| I love talking with clients about having a career | | | | and longer-lasting. |
| doing something they love. They get excited, their | | | | You can be happier in your current job. Actually, I |
| energy goes up, they smile, and they feel good. | | | | strongly recommend that clients find peace in |
| They light up. | | | | their current job before moving somewhere new. |
| Then they say, "But I could never really do that." | | | | Until we find peace in the chaos, we're likely to |
| The energy and the excitement and the smile | | | | encounter the same problem in a future job. |
| quickly fade. They sound forlorn, depressed, and | | | | Once you've made peace with your current job, it |
| tired. | | | | may be time to start looking for what you really |
| We love to dream about the possibilities, and then | | | | want: a job that you love. |
| we scare ourselves off, fearful of life's | | | | |
| practicalities. | | | | Try these tactics to find a job you love. |
| There are lists of excuses people make about not | | | | 1. You have to figure it out. |
| being able to have a career they love. It could be | | | | There is no magic career fairy that will bless you |
| money, time, effort, health insurance, whatever. | | | | with a new career idea. I used to think that I |
| There's a lot of great excuses. I used them, too! | | | | would one day be struck with inspiration and |
| Excuses are the roadblocks we put up that allow | | | | know exactly what I needed to do to have a job |
| us to stay safe and avoid taking risks or making | | | | I loved. However, my current career only made |
| changes. If you want something badly enough, | | | | itself known to me after lots of hard work and |
| you can find a solution to all of the problems your | | | | introspection. |
| mind is creating. | | | | Research various options. Do an Internet search |
| If you are in a job you don't love, why are you | | | | on whatever thoughts come to mind when you |
| staying there? Why are you spending your time | | | | think about having a career you love. Interview |
| doing things that make you feel miserable? | | | | people who have interesting jobs. |
| Are you ready for a change? It is possible to | | | | Dream big. This isn't the time to limit yourself to |
| 1. learn to be happier in your current job, and | | | | practical solutions. Practicality possibly got you |
| 2. find a job that makes you happy. | | | | where you are now. Remember that dreaming |
| If you want to be happier in your current job, try | | | | doesn't mean you have to take action. Dreaming |
| these tips. | | | | is just imagining possibilities. Have fun with it. |
| 1. Change your mindset. | | | | Ask yourself: What did I want to be, before |
| What's bothering you about your current job? Do | | | | anyone told me what I should be when I grew |
| you have a bad boss? By allowing your boss to | | | | up? |
| make you miserable, you are giving your boss | | | | 2. Try out some new things in your spare time. |
| power over your happiness. Don't give away your | | | | One of the greatest ways to explore new career |
| right to happiness. | | | | ideas is to try them out. |
| Ask Why? First, given the example above, ask | | | | Volunteer. Do you like working with children? |
| yourself why your boss is making you unhappy. | | | | Volunteer at the library or at a school. Interested |
| Keep asking why until you get some really clear | | | | in going into medicine? Volunteer at the hospital or |
| answers. (Hint: It usually takes about five why's to | | | | with the elderly. Find something you enjoy doing |
| get to something juicy.) | | | | and contribute your time and services to a |
| Recognize your own reaction. Next, recognize that | | | | meaningful cause. |
| your unhappiness is caused by your reaction to | | | | Do more of what you enjoy. Do you like to hike |
| what your boss is doing, because you think that | | | | or paint or garden? Find other people who like to |
| your boss doing something wrong. You can't | | | | do those things, too. Engaging in activities you |
| change your boss. (I have tried!) | | | | enjoy will spark some inspiration and ideas for |
| Change your perspective. One way I have | | | | what direction to take your career. |
| changed my perspective on a difficult boss | | | | Enjoy yourself now. This is a minimum |
| situations was to think, "They don't know any | | | | requirement. The search for a new career should |
| better." And I leave it at that. Trying to change a | | | | be fun, and it's hard to find a career that makes |
| boss is nearly impossible. Changing your | | | | you happy if you aren't happy first. Be happy |
| perspective is quite possible. | | | | now. |
| 2. Add some fun into your day. | | | | 3. Get some help. |
| What can you do to make work a bit more | | | | Assistance from an outsider is a great way to |
| tolerable? | | | | expand your horizons when you're looking for a |
| I recently met a woman who told me that she | | | | new career. Find someone who has an attitude |
| got away with using hot pink pens for her work. | | | | that says "everything is possible." Friends or family |
| It was marginally acceptable at work, but she | | | | are not always the most helpful when you want |
| was able to do it and it made her happier. | | | | to make a major change. Find someone who is |
| In my previous job, I liked to go out for lunch or | | | | open minded, full of ideas, and playful. A coach is |
| coffee with friends or go for a walk in the middle | | | | a good resource if you don't know someone who |
| of the afternoon on a rough day. | | | | can offer the right perspective. I've helped clients |
| Spice it up. What's marginally acceptable (like hot | | | | find new career paths and discover their passions. |
| pink pens) that would be a fun way to make | | | | I had a coach help me along the way to my new |
| your work more interesting? | | | | career, too. |
| What little playful thing can you add into your day | | | | The right person can help you find your blind |
| to make it a bit more fun? | | | | spots and the places where you're limiting your |
| Take a break. Five minutes or 15 minutes or your | | | | possibilities. They can help you dream bigger and |
| entire lunch hour can be a great way to take a | | | | explore new ideas. When you have someone |
| break and have fun. Hang out with people you | | | | else's help, you are more likely to be more |
| enjoy--not your grouchy cube mate. Keep good | | | | confident in your decisions. |
| company, even if it's just you! | | | | You can love your job, either your current one or |
| 3. Get some help. | | | | a new one. |
| It is useful to have an outside perspective when | | | | Life is about being as happy as possible, so |
| you're seeking something new. An outsider can | | | | choose to spend your time in a way that fills you |
| help you dream of something bigger and better. | | | | with energy instead of drains energy from you. |
| Finding happiness today before creating a new life | | | | You may have to take a risk, but it will be worth |
| for tomorrow always makes transitions stronger | | | | it! |
