Career | Get There From Here | Philadelphia PA

Posts Tagged ‘career’

Career Seeking = Research

Written by Jennifer on 6th July 2010

Every once in a while you encounter someone with a whole lotta gumption. You know the type. Someone who really takes the bull by the horns and gets after what she wants.

Olivia Lindquist is one such person. In the midst of a career search while teaching English in Korea, she dropped me this note:

As I’ve been working on my grad school applications due this fall, something was keeping me from being fully invested. Finally I realized that going to grad school for English literature, even though it’s absolutely something I want to do, feels like closing a door on the possibility of pursuing a career in holistic health.

So Olivia decided to figure out how teaching English and a career in holistic health might work together. She’s in the midst of an interview series, bringing to her blog readers the responses from several women in different, related fields. I – representing coaches worldwide (okay, maybe I’m just representing me) – recently responded to Olivia’s questions which she posted last week. If you’re interested in learning more about coaching as a career from my perspective, click the image below to read the full interview.

Additionally, tool around Green Junkie Living. There are other careers highlighted and you just may find some answers you’re looking for. If nothing else, I think we can all learn from Olivia and her gumption. She wants something. She’s not exactly sure what it is. And instead of sitting back and hoping it magically appears, she’s taking an active, holistic approach. She’s asking herself the hard questions. And she’s asking others, too.

For Olivia and all you other career seekers out there: may you uncover what you already know.

Tags: career, coaching
Posted in career, coaching | 4 Comments »

The Brand Called You – An Imperative or a Danger?

Written by Jennifer on 10th June 2010

The idea of a personal brand came into the spotlight via the 1997 Fast Company article, The Brand Called You, and has remained as a celebrated – nay, revered – concept in the business world. The article’s author, Tom Peters, asserts that “you’re every bit as much a brand as Nike, Coke, Pepsi, or the Body Shop.” As a matter of fact, you need to consider yourself CEO of Me, Inc. (That’s your me, not mine.)

Last night I was speaking on a panel geared toward young professionals in the midst of career transition and this very topic of personal branding came up. I listened to the other panelists give credence to the concept and the language and then I weighed in. As a business-owner who loves all things marketing and branding as it relates to my business, let me recap my perspective.

I think it’s dangerous to consider ourselves brands. Using language that positions human beings as consumer goods for sale or for trade undermines the value inherent in being a living creature. It also sponsors the already damaging cultural overemphasis on money and work. Or, as this New York Time article from earlier this year asks:

Is the society always better off with the undigested utterance, the instantaneous attempt at positioning? And in marketing ourselves, will we neglect the pursuit of actually improving?

Part of my perspective on personal branding is connected to my perspective on job searching and employment, in general. I view both as a mutual courtship that must lead to collaboration. Yes, we have to be clear on who we are, what we want and what we bring to the table. But always seeking to sell to one another detracts from the experience of true community.

There were a few nods in the audience last night, but I came away with the impression that my perspective is a minority one. Indeed, many of my respected colleagues and peers are big proponents of personal branding and the internet is awash in programs and trainings designed to help you be a better CEO of Me, Inc.

I’d like to know your perspective. Is creating a personal brand something you believe must be done in order for you to be successful? Does the idea make you uncomfortable? Does it connect with your truest sense of self and your deepest spiritual beliefs? Have you articulated what you believe is your personal brand?

Tags: career, collaboration, integrity, marketing
Posted in career | 2 Comments »

Ditchin’ La Vida Loca*: An Interview

Written by Jennifer on 27th May 2010

I’ve done enough yoga to know that there’s no such thing as balance. At least not in any permanent, rigid way. Balance is a constant wavering, a series of movements that take you backward and forward, left and right. Not falling down is balance. But when it comes to having a healthy blend of our professional and personal lives, most people I know feel like they’re missing some elusive golden key. Most of us keep falling down.

So I turned to a fellow coach and author of the book, Your Work, Your Life…Your Way: 7 Keys to Work-Life Balance, to provide us all with some insight into this elusive thing called work-life balance. Julie Cohen rocked this audio interview and you’re bound to find multiple valuable take-aways for your own life. Check it:

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If you’re interested in Julie’s book, you can find it at her website or on Amazon. You can also check her out on facebook. And like most people who are gaga for what they do, she’d love to have you contact her with any questions or thoughts at julie@7keystoworklifebalance.com!

* For those of you who don’t speak Spanish (or speak Ricky Martin), “la vida loca” means “the crazy life.”

Tags: career, goals, work-life balance
Posted in career, goals | No Comments »

Job Security & The Road Less Traveled

Written by Jennifer on 20th April 2010

It’s nice to receive that bi-weekly paycheck, isn’t it? Knowing that, barring being fired or laid-off, you can count on money magically appearing in your account via direct deposit. It doesn’t even matter if you had a crappy week and couldn’t focus at work, because generally you deliver and it’s incredibly expensive and time intensive for your employer to replace you. Which makes you feel pretty safe and secure.

I quit my last “job” in the summer of 2006 and, shortly thereafter, received coach training and hung my shingle. I was able to do this because my husband has been the one receiving that bi-weekly paycheck. It’s taken a good amount of time for my coaching business to be profitable and, in essence, Scott single-handedly financed the early years, for which I’m unendingly grateful.

Recently, Scott began to realize that his steady paycheck was no longer what he was after, no longer what he felt passionate about, no longer worth it. He wanted to quit his job and launch his own business and was feeling increasing internal insistence that he take a leap of faith and go for it! I couldn’t help but feel a little panicky. I mean, I may be making a living wage now, but who’s to say I will next month. And both of us being self-employed? Do people do that?!?

You can see my value for security shining through here, but at the end of the day, security isn’t one of my top values. I actually have a relatively high tolerance for risk. More importantly, I have a high value on equality. I’ve never had any expectation or desire that I follow my dreams and Scott leaves his behind – it just doesn’t seem fair. It’s also not what’s best for Scott or me or our marriage. I want a partner who goes after what he wants, who creates meaning in his life, who operates from a place of authenticity and integrity. Plus, I like a good challenge.

So I got on board (to be honest, I think I was on board before Scott since his tolerance for risk is a tad lower) and earlier this month Scott gave notice to his employer. Next month, with the backing of a full-fledged production company, he launches MassGrass Media which will equip marketing/communications firms, companies and storytellers with strategic video counsel and creative production support.

(That's Scott, closest to the camera, in the Outer Banks.)

When it comes to job security, it seems we’re taking the road less traveled. It’s not empty, but it’s definitely not anywhere close to gridlock, a fact which in and of itself can be a little disconcerting. It’s reassuring to feel part of the pack. As we’ve explored the opportunities before us, however, we’ve each had to recognize that the road less traveled isn’t necessarily less secure, it’s just different. Companies lay people off all the time; people have accidents which render them unable to work; organizations pay salaries that are below a living wage.

We’re taking a leap of faith, yes, but we did so yesterday, too. And the day before that. Considering that we can only prepare for our future but not control it, it seems to me that taking a leap of faith is simply what each and every one of us does each and every day.

Tags: career, change, entrepreneur, sustainability
Posted in change | 3 Comments »

Day 21: Quitting (30th Birthday Countdown)

Written by Jennifer on 8th March 2010

As a countdown to my 30th birthday on March 18, I’ve committed to offering 30 people, things and experiences I want to celebrate from the last 30 years. Grab a piece of cake and enjoy reading!

I’m a quitter. Over the last 30 years, I’ve quit a lot of things – races, jobs, friendships, foods, styles, boyfriends, plans, books, family members, businesses, teams.

Rarely, in all the times that I can remember, have I actually followed through with a decision to quit something and later come to regret it. I understand that this runs counter to traditional axioms about quitting. After all, outside of smoking, quitting = failure, no?

No.

That’s because I’m not talking about the quit-because-I’m-terrified or quit-because-I-might-succeed or quit-because-I-might-fail or quit-because-I’m-afraid-of-conflict scenario. That’s something else entirely. I’m talking about the times I’ve (responsibly) quit because it authentically reflects who I am. In these situations, quitting has proven to be a necessary way of staying true to myself, following through with my passions and interests, protecting me from toxic people and situations, making myself available for bigger and better experiences.

At the end of the day, this kind of quitting has brought me to life.

(A 1995 look I quit.)

So today I celebrate all the times I said yes. And then said no. All the times I moved forward because I thought it was something I wanted and then allowed myself to move away when I realized it wasn’t. I’ve given myself a lot of practice these first thirty years and I imagine I’ll have to do less quitting over the next thirty as a result. On the other hand, if at first I get something all wrong, at least I’ll be able to draw on all of this experience I have and just up and -

Tags: career, celebration, change, sustainability
Posted in career, celebration, change, sustainability | No Comments »

Hell No, We Won't Go!

Written by Jennifer on 9th April 2009

In her book, I Could Do Anything If I Only Knew What It Was, Barbara Sher offers some fabulous insights about resistance. When your logic tells you that moving forward in a new direction is reasonable and safe and you really do want to move ahead, but you’re still not moving, you’re encountering resistance. A part of you is screaming, “DANGER AHEAD!!!” Sher writes:

“Your resistance is trying to protect you from that danger. Take a look at an animal who won’t move and you’ll get an unmistakable message: There’s trouble up ahead. Animals don’t necessarily have the best information or the most perfect judgment, but they always have a compelling reason for standing perfectly still. The same is true for us.

“When you swing into action toward your “dangerous” wish, every bit of resistance in your head will start proclaiming itself. It will try to block your path by making you feel guilty, or ashamed, or inadequate, or hopeless.”

Ready to move forward and find yourself stuck? The first step is to admit you have a problem. Oh wait, wrong program. The first step is to uncover your resistance. Need help? Try the following.

Complete this statement: I am completely safe and happy _____________ (working as an architect, being married to Tito, owning my own publishing company, etc).

Write all the objections that come to mind. (Architecture is for sissies. Marriage is a trap. I’ll never be good enough to own my own business.)

Do this over and over until you are entirely bored with the process and nothing new comes up. This could be 4 times or 100 times.

Simply acknowledging what underlies your resistance can be enough to help you take an important first step toward becoming unstuck. At the very least, you’ll know what your dealing with.

In what ways are you stuck? Are you surpirsed at the causes of your resistance? Please post your comments below!

Tags: career, change, intuition
Posted in career, change | No Comments »

Quitting Time

Written by Jennifer on 30th March 2009

I recently served as a panelist for a conversation about young professionals getting into the non-profit industry. An attendee (incongruously, I might add) asked, “Is it hard to leave your job? As in quit?”

I answered immediately: “You are always replaceable.”

My fellow panelists and I all smiled at one another and they chimed in that they, too, thought quitting was easy. No biggie. Have an exit strategy, if at all possible.

Quitting a job is a form of boundary setting – practically and emotionally. You’re saying no to one opportunity so you can say yes to another. What struck me in talking with my fellow panelists afterwards is how that act of assertion is preceeded by self-awareness and a balanced ego. It requires that you actually do know what’s good for you, that you can hold on to yourself in the face of resistence, whether it be internal or external. It also requires accepting that yes, you are ALWAYS replaceable.

Tags: career
Posted in career | No Comments »