Recently I did a consult with a man I will call Joe. He has been mildly interested in coaching in the past due to feeling somewhat dissatisfied in his career and the general direction of his life. He contacted me with renewed interest after losing his job. This time of difficulty and transition has provided motivation to reevaluate and seize the opportunity to make some changes. Times like these tend to make us take a step back and look at where we are and where we want to be, ideal times for coaching by he way. During the consult it became apparent that like many of us he is unsure what he would really like to do. At this mid point in his life he is wondering what his calling and purpose is, what will provide meaning and fulfillment in addition to success. Joe thought he was on a path to stability but in retrospect knows it was a path he chose because he "should" because of family influence and expectations and although he was committed, he struggled in the career to find success or fulfilment.As we get started I have asked him to explore and prioritize his values and to assess his strengths and passions, these are things he has to put some thought into, he had no ready answers. Yet these are the basis of finding what he most wants.
So, Joe has homework this week. This is a process, a journey that we have begun. I sense some reluctance to really dig in and I wonder if he will do it. We all have times like these; we ask ourselves how did we get here? What is it all about? What do we really want or is this all there is? We stumble upon opportunities to change course to one that suits us better and to follow our dreams. Not all of us take these opportunities, in fact too few do. Somehow it seems easier to go for the quick fix or to stay the familiar albeit unrewarding course. But is it easier? And why do we think it would be so hard to live life the way we really want to anyway. Does that even make sense?
Let's see what Joe decides to do.
Tell me...what would you do?
I think this is good advice for anyone! There is enormous benefit to reflecting on your life. To consider one's strength and passions, as well as the areas that bring you down is an excellent activity that you should do regularly.
ReplyDeleteSome people do it at New Years. Others while on vacation.
I was at a seminar recently where the speaker was talking about asking yourself if you have the customers you want and would there be a value to having half the customers, but ones who would pay (or afford) TWICE as much.
We have the strengths to do bigger projects and I like the challenges, so we will work more to achieve our goals.
It's easy to "keep on keeping on" but I think your advice to stop and re-assess from time-to-time is spot on.