It Changed My Life!

No really, it did!  (QVC, I'm ready for my close-up!!!!!!)

By "it" I mean working with an amazing career coach several years ago.  With his expert help, I was able to unleash potential in me that I never knew existed.  What a relief I felt to discover all of these untapped abilities which had previously been masked as"something is missing, but I don't know what." 

Once I began applying my strengths instead of trying to improve my weaknesses, life got a lot easier.  I felt as if a gigantic boulder had been lifted off my shoulders: a heavy burden that pulled me down, making me feel like I should be happy with where I was, what I was doing, and the success I had had thus far as an actress.
 
Before finding out that a) career coaches even existed and b) I could actually afford one, I looked like every other unhappy worker bee out there;  I felt underused, for lack of a better word.  Moreover, I adhered to "The Great Career Myth":  that we should all be able to do this career deciding thing on our own.  Because hey, if some people can find the right match, then so can everyone, right?  There seems to be an collective understanding that if we, and we alone, think and try hard enough a career will come into our sphere of recognition.  I was under that impression for years until I happened upon a great career coach myself.  I learned just how much information and targeted questioning goes into a perfect career path.

Prior to moving to the Washington DC area, I had never even heard of a career coach before.  Growing up in rural Indiana, the term "coach" referred solely to someone who, for instance, headed up a basketball team and threw chairs at his players.  (Thanks for the memories, Bobby Knight!)  Career "counselors" held court in career centers at high schools, colleges and universities, not on their own.   So I was pleasantly surprised when I happened upon someone who could work with me one on one.

And what a truly life-altering experience working with a career coach turned out to be.  I found out what razor-sharp questions to ask myself, and I learned how my temperament affected the way I learn and take in information and make decisions.  I also came to understand how certain abilities and inabilities influenced past hits and misses.  Most importantly, I was finally able to determine my brain's needs and natural affinities. 


How I Did It
 
My first step entailed taking a career assessment that was actually really helpful, unlike those I'd taken in the past.  The assessment measured things that I'd never even heard of but that are so important to know when it comes to finding your dream career.  If you are wondering about which career assessments to take, let me give you a hint:  as with anything in life, you get what you pay for.  A sophisticated career assessment that measures 16 + aptitudes and talents will run between $500-600.

While that may seem expensive, especially compared to the free Strong Interest Surveys and personality assessments offered at a high school, college, or even online, it is a much, much more powerful tool.  (Kind of like an X-Ray for your aptitudes!) Because it is more in depth, this type of assessment will narrow down the career playing field to small fraction of what the other, more generalized assessments offer.  And let's face it, who has the time to pour over hundreds of career possibilities versus a handful?

A good, comprehensive ability instrument (*see recommendation below) will measure many critical abilities and aptitudes, versus just focusing on personality or our ever-changing interests.  And while personality, temperament and interests are very critical components to your "sweet spot" formula, they are not enough to complete the equation.  Compared to the money you may be about to spend on furthering your education ($100K +), training you might seek, or getting stuck in a job that you feel you can't leave lest you look like a job hopper, I would say $500 is a drop in the bucket!

In addition to discovering my strengths and abilities, I worked intently with my coach.  He never told me what I should do; rather, he helped me figure it out for myself, just like any good career coach should.  Using the assessment results as a guide, I fleshed out what I was consistently drawn to do.  I also asked those close to me to assess my abilities and talents and natural instincts.  Thirdly, I changed my perspective from that of a job seeker to that of a career designer.  No more looking at want ads to determine what might fit me.  I knew I needed to invent a career specifically tailored for me.

Lastly, once I made some really scary but meaningful commitments to myself, I took a leap that I never thought I would be capable of taking:  I started my own unique consulting business.  In career coaching, no less! While aspects of self-employment can be challenging, I have no doubts that this is exactly what I need to do.  Helping people design their own careers fits me like a glove.  This line of "work" is anything but for me.  That's because this is something I need to do, not just want to do. 

Thanks to my fantastic mentor and aforementioned coach, this career design process describes what I do with my own clients today. I enable them to figure out what they do best by "connecting the dots."  I show my client how to gather clues about his or her strengths, how to self motivate by using inborn talents and preferences, and how to unleash the potential within.  In this way I help my client play detective and uncover the mystery of where his or her "sweet spot" lies.

So that's my story.

What's yours?

Or have you yet to invent it? 


*I highly recommend using Pathfinders, owned by Anthony Spadafore.  He administers and interprets the Career Finder Program, which measures a full range of aptitudes.  Check out www.pathfinderscareerdesign.com for more information.