Many people have trouble finding their dream job for various reasons. They’re confused with so many career ideas in their head. They have too many people giving them advice, and it’s steered them off track. Maybe they don’t know themselves well (that was me!) or maybe they’re simply too busy to really take the time to figure it out in the right way. Whatever the reason is, I tell my career coaching clients, “Yes you may be able to figure it out over time, and perhaps by a process of elimination. But eliminating ideas over time can take a while.”

When I was stuck I felt like it would take me 10 years to figure out my dream job through process of elimination – trying different jobs over time. I really didn’t want to wait that long though. It would’ve been too painful. If you’re having trouble with it, it’s more effective and efficient to get right to the heart of it, and figure it out as quickly as you can. Life’s too short. If you can figure it out on your own, that’s great! But don’t settle or waste time in a job you don’t enjoy.

If you are interested in learning more about our services and how a career coach can help you, please contact us today for a complimentary consultation.

Hallie Crawford
Ideal Career Coach

P.S.

http://www.ted.com/talks/sheryl_sandberg_why_we_have_too_few_women_leaders.html

Please share your input with us in the comment box below.

Hallie Crawford
Atlanta Career Coach

P.S. Be sure to check out our Free Report: 4 Keys to Career Fulfillment and Effectiveness to learn the 4 critical keys to career fulfillment and effective work performance.

Read the article here: http://www.forbes.com/sites/forbeswomanfiles/2012/01/03/finding-your-dream-job-from-the-bathroom-floor/

Hallie Crawford
Certified Career Coach

In our career workbook we have several exercises to help you get to this, and it takes some time and thought for our clients to figure it out. One way you can get started on it however, is to ask yourself, “What you want your career to be about, long term?” At the end of your life what would you want to be able to say about your career? That you helped people in some way, had a certain impact on the economy, or maybe something else? Just imagine you’re writing your biography.

Looking back, what would be most meaningful to you? Just brainstorm, write down whatever comes to mind first, and see what pops up.

Hallie Crawford
Ideal Career Coach

Read the article from Forbes.com here: http://www.forbes.com/sites/forbeswomanfiles/2012/01/03/finding-your-dream-job-from-the-bathroom-floor/

Hallie Crawford
Career Coach

• Remember that there are some things we can learn and some things that we can’t. Some things are also a lot harder for us to learn than others. It’s the distinction between talents and skills. Talents are inherent while skills can be learned. When you are thinking, “I should be better at this,” are you considering something that you can actually learn and develop? Or is it a natural talent that just is not there.

• You need to understand the difference between something you can work on and improve versus something that is part of your personality type. Some thing’s you can’t necessarily change, and you wouldn’t necessarily want to. You are who you are. So in some cases we need to accept that, move on, and realize there’s a better job fit for us out there.

I hope this is helpful to you to get you started on thinking about talents versus skills and understanding and your personality type.

Hallie Crawford
Career Transition Coach

P.S. Find out if for sure if you’re in the right career with our free Ideal Career Quiz.

Seth is a high performing individual. He sets high goals for himself and is constantly thinking of new ideas for his work at a custom software outsourcing firm in North Carolina. He would blast into his office in the morning excited to go to work, and at the end of the day his desk would be cluttered. He didn’t get to those important, versus urgent, items that he wanted to during the course of the workday. He would forget about those big goals we had been working on through career coaching to help him work smarter, not harder.

One of the tools Seth is now using which had made a huge difference in his day is this white board in his office. Each day when he first arrives, his assignment is to sit and look at his white board for 5 minutes before he does anything else. This grounds him in what he needs to do for the day, and settles his mind so he’s able to better prioritize his tasks. Seth’s desk is now clear. His mind is clearer. He is more confident, and is achieving those important goals every day.

I can tell you he sounds different when he comes to our career coaching calls. Seth is less frantic, more focused, and calm. Nice work Seth!

Hallie Crawford
Career Coach

It was an exciting and well attended event. There was great interaction and participation. We discussed how to bring passion into both your personal life and your career. Thank you to all those who came out!

Inspiring example: A participant from last night, Michelle, said her dream job was to make chocolate. I talked to her more today, and I really believe she will make it happen. She is currently getting her MBA at GA Tech to learn how to run a business. She plans to open a retail or online store. She did an internship with a chocolate maker in Australia. I know she’ll make her dream a reality because she has a plan, has multiple options to make it happen in a practical way AND she has passion for it. This is something she really enjoys doing.

What’s your passion? How will you make it happen?

Hallie Crawford
Atlanta Career Coach 

Read this article here: Finding Your Dream Job from the Bathroom Floor

I remember crying in mom’s kitchen and actually the bathroom at work (several times). I felt I was part of the “lost generation” in my 20’s. I didn’t know what I wanted to do and where I should go. I didn’t realize the first step I had to take; just like the lady in this article.

I needed to figure out who I was and I what I wanted in the first place. After all my crying I gained some clarity in a workshop with a career coach, and I started getting back on track. But I had to go through that whole process to get where I am today. Many things have changed since then (i.e. technology, the economy slump.) One thing that doesn’t change is the fact that you need to know yourself and know what you want before you will get anywhere.

If you are ready to gain some clarity in your career direction, check out our 5 Keys to Finding Your Ideal Career E-book.

Hallie Crawford
Career Help Coach

For example, a current client of mine is suffering considerable stress from her job and wants to make healthy changes to reduce the effects of stress and negativity. At first she suggested doing yoga each morning, but after reframing the idea in terms of a small, manageable change, she determined her micro-change would be to play a motivating song in the morning as she readies for work and then to take one deep breath just before getting into her car.  While this may seem insignificant, it is an encouraging change that she can easily accomplish and see as progress.

Ultimately, these small behavioral changes help to reinforce the new positive thoughts and internal messages we are seeking to sustain so that we can break down barriers and pave the way toward career clarity.

Stacy Smyk-Santiago
Certified Career Coach