FEELING
STUCK? YOU CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.
By Terry Atkinson Career Coach
Is your current
job uncomfortable?
Are you feeling stuck and unsure of which way to turn? Are you
staying in your current situation because of the money and/or
security? Is your life in general just not quite right? Is your
health being compromised?
Maya Angelou
says, "I've learned that making a living is not the same
thing as making a life". Everyone was made/born with unique
strengths, "gifts" as it were, to be used in unique
ways to benefit the world. It is important that we define what
these are and discover what we are really passionate about. If
we are not happy where we are in our careers, vocations, or ministries,
then we need to figure out why. Are there certain aspects that
can be improved that will remedy the situation (e.g. letting a
difficult employee go, telecommuting to reduce time wasted stuck
in traffic)? Or is it just not the right fit?
For over 20
years, I continued in a career that I greatly disliked - mainly
because it required me to constantly work against my weaknesses
and natural bents. For example, I love working with people but
the job required lots of writing, studying and interpretation
of regulations, reviewing of engineering drawings, etc. - all
of which are "stay at your desk" kind of tasks. It was
a real struggle to do my work instead of visiting. Where most
employees hate meetings, I lived for them. Why? Because that's
where the people were! For years, I managed through sheer will-power
and a well-ingrained work ethic to do a good job, at least as
far as others could tell. Only I knew how much better I could
have been doing. Yet, it was draining to have to work so hard
fighting myself just to meet my job requirements. The struggle
affected nearly every other aspect of my life negatively, including
my health.
Why did I
stay? For the same reasons that most people stay stuck: 1) I didn't
know what else to do at that point, and 2) it provided a good
income, which was needed to pay the bills. I was obviously not
yet ready to commit to the task of finding my true calling, because
doing so can take a good deal of work and lead to some often scary
changes.
What finally
made me change? First, I could no longer muster up the energy
needed to keep up the charade I had been living. Second, I became
convinced of the value of the strengths and abilities with which
I had been blessed but was not using. And third, I suddenly realized
that I was taking up a slot that was designed for someone else
- someone who was meant to be doing what I was doing but couldn't
because I had the job. Whoa! Think on THAT concept for a while!
Many people
are at a crossroads now. Being "down-sized", hitting
retirement age before you're really ready to retire, returning
to the workforce after being a stay-at-home mom for many years,
or just being sick of where you're at (like I was) - all of these
are good reasons for starting over and finding a new path.
You don't
have to stay stuck.
It can be
scary but there are steps you can start taking right now that
will ease the transition to a better life. Try the following actions
to figure out/reach your dream:
- Visualize
your perfect job, day, life.
- Make a
list of your 20 strength/talents/unique abilities (yes, you
DO have that many!). Embrace these.
- List your
values - those things that are most important to you - e.g.
being available to your kids, honesty, integrity, flexible schedule,
minimum income level, etc.
- Look for
patterns and develop job/career possibilities based on your
list of strengths.
- Set goals.
Remember: "Goals are just dreams with deadlines."
Be sure to break your goals down into small, manageable steps
and don't forget to build in rewards along the way.
- Do one
step toward your goal(s) daily.
- Pray,
meditate or have quiet time every day to rest and rejuvenate
your soul and psyche.
- Stay positive:
Develop a "Gratitude List" each day, all those things
for which you are grateful. If you do this before you go to
sleep each night, you will find that you will sleep much better
and wake up in a better frame of mind.
- Exercise
your body. Come on - we all know all the reasons for this one!
- Exercise
your mind - Learn something new, take a class, read books, study
on the Internet.
- Find support
- Close family member or friend, career coach, etc. Beware however,
some of those closest to you may discourage instead of encouraging
you. When this happens, it does not necessarily mean that you
are on the wrong path. They may simply be acting out of their
own fears or preconceived ideas.
- While
doing the above, regularly schedule some fun activities and
rest periods. Enjoy the journey as you work toward your new
life.
In summary,
we are all blessed with unique talents and perspectives. We will
be happiest and accomplish the most in our chosen professions
or ministries if we make sure that there is a correct fit. And
there is nothing wrong with being unhappy - it just means we have
some work to do! So get out there, figure out where you should
be and then go after it. We'll ALL benefit.
Terry Atkinson
Life/Career Coach
If you know
what your dream is, a career coach can help you realize it. If
you don't know what that dream is, a coach can help you figure
it out. Terry is married and the mom of four wonderful kids. She
also holds a license as a professional engineer in Texas. Having
spent many years as an environmental consultant, she now spends
her time helping others work past the roadblocks that keep them
from enjoying their work and living their lives to the fullest.
For more information or to schedule a complimentary coaching call,
please email Terry at terryatk@yahoo.com
