Now What?® Coaching
from Laura Berman Fortgang
Innovation and social impact doesn’t always come in a glamorous package. Jasmine Burton saw a global need that would make the difference in many lives and went after it with gusto, calling her mom to declare: “I know what I am supposed to do. I am supposed to design toilets.” Maybe toilets aren’t your thing, but are you an innovator or creative who might join with the policy makers to change the world? What need might you address?
How a Young Woman Designer Is Changing the Way the World Poops
Most “overnight successes” did not begin with any resemblance to their future success. What sets them apart is the people who had the courage to follow their vision. They did what many (most) people with great ideas don’t – they took a step and they BEGAN!
“Whether it’s a garage, a basement, or a dorm room, every business has humble beginnings. It’s not about where you start. It’s where you end up.” So, what’s cooking for you? And, what one step could you take today to make your dream a reality?
Brandon Stanton, has recently been honored as one of TIME’s 30 Under 30 World Changers. In this video he shares how his achievement had nothing to do with money. It was about turning a hobby into an obsession and then into a devotion as his audience grew. Success came out of his passion and doing something that he loved. His message at 3:55 is the Now What?® message, and he says it so well that we’ll let his words stand on their own! Check it out!
“30 Under 30: Meet Brandon Stanton, the Photographer Behind “Humans of New York.”
Here is a short interview with Darcy Camden, as she reflects on her path to becoming a professional wardrobe stylist. Citing “learning to listen” as one of her biggest lessons, she advises those who want to build a lasting career to focus on long-term goals.
While it’s human nature to want to snap your fingers and be on the other side of change, relaxing into a long-term goal can be equally rewarding. Time goes by one way or another, so you might as well be working on something you care about. If time weren’t an issue, what goal would you sink your teeth into?
“How Finding Her Passion Led To A Career In Business Chic for Darcy Camden.”
Here’s a list of 10 factors that psychologists correlate with job satisfaction. Which ones stand out as important to you? How does your current job or previous jobs you’ve held measure up when these factors are considered? Are there others you would add? Some that come to our mind are: Values (how your values line up with those of your employer), Passion (degree of interest in the work), Creative Expression (getting to put your own stamp on things), Purpose (whether the work is meaningful to you). While some of these may overlap with the list provided, it’s an interesting exercise to come up with your own unique job satisfaction barometer. What would yours look like?
by Now What?® Coaching Founder, Laura Berman Fortgang
Finding yourself losing your satisfaction with your work or feeling like you just can’t motivate yourself the way you used to? Maybe you
are even losing steam on a job search. Whatever the scenario, knowing why you are doing something and having a compelling reason to do so (besides a pay check) is a huge factor in succeeding at what you want to do.
Many people don’t realize it, but their loss of interest or mojo may have everything to do with what had motivated them in the past to get them to where they are now. What I mean is that we can actually outgrow our motivation! For example, if you were motivated to not be poor like your parents and now you have plenty of money but are losing interest in your work, it may very well be because you are not running on a motivator that means anything to you today. You already reached where the old motivation got you to! It’s time for a new drive!
On the other hand, there are situations where people are sooooo driven, that they ruin their relationships or the quality of their lives in tireless pursuit. Neither way seems to be how we are supposed to be living. The ideal, as years of listening to people tells me, is to have passion and a sensible balance (although not always consistent or perfect).
To find new motivation that is both healthy and up to date think about the following questions:
What vow did you make a long time ago that may now need updating?
(i.e. I’ll never be poor like my parents or I won’t be stuck like my mother/father was or I won’t be a teenage pregnancy statistic)
What needs must be met for you to be happy at work?
What issue calls you or galls you to the point where it motivates you to take action?
What image for the future compels you to want to make it happen?
When you are running on new fuel that matches who you are today and that means something to you, you will find it so much easier to take action even in the face of adversity.
Get into DRIVE and go!!!!