Is my current career path, company, or job a dead end for me?
That's the core question for most individuals I coach in my career coaching program, even if they don’t articulate it precisely in those terms.
The unspoken desire is clear - they want more.
In our culture, work has been reduced to a commodity, merely in exchange of time, expertise, or skills for money. It's far more profound than that. When we yearn for more, we don't just yearn for more financial security or success.
We crave progress, purpose, fulfillment, clarity, and inspiration. We want to infuse love into the activity that consumes most of our productive hours each day. We wither because we are so much more than a set of tasks that can be rewarded with material compensation.
So, we compartmentalize, ignore, and avoid addressing this misalignment until it becomes impossible to ignore.
If you find yourself thinking, "Wouldn't that be nice?" or "Easy for you to say," - I present that your mindset must shift before your future can change.
I delve deeper into this topic in my free webinar: "Recalibrating and Reinventing a Career."
I’ll share insights gained from reinventing my professional path multiple times. Join me on March 9th, Saturday, at 12 PM CST.
Some of the questions we'll address in a Q&A session include:
How to create opportunities for advancement
How do you assess if your current job is a dead-end
How to transition from a job to a calling
How to embark on entrepreneurship
How to cultivate a mindset of possibility
If you live in a prosperous society, have received a decent education, and possess skills, there's no valid reason for you to resign yourself to a dead-end mindset.
In my experience, the issue is rarely about your professional skills or ability to compete in the job market; it's predominantly about your inner game: your beliefs and qualities.
Beliefs about work, your role within it, what's achievable, how to seize opportunities, your life's mission or calling, and whether you're living your dream or someone else's—all these factors contribute to your mindset.
Qualities like resilience, wisdom, and emotional health are at play here way more than your resume.
Life is too fleeting to remain entrenched in stagnation within something that consumes the most creative and valuable hours of each day.
Breaking free from the familiar can be daunting and painful. Yet, the potential rewards make it worthwhile if, on the other side of transformation, is the life you were meant to live all along.
Here's a quick tip: When I reach what feels like a dead end, I ask myself, "Can I endure this for the next decade?" If the answer is no, I do whatever it takes to turn that into a yes as soon as possible.
If you desire to thrive, transform your mindset to perceive work in its entirety—so much more than a mere job.
Check out my recent HSLive session with Dr. Joe Beam, a Sexologist and founder of MarriageHelper.com. We explore how love and family dynamics can profoundly impact your career trajectory. It's a conversation full of fascinating insights you won't want to miss if this post resonates with you.
What I'm reading: This week, the news of Alexey Navalny's death in Russia deeply impacted me. An alum of my alma mater RUDN University, Navalny had fearlessly fought for democracy in Russia for years. His passing in a prison beyond the polar circle feels like a scenario where Nelson Mandela dies in a South African prison, unable to contribute further to his country's future. If you want to learn more about this - I recommend watching the Oscar-winning documentary "Navalny."
What I'm watching: On a lighter note, to alleviate the heaviness of recent events, I thoroughly enjoyed the Grammy Awards. It was one of the best ceremonies in recent memory, showcasing a rich tapestry of talent across generations, genres, and traditions. Against the backdrop of Navalny's news, it served as a poignant reminder of the beauty, creativity, and innovation fostered in a free society.