Today’s question came from a caller from Philadelphia during a recent Community Call and is answered by: Laura Berman Fortgang.
Question:
I’ve been working in the HR field since graduating college and have been at my current company for eleven years. Recently a boss whom I considered a toxic influence has moved on and things are a better, more status quo. I’m trying to figure out a good transition job to see if I can still enjoy HR before deciding if I want to step out of the field entirely. I’m working with the Now What book but I’m struggling with the Life Story exercise. I’m stuck in the analysis of it and can’t find what you call the Golden Thread.
Answer:
Your life story is what formed you and there are themes there. You’re probably working way too hard at analyzing the story and it would be helpful to have someone else look at it. For instance:
- What were the things you excelled at in grade school and high school?
- What did you get accolades for in your younger years?
- What were your dreams when you were younger?
In answering Laura’s questions, these are some of the things that were mentioned: traveling, going to new places and having new experiences, discussing things, and asking questions.
Laura: All the things you’ve mentioned have the theme of discovery in them. You like exploring and digging for answers like an archaeologist. This is a “golden thread” for you and one of the overriding themes in your story. Traveling might be a good way to get back in touch with that part of you and take some time to remember that feeling you are looking for in work – that discovery sense. Even if it’s not far away travel, it will be good for you. So this is one of the clues your life story is showing you. As you consider your options, look at them with the frame of: Where can I tap into this discovery mode?
Our caller was instantly lit up and encouraged. She had never noticed the theme in all the things she liked to do. She saw how that was missing in her work and why she’d grown restless.
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