Blow Your Horn

February 13th, 2010 No comments »

Job search studies regularly show that it is not the best qualified candidate who gets the job most of the time. Instead, it is the strongest communicator. Why?
We live in a storytelling culture. We learn about each other and the world around us through story. Think of all the time you [...]

Danger of Success

January 15th, 2010 3 comments »

Some of the most “successful” people in the world hate their jobs.
In the first pages of his new autobiography, former tennis star, Andre Agassiz, writes:  “I play tennis for a living, even though I hate tennis, hate it with a dark and secret passion.”  Turns out that Agassiz won eight Grand Slam titles with a [...]

A Lesson from the Grinch

December 8th, 2009 1 comment »

This is the time of year when various versions of ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’ appear on television. He’s a mean one, Mr. Grinch—that ol’ sourpuss who had his heart broken as a young man (he lost his girl to his rival, the mayor of Who-ville.)
Misery loves company, and the Grinch tries to [...]

How to Inoculate against job flus and blues

November 16th, 2009 2 comments »

The current economic recession has resulted in millions of layoffs for workers across North America. On top of that, there is an H1N1 pandemic forcing millions to lay down from work for a week or more, jeopardizing good health, or even job security.
Learning to adapt to changing circumstances in life is a necessary skill. Being [...]

Break out of Zombieland!

October 15th, 2009 No comments »

Zombie movies point out how our human inclination to go through the motions of life at work and in relationships are eating us alive. Take courage and smite that zombie on the nose!

Stop horsing around and focus on strengths!

September 25th, 2009 3 comments »

I recently worked with a young woman who has an unusual gift for understanding horse behavior. I’ll call her Lisa (not her real name.) She only discovered this talent in the last few years when she took up the hobby of horseback riding.
But her natural talent for reading the character of a horse quickly and [...]

Three Myths of Career Change

September 9th, 2009 1 comment »

Three Myths of Career Change
Myth #1: Passion and Work Are Not Compatible
In fact, research shows the opposite to be true. Most successful
people are those who have learned to follow their passion. The
problem is that many of us were taught to be rational when we make
career decisions. So we buried our passion.

Get Off the Bus and onto the Right Road for You

August 25th, 2009 6 comments »

I have worked one-on-one with over 3000 individuals during the past 15 years.. And each one has their own story with unique elements. However, there are common themes too.
For example, many people end up in a misfit or in career pain because they get on the wrong bus. They realize the bus is headed somewhere [...]

Your Career is Not a Problem to be Solved

August 12th, 2009 1 comment »

 
One of the things I’ve noticed during the past 15 years of assisting individuals through career transitions is that successful transitions have a creative orientation.  What I mean by that is the distinction between a problem-solving mentality and a creating mentality.

Career School of Rock n’ Roll

August 10th, 2009 1 comment »

Summer is the season of music festivals.  Touring in a band is like managing a career change.  Here are the relevant lessons:
Lesson #1: Join the Right Band
Do you feel out of place, in a dead end job that neither satisfies or motivates at any level? Perhaps you are married to a lifestyle that demands constant [...]