WHAT I SHOULD WANT VS. WHAT I WANT
“I was experiencing very low job satisfaction and to top things off I wasn’t seeing any job postings out there that excited me. I also felt guilty about not loving my job, which, on the outside, looks very successful. I knew a lot of people would want a position like mine, so I couldn’t understand why I couldn’t love it. I was having trouble pinpointing what it was about the job I did not like, and I was also having trouble visualizing my ideal situation. In other words, I felt pretty unhappy and trapped.
… Priscilla helped me to first of all, identify the dialogue in my head that was always telling me what I “should” be feeling or doing. There was a lot of that going on! Then she helped me understand some of the underlying reasons that kept me “stuck” in similar situations. Then we worked on finding what my strengths are and from there narrowed it down to one or two fields of interest. What I liked the most was that we always explored the underlying beliefs behind certain patterns of behaviours. I learned to give myself permission to dislike certain situations and to really allow myself to think about a career in much broader terms.
Now I have a much more clear idea of what my next ideal situation looks like. There is a lot less anxiety around a “job search” as now I look at it as a natural progression of talent, experience and connections developed over time. I understand that relationships are likely where opportunities will come from, so I will focus on building a strong network and connections. I also give myself permission to really think about what I want, not what I “should” want. I also think of career in much broader terms and began to see some strengths that I had forgotten (like creativity and music!) and try to incorporate them more into my life. Finally, I am much more aware and in touch with my thought process, so I can spot when old fears and voices are approaching and am better able to keep them at bay. Thanks Priscilla!
Alex, Edmonton, AB
LOOKING FOR THE RIGHT OPPORTUNITY
I was in a sales position for about a year that was not 100% fulfilling. I was not sure if I did not want to do sales anymore or just did not like sales where I was working. The company culture was also stressful and far from the type of place that I was used to working in. The thought of going to work was draining and I felt like I needed a change BUT I was also aware of not wanting to just “change” for the sake of it. I wanted to make sure that when I changed jobs, it would be for something that I was excited about in the long term and that it was in an environment that was aligned with my values.
I had already had several career changes in the past so I had a lot of apprehension about changing once again and finding myself in the wrong position or working in a company that was not the right fit.
The Dare to Dream Program allowed me to “dig deep” into myself: the approach gives you the tools to ask yourself the right questions, get some perspective on your current situation and understand where you want to go next.
It did take me a few months of self-reflection and putting the tools to use to actually understand what changes I wanted. And then I was ready to “do the work” and implement those changes.
When I felt like I was ready for the change, I started the online job search support group which was the perfect amount of coaching needed to understand the tools that I needed to actively get on the right track.
I have a much better grasp on what steps I need to take to find that job that I love. I also am very clear on my professional strengths, skills and environments in which I will thrive. The work I did with Priscilla was necessary for me to start seeing what I truly want to do versus “what I should be doing”. And although it does require actively putting in the time to find that position, the fact that I know I am looking for the right opportunity, makes it feel very easy. I find myself wanting to spend more and more time in the search (which was very different in the past when I did a job search).
So THANK YOU Priscilla for sharing these programs with me!