40 / 465
Far too few individuals I counsel recall a parent walking in the door
grateful and exuberant for their unique contribution with positive
family dialogue about the virtues of having found their calling. More
likely, they presented the ingrained thoughts from an early age of
“being lucky to have a job,” which often extinguishes any hope or
thought of finding a position they might actually enjoy.
Like you, I am challenged on a daily basis to maintain balance in my
individual, married, and professional life. With three children, numerous family
obligations, and a thriving business, finding time for reflection, fitness, career
planning, and social activities is no easy task! Life issues like responsibility and
aging often cloud the pursuit of your career calling and become an easy
excuse for accepting professional mediocrity. Many people are in this vicious
cycle of wanting to plan but having no time. In the past, many people
looking for jobs sought a secure profession. People stayed at a company until
they retired and received a gold watch or some reward for 30 years of loyal
service. No matter what level of disenchantment or unhappiness, they stayed
in the same occupation with the same employer.
Today, the average job tenure is only 3–4 years (the average person will hold
over 15 jobs in their life!) and people are forced to take a more proactive role
in how they will sustain their livelihood. We call this development a
paradigm
shift
, which has led to the necessity of mastering your ability to transition
between jobs and often between industries.
You should be aware that most of us identify with one or both of our parents
regarding our career. Simply put, we act and behave in accordance with
their
belief systems. These may be handed down from generation to
generation and seem like “tradition” but can be extremely damaging. Their
belief systems, while comfortable, may not be in sync with your own.
your own.
Section 1 – Getting To Know Yourself
40