Inside Coaching is where we dig into coaching conversations, starting with questions from real women living savvy—my coaching clients, friends and readers. Don’t forget to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments, and send in your questions here.
Living Savvy reader Megan writes:
I’ve been with the same company for over five years now, and I feel like my career has stalled. I do the same thing, day in and day out. The people I work with are lovely, and I’m good at what I do, but I wonder if this is all there is for me? A friend of mine recently started her own business. I think that’s fantastic, but I have a family and mortgage and feel like I can’t walk away from a steady pay packet. I’m stuck! What can I do?
Is the job really the source of all your problems?
When we find ourselves at a place in life where we are feeling dissatisfied and wondering what’s next for us, we naturally start with the place we probably spend most of our time: our job.
And when you are thinking of making changes in your life for whatever reason it is very common to think that a change of job or career is the answer. Our identity is very much tied to our work. Commonly the first question we ask a new acquaintance is: What do you do?
Take time to explore the problem, and possible solutions, from all angles
Understand the problem
Take one month to evaluate and study the ‘problem’. Keep a daily journal answering the questions: What inspired me? What did I dislike? What was missing?
What about your work can you change now?
This is a wonderful question and fits nicely with the fine-tuning aspect of living savvy. Using the information and ideas that you have discovered from spending time understanding what the real problem is ask, what can you fine tune about how you work?
Ideas that have worked for clients I have coached include arranging a go home early day once a month, an occasional work from home day, getting out of the office and taking a walk or meeting a colleague for a coffee break, taking a regular lunch break sometime between 12.00 midday and 2pm, limiting overtime to 3 days a week, restructure their work days and re-organising what tasks they do when, increasing their networking and attending a few functions and events.
Professional development
It may not be the right time to change jobs but it could be the right time to develop or add to your repertoire of talents and skills that will assist you in making a successful career move in the future.
Explore options
Take the time to discover what other career or business opportunities fit with what the dream life you are creating. Go beyond your usual circles to seek out stories from different people, and information from different sources (websites, books, magazines, radio and TV).
Build a network of support
Before launching into a career change or a new business, seek the support of friends, mentors and professionals (such as a coach, a psychologist or a counsellor). Choose people who will encourage and honestly advise you, with your best interest in their hearts. Let people know that you are looking for something different and exploring your options, enlist the networks of others to help you find your dream job even if it is just for now.
What’s next?
Do you have a coaching question? Ask in the comments or via our living savvy contact form.
Related posts:
- Inside Coaching with Jo: What if I’m confused about what I want?
- Inside Coaching: How will a mentor help you to live savvy (as seen on the TV show, The Circle)
- Inside Coaching with Jo: How do I narrow down my choices to the dream that’s right for me?
- Inside Coaching: Are my dreams big enough?
- Inside Coaching: Am I ready for life coaching?
