What does your career have in common with Steven Tyler’s or Bruce Springsteen’s? Today’s article claims that career planning in the modern business world is not unlike that of famous rockers who also must address: frequent changes of venue, constant reinvention, and developing a loyal fan base. Read on for some interesting takes on this metaphor. There is also a link to a short quiz on personal branding which you may want to check out. And, we can’t help asking, just for fun: Which rock star would you pick to be your “ motivational muse” as you make plans to rock your next career move?
Inspiration to Follow Your Blueprint
Finding The Essence
Today’s story about former policewoman Cheri Maples illustrates the significant connection which often exists in the roles you take on over your lifetime, even when they look unrelated on the surface. For Cheri, whose career path took her from cop to Buddhist teacher, she came to see that the heart of her work in both roles was that of peacemaker.
What is at the heart of the most significant roles you’ve had throughout your life up to now? What is at the heart of the jobs you dream about? In the Now What?® program we call this finding the “Essence”. We use the following question to identify the ‘essence’ or as referenced above, the heart of the work:
If you were to be successful in _______ role, what would that make possible for yourself and others?
Your answer will be unique to you. If, for example, you asked three architects about the heart of their work, you might very well get three different answers. Architect 1 might say: to reach new heights. Architect 2 might say: to bring a new perspective. Architect 3 might say: to inspire awe. Your own answer is what holds the clues for you because it will lead you to what brings purpose and meaning to the work you do.
“Career Changer: From Stressed-Out Cop to Buddhist Teacher.”
And when the doors close…
by Kirsten Meneghello, Now What® Facilitator 
When we walk through life and continue to see doors close on potential paths we really wanted to go down, how do we react? With
frustration and anger? Or do we take the 10,000 foot view and realize that the Universe is trying to tell us something? Nudge, nudge. “Over here! Look over here!” And when we look back on past disappointments in our lives, we inevitably see how it all worked out for the best. For example, maybe that guy I really liked didn’t like me back. But then I met my future husband the next year and I was glad I single when I met him.
When we really, really want something (i.e. a new job) and we are holding on oh-so-tight, and then we don’t get the job of our dreams, we automatically attach meaning to it and create a story around it. It might go something like this: “I’m not good enough,” “I’ll never find the right job,” or “The economy is so bad right now, I’d be lucky to get a menial job at McDonald’s.” And that’s not what life is saying to us at all. There is no meaning attached to not getting the job except the meaning you create around it. Maybe it was just not the right job for you at this moment in time. Perhaps it’s not because you were thinking too big, but maybe you were thinking too SMALL. What if you were not meant to be a salesperson, but the manager of the sales team?
HOW we interpret our “failures” is essential to how we move forward.
A friend told me a story over the weekend about her friend, Susan. Susan was very unhappy in her job. She complained about it all the time. She had a long commute to and from work and couldn’t wait to find something else. Recently, Susan was laid off from her position. The universe heard her, sensed her energy around her job and gave her the option to explore something she would really like to do. When my friend saw Susan, she said “I bet you are so happy now that you’re out of that place.” And Susan’s eyes were frozen, like a deer in the headlights. She was scared because she was a single mom and not sure what to do next. Instead of feeling excited about the possibilities, she was terrified.
We need to pay attention to the doors that close and the doors that open. It’s really about the perspective we have that will make an amazing difference in how we see what is possible for ourselves.
You Never Know What Door Will Open
After being laid off from a company where she worked for 22 years, Gloria Schaffer is trying something new. She says, “The result of being laid off turned into a brand new life. You just never know what door will open. Don’t be afraid to walk through it.”
Moving Toward Work That Combines Your Passions
This week we bring you two examples from More Magazine of people over age 50 who are making career changes. In the case of architect, Calli Spheeris, the impetus for change was the economy. The outcome was an unexpected pairing of her passions and a greater understanding of what had been missing from her work. As Calli notes, “Age can bring a greater sense of confidence and integration of those things that make you who you are.”
Get Paid For Your Hobbies
Frank Hyman, the author of today’s article, shares what came from the decision he made at age 26 to get paid for his hobbies. Certainly, a career of combined hobbies isn’t for everyone, but Frank’s story just may spur some ideas. In the Now What process, we encourage you to engage in your hobbies even as you are researching other types of jobs and scenarios. As Frank says in this article: Follow your curiosity.