I have a questionnaire I give to the majority of my new clients. Even if I know they're coming to me to reduce weight or be a good parent or find out ways to be nice to themselves for a change, 25% of the questions are concerning their work. Why is this?
For so many people work is a crucial part of the background of their lives, something that just needs to be factored in. For fairly a few it is a big part of their identity, even. So I like to bring it up in the questionnaire so that they, and I, could appraise the place of work in their lives; it's somewhat like checking whether a client is single or living with husband, 3 children and an Alsatian - it does make a difference.
One among the questions is: if you did not have your existing job, what will you be doing? Some of the answers are really astonishing; others ("I don't know") make a few raised eyebrows.
You know what's coming next. Yes, go on, ask yourself that question at once! Send me the answer if you like :)
In my preceding career I trained teachers of English (as a foreign language). A few of my trainees were just starting out at the job market or were already teaching, and approached me to upgrade their proficiency. Most of them, nevertheless, had been working in several other industries and had chosen that, actually, they wished to do something unique, at times stunningly unique. My "job" was to give them the fundamental skills, but my own personal secret mission (!) was to infect them with a sense that teaching English was the complete most fun thing they could ever do.
Having been like a midwife to virtually 300 people's new, or first, professions, one day I chose to try the profession change thing for myself. The amazing thing is, abandoning an identity happily held for 20+ years turned out to be pleasantly easy.
Some years on, I will honestly say that taking up a second career has (clich!) been a voyage. It has enriched my life enormously and taught me several things, one of them being that I am a not a natural business person ... In spite of this, since coaching people to have amazing lives is even more fun than teaching English, running a business is a price I am eager to pay :)
And guess what, part of my profession now is to infect people with a sense that whatever change it is that they're making in their life is the total most fun thing they could possibly do ...
Certainly, a person's job is simply one of several areas of their life which might be well worth changing, but as it's an area that is really abundant in thrilling possibilities, it's really worth choosing a job that means something - to you.
For so many people work is a crucial part of the background of their lives, something that just needs to be factored in. For fairly a few it is a big part of their identity, even. So I like to bring it up in the questionnaire so that they, and I, could appraise the place of work in their lives; it's somewhat like checking whether a client is single or living with husband, 3 children and an Alsatian - it does make a difference.
One among the questions is: if you did not have your existing job, what will you be doing? Some of the answers are really astonishing; others ("I don't know") make a few raised eyebrows.
You know what's coming next. Yes, go on, ask yourself that question at once! Send me the answer if you like :)
In my preceding career I trained teachers of English (as a foreign language). A few of my trainees were just starting out at the job market or were already teaching, and approached me to upgrade their proficiency. Most of them, nevertheless, had been working in several other industries and had chosen that, actually, they wished to do something unique, at times stunningly unique. My "job" was to give them the fundamental skills, but my own personal secret mission (!) was to infect them with a sense that teaching English was the complete most fun thing they could ever do.
Having been like a midwife to virtually 300 people's new, or first, professions, one day I chose to try the profession change thing for myself. The amazing thing is, abandoning an identity happily held for 20+ years turned out to be pleasantly easy.
Some years on, I will honestly say that taking up a second career has (clich!) been a voyage. It has enriched my life enormously and taught me several things, one of them being that I am a not a natural business person ... In spite of this, since coaching people to have amazing lives is even more fun than teaching English, running a business is a price I am eager to pay :)
And guess what, part of my profession now is to infect people with a sense that whatever change it is that they're making in their life is the total most fun thing they could possibly do ...
Certainly, a person's job is simply one of several areas of their life which might be well worth changing, but as it's an area that is really abundant in thrilling possibilities, it's really worth choosing a job that means something - to you.
About the Author:
Live the difference Life Coaching is based in Melbourne which offers transformational one-on-one coaching both face-to-face and on the phone. People come from all walks of life and live in and around Melbourne, interstate and overseas. Visit http://livethedifference.com.au for more information on Life Coach
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