Career Strategies: Have the Career You Want by Embracing Change

However, isn't it strange to use the term "comfort zone" when being there can cause us to experience so much discomfort doing those things that cause stress and even illness?

I know change. Let me tell you my story.

I felt the tug and pull of wanting to move on to something new during my tenure in marketing and administrative positions. The tug to stay put is strong. Family and friends, who were thinking they knew what was best for me, said "Don't rock the boat". Certainly getting a regular paycheck and maybe some benefits is seductive. At the same time, to be pulled toward something new is also seductive with its own series of concerns and doubts. I wonder how many people are seduced into complacency - it can be a very powerful mistress.

I was the Director of Marketing & Administration for a medium-sized company as the millennium approached. There were good points like getting a regular salary. There were some negative points like working for someone who was overbearing to say the least. This was not the first time I worked for a high-powered individual terrorizing those who worked for him. Through my ongoing development, I was seeking answers to my inquiry of "there must be another way." I became more knowledgeable regarding the power of thoughts and what we attract. I kept attracting difficult men. All this as I was also undergoing radiation and chemotherapy for breast cancer. I scheduled treatments surreptitiously to avoid letting anyone at work know. (There were other circumstances weaved in-between - this is the abridged version.)

What helped me through all this was my coach, Myrna. I was also doing some volunteer coaching outside of work. Several months after my cancer treatments, Myrna told me about how I could become a coach myself through certification programs. I wasted no time researching them. I enrolled in the Coaches Training Institute, which is recognized by the International Coaching Federation. The program dates and logistics worked smoothly with my work schedule and taking the certification program. It took me about a year and a half. I was certified in November 2000.

Following certification I enrolled in the year-long Co-Active Leadership program, which fosters "leadership potential and skills through the development of an international community of peers and leaders." By continuing to work, I was able to afford the certification and leadership courses, and save money for when I would be developing a full-time coaching business. A plus was that I coached several of the staff in my office, who moved forward by enrolling in higher education doing what they loved and earning more money. The company was going through downsizing at the time, so this was perfect timing for those I coached.

I developed a part-time coaching practice while working full-time. In mid-2003 I became part of the downsizing. As much as I was looking forward to building my coaching business full-time, it was still scary as these unforeseen circumstances took some of the focus away from my new career. Despite this, I was on my way to doing what I love. I believe that even in the face of road-blocks, when we become self-aware of what we are attracting, our talents and purpose, anything is possible! It is a courageous act to dig deeper down the self-awareness rabbit hole.

Moving toward unfamiliar territory without a map is a hit-or-miss proposition. You want to make a change, you may have an idea of what you want to do and the map is blurry. There are many ways to create your map. Once you know where you want to go, then it's important to find someone to help you gain clarity and certainty and maintain the direction you need to stay on track.

Coming from certainty is empowering. You are more attractive when you are grounded in what you want to do and how to do it. Even a slight change in posture is attractive. Walk with your head held high and then try to feel depressed. Walk with your head held low and notice how you feel. Which is more attractive? Which feels more empowering?

It is my dream to have everyone seeking it to embrace change with comfort, passion, and skills. Eleanor Roosevelt once said: "You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the thing you think you cannot do."

Nothing stands still. Even as we breathe our cells are changing. Webster defines change as: "a: passage from one state, stage, subject, or place to another; b: a movement, development, or evolution from one form, stage, or style to another."

Changing careers, going back to work and/or going back to school are passages. Change is full of possibilities and opportunities in the exploration of creating what's next for you. Will it take courage? Yes, but I wager to guess that you're not lacking in courage. Knowing where you are headed and believing you can get there is the beginning.

My passage from a corporate position to following my passion in getting certified as a personal and professional coach had its challenges, with a life threatening illness as a kicker. I know what it is like to follow a dream with all the detours and celebrations in between. Was it worth it? You bet it was!

One of best ways to explore change is to become more deeply self-aware: Be curious, ask questions! Questions, and their subsequent answers, help you create your map in following what's next and on-purpose for you.

Questions hold the answers:

* What do you want? (practice wanting)

* What do you think is waiting in the wings of your life to take flight?

* What is it you secretly want to learn? (art, music, new career opportunity)

* What permission do you need to give yourself before moving forward?

You are the dreamer of your desires to live life fully so get out there and follow your dreams and live your desires!

Copyright 2008 - Theresa-Maria Napa, CPCC