strategy must be centered on networking. If you are in a job (happy or otherwise), your circle of friends and colleagues is your most valuable resource.

While the importance of networking is often discussed, it is consistently neglected. I get calls from job hunters bemoaning their fate. They complain that they have sent over 500 resumes and have been looking for work for months or even years. I will bravely ask them if they are focusing on networking, knowing the answer will be “no”.

There are some good reasons why people don’t network. Here are a few:

It’s tempting to shop for employment without a clear focus, leading to a scatter campaign that produces little or no results. Without a strategic focus, you don’t know where to network or what to say when you meet people.

It takes self-confidence and effort to meet people. It also requires preparation, presenting yourself as both informed and qualified. It’s a lot easier to put together a generic resume and apply for jobs online, hiding from the pressure of face-to-face communication.

You might have reached out to the people you know early in your job search, again without a clear focus, asking for leads. Your network could not help you because you did not give them a clear target. Now you feel shaky about calling them again.

Ok, now that I have depressed you, let me offer some guidance and motivation to start networking. People can open doors for you, they can fall in love with you, even if you don’t have all the qualifications. People hire people they like. Thus, you must build networking into every week and month of your life.

In the process of connecting with others, you learn about opportunities. You uncover pathways revealed through conversations, introductions, curiosity, and interpersonal dynamics.

There are some easy ways to start networking. Take a class, online or in person. Attend events, conferences, and become involved with your local chamber of commerce. If that sounds too stuffy, take up a new sport and join a club. If you are not a “joiner”, then throw your own party. Start a networking group yourself!

I know I’m asking you to be strong and brave, and that is challenging. The alternative is worse. Letting your dreams falter because you are afraid to get out into the world is heartbreaking. Find a way to connect with people in a meaningful way. Enhance your life and your job security.

Are You Ready?

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 15:01:35 GMT

Are You Ready?

Hello loyal newsletter readers ��! Many of you are committed to your personal and professional growth. I always have that in mind when I’m writing my weekly message to you.

Today I want to let you know the next cohort for the Career Coach Entrepreneur Academy starts Tuesday, November 18 ^th , 2025. Perhaps it’s time for you to decide to follow your dream to open your own career coaching business and get your ICF (International Coach Federation) credential.

Check out these emerging opportunities in the career coaching industry: Strawberry.Me , a career coaching service launched by the founder of Better Help, is a massive opportunity for you to incorporate contract work in your career coaching business. To be one of their coaches, you must have your ICF credential. They are holding the standard high. I know this because I have become one of their coaches. It’s an amazing platform where you can change people’s lives without the hassle of marketing your services.

The concept of working with a career coach virtually has matured in this post-pandemic era. Not too long ago, you needed an office and could only service people who could drive to your place of business. Now you can help anyone, anywhere in the world. Wow, that’s amazing, and it massively expands your consumer reach.

The labor market is both frozen and erratic. Combine this with the existential hangover people are dealing with after working from home during the pandemic. Folks are longing for freedom and meaningful work. They are reaching out to career coaches in large numbers, seeking a solid process to follow to determine who they are and what they want.

I’m talking with you directly today about the opportunity to become a career coach because it’s an unprecedented opportunity. If you are currently a career counselor, recruiter, or leader in an organization, you know how rewarding it is to deeply listen to a person’s aspirations and help them find the courage to pursue their dreams.

If your toes are tingling, please give me a call. I’m sure you have questions, and I’d love to answer them.

Jump on my schedule and let’s talk.

What's Your Preference?

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 18:13:32 GMT

What's Your Preference?

Informal

You like keeping your options open, ready to change your plan as things evolve.
You often underestimate how long things will take.
You appreciate flexibility when scheduling things.
You are often a bit late, having tried to squeeze too much into your schedule.
Interruptions or last-minute changes don't freak you out.
You troubleshoot well.
You struggle with long projects or commitments, preferring variety and short-term tasks.
You wish folks would be less hung up on getting things done on time and more focused on enjoying the process.

Formal

You like working on a single task or project, seeing it from beginning to end before starting on something else.
You get great pleasure from crossing an item off your to-do list.
You are usually on time or early.
You enjoy finishing up loose ends or tidying up before starting something new.
You get overwhelmed and stressed when things keep changing, and you can't focus enough to get things accomplished.
You are known to be dependable and good at following through on your commitments.
If someone shows up late, you see them as disrespectful or unreliable.

Your relationship with time is wired upon birth and remains stable throughout your lifetime. You can develop skills to become more versatile, but when it comes to making a career choice, it's critical to consider your time-related preferences.

For example, emergency services personnel like firefighters and ambulance drivers have an informal relationship with time. They remain calm in a crisis, use their amazing ability to focus in the moment, and brilliantly take action under pressure. Other careers that support informal approaches to time include athletes, sales professionals, and lobbyists.

If you have a formal relationship with time, you appreciate a more structured work environment, like elementary education, accounting, or public service in the government. You are attracted to a steady paycheck in a stable environment.

Other careers that capitalize on a more formal time preference include civil engineers, patent attorneys, and estimators. You work well within a clear structure, often satisfied to stay with a career direction for long periods of time.

Courage is the Key

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 16:59:26 GMT

Courage is the Key

Feeling stuck in a job you hate or suffering through a prolonged job search is painful. So many parts of your life are affected. You worry about finances, your self-esteem erodes, and your relationships suffer. And it’s lonely. It feels like the rest of the world is humming along while you struggle.

You might have noticed I have been focused on the dark side of career transitions lately. It’s because I have so many clients who are grabbing tissues in my office. I’m hearing stories of job searches that have been going on for years, not months. Clients are staying in jobs that are making them miserable, unable to afford to quit, and afraid to make a change.

I thought it might be time to offer a silver lining. During tough career transitions, grit can be manufactured. The tougher it gets, the more determined you become. Consider the possibility that career derailments can make you stronger, wiser, and more aware of your strengths.

Here are a few ways it can work:

In a long-haul job search, you may ping pong between taking what you can get (settling) or shooting for a future you deeply desire. It’s a slippery slope. If you go after a career that matches your talents and interests, your job search pulls out of its stall. You show up less desperate, your brain starts working, and you are willing to do the networking or get the extra training required to reach your goal.

If you feel stuck in your job, dreading your work, your boss, your clients, etc. You are growing increasingly burnt out and discouraged. So, where is the grit in this scenario? You start considering options that were previously off the table. You might sell your home, renegotiate college options for your children, or ask a family member for a loan. The story about what you can’t do becomes the story about what you are willing to do.

Then there’s the explosive option. You get mad. You refuse to accept less than you want and deserve. You fly into action, finding the energy and mental clarity that have been eluding you. You take risks, you ask for help, and you stop accepting your mediocre existence.

I have seen each of the above scenarios play out. You can break out of your career prison if you harness your grit. Your struggle can help you find the courage to move through what you are facing and stop feeling stuck.

It’s Just Out of Sight

Sat, 06 Sep 2025 00:39:25 GMT

It's Just Out Of Sight

As a career coach, I’m in the business of helping folks find a career direction. Here’s the weird thing I’ve discovered: most of my clients know what they want (or have a sense of it) but cannot see it clearly. The answer sits on their shoulder, just out of sight. It’s maddening!

It takes several levels of validation for you (or anyone) to get a clear career vision. It starts with a deep conversation, tapping into what you already know about yourself. You build on that with a career self-assessment, research, networking, and, eventually job search.

But, even with all that work and information, you still might feel lost.

Here are some common scenarios:

You are afraid. Afraid of making a mistake, failing in the new venture, or worried you won’t find secure employment. All the “what ifs” pile up in your brain, leaving you paralyzed, unable to take a step in a specific direction.

Your negative past experiences suck the hope out of your soul.

You lack role models or support.

You just don’t know where to start.

These real impediments are substantial, but they can be overcome. Here are some tips to consider if you want to move in a direction but feel stuck.

Step One: The only way to it is through it. Waiting until you feel ready will keep you immobilized. You must feel fear and move forward anyway. Action is the key.

Step Two: Trust your gut. You know more than you give yourself credit for. Take a long walk or sit down with a piece of paper and start constructing your future. Be honest about who you are and what you want. Bolster this with a career self-assessment. Self-knowledge is one thing you can focus on and control.

Step Three: Stop comparing yourself to other people or listening to people who cannot or will not be supportive. This is your life. Only you can decide how you want to live and work.

Finally, take small steps and focus on interacting with people. You will not find your future in your living room. Take your curiosity for a ride and see what happens. Join an association and attend an event. In the alchemy of human interactions, the path will become clear.

Hit the Reset Button

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 16:58:14 GMT

Hit the Reset Button

Every day, week, and month you hunt for a job, the costs add up, impacting both your bank account and your self-esteem. Even if you know what you should be doing to secure employment, you find it harder to put in the time and effort.

The circle of people around you can make things worse. You see your kids worrying or complaining because finances are tight. Your spouse is losing patience, and I would like to ask what you are doing to fix the situation. Your friends have grown weary of your story.

These pressures impact your mental clarity and strategic focus. A cascade of behavioral and psychological missteps can follow:

You develop theories about the labor market and your employment prospects based on your lack of success. In the early days of your search, you customized every application, explored networking options, and followed up whenever possible. Now that several months have gone by, you are discouraged. You tell yourself it did not work and stop putting in the extra effort.

You start slipping into a scatter campaign, applying for jobs that do not interest you or that are below your capabilities. As the bills pile up, you sacrifice focus with fear.

Eventually, you lose an understanding of who you are and what types of employment would be fulfilling. All you can see are the downsides of the path that would be best for you.

You are unwilling to get the extra training you need or join the appropriate professional association. Any investment that seems too expensive or time-consuming can leave you feeling stuck.

When you do get an interview, you appear desperate. You are no longer capable of selling yourself convincingly.

I share this gloomy narrative to wake you up. There is no way around the realities of navigating a career transition. You must know yourself well, understand how you fit into the labor market, and invest in training that will position you to succeed. You must dig deep to find the courage to organize your job hunt. Could you reset your strategy today?

Set Yourself Apart

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 19:43:16 GMT

Set Yourself Apart

Employment interviews set up a power imbalance. They ask questions, and you answer. You prepare a couple of questions for the close of the interview, but don’t think about asking questions during the interview. This is a mistake.

Include the intention of asking questions in your interview preparation. As you do your research, learn about the requirements for the job, the company culture, and the demands of the role you are seeking. Also, identify the company's competitors, their future goals, and potential threats they are facing.

The knowledge you gain allows you to join in the conversation during the interview, rather than respond passively. You explain how you’ve solved problems in the past and achieved extraordinary results. You also integrate your achievements with their needs, goals, and potential opportunities.

Your research creates opportunities for you to bridge the gap from outsider to insider. Then you take it a step further. You gracefully ask a question addressing their core needs or opportunities. Your questions show both your knowledge and your level of motivation for the position. You cared enough to get smart.

Ultimately, your best interviews will be more like a meeting between colleagues than a one-sided ping-pong match. You can’t be sure your arsenal of information about your employment target will pay off, but it’s a worthy gamble. One or two well-crafted questions based on solid research sets you apart from your competition.

In case you are reading this and don’t have an interview in the wings, use this approach for any interaction that matters. Whether you are buying, in case you are reading this and don’t have an interview in the wings, use this approach for any interaction that matters. Whether you are buying a new car or hiring a personal trainer, your ability to ask relevant, insightful questions will increase the likelihood you will get the outcome you desire.

Blocking You

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 21:12:27 GMT

Blocking You

I’ve recently developed a new perspective on my relationship with dreams and disappointment. As an entrepreneur, I’ve invented an assessment , written a book , and founded a coaching school . Each of these efforts was launched with optimism and expectations. Frankly, none of them has reached the levels of success I hoped for.

My aspirations have pushed me to keep taking risks, seeking new avenues to reach my self-imposed goals. It’s left me with a “not good enough” feeling, which is sad because I love what I do. It’s time for me to ditch my dissatisfaction and be deeply content with things, exactly as they are.

I came to this realization several weeks ago. Since then, things have changed. First, I’m more relaxed. I find it much easier to cross the “shoulds” off my list. Previously, I lamented that I did not have enough videos on my YouTube channel or failed to post regularly on social media. Now, I do it if I want to.

Second, my blood pressure has gone down to a normal, healthy range. I mean this literally. Since April, I’ve gone through a series of health assessments because of a family history of heart disease. Since I stopped wanting more than exactly what I have, my blood pressure is normal.

Finally, and the most pressing reason I wanted to share this with you, is the flood of unexpected opportunities. I’ve gotten new clients, contract leads, and improved sales. My dissatisfied energy was a door, blocking the flow of abundance.

What's Your Motivation?

Fri, 08 Aug 2025 00:20:01 GMT

What's Your Motivation?

Advice can be invaluable if offered at the right time, for the right reasons. If you are asked to give your input, most of the time, the outcome will be positive. But there are murkier levels of motivation to consider.

Consider these perspectives:

To Feel Powerful: Giving advice can be a way to assert dominance and a sense of control over another person or situation. It can make you feel knowledgeable, influential, and superior.

To Boost Your Ego and Self-Esteem: Offering advice can be a way to validate your experiences, intelligence, and problem-solving abilities. It can make you feel wise, useful, and that your experiences have had a significant purpose.

To Avoid Dealing with Your Own Problems: Giving advice can be a distraction from examining your challenges or shortcomings. By focusing on another person's problems, you can avoid facing your own.

Criticism: Unsolicited advice can be laced with judgment, subtly communicating to the recipient that their current approach is wrong or needs fixing.

Manipulation and Attempts to Control Behavior: In some cases, advice can be a veiled attempt to influence or manipulate another person's choices or actions to align with your desires or personal preferences.

In thinking about writing this today, one more motivation to be “helpful” crossed my mind. If you find yourself surrounded by people who don’t solicit your input or consider your needs, you can feel lonely. Giving advice might be an attempt to be seen and heard in your relationships.

I kicked off another cohort of the Career Coach Entrepreneur Academy last night, and we started where we always do, working on not giving advice. I share this with you today to encourage you to reflect on the value and motivation of your advice. It might be a waste of time or, more substantially, a need inside of you that requires attention.

Does Not Mean You Should!

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 17:33:37 GMT

Does Not Mean You Should!

When you don’t know what’s next in your career, it’s understandable to ask:

What am I good at?
What experience do I have that an employer might want?

A trap lies in those questions. They ignore the possibility that you are good at things you don’t enjoy doing. This leads you down a trail of unrewarding, draining employment.

Here is the solution. Start your career transition with a solid career assessment . Take the time to think deeply about who you are and how that fits in the labor market. If you need a partner to help you, select a career coach. Whether you are early in your career, mid-career, or heading into retirement, you don’t want to settle. Make a solid choice.

One of my clients demonstrated how to focus on what you want, not what you can do. She is employed in a telecommunications company in a high-pressure sales role. She is very good at what she does and well paid—and miserable. She wakes up dreading her job every day.

We began by discussing her vision. She wants to slow down, find a better life balance, and be in a support role, not facing difficult and unpredictable customers. Her career assessment showed strong technical and mentoring skills. She is also drawn to meaningful work.

This inspired a round of informational interviews, during which she shared her vision and the activities that give her energy. She was pleased to find that one conversation led to another, helping her design the next step based on her aspirations, not her accumulated work experience. Her company is designing a new role that will fit her perfectly.

So often, you take jobs randomly, letting fate unfold. Before you know it, people see you in that role or field, and it can be hard to escape. Trust your gut. If you are not where you want to be, or don’t know where you are going, act. Your career is a central aspect of your health and happiness. Find the career that fulfills you!

Be a Thought Partner

Thu, 17 Jul 2025 17:26:52 GMT

Be a Thought Partner

Think about an important conversation you plan to have shortly. Here is my question: How much time do you spend helping the person you are speaking to determine the focus of the conversation?

This question may be confusing because most conversations are like a ping-pong game where advice is given (whether it was requested or not). Or one person starts talking and the other person relates their own story, rather than listening deeply.

Starting conversations with a clear agenda is a powerful alternative. The underlying assumption is that the person you are speaking to is wise and can solve their problems. You are their thought partner, helping them find new perspectives.

Let me offer a caveat. This only works if you both trust each other. If you have been framed as the enemy or the individual you are interacting with is unwilling to be accountable, this approach will not work.

However, let’s assume you have a solid relationship and want to enhance the quality of your conversation; here is a guide to follow.

The first step is simple. You ask the person you are meeting with what they would like to focus on or address. They might answer with something like, “I’d like to understand myself better, or I want to feel less overwhelmed.” You could proceed directly into the conversation based on that prompt, or you could dig deeper.

You could ask:

How does this matter to you?

This tiny bit of structuring avoids a surface conversation or a bitch session. But you are not done yet. Now it’s time to invite your colleague or friend to define a successful outcome for your time together. You ask, “What, specifically, would you like to achieve in our time together today?”

Usually, it takes some time to process this. They might define success as a plan of attack or clarity. They might want to determine a step they can take to expand their self-awareness or structure their life more efficiently.

The final part of setting the agenda is reflective listening. You summarize the focus of the conversation and the targeted successful outcome. This sets the stage for a meaningful interaction. A little bit of clarification up front can take communication from a transaction to a transformation.

Make a Brilliant First Impression

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 16:44:59 GMT

Make a Brilliant First Impression

Job interviews are anxiety-producing, no matter how many you have under your belt or how long it’s been since you’ve been in the hot seat. You must perform under pressure.

If you view the interview as a single block of time, you will likely be overwhelmed. If you break it down into stages, you can pace yourself. Today, I want to focus on the first stage of the interview, which is breaking the ice.

Simply put, it’s the first impression. On a video call, it’s your appearance, the quality of your video/audio, your office or background, your energy, eye contact, and smile. If you are meeting in person, consider your posture, handshake, and the level of confidence you convey.

The cognitive bias developed by the interviewer in the first few seconds of the interview has been rigorously studied. The research is overwhelming. If you show up strong, the interviewer starts skewing their impression in a positive direction.

Alternatively, if you appear bored, worried, or disinterested, the interviewer may hold that view. They judge your responses harshly and are less likely to ask follow-up questions. If you can’t shine right off the bat, they assume it’s all downhill from there. They don’t want to bring your negativity or lack of commitment into the company.

Here’s the good news. You have the power to make a great first impression ��.

You must focus on it:

Dress for success. Wear professional clothing and be impeccably groomed.
Push your energy level up, especially if you tend to be quiet or serious.
Make eye contact in a friendly way, then add a smile.
Show up with a mixture of warmth and intelligence. Interviewers are attracted to both, but when they are out of balance, it can be a turn-off.

One more thought to motivate you. Most of your competition will not consciously focus on the first impression. They will probably try to look their best, but without the knowledge of the importance of the first few seconds, they will squander the opportunity.

So, be smart. Show up brilliantly and get the momentum rolling in the right direction.

Get Your Mojo Back

Thu, 03 Jul 2025 17:00:23 GMT

Get Your Mojo Back

Being accountable is tough. Standing strong in the face of an unexpected layoff or a diabolical boss can be devastating. Feeling bad is human. Here’s my question: how long do you rail against your offender, and what are the consequences for your self-esteem?

Every week, I meet with clients who are stuck and struggling. Typically, it’s due to a combination of external circumstances and related internal struggles. If it’s been going on for a while, it strips away your confidence. It becomes the double whammy of having bad things happen and feeling bad about yourself.

The turning point is addressing your identity. A big blow in life can ignite memories (conscious or unconscious) of previous trauma. In the case of a highly critical boss who rarely gives you positive feedback, you might regress to the ways a parent made you feel when you were a kid. You reignite feelings of powerlessness when, in fact, you are a highly capable adult with abundant resources at your disposal.

A little self-coaching might offer a new, self-affirming perspective.

Ask yourself:

Who am I (what is my identity) in this negative situation?

Give yourself some time. You are digging for a trigger that can be elusive. Once you identify who you are in the stuck and struggling space, you can name it and realize you are giving your power away to a distant memory or experience.

Who do I want to be in this situation?

Now you are inviting your current resourceful self to show up. You become much more creative and empowered. You embrace accountability. Even though something bad has happened, you can stand strong and make choices about your future.

The relationship between self-confidence and accountability is powerful. I invite you to shift your perspective if you have been feeling stuck in helpless circumstances. The identification of who you are and who you want to be can wake up your mojo. Now you can make the right choices with confidence.

Step Up, Get Hired

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 17:15:50 GMT

Step Up, Get Hired

Knowing what keeps hiring managers up at night will supercharge your job search strategy. In the competitive job hunt landscape, it can feel overwhelming. However, there is a tremendous opportunity.

Here are the three things every manager worries about and faces daily:

1. They have someone on their team who is underperforming or causing problems. They want to get rid of them, but they don’t have a good alternative.

2. They have too much work and not enough time. If they could just find a person with the right talent and work ethic, they could cut back on the blood pressure medicine.

3. They have dreams stuffed in their drawer, collecting dust. They are so busy that they cannot exercise their creativity. If only they could find a competent aspiring leader to manage the team, freeing them up to explore big ideas.

These ever-present needs are the essence of the hidden job market. If you are a proactive, brave job seeker, you will find ways to have conversations with leaders in organizations, knowing they have these three problems.

The key to this strategy is your willingness to go for it. It requires ingenuity and hard work. Most of your competition is sitting behind their computer, looking at listed jobs. They apply and wait for a response. Over time, they become bitter because they can’t get hired. I’m sorry about that, but my goal is to fire you up and arm you with the biggest secret out there.

Interact with managers who have the authority to hire. Research the needs of both the organization and the hiring manager. Offer your ideas. Show you can hit the ground running. Find out what the hiring manager wishes they could be focusing on, but don’t have the time.

Hear the Said and Unsaid

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 17:32:43 GMT

Hear the Said and Unsaid

For as long as I can remember, I have been told I am intuitive. It was far from a gift when I was younger. I was a sensory sponge, picking up on the said and the unsaid. If there was tension, I felt it. And there was plenty of tension where I grew up.

My deep emotional capacity and tendency to overanalyze everything made life exhausting. However, I was not aware of an alternative. I felt isolated, alone, and weird.

When I was twenty-two years old, having just started my first job out of college, I had a revelation. I was working in downtown San Francisco in an administrative job. I worked from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. for 52 weeks without vacation. There was no time for navel-gazing. I just worked.

One Saturday, I was walking on Ocean Beach, shrouded in fog. My mind was blank. Suddenly, it occurred to me that I could not remember the last bout of emotional angst. I had not pondered my purpose, aspired to personal growth, or empathized with others who were suffering.

In that moment, I realized I could live a balanced life that included laughter, hard work, and periodic, chosen disconnection from my sensitivity. About four years later, I abandoned the office job and secured my master’s degree in counseling. I shook hands with who I am and doubled down on my intuitive gifts.

Over the years, helping people find the courage to follow a career path that aligns with who they are and who they aspire to be, I have employed my sensory radar. It’s not a matter of doing things or saying things. I provide a safe space for people to be vulnerable.

I share this today because a good chunk of amazing humans are highly sensitive and intuitive. Studies indicate it’s about 15 percent of the population.

If you can relate, I’d like to share a few key tidbits that have served me well:

Find a career that capitalizes (literally) on your intuitive gifts.
Work in a healthy culture or become self-employed. You cannot work in a toxic environment.
Embrace humor, music, and laughter. Your depth must be balanced with joy.

Being sensitive in my childhood made me feel weak. Now, every day, I feel like my intuition is my superpower. I value and trust the subtle

Let Them Struggle

Wed, 11 Jun 2025 16:55:59 GMT

Let Them Struggle

Whether you are a coach helping a client overcome an obstacle or a friend supporting a buddy through a difficult time, you know what it feels like to try to help someone stuck or struggling.

You might go straight to the issue, asking, “What have you tried?” or “How can you move forward?” On the surface, they seem like helpful inquiries, but chances are, you will get the three dreaded words, “I don’t know.”

Your direct questions are too harsh. They require commitment and don’t allow space for the individual to struggle. Your desire to be helpful or your impatience can corner them and close off creativity. They don’t want to be vulnerable or weak, so they just shut down.

In situations like this, consider asking a soft-edge question. Preamble your questions with words like:

Just suppose…
Imagine…
What if…
Is it possible…

Opening the conversation this way invites exploration rather than an explanation. It becomes safe to throw out ideas. There is no pressure to give the right answer or an answer they are going to be held to. You invite the stuck person to think through the possibilities and put them on the table.

Add one more skill to further expand the space. Use silence. Do not fill the pauses with noise. Silence shows you are equal to your stuck person’s struggle. Stay with them in discomfort.

Also, be aware of your tone. Your words might be saying one thing, but your tone conveys another. You come off sounding condescending or superior. Be an explorer with no attachment to the outcome. Stay calm, curious, and engaged. This approach will offer subtle support and encouragement.

Soft-edged questions help your spouse, daughter, or co-worker relax. They can shift from “I don’t know” to excavating, experimenting, and exploring. When you welcome the struggle, it does not have to be pushed away. The muddled brain has time and space to become resourceful.

Take Control of Your Future

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 17:42:31 GMT

Take Control of Your Future

Both confidence and clarity are essential, especially when your career is off track. But these magic elixirs can be in short supply. You don’t know what the future holds, and you worry you won’t be happy or successful. You're caught in a rip tide, trying to believe in yourself as you walk forward in uncertainty.

It’s tempting to seek reinforcement from sources outside yourself. You look at other successful people and try to emulate their approach. You do what your family, friends, and society tell you to do, wanting to impress or please them. You go along with the crowd, doing what is easy or popular. You are not taking control of the situation because you don’t know how.

It reminds me of a bit of wisdom my dad shared with me when I was a kid. He said, “It's hard to hold a bag of groceries with your arms outstretched. Pull the bag towards you, it’s much easier.” Clarity and confidence will not come from distant sources.

If committed internal exploration is the answer, it begs the question: how do you come to understand who you are and what you are wired to do? The answer is the Elevations career assessment .

Follow this guidance to get the best results:

Elevations will help you organize your wisdom, not give you the answers. Read the instructions in Elevations carefully. Be prepared to think deeply. This is your self-authoring tool. Don’t rush or be impulsive.
What matters to you is your true north. Identify the values you want supported in your career. Memorize your most important values and prepare to share them with your network and in your employment interviews.
Dig into the skills that give you energy. You can get good at doing just about anything. Utilize the skills section of Elevations to uncover and define your genus skills.
Explore the 120 careers in Elevations with a focus on what interests you, not what is practical. Your interests can be combined to create a customized career, supercharging your success and satisfaction.

If you are at a crossroads, nearing retirement, starting in your twenties, or stuck in a job you no longer enjoy, take action. You can design the next step in your journey. Confidence and clarity will follow.

Hobbled By Your Past

Wed, 28 May 2025 16:57:52 GMT

Hobbled By Your Past

Your career is at a low point. You hate your job (or you have already quit), your self-esteem tanks as your job search lingers on, and rejections are piling up. Disappointment and frustration simmer just below the surface, but you must keep going.

You try to appear positive. You network with colleagues halfheartedly. You put on a show in job interviews, frequently leaving feeling defeated. You don’t have the energy to take care of yourself or reach out for help . You are just getting by.

I hate to break it to you, but prospective employers can likely see right through your facade. The question is this: how do you regain your strength and composure so you can secure a job with an awesome employer?

Here are a few steps for you to consider:

Check How You Are Coming Across with Someone You Trust

Hopefully, you have an Aunt Pearl or a best buddy who knows you well.

Take an Accountable Perspective

There’s a good chance you have been mistreated. As a career coach, I’ve heard every scenario. Your previous boss kept you trapped because you filled a key need. Your job was eliminated or replaced after you gave everything to a job you loved. This list is endless. Your resentment boils, but you don’t know what to do about it.

The solution lies in radical accountability. Today, you start fresh. You choose your future and create opportunities. What happened in the past no longer controls or defines you. Take a pair of imaginary scissors and cut the energy from your past. You may need to use the scissors repeatedly to regain your sovereignty.

Re-Construct Your Forward Strategy

Every aspect of your job search was likely infected by your resentments and frustrations. Start with your employment target. Determine your industry and job focus. Then go back and edit your resume and LinkedIn profile. Prepare for your interviews, ready to attract multiple offers. Rebuild every aspect of your search and notice how doors start to open.

Career transitions can be brutal. I decided to write this today because too many of my clients feel broken. They blame themselves for their job search failures without realizing the deeper issues that are holding them back. If this reaches you today at the right time, please let me know or share it with someone else who is struggling.

Stop Beating Yourself Up

Wed, 21 May 2025 17:23:34 GMT

Stop Beating Yourself Up

Determining your career path is confusing. You might have some ideas about your strengths and sources of satisfaction. But you’re not sure where to start or what, exactly, you should do. You explore some options, compare yourself to others, and feel behind. It’s a lonely place to be.

This pattern is normal and common. For example, I have a twenty-eight-year-old client who loves interacting with people, helping them grow and achieve their goals. She is a confident communicator and skilled at social interactions. This set of capabilities feels vague. She is lost.

To add to her distress, she has detested her first couple of jobs out of college. This led to a deep depression mixed with anxiety. She fears she will never find career satisfaction.

This is common—in fact, I call it the twenty-six-year-old crisis. You might be twenty-four or fifty-two. It does not matter. This is a deeply troubling dilemma, leaving you wondering if you’ll ever find work you enjoy and are good at.

Take these steps to stop swirling:

Step One : Find an Amazing Listener

Sit down with someone who is trained to draw out your brilliance. Let them be your thought partner. This support will lower your anxiety enough for you to proceed through a well-constructed career discovery process.

Step Two : Learn More About Yourself

Clarify what matters most to you. Understand what activities give you energy. Understand your natural-born temperament. Identify occupations that interest you. A clear picture of who you are and what career fields align with you will emerge.

Your light bulb moment will be both subtle and maddening. It might be a direction you considered and discarded. Or it could be something you did not even know existed. There will be a click, an alignment, a feeling of hope that gives you the confidence to move forward. You can get unstuck—but you can’t do it staring at the wall in your living room. Take action, you deserve to find a future you can be proud of.

Data Does Not Dream

Thu, 15 May 2025 16:55:55 GMT

Data Does Not Dream

Job tests are popular and are increasingly being marketed as a solution for the 3 out of 5 workers (58%) in the US labor market desiring a career change in 2025 (source: LinkedIn). The most popular job tests draw results from AI, dumping mounds of data on an already confused career changer.

When it comes to life’s most important decisions, a dissatisfied worker might be tempted to believe that a job test is a great solution. It’s quick and relatively inexpensive. So, they pay for membership or a quiz, learning little or nothing about themselves.

Let me add that free AI tools provide the same information that a job test provides. For example, I entered the question, “What else can a career coach do for a living?” using my free ChatGPT account. The result was impressive. Six industry segments were identified along with a range of roles and job titles.

Here is the problem: it’s just a list. It does not offer clarity about the best alignment for the individual. Bottom line, it’s data that can be very useful after a well-designed career exploration process. It’s a great research tool, not an assessment of an individual's potential and aspirations.

I am pleased to have brilliant career development professionals who read this newsletter every week (thank you ��). You help early-stage career seekers and career changers explore their inner wisdom, draw on their life experiences, and consider their dreams. It’s a human interaction.

If you know someone who is stuck in a soul-sucking job, encourage them to use a preference-based career assessment that offers both self-awareness and career-related information. Also, please encourage them to use a career coach who is specifically trained to administer the assessment.

With more than half of the US labor market yearning for change, it’s important to get the word out about what works!

Close the Deal

Thu, 08 May 2025 17:42:30 GMT

Close the Deal

The day has come. You are scheduled for the final interview for your dream job. You want to secure an offer, but the competition is intense. You enter the interview with research-based methods, setting you apart from all other candidates.

Here is your playbook:

Understand your goal in each interview stage (breaking the ice, general sharing of information, patterned questions, and the close).
Prepare a strong opening and closing statement.
Understand that the final hiring interview usually focuses on fit more than qualifications.
Come prepared to talk about the culture and mission of the organization.
Attend to your body language and level of energy. Make great eye contact and smile frequently. Your body language makes up 55% of your impact in face-to-face communication (virtual or in person).
Listen more than you talk, focusing exclusively on your potential contributions, not your personal or professional needs.
Come prepared to ask two or three questions near the end of the interview, designed to inform your powerful follow-up email. Ask questions focusing on the first six months on the job. Try to get quantifiable information about project targets, productivity goals, and ways your role fits into their mission.
In your closing statement, ask for the job, not in a pushy way but in a very professional manner, like: "I would be honored to be selected for this opportunity."
Get the correct spelling of the hiring manager's name and email.
Leave the interview with high energy and appreciation for their time.

Now the interview is over, but you are far from done. It's time to blow them away with your follow-up email. Draft a three or four-paragraph mini-proposal or business plan expressing, again, your interest in the position. Lay out an articulate explanation of your vision for your first six months on the job. Combine your accumulated expertise and knowledge with their goals. Put key actionable targets in bullet points to make it easy for them to read. Use your subject line in your email well. Put your first and last name, candidate for (enter the job title and employer). Help them see you in the job.

Finally, have someone else edit and proofread your email before you send it. It must be impeccable. Put your ego aside and let someone help you close the deal.

Take Action

Thu, 01 May 2025 17:46:31 GMT

Take Action

Career crossroads are elusive. You have glimpses of clarity amid frustration, dissatisfaction, and worry. You consider doing something about it, but it feels overwhelming. So, days and weeks go by with no resolution.

A crossroad is like a box. It keeps you stuck, feeling guilty that you want more. Or disillusioned because you no longer enjoy your job. You are anxious, moody, and unfocused. You feel like a failure, alone, while the rest of the world seems to be humming along.

In the middle of the night, unable to sleep, you ponder. You focus on the parts of your career you appreciate. Perhaps you remind yourself that the money is good or your co-workers are friendly. But then you connect with your deeper dissatisfaction. You think about something you would love to do, but the obstacles seem insurmountable.

I am exploring this topic today because I’ve had so many people reach out, stuck in a crossroad, but unaware of the steps they will need to take to move through and beyond it. The Elevate Career Cycle Model offers a smart strategic path forward.

Step One: Introspection

Pull the curtain back and be brutally honest with yourself. Stop beating yourself up for wanting more. Recognize that you have a great deal of anxiety buzzing in your body. Take a long walk, talk to a chicken soup friend, and get calmer.

Step Two: Journey

Thank your previous situation (career, school, or your spot on the couch). Accept that it is time to take action. You are stepping into the unknown with a mixture of fear and hope. The Journey will involve reconfiguring your identity, self-assessment , research, and connecting with people. It’s a big job, and it’s worth it. You are worth it.

I’ve only scratched the surface here, but I hope it’s been helpful. Sharing information about career crossroads over the years has been deeply rewarding. If you want to learn more, grab Elevate Your Career: Live a Life You’re Truly Proud Of . The Elevate Career Cycle Model is the foundation of the entire book!

Your Concerns Are Real

Wed, 23 Apr 2025 20:06:50 GMT

Your Concerns are Real

“What’s stopping you?” This question is designed to push you. It assumes the reasons you are stuck are not a big deal. When it comes to your career, let me be the one to say, there are very real, big reasons why you are not diving into the career of your dreams.

Reason Number One: You don’t know what the dream career is.

The world of work is vast. It takes time and the right resources to clarify the right career path. You are immobilized if you don’t know what would make you happy and fit your talents. The fear and anxiety bubble up, and you stop making forward progress.

Here’s what you can do: Take the Elevations career assessment . Use this amazingly accurate tool to clarify your values, identify your enjoyable skills, learn about your personality, and determine the field and function that will align with your unique talents.

Reason Number Two: Knowing what you want is not enough.

Even if you are armed with a goal, the possibility of failure still looms. What if you can’t find a job? What if you are not good at it? Will it pay enough for you to survive? I’m not trying to discourage you here. I just want to address the real obstacles you are facing.

Here’s what you can do : Hire a Certified Career Coach Entrepreneur , specifically trained to interpret the Elevations Career Assessment. Don’t go it alone. Get the support and perspective a coach can offer. Remember, your career pays for everything else in your life. Investing in a qualified career coach helps you manage your anxiety and operate from a clear strategy.

Career success is not magic. It requires courage and good resources. Today, I suggest you stop asking, “What’s stopping you?” and start asking, “What resources and support do I need to move forward with confidence?”

#elevateyourcareer, #elevations, #careercoachentrepreneuracademy, #elevationscareerassessments

Messy and Magnificent

Thu, 17 Apr 2025 17:34:03 GMT

Messy and Magnificent

As you contemplate your career situation, you may long for change but don’t know where to begin. Perhaps you’d like to flip a switch and presto, you are in a fantastic new job. Deep down, you know it’s not that simple. So, you procrastinate.

The longer you stay, the more stuck you feel. So, let’s work through the stages you will encounter as you embark on your beautiful career emergence.

Stage One: Gestation

A period of self-reflection starts the process. You need to calm your emotions and develop a vision for your future. This may involve facing some difficult facts.

Such as:

You’ve been waiting for someone to leave, retire, or change.
You got trained/educated in a field you do not enjoy. The money and time you invested did not pay off.
You do not know what you want to do, and don’t know how to find out.

The only person you can influence and change is you. Start by taking the Elevations career assessment to determine who you are and the careers that match your talents. This will elevate your confidence and get you on a path aligned with your strengths. If you need support, hire a career coach .

Stage Two: Birth

Finding a career opportunity matching your vision is messy and beautiful. You might think it’s all about your resume, job postings, and your LinkedIn profile. It’s not—and never will be. Your best future is found through relationships.

Here’s why:

Only 7% of job hunters find a career opportunity through listed jobs.
People hire folks they know and like, even if they are not the most qualified.
You look like your past until you build a new network.

If you already have a broad network, great! If not, you need to establish one. Think about attending courses that will connect you with people in your target field. Seek informational interviews and attend conferences or local events. Get out there. Like birth, this might not be easy, but do it anyway.

Stage Three: Emergence

Once you have gotten your new job or started your new business, or whatever is next for you, there is an adjustment period. Give yourself some grace. Allow for some self-doubt, maybe a dose of impostor syndrome. You are human, give yourself a break. Over time, you will adjust to the new normal and thrive.

The path to your best future is winding and unpredictable. I know you don’t want to hear that. But it’s my job to help you stop wasting time with poor strategies or false hope. Gather your courage to live fully. What are you waiting for?

#careerchoicecareerchange, #elevateyourcareer, #elevationscareerassessment, #elevations, #makeacareerchange, #careercoachacademy

Embrace Balance

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 18:48:56 GMT

Embrace Balance

There are many misconceptions about self-employment, primarily rooted in unfounded stories about what it takes to be successful.

These include:

Being a type A personality (impatient, competitive, and work-obsessed).
Working 24/7 on your business, including nights, weekends, and vacations.
Taking huge risks and obsessively looking for the next big opportunity.

The list could be longer, but the three common assumptions listed above are the ones that bug me the most because, simply put, I can’t relate to them. I have been self-employed for over twenty-five years. None of these traits have propelled me forward or been necessary to achieve my goals. They would have taken me out of business long ago.

The number one reason I quit my full-time job in 1997 was a desire for autonomy. I wanted to manage my time, implement my ideas when and how I wanted, and manifest my potential without limitations. I was willing to accept a certain level of instability and uncertainty in return for self-determination.

I share this with you to support readers who dream of self-employment but don’t think they have what it takes to be successful. Take it from me, the self-proclaimed unlikely entrepreneur, you can do it.

Here are the characteristics I rely on to sustain and grow my small business.

Check out this list of qualities and see how many you can relate to:

Self-awareness: Knowing what you stand for, your natural strengths, and things that drain you.
Belief in Abundance: A deep-rooted understanding that there is enough—enough work, money, and opportunity. I don’t need to be stingy or undercut other people.
Communication Skills: The ability to connect, listen and compromise. A bonus is the ability to write (even with the advent of AI, I believe your ability to write is invaluable).
Willingness to Learn Anything: This is your secret weapon. Your competition gets stuck because they are unwilling to learn. You will be a success if you are a thirsty learner.

So, are you an unlikely entrepreneur? If the answer is yes, you have my full support in pursuing your dreams and contributing your gifts. In return for the inevitable ups and downs of self-employment, you will enjoy massive autonomy.

#elevationscareerassessment, #careercoachentrepreneuracademy, #selfemployment, #elevateyourcareer,

Weston 2008 - 2021

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 00:39:02 GMT

Weston 2008 - 2021

It was March 17 ^th , 2010. My yellow lab named Weston was 14 months old, full of piss and vinegar. I was working long days so I needed a support resource. I chose a local doggie daycare center and dropped him off early that morning.

At 4:30 p.m. I entered the lobby to pick him up. The vibe was weird. Then the owner launches in. “We had a problem with Weston today.” I wondered what that could be—and I would soon find out. “Weston was playing outside in the dog park with the other dogs. We accepted four new dogs into the center, and the pack attacked Weston. We took him to the vet. He was put under, stitched up with a wound deep into the muscle area on the left hip, slightly less serious on the right hip. Lots of abrasions.”

She took a breath and finished offering to take care of Weston for free for the next 10 days and administer antibiotics. Because I listen for a living, I remained silent except to say no thanks to the offer of free care. As you are reading this, I’m sure you are appalled, and you should be.

As I drove home, I got angry. I thought about calling a lawyer, judged them, blamed them, and vowed some sort of revenge. I was firmly planted in the victim perspective.

Once home, he curled up in his doggie bed and fell into a deep post-anesthetic sleep. As I stood there, I realized I had a choice. I could keep villainizing the daycare center or I could focus on helping my injured dog. This shift changed everything.

My brain started working. I realized they sent him home with no pain medicine. I launched into accountability mode. I had pain medicine left over from when he was neutered. I grabbed it out of the cupboard. I decided I would take him with me to work as he healed and supervise him closely. I got my priorities straight.

I share this today to remind you that the accountable perspective gives you far more capacity to make things better. Weston recovered on both a physical and psychological level because I decided to focus on him.

Life is not fair or within your control in many cases. I encourage you to be accountable, even when the worst happens. I never went back to that business, I do not disparage them by name. I moved on to enjoy the 14 years of joy Weston brought to me and my family.

#takeanaccountableperspective, #elevationscareerchoice, #elevations, #careercoachacademy, #elevateyourcareer.com, #elevationscareerassessment

Are You Settling?

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 19:13:22 GMT

Are You Settling?

How would things change for you if anything was possible? What do you dream about doing, but lack the confidence to do it?

Perhaps you feel stuck. You may be carrying the baggage of horrible bosses, overwhelming workloads, and mind-numbing jobs. Or, you’re just ready for something new.

Let me stop here and mention why you might not pursue your deepest desire. It’s not just fear of failure. It’s the fear of failing at something significant. Setting goals that feel achievable is smart, but it flirts with settling. It is a self-protective stance that limits your vision.

So, what can you do? Break down your aspirations into manageable steps without backing down on what you want.

Consider the following steps:

Learn About Yourself

It is hard to feel confident when you are motivated by external pressures or societal judgments. Take time to review your values, the things you get energy from doing, and your current interests. Even if you have taken every assessment on the planet, you may still need a current view .

Check the Stories You Are Telling Yourself

When you think about going after an audacious goal, what are you saying to yourself? Are you positive and encouraging? Or do you immediately put yourself down? Fact-check your thoughts and eliminate self-imposed barriers.

Ask for Help

Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Coaching , friendships, or interaction with a mentor can lead to improved outcomes, stronger relationships, and personal growth. Leverage the knowledge and support of others.

It is often said we should start with the end in mind. So, let’s do that! The number one regret of people near the end of their lives is: “I wish I'd had the courage to live a life true to myself, not the life others expected of me.” Think about that for a while.

#careercoaching, #careercoachacademy, #elevateyourcareer, #gettingunstuck

Abundance or Scarcity

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 22:03:21 GMT

Abundance or Scarcity

Do you allow yourself time to rest and recover after a long-haul effort? Can you take a break to do some self-care? And, on a regular and daily basis do you prioritize pleasure? I suspect you are saying no to one or more of these questions.

In a world where the message, hard work pays off, permeates our lives, it’s difficult to relish the rest you want and deserve. The resistance to downtime shows up in several ways. Perhaps you:

Interpret rest as a lost opportunity.
Worry all your drive will evaporate if you take a break.
Feel you are being selfish when you prioritize your needs.

The one thing all these perspectives share is scarcity. Plenty of support exists for this fear-based way of viewing the world. It’s easy to get caught up in thinking you are missing out, getting behind, or just plain lazy. If you don’t keep running at top speed, you are simply not good enough.

All of this negativity becomes heavy. Your energy depletes as you push harder and harder. So how do you flip this script? Perhaps you need to replace the scarcity perspective with abundance. This opens the door to a positive belief system. You can:

Stop pushing and start pulling, your energy is attracting all the good things you want and deserve.
Manifest outcomes that are even greater than you imagined.
Experience comfort and joy as success flows in your direction.

As you read this today, you might think I’m naive but I’m not. After twenty-five years of running my own business, the one thing that has kept me both healthy and viable is my deep belief that there is more than enough for everyone. I don’t need to hide my ideas or compete aggressively. I can be humble and generous. I carve out time for self-care and pleasure.

I invite you to do the same. Spend the rest of your day pulling in everything you want and deserve. Consider the possibility that you can manifest abundant opportunities with little effort. Worry and fear leave you vibrating at a very low level. When you take care of yourself, you maximize your capacity and potential.

#career #careercoach #careercoachcertification #abundance

40 Day Plan in an Instant

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 21:48:47 GMT

40 Day Plan in an Instant

What do you do in an employment interview when they hit you with an impossible question about your process and plan for your first 40 days on the job?

This exact scenario played out for one of my colleagues last week. It inspired me to share a simple technique for scenario-based questions. It’s called the scientific method. Technically this method involves seven steps, but you can boil it down to four and it works perfectly.

It does not matter what the job entails. You could be interviewing to become a business developer or a software engineer. The logical structure of the scientific method will work no matter what career you are pursuing.

Interview Question: What is your process and plan for your first 40 days on the job?

Step One: Observe and Question

Start your answer by indicating that your first 10 days on the job would focus on noticing what is working and what could be better. You plan to ask lots of questions and be open to learning everything you can. Gathering information, building relationships, and earning trust will be key to the initiation of the plan.

Step Two: Generate a Range of Solutions and Possibilities

In the next 10 days, you will be developing ideas/strategies/solutions based on what you learned in the first 10 days. This is a creative process where you hope to offer new eyes and new perspectives. You will share your ideas with colleagues and management as appropriate, narrowing down the possibilities and selecting your initial approach. You will set measurable goals and set the foundation for future evaluation.

Step Three: Experiment and Implement

After 20 days on the job, you will be ready to select a specific strategy and implement it. You will utilize all the resources at your disposal. You describe an approach and explain the steps you would take. Hopefully, you know enough about the opportunity you are interviewing for, allowing for customization of your answer to the employer's needs.

Step Four: Evaluation and Adjustments/Conclusions

The last stage of your 40-day plan is an analysis of what went well and what could have been done better. You will solicit input from stakeholders and customers, measuring your achievements against the goals you initially set. You might finish this with a comment about your commitment to continuous learning and improvement.

Here is the bottom line. The interview panel does not expect you to know every detail of a job you’ve never done. But they want to know you understand the bones of a logical process.

#career #careercoach #jobinterview #employment #interviewtips

Inventive Innovators

Wed, 26 Feb 2025 18:59:27 GMT

Inventive Innovators

Let’s dig into the Innovator preference which is dominant in 12% of the global population. If you have an Innovator preference, you are a thirsty learner. As far back as you can remember you had a wide range of interests and a deep desire to understand why things work the way they do.

School might have been a mixed bag for you. It was a place where you could uncover information and explore. Yet far too often you were bored. Or worse, you came up with alternative answers to problems only to be shut down by teachers who lacked confidence and creativity.

You are independent and original. The road less traveled is your favorite pathway. You explore science, philosophy, history, and art. You have a gift for seeing how complex systems work together, creating repeated patterns in life and nature. You are visionary, curious, and driven. Conversely, if the problem or project has become routine, you quickly lose interest.

Here are some other common traits or capabilities of a true Innovator. You are:

Logical, able to remain objective.
Able to engage in debate, enjoying intellectual sparring with a worthy opponent.
Drawn to work with highly competent co-workers.
Enjoy mentoring up-and-coming professionals with great potential.
Unfazed in the face of highly complex, challenging problems.
Most motivated when starting a new project with many unknowns ahead.
Irritated by excessive expressions of emotion.

Your natural ability to set your emotions aside and focus on the problem makes you a great attorney, surgeon, or scientist. You are constantly inventing new solutions to everyday problems. Like Steve Jobs, you know what could make the world better, before we even know we need it.

If you relate to what has been said here, you are the master of asking “Why?” You push the boundaries and yearn for extraordinary solutions. But sometimes your questions generate a defensive reaction. Developing sensitivity and patience with others who do not work at your speed is a key learning opportunity for you.

Many of the most brilliant inventions ever conceived and implemented were generated by Innovators. You challenge us and make us better.

#careercoach #elevateyourcareer #elevations #careerassessment #temperament #careercoachacademy

Fullfilled by Facilitators

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 17:51:13 GMT

Fulfilled by Facilitators

I hope you are enjoying my review of the four temperaments. They are the foundation of the Elevations Career Assessment for students or adults.

I have already covered the Liberator and the Organizer in previous posts. Today, I want to focus on the Facilitator. This preference shows up in 12% of the global population and is sometimes called the Idealist.

If you have a Facilitator preference, you are people-centered and concerned with helping others grow and reach their full potential. You need to do meaningful work that makes the world a better place. You might be drawn to help individuals overcome obstacles in their lives, tap into their internal reservoir of resilience, and use their courage.

You probably did not get far into your life before you were told you are over-sensitive. You take things personally and struggle to remain objective in the face of criticism. As a balance point, finding people who listen to you with understanding and unconditional love is essential to your happiness and health. Your capacity to read people, support emotional expression and encourage others makes you a superior helping professional.

Here are some other common traits of capabilities of a true Facilitator. You are:

A skilled communicator who values teamwork and collaboration.
Authentic and non-judgmental, naturally supporting diversity and inclusion.
An outstanding listener, willing to embrace a range of perspectives.
Respected for your interpersonal skills.
Committed to balance in your life, needing to take time to regroup and recharge.
Effective in seeing the big picture and developing a vision for yourself and others.

Your natural ability to support and nurture others makes you an outstanding coach, teacher, or healer. You are curious about multiple ways to gain insight and grow. This might include astrology, psychic readings, or traditional religious pathways. Understanding your purpose is essential to feeling fulfilled and aligned.

If you relate to much of what has been said here, you might yearn for moments of lightheartedness or an escape from your deep emotional capacity. Your love for walking, gardening, or cooking are examples of ways you ground yourself. Taking the time to wiggle your toes in the grass will balance you and give you energy.

Every person on the planet is grateful to you, the Facilitator. You expand our hearts, help us grow, and give us a soft place to land on a rough day. Thank you!

#careercoach #elevateyourcareer #elevations #careercoachnearme #careerassessment #careercoachacademy

Ovation for Organizers

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 17:47:16 GMT

Ovation for Organizers

The four temperaments are the foundation of the Elevations career assessment. Today, I want to share the characteristics of the Organizer!

If you have an Organizer preference, you are goal-oriented, practical, and function best with clear direction. You are a list person. You might add something to your list that you have already done just for the joy of checking it off. You appreciate the structure, show up on time or early, and have a plan. Winging it or functioning in a constantly changing, unpredictable environment will stress you out.

The clear milestones in your school years were easy for you to navigate. Once you completed your education, you likely made a practical career choice. Your job satisfaction is rooted in your ability to be a solid, loyal contributor. You gravitate towards larger, well-established employers and avoid risky start-ups. You love the security and stability that allows you to plan for your future and reach your goals.

Here are some other common traits or capabilities of a true Organizer.

You are:

Practical, making choices that align with realistic goals.
Most satisfied in a career that offers advancement.
Conservative with your finances, focused on saving for your future.
Driven to do things excellently and frustrated by others who slack off or do a sloppy job.
More comfortable doing things yourself than delegating to others.
Adept at problem-solving, creating efficiency, and organizing just about anything.

The ethos of the United States culture is well aligned with the Organizer preference. Concepts like working hard, following through, saving your money, and planning for the future are deeply American values. If you travel to other countries, you may be challenged by different attitudes or standards related to things like time, cleanliness, or goal achievement.

Your natural ability to make plans and conserve resources is essential to our survival. From an evolutionary standpoint, you make sure we have enough wood to stay warm and food to survive the long winters.

If you are relating to much of what has been said here, you may be a bit surprised to find out that folks with other temperaments don’t care about the same things you do. They also do not have your gift for getting stuff done, on time and within the budget.

Take a moment to thank the Organizers in your life. They never forget your birthday; they have the best Christmas decorations ever and are superior bargain shoppers. What could be better than that?

#careercoach #elevateyourcareer #elevations #careerassessment #careercoachacademy #temperament

Praise for Liberators

Thu, 06 Feb 2025 17:23:09 GMT

Praise for Liberators

In 400 BC the Greek philosopher Hippocrates identified four temperaments. He called them Phlegmatic, Sanguine, Melancholic, and Choleric—yes those are a mouthful. When I decided to use temperaments as the foundation of the Elevations career assessment I called them the Liberator, Organizer, Facilitator, and Innovator. A twenty-first-century spin on ancient wisdom.

Today I want to focus on the temperament that is most misunderstood, the Liberator. Children who have this dominant preference are always on the move. They may have a short attention span, enjoy being outdoors going fast, pushing the boundaries, and taking physical risks. Their parents pray they will survive to adulthood.

As they grow into their teens and early adulthood, school may have become boring. They prefer short-term projects that have tangible results—the opposite of school. They love their friends and playing sports. Getting a car is a huge priority as it gives them the freedom they yearn for. They are fun, casual, and loyal.

Here are some other common traits or capabilities of a true Liberator. They are:

· Mechanically inclined, fixing things without reading the directions.

· Calm in a crisis.

· Detail-oriented and observant.

· Skilled using their fine motor skills (drawing, tattooing, car detailing).

· Drawn to careers that are action-oriented, dangerous, and intense.

· Able to focus their attention if there is noise in the background or if they have something they can hold in their hands.

· Casual, quick to bring humor to a situation, and adaptable.

Are you thinking about someone you know? I bet you are because 38% of the global population has the Liberator preference. Liberators are our firefighters, emergency service personnel, professional athletes, chefs, mechanics, and welders. Evolutionarily, they are naturally adapted to stand in front of the cave and fight off the saber-toothed tiger.

If you have found this eye-opening, I encourage you to learn more about the temperaments. I am particularly fond of explaining the Liberator preference because, at all stages of life, we might not fully understand or appreciate the remarkable capability of these individuals.

Take a moment to thank the Liberators in your life. They make you laugh, keep you safe, and show up ready for anything. What could be better than that?

#careercoach #elevateyourcareer #elevations #careerassessment #careercoachacademy #temperament

Sneak Peak: 23 Years in the Making

Sun, 26 Jan 2025 19:39:01 GMT

Sneak Peak: 23 Years in the Making

In 2002 I purchased the ElevateYourCareer.com website domain. I had a dream of providing a single destination for anyone, at any age, seeking career direction and support through career transitions. I never dreamed it would take 23 years for it to come to fruition.

I need to level with you. My late-bloomer life pattern drives me nuts. But, today as I share this with you, it all seems to make sense.

Over these twenty-plus years, I invented customized versions of the Elevations assessment for adults, students, and organizations. I created a workshop and coaching program called Elevate You, I wrote the book Elevate Your Career: Live a Life You’re Truly Proud Of, created the Elevate Your Career YouTube Channel, and started an ICF-accredited coaching school training career coaches, giving them a logical delivery methodology using my models and methods.

Any one of these resources is valuable on their own. But collectively they create an amazing circle of support for the average human wondering what’s next in their life.

As we enter 2025, I’m confident this timing is perfect. The pandemic has left a lasting, deep existential impact. Massive numbers of people are unwilling to suffer a miserable job or sacrifice life balance. People all over the world want to live up to their potential and find work they are talented to do.

Sadly, most of the resources that exist for people seeking career support are massive job boards or thinly veiled technology companies using AI to address a deeply human issue. Career alignment is not simple or easy. It requires a logical self-discovery process and coaching support—it requires ElevateYourCareer.com.

I am beyond proud of what my team has created. I invite you to take a sneak peek. Explore the information about the Elevations career assessments, find out what we do in our Elevate You programs, explore the coaching directory and information about the coaching school, and check out all the free downloads. And, let me know what you think!

#careercoach #elevateyourcareer #elevations #careerassessment #careercoachacademy

Why Career Crashes Are Inevitable

Thu, 16 Jan 2025 01:40:11 GMT

Why Career Crashes Are Inevitable

Historically you can look back on times when a farmer, a merchant, or a welder could expect long-term career stability. But these days industrialization, technology, and the speed of change have all but annihilated career predictability. You never know when your career might crash.

This fact is disturbing. Your career pays for everything. It’s the engine of your life. But it’s easy to put off the care and feeding of your career. And then the crash comes!

Crash Number One: You Are Overly Loyal

If you pass on the opportunity to attend your annual professional association conference because you’ve got too much work to do, you are in trouble. You probably have a dated resume and a neglected LinkedIn profile. You identify strongly with your work and are loyal to your employer. So, when a merger, pandemic, or downturn happens, you are unprepared. The pink slip arrives, and you are devastated.

Crash Number Two: The Boss From an Alien Planet

Everything about your career is great. You are good at what you do, and you enjoy it. But most of all you love your boss. One morning you arrive at the virtual weekly meeting and your boss informs the team he is leaving. Several months later a new manager is hired. This evil micromanager is controlling, manipulative, and unethical. You never dreamed things could go south so quickly.

Crash Number Three: Your Personal Life Intervenes

It is natural to separate your work life from your personal life. You can be rolling along feeling pretty darn good about your career. And then, you find out your husband is cheating on you, or your mom falls down the stairs. You did not see it coming and you have no idea what the future will hold.

Let me apologize here. I’m usually a source of optimism (and occasionally inspiration) but I’ve gone a bit dark today. I decided to highlight the inevitability of career crashes because they are so disruptive and potentially disastrous.

If you are familiar with the Elevate Career Cycle model, you know that the Evolve strategy reminds you to nurture your career and have a plan b. And, expect unexpected endings. If you are prepared and understand careers will occasionally crash, you will bounce back much quicker.

#elevateyourcareer #careercoach #elevations #careercoachnearme #careerassessment #careercoachacademy

The Ugly Truth(s) About Listed Jobs

Wed, 08 Jan 2025 01:26:28 GMT

The Ugly Truth(s) About Listed Jobs

Why is it a waste of time for you to use job boards to find a job or change careers? Here are a few ugly truths:

Job listings on major boards often receive hundreds or even thousands of applications, increasing your competition.
Job postings often remain listed long after the job is filled.
The listing can be vague or overblown, and you cannot determine the real opportunity.
Employers are not excited to see you, and the sea of other candidates flooding their applicant tracking system (ATS).
Employers often list a job to meet legal posting requirements but they already have someone in mind for the job.
You are very limited in your ability to sell yourself.

And, the list goes on.

The biggest ugly truth is the allure of job boards. It seems so much easier than taking a strategic approach. You spend hours hunting for listings, filling out applications, and customizing your resume. It feels like you are getting something done. But you are kidding yourself.

Granted, some people do get their job from a posted position. The research tells us this happens about 10% of the time. 90% of jobs are secured through strategic networking. Thus, you should minimize the time staring at your computer and get out/get involved.

I’m sorry to be a bit heartless, but it does not matter if networking is fun for you or difficult. It simply is the only way to access the best jobs. My number one piece of advice is this: let your curiosity drive you.

Identify the career field and industry that interests you by completing a solid career assessment and then go for it. Attend classes, interview people currently in the role, attend conferences, and volunteer. Any time you are in front of another human, you increase the chance you will uncover a career opportunity that fits you perfectly.

If this information can help a friend or family member who is in the middle of a job hunt, please share it. Being stuck in a long-haul job search is demoralizing. Let’s help as many people as possible employ their talents and regain their dignity.

Happy New Year friends and colleagues!

Thu, 02 Jan 2025 23:48:23 GMT

Happy New Year friends and colleagues!

As you enter 2025, you might be contemplating a career change. A range of emotions flows through you: excitement, anxiety, and a bit of overwhelm. The road to this moment has been filled with ups and downs, just like a wild rollercoaster.

Let me see if I can describe the ride to date. There have been lows when you felt stuck, undervalued, and frustrated. These down days led you to dust off your resume and register with a job site. The jobs you saw missed the mark or you didn’t meet the qualifications. You shut down your computer and went to bed.

Upon waking up the next morning, you pulled back. The devil you knew felt safer than the unknown ahead. You took stock of the things you appreciated/tolerated about your current situation and returned to work.

This was the first of many good days and bad days. You tried to stick your head in the sand, but your dissatisfaction got more intense. Now that you have arrived at the New Year, you are determined to make a change.

Good for you! You are not meant to be living a marginal life. The one thing you must know is this: your rollercoaster ride is not over. Career changes are hard work, on both a psychological and a strategic level. Expect the following:

· Your career change will take longer than you want it to.

· Your identity will become muddled.

· You will be tempted to settle.

· You will need support!

What if I told you I am launching an amazing career change resource on January 23, 2023? You will be able to watch videos, access free resources, hire a coach, take a career assessment, and read books—whatever you need when you need it.

This is my New Year's gift ��to you. You don’t have long to wait. Take the next 23 days to put your career house in order. Pay attention to your intuition, telling you what’s next. Assemble a list of your accomplishments, quantifying them when possible. Share your dreams with the most positive people in your life. Fill your heart and soul with strength and resilience. Get ready for an amazing new beginning.

Why We Need Elevations

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 20:32:09 GMT

Why We Need Elevations

There are a massive number of career assessments on the market. This was true back in the early 90s when I was the Associate Director of a college career center. Back then (and still today), most career counselors and coaches used several different

assessments to help their clients. I did that too, but I was frustrated.

Let me paint the picture. A client comes to you at a crossroad. They need to identify a college major and/or determine a career path. You encourage the student to engage in a career assessment process so you:

· Administer the Strong Interest Inventory, the Myers Briggs Type Indicator, a skill card sort, and a values assessment.
· All have their own cost, foundational theory, time to complete and, in the old days, postage and time delays waiting for scoring and returned reports.

When all the data is collected you schedule time with a busy student and spend hours going over the uncorrelated data. You’ve taken a client who is, by definition, confused and deliver an overwhelming assessment process.

I began to hunt for a single assessment that addressed values, skills, interests, and personality. I was sure it was out there because it made so much sense to me. But I could not find it.

Fast forward to the early 2000s. By then I had quit my job at the university. Now I was serving adults making career transitions. I was still slugging through an array of tools, complaining about the lack of a single comprehensive assessment.

Then the opportunity arose. I secured a contract to administer career development services for 12,000 employees working for a local government agency. I was ecstatic. I shared my good fortune with a friend, and he said, “Now you can create that assessment you keep talking about.”

While the idea of inventing an assessment was intimidating, I had a design in mind that would integrate all the key elements of the career assessment process into a single platform. I spent three years in development and released a manual version of the Elevations career assessment in 2003. Just one year later, I released an online version that has serviced over 70,000 adults and students to date.

I share this with you today to let you in on my journey and to announce a big reveal that will occur on January 23, 2025. Over the next six weeks, I will share more about the tools and resources me and my team have created for you. Hang in there, more to come soon!

The Secret to Screening Out Dependent Clients

Tue, 10 Dec 2024 19:30:13 GMT

The Secret to Screening Out Dependent Clients

A foundational principle in career coaching is the belief that the client is whole, capable, and resourceful. News flash, this is not always true. Sadly, some clients make excuses, blame others, and drain you with their endless poor me stories. Their lives are filled with drama and repeated patterns of poor judgment.

If you don’t screen these folks out early, you will be in for a painful and potentially expensive ride. Here is my foolproof method for sending them packing.

Step One: Install a scheduling link on your career coaching website offering a free 15-minute consultation. Listen carefully as the prospective client explains their situation. Are they complaining? Do they become defensive when you ask pointed questions? If so, establish clearly that career transitions are hard work. Clarify that you will not do the work for them.

Step Two: Offer a 90-minute initial session for $90. It gives you a substantial amount of time to hear red flags. Clarify what career coaching is and is not. Explain that 80% of progress is made between sessions by the client. Add that you or the client can end the coaching relationship at any time, giving you a way out.

Step Three: Be honest and kind. If you are convinced this client is a dependent personality who will make little or no progress, offer your observations. Give them examples of behaviors they have shared that will impair their ability to make a successful transition.

Setting these kinds of boundaries is tough. A person stuck in the victim mentality may lash out at you, resenting the fact that you are not going to save them from their self-made plight. Yet, over time, they may look back at you as the one person who had the backbone to tell them the truth.

This kind of guidance is the hallmark of the Career Coach Entrepreneur Academy. We are enrolling for the next cohort starting January 7, 2025. If you are interested, please visit the Academy website and schedule a call with me to get your questions answered.

BTW, the Academy is an ICF-accredited Level One school. It's the first step towards achieving your ICF coaching credentials.

Why 6 Out of 10 Employees Plan to Switch Jobs in 2025

Wed, 04 Dec 2024 00:07:07 GMT

Why 6 Out of 10 Employees Plan to Switch Jobs in 2025

As students are enrolling in the Career Coach Entrepreneur Academy for the cohort starting January 7, 2025, I am watching the projected labor market trends for 2025. According to multiple sources, droves of workers are ready to ditch their current jobs.

An article in Inc. Magazine published in October 2024 cited a study conducted by ResumeTemplates.com that found “56 percent of full-time employees in the U.S. want a new job in 2025, and 27 percent have already started searching. One in three plan to quit their current job next year even if they don’t have a new one lined up.”

Employees are seeking new opportunities for varied reasons. Topping the list are frustrations around compensation, burnout, feelings of underappreciation, and limited growth opportunities in their current roles. Additionally, a deep desire for balance and stability was stated as critical for 98 percent of study respondents.

Returning to office (RTO) mandates are contributing to the exodus. In November 2024 the Kadence company reported that “RTO mandates are stirring up conflict within leadership teams. Employees, meanwhile, are voting with their feet—opting to leave rather than lose the flexibility they’ve grown to love.”

If you currently work in an organization in the areas of talent development or employee retention, you are aware of these trends. Directly addressing career dissatisfaction through career coaching will be key to stemming unwanted turnover.

Outside the walls of organizations, career coaches in private practice will be an invaluable resource. The focused attention of an ICF-certified career coach will accelerate the efficiency and quality of the career transition.

I bring this to your attention today, offering a bright future for those of you yearning to expand your career coaching skills and knowledge. Please be aware that the early bird deadline for the January cohort is rapidly approaching. Reach out to me before Tuesday, December 9th to secure your discount.

How Your Curiosity Hijacks Client Insight

Wed, 27 Nov 2024 17:33:30 GMT

How Your Curiosity Hijacks Client Insight

Last week I observed a coach in training use the phrase, “I’m curious” over and over again. The focus was on him, not the client. He was driving the client to enrich his mind and to be entertained. This is not coaching—this is a conversation without a purpose.

You may already know that a coach does not give advice or tell their own stories. The coach is not in the relationship to learn or grow. They are there to help the client articulate a powerful goal and use their curiosity to see avenues to reach that goal.

This is a bitter pill for coaches in training to swallow. Coach curiosity can originate from good intentions. You might want to demonstrate your interest in the client’s situation. But, in reality, you are driving the client towards your interests, not theirs. Your ego is in the driver's seat limiting or eliminating the emergence of client insight.

This slippery slope is made worse when the coach does not take the time to refine the client’s agenda. It’s key for the client to make sure the goal is connected to their deeper values and beliefs—not a goal imposed by society or people in their lives.

If you take the time to unearth a well-explored, well-articulated goal then you can help the client use their curiosity to explore avenues to reach a goal that matters. You are digging into client wisdom under the surface of their current awareness.

The first step to resolve this misdirected focus is to eliminate the phrase “I’m curious”. Next, remember that coaching is never about you. It does not matter how you feel about the direction the client chooses. Your values, judgments, and life experience are irrelevant.

A solid next step towards enriching your client's curiosity is the use of silence. A well-timed pause lets the client hunt around in their mind. You are the thinking partner, staying out of the way and letting the client’s insights emerge.

Coaching is a generous interaction built on reflection, asking strategies, silence, and focused goal achievement. The learning you enjoy as a coach is witnessing your client’s brilliance.

The Story of an Unlikely Entrepreneur

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 22:42:10 GMT

You Do Have What It Takes To Be An Entrepreneur

T here are many misconceptions about self-employment, mostly rooted in unfounded stories about what it takes to be successful. These include:

Being a type A personality (impatient, competitive, and work-obsessed).
Working 24/7 on your business, including nights, weekends, and vacations.
Taking huge risks and obsessively looking for the next big opportunity.

Here are the characteristics I rely on to sustain and grow my small business. Check out this list of qualities and see how many you can relate to:

Self-awareness : Knowing what you stand for, your natural strengths, and things that drain you.
Belief in Abundance: A deep-rooted understanding that there is enough—enough work, money, and opportunity. I don’t need to be stingy or undercut other people.
Communication Skills: The ability to connect, listen and compromise. A bonus is the ability to write (even with the advent of AI, I believe your ability to write is invaluable).
Willingness to Learn Anything: This is your secret weapon. Your competition gets stuck because they are unwilling to learn. You will be a success if you are a thirsty learner.

So, are you an unlikely entrepreneur? If the answer is yes, you have my full support in pursuing your dreams and contributing your gifts. You will enjoy massive autonomy in return for the inevitable ups and downs of self-employment.

How to Engage in And Conversations

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 22:31:48 GMT

How To Engage In And Conversations

Exquisite communication requires subtlety. One word you probably use often is “but”. It implies a limitation or obstacle to whatever you say in front of it. For example, “I’m interested in becoming a coach but, I don’t really understand what coaching is.” The but negates or diminishes the first thing you said.

Today I would like to encourage you to remove the word but completely. Ok, that’s a big ask. And, I’m going to give you an alternative. Substitute but with the word and. You’ll be surprised how well it works!

Let’s go back to my example, “I’m interested in becoming a coach and I’m not really sure I understand what coaching is.” This is so much more engaging. You invite the listener to support you without having to overcome your implied objection.

I’ve become a bit famous for my use of the word and. Sometimes I will respond to a question or concern but saying, “this is an and conversation.” My brief statement slows the interaction down. It illuminates ambiguity and invites a creative exploration of the topic.

Here are some more examples of and conversations:

I want to get a puppy and I’m worried it will be too much work.
I want to change careers and I’m not sure where to start.
I love eating toffee ice cream before I go to bed and I know it’s not a great choice for my health.

One more thought to help motivate you to toss your buts. You will find your conversations are richer. They invite an explorative conversation rather than a debate or persuasion to one side of the coin or the other.

Have some fun with this one. Commit to but annihilation for the next couple of days. I think you see yourself inviting fuller, more creative interactions. If you are a leader in your home or your workplace, you’ll love becoming the master of and conversations.

How To Be An Effective Thought Partner

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 22:21:07 GMT

How To Be An Effective Thought Partner

Generally, you enter a conversation with an idea about what you want to say or what you want to achieve. This is a good starting place but I’d like to explore an even more powerful approach. Consider becoming a thought partner.

In this role, you do not have an agenda, an opinion, or advice. Your only objective is to help the other person (let’s call them your client) gain a clear perspective about their thinking. The underlying assumption is that the client has their own wisdom and you are there to help them tap into their brilliance.

If you are familiar with coaching, this is not new information for you. But, sadly, it’s so darn easy to fall into giving advice or even arguing. So, I thought I’d take a moment to walk you through a thought partner approach.

Step One: Help your client get crystal clear about the issue at hand. If you ask “How can I support you today?” your client will likely present a problem or obstacle they are facing. I encourage you to probe. Ask some questions like:

How is this situation/challenge affecting you?
What makes this a priority right now?
How does this connect with what matters most to you?
If this was resolved, how would that change things?
How might you need to change to transform this issue?

As you move through these questions, you are helping your client get internally centered. They are aligned with their needs, values and beliefs. Now you can dig in.

Step Two: Define a measurable outcome for your conversation. Ask:

How will you know you have reached a solid conclusion regarding this matter?

Can you suggest a way we can make the outcome measurable (like on a scale of 1-10)?

Describe success for me as it relates to this issue.

Step Three: Be a thought partner. This has two elements. The first is to reflect and/or summarize what you are hearing. This allows the client to hear and explore their thoughts and feelings. You are a powerful mirror.

Next, ask a question grounded in genuine curiosity. Your goal is to help your clients see gaps in their logic or unfounded assumptions. You are also inviting a high level of accountability. You help them see their role and explore new alternatives.

I am inspired to share this with you hoping it gives you a new perspective on a situation in your life. Find an awesome thought partner to help you or be there for someone who needs your support. We just can’t have enough of this in our world today.

Resources You Can Rely on When Your Are at a Major Crossroad

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 22:11:24 GMT

Steps to Take at an Inflection Point

You stand at a crossroad. You can take the easy way out and settle for a future that falls short. It’s easier, quicker and less expensive. But it leaves you feeling empty. You know you could do more, but fear keeps you stuck.

I’m guessing there is an inflection point for you right now. You want:

To start your own business.
Go back to school or earn a certification .
Step up to leadership in an organization you care about deeply.
Open a sandwich shop.
Join a rock and roll band.
Fill in the blank__________________.

There is a real price to pay for stepping up to your dreams. That’s why you don’t take action. But, your soul keeps nagging at you. You are caught in a rip tide and need a way forward. Here are the steps you can take:

Find a Thought Partner: This is a friend, career coach , or therapist who listens to you and reflects the stories you are telling yourself. They help you see a new perspective and tap into your wisdom. They validate your vision and give you the support you need.
Take a Comprehensive Career Assessment : Clarify your strengths and values. Your confidence is boosted as you read about your temperament and your interests. The assessment is a mojo-boosting source of validation.
Plot Your Escape: Your starting point will shape your strategy. Determine what you need to do first and take that step.
Leverage Your Assets: If you want to upgrade your life, you need to acknowledge your resources and gifts. From this vantage point, you can creatively determine how you will get where you want to go.

I was inspired to share these ideas because it seems everyone I speak to (clients, family, and friends) is at significant inflection points. Whatever is stirring your soul, I encourage you to honor your aspirations. The world needs what you have to offer.

Discover How Listening Makes You an Effective Thought Partner

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 22:00:21 GMT

How Listening Makes You an Effective Thought Partner

I’m a fan of listening. It’s an art that is tough to master. To your credit, perhaps you are trying to stop:

Interrupting.

Developing your answer while the other person is still speaking.
Shifting the focus back to you.
These are all worthy efforts but, by themselves, you may be missing the root issue. Most of the time you are impatient. It takes discipline to allow the speaker to explore their thoughts and feelings. You are held in receiving mode. It can feel like sitting at a red light that never turns green.

This begs the question; how do you slow down? Here are a few tips that can help:

See yourself as a thought partner. Recognize that the speaker is usually caught in their own story, unaware of logic gaps and assumptions. If you stay curious and focus on the speakers’ works and thoughts, you are starting at a good place.

Embrace the mindset that the speaker is whole, creative, and resourceful. They do not need to be fixed. They need the perspective you offer but not your advice.

Consider a three-part approach. Start by pausing. When the speaker provides an avenue for you to contribute, take time to gather your thoughts. Next, reflect/acknowledge what you heard using the speaker’s exact words. Let them hear what they said. Then, finally, ask a probing question guiding the speaker into further discovery.

Your ability to pace yourself will take some practice, especially if you are abundantly verbal or super high energy. No matter what speed you like in day-to-day conversations, you might want to consider slowing down when the stakes are high and listening matters.

Utilize Your Values to Face Life's Biggest Challenges

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 21:47:36 GMT

Your Values Are Your Superpower

About ten years ago I began a simple practice. Every morning as I rise from bed and swing my feet to the floor, I reflect on my top three personal values: meaningful work, helping others, and having fun.

My overall goal is to increase my awareness and experience of these three things in every part of my day. The impact has been substantial. Here is what I have learned:

I have to have my values posted so I see them periodically throughout the day. I have them listed as part of my e-mail signature line. This keeps them top of mind no matter what happens.
My personal values make the biggest impact when I am fearful, angry, or about to make an impulsive decision. With my values in mind, my emotions are checked and I proceed with integrity and strength.
I make my best decisions when my actions and mindset are filtered through my personal core values.

Finding the courage to step up to any challenge is the key to success in all aspects of life. I do not want to waste energy beating myself up about my fears and insecurities. I want to draw from a much deeper well of strength, namely my values.

I’m excited to also share a values-focused podcast that dropped this week. Check out the The Aspirant Podcast. Natasha Clawson interviewed me about How to Make Smarter Business Decisions by Tapping Into Your Values. Here is a link to learn more about how I use both my personal and professional values as my true north.

Ways to Engage Your Deeper Wisdom

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 21:36:45 GMT

Ways to Engage Your Deeper Wisdom

Here’s the situation. Your doctor offers you a choice. You can lose weight or increase the dosage of your cholesterol medicine. You hate taking medicine. You walk out of the office numb and depressed. You told the doctor you would lose weight—but your past diet failures haunt you.

You get home and start thinking about what you need to do. The list is long:

Eliminate carbohydrates and sugar.
Manage your portion sizes and minimize bad fats.
Drink lots of water.
Take a probiotic and get enough fiber.
Get enough sleep and keep your stress level low.
Walk three miles each day up and down hills.
Get support from friends and family.
Yadda, yadda, yadda.

Here’s my question for you: If you know what you need to do, why do you consistently fail to achieve your goal? The answer is within you. All the steps and targets won't help you without getting to your deeper motivations and concerns. You need coaching.

I offer this today because you are surrounded by experts who tell you what to do. They smugly suggest that, if you follow their simple, easy solution you will get amazing results. On a gut level, you know you are getting sucked into an empty promise. So, what can you do?

Start coaching yourself! Here are a few questions for reflection that will tap into your inner wisdom, strength, and discipline:

How does this goal matter to you?
How does it align with your values?
What will need to change about you to achieve your goal?
What worries you about this situation/challenge?
How will you celebrate your successes?

You are the engine for change in your life. Once you start supporting your internal wisdom, you will be unstoppable.

How to Nurture Your Career Satisfaction

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 20:04:56 GMT

How to Nurture Your Career Satisfaction

I’ve always had live plants in my office. There’s a bunch of reasons. They are pretty, they have a calming effect, and they produce oxygen. All those things being true, there is one more important reason. Plants are the perfect metaphor for a healthy, rewarding career.

As a career coach, I work with people who feel stuck. They’ve failed to network and grow professionally. They have planted their career in neglected soil. Just like a wilting philodendron, depleted workers are starving for sustenance.

This is not entirely your fault (if you can relate). Perhaps some of these are factors:

You get the evil eye when you leave at 5 p.m. (or whenever your standard workday ends).
Your co-workers (and leadership) brag about needing little sleep.
Training or certificate programs that feed your passions (but are not directly related to your current position) are not reimbursable or allowed.
Your well-being and career are secondary to the mission of the organization and/or profits.

Because you need to pay your bills and meet your obligations, you put your head down and work. You don’t do the things that would nurture your health and your soul. You are not feeding yourself, your career, or your potential future.

Generally, there are two avenues out of the dead plant zone. One is an internal awakening—a realization that you cannot keep trudging forth. You are empty and worn out. The other path is even more detrimental. It’s the wake-up call of an accident, serious illness, or getting fired.

So, what do you do? The first step is to realize you have a choice. Start making small incremental shifts in both your focus and your activities. Take a career self-assessment that will enlighten your awareness of who you are and what you want.

Envision yourself thriving, healthy, and beautiful. Give yourself the care and the attention you need and deserve. And, maybe buy a stunning plant for inspiration.

How to Prepare for Powerful Conversations

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 18:13:57 GMT

How to Prepare for Powerful Conversations

Coaching is an amazing process that works wonders because it is structured, intentional, and brilliant. A key component of the coaching methodology is the requirement that you come to coaching with a topic in mind.

You might struggle to identify the focus of your coaching session. It requires preparation and thought. You might toss several ideas around in your brain, trying to select a worthy topic.

This requirement flips the way you think about helping relationships. Traditionally, the teacher, counselor, or doctor tells you what the focus of the session or appointment will be. They are the expert, and you follow their lead.

Coaching puts you in the driver's seat. The resolution of the topic starts before the coaching session. You contemplate the challenges and opportunities in your life. Questions like:

What is the most important topic I want to work on?
How does this topic matter to me right now?
How might I need to change or adapt to achieve success in this area of my life?
How brave are I willing to be?
Am I going to select a focus that gets to the biggest, most audacious goals I hope to achieve?

This self-reflection is essential and magical. It presumes that you have the questions and answers within yourself. It also makes you accountable for the success or failure of the coaching relationship.

I encourage you to use the brilliance of coaching in other areas of your life. If you are going to a meeting or sharing time with a friend, take a moment to consider what you want to focus on and what you hope to achieve. Intentionality and preparation can enrich the quality of the interaction. Be the author of your outcomes.

How to Launch Your Career Coaching Business

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 18:02:59 GMT

How to Launch Your Career Coaching Business

When I started my career coaching business twenty-five years ago, I got a lot of advice. Don’t invest in a logo, don’t worry about a website, and most of all, don’t rent an office. Without much hesitation, I ignored every piece of advice and did all those things.

My other choice was to throw an elaborate grand opening at my newly rented Victorian office in downtown Sacramento, CA. I was following my instincts and my passion. I wanted to celebrate the establishment of my new business. I sent out formal invitations to family, friends, colleagues, and allied businesses like outplacement firms.

To my surprise and delight, I had a huge response. It was held in the evening several weeks before Christmas. I decorated the banisters leading up to the front door with live garlands. Each room was lit with candles and the kitchen overflowed with yummy salads and desserts. There was plenty of wine and laughter. It was perfect.

My over-the-top grand opening was one of the smartest moves I made. I quickly established myself and built my network (long before the days of social media).

As I help other career coaches launch their businesses through my coaching school , I encourage them to be authentic and creative as they let others know they are open for business. Additionally, they need to accept all the good advice they receive but, in the end, do what makes their heart sing.

Here is my question for you today: what new venture in your life deserves a grand opening? I strongly encourage you to celebrate in any way that makes you happy.

How to Find the Courage to Coach

Thu, 21 Nov 2024 17:50:28 GMT

How to Find the Courage to Coach

Last Tuesday evening we finished the Tuesday Together cohort of the Career Coach Entrepreneur Academy . As a closing activity, students coached each other, reflecting on their growth and key learnings. It’s eye-opening because I never know what challenges a prospective coach faces when they join the Academy.

A portrait of courage unfolded as I discovered one student, Sharon Olbeter, came to the Academy with substantial hurdles to overcome.

First, and probably most significant, Sharon had attended other coaching schools and didn’t receive the support she needed to develop her coaching skills. Her confidence in coaching was very low. But, it was important to her to become a masterful coach, so she put herself into yet another coaching school.

Sharon’s second challenge was the transition from traditional employment to an entrepreneurial venture. She had been highly successful in the structure of her career, rising to senior executive roles. Now, starting her own business she felt isolated and unsure.

Finally, she battles the plague of perfectionism, which is an insidious problem when you enter the coaching profession. By definition, coaching is dancing in the moment with no attachment to the outcome--a nightmare for anyone who needs to be prepared and perfect. Add the need to accept “good enough” when it comes to self-employment, this woman had her hands full.

I am beyond pleased to report Sharon has become a first-class coach with blooming confidence. This was achieved through hours of coaching practice in a safe, supportive environment. Smart, determined, and dedicated, she is ready to help countless clients in her career coaching practice.

It’s not too late for you to add career coaching to your skill set. The next cohort of the Career Coach Entrepreneur Academy starts soon. Please contact me to schedule a time to get your questions answered.

Coaching School Challenge

Wed, 20 Nov 2024 23:20:40 GMT

Coaching School Challenge

I founded the Career Coach Entrepreneur Academy in January 2021. The list of things I did not know or expect is very long. After graduating 25 students, and with 5 more done with their training next week, I am reflecting on the most surprising aspects of coach training—the struggle to come up with a coaching topic.

The only way to learn how to be an excellent coach is to practice, so every one of the 14 weeks in the Academy includes real-life coaching sessions. It’s not role-playing. I insist students bring significant topics, personal or professional, from their life, they would like to explore.

In week one of coaching school we learn the difference between coaching, consulting, and therapy. Then it’s time to start coaching. I pair students up and ask one to be the coach, the other is the client, and the client needs to have a topic. This is a hurdle that throws most folks off. They expected to be trained, but not to be sharing and exploring their own lives.

Reactions have ranged from relative comfort to feeling exposed and awkwardly vulnerable. Frequently students will choose a topic they think is simple, like carving out time for a walk in the morning or taking better care of the dog. But, as they get going, they find out that coaching, even with a novice, will uncover deeper feelings. Coaching is magic.

Throughout the Academy, students embrace both coaching and being coached. They achieve clarity about the challenges they face in daily life. They work out their anxieties about starting a career coaching practice, attracting clients, and finding the confidence to pursue their dreams.

I love sharing details about the Academy, especially ones that are unexpected. The next cohort starts soon, September 17, 2024. If you’ve been reading this newsletter and feeling drawn to enroll, please set up some time to get your questions answered . It would be an honor to guide you through the coach training journey.

Epic Endings

Wed, 20 Nov 2024 23:10:28 GMT

Epic Endings

Often, a career transition is triggered by a dramatic ending. It could be a layoff, divorce, health crisis, or other life events that change everything. As you design your next chapter, you are confronted with the feelings and consequences of an epic ending.

I have found that three steps, taken consciously, can significantly assist you.

Step One: Grieve

Taking account of your losses is like cleaning a wound. It hurts a lot, but it prepares you to heal. Your approach to grief will be personal. No one can tell you exactly how to address your losses. You will determine if it’s journaling, therapy, meditation, long walks on the beach, or all of the above.

Step Two: Ground

Ask yourself, “How am I right now?” You are breathing, you have people who love you and people you love. You might be able to see the sunshine or feel the breeze. You are alive. Ask yourself again, “How am I now?” Moment by moment you regain your faith in yourself and your future.

Step Three: Go

Yep, there is a time for action. But, be aware you may cycle back to grief and may need to ground yourself along the way. Endings are unpredictable and take longer than you want them to. Meanwhile, you must move forward, both for yourself and for others who might love you or depend on you. Taking the Elevations career assessment at this juncture is brilliant. It helps you refocus on who you are and who you want to become.

While career coaching is not therapy, as a coach, I do important healing work. I can listen, offer support, and perhaps most importantly, observe and describe the improvements I witness. Being a career coach is both fulfilling and challenging. I’m so grateful to do this work.

Open to Abundance

Wed, 20 Nov 2024 23:01:59 GMT

Open to Abundance

What if you were not afraid? What if you deeply believed there would be enough love, money, health, and career opportunities for you in the days ahead? How would this certainly change your life?

Living in a state of abundance invites positivity, both on the practical and the spiritual levels. You see opportunities and are open to pursuing them. Over time abundance flows naturally to you.

Sounds great, but in daily life, holding space for abundance can be challenging. You are choosing the path less taken in general.

In the short run, people who operate from a position of scarcity might look like they are winning. But, in the end, I think their world gets smaller and smaller. They become Gollum, searching for the precious ring that will make them happy—and they never find it.

How can you live in a state of abundance? Here are a few ideas to consider:

What you pay attention to gets bigger. So, if you are consistently grateful and deeply satisfied with what you have, you will attract more of what you want in life.
Surround yourself with authentically self-confident people. They will help you grow to your potential.
Be generous without violating healthy boundaries.

I hope this information lands perfectly with you today. Take the road less traveled and be amazed by the doors that open for you.

Giving Green Advice

Wed, 20 Nov 2024 22:52:54 GMT

Giving Green Advice

Twenty-five years have passed since I started my career coaching business . I clearly remember the anxiety flowing through my body as I saw my first few clients. I worried I would not deliver and would not be worth the money I was charging.

This normal, but incredibly uncomfortable bout of imposter syndrome, fed my advice monster. Rather than asking powerful questions and tapping into the wisdom of my clients, I got into expert mode. I shared my knowledge and told perfectly capable people what to do. I gave “green advice”.

When you get started as a career coach, the temptation to show your clients how much you know is enticing. Compounding the problem, your clients might think you have the answers, or worse, expect you to do the work for them.

How do you integrate coaching into your career services and keep your clients happy? Here are a few tips I wish I had known when I got started:

Your clients are desperate to be listened to. They will be impressed when you ask brilliant, probing questions that produce deep clarity and self-awareness.
The coaching approach promotes client autonomy, confidence, and motivation. If you position yourself as the expert, you are undermining your client’s growth and ability to succeed.
Your green advice is influenced by your needs, your life, and your experiences. The best answers for your clients can only come from them.

Hopeful for Home

Wed, 20 Nov 2024 22:38:13 GMT

Hopeful for Home

Have you lost hope—wondering if job satisfaction is possible? You are in the crossroad of the Elevate Career Cycle, dealing with misalignment, frustration, and fear. You are stuck.

How do you get from hopeless to home? This question looms large, especially at the beginning of the career transition process.

I listen to your story. You have been out of the labor market for many years or have been doing a job that has hit a dead end. You’ve left the military, and your experience does not seem to transfer to the civilian market. You need to figure out what’s next.

Worry grinds down your self-esteem. You are overwhelmed by the vast number of career options. The question you face is simple: How do I get started? There are three steps you can take to tamp down your anxiety and unleash your creativity (which you will need to make a successful mid-career shift).

Step One: Change Your Perspective: Stop talking to the negative, unhappy people in your life. Connect with people who are thriving and believe in you. Consciously listen to the positive perspectives a person who has found their career home enjoys.

Step Two: Embrace Your Work Ethic: Are you a hard worker? If the answer is yes, this is your golden ticket to an amazing career transition. You will be willing to do the self-reflection and self-assessment needed to wisely inform your choices. You will invest in training, conduct your research, and learn how to market your unique career brand. Yes, it’s hard work—I invite you to step up and do it.

Step Three: Elevate You: As you complete your career assessment, you become intimate with your values, enjoyable skills, interests, and temperament. This is your talent suitcase, unique to you. Your commitment to employing the best version of yourself is essential. Let other people settle, you deserve to find your true career home.

A combination of psychological perspectives and solid career transition tools will be your ticket. Unlock your creativity and curiosity. It’s your time to shine.

The Skill Drain

Wed, 20 Nov 2024 22:27:14 GMT

The Skill Drain

How do you feel at the end of a day when you have been doing things you do not enjoy? I’ve asked this question thousands of times. I always (yes always) get the same answer: drained and exhausted.

I ask this as a prelude to discussing your skills. I care much less about your aptitude; I want you to focus on enjoyment. What skills boost your energy and leave you invigorated? Sometimes it can be a struggle to get in touch with skills that satisfy you deeply, but it’s worth doing. Because, sadly, your employer won’t.

Employers are focused on your ability to perform and execute at a high level. I understand this perspective but there is a huge blind spot. Your employer is pushing you uphill, forcing you to do things that drain you.

Motivated by a desire to succeed and please others, you squeeze yourself into the box of your employer’s expectations, diligently working harder and harder to satisfy others, neglecting yourself. This is a guaranteed road to burnout.

And, it’s a flawed strategy for employers. They might want their workforce to magically have the key skills to improve productivity and reap higher levels of profit. The truth about humans undermines these desires. It would be wise for employers to get curious about skill enjoyment—unleashing the untapped energy source in each of their unique employees.

Ask yourself today, how much time am I spending doing things I enjoy? Maybe this question seems too simple, but I think its potentially life-changing.

Shift Your Focus

Wed, 20 Nov 2024 22:15:59 GMT

Shift Your Focus

As you contemplate your next career move, it’s wise to keep an open mind and explore the full range of your options. You want your next role aligned with your values, enjoyable skills, interests, skills, and personality. You also want to consider your ideal location, financial goals, life balance, health considerations, and overall family needs. Wow, that's a lot of stuff.

The front end of a career change is complex. It tempts an impulsive choice, taking the first thing that comes along. Having the wisdom and patience to craft a highly customized career change takes work. It also allows you to blossom into a career you enjoy and can grow into.

Having said all of that, the actual job search part of a career change requires laser focus. Your LinkedIn profile, resume, cover letter, reference statements, job interview, and follow-up need to communicate a singular industry, role, and vision. The prospective employer sees and hears exactly what matters to them—you arrive as the perfect fit.

How do you balance these two opposing realities? An elegant, perfectly timed shift of your focus is the key:

Temper your impatience as you complete a self-assessment and research your options. Take the time to be brutally honest with yourself. Be cautious about allowing others to influence you to move in a direction that pleases them but leaves you unfulfilled.
Get yourself to an 80% level of clarity about your career goal. Live through the ups and downs of your exploration. Accept a reasonable level of risk remembering nothing is perfect.
Now switch gears to a singular focus. Your job search (or the creation of your entrepreneurial venture) must be clear, well-defined, and deeply informed by who you are and who you want to become.

As always, I hope this message arrives perfectly timed for you. The shifting dynamics of your career focus can be confusing—and lead to poor decisions if you don’t pay close attention to the delicate balance.

Job Satisfaction Plummets

Wed, 20 Nov 2024 19:14:43 GMT

Job Satisfaction Plummets

Are you one of the millions of working adults who are miserable, chronically isolated plugging away behind your Zoom screen or being forced back to the office? Sorry to say, you are not alone. A report from BambooHR found that the overall average employee satisfaction score in December 2023 dropped to the lowest overall average score since 2019.

With so many people stuck in career misery, I thought I’d offer a simple roadmap for you, or anyone you know, to put their career back on track.

Start with Your Mindset

Understand where you are in the Elevate Career Cycle . Chances are, you are at the Crossroad, dealing with declining self-esteem and overwhelming uncertainty. Your anxiety is spiking, and you cannot focus.

You cannot make great decisions in a state of mental confusion. You must settle down, get support from a great listener, and ground yourself. When you feel you are back in your body, breathing normally, you can proceed to the next step.

Engage in Self-Assessment

Your understanding of your career-related values, enjoyable skills, interests, and natural-born temperament are the foundation of great career choices. If you move forward without an up-to-date review of your talents, you will likely make an impulsive, fear-based move—and end up worse off. Thoughtfully complete the Elevations Career Choice, Career Change assessment.

Communicate Your Vision

Great careers are not found on job sites. People you know or people you are introduced to are the key to a powerful job search . Communicate your intentions (field, function, industry, location, and passion) both in writing and interpersonally. The more focused and clear you are, the quicker you will be negotiating offers.

My final piece of advice is related to your perspective. Your career is an essential aspect of your identity, financial security, and life satisfaction. It is worth every ounce of effort you expend to put yourself in the ranks of the few who truly love what they do.

Your Fear Roots

Wed, 20 Nov 2024 19:03:59 GMT

Your Fear Roots

I had the privledge of attending my first TEDx event in Folsom this weekend. All the speakers were wonderful. One speech lingered, feeding my curiosity. Her topic was fear, and her big idea was to tackle one massive fear each year. Impressively she described the fears she has overcome. They include running a marathon, participating in a women’s body-building contest, and delivering stand-up comedy. I should note she is forty-one years old.

While I was deeply inspired, something nagged at me. I realized none of the challenges interested me. I have never wanted to be a runner, a bodybuilder, or a comic. Why did she pick those? This led me to think about the four temperaments . Is it possible that the speaker’s temperament informed her choices when deciding how to become fearless?

Here’s how fear and temperament interact:

Organizer
Deepest fears: Scarcity, lack of stability, unpredictable change, financial ruin.

Strengths: Consistent, reliable, methodical, detail-oriented, loyal.

Liberator
Deepest fears: Lack of choices, immobilization, boredom, restriction of movement.

Strengths: Competitive, action-oriented, intense, calm in a crisis.

Facilitator
Deepest fears: Abandonment, isolation, disconnection, conflict, lack of purpose.

Strengths: Interpersonal communication, empathy, collaboration, inspiring.

Innovator
Deepest fears: Restricted learning, lack of intellectual challenge, incompetence.

Strengths: Analytical, logical, objective, driven, curious, life-long learner.

I’m guessing the speaker is a dominant Liberator so when building her confidence, she chose tasks that were physical, action-oriented, and intense. Probably without intending to, she leveraged her strengths to overcome her fears. Overcoming fear is an admirable goal and tackling one every year sounds brilliant. If you plan to borrow this big idea, I suggest you consider your temperament.

Elevate Encouragement

Wed, 20 Nov 2024 18:51:36 GMT

Elevate Encouragement

Encouragement is more important than appreciation (while I need and value both). As I set challenging goals, and occasionally feel overwhelmed by the uphill climbs I face, there is nothing more helpful than a sincere vote of confidence from someone I trust.

Encouragement can also beat back doubts and exhaustion. Every day you have a quotient of energy to expend. In the absence of encouragement, your energy becomes depleted. The inevitable frustrations and roadblocks become insurmountable. Unfortunately, over time you might give up.

I share this with you today to give you a chance to reflect on how you experienced encouragement in your life/career. Do you have an abundance of encouragement or are you living/working in a vacuum, with only your inner strength to help you power through?

If you could use a dose of ongoing encouragement, consider the following ideas:

Join a self-help-oriented group. I’ve done this over the past year participating in a WomenSpeak group. I’m sharpening my public speaking skills but also getting abundant encouragement to help me pursue my goals.
Schedule time to talk to the most encouraging person you know. I also do this. I can’t wait for my Sunday morning chat with my long-standing friend who always has my back.
Pay attention to your self-talk. Words of encouragement also need to come from you. Limit self-criticism. Notice when you do something right. If you are your own worst enemy, it’s going to be tough to reach your potential.

Volumes have been written about the importance of appreciation and recognition. I think we should give equal attention to the power of encouragement.

Flawed Singular Aspirations

Wed, 20 Nov 2024 18:38:49 GMT

Flawed Singular Aspirations

What are you going to do with your life? You probably got asked this question when you were younger or, if your career is currently off track, you ask it of yourself. This is the wrong way to think about your options and potential.

Figuring out what to do at any stage of life is a design problem. There is no one job title or career field that will deeply satisfy you.

You need to take stock of:

Your values: What matters most to you?
Your temperament: What are your two dominant preferences and how do they play together?
Your enjoyable skills: Where do you get your energy?
Your interests: What fascinates you? What do you want to learn more about?
What the market will pay for? What is currently in demand? Where do you want to live? Do you want to be remote or in person?
What are you good at?
What are you willing to sacrifice?

I’m not making this easier, am I? Well, no, because making a career transition is a complex design problem, which is why you might be stuck. You look at the world of options and don’t know where to start. Here is my guidance:

Step one: Understand you are not seeking a singular passion or opportunity. There is no one perfect relationship, house, or career. There are many good fits. You need to identify the options that align with your needs and desires.

Step two: Dive into the Elevations career assessment and get a great career coach. Elevations provides a platform to prioritize and identify your temperament, values, skills, and career-related interests. It also reveals how you communicate, lead, and function in a team setting. It will validate what you already know about yourself and clear up the clutter.

Step three: Co-create your future with your career coach. Get support in researching your options, determining the details of where you want to live and work, and, most importantly, dealing with the inevitable downside of anything you choose.

Step four: Eliminate your competition. Your effort to design a highly customized, unique career puts you in a strong position. You are going after something born of your strengths and desires. Most people are drowning in the Indeed.com listings, trying to find themselves. It’s a flawed strategy.

One way thinking will lead to a poor choice or a dead end. Embrace the complexity and design a truly rewarding next chapter.

Crossroad Evaporation

Wed, 20 Nov 2024 18:21:10 GMT

Crossroad Evaporation

Most people believe career crossroads suck (and, for the most part, they do). But they can be the launching pad for mind-blowing opportunities. I learned this most profoundly when I was twenty-six years old. I fondly refer to this as my twenty-six-year-old crisis.

I was stuck working in a clerical job I hated and was terrible at. My self-esteem was in the toilet, I was living paycheck to paycheck, just getting by.

I fantasized about doing something in the field of psychology, but those jobs required a master’s level education, and a passing score on the GRE (graduate record exam). Based on my dismal history with standardized tests, I knew I would fail. I was filled with anxiety and despair. I could not imagine working in a cubicle illuminated by fluorescent light, pushing paper, and making mistakes for the rest of my life. It was an epic existential crisis and I saw no way out.

Often, in the middle of intense crossroads, you are thrown a lifeline. Mine came in the form of a random trip to Sacramento, CA with a friend who was considering moving. As we pulled into the downtown area, I noticed it cost twenty-five cents to park for an hour. Wow, cheap!

I took it a step further and bought a copy of the Sacramento Bee, the local newspaper. I flipped to the apartment listings and saw how inexpensive the rents were. This would be where I could afford to attend graduate school. The dream began to take shape.

I made an appointment with the Chair of the graduate counseling department at Sacramento State University. The Chair, Ray Banducci, was patient and encouraging.

I mustered the courage to ask about the dreaded GRE. Ray let me know it was not required. I stared at him in disbelief.

Walking back to my car, I felt a sense of destiny and wonder. I was so sure the GRE was an immovable roadblock, and now it was gone.

Over the ensuing years, I have helped thousands of people face their fears and obstacles at crossroads. I still smile when the impossible becomes possible through the courageous process of self-assessment and research.

What dreams have you avoided or taken off the table because you don’t have the time, the money, or the opportunity? Have you convinced yourself that it’s too late, too difficult, or simply exhausting? Your crossroads are a catalyst for growth. Your biggest obstacle might evaporate if you find the courage to face it.

Performance Friction

Tue, 28 May 2024 17:41:09 GMT

Performance Friction

You are called upon to deal with friction in public settings almost every day. It could be big-time friction like a job interview, medium friction like starting a conversation with a stranger, or tiny friction like speaking up in a routine meeting.

This is sometimes referred to as performance anxiety, but I prefer to call it friction. You rub up against people all the time, worried about what they will think about you. Will you get hired, will you make a good impression, or will you blow it? Pressure mounts as you ponder the consequences.

The key to calming the friction is redirecting your focus away from you. Easier said than done, I get it. But, if altruistic values drive you, it might not be as hard as you think.

For example, I am deeply driven to help others. If I feel I’ve made things better for a client, an audience member or my family, I am deeply satisfied. I also feel in control and focused. I’m in my happy place.

The redirection of focus away from your potential public failure to the good you can do for others is not an original idea. Athletes and performers do it all the time. They might close their eyes and imagine the thrill or joy their audience will experience as a result of an outstanding performance.

Let’s take an employment interview as an example. The pressure is on. You need the job and so do people who count on you. Your reputation, your self-esteem, and your pocketbook weigh in the balance. The friction is intense, and you are terrified.

In this situation, it can be difficult to visualize the positive outcome for others, but it can be done. If you deliver an award-winning interview you will:

· Make the interviewer’s day.

· Provide security for you and your family.

· Serve as a role model for others who respect and admire you.

As you embark on your next anxiety-producing challenge, I invite you to shift your focus away from yourself. Stand strong knowing you are confronting friction head-on, confidently performing for the benefit of others.

#confidence #performance #coach #careercoachcertification #jobinterview

She's Un-Coachable

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 18:51:33 GMT

She's Un-Coachable

Confidentiality is critical in all aspects of my work. But, it becomes even more important when I coach employees in organizations. From an ethical and professional perspective, I’m obligated to keep anything I hear in the coaching session confidential. But, what about my comments?

I ran into this recently in one of my current projects. I have been working with this organization for over 15 years, so there have been lots of private coaching sessions touching on delicate topics. And each employee has an excellent memory regarding what went well, and what did not.

As I opened a session last week, I shared my commitment to confidentiality, as I always do. The employee looked at me with suspicion. She then shared that another coach, about five years ago, told her boss she was un-coachable. Her boss proceeded to share this comment all around the organization. The coach's comment was the breach that did the damage.

As I have the privilege of teaching up-and-coming career coaches in the Career Coach Entrepreneur Academy, (link to Academy website in comments below) we talk about protecting the integrity of the coaching relationship at length. But do I ever mention that the coach's comments can be devastating?

It’s a bit like a leader going to their team and vomiting all their frustrations. The team is poisoned by the data dump and the leader loses credibility. Similarly, when a coach misreads the relationship they have with a client’s supervisor and overshares, they set up a viral toxin that will be relentlessly spread within the organization.

The word impeccable comes to mind. As a coach, every word matters. If you are a coach or aspire to become one, you will be challenged in many ways. The most foundational practice you must commit to is both protecting your client's comments and monitoring your own.

Diminish Your Imposter

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 17:46:05 GMT

Diminish Your Imposter

Recently I’ve had several clients dealing with imposter syndrome. Simply put, these amazing, high-performing individuals feel fraudulent and doubt they deserve their accomplishments. Or they are at the precipice of a new opportunity and fear they will be uncovered as unworthy and incompetent.

It’s hard enough to find the courage to step up to a high-achieving career. It’s even harder if you are working against yourself. In my experience, it’s not a conscious choice. The fraudulent feelings creep in, almost before you can catch yourself.

One of my distinctive memories of imposter syndrome was in the first few days of opening my career coaching business in 1997. I had left my reliable, secure job at the university and was going it alone. I plugged in my princess phone ready for business.

As I unpacked my boxes, the phone rang. I stared at it, frozen. I no longer had the safety net of being an employee. If I picked up that phone, it was just me. Fortunately, I grabbed the phone before it stopped ringing and I ushered in my first client.

It’s confusing to admit you have doubts and to embrace your amazing capabilities at the same juncture. Here are a few tips to help you beat back your uncertainty:

Know You Are Not Alone

According to the Harvard Business Review “ Around one-third of young people suffer from it, and 70% of everyone else is likely to experience it at some point in their lives.” Recognizing the prevalence of imposter syndrome helps you feel less alone.

Distinguish Humility and Fear

Perhaps you have been told it’s not polite to brag or think highly of yourself. This equates to humility, and it’s an honorable trait. Fear is the real culprit when you are facing imposter syndrome. Sorting these two feelings out can help you select the most helpful course of action.

Be Gentle with Yourself

It’s likely your aspiration for excellence is feeding your lack of satisfaction with yourself. Give yourself a break. You are not perfect, and you are probably your own worst enemy.

If you are reading this today and know imposter syndrome is getting in your way, tackle it head-on. The negative consequences of fearing you will be uncovered as a fraud will be diminished as you regularly and relentlessly acknowledge your gifts.

ICF Continuing Education Program for 30 Units

Tue, 05 Dec 2023 23:21:58 GMT

ICF Continuing Education Units

It occurred to me you may not know about our newest offering and you might be interested in adding career coaching to your capabilities. Here is a bit of information for you.

The Career Coach Intensive prepares you to help individuals and groups who are seeking a career direction or navigating a mid-life career transition. This program is perfect for an experienced coach, human resource professional, workforce developer, or talent manager seeking a practical, complete career coaching system.

Key pillars of our program include:

The Elevate Career Cycle model which explains the psychological and strategic stages of career transitions. This model provides a powerful structure and methodology for your career coaching process.
A logical beginning-to-end career coaching delivery system supported by reference materials, facilitator guides, our Elevate Your Career textbook, and much more.
The Elevations Career Choice, Career Change assessment which equips you to identify your client’s natural talents, growth potential, and optimum career direction.
Job hunting instruction and tools to support networking, resume writing, career-related research, job interviews, and overall job search strategy.

Dates in 2024-2025:
Thursday, January 25, 2024 - March 28, 2024

Monday, April 1, 2024 - June 10, 2024

Thursday, June 13, 2024 - August 15, 2024

Thursday, August 22, 2024 - October 24, 2024

Thursday, October 31, 2024 - January 2, 2025

CCE Units Earned: 30

Learn More: Website

Set Up a Meeting to Get Your Questions Answered

The Job Flaw

Tue, 05 Dec 2023 23:14:35 GMT

The Job Flaw

I was determined to live independently, paying my own way when I graduated from college. I took the first job I could find doing clerical work. Living and working in San Francisco, I was employed at age 22 making $12,000 a year.

On top of my miserable financial circumstances, I would soon face the reality of my lost independence. My boss informed me I would be eligible for one week of vacation after the first year. Fifty-two weeks of working 8 to 5 stretched before me—it felt like a jail sentence.

Did anyone prepare you for the transition between school and full-time work? I was certainly ill-equipped, and I think many young people are. But the job flaw does not end there.

Here a just a few of the unfortunate possibilities associated with being an employee:

· You have little or no control over your schedule during work hours.

· You go to work sick because the work culture encourages you to ignore your health.

· Your boss constantly criticizes you and lets you know positive feedback is not important or to be expected.

· Your workload is overwhelming, and you are slowing but surely burning out.

Lately, more and more of my clients are coming to me seeking an escape from traditional employment. For some, it’s a consequence of experiencing a healthy life balance during the shutdown. For others, they have reached the end of their patience with poor leadership, unhealthy work cultures, and office politics.

I share this knowing many of you love your job and appreciate the security of working for someone else—and that is awesome. But, for others who feel trapped, be aware that the era of self-employment has arrived.

In March 2023 Forbes Magazine reported, “The population of solopreneurs and self-employed is soaring across a variety of industries and will soon surpass traditional employment to become the majority of the American workforce.”

As you balance the risks and rewards of your employment situation today, know that you are not alone if you yearn for something more.

Your Home Button

Tue, 05 Dec 2023 23:08:30 GMT

Your Home Button

Have you been dreaming a lot lately? I don’t mean daydreaming, I’m referring to deep, intense nocturnal dreams. This past week I’ve experienced dreaming marathons. I wake up drenched in sweat, catching my breath, and mentally reviewing dream drama.

The one that stood out this week was a classic anxiety dream. It felt like it went on for hours—and maybe it did. It started at some sort of resort. I was lost and I was walking my dog Joy, who (in real life) is recovering from a major surgery. In the dream, I was very worried about Joy walking on her vulnerable leg. I wanted to find my way home.

The dream progressed. At one point, we were walking through snow, and next, I was driving down steep hills trying to stop the car before we careened into traffic. Then we got on a bus hoping it would take me near my childhood home in San Francisco. All along this crazy stressful journey people were helpful and kind.

Joy and I slid out of the bus, and down a ramp the people on the bus provided. We were in a San Francisco shopping area I did not recognize. Joy was limping and tired. I worried about her. I asked folks on the street, where are we? The name of the area was unfamiliar.

I decided to call home to ask my mom to come pick us up. (Let me share here that we sold our home in San Francisco when I was 17 years old, and my parents passed away years ago). But, in the dream calling home made sense. Unfortunately, when I went to use my phone, it was not mine. I must have picked up someone else's phone by mistake.

I panicked. But just then a lovely lady came out of a bar and handed me my phone. I had picked up her phone in error. It seemed like everything we going to be fine, but I could not find the home button on my phone. I turned it around and around, puzzled. At the same time, I was struggling to remember my home phone number. Then I woke up.

Holy cow! I was fine, awake in my real home. I listened to the rhythmic breathing of my dog Joy, safe and sound in her bed. I reviewed the dream in my mind, curious about its message and purpose. Why was I lost, why was I back in San Francisco and why was I trying to call home? And why were all the people so helpful and kind?

The answer was consistent with an overall theme in my life. The parents who raised me were not safe or kind, but, at the subconscious level, I still want to believe I can count on them. The dream showed me that people all around me are safe and reliable. Most importantly, it struck me that I am my home button.

I share this today to hope you trust your interior self to be the most reliable, consistent resource in your life. You are your home button.

Path to Promotion

Tue, 05 Dec 2023 23:01:29 GMT

Path to Promotion

Getting a promotion at work has many benefits. You (almost always) get a raise, you have more influence, and you can access new challenges. If you want to move up, you need to have a strategy. These three steps will help you get prepared for advancement and heighten the likelihood you will be promoted:

Build Your Leadership Capacity

Most promotions also involve supervising employees. You don’t want to step into that role unprepared. Engage yourself in a focused period of self-assessment. Learn about your natural strengths, work style, values, enjoyable skills, and communication tendencies. Armed with self-awareness you can leverage your strengths and avoid the worst of your weaknesses.

Build Your Internal Network

People hire and promote people they know and trust. This can seem unfair but it’s a simple fact of life. Whether you are an extrovert or introvert, you need to strategically build relationships and choose highly visible projects. Find mentors you trust and respect. Attend conferences or key meetings. Get certifications or training that set you apart, and have you seated next to influential people in your organization. All these activities help you build your internal network.

Embrace Your Expertise

Armed with self-knowledge and a strong network, it’s time to address your imposter syndrome. Do you question your abilities? Do you find it hard to call yourself an expert? Sadly, this is far too common. Make it your mission to develop deep, authentic confidence. Enroll in a public speaking course like Toastmasters. Step up to challenging work that pushes you and leverages your genus skills.

Be aware, that career advancement is not for everyone. Your new responsibilities can make you miserable. If you love hands-on work and don’t enjoy developing people, you might think twice before accepting a higher-level position.

But, if you are attracted to leadership, get prepared and enjoy the perks!

#leadership #careeradvancement #careersatisfaction

Quarter-LIfe Crisis Explodes

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 19:07:13 GMT

Quarter-Life Crisis Explodes

Recently I’ve been speaking to a flood of parents seeking help for their young adult children facing the well-recognized syndrome called the quarter-life crisis . It refers to the years after formal education when individuals in their twenties and early thirties face an array of overwhelming choices and decisions.

Post-pandemic, this phase of life has gotten even more daunting. Many young people finished their high school or college education online. Connection and mutual support amongst their peers were limited. Isolation, shaky self-confidence, and identity confusion leave this emerging generation feeling utterly lost.

There is a solution and I wanted to share it here. There are three steps, along with resources and expert career coaching, that will lift quarter-lifers out of their fog.

Step One: Structure

Where does a person who is lost begin to find their way? The answer is the Elevate Career Cycle Model . It offers a clear description of the stages of a healthy career decision-making process. It also illuminates the psychological dynamics that typically accompany the self-discovery journey. The Model offers validation and a path forward.

Step Two: Self-Awareness

How does a quarter-lifer figure out who they are and what they should be doing with their life? Enter Elevations , an online career assessment focusing on temperament, values, skills, and career-related interests. It takes about 15 minutes to complete and produces a strength-based report. Validation and career clarity provide a foundation for career-related research and decision-making.

Step Three: Support

Who is the right person to hold the quarter-lifer accountable and offer encouragement that sustains them to a solid career selection? I’m going to endorse one of the graduates from the Career Coach Entrepreneur Academy.

I have referred a bounty of quarter-lifers to Katy Reich with GoodeReichCoaching . With a balance of warmth and intelligence, she helps young people figure out who they are and where they fit in the world of work. Over the course of 8 to 12 career coaching sessions, she illuminates what is possible and translates that into meaningful employment.

If you know a parent worried about a quarter-lifer (or you have a lost soul living with you), know there is a solution. There are great careers out there for our brilliant youth. Let’s give them the help they need and deserve.

#quarterlifecrisis #career #careerdirection #careercoach

Self-Reflective Questions

Sat, 28 Oct 2023 18:56:49 GMT

Self-Reflective Questions

Self-reflective questions can lead to amazing levels of creativity and awareness. However, questions must compete with other internal chatter like limiting beliefs, negative self-talk, and judgments.

On a bad day, you might have little or no control and spiral into unproductive ruminations. It takes both focus and practice to sprinkle in thoughtful, genuinely curious questions to shift your perspective.

Replacing negative thoughts with kind, focused questions can deliver amazing benefits. Here are a few:

Possibilities Emerge

Perhaps you struggle to make healthy food choices (I know I do!). The internal conversation might include self-criticism or frustration. When that comes up, try asking a question like, “What options do I have to make a healthier food choice?” This question invites exploration. May you hunt for a yummy healthy breakfast recipe, or you realize you have too many tempting items in the pantry. Feeling bad or depressed is replaced by viable solutions.

Energy Shifts

As your mind wanders without a focused question, you deplete both your physical and mental resources. The best way to stop this unproductive brain drain is to ask yourself a question that will spur you into positive action like, “What can I do right now to be loving towards myself?” Maybe this inspires you to take a walk in your garden or take some deep breaths. In this space, you rejuvenate and rebalance your energy.

Open Your Mind

Seeking a situation from a narrow perspective is a common challenge. Questions lubricate your brain, opening new channels of thinking. For example, if you are having a hard time managing your time, you might berate yourself. Or you might settle for a chaotic life. Neither are great options. A better choice would be a question like, “What is the most effective strategy I’m willing to employ to manage my time better?” It might occur to you that you have a much better day when you use a prioritized list. Now you are focused on what works.

Self-reflective questions stop you from uncontrolled negative thinking. Coming up with questions and giving yourself permission to generate an answer is a re-set. Now you can look at your situation objectively and become your own best resource rather than your own worst enemy.

Like No Time Passed

Sat, 28 Oct 2023 18:51:20 GMT

Like No Time Passed

I have several amazing friends who live far away from my home. I take pride in the fact that I maintain meaningful connections even though we miss day-to-day interactions. Recently, I’ve started talking to these cherished long-standing friends more often.

I relish my weekly call on Sundays at 10 a.m. with my friend Katy. We met 41 years ago on September 7 ^th , 1981. This was the day we both stepped on a ship to go around the world. We were randomly assigned as roommates. It was one of the luckiest days of my life.

Our room was small. We spent four months in an inside double with no windows, bunk beds, and lockers for our closets. If we did not get along, we would have been in serious trouble, but we clicked. We traveled, studied, partied, and shared our deepest thoughts in the pitch-black nights, navigating our emergence into adulthood.

When we said goodbye after circumnavigating the world, I returned to San Francisco and she went home to San Pedro, opposite ends of California. What were the chances our friendship would survive the distance and the years gone by?

That question was answered this past weekend when Katy flew in from Southern California to spend the weekend in the mountains. We headed up into the Sierras and soon realized our weekly conversations had changed our friendship for the better.

We did not have to catch up. Our connection had been nourished so we could dive into subjects at a deeper, even more rewarding level. With consistent communication, we were closer than ever.

I share this with you because I think most of us enjoy long-standing friendships, but we also let time go by without checking in. I never thought I was paying a high price for the infrequent conversations. I was—and I want to invite you to explore how your life could be enriched if you stay in closer touch with your treasured long-distance friends.

Wrangle a Rambler

Sat, 28 Oct 2023 18:44:31 GMT

Wrangle a Rambler

Don’t interrupt! You’ve been told this time and again. But what do you do when you are coaching a client and they start rambling? How can interrupting be the right thing to do?

You interject gracefully because you want the highest level of productivity and the deepest learning you can achieve in a limited amount of time.

The client will often:

· Get wrapped up in telling stories about the problem they are facing, rather than focusing on themselves and how they can change the situation.

· Wander off on a tangent that might be entertaining or somewhat related, burning through precious time.

· Forget what they agreed to work on.

· Be a highly verbal processor who benefits from skillful redirection back to the identified agenda.

Learning how to interrupt is tricky. You don’t want to derail, or worse, offend your client. You can use several strategies to keep the session flowing in a purposeful direction. Here are a few:

Listen for Key Phrases Aligned with the Client’s Agenda

Allow your client some time to share some information about the topic they are working on. For example, they may be interested in improving their time management. A few minutes into the session they say, “I feel like I’m playing tug of war with time” and you notice they continue talking beyond that powerful statement. Be brave and interrupt, comment you want to go back to something amazing they just said. Bring them back using the client’s own words and ask them to elaborate.

Focus on the Person, Not the Problem

Whenever your client is talking about circumstances beyond their control or, worse, blaming others for their situation, it’s time for you to interrupt. You might comment, “I notice some elements of your situation are beyond your control, what is within your control?” Make sure there is no judgment in your tone.

Ask for Permission

As you establish the coaching agreement with a highly verbal client, you may need to explain that you may occasionally ask for permission to interpret. You do this to ensure your client is getting the ultimate level of value from your session. As your client experiences the benefit of staying focused on the agenda, they will accept your well-timed request to interrupt.

Coaching is a conscious collaboration between the coach and the client with a well-defined goal. Practice gracious interruptions over the next couple of days. You will soon realize your client appreciates your commitment to their success and is not offended at all.

Not Busy!

Sat, 28 Oct 2023 18:39:03 GMT

Not Busy!

Frequently friends and acquaintances greet me by saying, “you must be busy”. To be fair, this is a reasonable statement as I run a coaching business and teach in my career coaching school . But it is not accurate and, more importantly, it conflicts with the way I approach my life.

I have long known I need a balance between work and downtime. I get more done in short bursts of effort than working all day long. Additionally, I conserve my time, saying no to things that are not fun or do not support my goals. The result is a harmonious blend of obligations and free time.

Of course, this does not always work out. Life will deliver intense days with back-to-back appointments. It’s rare, but it does happen.

Overall, the result is a life that is not busy. Rather it is full, productive, and very blessed. Today is a good example of how time balancing and prioritizing can pay off.

Sadly, our dog Joy had a very intense surgery yesterday to repair a torn cruciate in her knee. The procedure involves breaking her leg and re-aligning it. Today she cannot walk unassisted and is dealing with a tremendous amount of pain.

My husband and I are committed to being by her side 24/7 through the 8-to-12-week healing period. Thus, I am five feet away from her enclosure right now, sharing my thoughts with you. Concurrently, I am a comforting presence for our beloved pet.

Having more to do than you have time for is part of life. Yet, I invite you to consider swapping the word “busy” for something more positive or within your control. This simple mind-shift settles the storm and allows you to plan your day more effectively.

That said, have a creative, prolific, industrious, and fruitful day!

Elevated Career Coaching

Sat, 28 Oct 2023 18:31:28 GMT

Elevated Career Coaching

I started my career coaching private practice in 1989—over 30 years ago. My ability to serve my clients was limited in several ways. My clients needed to drive to our meetings, find parking, and dress appropriately. Scheduling sessions was done via phone and voice mail (no email or scheduling software). This created a level of overhead for me as a business owner and some inconvenience for my customers.

Fast forward to 2023 and the game has evolved. Here are the elevated elements I currently enjoy in my private practice:

Existential Crisis

The pandemic has changed the way most people experience their careers. More than ever before, my prospective clients are unwilling to work for a paycheck. They want to live up to their potential in a meaningful occupation.

Virtual Career Coaching

In the past, career coaching was very localized. Clients needed to live nearby but no more. Now I see clients from all over the world—how cool is that? I walk down the hallway to go to work avoiding dry cleaning bills, freeways, and the associated stress.

Many clients find me by visiting my LinkedIn profile or they might hear about me and then visit LinkedIn to explore my qualifications. This offers amazing exposure.

Google Business Listing

As part of my Google suite of services, I have created an online business profile with a description of my services, photos, and contact information. It is 100% free.

Scheduling Software

I love this time saver and it makes it easier for clients to decide to book some time with me. Both convenience and time efficiency are delivered virtually.

The Coaching Industry

Maybe the biggest positive change has been the explosion of coaching. The creation of coaching standards and credentials.

I could go on, but I think I’ve shared some of the biggest changes I am currently enjoying. It still takes work to run a successful career coaching business, but, no doubt, it has gotten easier.

Powerful Questions

Sat, 28 Oct 2023 18:25:51 GMT

Powerful Questions

In the Career Coach Entrepreneur Academy , we focus on asking, not telling. You want to empower your clients and allow them to tap into their inner wisdom. Upon reflection, I’ve come to realize the amazing impact powerful questions can deliver.

Use powerful questions to:

Increase Autonomy

By asking great questions, you encourage your clients to design their lives, waking up self-discovery. You minimize blaming and excuses. Your clients are in command of the current moment and their future.

Expanded Self-Confidence

Powerful questions invite clients to discover more of what they are capable of and find new levels of ability within themselves. Inner strength is unleashed.

Challenge Assumptions

You offer tremendous value to your clients when you allow them to step beyond their current way of thinking. An authentic curious question shines light on previously held perspectives and can uncover limiting beliefs. As a coach, you don’t want to focus on your client’s problems but, rather, on how they perceive their problems.

Connect the Dots

Most of the time clients are in a state of confusion. They may not understand exactly what is driving their obstacles or problems. By asking powerful questions you can help clients uncover helpful (or unhelpful) life patterns, root causes, and creative solutions.

Most conversations are rushed or surface-level. If they go further than that, the interaction often devolves into problem-solving and unrequested advice.

Consider how your life, and the quality of life for others around you, would be transformed if you mastered the art of powerful questions.

Career Capsules

Sat, 28 Oct 2023 18:18:07 GMT

Career Capsules

Messages come at you relentlessly:

· You are a success in your current role.

· Be grateful you have a job.

· The grass is not always greener on the other side.

So, you stay long after the excitement is gone. And you feel stuck.

Your career functions very much like a capsule, a container that protects you and offers comfort. Yet, career capsules are also deceptively fragile. Intellectually you know your security could dissolve at any moment due to circumstances outside your control. But you stay because the unknown of the next chapter is just too scary.

As you rollercoaster through the good days and the bad, your self-esteem takes a beating. You see others starting entrepreneurial ventures, changing jobs, and stepping into unchartered territory. It looks great, but you wonder, how do they sleep at night?

Your desire to protect your current career capsule makes sense. You have bills to pay, a track record of success, and relationships you value. You might feel guilty about leaving or perhaps other people in your life enjoy the benefit of your career capsule, so they pressure you (overtly or covertly) to hang in there.

I do not think it is the end of the world if you stay in a job that has lost its luster. The potential downsides of walking away from a steady paycheck, benefits, and retirement are substantial. Stop feeling guilty! You are functioning as a highly responsible, logical human.

Here’s the good news: You are your own best medicine. Here are some steps you can take to unleash your potential without risking everything you have worked so hard to protect:

· Take a measured approach. Test out your alternatives, invest in a certificate program, or conduct some informational interviews. You can explore options while maintaining the security of your current role.

· Take a comprehensive career self-assessment . Find out what makes you tick. Determine what values drive you at the deepest level. Identify your natural strengths. Gain the validation and direction that comes from self-knowledge.

· Ask for help. Find a mentor or a career coach who can give you both support and perspective. Manage your emotions and avoid impulsive choices. Plot your strategy with input from others you trust.

I leave you with this, you can be happy in your career for long periods of time. But, as you grow, your career may not always grow with you. It may be time for a new career capsule.

The Ready Edge

Sat, 28 Oct 2023 18:11:04 GMT

The Ready Edge

At the end of my initial meeting with a new client, I ask, “How are you feeling now?” Often the answer involves a mixture of high anxiety and excitement. This is the ready edge. Our conversation cracked open the door and light is shining through where it was previously dark or murky.

The ready edge emerges for several reasons. It might be the result of a personal choice to change your life or your career. You may be feeling stuck or unsatisfied, wanting more but not sure what form the next chapter will take.

In my life, picking up the phone and quitting my full-time job was the ultimate ready edge. I remember the moment after I quit. The room was silent as I sat with my decision. Then I became aware of a garbage truck unloading outside the window. Humm, I thought, the world will go on no matter what I just did. Fear coursed through my body. And then, I got excited. It was up to me to make my dream of owning a business a reality. I jumped into action.

Conversely, the ready edge might be thrust upon you. Examples include being laid off from your job, becoming injured or ill, or finding out a baby is on the way. These events are complex and laden with both struggle and opportunity. It’s up to you to manage the fear and embrace what’s next.

Granted, if you are living through a ready edge right now, the negative feelings threaten to overwhelm the positive ones. Thus, I’d like to offer a few suggestions:

Take Stock of Your Overall Situation

Weight your assets and your liabilities. Pay attention to the level of support you have from others. Do you have friends and family who have your back? Do you have financial resources? What is your living situation? How is your health? All these factors are relevant and can be taken for granted. A conscious accounting of your resources helps you stay out of irrational levels of fear. Even if you have almost nothing in the asset column, it’s likely you have something to be grateful for.

Ask for Help

I remember meeting with a girlfriend for lunch after I broke up with my boyfriend, moved into a room, and was starting over at the age of forty-four. After I shared the drama of previous weeks in my life, my friend looked at me and asked, “Why didn’t you call me?” I had no answer. Truthfully, I did not know she was there for me. I learned that day, when you are dealing with a ready edge, ask for help.

Take Care of Yourself

Most ready edges are a lot of work on both the physical and emotional levels. Often there is tremendous urgency to make stuff happen. You might neglect your nutrition, exercise, and sleep. This is a failing strategy because you need to be strong. Step back and make sure your self-care is prioritized.

There is light cracking through the door of your ready edge. Visualize how bright the next chapter will be and then get moving.

Validating Bravery

Tue, 05 Sep 2023 18:47:50 GMT

Validating Bravery

Think back to one of the biggest career transitions you’ve made. How did you find the courage to move forward in the absence of guarantees it would all work out?

Over the years in my career coaching private practice, I’ve developed a three-level system of validation designed to lower risk and strengthen outstanding decision-making . Here’s how it works:

Level One: What You Know About Yourself

I interview my clients as we start our work together. I hold a space for my clients to uncover their inner wisdom and awareness. I listen to what is both said and unsaid—offering perspectives and observations that deepen the discussion. We explore their current situation (levels of job satisfaction, obstacles, and opportunities). We review employment history, educational background, strengths, dreams, special skills, family background, sources of motivation, and health.

Level Two: Self-Assessment

A well-executed career transition is built on a keen awareness of values, enjoyable skills, career-related interests, and the client’s temperament (or personality). I like to use Elevations for Career Choice and Career Change because it includes all four of these elements in an easy-to-use, affordable instrument. It produces an eight-page report we review together, synthesizing the information. The impact of the self-assessment process includes improved self-confidence, self-awareness, and clarity. Additionally, it provides a concrete path to identify career fields and functions, getting us much closer to a clear vision for the future.

Level Three: Research and Connection

At this point, themes begin to emerge. Perhaps teaching, strategic planning, and public speaking have come up in both the initial interview and in the self-assessment. This offers the client direction as they research career options and conduct informational interviews. Confidence and courage are bolstered as new information is uncovered. Other influential people can now help my clients identify job opportunities or help them launch their entrepreneurial endeavors.

If, by chance, you are reading this today and you are standing at the precipice of a major life or career transition, don’t beat yourself up if you feel paralyzed or stuck—that is normal. Allow yourself a period of introspection and then engage in the three levels of validation outlined above.

Five Ways to Bolster Your Career

Thu, 31 Aug 2023 16:38:34 GMT

Five Ways to Bolster Your Career

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Mountain Moving Methods

Sun, 20 Aug 2023 16:30:33 GMT

Mountain Moving Methods

How many huge projects do you have on your list that you move week to week, month to month, never getting started? I have a bit of experience in this area (for better or worse). I have invented an assessment , written a book , and started a career coaching Academy . Completing a task that is complex and time-consuming can be daunting.

Here are some ways I get out of my own way and get big stuff done:

Step One: Clear the Deck

It’s difficult to focus on big stuff when you have a messy desk and lots of unfinished business. I allow myself the time to cross the smaller items off my list before I tackle the bigger ones. You might interpret this as a form of procrastination, but, for me, it gives me a clear launching pad, reduces my anxiety, and sets the stage for productivity.

Step Two: Focus on the Process, Not the Product

The product is the fully actualized achievement of whatever you are trying to accomplish. Examples might include eliminating all your credit debt or starting a new business. You envision all the work, habit-changing, and sacrifice needed to succeed. The enormity of the task stops you in your tracks.

The process, on the other hand, is the method you plan to employ to get you to your goal. For example, paying a specific amount on your credit debt each month or writing a business plan. As you make progress, you add additional strategies to your process.

Step Three: Avoid Seeing the Outcome as Overly Special or Unattainable

When I want to accomplish something big, I can find myself idealizing the achievement. The best example was writing a book. It seemed like something other people did. I felt small in the shadow of my book-writing dream.

Perhaps you do the same thing. You reflect on what you want to change or accomplish and doubt that you can do it. Worse, you might even think you don’t have the right stuff, are not good enough.

Usually, the answer for me is a process of normalizing the dream. I notice that lots of people have been able to do what I want to do. I remind myself the outcome is worth it and aligned with my purpose. And, then I can break it down into a process and start making progress.

I leave you with a quote that has always inspired me:

“You are never given a dream without also being given the power to make it true. You may have to work for it, however.”

― Richard Bach

Crossroad Catalyst

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 17:58:31 GMT

Crossroad Catalyst

Most people believe career crossroads suck (and, for the most part, they do). But, actually, they can be the launching pad to mind-blowing opportunities. I learned this most profoundly when I was twenty-six years old. I fondly refer to this as my twenty-six-year-old crisis.

I was stuck working in a clerical job I hated and was terrible at. My self-esteem was in the toilet, I was living paycheck to paycheck, just getting by.

I was filled with anxiety and despair. I could not imagine working in a cubicle illuminated by fluorescent light, pushing paper, and making mistakes for the rest of my life. It was an epic existential crisis and I saw no way out.

I took it a step further and bought a copy of the Sacramento Bee, the local newspaper. I flipped to the apartment listings and saw how inexpensive the rents were. This would be a place I could afford to go to graduate school. The dream began to take shape.

I made an appointment with the Chair of the graduate counseling department at Sacramento State University. The Chair, Ray Banducci, was patient and encouraging.

I mustered the courage to ask about the dreaded GRE. Ray let me know it was not required. I stared at him in disbelief.

Walking back to my car, I felt a sense of destiny and wonder. I was so sure the GRE was an immovable roadblock, and now it was gone.

Your crossroads are a catalyst for growth. Your biggest obstacle might evaporate if you find the courage to face it.

Enjoy the Journey

Mon, 24 Jul 2023 16:27:46 GMT

Enjoy the Journey

Have you ever been overwhelmed or up against significant obstacles when a colleague encourages you to enjoy the journey? I find this well-intentioned advice so annoying. Think about it—long-haul projects are draining. The joy factor is limited.

But I must admit a similar thought came into my brain a few days ago as I was taking my morning walk. I was thinking about the flood of work I am facing as I spearhead a new venture (more details to follow in the weeks ahead).

I have 13 learning modules needing curriculum development, I am working through brand development (which I know nothing about), and I want to produce an audio version of my book (which is both expensive and time-consuming). As my stomach tightened, the smaller voice inside said, “Enjoy the journey” and I was predictably irritated.

It did catch my attention though and it inspired some creative thinking. What if I was stepping onto a lovely yacht, splashing through beautiful blue water heading to the fruition of a long-held dream? I saw myself settling into a lounge chair where, magically, I could get my work done in peace and tranquility.

The sense of anxiety and overwhelm evaporated. I began to reflect on what was different about this venture. For once I am surrounded by brilliant, motivated people who have the same vision I do. And, doors are flying open, almost effortlessly. I feel the time is right and I need to trust my gut.

I wonder if you are at a similar threshold. Are you at the inception of a new venture or are you stepping up to a challenge that has kicked your butt in the past? Either way, I invite you to customize a magical lounge chair on a beautiful vessel. Know that the journey will be safe and fruitful. Hold this image as you tackle the tasks ahead. Maybe, then, you can enjoy the journey.

How to Love a Micromanager

Tue, 13 Jun 2023 17:43:35 GMT

How to Love a Micromanager

Your tolerance for micromanagement is probably low. Excessive direction and relentless follow-up leave little space for career growth or creativity. But recently I met a buoyant employee who offered a different perspective regarding his hovering, over-involved boss.

He described how every morning his manager goes over his duties and priorities in detail. My client is a Senior-Level lead stationary engineer for a large local utility. He’s been in his job for years and does not need close supervision. But his experience and capabilities have not changed his boss’s behavior.

I was curious how this employee coped with his helicopter boss. He has three strategies:

First, he accepts his boss as she is. He smiled as he explained he did not expect her to change and had come to terms with her daily detailed involvement with his job.

Second, he considers the unpredictable nature of his work. Every day new challenges arise, and his boss feels she needs to offer guidance. While he could work much more independently, he understands her anxiety.

Finally, he has chosen a positive perspective in general. He is a people person through and through. He seeks to have collaborative relationships with all his co-workers. He does not see himself as a victim. Rather he chooses to enjoy his job every day, despite his overly involved boss.

I was so inspired by the level of reasoning, positivity, and perspective this guy has signed up for. He could boil in a pot of resentment and dissatisfaction but that’s not his jam. He inspired me to reframe any frustration I may have in my career regarding difficult personalities.

Is there anyone you work with or for driving you nuts? Borrow a page from my client and choose a different perspective.

#careersuccess #careeradvice #careergrowth #opportunities #careerdevelopment #careersearch #jobtips #careerchange #pandemic #jobhunt #careertips #careeropportunities #careercoach #workgoals #findyourpassion #dreambigger

Setting the Agenda

Tue, 16 May 2023 18:46:51 GMT

Dig For Clarity

When a colleague or client comes to you seeking career coaching, how much attention do you give to setting the agenda? You are not alone if you just dive in with a generalized opening of some sort and see where things go. This approach is not the end of the world, but it’s also not likely to produce an optimum outcome.

Here is a brief guide to follow:

The first step is pretty simple. You ask your client what they want to work on. They might answer with something like, “I’d like to work on my frustration with my boss.” You could proceed directly into coaching based on that prompt or you could dig deeper.

You could ask:

· How does this matter to you?

· What aspect of your relationship with your boss bothers you the most?

· Where do you feel the frustration in your body?

· How is this impacting you?

· What, specifically, about your boss, do you want to explore?

· What else….

This short list of exploratory questions will clarify what aspect of the situation is most important to focus on. Perhaps you might learn that the boss is a terrible listener and your client does not have the opportunity to contribute new, creative ideas. This violates your client’s desire to grow in their position and be challenged.

This tiny bit of structuring avoids a surface conversation or a bitching session. But you are not done yet. Now it’s time to invite your client to define a successful outcome for your time together. You ask, “What, specifically, would you like to achieve in our time together today?”

Usually, it takes a bit of time for your client to process this. They might define success as a plan of attack or clarity. They might want to determine a step they can take to get their ideas heard.

The final part of setting the agenda is reflective listening. You summarize the focus of the coaching session and the targeted successful outcome. Don’t be surprised if you see your client smile and relax all at the same time. Being head at this level is rare and precious.

ICF Accredited Career Coaching Certification

Fri, 05 May 2023 17:01:48 GMT

The Premiere Accredited Career Coaching Certification

Today I'd like to take a walk down memory lane and share the reasons why I launched a career coaching certification program--and why I'm beyond excited to have received the news yesterday that my level one accreditation was approved!

About three decades ago I received my Master of Science of Degree in Career Development. After school, I was hired as the Associate Director of the career center for a small private liberal arts college. I spent eight years helping traditional college-age students. It was rewarding and comfortable--and I had the itch to do more.

In 1997 I quit my university job and opened my career coaching business. Soon after, I invented and released Elevations, an integrated career assessment helping you prioritize your values, enjoyable skills, interests, and temperament preferences. In my private practice, I worked with mid to upper-level professionals and delivered training for talent in organizations.

Over time, I deepened my love for the career coaching craft and polished my skills. This eventually led to the development of the Elevate Career Cycle Model and the publication of my first book, Elevate Your Career: Live a Life You're Truly Proud Of.

All of this culminated in one pivotal moment in early 2020. I was walking through the open space near my home, shut down from all my work due to the pandemic. It was a stunning, sunny spring day. My mind was empty and my heart was open. The thought occurred, "What am I going to do?" The answer was immediate--I would use my expertise and resources to launch a career coaching certification program.

Where did that crystal clear idea come from? Honestly, I cannot tell you but I was sure it was the right next step. Like so many of my ventures, I had no clue how much work it would entail.

That brings me to this moment. We are on our way to my vision: to be the premiere ICF-accredited career coaching certification program.

If you are reading this and feel you want to join this movement toward career coaching excellence, give me a call. I would be so honored to share my love of this work and fully prepare you for success. Visit the Academy website to learn more: https://www.academy.elevateyourcareer.com/

#careercoach #careersuccess #businessconsulting #entrepreneurtips #consultinglife #businessskills #yourbusiness #careercoachforwomen #careercoaches #careercoachingtips #careercoachingonline #careercoachingservices

Career Box

Tue, 02 May 2023 20:07:11 GMT

Your Career Box is Beautiful

A career box is a complex construction filled with your past experiences, societal messages, real obstacles, and dreams for your future. It can be an incubator or a trap.

Self-help experts like to frame the boxes we put ourselves in as purely negative. I think this is simplistic and unfair. When you contemplate stepping into a new career, you face real concerns and possible failure.

That said, opening your career box and inspecting the contents is a good idea.

Your Past
Start with beliefs about yourself from the past. Don't wander too far, digging a self-analysis pit. Just think about who you have been most recently, your role or job, and its impact on you. Thank your recent past for its contributions and heal any wounds or resentments.

Your past is known and familiar. In some cases, you might refer to your past as comfortable. You might stay with the known career path, worried that changes might be overwhelming or unsuccessful. You will have some good days and some bad days. Over time, you get stronger, and more able to look at forward motion as both positive and possible.

Your Present
Who are you today? What support systems do you have in place? How well are you taking care of yourself? A solid self-check is essential to your ability to make successful decisions about your life. Be sure to balance your self-refection, including all the positives in your life along with any obstacles. Chances are, you have some assets you can leverage.

Your Future
Clarity about your best career future is built on a solid understanding of your past and present. If you don't look at the whole picture, you will be held back by subtle self-limiting beliefs or lingering anxiety. Fear diminishes when you look at it unflinchingly.

Now start to dream. Who do you want to become? How do you want to feel about the new you? What possibilities exist that you were unaware of or not exploring because your box walls were shrouding your view?

Build a rich narrative for the next chapter in your career. Fill it with as much joy and fulfillment as possible. The story is yours to create.

What Interests You?

Tue, 02 May 2023 19:11:57 GMT

The Source of Your Interests

I often ponder what drives your interests. Are you fascinated by luxury cars, business economics, or rock formations—and perhaps more important, what is the source of your interests?

As a career coach, I look at a set of factors to help my clients determine what career would be most suitable. I use an assessment called Elevations to prioritize and identify career-related values, skills, temperament, and interests. Of these four areas, the one that often cannot be explained by your upbringing or your life experiences is your interests.

As you go through school and ponder what you might do with your life, you are drawn into certain subjects and not others. You might be artificially forced by family or financial pressure to ignore your innate interests—but they never go away. They tug at you, drawing you in, demanding your attention and time.

My personal experience with the power of interests is my love for yellow labs. I have owned three of them, one was a rescue named BJ and the other two are Weston and Joy (in the photo above.) I know the breed is popular so you might just assume I’m drawn to their cuteness, incredible temperament, and lovability. But it goes beyond that.

I tried to convince myself to choose a chocolate lab or black lab but, I could not bring myself to make the minor shift. My heart is compelled to share my home and my life with yellow labs. I was not raised with this breed and can not tell you why or how the love affair started.

I share this with you because your interests are so compelling and important to your life and career satisfaction. If you are looking to increase your level of job fulfillment, I encourage you to ask yourself the simple question, what interests you? An honest answer to this question can clear the clutter and put you on the right path.

Your interests can be long-standing or they can change. This is also an important part of your career development. Over time, you might burn out one area of interest and need a change. Different stages of life give you the opportunity to keep growing and learning about your full range of interests.

Esteem Recovery

Mon, 17 Apr 2023 17:00:52 GMT

You Can Bounce Back!

Recovering from a career misalignment can be surprisingly swift. I have seen this with my clients and in my own life experience. Your self-esteem bounces back when you choose a role that matches your values, skills, interests, and temperament . You will blossom and get your mojo back.

I offer this hopeful perspective for all of you who are afraid things can never get better. You feel hopeless when you are in the wrong seat on the bus. I want to share my first esteem recovery experience to demonstrate how quickly your circumstances and dissatisfaction can change.

My first mid-life crisis occurred in my early twenties, a developmental phase that challenges most people. I was stuck in a clerical job in Silicon Valley, processing new hire and termination paperwork, managing unemployment notices, and assigning employees their badges. It was meaningless work. I sat in a cubicle with no natural light, shuffling paper.

To make matters worse, I was screwing everything up. I routinely made errors as I am not detail-oriented. Eventually, I received a poor performance review. I hit rock bottom. I was in the lowest-paid position in the company—a job that did not require a college degree and I was failing at it.

I wondered how I got so stupid so quickly. Only two years prior I had graduated college with honors. Now I felt like an idiot. I know these words are harsh—but they are honest. When you hate your work and do it poorly, it messes with your self-confidence at the deepest level.

Looking for options and answers, I was drawn to the company’s Toastmasters club. They met weekly on a lunch hour. Public speaking was not a passion but interpersonal communication was. I wanted to try something I would (or could) be good at. In a moment of strength, I started attending Toastmasters.

The recovery started immediately. I found out I was a natural public speaker with an unexpected dry sense of humor. I got positive feedback, encouragement and remembered what it was like to feel competent.

Concurrently I decided to take advantage of the company’s career counseling services. It was a wise, proactive move. The results were clear, I wanted to be a counselor. I am on this earth to help people improve their lives. I marshaled my resources and quit my job. I got in my Honda, drove to Sacramento, and enrolled in Graduate school. All my friends and family could say was, “Finally”.

My advice to you is simple, take the first step. What seems impossible today can change very quickly.

I also want to offer a first step for those of you reading and wishing you could be a career coach, a meaningful role offering life balance and tremendous opportunity. Check out the Career Coach Entrepreneur Academy, an ICF Accredited coaching certification (link in comments below).

Esteem Erosion

Thu, 06 Apr 2023 21:17:32 GMT

Losing Yourself in a Career Misalignment

Think back to the lowest point in your career. Perhaps you were stuck in an unfulfilling job, worked for a boss from an alien planet, or were so buried with assignments you lost all sense of yourself. I call this a Crossroad—a time when your values, enjoyable skills, and interests are not aligned with your current situation.

You probably tried to make adjustments to improve your circumstances but felt trapped. You were afraid to jump into another job that might be worse. You experienced some good days, followed by more bad days. Like most of my career coaching clients, you were frustrated and anxious.

If you’ve ever hit the career misery wall hard you can relate. Failing at a job or feeling powerless erodes your self-esteem. This may seem obvious to you now, but you don’t realize your mojo is slipping away in the middle of a serious career crisis.

This is a problem for several reasons. First, you are miserable and are probably burning out most of your friends and family with your complaints. Second, your ability to face your fears about your unknown future is compromised. Additionally, you will likely stay too long in the unhappy job, feeling you don’t have any good options or the energy to deal with a job search.

Here are some surefire signs you or someone you love is suffering from self-esteem erosion:

· Mood Swings: Waking up grumpy, overreacting to life’s ups and downs, and generally feeling upset.

· Sleep Issues: Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep.

· Unproductive: The list of things to do seem overwhelming so little or nothing gets done.

· Poor Time Management: It takes forever to do the simplest things.

· Error Prone: Resumes and cover letters go out with mistakes that undermine the job search process.

· Negative: Career opportunities seem unattainable because job announcements are daunting.

· Poor Performance: Interviews, follow-up, and effective compensation negotiation are neglected or done ineffectively.

I share this gloomy list of symptoms because little is written or discussed about this very human condition that most people will face at least once in their lifetime. Validating and normalizing the impact of a serious career misalignment is the first step toward esteem recovery. There is a path forward and reasons to be hopeful.

My Creepy Advisor

Wed, 29 Mar 2023 17:03:17 GMT

Did You Have a Creepy Advisor?

Did you have a crappy advisor experience somewhere along your path? Maybe your high school advisor told you college was not in the cards for you. Perhaps they gave you the wrong information or bad advice wasting your time or worse, limiting your future options. It can be devastating to be dismissed or misled by an influential authority.

As a career coach, it breaks my heart to hear these unfortunate stories and causes me to reflect on my own crappy advisor episode. But, surprisingly, mine had a happy ending.

My college experience was an evolving liberal arts journey. I had multiple interests. I loved writing and English, but I also had a thirst for psychology and interpersonal communication. I dabbled in these subjects through my freshman and sophomore year wondering what major I should choose.

The discomfort of my undeclared major combined with a lack of career direction led me to make an appointment with my advisor, a philosophy professor who had been at St. Mary’s College of California forever.

I entered his office, appropriately located in an ivory tower (if you’ve been to St. Mary’s College you know I’m not making this up.) I sat down and shared my varied academic interests and my worries about a lack of career direction. He sat back a bit and then give me his golden advice. He said, “well you are attractive and will get married so you should study philosophy and religion.”

I was stunned and confused. Being both introverted and chronically nice, I did not tell him off. I just ended the meeting quickly and got out of there. I remember standing in the quad, surrounded by beautiful buildings, lush green grass, and bustling students. I felt anger rising into my chest. I needed someone I could trust and I needed them now.

My first thought was one of my favorite professors in my communication class, his name was Mark. I marched across campus into his office where he sat, as if he was waiting for me. I told him what had happened and asked if he would be my advisor. He agreed and listened carefully to my interests and concerns.

He asked me a pivotal question that shaped the rest of my academic life and opened doors I had never imagined. “Have you considered a self-designed major?” I had never heard of this option. He explained I could select courses from different majors and, with his approval, I could create my own major. Wow, I was thrilled and empowered.

Beyond setting the stage for an incredibly positive college experience, I also learned something important about myself. When faced with an impasse, I did not fall into a pile of self-pity. I took control of the situation and changed my trajectory—something I’ve done again and again over the course of my life.

I hope this little walk down memory lane has come on a day when you need to remember this: no one but you defines the course of your future.

#happiness #positivemindset #celebrate #vibes #joyinthejourney #liveyourbestlife #inspiration #choosehappiness #loveyourlife #positivemind #helenhoryza

Surviving the Long Haul

Thu, 23 Mar 2023 17:40:52 GMT

How Do You Stay Strong?

Much is written about following your dreams, and I believe you should. But, for most people, me included, sacrifices need to be made on the path to amazing things. And, most of the time it takes longer than you want it to. Given this reality, how do you stay happy, healthy, and focused when your goal will require substantial levels of persistence over a long period of time?

I know a bit about this because I published the manual version of the career assessment called Elevations twenty years ago. A year later I released the online version and naively thought my product would be an overnight success. Between 2004 and 2015 I was plagued by several failed software builds and unrelenting browser interface issues. I would get customers and then lose them because the assessment was unstable or buggy.

Let me also add, I am a career coach, not a software engineer or assessment designer. But I learned the hard way I needed to dive in and be hands-on every step of the way. I spent hours (and hours) mapping out the flow of the assessment, streamlining the report, proofreading, and writing assessment content. I went to trade shows, made sales presentations, and learned how to do my own social media marketing. I got tired, lost sleep and, at times wanted to give up.

This long-haul story begs the question, how did I keep going? Here are some key strategies I used that might help you, in case you’ve got a long-held dream that’s taking longer than you want it to:

Strategy One: Understand Founder’s Fatigue

If you are inventing something, or starting your own business, it can feel like the world is on your shoulders. The first few months, or even the first few years, are exciting. You are carried along with early-stage optimism but, over time, you get worn down. Finances can be stressful and doing everything yourself is lonely. Your energy becomes depleted. In quiet moments you begin to think you might need to give up. This is the hallmark of Founder’s Fatigue.

Just being introduced to the concept of Founder’s Fatigue was helpful for me. I stopped beating myself up. I am human and long-haul endeavors are exhausting. I decided I needed to make a conscious choice to heal my fatigue. I tried acupuncture, cranial sacral therapy, massage therapy, walking, more friend time, and a couple of tropical vacations with my husband. Little by little I recovered. I got my energy and my mojo back.

Strategy Two: Keep Your Values Front and Center

My desire for life balance, freedom, and flexibility motivated me to keep going. Any time I was feeling sorry for myself or utterly overwhelmed, I would remember how much time freedom I have as a self-employed person. At the deepest level, I could generate the resilience to keep going. I did not want to get a 9 to 5 job—I wanted to stay on my path.

Strategy Three: Take an Accountable Perspective

Blaming and making excuses when the going gets rough is natural but it is also self-destructive. Accountability is empowering. I would coach myself with the following perspectives: I am responsible for my choices, capable of solving complex problems, and blessed to be surrounded by brilliant friends and colleagues. My creativity and resourcefulness blossom when I take a radically accountable perspective.

My final suggestion is this: give yourself some grace. Everyone makes some poor decisions along the way. Looking back and feeling bad about missed opportunities or flawed choices will undermine your strength. Forgive yourself and trust yourself. In that space, you are unstoppable.

Identity Hangovers

Thu, 23 Mar 2023 17:28:58 GMT

The Intersection of Career Satisfaction and Identity

Career choices and changes are intertwined with your identity. Sadly, you were probably left on your own to figure out your career direction or navigate mid-life career changes. As a result, you might have ended up with an identity hangover.

They look like this:
The Open-Door Hangover:
Due to luck or outstanding networking connections, you might find a series of career opportunities through warm introductions. Rather than hassle with resumes and interviews, you walk through the open doors, not struggling or selecting. You see the potential in front of you and accept it.

I've seen the results of this scenario often in my career coaching private practice. Clients report they have been fortunate to avoid having to hunt for a job. But now the open door is not available and they feel lost. On the surface is the pain of having to construct a job search. But, more importantly, underneath they feel a lack of identity clarity. Each unexamined career choice adds up leaving you uncertain, anxious and perhaps a bit resentful. Now you have to dig in and figure out how you are.

The Head in the Sand Hangover:
This shows up when you have settled for unsatisfactory career opportunities because you think it's the best you can do. The job is unrewarding but it pays the bills. You get by day after day trying to find the bright spots in your career as your soul is slowly dying.

Your number one strategy is to stick your head in the sand, not thinking about career alternatives or your deeper dreams. You live for the weekends and convince yourself things are good enough.

The Mid-Life Hangover:
The mid-life hangover is the logical conclusion of sticking your head in the sand. Your job keeps delivering blows. The work is boring or overwhelming. Your boss keeps criticizing you and ignoring your requests for developmental opportunities. Your best friend on the job secures his dream job and you are left behind.

Each affront makes it harder and harder for you to ignore the building existential crisis. Finally, you hit the wall--it's a full-blown mid-life hangover. You've consumed far too many career disappointments. Now it is time to face the results of your accumulated despair.

Wow, this is all pretty dark Helen. Well, yes, it is but I write this newsletter every week aspiring to share something relevant and meaningful. I hope these comments about the intersection of career satisfaction and identity help explain a thing or two about some of your biggest career-related challenges.

Let me end on a brighter note. Identity hangovers are opportunities for growth. The relief comes when you take control of your life and commit to figuring out who you really are and what will be deeply fulfilling for you.

#identity #careersuccess #careeradvice #careergrowth #opportunities #careerdevelopment #careersearch #jobtips #careerchange #pandemic #jobhunt #careertips #careeropportunities #careercoach #workgoals #findyourpassion #dreambigger #helenhoryza

Magic Indeed!

Thu, 09 Mar 2023 17:54:08 GMT

How to Start Researching Career Options

Spending hours scanning listings on job boards can be overwhelming and discouraging. Many job seekers load an unfocused resume into the online listing service and start randomly scanning postings. It's time consuming and can be soul crushing.

I'd like to share an alternative strategy I use regularly with my career coaching clients. The first step is a 90-minute interview where I learn everything I can about my client's career path to date, their interests, experiences, dreams, family history etc. This is called the first level of validation. Simply put, it's what the client already knows about themselves.

Next, the client completes the Elevations Career Assessment prioritizing values preferences, enjoyable skills, career related interests and temperament. This powerful platform adds clarity and a holistic picture of the client's career trajectory. This is the second level of validation.

At this point we have reached the bridge. The client needs to research their options based on their assessment results. One might logically ask, "where do I start?” For me the answer is Indeed .

Let me explain by sharing a breakthrough for one of my clients this week. She has an MBA, extensive media and film production experience, a passion for environmental advocacy and a love of science.

In preparation for our session, I jumped onto Indeed and searched for a couple of titles like Environmental Activist, Media Director and Environmental Communications. A posting appeared for the Natural Resources Defense Council. It was perfect.

I sent the job listing to my client several hours before our session. She got back to me quickly. She was excited and amazed. Seeing a real opportunity that matches so beautifully with her aspirations was magical. It gave her the focus, clarity and confidence to believe there was a fit for her in the job market.

This listing now becomes the source document for updating her resume, her LinkedIn profile and her strategy going forward. She can begin researching environmental advocacy organizations with a focus on media and communications. She will spend about 10% of her time responding to listed jobs and 90% of her time networking and proactively approaching potential employers. Now she is in charge of her future.

#job #careeradvice #opportunities #jobsearch #newjob #jobposting #careeropportunity #goodjobs #careers #careersatisfaction #envisionyourfuture #courage #dontsettle #knowyourworth #focus #gogetit #thinkbig #helenhoryza

Conscious Identity Transtions

Tue, 07 Mar 2023 18:52:20 GMT

Don't End Up With an Identity Hangover

When you start a new job, move to a new city or graduate and enter the job market, you take your identity with you. In the mixture of anticipation and excitement you probably focus on the logistics. You make a list of things to do and probably don't add your identity to the list.

I think you should and here's why:

· New beginnings offer an opportunity to leave behind what has not worked well in the past. Perhaps you want to show up more powerfully and ask for what you want. Start fresh with a dose of authenticity and confidence.

· Your first couple of weeks in the new situation establishes how others perceive you and treat you. For example, if you start a new job and work ten-hour days right off the bat, you will be hard pressed to work normal hours going forward. Show up valuing who you are, your time and your health.

· If you happen to be a pleaser, wanting everyone to like you--you are at risk for setting poor boundaries. New beginnings offer a chance to balance your innate generosity with being the dumping ground for unpleasant tasks and everyone else’s problems.

· If you don't consciously, actively design your identity, you will end up with a transition hangover. This is a nasty mix of unresolved grief associated with your past and anxiety about your unknown future. It shows up in mood swings, forgetfulness and a lack of clarity going forward.

Building your new identify can be done while taking a long walk, through journaling or in conversation with a good listener. Explore who you have been, noting what you love about yourself and want to keep. On the flip side, get real about aspects of yourself you'd like to change.

After a period of self-reflection, it's a good idea to get things down on paper. Draw two columns. On one side is your past, the other is your future. Honor your past with gratitude and dream big regarding what is next.

If you are creative, you might design a vision board or a word cloud to give you visual support for the new you. Post it in your closet or on the refrigerator door. It will support you in making the micro-adjustments that lead to substantial growth.

#vision #gogetter #thinkbigger #growthmindset #mindsetiseverything #designyourfuture_wonder #designyourfuture #careerchange #careersuccess #transtion #retirementplanning #dream #dreambigger #dreamchaser #helenhoryza

Clinching the Job Offer

Tue, 21 Feb 2023 18:35:24 GMT

Seal the Deal--Get Your Dream Job

The day has come. You are scheduled for the final interview for your dream job. You want to secure an offer but the competition is intense. You enter the interview with research-based methods setting you apart from all other candidates.

Here is your playbook:

· Understand your goal in each of the f our stages of the interview .
· Prepare a strong opening and closing statement.
· Understand the final hiring interview usually focuses on fit more than qualifications. Come prepared to talk about the culture and mission of the organization.
· Attend to your body language and level of energy. Make great eye contact and smile frequently. Be aware that 55% of your impact in face-to-face communication (virtual or in person) is your body language.
· Listen more than you talk focusing exclusively on your potential contributions, not your personal or professional needs.
· Come prepared to ask two or three questions near the end of the interview designed to inform your powerful follow-up email. Ask questions focusing on the first six months on the job. Try to get quantifiable information about project targets, productivity goals and ways your role fits into their mission.
· In your closing statement ask for the job, not in a pushy way but in a very professional manner like: "I would be honored to be selected for this opportunity."
· Get the correct spelling of the hiring manager's name and email.
· Leave the interview with high energy and appreciation for their time.

Now the interview is over but you are far from done. It's time to blow them away with your follow-up email. Draft a three or four paragraph min-proposal or business plan expressing, again, your interest in the position. Lay out an articulate explanation of your vision for your first six months on the job. Combine your accumulated expertise and knowledge with their goals. Put key actionable targets in bullet points to make it easy for them to read.

User your subject line in your email well. Put your first and last name, candidate for (enter the job title and employer). Help them see you in the job.

Finally, have someone else edit and proofread your email before you send it. It has to be impeccable. Put your ego aside and let someone help you close the deal.

Biggest Job Seekers Mistake

Wed, 15 Feb 2023 21:54:10 GMT

Lack of Focus Wastes Time and Effort

The number one biggest mistake job seekers make is randomly applying for job listings without a clear plan. They throw together a resume without a defined objective. They keep their LinkedIn profile generic hoping prospective employers will connect the dots.

When you, as their friend, family member or coach, suggest they should have a focus, you get push back. The jo hunter insists they will bring value to any employer and don't want to limit their options. As a result, their job search lingers, rejections pile up and the job seeker loses their mojo.

The resolution is not quick and easy but it is worth dong. On some level job seekers know they are spinning their wheels so they are often open to an intelligent alternative.

Here are the steps I would suggest, assuming the client has already done a career self-assessment clarifying their career-related values, enjoyable skills, temperament preferences and, most important, functions and industry segments they are interested in.

Step One:
Research (both through secondary resources and informational interviews) potential career targets. A career target includes the industry segment, the job title or role and a geographic location (including remote or hybrid).

Step Two:
Based on their research the job seekers ranks their options and determines which target they want to tackle first. This becomes their job-hunting thesis. It determines the content and direction of their resume, cover letter, networking pitch, LinkedIn profile, networking meetings and participation on job boards like Indeed.com.

Step Three:
Avoid the lure of what I call the lucky bonus program, hoping haphazard stabs at openings will pay off. As the days and weeks go by, many job seekers slide back into the random application approach. They fall prey to the fearing it's taking too long or they have narrowed their options too much. Staying focused and strategic takes guts and it also returns a much better result.

Plot Your Exit Carefully

Wed, 08 Feb 2023 23:48:09 GMT

What to Consider Before You Quit

According to a study published July, 2022 by McKinsey Quarterly, several trends are staggering:

· 40% of workers are planning to quit. Two out of five employees are thinking about leaving their job in the next three to six months.

· The voluntary quit rate is 25 percent higher than prepandemic levels. At the current and projected pace of hiring, quitting and job creation, openings likely won't return to normal levels for some time.

Obviously, this creates a huge challenge for employers seeking to recruit and retain employees. On the other side of the coin is the opportunity this rare labor market can offer you.

Getting crystal clear about your goals and what matters most is the first step to take before you enter your boss’s office or Zoom box and say goodbye. Additionally, understanding what employment culture and structure would be ideal is incredibly important.

Traditional Employees
If you are a "traditionalist" you are motivated to work full-time for large organizations in return for a competitive compensation package and perks, a good job title, status and career advancement. You might be holding on for a retirement package or are attracted to the security of an established employer.

According to the McKinsey study you are a hot commodity. Employers love your dependability, work ethic and stable track record. Prepare to be aggressive in your request for an attractive compensation package. Consider shifting to a new industry by focusing on your transferable skills. Leverage your long-standing network. Address any anxiety you have about making a change. You are in a buyers’ market.

The Do-It-Yourselfers
You will do just about anything for autonomy. Your top motivators are workplace flexibility, meaningful work and compensation. Likely employment options for you include non-traditional full-time employment, gig work or self-employment. Chances are, you already quit your job or lost your job during the pandemic. You think about going back to work but it seems stifling. Your best options will come through creative conversations with recruiters, hiring managers or strategic partners who do business with you or for you.

Come to the conversation with a clear vision and value proposition. Show how you can be a meaningful asset and a reliable resource without being stuck in a rigid job. You benefit from doing some serious dreaming and career designing. Ask for what you want, exactly. You can become the master of manifestation.

I do want to add a bit of reality to this rosy picture. Some of my clients are still having a tough time finding the right job, even with all the openings and opportunity. The pain point for some employers is not high enough yet and they are unwilling to offer the level of flexibility you want and deserve.

If you want to take a conservative approach, research your options though your personal and professional network. Plot your exit carefully. Every bit of strategic planning will pay off. You may look back on your post-pandemic career shift as the best decision you ever made.

Post Pandemic Career Change

Fri, 27 Jan 2023 19:03:04 GMT

Time For a change

Has a pandemic hangover left you feeling you want to do more with your life and your career? If so, you may be on the front end of a career change.

Contemplating your unknown future can trigger a flood of emotion. You might be angry, anxious or a little of both. Guess what, you are normal. This is a big crossroad.

Knowing where to start can pull you off the emotional rollercoaster and get you moving in a positive direction. Here are three tips to launch your re-invention:

Step into a Period of Focused Introspection

While your anxiety is warranted, it clouds your ability to navigate this transition wisely. Take some time to self-reflect. Curb your impulse to update your resume and scour the listings on job sites. There will be time for that soon enough. Right now, tamp down your cortisol levels and get some blood flowing to your brain.

Take a long walk, ideally in nature

Even if you are slammed with a long list of things to do, break away and make yourself a priority. Your career pays for everything in your life. It needs your attention. As you walk, breathe deeply. Let as much tension go as possible. Start calmly thinking about your situation. Mentally take stock of your assets. You first thoughts might be financial and that’s ok, but also notice your health, friendships, family, your living situation…anything you can identify that is stable. This will help you ground you.

Get Clear About Your Natural Talents

As change swirls around you, the one thing that remains stable is you and what you are gifted to do. Envision a talent suitcase that holds all of your core skills, acquired experience, knowledge, your values and your temperament. Now it the time to open that suitcase and get intimately familiar with its contents.

Define Your Past Identity and Your Future Vision

A career change requires an identity shift. You benefit by doing this consciously. It’s likely that a big part of your self-worth is wrapped up in your former role or occupation. It’s time to acknowledge the past and begin to design your future.

What you want to do and how you want to do it are both on the table. Traditional employment, contract employment or self-employment are options. You are the CEO of your career. If you have long dreamed of being your own boss, now might be the time. If you have yeaned to re-locate, more and more employers are ditching the requirement for you to come to the office.

Courage is the fuel that drives successful career changes. Follow a clear process and learn the psychological stages that accompany career transitions. Reach out for support from your champions and your sparring partners. Access all the resources at your disposal and step into a bright future, one you’re truly proud of.

Crushing Communication

Thu, 19 Jan 2023 19:30:58 GMT

How You Get in the Way of Quality Conversation

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High Demand for Career Coaching in 2023

Wed, 04 Jan 2023 17:44:19 GMT

Career Satisfaction Matters

Here are the predictions for 2023:

“According to Glassdoor and Indeed’s Hiring and Workplace Trends report, 2023 will continue to see a tight labor market with employers vying for top talent. That means workers will still have the upper hand when it comes to demanding higher pay, better benefits, remote work options and other perks.” (Source: Forbes Magazine, December 2022)

As you may know, I’ve been a career coach for over thirty years. I’ve seen how the labor market cycles impact the career coaching industry. When things are tough (like post 9ll, the great recession and the pandemic) no one is calling a career coach. Employees and employers hunker down and stay put.

Good times for employees are good times for career coaches. People have the opportunity and the confidence to make changes. Add to this, the emergence of remote work and the unrelenting demand for more flexibility and life balance. Workers in all generational cohorts are setting new standards for their quality of life and their level of job satisfaction. Thus, they are motivated to invest in career coaching support.

Indeed.com, the highest traffic job site, agrees: "With the high demand for career coaches to assist individuals during this time of the great resignation, when many are unsure of their careers, and we are facing a skills shortage, the need for career coaching is greater than ever." May 19, 2022

If you’ve long thought about becoming a coach, either as a business owner or as an internal coach within and organization, there is a rare opportunity right now. It is specifically in the career coaching space and it is exciting.

If you are interested in becoming a career coach, make sure you attend a school that is accredited by the International Coach Federation (ICF). It not only assures you that you training will be high quality, ethical and comprehensive. It also opens the door to your ICF coaching credentials. You need this distinction if you want to solicit work from companies that hire career coaches (Skill Soft, Better Up, and Bundle Benefits to name a few).

The Career Coach Entrepreneur Academy (CCEA) is enrolling for the cohort starting January 10, 2023. We are an ICF accredited program offering 60 hours of live virtual instruction and self-study, 10 hours of mentor coaching, abundance coaching practice, peer coaching and entrance into a supportive group of alumni, available to support your ongoing growth.

Do something amazing for you in 2023—open the door to a meaningful, rewarding opportunity in the career coaching field!

Empathetic Joy

Wed, 28 Dec 2022 20:01:16 GMT

Expand your ability to be happy for others.

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Therapy vs Coaching

Tue, 27 Dec 2022 16:57:51 GMT

Helping Resources Clarified

If you are considering conducting a private practice where you help people become fit, thriving and purposeful, you may be wondering about the difference between therapy and coaching. Getting clear about the characteristics of each category of service is critical to your ability to define the training you want and need.

Therapy

· Your clients are dealing with long-standing, persistent mental challenges.

· Often the mental illness is based in trauma from the client's past.

· The therapist develops a treatment plan based on their diagnosis to address the symptoms the client is facing.

· Treatment is evidence based, building on well researched approaches and proven outcomes.

· A therapist is a licensed professional offering clients a level of consumer protection.

· Insurance companies will pay for therapeutic services viewed as medically necessary.

I have abundant respect and appreciation for the therapists in my professional network. I make it my business to align myself and my clients with gifted, experienced therapists, ensuring I am ready to make referrals for clients who may be experiencing mental and emotional challenges.

Coaching

· Your clients are seeking skill development, life enhancement and career satisfaction.

· If they have mental or emotional challenges, they are in the range of what is technically called "adjustment disorders". Examples include relationship challenges, anxiety, sadness, career frustrations and life disappointments.

· You come to each coaching session with a clear structure and process including the establishment of an agreement regarding session goals, a clarification of a successful outcome and action steps moving the client forward.

· Coaching is a self-regulated industry, not a licensed profession.

· The International Coaching Federation (ICF) certifies coaches, sets ethical standards, mandates competencies and requires continuing education.

· Coaching is paid by the individual seeking services or by the organization seeking to develop or retain their employees.

There is a grey area between these two helping professions. In fact, over the years I have had clients tell me I'm more like a therapist than a coach I consider this comment to be one of the highest compliments. It means I'm interacting at a significant, meaningful level. My goal is to catalyze my clients to their greatest potential. I see this as a holistic challenge, one where mental and emotional challenges can be discussed.

I'll leave you with the guidelines that keep me clear about my role and my professional limitations:

· As a career coach I focus my clients on the present moment and the future. They are able to develop a vision and goals.

· My clients are resourceful, creative and wise. My job is to co-create solutions generated by my clients.

· If my clients have a history of mental illness, they have successfully moved beyond identifying with their trauma. They now view past episodes of pain and suffering as things that happened, not who they are. I want to thank Lee Chaix McDonough for this last clarification. She offers an amazing podcast called Coaching with Clarity.

· As a coach, your clients are ready to grow, move forward and evolve into the best version of themselves.

Your clients will be somewhere on a continuum between mental illness and thriving levels of health. You do not have to be afraid of stepping outside your professional sphere of competence if you understand your training and limitations.

Ghosting Your Coach

Wed, 14 Dec 2022 20:22:45 GMT

Establish a strong coaching relationship.

It's one thing to be disappointed in the quality of the coaching services you are receiving. It happens and you stop attending sessions and move on. Perhaps the coach was a bad fit or simply incompetent.

But what if you are so embarrassed by your shortcomings or emotional state, you give up coaching, just to avoid the possibility your coach will make you feel worse than you already do?

Reflecting this scenario, I am reminded of a painful memory from my first year or two out of college. I was floundering, unemployed after quitting a job I hated and subsequently getting laid off. I was living on my own, trying to cover my bills and maintain my shaky dignity.

Following the rules of job hunting (to the extent I knew them at all) I made a visit to the alumni office at St. Mary's College in Moraga CA where I received my undergraduate degree. I had read there were services for graduates looking for a job. I met with the gentleman responsible for providing consultation to job seeking alumni. He was all advice (clearly no coaching training) and strongly encouraged me to pursue a job with PG&E.

You have likely heard a lot about PG&E in the news these days as they have recently been found responsible for a number of devastating wildfires in California. But, when I was twenty-four years old looking for a job in San Francisco, PG&E was the gold standard of employment. They had a reputation for treating their employees well and provided a stable platform for career advancement.

I was informed I would have to pass a standardized test to be considered for employment. I silently felt the anxiety pulse through my body, knowing my performance on tests suck. I did not share my misgivings with the alumni advisor. I faked my enthusiasm and took the test.

You know what happened next. I flunked the exam and ghosted the alumni advisor. He reached out to find out how things had gone but I did not respond. I was embarrassed. Any idiot could probably pass that test, but not me.

This memory has stuck with me and becomes a helpful reminder when one of my clients ghosts me. Granted, it does not happen often, but it does happen. In some cases, the client comes around and admits they made an impulsive move, fueled by fear. They abandoned the career coaching process to get back into a relatively safe box, only to feel trapped again.

I share this today because it underlines the faith and courage required to be either a coach or a client. The possible pit-falls in the coaching relationship can be mitigated though by keeping three things in mind:

· The co-creation of a clear agreement about the coaching relationship and goals minimizes disappointment and confusion.

· An ongoing conversation about the value being giving and received keeps the ghosting door mostly closed.

· Time taken to make a sure the coach and the client are a good fit offers a solid foundation of aligned services and mutual satisfaction.

Here is my finial request. As a client, enter the coaching relationship with the highest level of honesty. If you feel uncomfortable or unsatisfied speak up.

If you are the coach, hold your client accountable and accept them where they are, with an open heart. Support them fully as humans doing their best.

Networking Blunders

Tue, 06 Dec 2022 20:18:51 GMT

Don't Blow Your Network!

Many job seekers and career changers use the holidays to network for a variety of purposes. Informational interviews provide valuable insights into potential career options. Holiday gatherings offer informal opportunities to uncover strategic alliances or generate job leads through personal connections.

All of these are great strategies but--you can blow your network quickly if you make the following mistakes:

Mistake Number One: Reaching out to your highest value contacts before doing your homework.
If you are lucky, you know one or two people who are extremely well connected. It's tempting to call them first. Since you know them pretty well, you figure you can skip doing advance research or preparation. You walk into the meeting asking unfocused questions. You make a bad impression and probably cannot go back and fix it.

Consider this alternative. Make a list of the people you want to meet with. Schedule folks who seem less central to your industry or career-related goals first. Visit their LinkedIn page, research their field or organization and prepare your questions. Enter the meeting ready to have a highly professional conversation. Consider the possibility they may be more relevant to your future than you can imagine.

Build on each meeting, adding new questions, offering them support for any endeavor you can help with and following up with a well-crafted thank you. Work your way to the final meetings with your most influential contacts. Now you are ready to blow their mind in a good way.

Mistake Number Two: Skipping the golden question.
It's common to get anxious near the end of your meetings and forget the most important question: who else should I be taking to? This prompts the person you are meeting with to mentally scan their network and pick people who will deepen your knowledge. You earn the right to ask this question. Your excellent preparation and outstanding questions inspire cooperation. Your networking contact opens new doors keeping you out of the cold calling game.

Mistake Number Three: Failing to stay in touch.
With your focus on moving forward and getting to your goal, it's easy to forget to touch base with your network contacts. You enrolled each person you met with to help you with your career. It's important to let them know how you are doing, share refinements of your objectives or accomplishments showing progress. Even if you feel down in the dumps, you must portray a positive perspective in your communication. Point out your enthusiasm for the career field you are researching, note important innovations, showing you are keeping up with trends. Your brief, friendly note reminds them to keep you on their radar.

Brilliant networking, built on your self-knowledge and through research, is the key to a successful career transition. If you or someone you know is exploring new opportunities, focus on a well-designed networking strategy. You will shorten the hunt and improve the quality of your outcome.

Nightmare Recovery

Fri, 02 Dec 2022 18:32:55 GMT

The Power of Your Mind

What do you do when you have just had a terrible nightmare? If you are like me, you lie in bed trying to get the frightening scenario or image out of your head. Most of the time I'm sweating, my heart is pounding and the prospect of going back to sleep seems unlikely.

I don't have them often but they do happen. Common themes include falling off cliffs, careening off the highway or being attacked by someone who has broken into the house. Sometimes they are sneaky. Things look familiar and then, slowly I realize I'm in danger.

I dream vividly and in color, so my nightmares can really freak me out. Since I'm am such a big nocturnal dreamer, I've taken classes about dreaming and participated in a dream group, learning how to break down the elements of a dream and understand the underlying message.

Unfortunately, all of this education never taught me how to recover from a bad dream. But, in the last few years I've developed a method that almost always works. Since I love offering practical tips, I thought I'd share my strategy. The idea came to me as an adaptation of a visualization a body worker led me though to heal a traumatic event from my childhood. At age 7 I was caught in a hail storm while walking to school. I did not have a coat or an umbrella. By the time I arrived at my second-grade classroom, my legs were purple. I was cold and terrified.

I shared this event with my body worker friend and she asked me to close my eyes. I visualized all the elements of the event that were most frightening. I shared how alone I felt and the physical pain of the hail hitting my body. School seemed a million miles away.

Once I had the calamity firmly in mind, she guided me to surround the hail, the road and all the aspects of my situation in golden light and send them to heaven. I also envisioned people coming to my rescue and gently taking care of me.

As I'm sure you know, the mind is powerful. After altering the traumatic event, I felt much better. I had a sense of control and peace. I had substantially transformed my bad experience. This method works quite well as a way to recover from a nightmare. If I've got a bad guy trying to kill me, I surround him in golden light and send him to heaven. If I've fallen off a cliff, I image a golden parachute deftly catching me in mid-fall and lifting me back to safely. The more times I successfully transmute my upsetting dreams to a positive experience, the less frightening nightmares have become. I find this both amazing and empowering.

Healing from past events or learning how to respond creatively in the moment of a bad dream is a powerful tool. I hope you can remember it the next time you wake up from a real doozy.

The Right Question

Tue, 22 Nov 2022 21:21:46 GMT

The Right Question

Have you ever had a question pop into your brain unexpectedly? My life changed in an instant in the Spring of 2020 with a single question. I was taking my morning walk in the open space near our house. It was a chilly morning with birds singing and the sun peeking through the oak trees.

My mind was empty, just enjoying the scenery. And then the question came: what are you going to do? It stopped me in my tracks because it was a question I should have been agonizing over but I was not. Honestly, I had been operating on such a full schedule for so many years, I was actually enjoying escaping the rat race for a while.

I hope this does not sound insensitive. I realize the pandemic was brutal and difficult for so many. I was very fortunate of have a safe space to live and a walking trail nearby.

The question lingered for a brief moment in my brain and then, with no effort at all, the answer arrived. I want to start a coaching school.

Excitement coursed through my body. I immediately saw the synergistic opportunity a career coaching school could offer.

I could use my recently published book, Elevate Your Career: Live a Life You're Truly Proud Of, as a text. The Elevate Career Cycle model would be the foundation of the career coaching process. The Elevations career assessment would be the proprietary tool my students would master and my YouTube channel would be the DIY resource for my student's clients.

The thoughts tumbled into my brain, almost faster than I could keep track of them. The world had changed with the advent of a threatening illness that pulled people out of their cubicles and into their homes. Millions were re-evaluating their lives and their careers. The demand for career coaching would likely explode (as it has).

I also reflected on my biggest disappointment with my coaching school experience in the early 2000's. It was fun, but impractical. The coaching curriculum lacked a solid, proven methodology to deliver services and build a successful business. I would make sure each of my career coaching students had a step-by-step session model and ready to use forms. They would have the confidence to move into a job or self-employment. I would share all my lessons learned in my three decades of career coaching experience.

Yep, all of that clarity followed from one simple question. I had the answers inside of me. I just needed to listen.

Here is my question for you today: what do you want to do? Stay still for a moment. Don't edit your brilliance. If there is too much noise in your life, take a walk and let the answer come to you.

In the Meantime

Tue, 15 Nov 2022 23:56:45 GMT

In the Meantime

As the year is ending many of my clients find themselves in a holding pattern. Some are in job search mode and wonder if it's worth the effort to apply for work during the holidays. Others, sadly, have been informed they are being laid off and have a few weeks of employment left--and then what?

In all cases, the urge to take a much-deserved break seems appealing. And, maybe that would be the right thing to do. But I have found that small, creative activities are the optimum choice.

If your career has entered a time of ambivalence or uncertainty, I want to offer you some support. Here are a few ideas:

· Clarify Your Vision: Determine what you want to achieve or manifest while you are in waiting mode. You could achieve this by journaling or creating a vision board. When you identify tangible desirable outcomes, it will be much easier to get motivated.

· Reach Out to Your Network: Create a list of ten people you would like to have coffee with (in person or virtually). Enter these meetings with a generous heart and an open mind. Find out what other people in your social or professional circle heave been up to lately. Find ways to help them if you can, and let them know about your goals.

· Don't Isolate: A range of difficult emotions can accompany an uncertain time. You might be embarrassed to admit you are unemployed or in transition. Depression and anxiety can creep in as you lie awake at 4 a.m. You might be inclined to hide in your room or land in front of the TV--it's tempting but don't do it.

· Be in the World Five Days a Week: Monday through Friday, plan to get up, exercise, get dressed and go somewhere. How about a class, maybe a professional association event or volunteer. Research as shown that doing something helpful for someone else is the best medicine when your life is up in the air. Give yourself a break on the weekends. This kind of structure will keep you moving forward.

A final note on job hunting during the holidays. It's easy to assume employers will lose focus or delay hiring but the opposite can be true. Decision makers may answer the phone more readily or find time to meet with you while the holiday parties rage on. If your resume is focused, your LinkedIn profile is complete and you follow-up quickly on every solid lead, you can enter the new year with a new career.

Manifest Your Future

Tue, 08 Nov 2022 19:30:25 GMT

Manifest Your Future

The other night my husband and I were flipping through movie options and came across The Secret, Dare to Dream. It's actually a pretty good film. I had mostly forgotten about "The Secret" so I watched without judgement or preconceptions. It was a timely reminder that I get what I want if I am clear about my vision and trust the unseen forces available to help.

Every client I work with must come to terms with his or her ability to manifest an optimum career. I have one gentleman who wants to be a college professor. It was clearly identified as an interest on his Elevations Career Assessment and fit perfectly with his values, enjoyable skills and temperament. But he discarded the option quickly. It's too competitive, he does not feel he has the requisite education and it did not generate enough compensation.

This client and I worked together over a four-month period of time. He applied for jobs in association management and politics. Neither are really his passion, but hey seemed achievable. He never updated his LinkedIn profile, waited till the last minute to send in his applications and become despondent.

When a client is settling, he or she usually delivers a poor job search performance. It's dangerous for me because the blame can fall in my direction. They hired me to find a fulfilling career--but they have tossed the best options aside. I can confront or remind my clients but I cannot change their mindset.

Then, the universe conspired to kick him in the ass. He was informed his boring "make money" job was ending. He was laid off at the end of October.

About a week after his miserable job had ended, he came into my office and asked me if I could help him break into college instruction as a career. Yes, of course I can, but what happened?

He had moved out of his crossroad into introspection. He quieted down long enough to think clearly. Now he was willing to conduct informational interviews to find a path to a fulfilling career. He accepted that his advanced degree was enough to get him started and he was willing to live with the salary college professors receive.

To some extent, this is the pattern every client follows. The career coaching process will identify great possibilities. Fear gets in the way and the client shoots down his best options. Time passes and he gets a wakeup call or he takes another unsatisfactory position--laying the ground-work for another crisis down the road.

If you are reading this and see yourself in this scenario, here are some tips that will help you:

Do research on your options. The world is complex. As you read about careers in your area of interest, you may find avenues you could not imagine.
Ask for help from seen and unseen forces. Whatever your spiritual beliefs, your request for assistance will bring support (and maybe a small miracle or two).
Give up on timing. Generally speaking, it will take longer than you want it to, but if you do not settle, you will reach your goal.

You are powerful. Yet, your daily human experience is filled with doubt. Consider the possibility you are reading this at the perfect time for all the right reasons.

Stop Problem Solving!

joe@elevationsonline.com (Joe Horyza) — Mon, 31 Oct 2022 19:22:45 GMT

Stop Solving Problems!

You may be very proud of the fact that you are a master problem-solver. You are resourceful and enjoy helping people overcome obstacles. In daily life, amongst friends and colleagues, this can be very effective. But it can also disable the other person, taking away the opportunity for him to learn and transform his own life.

Let's take a moment to clarify the difference between a consultant, a therapist and a career coach. Knowing the difference is your first big step towards helping people find a career that fits them perfectly.

Consultant
When you have your consultant hat on, you are the expert. You give advice, direction and solve the problem. This is super helpful if you are teaching a client how to update her LinkedIn profile or helping develop an opening statement for an upcoming interview.

Therapist
A therapist is a licensed professional who is trained to help your client overcome deep trauma, mental illness or long-standing intense emotional struggles. The therapist is trained to diagnose the client and uncover the roots of the issue.

Career Coach
When you have your coach hat on the client sets the agenda. Your role is to help the client determine the successful outcome of the session. The focus is on the present moment or the future. Your mind-set is clear: the client is brilliant, capable and resourceful. You ask powerful questions enabling your client see new perspectives, gain clarity and determine his most audacious future.

As you read these role definitions, I'm sure you can think of many grey areas. For example, what do you do if your client shares, she is have marital problems which are directly impacting her ability to find a great career? Should you immediately make a referral to a therapist?

I would say no. As a career coach your client's ability to make a successful transition will include many aspects of her life including finances, relationships, her self-esteem and level of motivation. You coach the whole person, helping her overcome internal and external obstacles.

If the client cannot move forward and is in severe distress, it's time to make a referral. Additionally, you can work with your client on her career-related issues at the same time she is working with a therapist.

Actually, the grey area between career coaching and therapy will not likely be your biggest challenge. Learning how to stay out of problem-solving mode is tough--and it can be subtle. You might think you know what's best for your client so you nudge them, asking leading questions.

Career coaching is an amazing art with a very specific design. Combine great coaching with the right tools and resources and watch your client blossom.

Are you interested in becoming a career coach.? Check out the Career Coach Entrepreneur Academy. The next cohort starts January 10, 2023.

Envision Your Transition

Thu, 22 Sep 2022 16:01:17 GMT

Envision Your Transition

Imagine you are:

Getting ready to retire.
Dealing with a job loss.
Making a major career change.
Facing a serious illness.
Re-entering the workforce.

There is little training or guidance on how to navigate the multitude of inevitable passages in life. You dive into the deep end of the pool, doing what you can to prepare and hope for the best.

While putting your finances in order is always one of your first considerations, I would encourage you to spend time formulating the identity you desire as you move forward.

Your sense of yourself gets disrupted during transitions. You leave behind the familiar you and replace it with a new version of yourself. You can achieve this in a clumsy, unscripted manner--just evolving as the days and weeks go by. Or, you can establish your vision for who you want to become. Now you are in charge and increase your sense of well-being.

Here are some steps you can take if you are on the verge of a transition or in the middle of a transition that has been thrust upon you (or both!).

Start by taking stalk of who you have been. Appreciate your former identity. Whatever your past has comprised, you need to lovingly be grateful for who you have become to this date.
Begin to design your future identity. You can do this as a mental activity on a long walk or by talking to a friend who listens well.
Consider both your plans for activates as well as your mental attitude. Ask yourself, how do I want to spend my time? How do I plan to motivate myself to be healthy and happy? Who do I want to maintain relationships with and who do I want to distance myself from? What do I want to learn and how do I want to show up in the world?
If you have a creative flair a vision board, a journal or a video about you might help you illustrate your future.

The more detailed you can be, the more grounded and intentional your future will be. Use life transitions to grow into your greatest potential. This benefits you and also provides inspiration to all the people around you.

One Thing Attracts Everything

Mon, 20 Jun 2022 18:37:25 GMT

One Thing Attracts Everything

Confidence is not the absence of fear. Rather, it is the ability to shine as your true authentic self, even when you are under pressure. When you do this, you attract opportunities, gain credibility and inspire others.

If confidence is the one thing that attracts everything, then it begs the question, how do you get it? Life experience is one answer, but it goes deeper than that. I think the core of confidence is self-awareness.

If you deeply understand who you are, what matters most to you and how you impact others, you are operating at a frequency that attracts what you want. You get jobs, new clients, better relationships...the list goes on and on.

Start here:

· Know your values and operate from them.

· Understand your genus skills and employ yourself using them as much as possible.

· Align your life with your natural interests. Do things that give you energy.

· Recognize your impact on others (both positive and negative).

This short list is not magical but it does offer manageable guidance. Most of the time, you are your biggest obstacle. I invite you to start today--appreciating your gifts and allowing your confidence to shine.

Escape Your Crossroad

Wed, 15 Jun 2022 21:38:39 GMT

Escape Your Crossroad

The call to live up to your potential can be powerful. It can happen at any stage of life and is marked by:

Intense emotions
Yearnings
Frustration
Anxiety
Vacillation between settling for the known and a compelling pull towards something more.

If you find yourself in a career crossroad, you might believe you are failing. Somehow you did not make the right choices and you have reached a dead end. The road out is fraught with danger, unpredictably and real consequences.

The Crossroad can feel like a box filled with the familiar. It may not be a box you love, but it is the one you know. To cope with your box, you focus on all the good things. You like the people you work with, you have a certain degree of freedom, and you have achieved a level of competence. All of these positives are far from enough to make you happy, conversely, they are enough to keep you stuck.

Sunday afternoons into the evening is marked by a feeling of dread. You begin to think about getting in front of the computer screen on Monday morning dealing with work that does not fulfill you. You envision yourself walking into your workplace where you do not feel valued. You ruminate on your creepy boss, negative co-workers and unappreciative customers.

There are a million reasons why you have found yourself in the Crossroad. Of course, the question at hand is, how do you get out? Here are some strategic steps to set the stage for your escape:

Step One: Get quiet, settle down and take some time for introspection. You cannot access your creativity and problem-solving skills when you are panicking.

Step Two: Establish a general vision for your future. You may not have the exact job title or business endeavor defined right now but you might be clear about wanting life-balance, more time freedom and meaningful work. These life affirming aspirations are the foundation for your future momentum.

Step Three: Get support. Your self-limiting beliefs will drown out your dream if you do not have champions encouraging you. Any positive human contact will help. Join a Toastmasters group, establish a Mastermind group, take a self-help class or hire a career coach. The simple act of sharing your truth with a close friend will help immensely. Let other people help you.

It is critical you understand Crossroads are a natural, even healthy, part of life. If you are stuck, you are not doing anything wrong. Yet, you must find the courage to take baby steps forward. As humans, we do not do well when we stagnate. Health issues are sure to pop up if you shove your potential down and hide from your natural evolutionary process.

Six Ways to Bolster Your Career During Economic Upheaval

Sat, 06 Feb 2021 15:50:12 GMT

Six Ways to Bolster Your Career During Economic Upheaval

Instability and unpredictably have been consistent by-products of the global pandemic. The disruption to the economy has likely put you on a roller coaster of twists and turns—causing you to pour over your balance sheets and lose sleep, wondering if you are positioning yourself wisely.

If you are anxious and a bit exhausted, you are not alone. You, along with millions of others from all walks of life, are navigating uncharted territory. As a leader, you are challenged to make the right decisions and stay strong. But, how do you do that under pressure? Here are six keys to bolstering your career (and your business), especially during challenging times:

Number One: Understand that Careers Naturally Cycle

No matter has much time and effort you put into keeping your career on track, you can never get complacent, assured that things will go smoothly. Career quakes like the one we are experiencing now are predictable and, yet, unnerving. The ground is shifting under your feet.

Logically you know you are going to hit rough patches. But, when they happen, you can experience a range of uncomfortable emotions like fear and anger. The first step is to recognize that you are at a crossroad, off your familiar path and challenged to find the way forward. Shake hands with your anxiety and step into a period of introspection.

A long walk or a day off can offer much needed perspective. It also helps settle the intense emotions that accompany an externally driven crossroad. Let’s face it, you did not choose this disruption. It is happening to you. You need to regain a sense of control and think clearly about your options. Embrace the fact that careers cycle from periods of satisfaction to dissatisfaction as a natural result of life’s unpredictable events.

Number Two: Take an Accountable Perspective

Taking an accountable perspective is difficult to do when you have, in fact, been the victim of circumstances. Your first instinct might be to blame others or make excuses, not wanting to accept your reality. This “victim trap” stifles your creativity, limits your resourcefulness and eventually poisons everyone around you.

Strength and resilience are spurred by accountability. End all blaming, either by yourself or by anyone on your team. Replace negativity with responsibly. Take action toward solutions. Your forward-focused leadership will allow you to capitalize on opportunities and make solid business decisions.

Number Three: Operate From Your Career-Related Values

Your values are your superpower but you may not be paying enough attention to them. Under pressure, your values may be ignored as you are busy putting out fires. Again, this is perfectly natural but it saps your strength and undermines your ability to lead your organization.

Identify your career-related values--the things that drive you and matter the most. Perhaps it’s integrity, family and life-balance. Once you have identified your values, make them front and center every day. Think about your values as you get ready for work in the morning. Have them posted on the mirror or refrigerator door. Share your values with your team and challenge them to notice if your actions do not align with your values.

Number Four: Utilize Your Enjoyable Skills

If your day is virtually filled with demands that bring you little or no joy, you are on the road to burnout. Your level of energy is key to your ability to deliver excellence. So, step back and notice the aspects of your business that light you up, that you look forward to. Finds ways to expand your involvement in enjoyable skills activity. Delegate or minimize skills you do not enjoy.

As you read this you may the thinking you don’t have the luxury of delegating work that drains your energy. That may be true, and yet, it may also be a story you have told yourself so many times that you no longer look at your options objectively. If you are wearing yourself out trying to do everything yourself, you are depleting the resource at the center of your stability and security, you.

Number Five: Find Your Voice

Your ability to be successful in your career, hinges on your authentic expression of who you are. Your voice (meaning your confident, congruent self) informs what you say, how you say it and the impact it has on others. Under stress, you might lose access to your voice, delivering faltering or even misleading messages.

Take stock of your communication and notice how you are expressing yourself—even the words you are choosing. If you have a hard time being self-aware, ask others you trust. Find out if your voice is strong, positive and consistent. Decide how you want to be seen and heard. Be a true leader, inspiring your team to step up and deliver their best.

Number Six: Curb Your Impatience

The stress that comes along with economic upheaval and unpredictability can cause you to make impulsive choices. You might be tempted to take short cuts or ignore offers of help because you are panicking. Slow yourself down long enough to notice you are not thinking straight. Do a self-check and determine if anxiety is driving your decisions. If so, it’s time to get a new perspective.

While all of these tips are especially important in time of tumultuous change, they also apply to your career development throughout the course of your life. Your career pays for everything else in your life. Taking time to make sure you are operating from a well-balanced, aligned perspective is not only wise, it’s literally required for your survival.

Imagine you are looking back at your personal and professional performance five years from now. Consider rating yourself on how well you managed your career and functioned as a business leader. There is learning and growth to be garnered in difficult times. Embrace the days and months ahead as an opportunity to emerge into a level of leadership that, otherwise, would not have been possible.

All About Elevations

Thu, 22 Oct 2020 23:18:24 GMT

All About Elevations

In a sea of quizzes and tests that assert to help you find your future, how do you pick one that will be accurate and helpful? Enter Elevations https://bit.ly/2XmG2ns . I created the Elevations career self-assessment. It has helped over 50,000 people define a vison and a career that fits them perfectly.

Here are the basics: Elevations is a self-discovery platform you use to prioritize your values, skills, and career interests. You are the author of your results. It’s designed to draw out your brilliance, not give you labels or random answers. Your results report illustrates your priorities and strengths. The temperament profile will blow your mind, it’s level of accuracy is uncanny. It profiles how you communicate, lead and operate in a team environment. It gives you the design components of your best fit career.

Once you have your results, you see the patterns. Use Elevations as a basis for career research. Check out my Journey playlist on my YouTube channel http://bit.ly/32kAdXF for coaching related to your Elevations results.

What are the levels of validation?

A great career assessment is based on the Levels of Validation. In my YouTube video “How a Career Assessment Can Help” https://bit.ly/3jmh2Fh , I explain the levels of validation. Check it out.

Here’s the essence: Your self-knowledge is the first level of validation--what you know you are good at and enjoy. This is important information, but depending on your self-confidence or state of mind, you might not trust your insights right now.

So, you need the second level of validation: Elevations provides an externalized view of your interests and strengths. It boosts your self-esteem and your confidence. Your future best fit career comes into focus.

Finally, the third level of validation comes from people who know you well or a career coach. Share your Elevations results with others and they will provide their observations. They might mention times when they say you enjoying an activity or task, matching the Elevations results.

By this point, you know exactly who you are and how you fit into the world of work. You still need to explore and experience your options but, you are not fuzzy on the most important part….YOU. You have been validated!

What makes a great self-assessment?

A great career self-assessment includes values, skills, interests and temperament components. It offers up-to-date career options, is quick and easy to do. In fact, it’s fun. It has gobs of information about careers you can choose to read (or not). It operates on a phone, tablet or computer.

Why should yo u do a career assessment?

You are the CEO of your career. If you know yourself very well, you are destined for success. On the other hand, if you have never done a great career self-assessment, you have blind spots that will undermine your future.

You must be obsessed with yourself. Now, I know that sounds self-absorbed and maybe a bad idea in general. But, when it comes to career success you simply cannot know enough about the center of your universe, you.

What mind set helps when taking Elevations?

Find a quiet place and do not rush. Remember the Elevations career self-assessment is not a test. There are no right or wrong answers. It’s a self-reflective process. Think about your selections, feel free to change your mind.

Answer as honestly as possible. Don’t paint the picture of who you want to be or hope to be. Or worse, how other people what you to be. Be yourself and be totally honest.

How is Elevations different from the test I took in high school?

Chances are you either took an interest inventory that offered dated, traditional jobs or you took a condescending quiz that left you baffled. That was certainly my experience.

The Elevations career self-assessmen t is different because:

It integrates your values, skills, interests and your temperament. It’s a complete picture of your talent profile.
It includes contemporary career options.
It does not require the interpretation of a professional. You can complete it and understand the results.
It operates on your phone, table or computer.
It’s easy and fun…I’ve been told this over and over again.

What questions do you have about Elevations? It’s been fun introducing you to this powerful tool.

5 Ways to Elevate Your Career

Tue, 22 Sep 2020 13:51:55 GMT

Five Ways to Elevate Your Career

Your career deeply impacts your overall life satisfaction. It’s not something to take for granted. The price you pay for settling for less than you are capable of is high. You might be able to put your aspirations on the back burner for a while, but your hopes and dreams will nag at you. Deep down you wonder if life can offer something more.

Don’t wait until you hate your job and your life. Put your career on track today. Here are my five best suggestions to build a future you can be truly proud of:

Step One: Be Obsessed with Yourself

YOU are the one thing in your career that remains stable and consistent through the course of your life. The economy cycles and labor markets shift. Hot job trends come and go, potentially pulling you in the wrong direction. In the midst of all the external craziness, your internal needs, wants and competencies are the consistent roadmap to your future.

Imagine you carry a “talent suitcase” around with you all the time. Stored in the main section are your values, enjoyable skills, interests and your natural born temperament. In the side pockets are your accumulated knowledge, work experience and aptitudes. No one has a suitcase exactly like yours.

As you grow through life, you store more and more in your talent suitcase. Sadly, you could shove this treasure trove to the back of your closet and ignore it. This usually results in career depression and disappointment. Alternatively, you can be obsessed with what makes you tick keeping your capabilities front and center.

Step Two: Operate From Your Values

Your values are your beliefs, your morals, and your internal compass. When your career supports your values, you are fulfilled. If they are violated or left unnurtured, you become dissatisfied. Given the power held in your values, it only makes sense to identify them, define their meaning and make them a visible feature of your life every day.

A career-self assessment will offer an opportunity for you to identify and prioritize your values. Write your top 5 or 10 values on a piece of paper and draft a brief definition for each one. Next, determine where you will post your values so you see them every day. Maybe you have them on the refrigerator door or stuck inside the visor in your car. When you encounter them on a regular basis you will find ways to enhance their role in your daily life. Your values are your superpower, feeding your soul.

Step Three: Utilize Your Enjoyable Skills

Think about a job you’ve done that you did not enjoy. At the end of the day you are exhausted. Your physical and mental health suffer. You come home drained and land in a lump on your couch.

The solution here is simple. Start with knowing what your enjoyable skills are. This circles back again to the career assessment . Identify the skills you enjoy and prioritize them. Then reflect on how many are central to your career (or the potential career you dream about).

Skills are awesome because you can add them into your current occupation or integrate them to your life. There is no limit to what you can learn. You can improve your proficiency in a skill you enjoy, increasing your career-related energy and fulfillment.

Step Four: Take an Accountable Perspective

Blaming and making excuses is career poison. No matter how justifiable your complaints are, in the end, you suffer the consequences of your negative perspective. Worse, others begin to see you as a moral buster. Who wants to be around someone who is powerless and pessimistic?

Notice what the basic storyline of your career is. Do you see yourself as an influential force with the central responsibility for your future or have you cast yourself as a victim of your circumstances? The answer to this question opens the door to sustained career satisfaction.

Taking an accountable perspective requires fortitude. The bad things that can happen in the course of your career can be devastating. But, again, you victimize yourself over and over again by holding on to the disappointments. Be a leader in your own life and take your power back. When you do, you will quickly notice a resurgence of creativity and resourcefulness.

Step Five: Use Your Courage

A great career is built on bravery. Perhaps you don’t go after what you really want because you don’t want to fail or you lack self-confidence. This begs the question; how do you find the grit to persist towards a career that utilizes your full potential?

The answer goes back to step number four, accountability. When you take full responsibility for your career successes or failures, you get stronger. Little by little you heal the trauma that holds you back. You start focusing on what is possible. In essence, you build up your courage.

There is no limit to the amount of courage your can contain. You just need to start today. Set aside some time for self-reflection. The struggle that comes with being in a career crossroad can be tough. So, be gentle and patient with yourself as you elevate your career.

How to Boost Your Career While Working at Home

Sat, 08 Aug 2020 12:55:41 GMT

How to Boost Your Career While Working at Home

Are you one of the millions of people working in a home office, kitchen, or basement? According to an April 2020 Forbes article, “an MIT survey of 25,000 American workers found that 34% of those who’d been employed four weeks earlier said they’re currently working from home. Combined with the roughly 15% who said they’d been working from home pre-COVID-19, that means nearly half the U.S. workforce might now be remote workers.”

Much has been written about variable productivity, pros and cons regarding life-balance and the delicate juggling act for parents with children at home. A less discussed matter are the career-boosting opportunities this work-from-home revolution offers. Let’s consider a few here:

Step-Up Your Professionalism: Have you ditched your professional clothing? Are you displayed in your Zoom box looking like you just got out of bed? This could be forgiven in March when everything was wonky. But, as we enter August, employers are becoming less lenient. They are noticing who shows up with their A-game and who does not.

As the CEO of your career, it makes sense to audit both your appearance and your productivity. You can put yourself on a path to future success by showing self-discipline and dedication in a time with others might slack off.

Leverage Activity Goals: Many employers have established “if you have some extra time” lists. Especially if you are in a consulting or counseling role, you might finish with a session with fifteen minutes to spare. You can set yourself apart by getting extra calls done, using every minute efficiently. If your name keeps showing up as the one who gets more accomplished you are opening doors for advancement.

Be a Leader : No matter what your job title is, you can choose to be a leader in your role. Help your employer establish a new work culture in a stay-at-home reality. Don’t sit back and expect top management to come up with all the good ideas. Suggest the creation of a healthy work-culture committee. Generate ideas to increase morale, enhance team-work and innovation.

Update Your LinkedIn Profile : In the past, much networking happened over a cup of coffee or lunch. That’s gone and does not appear to be coming back any time soon. Your LinkedIn Profile is going to represent you more often than ever before. Upgrade your banner, strengthen your achievement statements, get a better profile picture, solicit some current references and make sure you are telling a cohesive story.

Consider Making a Career Change: Has this pandemic, and related economic upheaval, caused you to re-evaluate your career? You are not alone. There is a tsunami of career changes brewing. Many found that the security they counted on in their industry or field was flimsy. The future looks uncertain so why not do something new? Pivot into something you’ve dreamed of doing. Or take this time to design a new future, one that you can be truly proud of .

In the midst of chaos, there are always opportunities. This list above is only the beginning. This is an amazing time for growth and innovation, but only if you strategically take advantage of it.

How to Secure My Future If I’m Going to College?

Fri, 10 Jul 2020 01:27:38 GMT

How to Secure My Future If I’m Going to College?

Entering college in 2020 is guaranteed to be an adventure. Don’t allow overwhelm or excitement to side-track you. Take full advantage of all the services on campus and set yourself apart. You can create a secure future.

By the way, if you are not going to college, will you share this with someone who is? Thank you!

Here are the steps:

Before School Starts

Familiarize yourself with the services on campus. Find out about health services, career planning assistance, student government and advising services. If you have a particular challenge, like a learning disability or fear of tests, look for supportive resources. The little bit of time you spend researching will pay off big time.

Don’t Let Remote Learning Limit You

Going to school during a pandemic is historical. You need to blaze a trail. If you are an on-campus student make sure you are healthy and safe. If you are a remote learner or a hybrid, don’t miss out on anything! Ask for appointments online and get engaged.

Make an Appointment with an Advisor

Don’t try to figure everything out by yourself. Work with an academic advisor to determine what courses to take, how to deal with impacted classes and how to remove barriers to your goals. Guaranteed you will learn something valuable if you ask good questions and follow the advice of a great advisor.

BTW, quick note. If the advisor is not helpful, do not give up. Ask for an appointment with someone else. You can’t let creepy people dictate your future success.

Fully Utilize the Career Center:

If you are like 92% of incoming Freshman, you plan to get a job after college. This does not occur magically. You have to develop a plan and prepare yourself. Here are some items to put on your checklist:

Find the Career Center (or whatever they call it) and learn about the services offered. Meet with a career counselor in your first semester and build a relationship.
Plan to visit your career counselor yearly. Grow with support.
It does not matter if you have a solid direction or if you are still searching. Either way, the Career Center will help you.
Take every workshop they offer. Learn how to interview, write a resume and network effectively.

Embrace First Year Programs and College Success Coaching

You will learn how to manage your time, deal with social distractions and achieve your goals. These are skills that will pay off for the rest of your life.

Understand Your Talent Package

The number one way to excel in your career is to know yourself extremely well. The easiest way to do this is to read Elevate Your Career: Live a Life You’re Truly Proud Of . Time and again people tell me they wish they had read it when they were getting started, so grab a copy and learn success strategies that will elevate your future.

Take the Elevations for Students Assessment

When you buy Elevate Your Career: Live a Life You’re Truly Proud Of , you get a coupon for a free career assessment. Elevations for Students (accessible by phone or tablet) helps you prioritize your values, identify the skills you enjoy using, profiles your temperament and offers current and emerging career options that match your interests. You will receive also self-confidence boosting report that describes your innate talents and capabilities.

Do An Internship

The benefits of working and exploring your options while in school are substantial. You will:

Learn about your strengths and weaknesses
Get feedback from professionals
Mature both personally and professionally
Build your resume to compete more effectively when you graduate
Polish your interpersonal skills
Build your confidence
Refine your goals based on real-life experience
Establish a network of peers and mentors

If you want to graduate with an array of juicy job offers, take action on the items above. Grow, have fun, learn and secure your future.

How to Conduct a Cold-Call Marketing Pitch

Thu, 02 Jul 2020 00:59:42 GMT

How to Conduct a Cold-Call Marketing Pitch

Recently two strangers who reached out to me via LinkedIn to have a networking call. I accepted their invitations because I find value in these types of meetings. If they saw something in my LinkedIn Profile , we might do business or provide mutual support. Here are some tips based on these calls:

Use an Online Scheduling Too l

Both made it easy for me to calendar the call by providing a scheduling tool. One used Calendly . The other used AcuityScheduling . Both were great. Quickly I had the meetings booked and received reminders in advance.

Initiate the Call Yourself

One had me call them, the other called me. I prefer receiving the phone call. It’s your party, be the host. Don’t run up my long-distance bill when you are trying to pitch me.

Do Your Homework

Neither one of the callers took the time to learn about me in advance. They were both inquisitive, but their questions were broad and uninformed. I would have been much more impressed if they absorbed the information available on my websites and social accounts before our call.

Listen

This was the key difference between the two calls. One was busy sizing me up while I was answering her questions. I knew this because she asked me the same question several times. She quickly got to speaking about her expertise and failed to draw out my story. I checked out mentally.

Find a Way to Be Mutually Supportive

Both networkers did this well. One offered to support my social media posts and she has delivered on this offer. The other introduced me to a service website that might become a part of my strategy going forward. In return, I made sure I gave them resources suitable to their business endeavors.

In the past I might not have taken the time to meet with these folks. The shut-down has opened my schedule and I’m taking full advantage of this opportunity to connect with others. I’ll end with my own offer. If you want to tell me about your product or service, set up the call. There are no mistakes. If we connect, there will be value in it, especially if you follow the tips I just offered.

#phone #businessideas #businessconsulting #efficiency #businessrelationships #smartmove #marketing #creativemarketing #businessstrategy #salesfunnel #marketingstrategist #pitch #communicator #knowyourworth #social #network #connect #opportunities #helenhoryza

Levels of Career Emergence: How to Strategically Re-Enter the Labor Market After the Shut-Down

Wed, 17 Jun 2020 17:33:45 GMT

Levels of Career Emergence: How to Strategically Re-Enter the Labor Market After the Shut-Down

Careers are often boiled down to overly simplistic perspectives. Either you have a job, or you don’t. As you are reading this, your situation is probably more complicated.

Maybe you:

Have a job, but you are working from home, changing the fabric of your career and your home life.
Have lost some or all of your work but are confident you will be able to return as the economy re-opens.
Are completely out of a job with no prospects of returning to what you used to do.
Are working harder than you’ve worked in your life because you are an essential worker.
Are working in an area that grew because of the pandemic (flour producers, delivery services, and puzzle makers to name a few). You are prosperous and struggling to keep up with demand.
Are a small business owner, gig worker or consultant managing limited cash reserves, trying to gage how long it will take for your line of work to safely recover.
Are enjoying a much-needed vacation and are using this time to reinvent yourself.

The list goes on.

How do you develop a strategic plan to put yourself in the best possible position? The first step is an understanding of the type of pivot you are making.

There are three levels of emergence :

The Total Pivot
The Creative Pivot
The Prosperous Pivot

The Total Pivot

You are starting a career in a completely new field. Some of your skills will transfer, but you will have new duties, new products or services and a new identity. You might invest in re-training. This could be a college degree or a certificate program. Either way, you open new doors and start your next chapter.

If you are seeking a traditional full-time job, a total pivot can require you to start at the entry-level. The silver lining here is the speed at which you can learn and advance, using your maturity and work ethic as a spring board. Sometimes a step aside or a step back is the smartest way for you to regain stability.

Another total pivot is self-employment. If you’ve longed to have the flexibility and autonomy that comes with business ownership, this might be perfect for you. Take a look at my blog article on hot stay-at-home jobs to get good ideas.

The Creative Pivot

This pivot is a re-invention. It requires a keen analysis of your current field, function and competition. Here you survey your options and see where the opportunities are. Use foresight to anticipate where future growth is likely to occur.

I can use myself as an example. Up until March 15th 2020 I made my living as an academically trained career development expert with a focus on organizational development. All of my work required face-to-face contact and it evaporated overnight.

It’s not the first time I’ve had to reinvent myself so I knew the steps to take (found in my book Elevate Your Career: Live a Life You’re Truly Proud Of). After much self-reflection, I was able to focus on the part of my career that I enjoyed the most, training other people how to be great career coaches. So, now I plan to open the Career Coach Entrepreneur Academy in Fall 2020. I’m incredibly excited and glad that the universe pulled me out of my groove and gave me a chance to make a change.

Prosperous Career Pivot

The last general category of career emergence requires keen business skills, competitive analysis and forecasting. It is called a Prosperous Pivot. In this circumstance you’ve hit the jackpot! You have a product or service in great demand because of the pandemic. The question facing you is this, how long with this last?

Your pivot is challenging because you are busy. It would be easy to think you don’t have time to worry about the future. Big mistake. Step back and consider your strategy. Determine when demand is likely to fall off and put a plan in place. Be ready. You might consider hiring the best executive coach money can buy. This way you leverage outside expertise when you need it the most.

My last word of advice is to keep a positive, accountable attitude. This will allow you to be resourceful and see the best path forward. You are not alone if anxiety is impacting your ability to think clearly. Ask for help, lean on the people you trust and take advantage of all the resources that can help you make a successful career pivot.

6 Steps to Communication Mastery

Tue, 09 Jun 2020 17:44:22 GMT

6 Steps to Communication Mastery

A recent survey of 400 companies with 100,000 employees cited an average loss per company of $62.4 million per year because of inadequate communication to and between employees. Add our current pandemic work-from-home circumstances and that number is likely rising. If you aspire to success in your business or as a leader in an organization, communication mastery is essential.

Excellent communication is an art, not a science. One strategy may work beautifully with one person and bomb with another. Having said that, there are some practices that will consistently improve your communication prowess.

Step One: Communicate to the Needs of Others

It is well documented we operate from automatic and unconscious preferences in our communication. If you are a logical person, you tackle tough subjects with ease. If you appreciate order in your life, you respond well to structured communication that does not waste your time. The list of preferences goes on and on. If you do not know what your natural born preference are, you will impose your needs on others. The price you pay is disconnects, disputes and lost productivity.

The fastest and most powerful way to uncover your own preferences and learn to communicate to the needs of others is to become a student of temperament. My recently published book Elevate Your Career: Live a Life You’re Truly Proud Of offers detailed temperament descriptions, case studies and a temperament reference appendix.

Step Two: Listen Knowing You Will Learn Something

Listening is an act of generosity. It helps you gain credibility, loyalty and trust. No doubt, the payoff is immense. Never the less, poor listening is rampant. People interrupt, minds wander and assumptions block new information. Building listening skills requires constant effort. It’s much like going to the gym. It is a muscle you must work on constantly.

Sadly, you may not have an accurate view of your listening abilities, especially if you have power over the people you communicate with. Take time to ask the people you work with a couple of simple questions:

How would you describe my listening skills?
What could I do to improve?
How would better listening on my part improve your career/productivity?

This will take a bit of courage on your part. The payoff will be significant.

Step Three: Pay Attention to Your Tone

“It’s not what you said, it’s how you said it!” When emotions run high, your tone changes, usually to convey impatience or anger. This become magnified if you are delivering a suggestion or criticism. In communication lingo, we call this paralanguage. It is your tone, volume and pacing (how quickly or slowly you deliver your message). Somewhat like listening, self-awareness and practice are the keys to improving your paralanguage. Start by noticing people’s facial expression when you are communicating. Do they look sad, angry or disconnected? Chances are, your tone could be improved.

Step Four: Manage Your Body Language

In face-to-face communication, body language is the dominant force. A whooping 55% of your impact in communication has nothing to do with your words or your paralanguage. Its your stance, eye contact, smile and gestures. You are a walking message board, sharing information without saying a word.

Improving your body language is fairly easy. Learn how to make comfortable eye contact, smile frequently and stand with confidence. Remove physical barriers to communication, like a big desk between you and your guests.

Even on a Zoom call, your body language is broadcasting. Monitor your facial expressions, stop looking down at your phone and position your monitor so your audience is not looking up your nose (you know what I mean!).

Step Five: Work to Keep the Listener’s Attention

There is a huge gap between the speed of your speech and the brain processing speed of your listener. The average person speaks 115-120 words per minute. The average brain processes 600 to 800 words per minute. Every trick or tool you can find to keep the attention of the people you speak to is precious.

Here are a few of my favorite attention grabbers:

Do your homework. Know what is important to your audience.
Build bridges. Find common ground.
Use visual aids and ask for feedback.
Provide advance information and follow-up with valuable resources.
Speak with confidence and energy.
Trash the PowerPoint slides, except for great visuals that tell your story.
Start on time and end on time.

You keep the attention of your audience by demonstrating respect. They will pay attention if you are delivering substantial value.

Step Six: Remember People’s Names

Ugg, I can hear you groaning now. You are terrible at remembering people’s names. Guess what, we all are. It’s not a natural talent, it’s a chosen skill. About 5 years ago I attended a presentation by Michael Allosso, professional actor, speaker and communication expert. He convinced me to become adept at remembering people’s names.

My husband and I took on the challenge and here’s what happened:

Waiters at restaurants (remember doing that?) have given us unparalleled service.
We have been upgraded at hotels.
We have relationships with the staff at Home Depot and our grocery store.

The list goes on.

The best advice I can give you to remember names is to make an association. The receptionist at my hair dresser is Lana (I associate her with the patch of lawn outside the front door). You have to pause and think about the association. If you have time, jot down some notes about the person. Over time, you’ll get better and better, never perfect, and that’s OK.

Communication mastery will enhance every aspect of your life. Pick one of the above steps and get started. Even a small improvement in your communication methods will offer compounded benefits in both your personal and professional life.

The Ending is the Beginning

Thu, 04 Jun 2020 20:10:16 GMT

The Ending is the Beginning

You are not alone if you have lost something significant in the last ten weeks. Many excellent articles have been written about the grief, widely felt at this time. Today I’d like to elaborate on this topic and focus specifically on your career.

I am going to share the introductory paragraphs from Chapter Five of my book Elevate Your Career: Live a Life You’re Truly Proud Of . In this section I talk about loss, but I also describe the excitement that comes with a new beginning. I hope this passage will offer context and clarity for you in this time of change.

Here is the Elevate Career Cycle referenced several times in the excerpt:

“Making a decision to start or change a career is like embarking upon a solo voyage no one else can take for you. You are in between who you are and who you will become. During this transitional time, your sense of self can slip and slide as you explore your new future and say goodbye to the past. Career changes are often disruptive and can affect your life balance. You might feel moody or impatient. The refrigerator may beckon you at 3 a.m. as you worry about what’s next. It’s not uncommon for people entering the Journey stage to experience sleep disturbances, health challenges, and strained relationships because they are uncomfortable with their unknown future.

You many also experience some mixture of grief and elation. Your journey is marked by an ending—the end of your comfortable job, the end of stable income or maybe the end of your education. You often know the change is coming but sometimes your security blanket is ripped away from you unexpectedly. It can be a shock requiring you to draw on your inner resilience. Like everything in life, you have some degree of choice. Perhaps you could have prolonged or avoided the change, but if you have made it to the Journey stage of the Cycle, you are ready to move forward.

When you enter the Journey phase, you straddle the past and the future. Imagine you have one foot on a dock which represents your past career state. Your other foot is stepping onto a boat, representing your unfolding career (future). The boat is rocking and you struggle to keep your balance as you board the vessel. You are not longer standing firmly on the dock and you have not completely boarded the boat. You are somewhere in the middle, risking a clumsy gymnastic split or a chilly dip in the water.

If you keep your balance and thrust your mind, body, and spirit onto the boat, you are fully boarded and embarking on your career journey. Your first moments on the boat can be unwieldy. You may find yourself looking back at the dock, longing for the comfort of your familiar past. You might have an impulse to tell the captain to turn the boat around so you can get back to the dock. Uncertainty or even regret is a time of transition is to be expected. Give yourself some time to reflect on what was good or painful about your past. Honor your losses. Take active steps to celebrate both the positive and negative aspects of the situation you are leaving.

Ironically, as you grow more comfortable with your forward motion, you may want the vessel to hurry up and get to the destination—you want clarity and a definable goal. It is natural to want to end this in-between time. Be forewarned, your impulse to rush through the process and “foreclose” just to avoid your discomfort can result in a half-baked career decision. Hang in there. We will take this step by step together.”

There is a path for you to follow if your career has been disrupted or eliminated. Here are some quick tips to help you at this juncture:

Use all the career change resources (books, videos, advisors, etc.) at your disposal.
Do not jump at the first opportunity that comes along.
Mobilize your courage, be brave and make great choices.

3 Job Search Mind Shifts

Mon, 01 Jun 2020 22:57:11 GMT

3 Job Search Mind Shifts

If you are on unemployment and/or worried your career will not survive in a post-pandemic labor market, you are likely embarking on a job hunt. You might not be feeling great about this turn of events, resenting the loss of income and stability. So how do you take control over your life and your livelihood?

The following mind shifts will empower you and accelerate your job search success.

Mind Shift Number 1: Resentful vs Committed

The natural human response to hardship and loss is resentment. Sadly, bitterness and negativity will kill your motivation. Your efforts to become employed will be stalled.

I am compelled to offer an alternative mind set. I’d like you to become committed. This mind set is gritty, determined and competitive. You do not allow the event that took your job away dictate your perspective. You can be resourceful, finding options for your future.

Mind Shift Number 2: Fear of Rejection vs Generating Opportunities

“I hate job search.” I’ve heard this time and again. It’s not surprising because job hunting invites rejection. No one like being turned down. You don’t want to experience failure so you give up.

Well, I can’t stand by and let that happen so let’s consider another option. Imagine you and I go to a casino (one that is magically safe to enter). We approach a slot machine and I promise to give you unlimited coins. You are pretty happy, right? You figure you will win eventually, so you start pulling the lever enthusiastically. You don’t resent the number of times you need to try, because you are focused on the eventual win.

I’d like you to approach your job search with the same rationale. Job rejections are your badges of honor. The more you generate, the most likely you are getting close to securing rewarding employment.

Mind Shift Number 3: Numbers Game vs Strategy

If you have replaced resentment with commitment and are (mostly) immune to rejection, you are a foe to be reckoned with in the job market. You have eliminated much of your competition. Nice work, now let’s go one step further.

The last mind-shift is moves you from applying for as many jobs as possible to applying for jobs that you have researched as a great fit for you. Spraying the Internet with generic resumes will produce little or no results. So, it’s time for you to establish a strategy. To help you do that, grab a copy of my free e-book: The 10 Biggest Mistakes Job Seekers Make.

With the right mind set and great resources, you can take control of your career transition. Knowing the traps that accompany job search and shifting your perspective will give you the positive attitude you need and deserve.

How to Find a Job You Will Love?

Mon, 18 May 2020 19:37:41 GMT

How to Find a Job You Will Love?

How do you find a job that makes your toes tingle? Surly I’m going to tell you about the best online job sites or hidden recruiter resources. Nope. The answer has nothing to do with job search. The key is you. Your values, enjoyable skills, career-related interests, and natural born temperament constitute your talent package. They are your life-long compass, guiding you to a career you love.

Knowing your talent package is essential. As important is being able to describe your capacities to people who can open doors for you. When asked to “tell me a little bit about yourself” do you struggle? This common question is simply a request for you to introduce your prospective employer, investor or business partner to your talent package. You need to be able to describe your interior talent capacity with ease.

How do you get to that point? Here are three steps to embracing your talent package so you can find a job you love:

Step One: Bolster your self-confidence .

If you have a hard time giving yourself credit for the things you do well, your vision for yourself is diminished. Your reluctance to shine is the first obstacle you must overcome. The root of this problem is a lack of self-confidence.

Tackle it head on. Join an empowering free program like Toastmasters. Or, if you can afford it, attend a personal growth workshop or hire a career coach. When you walk tall and proudly champion your talents, you will be on the road to an amazing career.

Step Two: Take a career self-assessment .

A high-quality career self-assessment will include and describe all four components of your talent package (values, skills, interests and temperament). In the early stages of my career I hunted for a career assessment that included all four of these elements and was unable to find it. Therefore, I created it myself and it is called Elevations.

These benefits of completing your career self-assessment are substantial:

It’s a self-esteem booster (getting back to step one).
You will gain self-knowledge.
You will have an accurate description of your talent package.
You will be prepared to write your resume, network, and conduct job interviews.

Step Three: Determine What Jobs or Entrepreneurial Opportunities Align with Your Talent Package.

Armed with both self-confidence and the knowledge your gain from your self-assessment, your eyes will be open to great opportunities.

Here are some action steps to take:

Learn how to describe the key components of your talent package. Be ready to share your unique capabilities with influential people.
Identify key words that that describe you best. Enter those words into a Google search and on job sites.
Get creative and combine all of your interests. Design the perfect-fit career that is unique to you.
Think about careers that have appealed to you in the past and notice if your talent package lines up with previous, perhaps long-forgotten, dreams.

Finding a job you love is possible. But, as you can see, the three steps I have outlined are substantial. You won’t slay this one overnight. If you want some inspiration, check out the video on my YouTube Channel called Embrace Your Passion for Sports. I interview a college student who reveals how he plans to employ his multiple passions. Watch the entire video, he is impressive!

Fully embrace your talent package and find the job that never feels like a job; a job you love.

Six Steps to Achieve a CREATIVE Career Pivot

Tue, 12 May 2020 14:06:04 GMT

Six Steps to Achieve a CREATIVE Career Pivot

Are you seeing this historic COVID-19 “career quake” as an opportunity to make a creative career pivot? If yes, you are wisely capitalizing on an unprecedented post-pandemic labor market. Here are six steps that build on each other, increasing your efficiency and ultimate success.

Step One: Look Ahead

Trust your understanding of your industry, function and field. Take inventory of the likely evolution of your career (and your competition) in the near term and down the road. While you don’t have a crystal ball, you do have knowledge and experience. Use your imagination and observations to predict both the opportunities and possible pitfalls in your occupational future.

Identify trends lines.
Notice what is expanding and contracting.
Evaluate the emotional state of your colleagues and competition.
Search for role models who are making great decisions.

Step Two: Position

Decide where you need to strategically position yourself for optimum growth and satisfaction. Focus on your strengths, both from a competitive and a talent perspective. Identify prospects others may have missed or are ignoring. Remember, every crisis holds opportunities, but only for those who actively are looking for them.

Step Three: Learn

No one can stop you from learning what you choose to learn. This fact holds great power. You can separate yourself, either as an employee or as business owner, from the pack by choosing to be a thirsty learner.

Over the past few months, I have been taking my own advice. I’m learning as much as I can about Instagram, YouTube and all the other social media channels. I’m making lots of mistakes and hitting roadblocks along the way. It’s not always fun, but it is prudent. I’m choosing a unique path that is not crowded by others in my field. This is a strong position fueled by learning.

Step Four: Connect

Notice I have asked you to do a great deal of homework before I encourage you to interact with other people. People are being bombarded by advertising, e-mail and Zoom calls so be superbly prepared.

Prepare a clear, compelling pitch focused on your ideal target market.
Give, give and give more value.
Develop content or products you can offer when you are networking.

Note my focus is not on outlining what you do or the services you offer. That will become evident soon enough. Hone in on the needs and concerns of the people you are connecting with. This will make you memorable and trustworthy.

Step Five: Test and Adjust

In each of the steps I have mentioned, you will be gaining knowledge and running into some dead ends. I know you’d like to skip the dead ends part but, if you do, you will limit your creativity and your growth potential. A creative career pivot is, by definition, messy.

Make the necessary adjustments along the way. Limit the cost of your exploration. If it’s clear that your positioning or your connecting is not working, adjust.

Step Six: Use Your Courage

Creative career pivots have always been available but they have never been so scary. The levels of unknowns in a post-pandemic labor market are staggering. For most folks, the unpredictable future is putting them is a “wait and see” mode. I don’t advocate for that approach. Even small strategic steps can make a big difference.

Who Are Your Champions?

Mon, 20 Apr 2020 19:56:50 GMT

Who Are Your Champions

If you are in the process of changing careers or researching new opportunities, you are being brave. If you have lost your job or your business, you are finding out who you can truly count on. In order to have maximum strength and resilience, you will stand on the shoulders of people who support you. I like to call them your champions.

These people that have more faith in you than you have in yourself. They are essential to your success in your career and life in general. Think for a moment about your circle of personal and professional connections. Who consistently offers genuine, meaningful encouragement? Who sees your talents clearly? Who do you trust when you are feeling weak?

I hope a few names and faces are coming to mind. Sometimes your champions are your family and friends. Other times it’s people you see infrequently. It might also be a role model, historical figures or characters in a novel. Inspiration is available if you notice when it shows up.

Look for ways to thank and acknowledge your champions. Craft a message that mentions the specific ways they have helped you. Consider the best vehicle for your appreciation. Perhaps a greeting card, a gift or a phone call. As is so often said, it’s the thought that matters. Make your message of granitite special.

One of the best ways to make sure you have champions is your life is to be one yourself. Practice giving positive feedback to people who genuinely impress you. Don’t be stingy. You might feel a little shy if this is new to you. In fact, giving meaningful support to other people is an act of intimacy and empathy. It will help you grow as a person and will enhance every aspect of your life.

Do Your Research if You Are Considering a CAREER CHANGE

Mon, 13 Apr 2020 20:32:03 GMT

Do Your Research if You Are Considering a CAREER CHANGE

For most people, including me, career-related research is tedious. You want to dive into action and get going. This is a good trait if you are trying to stick to an exercise program. But, if you are considering a career change, impulsivity can tank your future.

Let me explain why:

Anxiety spikes when you are considering a career change. It sucks and it’s a normal. One of the most common ways to escape your fears is to jump at the first available solution. Bad idea. Your livelihood is best served by a thoughtful, strategic analysis. Move forward with confidence.

What you don’t know can bite you. There are always downsides to any career option. You want to be fully aware of them before you commit to a change. Much of the information you need can be quickly uncovered through online resources. Fill in your pro/con list and avoid a bad choice.

You don’t get a second chance to make a first impression. It’s tempting to grab your phone and call your most influential contacts. If you have not done your research, you will ask lame questions. Your questions reflect how serious you are. Inspire your network by showing up fully informed.

In career development, research is called the bridge. It’s the space between self-assessment and decision-making. It’s one of the riskiest spots in the career change process because you might want to skip it. If you are stuck at home right now (and you don’t have a screaming child in your ear), it’s a great time to research career options. Get super smart about any direction that appeals to you.

Additionally, research is the key to competitive advantage. While most people will fall off the research bridge, letting anxiety or impulsivity side-line their future, you can double-down on a thorough review of prospective options. Every aspect of your career change process will benefit. Your resume, interviews, and your follow-up will all be strengthened. You will be the winning candidate every time.

Why Career Tests Limit Options

Mon, 06 Apr 2020 19:57:22 GMT

Why Career Tests Limit Options

I thought I’d take a break from the stay-at-home drum beat and get on my soap box instead. For as long as I have been in the career development business, (over thirty years now) I have felt that the most common methods of career testing are flawed. I’ll outline a few reasons why:

Let’s start out with the concept of taking a test. Does that idea inspire you? Are you excited, creative and resourceful? Of course not. Tests are scary and threatening. Not a great platform to design the next chapter of your life.

Test are authoritative and serious. When you take a test, you trust the result as being the truth, the absolute answer. Thus, you relinquish your power to determine your own truth.

In order to be both reliable and valid, the test must be standardized and normed. This means your result has been accurate time after time. For example, when I take the Strong Interest Inventory, I consistently receive a high score in social worker. This means I share the likes and dislikes of a happy female social worker. That is awesome, except my values and temperament do not align with social work. Just my interests do.

The world of work is changing at a pace that is staggering. At this point, in the middle of a pandemic, we truly do not know what work will look like going forward. New careers will emerge and traditional jobs will morph to accommodate a new normal. Standardized tests will not be able to guide us forward.

I do advocate for self-report styled career assessments, especially if it offers a platform to prioritize your values, enjoyable skills, career-related interests and your temperament. You should be able to experience your career exploration without a professional interpretation. You are the author of your future. No one knows you better that you do.

For all the reasons listed above, I created the assessment I just described. If you are not where you want to be in your life and/or your career, take this time to learn more about yourself. If you know family member or friend who needs direction, share the Elevations career assessment with them. This unscheduled sabbatical could be the beginning of an amazing future.

Create a New Vision for Your Future

Wed, 01 Apr 2020 14:33:16 GMT

Create a New Vision for Your Future

In the process of reinventing yourself, your identity can catapult you forward or hold you back. Several weeks ago, my identity was a new author, an emerging motivational speaker, and a corporate trainer. Then the stay-at-home order was announced. My book signings were cancelled and training events evaporated. Over-night, like so many of you reading this article, my career and livelihood dramatically changed.

I was at a Cross Road. An external event changed the trajectory of my career. I could have spent a lot of times feeling bad about my losses. But I knew that would not get me where I needed to go. I consciously released my previous identity and asked, what do I want to become? The answer to that question allowed creative solutions to flow.

I acknowledge that letting go of the past can be incredibly difficult. One of my clients during the Great Recession was a mortgage broker. His career was decimated as the financial crisis unfolded. I offered him a number of suggestions regarding new career options, but he would not let go of his familiar past. Eventually he lost his home and his marriage. This sad outcome could have been different if he was willing to create a new vision in the midst of a crisis.

There are a number of ways you can create a new vision for your future:

Take a long walk and ask yourself what you want in your life. If you don’t have a specific career direction yet, focus on the overall quality of your life. Let your creative mind work.

Have a conversation with someone you trust. Start by discussing who you have been. What is your identity from the past? Then, shift to describing who you want to become. Co-creating your vision can be exciting!

Create a vision board. This is a great stay-at-home project. Get some poster board and magazines. Cut out pictures that reflect your vision for your future. Pay attention to the energy of the images, the colors and symbols. When you are done, hang your vision board in a location you see every day.

Identity development occurs throughout the course of your lifetime. Growing into the next version of yourself is often prompted by an external, unexpected event. If you accept the change and consciously create the “new you”, you are much less likely to stagnate or make bad decisions. You will emerge strong and aligned with your natural talents; exactly what you want and deserve.

Ten Hot Stay at Home Jobs

Tue, 24 Mar 2020 23:14:40 GMT

Ten Hot Stay at Home Jobs

Many of you have been asked to work at home or you’ve lost your job all together. How can you look at this situation as an opportunity? Traditional jobs do have their down-side:

They limit your independence.
A salary does not reward you when you go the extra mile.
You can’t slip in little errands or family requirements on the fly.
Your income can be taken away by your employer at any time.

Consider a virtual career building on skills you have or skills you are willing to acquire. I’m not suggesting you can do this overnight. But, maybe it’s time for you to take control of your life now, for good.

By the way, this article is going to spike your anxiety. I know this because I’m asking you to make a courageous change. My YouTube channel is loaded with motivational information about making a successful career change. Don’t let self-doubt creep into your heart and mind as you review this list.

Hot Job Number One: Virtual Assistant

Many any small business owners and entrepreneurs are looking for an organizational wizard to keep organize finances, manage the schedule and respond to customer needs. If these tasks are enjoyable and come naturally, this hot job might be your future.

Hot Job Number Two: Online Tutoring

Do you take your math, writing, computer programming or foreign language skills for granted? You can help others become academically adept in a subject that baffles them.

Hot Job Number Three: Social Media Manager

Are you a decent graphic designer, copywriter and time-manager? Use your genius skills to create both visibility and revenue for a business or service.

Hot Job Number Four: Paid Advertising Manager

Are willing to learn the ins and outs of google advertising or amazon advertising? You can take a percentage of the sales you generate.

Hot Job Number Five: On-Line Learning Workshop Creator

What do you know everything about? Perhaps it is dental hygiene, dog training or strength training. Whatever you are passionate about can be turned into a course that becomes an income generator.

Hot Job Number Six: Foreign Language Translator

This one is very hot. Do a quick Google search for “demand for foreign language translator”. If you already speak a second language, you have a golden opportunity.

Hot Job Number Seven: Coaching

We all need mentors and encouragement. You can become a life coach, career coach, health coach…whatever excites you the most. Start by helping people for free or very little money and grow your business over time.

Hot Job Number Eight: YouTube Creator

There is an abundance of excellent advice about starting your YouTube channel. Check out Paige Media, Sean Cannell, and Justin Brown. They helped me get started.

Hot Job Number Nine: Web Designer

This job combines a love for technology with an artistic flair. There are so many web design platforms you can choose to master.

Hot Job Number Ten: Video Editor

People who are pumping out video content may not have time or the desire to create a beautiful finished product. This is a fun niche that you can own.

Please let me know about other great virtual jobs. You can reach me at helen@helenhoryza.com . Before I let you go, here are web locations where virtual jobs are listed: Amazon.com in the “careers” section, craigslist.com, fiverr.com, glassdoor.com, upwork.com, indeed.com, hiremymom.com, freemama.com, heytutor.com, upwork.com, flexjobs.com, pangian.com, weworkremotely.com, skipthedrive.com are just a few of the many options.

Coronavirus Crossroad

Tue, 17 Mar 2020 15:54:49 GMT

Coronavirus Crossroad

The unfolding of the coronavirus crisis has been a nasty Crossroad. Early last week, I was launching my book and setting up book signings. I was excited. Then, rapidly my world got rocked. Face-to-face work assignments evaporated. Physical freedom to work and play retracted. The unknown has become my reality as I wondered how bad this will get and how long it would last. I know I’m not alone.

The Coronavirus Crossroad is intense. It threatens personal and professional stability. It’s easy to get caught up in blaming. Easy targets include our government, the healthcare system, and toilet paper hoarders. This victim perspective, stokes your anger and anxiety, limiting your creativity and problem-solving ability. That’s the last thing you need right now.

I’d like to invite you to take an accountable perspective. This means no excuses or blaming. Massive amounts of self-responsibility will allow you to move out of the Crossroad and into Introspection. Your anxiety will soften and you have an opportunity to learn and grow though this experience. Additionally, your brain will work and your compassion for others will guide your choices.

Yesterday afternoon I shopped for groceries and toiletries, putting our household in a position where we could be self-sufficient for a couple of weeks. It was a practical move, not panic. I moved through the produce isle, noticing an almost empty box of mushrooms. I loaded them into my plastic bag but stopped short of taking them all. I left some for someone else.

This may seem like an insignificant choice, but it had a big impact on me. I’ve never been through a crisis like this one. I want to be able to look back and know I did my best. Over the next couple of months, I am going to be adding to my YouTube channel and writing. I’d love to know what you are planning on doing. Write me at helen@helenhoryza.com Your input will allow me to keep providing uplifting, practical support during this unprecedented crisis.

How to Avoid Skill Burnout

Mon, 09 Mar 2020 21:18:18 GMT

How to Avoid Skill Burnout

When you are highly competent in a particular skill, you might expect you will also enjoy performing that skill. Ironically, this is not always true. Our level of skill enjoyment can burnout for a wide variety of reasons including repetition, overwhelm or stress. But, once labeled as the go-to person for that skill, you may find it difficult to escape the task.

Let me put this another way; have you gotten very good at duties that you do not enjoy? Of course you have, it’s the definition of diligence. You do what your job requires. It’s the stuff you set aside to do later. It’s the ugly stack that piles up. You force yourself to get it done and your energy is depleted.

For me, it’s all the detail work including contracts, invoices, meetings, schedules, bookkeeping, etc. This list makes me cringe. Having said all that, anyone who knows me will tell you I’m incredibly organized and capable of impeccable planning. Not because I love it, but because I have to. Knowing what energizes me and what burns me out keeps my work-life in balance.

Here is a short list of tips that will keep you energized and capable of the full range of skills your job requires:

• Do an honest self-assessment focusing on enjoyable skills. Define your natural born strengths.

• Pay attention to enjoyment rather than competence when evaluating your skill preferences.

• Notice when you are burning out a skill that you previously enjoyed. You may need to take a break for a while to get re-energized.

• Never assume you cannot learn a skill. You can be good at many things. Nothing stops you from broadening your scope of competence.

We live in a world where we need to be nimble. The best way to accomplish this is to keep learning new things and never be afraid of new skill-related challenges. I know, easy to say, hard to do!

Personal Values Fuel Your Courage

Tue, 03 Mar 2020 19:31:45 GMT

Personal Values Fuel Your Courage

My overall goal is to increase my awareness and experience of these three things in every part of my day. The impact has been substantial. Here is what I have learned:

I have to have my values posted so I see them periodically throughout the day. I have them listed as part of my e-mail signature line. This keeps them top of mind no matter what happens.
My personal values make the biggest impact when I am fearful, angry, or about to make impulsive decision. With my values in mind, my emotions are checked and I proceed with integrity and strength.
I make my best decisions when my actions and mind set are filtered through my personal core values.

What to Do if You Hate Your Job: Stop Being a Victim and Start Plotting

Sat, 22 Feb 2020 00:02:30 GMT

What to Do if You Hate Your Job: Stop Being a Victim and Start Plotting

The worst thing about being stuck in the wrong job is the erosion of your self-confidence. As you ride the good day, bad day roller coaster your moxie drains. It gets harder to drag yourself out of bed each morning and your brain is scrambled. So, what can you do?

Start with some self-reflection. Notice you are at a crossroad, classically characterized as a stuck place filled with anxiety and uncertainly. Acknowledge that these feelings are normal, given your circumstances. This point of internal refection can help calm you down so you can think straight.

Next, ask yourself if you have been taking an accountable perspective about your rotten job or if you are blaming others for your situation. If you are filled with resentment because of other people’s behavior or attitude, you are blocking your own progress. You need to embrace what I call radical accountability. This means you focus exclusively on things you can control.

If other people fail to follow-through, stereotype you unfairly, or even actively attack you, put that into the imaginary “stuff I cannot control” bucket. Place the bucket on a window sill or in a closet. Energy focused on being a victim will immobilize you and limit your creative problem solving.

Recently I met a thirty-year-old single mother who had just completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Business. Terri (not her real name) spent three years completing an online degree positioning herself for upward mobility. Terri is a Medical technician in the oncology unit of a stable, well respected healthcare system. She’s approaching ten years in a job that does not require a degree and pays poorly.

She is not being considered for promotions because the organization does not want to lose her in her current role. They are ignoring her potential. She feels dis-respected and invisible. When I explained the dynamics of the crossroad to Terri, she was amazed how well it described how she was feeling. It was a first step out of job hell and into strategy.

We talked about the parts of her situation that makes her feel like a victim and the areas where she is taking an accountable perspective. She was willing to ignore things out of her control and focus on what she could do. This broke open a flood of creative awareness about her potential and desires. After completing a self-assessment and a detailed action plan, she declared that she could not remember feeling so inspired and excited.

Granted, it might take Terri a while to get her well deserved promotion but now she is on her way. Her self-confidence is improved and she has the energy to explore her options.

Regaining your moxie and embracing radical accountability will liberate you from a job you hate.

Catalyze Your Courage

Sat, 14 Dec 2019 16:34:36 GMT

Four Ways to Catalyze Your Courage

Blog Article 5

Four Ways to Catalyze Your Courage

If you want to make a big change in your career or your life, it can be daunting. The obstacles you face are real. The consequences of failing or making a mistake keep you immobilized. This is a common, frustrating reality. Now I want to give you some insight on how to get the ball rolling in the right direction.

Step one: Decide you want to make a change.

Make a verbal pack with yourself and a few precious friends. Speak your desire out loud. Write down your goal and post it near your bed or computer. The statement of your desire is a powerful step towards the accomplishment of your goal.

Step two: Recognize that your fears are normal.

The gap between your current circumstances and your vision can be substantial. Faced with a changing, unknown future, anxiety bubbles up and threatens to de-rail your progress. When I was in my early twenties, I knew I wanted to become some sort of counselor but fear blocked me at every turn. I was afraid I could not pass the GRE (graduate record exam), I worried about my limited savings and paltry income. Stress made it difficult to sleep. I was tied up in knots.

Does any of this sound familiar? If you are in this state now or have been in the past, you know that fear is a powerful, and potentially destructive, force. Here’s the news flash: fear is a normal, predictable part of your life and career process. Once you realize that you are not failing or crazy, you can get back to the business of moving towards your desires.

Step three: Consider the possibility that things can get better.

When you are getting started with a life or career change, it’s common to be confronted with obstacles. You get depressed and discouraged. You see your low bank account, the pile of bills and all your obligations standing between you and your aspirations.

This is the time to pull your attention away from what is not working to what could change. Could your financial situation be improved? Well, yes it could. Imagine how your life could get easier, less cluttered and more efficient. Humm, this suggests that small steps and the right attitude can mobilize you to take wise action.

Step four: Stop blaming others and making excuses.

I’ve been sympathetic up to this point. Now I need to confront you just a little bit. Do you feel like life is giving you a raw deal? Do you think that a great career or a great life is simply what you deserve? If so, your feelings and thoughts are the main obstacle between you and a better existence. Take responsibility for your current situation. Put the focus on your assets, not your liabilities. Have faith in yourself. Be resourceful and accountable. With this perspective, you are well on your way to reaching your potential.

Feeling Behind

joe@elevationsonline.com (Joe Horyza) — Sun, 01 Dec 2019 23:56:24 GMT

Feeling Behind

Feeling Behind

Do you feel like it’s taking too long for you to:

• Find a career direction?

• Become financially stable?

• Get control of your time?

• Meet the right romantic partner?

• Reach your biggest goals?

I have to be honest. Over the course of my life, I often measured myself against other people. I watched friends get married in their twenties and start their family. Many of them had a clear career direction and stayed on that path. It seemed like they were living a normal life and I was behind. My career took a while to crystalize and I did not get married until later in life. I’m a chronic, frustrated late bloomer.

I suspect I’m not alone. Perhaps your impatient self-critic beats you up because you are not accomplishing things fast enough. This tendency becomes heightened when you leave school. No matter what level of education you accomplish, school gives you structure. You move through the grade levels and people move along with you.

Once you leave school, you face big challenges and decisions. You try to find a job; you determine where and how you will live and you run into obstacles. You can begin to feel like you are failing. You look around at your friends, former class maters or influencers on social media and you are a tortoise in a field of rabbits.

Consider the following strategies to overcome your exasperation:

• When you are thinking about your goals, use the word “want” instead of “should”. Stop poisoning yourself with guilt.

• Try to stop comparing yourself to others. I know, it’s nearly impossible but you never know what other people are dealing with. Shake hands with your own life and stay focused on you.

• Be your own champion, not your harshest critic.

• Stop blaming and making excuses. If you have had tough circumstances, it may be tempting to allow past disappointments to block your future. Take an accountable prepositive and take charge of your life.

The number one best way to stop feeling behind is to keep your focus on your own goals. If you want to hear more about this topic, check out my YouTube Channel and watch the Feeling Guilty About Not Knowing video.

The Elevate Career Cycle

joe@elevationsonline.com (Joe Horyza) — Mon, 18 Nov 2019 19:09:05 GMT

The Elevate Career Cycle

The foundation for all career choices or changes is the Elevate Career Cycle. This cycle has allowed me to take big risks and enjoy big rewards. Now I want to share it with you. In this post I provide an overview for all of you “big picture learners”. I will dive into each aspect of the cycle in detail in future posts

The cycle starts at the Crossroad. This can be a tough place to be. Often your needs are not being met, you feel stuck or you can’t figure out what’s next. You want things to be better but you face obstacles.

• You hate your boss but love your job.

• You are short on money, time or education.

• Your job is boring and below your ability.

• The list goes on….

The Crossroad can occur because of your personal, internal dissatisfaction or because of something external like a relocation or a bad personal relationship. It throws your life into a tail spin. Because of the uncertainty of your situation, your anxiety spikes. This is reflected by the Red Arrow that sits to the right of the Crossroad.

The best strategic step at this point is a period of Introspection. You realize you need to move forward and find a new identity, a new alignment with your capabilities, a new chapter in your life. You enter the Journey stage and your anxiety levels out a bit. It does not go away but it’s not running the show.

In the Journey stage you get curious. You expand your view of yourself. You might complete a self assessment and get very clear about your values, enjoyable skills, career interests and your temperament preferences. This exploration is validating. You begin to get a little excited and you move away from the struggle of the Crossroad. You are not stuck; now you are moving forward.

Then you Connect with the people who comfort and encourage you. You also seek out contrarians, people who hit you with tough questions. You gather information about your options. Basically, you are validating your gut instincts and reducing risk. Don’t be impulsive. Wait until you have all the facts to support an excellent career decision.

This is where you hit the Second Red Arrow on the cycle. You hunt around for guarantees that your career choice or change will be a success. Your anxiety tells you to hide under the covers in your bed. You don’t want to make a mistake! Never the less, you find your grit.

You reach the Contract stage, the moment of truth. You:

• Quit your job.

• Declare a major.

• Start your own business.

• Go back to school.

• Pursue a long-held dream.

Standing on the other side of Contract is the Emerge Strategic action. You feel a burst of self-esteem because you stepped up. You are liberated in your new situation. The sky is the limit. At the same time, lots of things feel unstable and unfamiliar. You have some settling in to do. Find your new favorite coffee shop, get to know your new co-workers or find your way around a new city.

A few days, weeks or months go by and you are at the Home Stage. Because you were both prudent and courageous, you have achieved the success and satisfaction you were seeking. You are aligned with your talents. Home can last for a long time if you have honored each step of the cycle and made an excellent transition.

The last part of the cycle is a Pink Arrow and the Evolve Stage. This is the great unknown of your future. The economy could tank, your industry or field could be disrupted by new technology or you just might get bored and need to enter the Crossroad again. You are like a plant; you might need some new soil down the road.

The title of this blog, “Struggling to Find Your Career is a Necessary, Healthy Pain in the Ass” is a comment on the real and challenging process of good career decision making. Now that you know about the cycle, you can stop feeling crazy and get on with your amazing life.

How Anxiety Can Keep You Stuck

joe@elevationsonline.com (Joe Horyza) — Mon, 18 Nov 2019 18:53:08 GMT

How Anxiety Can Keep You Stuck

Fear is helpful when you are cornered in the jungle, facing a saber tooth tiger. It pulls the blood out of your brain so you don’t overthink your situation. It floods your body with cortisol making you reactive and impulsive. But fear, or it’s best friend, anxiety, can become an obstacle if you let these feeling rule your life.

It’s natural for you to avoid things that make you anxious. This is adaptive and healthy if you are standing on the edge of a cliff but not helpful if it’s making it impossible for you to:

• Choose a college major

• Take a promotion

• Start your new business

• Ask for a raise

• Follow your true passion

What is the solution? I found the answer is a book title, “Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway.” This book by Susan Jeffers is probably awesome but, honestly, I bought it and never read it. The title was all I needed. It hit me like a ton on bricks when I was twenty-six years old and paralyzed with fear. I was waiting for the fear to go away. It was not going anywhere so I needed to get moving while massively uncomfortable. It worked, I got unstuck. I beat my fear back with constructive action towards my goal.

I recommend you shake hands with your anxiety. See it as a necessary and natural response to your brave ambition to live up to your potential. One more bit of good news. Every time you feel your fear and keep moving, you experience lower and lower levels of anxiety. Over time, situations that juiced your anxiety will not longer impact you. You will stand in your power, unafraid.

Shining Through Your Struggle: Crossroad

joe@elevationsonline.com (Joe Horyza) — Mon, 18 Nov 2019 18:53:07 GMT

Shining Through Your Struggle: Crossroad

Life’s beginnings start with the Crossroad. This is a time when you stand at a decision point. You are dissatisfied. It could be because of internal rumblings. You are bored, underperforming in your job or yearning to enter your dream field. Or, you could be at a Crossroad because of external circumstances. You don’t like the people you work with; your job has overtaken your life or you’ve just relocated and need to start all over again. And, it can be personal; a rotten relationship, an illness or family responsibilities.

Usually Crossroad are difficult. You feel lost, stuck, anxious or angry. If you are in a job you don’t like, you ride a roller coaster, accepting your fate one day and then fighting to leave the next. You feel behind in life, thinking most people have it together while you wonder what the hell you are supposed to be doing with your life. The unknowns swirl in your head, keeping you awake at night. You complain about your situation to anyone who will listen.

Guess what, you are normal. Yep, Crossroads happen. When you are in the middle of one, it’s common for you to feel like you are failing or crazy. You are not, you are hitting a brick wall designed to catalyze you to the next chapter in your life. The ups and downs of the Crossroad are polishing the gem that is you. The more you struggle, the more you grow.

As Dr. Michael Bernard Beckwith says, “the pain pushes you until the vision pulls you.” If you know you are in a Crossroad, you can move through it with some modicum of grace. Decide you are going to move forward, no knowing where or how. You choose to get unstuck. You face your fears and take control of your life. In this brave moment, your anxiety softens. You step into your power. The first red arrow on the Elevate Career Cycle is no longer ruling your life. You move into strategic action, Introspection.

Helen Horyza Career Advice

You Are Unique

You Are Unique

Targeted and Deliberate

Targeted and Deliberate

What's In It For You?

What's In It For You?

You Might Be Surprised

You Might Be Surprised

Improve the Outcome

Improve the Outcome

Manage Your Mind

Manage Your Mind

Start Seeing Options

Start Seeing Options

You Are Not Alone

You Are Not Alone

Make Up Your MInd

Make Up Your Mind

Open Up Dialogue

Open Up Dialogue

Design Your Future

Design Your Future

On the Eve of Christmas

On the Eve of Christmas

Beginnings Are Messy

Beginnings Are Messy

It Depends...

It Depends...

Do It Your Way

Do It Your Way

Don't Let it Stop You

Don't Let it Stop You

You Are Not Alone

You Are Not Alone

It's a Gift

It's a Gift

Get Angry

Get Angry

Invest in Networking

Invest in Networking

Are You Ready?

Are You Ready?

What's Your Preference?

What's Your Preference?

Courage is the Key

Courage is the Key

It’s Just Out of Sight

It's Just Out Of Sight ﻿

Hit the Reset Button

Hit the Reset Button

Set Yourself Apart

Set Yourself Apart

Blocking You

Blocking You

What's Your Motivation?

What's Your Motivation?

Does Not Mean You Should!

Does Not Mean You Should!

Be a Thought Partner

Be a Thought Partner

Make a Brilliant First Impression

Get Your Mojo Back

Get Your Mojo Back

Step Up, Get Hired

Step Up, Get Hired

Hear the Said and Unsaid

Hear the Said and Unsaid

Let Them Struggle

Let Them Struggle

Take Control of Your Future

Take Control of Your Future

Hobbled By Your Past

Hobbled By Your Past ﻿

Stop Beating Yourself Up

Stop Beating Yourself Up

Data Does Not Dream

Data Does Not Dream

Close the Deal

Close the Deal

It's Just Out Of Sight

Hobbled By Your Past