People gain their self-esteem from their work
Work takes up the majority of one's life. The contributions we make, the feedback we receive, the new opportunities – all contribute to our self-esteem. When people feel good about their work, they communicate better, establish better working ... Views: 1242
What is joy?
It's activities which make you feel good, happy, cheerful ,positive and content. Only you are the judge of joy and what the experience is like, especially when it comes to work.
Why is joy important at work?
We spend the majority of the time in our lives working. Isn't this ... Views: 1228
There are too many examples of the lack of integrity today in management. If you wish to be a manager who gets great results with people, focusing on your integrity is a good place to start.
What is integrity?
Many people discuss integrity but may not understand it completely.
Let’s start ... Views: 1211
What the audience needs
Did you ever give a presentation to a professional audience and think to yourself, what a boring audience. They didn’t ask questions, and they didn’t show any visible response.
Well, it is probably not their fault. Most people come to professional or technical ... Views: 1203
Nobody will stop you in the hallway at work to ask if your career provides meaning and personal fulfillment. Recognizing that something’s missing in your vocational life and taking the initiative to change must come from within.
Serena Williamson found a way to turn her passion — helping ... Views: 1203
What is coaching?
Coaching is behavior intended to enable another person to develop, improve or correct something which is not working. Coaching also can enable someone to be more creative, get unstuck or resolve a current or ongoing challenge. Coaching can enable someone to make a better ... Views: 1178
Do you want to be the best manager? Here are key areas to pay attention to and you will be well on your way!
Productivity
Are people getting things done and on time? This is an important indicator to look at. Many factors will impact work quality. If work is not getting done on time step ... Views: 1178
What resumes can’t do
Let's face it, resumes are boring to write and worse to read. These days, most employers have software to read and prioritize resumes through the use of keywords. The goal of your resume is achieved if it brought you to an interview. But, there are many things you can’t ... Views: 1173
After 40, this is the most important pursuit in your life.
After 40, we start having less tolerance for an empty life. The routine starts to drag on us and we start thinking of what we should do with our life. This is a good thing. The most questioning starts with our work where we spend the ... Views: 1165
Why to retire?
Retirement has traditionally meant to stop working and to enjoy leisure time. Nowadays, more people have reasons to never retire. One of them is the need to continue making an income. First, you have to consider my definition of working which I call vocation. This is work which ... Views: 1161
It’s not that complex
In the last ten years of working with mid-life adults on finding the right work which aligns interests and abilities, I have come to the conclusion that the criteria for the RIGHT work is very similar.
Make a living and make it interesting
People need to provide an ... Views: 1150
Early one morning, Robert awoke, made his wife of 41 years some banana bread, took out the garbage and called to cancel a doctors appointment scheduled for the next day. He wrote a note to remind his wife to pick up the dry cleaning. All things considered, it seemed like a normal day.
Robert ... Views: 1145
Notice I said “now”?
Before 40, it is easier just to accept any work. After all it pays the bills, gives us a job title and a sense of belonging in the world. The problem with this after 40 is that it becomes too easy to settle into a mundane life. It put one’s life on hold until there is a ... Views: 1131
Step One: Engage in self-reflection
I know — easier said than done. Most of us go through our lives never really getting to know ourselves. After all, life offers us many distractions. Who has time for self-reflection? The only way to to be happy after 40 is to get to know yourself really ... Views: 1122
What is the role of the leader?
It really depends on the perspective of different stakeholders, what role of the leader is going to be. In general, the board, shareholders, and top management expect the leader to maximize profit. The employees, who work for the leader, have a different view. ... Views: 1121
The big question: What’s really important?
The message I deliver most to mid-life professionals is that a key ingredient of happiness is finding vocational passion. It’s finding the perfect alignment of interests and abilities that make going to work seem like it isn’t work at all.
People who ... Views: 1071
It seems all the news is bad these days — jobs are being lost; retirement is in jeopardy for millions — and no end in sight!
But did you know? This is good news for those over 40!
Sometimes we need a crisis to finally make positive changes in our lives. When it comes to changing ... Views: 1047
What does it mean to work virtually?
You work on your own away from others. While you might have contact with others via phone, email, and these days Skype you are alone in your work environment. You may or may not have a set schedule depending on whether you work for others or not. You will ... Views: 1032
Did I get your attention?
Good; that was the point. No one should have just a job after 40. Before 40, it is necessary to build your ego in the world. It is critical for self-development, self-esteem, and to get a sense of your place in the world. Naturally, it would be perfect to do the work ... Views: 1020
Coaching the vocation of mid-life
by Milt Bullard - Correspondent
Posted on October 21, 2005 http://www.brentwoodpress.com/html/bwdhome.htm
Since moving here last July, one thing Craig Nathanson has noticed is “the 10,000 people commuting out of Brentwood down Vasco Road to miserable jobs.” It ... Views: 1019
Over 40? Make your passions Work for you!
February, 2007
By Craig Nathanson - The Vocational Coach™
Why is this important?
Making your passions WORK for you is important because your happiness MATTERS and makes a difference in your life.
Waking up to a day you really look forward to can make ... Views: 997
Have you ever asked yourself if you are living the life you were meant to live?
Have you ever asked yourself, as you pondered your life, is this all there is?
These are great questions to ask when you reach forty and beyond.
Who Needs an authentic life?
If you are satisfied with the status quo ... Views: 988
It’s easy to put off things that you want to do. There is no limit to the excuses — too tired, no time, what will others think?, no money - the list goes on and on. When it comes to doing the work you really like to do, the list becomes longer. “I’ll wait till I retire. I ... Views: 984
There’s a famous song lyric that asks: “Is that all there is?” Every seven seconds, an American turns 50 years old. So there’s a good chance that song is running through some of their heads.
The question captures the ennui that many people feel in mid-life. They look up at the clock, see it ... Views: 966
Have you been wondering if happiness is even possible?
Yes, it is!
Deep inside, we all want to be happy, especially in the middle part of our lives. We also seek a simple process, and a new secret to reach this lifelong goal.
Well, I have a simple answer and, of course, a longer answer.
The ... Views: 957
Protect your investments!!
This is the headline from this month’s Money magazine. In fact the whole magazine is focused on how to keep your retirement intact for future years. For me this is like saying, prepare for your death!!! The opposite action is mandatory now, especially for those in ... Views: 947
A challenging time
This is a year of financial turmoil in which millions of people around the world have seen their retirement nest eggs shrink, and their houses decrease in value. For many, a generalized anxiety about their future keeps them up at night.
While I can appreciate this current ... Views: 943
People work to live, but most also live to work. A study on the meaning of work conducted back in 1987 revealed a strong attachment to work as a way of life. The study found that 86 percent of people would continue working even if they had enough money never to work another day. There could be ... Views: 929
Hank Bochenski’s story proves it is never too late to walk away from a life you feel trapped in and do something that you really love.
Hank spent 30 years in demanding senior positions at large high-tech companies. By the time he went home each day, he felt like all the blood had been drained ... Views: 926
This is the third in a ten-part series exploring the “Ten P” model developed by Craig Nathanson, The Vocational Coach, to help mid-life adults discover and do what they love.
When Murray and Heather Rand of Canada sold their St. Thomas, Ontario, home and moved permanently aboard their sailboat, ... Views: 893
Do I have to change who I am to do what I love?
The answer is yes. When you go from one lackluster job to another one, not much personal change is needed. However, when you go from “just a job” to a vocation—that is, doing what you love—it does require a change. It ... Views: 887
There isn’t a better time
Have you defined and written down exactly what you want in your vocational life?
Have you talked about it with others? Now is a perfect time to follow your heart and become a magnet for your dreams.
Give yourself permission to live the life you choose
This is harder ... Views: 880
Not since the great depression of 1929 have we seen such a financial crisis, and frankly, the lack of national leadership that we are experiencing now. Banks are failing overnight, Wall Street greed and the chase after quick money has finally caused this country to grind to a financial halt. All ... Views: 875
You are not alone
After 20 or more years of working we seldom acknowledge that our work life is no longer meeting our needs for meaning and fulfillment. After all, who has the time for this self-reflection? Between worrying about growing older, staying in shape, keeping the relationship alive, ... Views: 863
Meet Joe. He’s a middle-aged bridge toll-taker in the San Francisco Bay Area. In a recent interview, Joe said he loves the role he has filled for the last 12 years. The job suits his purpose. He said: “If I can help someone start their day off right in the few seconds when they are handing me ... Views: 861
Go against the grain!
When you arrive at 50, those around you will expect you to slow down and retire. They will ask what you are planning to do when you stop working. The marketing messages you see are pushing youth and beauty and the pursuit of material goods. You suddenly realize you ... Views: 861
Over 40? What’s next with your work, your life?
By Craig Nathanson
The Vocational Coach™
What would your perfect life’s work be?
In mid-life, it’s a question we seldom ask. It could be the one question that saves you from lackluster jobs, faceless bosses and endless commutes.
Are you stuck ... Views: 838
# 1 Figure out why you should quit in the first place
That’s right. If you find joy, passion and meaning in your work, there is no reason to quit. Sadly, this isn’t the case for many of the people I meet.
Look at what is most important to you. Is your work aligned with what you ... Views: 816
Save your life?
After 40 one tends to be more aware of their time left and the things which are undone in their life. While it usually takes a crisis to become more aware, this doesn’t always move one to make change in their life, especially in areas which are no longer bringing joy and ... Views: 796
In mid-life, many of us are unfulfilled in our lives and careers. We have a deep longing for change. We often feel that we’ve waited too long to pursue our dreams, and believe that we have no choice but to settle for our current lot in life. Choosing how to fill such a deep void is no small ... Views: 795
Twenty-One Steps to Discover and Do What You Love with Your Life's Work!
In mid-life, many of us are unfulfilled in our lives and careers and have a deep longing for change. We often feel that we have waited too long to pursue our dreams, and believe we have no choice but to settle for our lot ... Views: 791
We humans are terrible at preparing for the crisis
It seems to me that many people tend to ignore their needs in mid-life. We tend to be very good at reacting to a crisis, but terrible at planning for one. I think this is the root of the problem. For example, many people stay in mundane, ... Views: 791
Do you have the just the right support network in place for you?
Look around you now. Do you have people in your life on a daily basis who support your dreams, your goals and your daily activities? Do these people make you laugh, make you smile and help you feel better about yourself? Are these ... Views: 789
P is for Perfect: Purpose
What is life about? How will you make a difference in the world? Your purpose drives your behavior and can provide you with daily energy and happiness. What is the purpose of your life? Think deeply about where you most want to make a contribution in the world.
Does ... Views: 773
What contribution do you want to make?
What exactly do you want to contribute to most now? What issues concern you the most? Where do you feel your natural gifts and talents can make the most difference in the world? Do you want to help children learn, feed the elderly, or help others with ... Views: 771
Do nothing
Probably not the first piece of advice you would expect to get!
When you are laid off, the range of emotions you feel can be overwhelming. You become your own worst critic, and you start coming up with all the reasons why you lost the job. At home, you hear more of this from your ... Views: 762
Look at the big picture of your life
This can be hard to do. The daily pressures of a thankless job, a demanding commute, and mounting bills all lead to stress. Worst of all is the nagging feeling that your life is out of your control, and slowly slipping away.
I don’t have time to ... Views: 757
How do you define success?
If you are like most people, your definition of success is based on external factors. A nice house, perfect children, a trophy wife or husband, nice vacations, lots of material things, and of course, a great big salary.
What price will you pay for external ... Views: 733
Is your work coherent with your life?
This is a question rarely asked before 40, but it’s so important after 40.
Most of our work lives have been about accepting the views of others and working to the plans of others. We had jobs and we were expected to meet the requirements of our jobs. ... Views: 683
Evaluate where you are
Evaluate where you have been in your life and ask yourself, “Is this enough?”
The beginning of the New Year is a great time for re-evaluating your life and plans.
What would you do with free time?
If you had a day to yourself, what would you do and why?
The ... Views: 683