A career coaching article:
"For My Second Career, I Want to Do Nothing!"
by Cathy Goodwin, Ph.D.
Q. For my second career, I'd like to know
"What to do when you have done a lot and nothing really interests you
anymore. The things that interest me are not financially feasible right
now, because one of the things I'd like to give up is working!"
A. People often want to stop working when
they've experienced a series of challenges. You leave one career
and begin another. You experience a great burst of energy as your
second career takes off. And then your exciting new career goes away.
Or you realize your dream was not at all what you anticipated.
1. Don't think of crashing the career party.
Stop pounding on closed doors. Think of creating yourself as a person
who will collect all sorts of exciting invitations!
2. Reach out for more opportunities to do
what you enjoy. As you become enthused, you'll generate unexpected
connections. And you'll come across as purposeful and productive.
For example, I began writing book reviews for
amazon.com just for my own amusement. At first my reviews seemed to
generate only intangible rewards. Then one day the UPS truck delivered
a box of best sellers from a major publisher. Now I get books, clients,
media interviews, website visitors and more.
3. Find something to enjoy every day, even
something as simple as walking the dog (well, that's not always so
simple). Keep remembering what fun feels like.
4. Share your career frustrations only with a
paying audience who will keep your questions confidential. People
tend to get the most help when they appear to have everything they
want. Opening to the wrong person can kill a potentially exciting
option.
5. Gain information by expressing lively
curiosity. Attend professional meetings, classes, and informal
gatherings.
6. Keep moving. It's tempting to hide when
you're not sure what you want to do, but activity fuels creative
problem-solving.
7. Remember that most people don't follow a
linear path as they move to their second (or third or fourth)
careers. They take two steps forward and one step back. They zig and
they zag. And usually they fall into their next lives sometimes
literally! and realized they've been preparing for this move all
along.
I offer one-to-one consultations.
Recommended reading:
Teach your
intuition to send you a telegram (not a post card) and make brilliant
decisions for business and career. Click here for more information.
Your 21-Day Extreme Career Makeover Click here for more
information.
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