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Career  ·  Leadership Development

Frustrated with your job, career path or search? Help is here.

November 13, 2023

Let’s face it, we can all get frustrated with our jobs, career paths...or a job search

Our current role can suddenly take a toll on us like it hasn’t before. Our career path can suddenly become unappealing. Or if we’re looking for our next gig, the slow, unrewarding match-making marathon, can get us down.

In any case, you know that you want something, but don’t know exactly what it is or how to get it. You may also feel like you are stuck between an either/or choice, when there is always a third way forward, just a path currently unseen.

If this is you right now, I want you to know, you are not alone! I’ve helped many, many clients navigate their way through the rough terrain of career choices. Whether it is course correcting their career towards more fulfillment, upleveling their role to make a bigger impact, or finding that right-fit job & company that they deserve.

Let’s take a look at what can help you find more ease on your journey into your own version of freedom, growth & joy! Because it’s possible for you & you deserve it!

I currently have 3 openings for new coaching clients & 1 opening for strategic advisory services – Learn More or Let’s Talk!
Consider this for yourself or share with a rockin’ woman in your life.

Your guide to a right-fit job...

Here’s your assignment…Below you will find your go-to plan to get more clarity about what you want out of your career and actions-steps to you get there. This guide is power-packed for results, so go at your own pace. Follow it and I promise you’ll be in a better place than you are now.

STEP 1

Know Your Values + Strengths + Passions

When you work (or seek to work) at the intersection of your values, strengths (unique abilities/your magic), and your passion work is going to be easier for you. It’s going to help you identify the right company, right role, right career path that actually aligns with you. You will be happier. You will feel more fulfilled. And you will most likely have a bigger impact because this is your sweet spot.

Try it:

1) Core Values:

What 3 – 5 values drive your actions when times are good? They put wind in your sails and make you feel steadfast. What same values also help you in tough times? What values do you lean on when navigating tough seas? Get really clear on your values and then make choices in alignment with them. Say no to jobs and employers who do not align. I can guarantee you, if your core values are misaligned with what you’re doing, you will feel the grind.

2) Strengths:

Write a list of everything you are good at. They can be a skills, competencies, or a qualities. Think about your work life and how you show up in your household and with other family & friends. I want this to be a laundry list. It’s also super helpful to ask others that are close to you. After you’ve complied a really good list, go back and circle ONLY the things that light you up. That is your magic. And the combination of your magic is what makes you unique. Now write down a story for each unique ability – show it in action (hint: use this to help you communicate your strengths & identify appropriate job/roles that will utilize them best).

3) Passions

When you’re busy in life, getting in touch with your passions can seem elusive. Many of us have also learned to over-complicate the meaning of ‘passion.’ So, let’s slow it down and simplify it. Look back at your life. What areas of interest continue to follow you? What articles do you end up clicking on (what is the main focus/topic area)? What ends up filling your social media feeds because that is where you linger? When you’re chatting with others, what topics can you not let go? Ones that you’ll get a little loud about and go to the mat for? Where do you want to leave a legacy? These are all potential passion areas. Start a list now and keep adding to it for two weeks or so. Then take a look for life-long themes or present day whammies. Again, what lights you up the most?

STEP 2

Clarify Your Non-negotiables

Getting clear on your bottom-line is a critical step, not to be overlooked. These are the things we wished we prioritized. This step entails making 3 lists — these are things that matter most to you and bring you energy. After you make the lists, it is time to bring in your superpowers of attention & intention. That means you focus on making these things happen. Again, and again, and again. You want happiness? You want a sense of meaning and fulfillment? Make these lists and make your life about them.

Try it:

1) Your Basic Needs:

What are your basic needs? I’m talking about the things you need in your life, brass-tax, to allow you to feel resourced and up for your life. Like sleep. How many hours are your ideal? Frequency & types of food? Movement? Nature? Time to yourself? You get the drift. These are part of your non-negotiables. Once you have your list, use it to set boundaries. Let these guide what you say yes or no to (including tasks at work &/or a specific job). And if you make a decision that supersedes this list, ask yourself what the trade-off is in the short and long-term. Is it worth it to you?

2) What your life looks like:

It’s time to day-dream. What do you want your life to look like? What is your desired future? No one else is going to read this list, so go for it, no limitations. No, “ya-buts!” I encourage you to do this journaling in 2 or 3 different sittings. I always find, with each new sitting, your dreams expand and get more detailed. Let it all fly — what does a typical day look like? What fills your weeks, months that make you love your life? Who do you see most often? Consider these categories: career, social, learning/growth, physical, spiritual, home, lifestyle, self, financial.

3) How do you want to feel?

Savvy marketers and politicians all know that human actions are based on emotion and not logic. That’s why we click, that’s why we buy, that’s why we vote. So, why don’t we let our emotions guide our actions on purpose!? This list may seem a little vague and intangible, but I am inviting you to imagine that you are working at the intersection of your values, strengths and passions from Step 1. Really let yourself imagine it as if it’s happening right now. Go ahead, no one is watching….imagine what it would be like to be completely in alignment and living your values. Imagine showing up every day at work seeing the results of your unique abilities in complete flow. And imagine doing these things on a subject or issue area that you are truly passionate about. Once you have that full-body image, I want you to name the emotions you feel. Yup, what does it ‘feel’ like when you are living at the center of your values, strengths & passions?

I know this section is really long. But, I cannot emphasize this enough. If you only do one thing from this entire list of steps, this is what you should to make your future more of what you actually want. Grab 3 few sticky notes. Write down the top 3 feelings you want to feel on each sticky note. Slap one on your computer monitor. Put another on or inside your bathroom mirror. And put the other on your bedside table. Now…every time you see one of those sticky notes, pause, take a deep breath and imagine what it feels like to feel the first feeling on the list. Take a second breath and imagine what if feels like to feel the second feeling on the list. And take a third breath, feeling into that third feeling.

By doing this ‘feel-it’ exercise, many, many times a day, you will be closing the gap between what you want and your current experience. (personal guarantee: this was key to me finding my freedom, growth & joy!)

STEP 3

Taking Action on Alignment

Being in alignment may sound elusive at first glance. So, let’s demystify it. When you are making choices and living a life where you feel good, you are in alignment with what matters most to you. If you feel a rub or grind of any kind, whether it’s with a task, your job, or something else in your life, you are not aligned with what matters most to you.

The lists we made in Step 1 & 2 should be the things that matter most to you. If not, go back and revise them until you have a clear picture of what you care about most. Step 3 is all about getting really real with yourself. That entails slowing down enough so you can identify a misalignment, pin-point the misalignment, and then making intentional choices to move yourself back into alignment with what matters most to you.

Try it:

1) Sensing yes and no in your body:

Understanding your body intelligence can help you make better decisions. Your body is telling you something, whether you are listening or not. So, why not take a listen?

CONSTRICTION:

If you’re unsure about a decision, scan your body. Do you feel a sense of constriction anywhere? Pay special attention to your chest & torso. Constriction is our body’s way of saying no or knowing that something is ‘off.’ (Caveat: it’s also your body’s way of saying, ‘I’m scared,’ which can happen when you are in a real growth moment. Helpful hint: ask yourself, “Am I excited about the possibilities of what could happen if I do make a leap?” If so, it’s probably a growth edge & not a no.).

EXPANSION:

If constriction isn’t there, scan your body again, looking for a sense of expansion. Expansion is our body’s way of saying ‘yes’ or ‘I’m in alignment with this.’

 

PRACTICE:

Tapping into your body’s intelligence takes time and practice – it’s a skill you hone over time. By paying attention to what is happening inside your body. Look for sensations of big constriction (= things you don’t like or a growth edge) AND Sensations of expansion (= things you like).

2) Use your lists in Step 1 & 2:

If you sense a misalignment, that grinding feeling that something just isn’t right, or you sense that ‘no’ in your body, or you are scared at the edge of a growth moment, you first need to slow down for just a bit. Allow yourself to notice that you are unhappy or not in alignment. Know that it is ok to find yourself there. Life is a series of becoming. You can continue to choose and re-choose what you want now. That is growth. Build trust with yourself that you will continue to make thoughtful steps in the direction of what matters most to you. So first, slow down — slow down enough to pinpoint where you are misaligned with what matters most. Take time to review all your lists from Step 1 & 2. Jot down all the areas you feel ‘off’ about. Locate the misaligned items or areas.

3) Just take action

Take your ‘off’ or ‘misalignment’ list and let’s take action. How can you move from being mis-aligned to being more aligned? Each decision you make can move you away from what you don’t want and more towards what you do want. It can be helpful to think of yourself as walking along a continuum, rather than a jump from point A to point B, you moving towards point B with small steps. So, what is one choice you can make to move towards your point B (what matters most)? Think short and long-term. Remember, it’s all the smaller, short-term decisions that lead to better alignment in the long-term.

So, there you have it! It’s as easy as 1 - 2 - 3!

Yea, right. I’m not one to sugarcoat things. I know it may not always feel easy, but these steps (above) can help ease your way if you’re navigating a job, a career path, or a job search! I invite you to give them a try and let me know how it goes!

If you get stuck or could use a trusted partner to help you navigate these steps with more depth, don’t hesitate to reach out (schedule a time to talk)! That’s why I am here!

I feel so much freedom, growth & joy supporting purpose-driven women in living their highest potential. And now you can probably see why! I combine my values of love, connection, growth and adventure (my values) to empower the resiliency of purpose-driven women (my passion areas) through leadership coaching and strategic design (my unique strengths).

Wishing you freedom, growth & joy,

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Ellen Palmer

Ellen here. I'm a regenerative leadership coach helping female leaders in climate and energy transform themselves to transform the world. I'm the coach for you because I've been there: over-achiever, purpose-driven, female leader working in climate and energy. Dedicating my life to creating a better world for all because I know everything we hold dear depends on it. I've also been studying human potential my entire life and in my own search for an authentic fulfillment, I've turned to what I do best, empower change-makers to actualize their visions. My background in leadership, strategy, performance, and employee development & happiness paired with human potential and coach training makes me the perfect partner and guide on the journey into your highest potential.